Maria Menounos: Bikini bare in Times Square to pay Super Bowl bet

The Super Bowl brought a win for the New York Giants and a loss for Maria Menounous. A loss of clothing, actually, that saw her bikini-clad in chilly temperatures in New York City, hosting "Extra."

Menounos, a New England Patriots fan, had been so confident her team would win, she said she'd host the show in a bikini if they didn't.

And ... they didn't.

"Sorry about your loss," a possibly insincere Mario Lopez said Monday morning in front of the cameras, before Menounos shed her robe and revealed a red, blue and white bikini. And how was she doing? "I'm in Times Square in the middle of winter in a bikini, Mario." Duh.

Though fellow correspondent A.J. Calloway did his best to keep their girl warm -- reminding her, for example, that "God is a Giants fan," and providing a pair of knit gloves -- Menounos later lamented her pregame chutzpah.

"I can't believe my Patriots lost. I was so confident that every day I ate like I was never going to eat again, and now," she said, looking down at her exposed, absolutely flat abs, "y'know."

Really, Maria? Really? We don't know, actually, but thanks for sharing. 

As the guys pointed out, never let it be said that Menounos doesn't keep her word -- even when the temperature is in the 40s.

 

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: "Extra" host Maria Menounos, an avid New England Patriots fan, with Giants fan AJ Calloway, left, and Mario Lopez in New York City's Times Square on Monday. Credit: Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

Channing Tatum strips down, spoofs McConaughey for 'SNL'

Channing Tatum tried his hand (and chest) at hosting "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday, winning over audiences with his stripper moves and Matthew McConaughey impersonation.

"The Vow" actor took jabs at his pre-Hollywood days working as a male stripper, the inspiration for this summer's beeftastic "Magic Mike," using his monologue to lay down some ground rules.

"No touching. I can touch you, you can't touch me. Tips are appreciated; the only reason I'm hosting this show is to put myself through nursing school," he said. 

After the mandatory abdominal show, Tatum worked his way through sketches playing folks such as Tom Brady and his "Magic Mike" costar Matthew McConaughey.

In a sketch called "Getting Freaky with Cee-Lo," Tatum nails McConaguhey's syrupy Southern drawl and liberated hard body. 

A solid showing from Tatum, especially those stripper moves in the monologue, which you can watch below with another clip. All right, all right, all right. 

 

Tatum takes on McConaughey: 

 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Channing Tatum in Beverly Hills in February. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Super Bowl: Joe Manganiello, Chris Evans touch down for parties

Sports devotees aren't the only ones descending upon Super Bowl in Indianapolis this weekend: Hollywood has touched down to party.

Avid football fan Joe Manganiello suited up for GQ magazine's annual pre-party on Friday, the "True Blood" werewolf enjoying the company of big-name athletes, actors and personalities.

David Arquette joked around with Steelers wide receiver Hines Wards while Andy Roddick escorted his lady Brooklyn Decker through the bash, held at downtown Indy industrial space The Stultz.

"The Voice" judge and rocker Adam Levine chatted up mag publisher Chris Mitchell as Terrell Owens, Troy Aikman and Patriots player Niko Koutouvides circulated around ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews.

"Dancing With the Stars" winner J.R. Martinez made a showing as did Mike Epps, the Roots and Peter Berg. LL Cool J served up a performance as Patron cocktails pumped through the crowd. 

Over at Indy's pop-up Bud Light Hotel, Chris Evans charmed several bunnies at Playboy's bash, sipping Ciroc and taking in a set from Ne-Yo. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Top photo: Joe Manganiello flashes a sporty smile at GQ and Lacoste's pre-Super Bowl bash. Credit: Getty Images

Right photo: Chris Evans and a bunny get close at Playboy's Ciroc bash. Credit: Handout

 

Leonardo DiCaprio every morning: Actor launches charity coffee

Who could refuse waking up to Leonardo DiCaprio? You can start each day with him, somewhat, as the actor has launched a green and economically conscious coffee product that benefits his eponymous foundation.

DiCaprio and high-end coffee company La Colombe will release Lyon, a line of beans whose entire net profit will benefit Leo's charity to promote sustainability for the planet.

"Raising awareness on the most pressing environmental issues of our time is more important than ever," DiCaprio said in a statement. 

The product has already provided income for peasant farmers in third-world countries like Haiti. Lyon will first roll out in select Whole Foods and Williams Sonoma locations, with larger promotional efforts to come.

The "J. Edgar" star is no stranger to philanthropy, with causes such as wildlife protection and climate issues on his roster. Get more info on the project here.

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Leonardo DiCaprio on Oct. 31. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times.

Vanity Fair Hollywood issue gets fresh with Mara, Chastain

Some lovely faces are trumpeting the approaching Oscars ceremony, thanks to Monday's unveiling of the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue, which stars fresh faces Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and more.

Soft pastels and finger waves help the crop of young actresses bring an Old Hollywood cover tableau to life, with its extended pages featuring Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling.  

Among the makeup chair revelations imparted in video from the shoot was Mara's confession that she hadn't seen "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." 

"I haven't seen it yet," she said. "I didn't watch dailies. Sometimes I'd watch playback if it would help."

Also, with fellow Oscar nominee and prolific newbie Chastain, she'd discussed the one movie they'd never switch the channel for: "Me and Jessica were just talking about 'Zoolander.' It's probably a guilty pleasure." 

Check out glam, girly video from the shoot below and tell us your thoughts on the Hollywood issue in comments. 

 

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Rooney Mara, left, Jennifer Lawrence, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling. Credit: Mario Testino / Vanity Fair

Oscars 2012: Did Michael Fassbender's big part cost him a nom?

One Oscar snub that's snatching serious attention away from those actually up for gold? The omission of Michael Fassbender in the best actor category.

The Irish hunk's bold portrayal of a sex addict in the NC-17-rated "Shame" has had tongues wagging since last fall, but as awards campaigning chugged along, some of the wagging moved from what was in his performance to what was in his underwear.

His brave displays of nudity and desperate sexual encounters in Steve McQueen's film revealed that Fassbender was gifted in both acting and anatomy, earning him Critics' Choice and Golden Globe nominations, among many others. But the conversation on Michael moved further south, so to speak, since those accolades were handed out. 

PHOTOS: Oscar nominations 2012 -- the snubs

Cut to George Clooney, who helped Fassbender's member reach superstar status by suggesting during the Globes telecast that the actor could play golf with his hands behind his back -- complete with an acted-out illustration of what he was referring to.

Was this otherwise flattering endorsement indicative of a mindset that cost Fassbender an Oscar nomination?  

"He's a guy who's unfamiliar to a lot of people and did a movie that's really intimate," one high-ranking academy voter told the Ministry. "That was a super-brave performance but ... perhaps it inspired people to fantasize, and not actually vote." 

So, no shot at a statuette for Fassbender this year, but he has at least one trophy already. What do you think of his Oscar snub? Tell us in comments.   

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Michael Fassbender leaves a taping of "Late Night With David Letterman" in New York City on Jan. 18. Credit: Charles Sykes / Associated Press

Ari Graynor: One hot girl in the Sundance chill

Let us present one of the loveliest of distractions from the Sundance Film Festival's focus on independent-film sales: the Sundance "it" girl, an actress who stars in multiple films, lights up cocktail and dinner parties with fun cold-weather fashion and charms jaded industry vets.

This year, one of those girls is Ari Graynor -- star of festival entries "For A Good Time, Call ..." and Rashida Jones' "Celeste & Jesse Forever."

A breakout as the loony drunk sidekick in cult hit "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," Graynor has a laundry list of supporting credits and is poised for a leading-lady breakout thanks to upcoming projects, not to mention her current starring gig on Broadway in "Relatively Speaking," a one-act play by Woody Allen. Here are a few essentials on one of 2012 Sundance's "it" girls.

Career hyphenate: Graynor is an actress by trade, but came on as executive producer of "For A Good Time, Call ...."

"I require a lot of stimulation," she told us at Grey Goose's Blue Door lounge on Main Street in Park City, Utah, "and there's so much I've learned being in front of the camera, I felt like I had more to give behind it." 

Style guide: Let's not pretend that looking great doesn't contribute to enticing potential film buyers. So did Graynor activate a glam task force for the festival?

"There was a little bit of thought, but it wasn't extensive," she said with a laugh. "I went to Dolce & Gabbana, and they gave me a few things, which was so helpful." 

Free-stuff factor: Sundance's other distractions, including swag suites, raging after-hours partying, celeb canoodling and silly industry folk, have Graynor amused.

"You come here and it's this hilarious dichotomy of independent filmmaking -- blood, sweat and tears, no money -- and then you show up to ... places where's there's like ... all this free stuff, and this world of junior publicists," she said, laughing. "That's a little bit intense for me."

Starstruck: The fame game may not entice Graynor, but she was starstruck meeting Ethel Kennedy, subject of the Sundance documentary "Ethel." A Massachusetts native, Ari was obviously hit with some Camelot fever.

"In fact, I was one of her grandsons' senior-prom dates. I asked her to tell him hello for me."

Obvious Redford swooning: Any Sundance standout must pledge allegiance to festival founder and American heartthrob Robert Redford. We asked which Redford, through the ages, she found the sexiest.

"For me? It's 'Butch Cassidy' Redford," Graynor said. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Ari Graynor at the premiere of "For a Good Time, Call ..." at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

David Beckham strips down for underwear ad; L.A. deal moves ahead

David Beckham has made the Ministry happy twice over, unveiling a new campaign for his eponymous underwear line and declining an invitation to leave Los Angeles for France.

Beckham, known for his previous intimates gig with the house of Armani, has now developed his own line of body- and underwear with retailer H&M. Ads for the goods (yeah, they're goods) hit Tuesday, showing the athlete in top physical form.

Speaking of his day job, rumor had it that Beckham would soon pack up wife Victoria and their newly expanded brood and head to France, where an offer stood to play for club Paris Saint-Germain. 

"David Beckham is in Los Angeles and he's going to stay there," the French league's president Nasser al-Khelaifi told radio station RMC. "He will not come, that is clear."

Back stateside, however, it's not exactly clear yet that we'll keep Becks in our own backyard: "Does it look more likely that is heading in that direction? Yes," AEG chief exec and president Tim Leiweke told the Fabulous Forum on Tuesday. "Are we done? No."

AEG owns the L.A. Galaxy, for which Beckham has played on and off since 2007.

"We're down the road," Leiweke said. "I am confident we’ll get it done.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Top photo: David Beckham at a press conference in Manila in December. Credit: Ted Aljibe / Agence France-Presse /Getty Images 

Right photo: Really? You want us to explain what's going on here? Credit: H&M

 

Blake Griffin: Hollywood doesn't interest me

Blake Griffin is taking one step to separate himself from other players in the NBA — and it's not on the court. The young pro has no interest in celebrity status, he says, unlike many of his athletic counterparts.

After the league's dramatic lockout, Griffin is speaking out about improving his game, not his fame.

"I want to be a great basketball player. I don't necessarily want to be a star. I'm not in it to be famous. I want to try to be the best," the Clippers player told The Times last week.

Griffin's peers have game plus a much higher profile in the celeb sphere — think reality stars Lamar Odom and Kris Humphries, not to mention headline grabber Kobe Bryant. Even in his personal life, Griffin seems to maintain a low-profile, unlike, say, Ministry favorite and former Rihanna flame Matt Kemp. (We know he's a baseball player, but still.)

We'd imagine his peers' missteps might be responsible for his enlightened attitude (sorry, Humphries), but Griffin thanks his father for his work ethic.

"My dad pushed me harder than any other coach would have," says Griffin, the cover boy for the new issue of Men's Health. "He stressed that when you're on the court, it's time to do work. That really rubbed off on me."

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— Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Blake Griffin works on his dunk shot -- in Orlebar Brown’s Dane swim trunks -- swimmingly. Credit: Men's Health.

First Look: Men of 'Magic Mike' get patriotic for strip routine

The Ministry made its Christmas list and Santa Claus checked it twice -- the Internet has given unto us a first look at Warner Bros' "Magic Mike."

Chronicling the shenanigans of a pack of male strippers, based on the life experiences of Channing Tatum in his pre-Hollywood days, the first image delivers the film's hunky stars working an Uncle Sam routine on the stage.

The still boasts "True Blood" werewolf Joe Manganiello, Alex Pettyfer, newly engaged Matthew McConaughey and Tatum (we can't see you, fella cut off in the far right corner of the above photo, but we like you already). It's directed by "Traffic" filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. 

Filmed in Los Angeles and Florida, the project does feature a tone other than lean muscle.

"It's so funny," Manganiello told us in October. "It's like 'Animal House' and 'Hangover' funny. Steven has most of it edited and he's such a good storyteller with that camera."

"Mike" is expected sometime in June. Consider pre-coverage from the Ministry the gift that keeps on giving until it hits theaters.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Joe Manganiello, left, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum suit up for "Magic Mike." Credit: Warner Bros.