Obama Birther Claims Are 'Ludicrous' And 'Embarrassing,' Kevin Kline Says

'The Conspirator' actor critical of the polarizing effects of the controversy over where the president was born.
By Eric Ditzian


Kevin Kline
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty

Chatter about where President Obama was born is suddenly back in the headlines, echoing through the halls of Congress and the newsrooms of cable channels. Earlier this year, Republican House Speaker John Boehner said it wasn't his responsibility to tell Americans what to think about the so-called "birther" controversy that posits that the president isn't a natural-born citizen of the United States. And Donald Trump has been telling anyone who will listen that he thinks Obama is hiding something about the origins of his birth and might have been born in Kenya.

All this political hot air has gotten under the skin of Kevin Kline, who stars in "The Conspirator" — a cinematic retelling of an actual conspiracy, this one surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. "It's ludicrous. It's embarrassing," the veteran actor told MTV News. "This country is so polarized and our leaders in Washington are so polarized. How can the nation come together when the paradigm that is presented to us — our models, the men that we're meant to look up to — are playing such a ridiculous competition?

"When the Speaker of the House says, 'I'm not saying that I think Obama is not an American citizen, but I can't tell others' — that is craven and petty," Kline added. "It's all about spin and 'let's keep the polarization because we want to be in office in 2012.' What about the good of the people?"

Putting the good of the people and the health of the country ahead of short-term political gamesmanship is at the core of "The Conspirator," the latest directorial effort from Robert Redford. Kline plays Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who pushes for a military tribunal — rather than a civilian trial — to try a suspect in the Lincoln assassination conspiracy. The allusions to the country's post-9/11 treatment of detainees is impossible to ignore, all the more so because much of Stanton's dialogue feels like it could have been uttered by a Bush administration official just a few years ago. Now, like then, what gets lost in the rush to convict and the attempt to heal emotional wounds, Kline said, is "our common humanity." What we're left with is two sides mindlessly butting heads. "North against South, Republican against Democrat," he added. "Blue against Red, my high school against your high school.

"We're all subject to the time we live in, and in moments of stress and chaos — at the end of the Civil War or post-9/11 — people are not always at their most rational or their most just or their most evenhanded," Kline maintained. "That's why we have things in place, like our judicial system, like our Constitution. We need those rules and strictures because we are human."

What do you think about the Obama "birther" controversy and Kline's opinions about it? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661810/president-obama-birther-kevin-kline.jhtml

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Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/03/02/celebrity-pictures-pete-wentz-all-smiles-while-shopping/

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Exclusive: Nicki Minaj 'Beyond Thrilled' About Britney Spears Tour

'This summer will be one for the books!' Nicki promises MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Nicki Minaj
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ Getty Images

After lots of speculation, Britney Spears confirmed Tuesday (April 12) that she'd be bringing Nicki Minaj along on tour. The pairing of the Femme Fatale and the Barbie seems like a match made in pop-culture heaven, and Minaj couldn't agree more.

"I am beyond thrilled to tour with Britney. It's an honor. She's an icon," Nicki told MTV News in an exclusive statement. "This summer will be one for the books!"

Shortly after announcing the tour, Spears and Minaj struck up a Twitter conversation that felt as if they were already throwing slumber parties on their tour bus.

"Could not think of a sexier Femme Fatale than @NickiMinaj to come on tour with me! Gonna be a hot summer people!" Spears tweeted, kicking off the Twittermance. "The #FemmeFataleBARBZ wont know what hit em. Ready or not people, here we come...."

"Hot INDEED Your Fierceness!!! This tour's gonna KICK ASS!!! The #FemmeFataleBARBZ r READY!!! Let's GO!!!" Minaj tweeted back to the star, before adding, "Let's keep the 'other thing' a secret for now..."

Minaj is set to call into Ryan Seacrest on Wednesday to reveal what that big secret is, and Spears teased her fans one final time: "All good things to those who wait...."

Minaj will join Spears after she wraps up Lil Wayne's I Am Still Music Tour, which finishes May 1 in New Jersey. Spears' tour kicks off June 16 in Sacramento, California, and will run for 26 dates through North America, winding up August 13 in Toronto. Select tickets go on sale April 30.

"This is the Femme Fatale tour, and I'm thrilled to have the hot Nicki Minaj join me and [opening acts] Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo will get everyone on the dance floor," Spears said early Tuesday about the tour. "Can't wait to take the Femme Fatales on the road."

What do you think about Nicki joining Brit's tour? Let us know in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661820/nicki-minaj-britney-spears-tour.jhtml

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Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/03/31/jennifer-love-hewitt-dresses-up-for-her-coffee-run/

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Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/04/12/the-hobbit-peter-jackson-elijah-wood/

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Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2010/12/10/ben-affleck-the-company-men-the-town-jennifer-garner/

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Kids' Choice Awards 2011: The Show And Winners List

Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus awarded on slime-filled Nickelodeon night.
By Aly Semigran


Russell Brand and Rico Rodriguez get slimed onstage during Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images

For 23 years, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards has been an event in which celebrities can truly let loose. After all, it's hard to have an ego when you're getting covered in green slime or being inducted into the Arm Fart Hall of Fame (we're looking at you, Josh Duhamel).

Nick's 2011 awards show, which aired lived on the network Saturday from Los Angeles, kept with its tradition of stars finding themselves in some truly outrageous situations. Host Jack Black, who was at the helm for the third time (he last helped hand out those coveted orange kaleidoscope blimps in 2008), kicked things off with an over-the-top musical number. The funnyman, wearing a black leather jumpsuit with flames — the first of many quirky wardrobe changes — was joined by a group of dancers to perform his own rendition of the Black Eyed Peas' hit "I Gotta Feelin'."

Black then introduced the group, as the "Jack Black Eyed Peas," and joined them onstage for "The Time (Dirty Bit)." BEP, who later won the award for Best Music Group, then sang their next single, "Just Can't Get Enough."

The first award of the evening was given out to Johnny Depp, who won Favorite Movie Actor for his performance in "Alice in Wonderland." Depp, who emerged from backstage, told the kiddie crowd and voters it was "truly a pleasure to receive this award that comes from you guys. I appreciate it."

After apologizing for beating Black in the category, Depp told Nick viewers, "You guys are the future; take good care of us." The actor then proceeded to get in on the fun, sliming the group of young fans who stood at the foot of the stage.

Depp's stunt led to one of the evening's most memorable — and by far, funniest — moments when "Arthur" actor Russell Brand and "Modern Family" star Rico Rodriguez appeared onstage soon after to present the award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (the blimp eventually went to Eddie Murphy, who got the crowd to sing him "Happy Birthday," for his role in "Shrek Forever After").

Before Brand and Rodriguez could even begin their banter at the podium, the freshly slimed youngsters began throwing the green, gooey mess at the two stars. In response to the mayhem, Brand declared, "I'm never having children."

Brand continued, as he guarded Rodriguez from the kiddie coup, "I am English! I am your leader! You must not do this, I am royalty! You are all going to juvenile hall. You children are going to prison. You are bad children!" Brand, who is voicing a character in the animated feature "Hop," cried that the moment was not in the script, then joked, "Johnny, I wished you'd drowned them."

They weren't the only stars to get slimed during the broadcast. Heidi Klum, who almost took a spill thanks to her sky-high heels, got hit, as did Jason Segel, who received a slime slushie courtesy of Jane Lynch. Even Snoop Doog — who joined pop-rock group and Nick stars Big Time Rush for their song "Boyfriend" — got doused in the green stuff.

As Willow Smith performed her hits "21st Century Girl" and "Whip My Hair," the 10-year-old was cheered on by her dad, Will Smith, and brother, Jaden Smith, who were in the audience.

The final big award of the evening went to Miley Cyrus, who won for Favorite Movie Actress for "The Last Song." The former "Hannah Montana" star attempted to put gossip to rest during her acceptance speech as she thanked her family for supporting her career.

Cyrus will no doubt get fans wondering about the status of her relationship with "Last Song" co-star and on-again, off-again beau Liam Hemsworth, whom she thanked for "helping me make movie magic" in the 2010 drama.

The Big Help Award, which was presented by Rosario Dawson, went to singer/actor Justin Timberlake for his devotion to charities, particularly the work he does with Shriners Hospital for Children. In between cracking jokes about burping and getting the crowd to cheer if they had ever helped anyone, Timberlake took the time to tell his young fans, "Your heart is the most beautiful part, so don't forget to use it."

In addition to telling kids they can do their part to help, even with major issues such as the crisis in Japan, the star said something bound to make any adult watching elated: "Listen to your parents!"

Finally, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian hit the stage to help give away the last award of the night for Favorite TV Show, which went to the kid-friendly Nickelodeon hit "iCarly."

Black kept a high energy throughout the show, including some interactions with his "Kung Fu Panda 2" character, Po, — one of which featured a cameo from Britney Spears in a pre-recorded segment. He ended the evening with a slime battle between himself and Jim Carrey, who made a surprise finale appearance.

Other winners included:

Favorite Female Singer

  • Katy Perry
  • Favorite Male Singer

  • Justin Bieber
  • Favorite Song

  • "Baby" - Justin Bieber
  • Favorite Movie

  • "The Karate Kid"
  • Favorite Animated Movie

  • "Despicable Me"
  • Favorite Reality Show

  • "American Idol"
  • Favorite TV Actress

  • Selena Gomez
  • Favorite TV Actor

  • Dylan Sprouse
  • Favorite Book

  • "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series
  • Favorite Cartoon

  • "Spongebob Square Pants"
  • Favorite Male Athlete

  • Shaquille O'Neal
  • Favorite Female Athlete

  • Lindsey Vonn
  • Favorite Video Game

  • "Just Dance 2"
  • What was your favorite moment at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards? Tell us below!

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    Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661191/kids-choice-awards.jhtml

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    Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/04/12/bachelorette-ali-fedotowsky-lands-a-new-talk-show-on-style-network/

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