Box-office record for 'New Moon' midnight showings rankles Harry Potter fans

I know, I know, we’ve heard enough about Twilight’s “New Moon” already. Westwood residents couldn’t get away from fans lined up on the sidewalks for the midnight showing holding signs declaring their devotion (like one I spotted that said, "We flew all the way from NY and NJ to be here").

But this is big news, worth bringing up in the endless wizard-vampire comparisons.

Summit Entertainment set the official estimate for “New Moon’s” midnight ticket sales at $26.3 million, breaking the record “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” set this summer at $22.2 million.

Harry may have fallen off the broom-wagon.

At least, that’s what it looks like from the hard numbers. But HP fans have proved loyal over the ten years author J.K. Rowling took to release the seven books chronicling the young wizards (and are now loyally attending the movies) -- and in our Company Town blog comments section, it seems no blood-sucking heartthrob is compelling enough take such a magical love away:

Oprah to end her syndicated TV show in 2011

Oprah officially announced her decision to leave broadcast syndication for cable after her contract with CBS expires in 2011.

Our Company Town blog wrote she will most likely resurface on OWN, a cable network she is starting with Discovery Communications.

Commenters haven’t been saying much about the breaking news on Oprah’s split, but other social networkers are all a-Twitter about the decision:

cruedoll wrote: #oprah rules the world doesn't she? I don't think I have ever even watched her show

tylersnotes: Hey world why is it surprising that Oprah is cancelling her show in 2 years? She's starting a cable channel. Not like she's leaving TV.

drewpickard: I predict Oprah running for president in 2012. President of THE WORLD.

ShineyPink: this is a terrible day for @oprah lovers:(

So what do you think? Is Oprah making a smart move by packing up her show and placing it on cable? Do you think she will still be able to get guests like Sarah Palin and Tom Cruise on this new network? Or is this, the most popular daytime talk show, "jumping the shark"?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Oprah Winfrey on stage at the 60th prime-time Emmy Awards from the Nokia Theatre. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Lou Dobbs announces his resignation from CNN -- is Fox his next stop?

Longtime CNN anchor Lou Dobbs announced on his program this evening that he is leaving the network.

His resignation is effective immediately, overriding a contract set to expire at the end of 2011. Tonight’s show was his last on CNN.

The anchor updated his Twitter account, loudobbsnews, with “Be sure to watch CNN tonight at seven eastern for what will be, for me at least, a memorable show.”

Dobbs is perhaps best known for his anti-immigration views, which Twitter users repeatedly referred to as word of Dobbs’ resignation spread:

sarahhirsch says: And Fox said to CNN "red rover red rover let Lou Dobbs come over" Good riddance.

daveweigel says: Lou Dobbs leaving CNN to spend more time with his racism

mkapor says: Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Zohreen says: One more thing to add to things thankful for at fam thankgiving din in 2 weeks

nutzareus says: Only option is FOX News for Lou Dobbs. Seems appropriate. :-)

Last month, Dobbs met with Roger Ailes, chairman of the Fox News Channel. According to a New York Times blog post, Dobbs was viewed as a potential hire for the Fox Business Network at that time.

Tell us your thoughts -- did Lou Dobbs break his contract with CNN to start a job with Fox? In your opinion, would that be the right move for him? If not Fox, where might he be going next?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Lou Dobbs announces his resignation from CNN on his show Wednesday night. Credit: Tony Pierce / Los Angeles Times

Oprah reportedly is considering leaving Chicago for her L.A.-based OWN cable network in 2011

Rumors are flying around the Web that the Oprah Winfrey show may soon be packing up its longtime broadcast syndication in Chicago and moving to her new Los Angeles-based cable network, the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Even though OWN has yet to launch, there has already been a considerable amount of controversy with the channel’s executives, as three top programmers have left the venture in the last six months.

Winfrey’s production company Harpo Inc. has not confirmed the rumors, saying only that the iconic talk show host would make a decision by year's end. The show’s contract with syndicator CBS Television Distribution expires in 2011.

Meanwhile, people on Twitter don’t need any concrete details to spread rumors around the social network like wildfire, using the hashtag "#Oprah" -- here are some of today’s tweets about Oprah’s predicted move:

JakeJNelson: Its not like anyone is watching anyway...What would be so entertaining about #Oprah

milordsuccotash: #Oprah braves move to her OWN network!! Great move O, she owns and controls her brand!

courtneywade: O is off her rocker.

Henjealy: OMG, WHAT? Probably leaving us for some Olympic-laden city. I see how it is.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Oprah is wise to consider making the switch to her OWN network? Can she survive on cable, away from syndicated broadcasts? Let us know below.

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Oprah Winfrey on the set of her show in 1996. Credit: Los Angeles Times

'This Is It': Does the Michael Jackson documentary redeem or fail to acquit?

The posthumous Michael Jackson documentary, “This Is It,” reported less-than-impressive numbers on opening night but has since garnered hope with its increasing ticket sales, says our Company Town blog.

The box-office surge is partially due to its popularity overseas (like in Japan), but also because of positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

However, readers’ reactions to the film still mirror public opinion seen and heard after Jackson’s sudden death in June: a battle between sympathy for the tragedy of losing a legend and repulsion to repeated allegations of child molestation during his life.

Times film critic Ann Powers gave the documentary an overall positive review, and some readers agreed:

Natalie wrote: 'This Is It' speaks loud and clear to debunk all the myths about Michael Jackson that media/tabloid has implanted in the public's mind. He is a true genius who masters his craft, yet he is also humble and childlike. There is so much talent and goodness in this man that the world has just chose to ignore -- and now we've lost him forever. This film is a gift to all of Michael's fans and music lovers.

For All Time wrote: Through 'This Is It' we learn more about the kind of person MJ really was inside than the last 30 years of slanderous gossip about him. His relentless pursuit of musical perfection, his rare kind of professionalism with fellow players and his unmatched energy level will never be seen in show business ever again.

But others stood by their opinion that Jackson’s personal problems overrode any good brought about by his music:

David wrote: Cant we let this narcissistic madman fade away?? Oops..there is still cash to be squeezed out of him.

archangel wrote: Oh, please Jackson "channeling God"! And which channel was he tuning into during his drug induced God delusions? The Baby Channel, Barney, Comedy Central, the Doper Channels (MTV/VH1). I'm in a quandary deciding which the worse pathos is; Jackson for his mediocre, tainted and trashed legacy... or the media for squeezing this landfill stench from a dead guy just to rack up the sales? Enough!

joel wrote: of course foreigners would cough up the money to see jackson they think he was a god. most countries over there think its ok to molest a child.

If you have seen “This Is It,” tell us what you think. Do you think we ought to appreciate a great film honoring this departed musical legend? Or is it impossible to separate Jackson’s personal life -- and his controversial relationships with children -- from his music?

And if you haven’t seen the film, are you planning on attending? Are you waiting for the inevitable DVD? Or have you had enough of the King of Pop?

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Movie poster for "This Is It." Credit: Sony Pictures

Readers still split about Rihanna and Chris Brown as 'Rated R' is set to drop

It has been almost nine months since Chris Brown was arrested for assaulting Rihanna while the then-couple drove home from a pre-Grammy party, an incident that caused a huge uproar in the music community and among fans. Brown was sentenced in August to five years of probation and 180 days of community labor.

After the assault, readers responded passionately, both defending Chris Brown and supporting Rihanna as a victim of abuse:

What wrote: Plaxico gets 2 years of his life taken away for taking a gun into a club and shooting himself accidentally in the leg. Harming no one but himself. Chris Brown gets probation for beating the crap out of Rihanna. Our justice system/prison business is extremely flawed.

General wrote: I don't care if she spit in his face and called him an idiotic womanizer. I don't care if she called him every name you can think of. There is no excuse for what he did. A picture tells it all and he doesn't look too hurt to me. Biting someone? That is just sick.

Shakaila Jones wrote: I LOVE MY Christopher Maurice Brown 4get rihanna. I am ANTI-Rihanna right now. She has slaughtered Chris's good name and I dont like her at all. I didnt like when they started dating cuz she took my man and now because of this heck no. I never will like her again. Now everytime people mention chris brown name they are going to call him an abuser and all that nonsense. I will do anything to clear Chris name and rid him of that triffling, jealous, mean, RIHANNA!!!!!!!

Later this month Rihanna will return to the music scene with the release of her new album, “Rated R.” The album features the eye-opening serious single “Russian Roulette” that marks her music comeback from the February incident -- yet regardless of where Rihanna stands, the feelings of our readers remains strongly polarized (comments after the jump):

'The Oprah Effect': Is Christmas in October naughty, or nice?

It's not surprising that there is buzz after today's Oprah Winfrey Show (she seems to have that effect on people frequently), but this time many are wondering if Oprah's featured offer is just an early example of the acceleration of Black Friday's rabid consumerism. All this, and Halloween hasn't even arrived yet.

On the second segment of her show today, Oprah announced an exclusive sale at Payless ShoeSource: a link to a coupon for 50% off one’s entire purchase. (The offer is only good in stores from now until the close of business Friday, Oct. 30. That's tomorrow, folks -- so if you're interested, don't delay on printing that coupon.)

(Perhaps unrelated to the Christmas season, but still worth mentioning, is another offer recently released by Boston Market. The restaurant chain's coupon, which offers customers the choice of a quarter white meat or a three-piece dark meat meal with mashed potatoes and cornbread for $1, was a response to KFC's free-chicken day on Monday, Oct. 26. Boston Market makes no attempt to hide that the promotion is an attempt to steal KFC's thunder; its coupon reads "$1 Real Chicken Meal: Always better than just a FREE piece of chicken." The offer is good until Nov. 1.)

Michael Moore's 'Capitalism: A Love Story' challenges many aspects of American life

Although the latest Michael Moore documentary, "Capitalism: A Love Story" has been screening in Los Angeles in a few theaters for a week, the film debuted nationwide Friday.

The consensus of reviewers sampled by RottenTomatoes.com gives the controversial (and funny) doc a respectable 72% "fresh" rating (meaning more favorable reviews than unfavorable ones). L.A. Times film critic Kenneth Turan's review is equally lukewarm to the movie that uses AIG, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger and even Jesus Christ to help prove Moore's theory that capitalism is hurting America. An excerpt:

Clearly, Moore has not lost his provocateur's gift for stirring the pot, and it is heartening to have a filmmaker take on a subject this all-encompassing and almost taboo. But not even Moore's skill can quell the suspicion that "Capitalism" misses the narrower focus that gave his earlier films some of their punch.

In a sense, "Capitalism" comes by its wide-ranging, scattershot approach naturally. After all, this is a heck of a big subject: Just ask Karl Marx, who spent 18 years researching and writing his multi-volume "Das Kapital." So it's perhaps inevitable because of the ton of territory "Capitalism" covers that this film ends up as the sum of its parts, nothing more.

That said, Moore's scattershot is a lot more interesting than some filmmakers' focus, and many of those individual parts are classic. For one thing, Moore retains the instincts of a shrewd stand-up comedian -- the astonished, baffled looks he often wears are a case in point, as is his decision to include under the rubric of "When did Jesus become a capitalist?" the dubbing of a section of a biblical epic with free-market platitudes.

So now that the film has been released nationally, if you've seen it, feel free to give us your take in the comments below.

-- Tony Pierce

Trailer for "Capitalism: A Love Story" by Overture Films

Readers call Kanye West 'heartless' after he grabbed the mic from Taylor Swift

Last night's annual MTV Music Video Awards brought out the star power, and with that, inevitably, comes the controversy. The trouble started early in the proceedings when rap superstar Kanye West rushed the stage while teen country darling Taylor Swift accepted her award for Best Female Video. West took the microphone from Swift's hand to complain that Beyonce deserved the award because "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was, as he put it, "one of the best videos of all time."

The result was confusion and mayhem on the live broadcast. MTV ran, what else, a video, and Swift was led off the stage before she could finish her acceptance speech. Later, in a very classy move, Beyonce invited Swift to return to the stage "to have her moment" during the time allotted to the R&B singer after she won Video of the Year. Later West apologized from his "crib" via his blog.

But that didn't end the fireworks. The Pop & Hiss blog received more than 350 comments, mostly ridiculing the talented rapper/producer.

sara said: An apology from him doesn't count for anything, I'm sure his publicist made him do it. He still doesn't really think it was wrong to do that. But he will get away with it like he always does and the media and his music colleagues will not care by Friday. He gets to say and do any rude thing he wants without any real consequence.

James defended West: Why is everyone hating on Kanye? He's just speaking his mind. Can't blame him for that. Let's be honest, Beyonce's video was better then Taylor Swifts.

c.mil didn't think Kanye's apology was sincere: That is such a backhanded apology! He basically said he was sorry, but that Taylor was completely undeserving of the award, that she should have recognized it, and given her award up to Beyonce. He is ridiculous and needs to get over himself.

Ryan Abao asked: kanye! how could you be so heartless?!?!?

How did you like this year's Sunset Junction?

This was supposed to be the Sunset Junction Street Fair that never happened. After last year's drama over how far east the annual festival would stretch, how much the mandatory (instead of voluntary) admission prices would be and where everyone would park, neighbors and concerned parties held heated debates that put this year's festivities in severe doubt.

But another August rolled around, and so did another Sunset Junction. The footprint of the fair was extended, neighbors got free wristbands, and parking seemed to be more plentiful, in part because of the demise of the local Circuit City.

Critics still had things to complain about given the $20 admission price, the lack of top-notch local headliners and of course the threat of running into those pesky Silver Lake and Los Feliz "hipsters."

Although most attendees were thrilled with Saturday's melange of bands, Times music writer Scott Sterling was more than satisfied with Sunday's musical lineup, comparing it to that much-grander festival in the desert:

As the Time closed with an extended run through “Jungle Love,” and with Arrested Development and Built to Spill already wrapped up playing to huge audiences, the 2009 Sunset Junction street fair proved you don’t necessarily need Coachella headliners to have an impact.

So the question is, how did you like this year's Sunset Junction? Were your greatest fears realized? Did you enjoy the food? Were you repulsed by bearded 20-somethings and their ironic T-shirts? Did you meet any new neighbors? Did you hear any new bands? And most important, do you think it was worth the 20 bucks?

-- Tony Pierce

Photo credit: Tony Pierce / Los Angeles Times

Should taxpayers be responsible for Michael Jackson's memorial service?

After days of speculation, many of the details surrounding Michael Jackson's memorial service have been revealed.  The venue is reserved, the date is set, and most fans already have their tickets.  Yet, one key question remains unanswered -- who exactly will be paying for all this?

Right now, it looks like taxpayers might be stuck footing the bill.

Organizers estimate that the cost of the event could to run into the millions, but city officials are still unclear over how the event will be paid for.  Although Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said she would love for the Jacksons to help pay the costs of the memorial, she had not heard from them as of this morning.

For many Los Angeles residents, the event is eerily reminiscent of last month's Lakers parade, which caused similar controversy.  That event was eventually paid for by private donors.

"This city still has a $360-million deficit and this is a private event, much like the Laker parade. Someone in the Jackson family needs to pony up the money or cancel the event," wrote Dave.

"Sweet, more tax payer funds to support the rich and famous. I love LA. Can the city pay for my funeral as well?" said Tony Phan.

"City services for any PLANNED event should be paid for by the promoters of the event. In this case, especially, the promoters will likely make a fortune in record sales and future events that piggy back onto this spectacle. There is no reason these people should make money on the backs of taxpayers. It's no wonder our city is broke!" wrote Pablo.

Readers weigh in on Carrie Prejean and the Miss California USA debate: Are controversial views grounds for termination?

In the days after Carrie Prejean's comments on same-sex marriage during the 2009 Miss USA Pageant, Donald Trump assured the public that Prejean would retain her title. Despite Trump's assurances, K2 Productions announced today that they had stripped Prejean of her crown. Although the company claims that the firing was due to contractual violations, many speculate that the termination might have related to her comments. 

Some offended readers were glad to hear of her dismissal.

"I don't understand why there is such a double-standard. ... if she were to say she disliked jewish people, or that she was against mixed-race marriage, nobody would EVER say that it was fine for her to have those beliefs and everyone would agree that her comments were out of line. But for same sex marriage, it's totally fine?" said Shawn.

(Read more comments after the jump)

Did David Letterman go too far with Willow Palin joke?

David Letterman has never been shy about airing his contempt for former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. During the run-up to the 2008 election, Palin's foibles were the subject of countless jokes on Letterman's late-night talk show. Even with the election over, Letterman shows little sign of letting up on Palin, who still makes an occasional appearance in his opening monologue.  

However, Monday's show has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle for a joke made about Sarah Palin's 14-year-old daughter, Willow. During his opening monologue, Letterman poked fun at Sarah and Willow's recent weekend outing to a Yankees game, joking that, "during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez."

The joke is a reference to Sarah Palin's other daughter, Bristol, whose unwed pregnancy was made a focal point of the 2008 presidential elections. Despite the numerous jokes made about Sarah Palin during her campaign, comedians generally avoided making jokes about her children. Public figures may be fair game, but children of politicians are usually considered off-limits. 

As such, reader response to the joke has been generally negative.

"David has been a crass has-been for years who's only so quick to kiss the collective behinds of the liberal Hollywood elite who are desperate to hock their latest tripe on TV and film. What he did was dead on wrong, and it's time we stop placating these arbiters of cool and shut them down. This vitriol has got to stop, and Dave didn't just cross the line, but he gleefully bolted past it," remarked writestuffla.

"Public figures are one thing, but trying to derive humor at the expense of someone's kids is deplorable. I don't recall a "comedian" poking fun of former Senator Edwards', former VP Gore's, or President Obama's children," wrote Jumpin' Jellybeans.

(Read more comments after the jump.)

Is the health insurance industry serious about reform?

They jury is out, to say the least.

In December, the health insurance industry's trade group, AHIP (for America's Health Insurance Plans), said it had decided for the first time to support the principle of universal healthcare -- insuring everyone in America, regardless of health condition.

I was skeptical. And what I found by reading AHIP's 16-page policy brochure was that its position hadn't changed at all. Its version of "reform" comprises the same wish list that the industry has been pushing for decades.

Briefly, the industry wants the government to assume the cost of treating the sickest, and therefore most expensive, Americans. It wants the government to clamp down hard on doctors' and hospitals' fees. And it wants permission to offer stripped-down, low-benefit policies freed from pesky state regulations limiting their premiums.

Figuring out the industry's stance on healthcare reform is of paramount importance this year. President Obama's healthcare forum last Thursday demonstrated that the administration and Congress are girding for a big push to remake a tattered employer-based system that has left more than 45 million people without coverage.

But what role will private insurers play? What role do you think they should play?

Read the full column: Insurers' commitment to healthcare reform is only skin-deep

-- Michael Hiltzik

photo credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

Is 'Ratatouille' really gay? (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

We've got a live one over at our food blog, The Daily Dish.

Is the Academy Award-winning "Ratatouille" really a gay-coming out story? Ostensibly, the movie is a straight-forward tale about a rat whose true passion lies in the kitchen. But Times Staff Writer Betty Hallock found out about an upcoming lecture at UCLA that portrays the film as a homosexual coming of age, with a heavy dose of Oedipal and race conflicts.

Readers were divided. Here's what a couple had to say:

Says SaMo:

When I first saw the movie, I too thought there was a gay subtext in the fact that the rat, by its very nature, does not "belong" in the kitchen. The movie suggested that even this supposed taboo could be overcome...But it does the gay rights movement a disservice.  [That] to me was the problem with the movie: it set up an impossible to overcome hurdle. I don't want rats cooking for me, so I really couldn't root for Remy to succeed.  But I'm all in favor of gay people doing anything they want: marrying, adopting, fostering children, whatever.

Says Storm:

Okay, really I am gay and I did not see any kind of coming out from the RAT. You could apply the rats self awareness to simply growing up...this is a big push....Really, just let it go...stop looking for the gay angle.

-- Rene Lynch

Photo credit: Disney/Pixar