News Junkie - Live Wire

FOX/CNN/MSNBC DISSECTED

Some great analysis of the current cable media landscape from CJR today. I disagree with a few points (especially the bit about MSNBC offering a rainbow of opinons) but this quote is interesting:

From personal experience covering news around the world, you almost always run into a CNN crew or stringer. You almost never run into a Fox reporter, and never one from MSNBC.

Read the whole thing at CJR’s website.

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ROY ASHBURN: “I’M GAY”

California State Senator Roy Ashburn admits to being a homosexual in an interview today on KERN. You can listen to the interview in this post and read the details here. Ashburn vows to carry on.

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BETTY WHITE TO SNL

After a massive online movement to draft her into the hosting duties at Saturday Night Live, Betty White confirms she will appear on the show.

But will she host?

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PETA TARGETS SEAWORLD

PETA sees a wounded opponent in SeaWorld after last month’s killer whale attack. Their latest mantra: “Let whales and dolphins ‘out of prison.’

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ADAM GADAHN CAPTURED

HUGE news out of Pakistan: American-born al-Qaeda leader Adam Gadahn has been arrested.

Update: It’s not him?

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NYT ON SCIENTOLOGY

‘Breaking With Scientology’ won’t hit print until tomorrow but you can read the New York Times assault on Scientology online right now.

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PHOTOS: TOYOTA HEARINGS

Executives from Toyota Motor Corp made the journey to Washington D.C. this morning to face down angry customers seething over their company’s recall follies. Take a look at these pictures from today’s event.

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THE BLOOM BOX

I can’t decide if the Bloom Box is the greatest invention ever or if I’m a bit like an old lady being conned by a slimy auto mechanic. Regardless, you have to watch this video. [Video]

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SCOTTY LAGO PHOTOS

Snowboarder Scotty Lago leaves the Olympic village in Vancouver after sexually suggestive photos of the bronze medalist and his trophy surfaced online. Lago says he’s in a ‘blackout’ and can’t talk about the event until next month. [View The Photos]

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RAY GOSLING ARRESTED

What happens when you admit to a murder on British public television? Well, you get arrested, of course. BBC presenter Ray Gosling arrested on suspicion of murder. [Details]

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TIGER WOODS PRESSER

Tiger Woods will finally reemerge from the shadows this Friday. The golf pro and reported sex addict is planning on holding a press conference at the PGA headquarters at 11AM Eastern. [Details]

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JOE BIDEN’S FOREHEAD

As I was watching President Obama’s stimulus update presser today, several readers emailed to ask ‘What’s that spot on Joe Biden’s forehead?’ Joe Biden is the first Catholic Vice President the U.S. has seen so each Ash Wednesday these questions float in like crazy. It’s Ash Wednesday, folks.

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Corey Haim Dead At 38: Drug O.D. Suspected

Actor Corey Haim was found dead this morning at his home.

Corey Haim Dead

Actor Corey Haim died this morning of an apparent overdose — possibly accidental — according to LAPD. He was 38.

Police tell us they were called to St. Joseph’s hospital in Burbank, CA shortly before 4AM PT to investigate.

Corey Haim was in dozens of popular 80s movies before a career flat-line in the late 90s. Some sources saying his…


CHEMICAL ALI EXECUTED

Iraq TV outlets reporting that Saddam Hussein’s cousin, widely known as Chemical Ali, has been executed in Iraq. Officials in Baghdad confirm…


BIDEN’S MOTHER DIES

Jean Biden has died. She was 92-years-old.


GORED TO DEATH

Man gored to death during annual bull fight.

Warning: Graphic video after the cut


THE REV IS DEAD

The drummer for Avenged Sevenfold has been found dead in his California home. James Owen Sullivan was best known by his stage name, the Rev. He was only 28-year-old. I’m always a bit dumbfounded when someone so young is said to have died of ‘natural causes‘. Odd.


KIM PEEK DEAD

Inspiration for the movie Rain Man is dead at 58.

He suffered a fatal heart attack at home.


BRITNEY MURPHY OD

Everyone in the know is telling CBS News that actress Britney Murphy died of natural causes (complications from the flu) but that doesn’t work for the Early Show. Quick Fix: Find ‘at least one pathologist‘ who disagrees.


Dead At 32: What Killed Actress Britney Murphy?

Details on her last days, the chaotic scene at the Murphy household and video of Britney Murphy’s last interview, we’ve got loads of questions to ask and more information to dish out all day long right here in today’s Big Story.


BRITNEY MURPHY DEAD

Actress Britney Murphy has died.

More to follow…

Update: TMZ reports Murphy was discovered in the shower of the home she shares with her husband. She was in full cardiac arrest and CPR was started on scene. Britney Murphy was 32.


CHRIS HENRY DIES

Cincinnati Bengals star Chris Henry has died from injuries sustained after a spat with his girlfriend. Henry fell out of the back of a truck during the ordeal. He was 26.


ROY E. DISNEY DEAD

Walt Disney’s nephew Roy E. Disney has died. He was 79-years-old. He was Vice Chairman of Disney from 1984-2003. Roy was battling cancer.


ORAL ROBERTS DEAD

TV evangelist and preacher Oral Roberts has died.

oralroberts

He was hospitalized after a fall at the family home in California. Oral Roberts was 91-years-old.


Freddie Mac Suicide: Acting CFO Found Dead

Around 5AM this morning, Fairfax County, Virginia police received a phone call from family members of David Kellerman, acting CFO of Freddie Mac. “We were called from inside the house to come investigate an apparent suicide,” Fairfax County Police spokeswoman Mary Anne Jennings said.

Kellerman was responsible for Freddie Mac’s finances and has been under pressure since the government intervened to save the struggling company with taxpayer funds. Though Freddie Mac is…


Cell Phone Crash: 5 Children Dead In Houston

Texas Storms

32-year-old Chanton Jenkins was apparently distracted by an ringing cell phone, leading to a crash that killed 5 Houston children (ages 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7). Jenkins also failed a field sobriety test after the crash, making it quite obvious that he was not only irresponsible and unlucky, but also criminal in the actions that led to the crash.

The dead include two girls (the 1-year-old and 3-year-old), who have…


More Details On Alabama Slaughter

South Alabama Shootings

The burned out interior of the home of suspected gunman Michael McLendon’s mother Lisa McLendon is seen early today in Kinston. McLendon’s rampage began Tueday when he burned down his mother’s house, Coffee County Coroner Robert Preachers said. Authorities found Lisa McLendon’s body inside, but they have not determined how she died.

We’re learning more about Michael McLendon — he once wanted to become a police officer himself and was even trained…