It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news of the death of Jett Travolta, 16 year old son of actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston. He suffered a seizure at around 10:00 this morning while vacationing with his family in the Bahamas. Sadly, all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He will be flown to Ocala, Florida, where an autopsy will be performed on Monday.

Please keep John, Kelly and their 8 year old daughter, Ella, in your prayers. They’re going to need all they can get.

Technorati Tags: John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Jett Travolta, Jett Travolta dies suddenly

I was very shocked when I read that headline in news alerts early this afternoon. Shocked, and saddened. I have loved Michael Crichton’s work for such a long time. Not only is his book-turned-movie Jurassic Park one of the most well-known and much-admired pieces ever, but he also authored other best-sellers such as The Andromeda Strain, Sphere and Rising Sun. He is also the co-creator of one of my all-time favorite television shows, ER. His public relations firm announced in a news release that he died unexpectedly Tuesday “after a courageous and private battle against cancer”. He was 66.

As reported by CNN:

Crichton, a medical doctor, was attracted to cautionary science tales.

“Jurassic Park” — perhaps his best-known work — concerned capturing the DNA of dinosaurs and bringing them to life on a modern island, where they soon run amok; “The Andromeda Strain,” his first major fiction success, involves an alien microorganism that’s studied in a special military compound after causing death in a nearby community.

Crichton also invited controversy with some of his scientific views. He was an avowed skeptic of global climate change, giving lectures warning against “consensus science.” He later took on global warming and the theories surrounding it in his 2004 novel, “State of Fear,” which attracted attacks in its own right from scientists, including NASA climatologist James Hansen.

Crichton was a distinctive figure in the entertainment business, a trained physician whose interests included writing, filmmaking and television. (He was physically distinctive as well, standing 6 feet 9 inches.)

He published “The Andromeda Strain” while he was still a medical student at Harvard Medical School. He wrote a story about a 19th-century train robbery, called “The Great Train Robbery,” and then directed the 1979 film version.

He also directed several other films, including “Westworld” (1973), “Coma” (1978), “Looker” (1981) and “Runaway” (1984).

In 1993, while working on the film version of “Jurassic Park” with Steven Spielberg, he teamed with the director to create “ER.” The NBC series set in a Chicago emergency room debuted in 1994 and became a huge hit, making a star of George Clooney. Crichton originally wrote the script for the pilot in 1974.

Though most of Crichton’s books were major best-sellers, he could ruffle feathers when he took on social issues. “Rising Sun” (1992) came out during a time when Americans feared Japanese ascendance, particularly when it came to technology. “Disclosure” (1994) was about a sexual harassment case.

Crichton won an Emmy, a Peabody, a Writers Guild of America Award for “ER,” and won other awards as well.

“Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand,” the news release said.

A private funeral service is expected.

Rest in peace, Michael, and thank you.

Technorati Tags: Michael Crichton, Michael Crichton dies

I was completely dumbfounded when I read that David Duchovny had been in rehab for the past two months for sex addiction! I hadn’t even heard about that! Had you? Geez, where have I been? lol Well, in case you’ve been in the dark like me, here’s the story: it seems David entered rehab in late August for sex addiction, but he only went public with it when he discovered another “patient” had dropped the dime on him in order to make a little extra cash. Yeah, real nice, eh? So much for confidentiality!

Anyway, apparently his wife, actress Tea Leoni, had known about this addiction for some time, but it reached a point where he finally had to seek treatment. According to a friend of theirs, “I have inferred from my conversation with Duchovny’s friend that this has something to do with an addiction to pornography, probably on the Internet. It’s the sex equivalent of a gambling addiction, where the person is just hopelessly trapped in chat rooms.” Hmmmm. Interesting. And kinda’ gross.

What I find weird is that his Showtime series, “Californication,” is practically a celebration of sex addiction. His character, Hank Moody, is a male slut who can’t stop himself from destroying his own life. Is it art imitating life, or vice versa? Either way, if I were Tea Leoni I think I’d be pretty nervous about him going back to work! That’s like sending an alcoholic into a bar. I guess time will tell how he can handle it. It’s all so strange, though. I just can’t imagine him as a sex addict. Maybe if it was with aliens it would be easier to accept.

Technorati Tags: David Duchovny, Tea Leoni, sex addiction

Wow. I knew Sharon Stone was a little …. eccentric. But I never knew she was downright weird! Have you heard about this story yet? Yeah, according to the judge in her custody case she has so overreacted to her 8-year-old son’s health issues that she suggested he get a Botox treatment for his smelly feet! Um, yeeeaaah.

But wait, that’s not all. In Superior Court papers, the judge also said Stone “delegates many of her parenting responsibilities to third parties” and has “simply refused” to participate in counseling unless her “schedule is accommodated and her demands are met.”

“Such conduct on the part of any parent … is unacceptable and does not serve the child’s best interest,” the San Francisco judge writes in the document, which is a tentative statement on Stone’s motion to modify custody.

The judge has turned down Stone’s request to move her son Roan to Los Angeles, where she lives, from his father Phil Bronstein’s home in San Francisco. The actress is allowed visitation time with the child, getting some weekends and holidays.

Saying that Stone is “unable to provide the structure, continuity and reliability that Roan needs, and candidly, deserves”, the judge cited examples of Stone’s overreactions, including her incorrect belief her son was suffering a spinal illness and her suggestion of using Botox for foot odor.

According to the papers, “As Father appropriately noted, the simple and common sense approach of making sure Roan wore socks with his shoes and used foot deodorant corrected.”

Hmmmm. Me thinks her fame, fortune, beauty and wackiness have all gone to her head. In kind of a freak way. I think the judge’s use of “overreacting” was putting it mildly.

Technorati Tags: Sharon Stone

Current Mood: Sad

I was so sad to read just a few minutes ago that comedian George Carlin has died. He died Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 71. Apparently he had gone to the hospital earlier in the day complaining of chest pain. He passed away at 5:55 p.m.(PDT) from heart failure. He had performed as recently as last weekend.

I grew up listening to George Carlin. Well, when I got old enough to listen to him, I did. LOL He was an extremely funny and provocative man. Very intelligent and quite insightful. He really made me laugh, and for that I am most grateful.

Rest in peace, George, and thank you for the laughter.

Technorati Tags: George Carlin