Flavor Flav opens House of Flavor restaurant in Las Vegas

Flavor Flav, rapper and reality TV star, has a new takeout restaurant in Las Vegas: Flavor Flav House of Flavor, which held its official grand opening Thursday.

What's on the menu, coming from the Public Enemy member with a degree from culinary school?

"My secret (shhhh) fried chicken recipe. That’s the star," he told Pop & Hiss. "But we have a red velvet waffle too, and everyone goes 'ohhhh' when they hear that. Go on, you can say it."

It's not his first restaurant outing: Flav's Fried Chicken in Iowa was his debut in the biz, but he shut that down when it wasn't being run right. However, he's opening a new FFC in Detroit in April.

The "Flavor of Love" star differentiated the joints in a chat with Business Week: "The name is different. FFC is fried chicken and House of Flavor is, you know, a house of flavor. Both are still by the same person, which is myself."

Flav, who with Chuck D has a new Public Enemy album coming out in August, told Pop & Hiss he could possibly do an updated, "Happy Days"-inspired reality show at the joint some day, but until then, the place is filled with "things showcasing my career, a lot of pictures up of me and my celebrity friends.

"I'll wait until we expand to put all my clocks on the wall."

Yeaaaah boyyyy!

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— Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville
Christie D'Zurilla on Google+

Photo: Rapper Flavor Flav outside his Flavor Flav House of Flavor Take Out Restaurant in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images.

 

 

Kathy Ireland to Kate Upton: Have a plan, bring home the bucks

Kathy Ireland, veteran of 13 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, including three covers, has some advice for 19-year-old 2012 cover girl Kate Upton: Figure out what you really want, instead of taking only what comes your way.

"So many young people say, 'I'm just going to see what happens,'" Ireland told Forbes, where she is once again a cover girl. "It's so much more powerful to make things happen and have a plan."

Upton caught a modeling agent's eye after posting a bounce-a-licious YouTube video of herself last April doing the Dougie dance at an L.A. Clippers game. (Those who prefer something slightly less sexy can check out Regis Philbin learning the Dougie from Justin Bieber.)

Ireland's own plan has had a lot of bounce as well: With her company Kathy Ireland Worldwide, she's estimated to be worth $300 million to $350 million — giving even Martha Stewart a spanking in the retail arena.

For now, Upton's endorsements seem firmly in the "sex sells" segment, and really, with that teeny bikini, why not. A la Kim Kardashian, she'll soon be seen in ads for Carl's Jr.

Next stop ... office furniture?

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— Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville
Christie D'Zurilla on Google+

Photo: Kathy Ireland at the 2010 Academy Awards. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Paul McCartney: His might be the cutest Beatles star in Hollywood

Paul McCartney got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — finally. And, boy, is it a cutie.

Though he's been on the walk already as a member of the Beatles, McCartney on Thursday became the final member of the band to be honored with an individual star, and hundreds of fans turned out to help him enjoy the moment, according to Pop & Hiss, which was on hand at the event.

With his new wife, Nancy Shevell, on hand, the cute Beatle heard words from fellow musician Neil Young, who described first hearing the band's music when he was in high school.

"I loved the Beatles, and I tried to learn how to play like them, and no one could figure out what Paul was doing on the bass," Young said. "Not only was he playing differently because he plays left-handed, he played notes that no one had put together before — in a way that made us stand in awe of this great musician."

View the scene 360°

Also spotted at the event: Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Dave Koz, Diana Krall, Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh.

McCartney wrapped up his own comments by telling people "around the world that I send you all hugs and kisses on the bottom." Lest the man be misunderstood, we're pleased to inform you that his newest album, "Kisses on the Bottom," came out Tuesday.

McCartney's star is lined up alongside those of his fellow Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, on the east side of the 1700 block of Vine Street outside Capitol Records. The ceremony was, incidentally, held two years to the day from when Starr was honored in 2010 and on the 48th anniversary of the Beatles' debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

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— Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Top photo: Paul McCartney takes a moment after the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. Credit: Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images.

Bottom photo: Paul McCartney acknowledges the crowd as he arrives for star dedication. Credit: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times.

Blue Ivy, the brand? Beyonce, Jay-Z move to trademark her name

Blue Ivy -- Beyonce and Jay-Z's baby daughter's name was uniquely identifiable almost instantly, and her business-savvy parents are moving quickly to make sure she owns it.

Like, owns it with a trademark.

Blue Ivy Carter's parents filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 26 protecting the little girl's name for possible use on a future line of baby goods, the Washington Post reported Friday.

Why the rush? There was no time to waste, it seems: Two Blue Ivy wanna-be entrepreneurs have already seen their applications swatted down, according to the Post, whose patent expert noted that no matter how many White House visits Bey and Jay had enjoyed, they'd still have to go through the office's first-come, first-served procedure like the rest of us.

However, a surge in applications is usual when a new name or phrase explodes into the lexicon, and because it's the office's job to sort things out, they try to anticipate trends and then fast-track applications inspired by names in the news, a trademark policy administrator told the Post.

Still, one Blue Ivy earned the ol' TM before Beyonce was even preggers: The Blue Ivy clothing store in Wisconsin got unknowingly lucky in early 2011.

Here's hoping they had no plans to one day launch a line of baby togs.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Beyonce in November. Credit: Jemal Countess / Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellen DeGeneres thanks supporters in JCPenney kerfuffle [Poll]

 

Ellen DeGeneres used her TV monologue on Wednesday to express her gratitude to those supporting her against criticism that JCPenney should not keep her as its spokesperson. She also reminded people that, well, she's gay. 

Hey, she is a comedian, people.

The traditional values organization One Million Moms "doesn't think that I should be the spokesperson because I'm gay," DeGeneres said, and continued in her trademark deadpan delivery. "For those just tuning in for the first time, it's true. I'm gay. I hope you were sitting down. I hate to break it to you this way."

FULL COVERAGE: Prop. 8

One Million Moms defines itself on its Facebook page as "an online activism campaign which gives mothers an impact with entertainment media decision-makers, and lets them know we are upset with the messages they are sending our children and the values being taught."

A week ago, One Million Moms put out a statement asking that JCPenney remove DeGeneres as its spokesperson, saying in part, "The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. ... By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years." The group asked supporters to make personal phone calls to the company demanding it lose DeGeneres as its new face.

In thanking JCPenney and others who are supporting her, Ellen defined her own traditional values: "I want to be clear. ... I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated, and helping people in need. To me those are traditional values, and that's what I stand for."

Among those supporting DeGeneres? Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, whom she thanked on Twitter and also on the show.

"What is the difference between a McCarthy-era communist blacklist in the '50s and the Million Moms saying, 'Hey, JCPenney and all you other stores, don't you hire any gay people. Don't you dare.' What is the difference? ..." the news anchor said Tuesday on "The O'Reilly Factor."

"This JCPenney thing is a witch hunt, and it shouldn't happen."

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

 

William Shatner's Priceline Negotiator dies a fiery death [Video]

William Shatner isn't dead, but his Priceline Negotiator commercial character is: killed in a fiery tourist bus explosion after a high fall from a perilous bridge.

And he wasn't even wearing a red shirt.

Turns out the Negotiator -- Shatner's pitchman for five of his 14 years with Priceline -- was done in by a changing market. The company is "changing their business model from a name-your-price model to a fixed-price approach," Peter Sealey, adjunct professor at the Claremont Graduate University's school of management, told the Associated Press. Shatner's character was relentless in urging customers to name their prices on airfares and hotel rooms.

PHOTOS: William Shatner's career in pictures

"We decided to do something really over the top to get the message across," said Christopher Soder, chief exec of Priceline.com North America.

"I'm in grief mode," the 80-year-old Shatner said Wednesday. "It's not the first time I've had an iconic character die off." (Shatner's Capt. James T. Kirk died in 1994's "Star Trek: Generations," only to be reborn in a snappy Chris Pine package for 2009's "Star Trek" prequel. Still, Shatner said, what management wants, management gets.

And we thought Chuck Lorre was pretty serious with the "meat explosion" that took out Charlie Sheen's Charlie Harper on "Two and a Half Men"? It looks as if TV has nothing on tourism when it comes to telling people the game is changing.

Soder also dropped a hint about that big game that's coming up: While the Negotiator's death spot is running on the company's website and online, he said, Priceline just might have something else explosive planned for the Super Bowl. Shatner, by the way, is still under contract.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: William Shatner and wife Elizabeth at the 50th anniversary celebration for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 7. Credit: David Livingston / Getty Images

 

Jessica Simpson: Maternity clothes for thee, but not for she

Jessica Simpson hasn't been wearing maternity clothes, she said Friday -- but she is eager to put maternity clothes on the market for the rest of the pregnant population.

"I haven't really gone to maternity clothes because I don't really love maternity stuff," the singer said while promoting the reality-competition series "Fashion Star" to television critics in Pasadena.

So while her big ol' bump suggests the next thing we'll see from Simpson is a baby, "The next thing you will see from the Jessica Simpson Collection is maternity," she said.

Simpson, who has her own clothing and shoe lines, will serve as a celebrity mentor along with Nicole Richie and John Varvatos on the show hosted by Elle Macpherson. Richie said that unlike "Project Runway," "Fashion Star" emphasizes the business and branding, Show Tracker reported.

And as for her due date for her baby boy or girl with Eric Johnson?

"We’re not saying the due date, but it's in the spring so it's coming."

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Jessica Simpson in Pasadena on Friday. Credit: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry fetches record $115 million at auction

Elizabeth Taylor may be gone, but her jewelry is still turning heads. The actress's personal collection of jewels went up for auction Tuesday night -- and fetched a record $115 million.

A pearl, diamond and ruby necklace known as La Peregrina, a gift to Taylor from Richard Burton in 1969, sold for a record $11.8 million. Christie's, which conducted the auction, had estimated the necklace would sell for $2 million or $3 million. Burton paid $37,000 for it.

A 33.19-carat diamond ring, which was projected to go for $2.5 million to $3.5 million, sold for $8.8 million.

PHOTOS: The collection of Elizabeth Taylor

That sum for a single white diamond could have bought a whole lot of Taylor's White Diamonds.

A diamond bracelet given to Taylor by close friend Michael Jackson sold for $194,500.

Eighty pieces from Taylor's jewelry collection were auctioned Tuesday in New York, with the remaining 189 items to go Wednesday. Christie's has already blown past the $30 million it predicted as the total sale price. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

More from the late actress' estate will go on sale later in the week, including some of her film scripts and costumes. In February, her collection of Impressionist and Modernist art will go on sale in London.

Taylor died in March.

Some objects from Jackson's estate also went up for bidding this week. Sadly, the singer's auction wasn't as classy as Taylor's: We're talking fancy diamonds versus fancy clumps of hair.

Christie's has no plans to auction Taylor's hair.

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-- Patrick Kevin Day 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Elizabeth Taylor in 2005. Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Kris Humphries calls split 'difficult,' finds solace in watch gig

For Kris Humphries, the pain of life's difficulties is eased by good friends — friends like the watch company that's paying him to endorse their product.

The unusual crutch helping Humphries through his divorce from Kim Kardashian comes courtesy of Sector watches, which just unveiled the 26-year-old as its spokesman.

The NBA player, unemployed thanks to the league's lockout, fetched a reported $150,000 for the campaign. But, he said, he got so much more than a bank account boost.

"As you all know, this has been a difficult time in my life, and I'm so grateful [for] my friends at Sector for their unwavering support," he said Thursday at a New York press conference.

Funny — the Ministry's watch reminds us only of how young we aren't getting and certainly doesn't offer cash rewards or even wavering support. But we're not jealous.

Kim's got her army of sisters and Twitter fans and the odd acting gig to see her through. We're glad you found a port in a storm, Kris. And by that we mean not a wrist accessory, but your own divorce attorney.

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Photo: Kris Humphries announces his watch gig in New York on Nov. 17. Credit: Donald Bowers / Getty Images.

Kate Gosselin goes from TV star to (gasp!) part-time blogger

Kate Gosselin can ease up on the "freaking out": The out-of-work reality star has a job now -- a part-time gig, at least.

Gosselin, whose "Kate Plus 8" reality show took its last breath in September, will be a contributing blogger for click-and-save website Coupon Cabin.

"I've never quit a job in my life without having something else lined up," she told People at the time. "I don't know what's next." She had been considering going back to nursing, but didn't see how that was going to allow her to provide for her eight kidlets.

(Note: Kate confirmed Monday on "The View" that a return to nursing was a no-go, as she'd found her calling on TV. She was, at the time, dressed as a zombie.)

Turns out her path from no money to mo' money will be paved in part with what she calls "free money."

"No matter what your financial situation is, there's no reason not to use coupons," she said in a statement this week. "It's like free money in your pocket! I'm thrilled to lend my expertise."

Her first day on the job is Nov. 22, when she'll discuss how to navigate Black Friday shopping. Using, we assume, coupons -- which she might want to get used to, if she's going to live off a blogger's paycheck.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo: Kate Gosselin visits a radio show at SiriusXM Studio in New York on Oct. 27, 2011 in New York City. Credit: Andy Kropa / Getty Images