Betty White joins Twitter -- and gets her flirt on

Betty White has joined Twitter, and why not? All the kids are doing it.

"Hello Twitter!," she wrote Tuesday afternoon. "And they said it would never happen. Oh wait, that was me."

Her debut on the micro-blogging site coincides with the premiere of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers," her new hidden-camera show on NBC that will have senior citizens pranking the younger generation. Which suddenly makes us wonder if the whole Twitter thing is actually a ... wait a sec ... whew. The account's verified, @BettyMWhite.

White then proceeded to flirt with Ryan Seacrest, whose longtime Fox ratings magnet "American Idol" is up against "Rockers" at 8 p.m.

"Hey @RyanSeacrest -- my new show airs tomorrow and I hear we're in the same time slot. I've always dreamed of sharing a night with you..."

Naughty Betty. But it's working: With only three tweets, the "Hot in Cleveland" actress is at more than 135,000 followers and counting in less than 24 hours. 

Let's hope the feed grows to include more than clever show promotion, and lots of that wicked White voice.

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

Photo: Betty White at "The Lorax" premiere in Universal City on Feb. 19. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Jon Hamm gets Twitter feedback from 'idiot' Kim Kardashian

Jon Hamm's "Mad Men" character, Don Draper, isn't accustomed to women giving him any lip -- but this ain't the '60s and Kim Kardashian has something to say to her fellow celeb.

Hamm spoke out on cultural phenomena including Kardashian and her reality empire, specifically noting to Elle UK that, "'Whether it's Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated. Being ... [an] idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you're rewarded significantly." 

Kim isn't having it.

"I respect Jon and I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that not everyone takes the same path in life," Kardashian said in an extended post on Twitter.

"We’re all working hard and we all have to respect one another. Calling someone who runs their own businesses, is a part of a successful TV show, produces, writes, designs, and creates, 'stupid,' is in my opinion careless," she wrote.

Burn. This isn't the first time a leading man has stepped out as a Kardashian detractor. Daniel Craig got vocal a few months ago with virtually the same sentiment.

"Look at the Kardashians ... you see that and you think, 'What, you mean all I have to do is behave like a ... idiot on television and then you'll pay me millions?' " he said. 

But then again, we didn't have to tell you Kim doesn't have the best of luck with those leading men.

What do you think of Kardashian's response? Tell us in comments. 

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-- Matt Donnelly

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Photos: Kim Kardashian and Jon Hamm. Credits: Getty Images

Kony 2012: Which 20 celebrities are targeted to help?

"Kony 2012": It's a 30-minute documentary that aims to shine a spotlight on central African militia leader Joseph Kony. In doing so, the film also points a spotlight directly at 20 celebrities, via social media, as a key leg of the Kony 2012 plan to make the guerrilla leader a household name.

"Celebrities, athletes and billionaires have a loud voice and what they talk about spreads instantly," filmmaker Jason Russell says in the video, which was launched Monday by the group Invisible Children and by Thursday afternoon was closing in on 39 million YouTube views.

As is made clear in the film, Kony and his militia are notorious for abducting children to fight as soldiers and suffer as sex slaves, and for mutilating their victims. Viewers of the video are urged around the 23-minute mark to contact 20 "culturemakers" and 12 "policymakers" to keep up pressure and raise awareness so that U.S. advisers remain in the region.

So who are the celebrities targeted in Kony 2012?

The stars and athletes (OK, just one athlete) are Ben Affleck, Justin Bieber, Bono, Stephen Colbert, George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, Jay-Z, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Rush Limbaugh, Rihanna, Bill O’Reilly, Ryan Seacrest, Taylor Swift, Tim Tebow, Rick Warren and Oprah Winfrey. And then there are the billionaires: Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and  Mark Zuckerberg.

Bieber retweeted an Invisible Children message and then looped the link to the video to his 18 million-plus followers several times, saying, "it is time to make him known. Im calling on ALL MY FANS, FRIENDS, and FAMILY to come together and #STOPKONY."

Oprah referenced Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, saying, "Thanks tweeps for sending me info about ending #LRAviolence. I am aware. Have supported with $'s and voice and will not stop. #KONY2012."

Visitors to the Kony 2012 website can click on the images of the folks listed above, along with "policymakers" including former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and send a pre-written Twitter message either at the person clicked on, or invoking their name in connection with the cause. The website and video both ask for donations as well.

But the conversation was by no means limited to those on the 2012 list. Kim Kardashian retweeted a link from sister Kendall Jenner, adding "#Kony2012 Wow just watched! What a powerful video! Stop Kony!!!"

Other celebs joining in included Diddy, Alyssa Milano, Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Russell Simmons and Don Cheadle, the last of whom urged his followers to make sure to consider all arguments critically before jumping into the fray.

"Assisting the Ugandan government and letting them ultimately resolve and solve their internal issues are not mutually exclusive acts," Cheadle tweeted Wednesday as part of a message he compiled on his blog. "We need to be wary of traditionally paternalistic attitudes toward other nations and make sure we are acting as 'helpers' not encroachers."

Kirstie Alley also got very vocal, noting that "Celebrities have big mouths and big audiences..it is our privilege and duty to inform people about atrocious injustices." 

Before that, however, she made clear that she was pushing awareness, not fundraising. "I'm NOT telling you to donate MONEY to anyone !!! I'm asking you to support the movement to EXPOSE Kony..that's it!," she wrote, explaining further that "I don't donate money to organizations without extensive research...I've done the research on Kony himself, but that's as far as I've gotten."

Click here to watch the video.

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

Photo: Screen grab of 20 culturemakers from the Kony 2012 website. Credit: Kony2012.com

 

Lady Gaga breaks 20 million Twitter followers, praises the Boss

Lady Gaga, you've reached 20 million Twitter followers! What will you do next? 

Plug Bruce Springsteen, apparently.

Indeed, pop star Gaga busted through 20 million followers on social network Twitter this past weekend -- becoming the first to do so and likely inspiring the teeniest bit of jealousy from pioneering tweeter Ashton Kutcher.

"Did ANYONE see SPRINGSTEEN on Fallon last night!!! Buy his new album. It is so genius its hard to even believe. Just mind-blowing passion," she wrote on Saturday, the day she passed the mark.

Not bad promotion for the Boss, considering she's the unchallenged pied piper of 140 characters or less.

Rounding out the top five most popular Twitter users (according to Mashable) are Justin Bieber at more than 18 million, Katy Perry boasting 15 million, hip-shaking Shakira at nearly 14.6 million and the bold tweets of Rihanna, followed by more than 14.5 million.  

And, oh, funny you should ask: We're on Twitter too. @Latcelebs. 

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Photo: Lady Gaga rocks red, white and blue in black and white. Credit: Terry Richardson

Davy Jones dead at 66; celebrities react on Twitter

With news that Davy Jones of the Monkees was dead at 66 after suffering a heart attack Wednesday morning at his home in Florida, the tone of celebrity reactions on Twitter was nothing if not a bit wistful.

"Davy Jones of the Monkees is dead," wrote Al Roker of the "Today" show. "He was 66 years old. A little bit of my youth just died."

Said Neil Diamond, who wrote "I'm a Believer": "I'm sad to hear about Davy Jones. The Monkees were such a sensation that it was a thrill for me to have them record some of my early songs."

PHOTOS: Davy Jones | 1945 - 2012

"Eternal rest for Davy Jones who leaves a great legacy of music, fun and all the colors of the rainbow," wrote Nancy Sinatra.

"Sad news - RIP Davy Jones. My wife's childhood crush...," said Ralph Macchio, a teen idol himself.

Alyssa Milano, Michelle Branch and Will Smith tweeted rest in peace, with Smith adding, "Retweet for respect."

"Sad to hear of the passing of Davy Jones! Met him just last year, was very kind to me. Monkees should have been in R 'n R HOF years ago," said Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, referring to the Rock and  Roll Hall of Fame.  Julian Lennon said, "RIP Davy… You did some Great work! Condolences to The Jones Family."

Wil Wheaton expressed some shock -- "Oh my god Davy Jones died at 66. That's way too young" -- while Kevin Smith had a tiny bit of fun, invoking  touchstones from Jones' career -- "A Daydream ends ... His life was a big barrel of win (& Monkees). Marcia Brady will be inconsolable…"

Bravo's Andy Cohen also mentioned Jones' made-for-TV love: "RIP Davy Jones. Marcia had good taste."

Even Gilbert Gottfried, known for his harsh humor, was respectful: "True...David Bowie's real name is David Jones. That's why he had to change it to Bowie. R.I.P. Davy Jones."

For a trip back in time, watch Jones' adorable screen test, below; his bit starts around the six-minute mark, and don't worry, the sound does kick in.

 

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

Photo: Davy Jones on stage in 2011. Credit: Mike Gray / EPA

Nick Cannon signs on to judge social media's Shorty Awards

 

Nick Cannon may be slowing things down a bit stepping down from his daily radio show, but he's certainly not stopping: The "America's Got Talent" host has joined the Real-Time Academy and will be one of those judging the Shorty Awards, which on Thursday announced its Vox Populi winners in a number of social media categories.

Cannon joins some good company, including actress and prolific tweeter Alyssa Milano, Foursquare Chief Executive Dennis Crowley, novelist Kurt Andersen and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. The Shortys recognize the best content producers on Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr, YouTube, Quora and the rest of the social web.

"Bribing the judge is always beautiful," Cannon noted, after listing the ways social media has been good to him.

"We're thrilled to welcome Nick Cannon to the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences, a select jury made up of the most incorruptible people on social media," Greg Galant told the Ministry exclusively. Galant is the co-founder and chief executive of Sawhorse Media, which created the Shorty Awards.

So who won already? (Vox Populi equals voice of the people, by the way, for those who missed the movie "Network" — and with the Shortys, it's the person or organizations with the most Twitter nominations in each featured category. And more than 1.6 million nominations were submitted, incidentally.)

In the celebrity category, Korean pop star and actor Kim Jae Joong was tops among the people nominated, along with Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and pop duo Jedward.

"Pretty Little Liars" was the top TV show Vox Pop nominee, along with "Attack of the Show," "The Glee Project," "Vampire Diaries" and "Castle."

The Vox Populi actor was Kevin Jonas, in a category rounded out by Ian Somerhalder, Dwayne Johnson, Misha Collins, Nathan Fillion and Tom Felton. Top actress? Selena Gomez, with Rosmeri Marval, Miley Cyrus, Agnes Monica, Stana Katic and Anahi.

And the Ministry's fave category? Why, that would be best fake account, led by people's choice Tusk, @TUSK_IV. Other nominees are the Fake ESPN, @TheFakeESPN; the Doctor, @ItsTheDoctor; Dilma Rousseff, @dilmabr; the DM Reporter, @DMReporter; and Jim Moriarty, @ItsJimMoriarty.

The rest of the Vox Populi winners and the rest of the nominees, by category, can be found at the Shorty Awards website. 

The awards will be held at 7:30 p.m. EST March 26 at TimesCenter in New York; watch them live at ShortyAwards.com.

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Chris Brown tweets happy birthday to Rihanna — who accepts

A birthday wish in 140 characters or less would seem harmless enough, but not in the case of Chris Brown and Rihanna.

The former couple made some waves this weekend with an exchange on the social media service that's simple in sentiment but complicated given their back story.

"Happy Birthday Robyn!" Brown tweeted (warning: responses may contain profanity) on Sunday to the "We Found Love" singer, full name Robyn Rihanna Fenton. Rihanna responded with a "Thanks!" — but the fan reaction that prompted seconds after was a lot more, uh, animated.

From profane cries of disgust to emoticon-laden messages of hope, the mixed reactions are understandable. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in a now-famous Grammys eve altercation in Hancock Park — one that left the singer badly beaten, especially on her highly visible face.

The tweets, which marked Rihanna's 24th b-day, come on the heels of speculation that Brown will appear on an upcoming remix track from Ri's latest album, "Talk That Talk."

Is it appropriate for the former duo to tweet at each other? Or collaborate musically, for that matter? Tell us in comments.

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Left photo: Chris Brown on "Good Morning America." Credit: ABC

Right photo: Rihanna performs in London. Credit: Associated Press

Chris Brown: He's looked at his Grammy from both sides now [Poll]

Chris Brown was all sunshine and light Wednesday afternoon, proclaiming on Twitter, "TeamBreezy, the Grammy I received was for those of you who supported my music and the hard work and growth in my life. I thank you! Love U!"

Nice enough, if you were unaware that on Tuesday he -- or whoever was powering his Twitter feed -- had gone rather ballistic about that very same Grammy.

Seems Chris wasn't cool with it when a few folks, celebs included, raised an eyebrow about his high-profile performance presence at this year's Grammy Awards, only three years since he missed the show after losing his temper and hitting then-girlfriend Rihanna in the face.

(It was an outburst that resulted in a guilty plea to one count of felony assault, for which Brown is still on probation. He's already completed the anger-management program he was sentenced to.)

"How dang long did they give Nicki Minaj to do whatever that was? Strange," Miranda Lambert said Monday on Twitter, discussing performances at the Sunday awards show. "And Chris Brown twice? I don't get it. He beat on a girl... Not cool that we act like that didn't happen. He needs to listen to Gunpowder and lead and be put back in his place. Not at the Grammys."

Well, at a certain point, Brown had apparently had enough. His Valentine's Day outburst read, in part, "HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now!" And in case that in-your-face all-caps missive wasn't enough, he wrapped it up with profanity that you can find here unredacted (the tweet itself has been removed from the @chrisbrown stream).

Brown addressed the media in a later, also-deleted tweet: "DEAR MEDIA.. Ur plan is not working.. I'm not going anywhere so get used to me." The Times' opinion section, for one, has had a thing or two to say about Brown's appearance Sunday.

So who is the real Breezy -- the soft-spoken singer-dancer stumbling over his Grammy acceptance speech for R&B album Sunday and tweeting rainbows and unicorns on Wednesday afternoon, or the zero-to-60 anger blaster telling folks they could "blank off" Tuesday, now that he had that Grammy in hand, imagining a media conspiracy Tuesday morning and beating his girlfriend's face bloody back in 2009?

Let us know what you think in the poll below, and in comments.

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Photo: Chris Brown in his second performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards on Sunday. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Snooki without makeup? We don't see that every day [Poll]

Snooki without makeup? Isn't that against some law of nature? Or at least a law of man?

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi of "Jersey Shore" infamy bared it all this week on Twitter — all of her face, at least, captioning the shot, "No make up day :) and IDC :)" (That would be "I don't care," for those who don't speak fluent acronym.)

She followed up the Wednesday shot, above left, with a couple of cuties in which she's threatening the life of her boyfriend Jionni LaValle's plant — oh c'mon, she was only kidding — and flaunting what appears to be relatively natural-toned skin.

What do you think of the departure from her trademark spray-tan orange, a few shades darker than her look shown above right? The Ministry votes in favor of the natural look!

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Photos: Snooki without makeup, left, and with. Credits: Twitter, left; Ethan Miller / Getty Images, right.

 

Beyonce's baby Blue Ivy Carter gets a song from her daddy Jay-Z

Blue Ivy Carter, Beyonce and Jay-Z's much-anticipated baby girl, arrived over the weekend and is already making major headlines.

Monday morning saw the release of "Glory," a tribute track from Jay wherein he reveals an excessively adorable amount of excitement over his firstborn -- and that Beyonce suffered a miscarriage before Blue was conceived.

"Last time the miscarriage was so tragic / We was afraid you'd disappear but naw / Baby, you magic," Jay says on the track. The musician born Shawn Carter also mentions "false alarms and false starts / all made better by the sound of your heart."

Now that Blue is here, all is well -- and delivered naturally, despite rumors of a C-section. A small sample of her crying appears on "Glory," which we totally qualify as her musical debut. So we should get used to her name, one that's generated much social media commentary and analysis.

The color blue is heavily associated with Jay's career -- from his trademark blue fitted Yankee cap to his earlier series of smash records, "The Blueprint." Ivy, suggests the New York Daily News, is taken from "IV," the Roman numeral representing the number 4. Bey and Jay have long been obsessed with the number, as both were born on the 4th and got married on that date. Beyoncé's latest solo LP, her fourth, was titled "4." We think you're getting the picture.

Now, in grand tradition for this chart-topping pair, the good news is always sprinkled with a bit of drama.

One other new parent alleged that access to his child was limited because of the security surrounding Blue and her visitors. "People don't need to be treated like this when dealing with sick children," the angry father told a New York CBS affiliate. He alleged that a hallway giving access to the neonatal intensive care unit, which is reserved for care of premature babies, had been closed to accommodate the star party.

Lenox Hill is denying this. 

"No security plan that we or the Carters' security team put in place would have prevented or delayed families from gaining access ... and to date, no families have complained to the hospital about being denied access to the NICU," the hospital said in a statement. 

Then there's the case of Beyonce's former Destiny's Child bandmate Michelle Williams, who decided to deliver her congratulations in a form other than Twitter. And that didn't go over well.

After badgering messages from fans who demanded she praise Bey and Blue, Williams struck back by explaining her warm wishes would be made in person.

"I do NOT have to say congrats to someone when they're NOT on twitter...ESPECIALLY when I talk or email them all the time....or when I'll be physically present as well...so [sic] harrassing and stalking my timeline to see if I've mentioned something is POINTLESS!!! My friendship with people aren't always for twitter display," Williams wrote.

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Photo: Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter in December and Beyonce in November. Credits: Charles Sykes / Associated Press, left; Jemal Countess / Getty Images, right.