Kim Kardashian in culinary uproar after dissing Indian food

Kim Kardashian has just landed in some extra-spicy vindaloo by dissing Indian cuisine on this week's "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

On the hit cable show, the polarizing princess of the ubiquitous Kardashian clan -- now dating rapper Kanye West -- declared that she finds Indian food "disgusting."

Some took offense at the food criticism served up by Kardashian, who's already under attack for her speedy marriage and divorce from basketball player Kris Humphries as well as her relentless self-promotion and lavish lifestyle. Over the weekend, she told her nearly 1.5 million Twitter followers about shopping at the upscale department store Harrods during a jaunt to London.

"I think its good Kim Kardashian doesn't like Indian food because that means she won't ever visit India and that in itself is a blessing," tweeted @krishna_shah.

Added @jenannelias: "Kim Kardashian & Kendall Jenner called Indian food 'so disgusting.' SERIOUSLY? You don't have to like it, don't be rude. #gianteyeroll."

The storm rose enough that by Tuesday, Kardashian felt compelled to respond with a message on her website.

Headlined "Just Want to Clear Something Up," she wrote: "So on this week’s episode of 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' I said that I thought Indian food was disgusting. In NO way was this intended as an insult to the Indian people or their culture. This is just my own personal taste.

"There are a lot of foods I don’t like… I hate cilantro and peppers, and there are definitely some Armenian foods that I personally find disgusting, but that doesn’t reflect my opinions on other Armenian people or my culture," she added. "My comment wasn’t intended to offend anybody. We all have our own opinions and tastes and I was simply expressing mine." The post quickly drew more than 100 comments, many of whom believed the quasi-apology was unnecessary.

What do you think of the latest Kardashian controversy?

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Photo: Kim Kardashian,  here with Kanye West, made a remark about Indian food that offended some viewers. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images.

'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' premiere is up and down on E!

 

 

The seventh-season premiere of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" brought in 3 million viewers — down 14% from last year's season finale in which basketballer Kris Humphries proposed to Kim with a $2-million engagement ring. Still, don't expect the empire to crumble just yet.

Nearly 2 million of Sunday's viewers were in the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49 demo. If you're looking at it from E!'s perspective, "KUWTK's" return Sunday was up 16% from the 2.5 million it brought in for its sixth-season launch. And the 3 million premiere is in line with what the series averaged last season, so it's not like America has totally written off Kim and the family for that odd 72-day marriage.

Maybe the slight dip could be attributed to folks out watching — or recovering from watching — the solar eclipse?  Or maybe they got a clue of what would unfold in Sunday's episode: Part of it focused on patriarch Bruce Jenner and his feelings of omission (you're just realizing that now, Bruce?), along with the continuation of Khloe's DNA conundrum (leftover from the recent "Khloe & Lamar's" season finale). 

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— Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Kendall Jenner, left,  Rob Kardashian, Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian, Lamar Odom, Khloe Kardashian Odom, Kim Kardashian, Bruce Jenner, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner. Credit: E! Entertainment 

Whitney Cummings lands E! talk show

Whitney Cummings' NBC sitcom, "Whitney," may have been a critical and ratings disappointment (it hasn't yet been renewed for a second season), but that doesn't appear to be slowing the comedian down. She's set to launch a weekly talk show, "Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings," which will air Wednesdays in the fall along with "The Soup."

The show is being described as Cummings' open forum to discuss her favorite topics, which include pop culture and celebrity happenings, life, relationships, sex and more. She's even getting a talk show sidekick, stand-up comedian Julian McCullough.

In a statement, Cummings said, "This show gives me a chance to get back to my stand-up roots. And I’m really excited to be able to say (almost) whatever I’d like on TV again. So thanks, E!"

This could be seen a thinly veiled slap at "Whitney," which premiered to mediocre reviews last fall and saw its ratings slip; it's deemed unlikely to get renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, the CBS show Cummings co-created, "2 Broke Girls," will be returning for a second season.

If Cummings' talk show seems similar to the one by E!'s current late-night talk show queen, Chelsea Handler, it's understandable. Cummings began as a regular on Handler's show as a panelist, discussing ... pop culture and celebrity happenings, life, relationships and sex.

But don't expect any kind of competitive tension between the two programs: Handler is executive producer for Cummings' show.

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Photo: Whitney Cummings. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Kardashian family signs 3-year deal with E! network

E! thinks there's even more to keep up with: The network confirmed Tuesday the Kardashian brood has signed a three-year deal with it.

The pact gives viewers three more seasons of the network's flagship "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," taking the show into Season 9. The deal covers the entire Kardashian litter, including those who don't boast the last name formally: Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian Odom, Rob Kardashian, Bruce Jenner, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner — and also extends the network first-look deals with the clan for unscripted ideas, concepts and projects.

The apple, it seems, doesn't fall too far from the money-making tree. News of the deal comes a day after Ryan Seacrest, whose production company backs "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," inked a deal with Fox to continue on as host of "American Idol." Seacrest has yet to finalize an agreement covering the three years "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" will remain on the air, but likely will as part of an upcoming agreement with E!'s parent company, NBCUniversal.

It's only logical that E! would aim to keep the celebrity family on its roster. "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" has produced hit spinoffs for the network, including "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" and "Khloe and Lamar," which is currently airing. The most recent season of "Keeping Up With the Kardasians" averaged more than 3 million viewers — a far cry from the less than 1 million it garnered for its premiere when it launched in 2007.

The 18-episode seventh season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" premieres May 20.

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— Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: The Kardashian sisters Khloé, left, Kourtney, mother Kris Jenner and Kim, share a laugh at Kitson on Robertson Boulevard Feb. 7, 2011. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Did 'Khloe & Lamar' help kick Lamar Odom out of the game in Dallas?

Is there a Kardashian Kurse?

The question will probably be asked by viewers now that former Los Angeles Lakers star Lamar Odom is also a former Dallas Mavericks player. Odom, husband of Khloe Kardashian, and the world champion Mavericks have announced they are parting ways after Odom's lackluster play and emotional roller coaster this season.

"The Mavericks and I have mutually agreed that it's in the best interest of both parties for me to step away from the team," Odom said in a statement to ESPN.com. "I'm sorry that things didn't work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs' organization, my teammates and Dallas fans nothing but continued success in the defense of their championship."

Could E! Entertainment's "Khloe & Lamar," the reality show, be blamed for Odom's decline?

Speculation is already circling. Sports radio talk Dan Patrick said the series is at least partially to blame for distracting Odom. And reports circulated last month in gossip magazines that Odom was upset with the show, which was in production during his trade, the couple's fertility issues and their move to Dallas.

"Khloe & Lamar" escalated the star profile of Odom last season, and he excelled on the team while winning the NBA's Sixth Man award. Though the show was clearly not a distraction last season, it may come under a spotlight as one of the main causes for Odom's misfortunes this season.

Athletes who have become involved with the Kardashians have hit bumpy roads. Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets is often booed by crowds following his short-lived marriage to Kim Kardashian. And football star Reggie Bush's career has somewhat stalled following his breakup with Kim following a long romance that was also the focus of a reality show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"

What do  you think? Is the Kardashian Kurse Kontinuing?

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PHOTO: Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom after he won the Sixth Man Award in 2011

Credit: Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times

 

 

 

 

Late Night: Jennifer Lawrence and bladder chatter on 'Chelsea'

 

This week, "Hunger Games" actress Jennifer Lawrence has been on a whirlwind bicoastal talk-show tour promoting the destined-to-be-a-blockbuster movie. On Tuesday, Lawrence charmed David Letterman by telling him how the red carpet turns her into a nervous, incontinent Chihuahua, and last night on "Chelsea Lately," she more than held her own with the saucy Ms. Handler. 

Given both of Handler's well-documented scatological fixations, it wasn't surprising that the interview included a lot of potty talk. (The faint of heart should probably avoid the above video.) "You pee in your pants when you laugh too hard?" Handler asked. 

Lawrence explained that, yes, she actually has bladder control issues, but only when she's scared. "That’s the biggest difference between you and I," she claimed, suggesting Handler start "exercising [her] vagina" in order to prevent further accidents.

"My publicist is going crazy right now," Lawrence said. Surely, it wouldn't be the first time.

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Clint Eastwood's wife, Dina, gets reality show on E! network

Is Clint Eastwood getting into the reality circus alongside Kim Kardashian? Kind of. Sort of. The Hollywood icon's wife, Dina Eastwood, has landed a series on E!, the network confirmed Tuesday. And her famed husband will get some air time.

The series will center on Dina, as well as daughters Francesca and Morgan, in "Mrs. Eastwood & Company." Set to premiere May 20, the 10-episode series will follow the gals at the Eastwoods' homes in Carmel, Calif., and Los Angeles. So if you were expecting an "Ice Loves Coco" for the older set, sorry to disappoint. Clint "Make my day" Eastwood will make cameos, but will not be a featured star of the series.

"Nothing is more important to me than family -- no matter how you define that," said Dina Eastwood in a statement. "People might be surprised by how we live our lives and our unconventional approach, and I also believe that it's hard not to fall in love with my band, 'Overtone.' "

The show is being produced by Bunim/Murray Productions, the folks behind MTV's long-running "Real World" and E's other hit "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

And for clarification purposes, Francesca Eastwood is Dina's stepdaughter, the child of Clint and Frances Fisher.

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Photo: Director Clint Eastwood, left, and wife, Dina, arrive at the 76th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 2004. Credit: Beatrice de Gea / Los Angeles Times

'Kourtney and Kim' finale ratings prove Kardashian era abides

 

So you think the Kardashians are so over? Please tell that to your fellow Americans.

The Season 2 finale of "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" drew 4.5 million total viewers Sunday night, according to Nielsen.

That's more than double last year's finale and was in fact the third-most-watched telecast in E!'s history -- despite last year's boycott petition that quixotically begged the network to cancel the show, a spinoff of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

So if you were thinking that Kim's notorious 72-day marriage and the Kardashian clan's relentless pursuit of overexposure have faded their allure ... um, think again!

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Photo: Kourtney, Kim and Khloe Kardashian with their mother, Kris Jenner. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

 

Chelsea Handler is not herself in 'Are You There, Chelsea?'

NBC's new series "Are You There, Chelsea?" is based on Chelsea Handler's books of humorous essays based on her wild life. Handler has a recurring role in the sitcom, but she's not playing herself — she's playing her sister. Laura Prepon is playing a younger version of Chelsea Handler, and has several scenes with the real Chelsea.

Got it?

Handler, Prepon and the producers of the series acknowledge that there might be a bit of head-scratching about the show during their session at the NBC portion of the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena.

"Everyone was a bit confused at first, but we're doing promos and I think we're doing a good job of getting the word out," said Prepon, who is best known for her starring role on "That '70s Show."

"Are You There, Chelsea?" stars Prepon as the twentysomething Chelsea, a brash, fun-loving cocktail  waitress who "lives life to its fullest," with the help of her friends, colleagues and family. Handler, who is also an executive producer of the series, plays Chelsea's sister Sloane, who is a conservative new mother who has little in common with her more carefree sister.

Handler says the series' Chelsea is inspired by her but is a softer version.

"I was a lot angrier than she was," said Handler. "I was just barreling through life with no rhyme or reason. There is an essence of that, but we also license Laura to do what she wanted with the character." She quipped, "I like myself much better than her."

Tom Werner, who produced several groundbreaking series during his time with Carsey-Werner, compared the Chelsea character to the main character in "Roseanne." "She's not sweet. She's brave and unapologetic." 

Even though the character is based on her, Handler never considered taking on the role of Chelsea. She's too busy hosting her late-night "Chelsea Lately" on E!, producing other series such as "After Lately," doing comedy concerts around the country and writing books.

"I didn't have time to star in my own show," she said. "I really like my E! show. I like being under the radar."

Lenny Clarke, who plays Chelsea's father, praised Handler for juggling so many projects. "Plus, she's hot!" he proclaimed.

Not missing a beat, Chandler told Clarke she was not having sex with him. Her actual words were much cruder.

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Photo: Chelsea Handler (3rd from left in front row) and Laura Prepon (4th from left in front row) with the cast and crew of "Are You There, Chelsea?" Credit: Chris Haston / NBC

Is Lamar Odom's poor play losing points for 'Khloe & Lamar'?

The welcome banner for Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian in Dallas seems to be fading, and their series, "Khloe & Lamar," may be headed for the loss column.

Much of the focus of the E! reality show's upcoming season will revolve around the couple's sudden and unexpected move after the Los Angeles Lakers' star was traded to the world champion Dallas Mavericks. But producers now also have an unexpected story to deal with — Odom's unimpressive performance thus far with the Mavericks, who are struggling with a 2-4 record this season.

Odom's initially uninspired play has already sparked noisy grumbles in Dallas. In his first game, he scored only four points on one-for-six shooting before being thrown out in the second half for whining about a charging call. In his second game, he made only one of 10 shots and ended up with six points. And in his third game, he only scored four points in a two-for-11 shooting disaster.

So far Odom seems to be on the opposite track that earned him the NBA's Sixth Man award last season for being the NBA's best player coming off the bench. Times sports writer Ben Bolch wrote about Odom's decline last Sunday in an item with the headline, "Sixth man to nowhere man."

And Erik Lambert of the website Gather.com said Odom has been "a non-factor" with the Mavericks, sitting at the root of the problem for the team. Wrote Lambert: "...The 33-year-old big man has let an extended off-season and the family life with wife Khloe Kardashian ruin his drive to succeed."

How the show will reflect Odom's lackluster debut remains to be seen — the series ignored Odom getting tossed in the fourth game of the NBA Western Division semifinals last season against the Mavericks when he became combative with his opponents. But so far, the man that Kardashian calls "Lam Lam" has been a "dud dud."

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Photo: Former Lakers star Lamar Odom walks off the court in his first game with the Dallas Mavericks after being ejected in the second half against the Miami Heat on Dec. 25, 2011, in Dallas.

Credit: Larry W. Smith / EPA / Corbis Out

 

 

Late Night: Chelsea Handler, Emmy Rossum swap leg-shaving tales

With most of her male competitors still on vacation, Chelsea Handler had the late-night airwaves almost entirely to herself on Monday night. "Shameless" star Emmy Rossum stopped by for a chat and, appropriately enough, talk turned to a rather girly subject: leg shaving. 

One day, Rossum was prepping for a nude scene in her trailer when 12-year-old co-star Emma Kenney popped by. Thinking nothing of it, Rossum showed the tween how to shave her legs. It wasn't until later, when Rossum told her mother about the interaction, that she realized she might have crossed a line. "You robbed her mother of that experience!" Rossum's mother scolded her. "She's becoming a woman, you're taking it away from her!"

Unlike Rossum, whose first leg-shaving experience is commemorated in a Polariod, Handler's memories are not quite as cheerful. "I shaved my legs by myself without any soap or water for the first time," she explained.

"Just dry?" Rossum asked in horror.

2011 Best TV Meltdowns: From 'winning!' to whining

Life can be stressful for Hollywood entertainers and personalities. The strain obviously took its toll on several who lost their composure, control and dignity, making for some of the most unexpected and memorable celebrity meltdowns of 2011.

CHARLIE SHEEN: Probably no other celebrity will be more scrutinized in 2012 than Charlie Sheen, who staged the mother of all meltdowns this year that eventually cost him one of the most high-paying jobs in Hollywood. Sheen took to the airwaves early this year to blast his bosses at CBS' "Two and a Half Men" after production on the series paused following his stint in rehab. He called executive producer Chuck Lorre "a clown" and referred to him as "Haim Levine" -- which some interpreted as an anti-Semitic slur on Lorre's last name. He appeared on numerous talk and radio shows bragging about having "tiger blood,"  compared himself to a warlock and constantly said he was "winning." Fired from the show, Sheen became calmer later in the year, endured a Comedy Central roast and even got a new job -- a comedy on FX called "Anger Management" that is slated to premiere in 2012. No doubt many will be watching Sheen to see how he follows his explosive 2011 fall.

 

KIM KARDASHIAN and KRIS HUMPHRIES: Well, they said it wouldn't last -- and it didn't. The queen of all celebutantes, Kardashian seemed to have everything: fame, wealth, a strong family and a hit reality show show on E!, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." But what she really wanted was a husband. Her dream seemed to come true when her courtship with basketball player Kris Humphries led to a lavish "fairy tale" wedding in November which cost a reported $10 million and warranted a two-night prime-time special. But the fairy tale crashed and burned 72 days later when Kardashian filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences," provoking an outcry from fans who felt the entire event had been staged for profit. The backlash startled Kardashian, who said she really had been in love with Humphries--a claim she likely made about singer and former flame Ray J when they made the sex tape that launched her "career."  

 

CHRISTINE O'DONNELL: Former U.S. Senate candidate O'Donnell had just wanted to promote her new book when she appeared in August on CNN's Piers Morgan show. But the interview became tense when Morgan began pressing her about whether she supported gay marriage. Even after she bristled, Morgan pressed on, asking her what she felt about the "don't ask, don't tell" credo in the U.S. military. When she accused him of being rude, Morgan said, "I think I'm being charming and respectful." But the damage was done -- one of O'Donnell's advisors off-camera told her to leave, and the Delaware Republican took off her mike and walked off. Morgan said later it was his first walk-off in 25 years of doing interviews.

 

KAT VON D: Live morning TV can be extremely unpredictable. Take the case of "Good Day L.A." on Fox 11. In July, Kat Von D, the tattoo artist who got engaged to Jesse James soon after his breakup with Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, was scheduled to appear on the show to promote her TLC reality series, "L.A. Ink." But Von D, who had previously announced that the couple had split,  stormed off the set right before she was supposed to go on. Von D fled the station when she was introduced with a clip from the show in which she surprised James by showing him her new tattoo, a picture of him as a youth. Her abrupt departure perplexed the show's anchors -- producers said that her only request for the planned interview was that Bullock not be mentioned. Von D tweeted moments after her exit: "Dear Good Day L.A., Thanks for the waste of a perfectly good morning. Lack of compassion and respect for each other never fails to disappoint me." 

 

KTLA'S HENRY DICARLO: KTLA weatherman Henry DiCarlo joked that he hadn't had coffee or breakfast the December morning when he erupted during a live report in what later became known as "Henry's hissy fit." DiCarlo had been at Union Station around 6 a.m conducting a live report for Toys for Tots. When he then started his weather report, a full screen graphic appeared and DiCarlo was heard to say, "You know what, it's so interesting. I'm in the communications business and it seems like there's so little communication. When you send a weatherman out to do the weather but you also want him to do a story, you might want to give him a little extra time." He became more frustrated, said someone else in the studio would handle the weather and stormed off -- a moment captured by cameras. DiCarlo explained a few days later that he had been planning to do a four-minute segment, but the producer in the studio started yelling at him through his earpiece about 35 seconds into the report. "It doesn't matter when the circumstances were -- it wasn't a pretty sight for me to act like that, and I get that," he said. But he didn't actually apologize for the outburst, telling his colleagues: "But personally,  you guys have seen much worse from me, so I didn't think I was that bad."

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Photo: Charlie Sheen in September 2011. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times.