Steelers stomp Browns 20-7, but miss playoffs

There's no such thing as partial credit in the NFL.

''We were an 8-8 team,'' safety Troy Polamalu said.

One that will spend January at home for a second straight year.

Le'Veon Bell ran for 90 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers drubbed the lifeless Browns 20-7 on Sunday, though Pittsburgh's bid to become the second team in NFL history to go winless in September and make the playoffs ended when San Diego edged Kansas City 27-24 in overtime.

''We are going to build on this,'' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. ''I think we have put together a good foundation.''

One that went 6-2 over the final eight weeks, recovering from a potentially franchise-altering 55-31 loss to New England on Nov. 3 to play perhaps the best football in the AFC by someone not named Denver over the second half.

Or, the exact opposite of what happened in Cleveland, which fired first-year coach Rob Chudzinski hours after the game.

The Browns (4-12) lost their final seven games and 10 of their last 11. Not exactly the step forward new owner Jimmy Haslam was looking for with a roster littered with five Pro Bowl players.

''We needed to see progress with this football team,'' the Browns said in a statement after firing Chudzinski. ''We needed to see development and improvement as the season evolved and, unfortunately, we took a concerning step backward in the second half of the year.

''Our fans deserve to see a consistently competitive team. We have high standards, and there's an urgency for success. When we believed we were not positioned to achieve significant progress in 2014, we knew we had to admit that a change was needed, and move forward.''

Chudzinski's players did something after the game they failed to do during it: rally around their coach.

''It's just absurd to me that a report would be out like that, about a good coach like that,'' Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. ''It's crazy, and that (ticked) me off when I heard that.''

Cleveland didn't exactly play angry while letting the Steelers roll to victory for the 26th time in 31 meetings since the Browns were revived in 1999.

Roethlisberger passed for 179 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions as Pittsburgh won its third straight to avoid the franchise's first losing season since 2003.

''Guys just kept fighting,'' Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said. ''Wasn't anything glorious or something beautiful, we just came out of nowhere.''

Jason Campbell completed 23 of 41 passes for 240 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Josh Gordon caught seven passes for 82 yards to finish with an NFL-high 1,646 yards receiving, a first for the franchise. It proved little solace on a wet, miserable day at Heinz Field in which Cleveland looked very much like the same old Browns.

Cleveland was largely noncompetitive over the season's final three months, with seven losses by a touchdown or more, including two to the Steelers by a combined 47-18.

There is no sense of panic in Pittsburgh. A season that appeared teetering on embarrassment after the record-setting loss to the Patriots ended up with a decidedly rosier finish.

The Steelers scored on the opening drive, a 9-yard strike from Roethlisberger to Jerricho Cotchery, and it was more than enough. Whenever the Browns threatened, they found a way to botch it. Twice they failed on fourth-down attempts in Pittsburgh territory and didn't reach the end zone until Campbell found Fozzy Whitaker on a 35-yard pass with 2:46 remaining.

By then most of the attention had turned to the scoreboard, where the biggest roars were saved for scores by the Bengals and Jets, who then won to boost Pittsburgh's playoff chances.

Kansas City nearly did the same, but Ryan Succop missed a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in regulation and San Diego survived.

Still, the Steelers remain convinced better days lay ahead, thanks in part to Bell's rapid development. He broke Hall of Famer Franco Harris' team record for total yards from scrimmage by a rookie by combining for 96 yards in the muck at Heinz Field. Bell finished with 1,259 total yards in just 13 games, 24 more than the mark of 1,235 Harris set in 1972.

Bell's 5-yard touchdown burst in the second quarter, which included a nifty spin move in the backfield, gave the Steelers a 14-0 lead at the break. It capped an 87-yard drive in which he touched the ball 10 times in 14 plays.

That was plenty for a rejuvenated defense that sacked Campbell three times, including a strip fumble by defensive end Brett Keisel, likely playing his final regular-season game of his 12-year career with Pittsburgh.

Despite the outcome, Keisel isn't closing the door on a return.

''I still feel like I can play,'' Keisel said. ''You know, we'll see.''

Just not until 2014.

NOTES: Brown caught nine passes for 97 yards to finish with 110 receptions on the season, narrowly missing the club mark of 112 set by Hines Ward in 2012. ... Roethlisberger finished with 4,261 yards passing, the second-highest total in team history to his 4,328 in 2009.

Ushering the New Year's Eve of 2014!

The New Year's Eve is just three hours away and I mean..... I'm already pumped up and excited for this I can't even contain my self. all the good times and bad times had in twelve months and I am just ushering the New Year's eve of 2014 I mean.. it's gonna be a lot of up all night parties, drinking, dancing, all the women or what have you? plus I'm getting ready to start off on my New Year's Resolution such as staying connected with my friends world wide including my fellow Beyhivers of The Almighty Beyhive Nation, Make Music, all that.

Beyoncé criticized for using audio from Challenger disaster in a song

Pop star Beyoncé is under fire for using audio from the 1986 Challenger disaster in her new song “XO.”

The controversial audio clip is a recording of NASA’s public affairs officer, Steve Nesbitt, in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. As the song begins, Nesbitt can be heard saying: “Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction.” The space shuttle Challenger exploded on Jan. 28, 1986 only 73 seconds after liftoff, killing seven crew members. Family members and friends were present, and the launch was filmed live on CNN.

Family members of the lost crew members quickly took offense to the audio usage. Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, released a statement: ”We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song ‘XO’. The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends. We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today.”

In a statement to ABC News, Beyoncé responded: “My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song ‘XO’ was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you. The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten.”

You can watch the “XO” music video here:

Read more: Beyonce criticized for using audio from Challenger disaster in a song | TIME.com http://entertainment.time.com/2013/12/30/beyonce-criticized-for-using-challenger-disaster-audio-in-song/#ixzz2p72PN3f9

Miley Cyrus and Kellan Lutz Flirt At Her Las Vegas Club Party

Miley Cyrus & Kellan Lutz Flirt In Las Vegas

The two, who have been rumored to be hooking up since mid-December, were spotted at the Vegas hot spot looking very cozy and really having a ball together. They stayed by each other’s side for most of the night, and at some points Kellan even had his arm draped around Miley.

As the party raged on, you could sense the attraction between the two stars, as Miley gazed lovingly at the Hercules actor. And we’re assuming Kellan appreciated how Miley looked — she was absolutely smoldering in a skimpy beige top and a very short, overall-styled skirt.

“Miley was having so much fun at Beacher’s,” an insider told HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “Kellan and Miley were talking although she seemed more into being the life of the party. It looked like Miley and Kellan ended up leaving together though.”

Miley Cyrus’ Wild Night In Vegas

The “We Can’t Stop” singer had a pretty flirty nightoverall. Besides cozying up to Kellan, Miley was also spotted grinding on and partying with her BFF and assistant, Cheyne Thomas, and later in the night she was seen grinding on another guy in a bow tie.

Talk about a busy night! So HollywoodLifers, do you think Miley and Kellan got together at Beacher’s Madhouse, or was he just one of the many guys she wanted to flirt with at the party? Let us know!

More Miley Cyrus News:
Miley Cyrus Flies To Miami With Kellan Lutz — New Couple Alert?
Miley Cyrus & Cara Delevingne Kiss With Tongues — New Pic
Miley Cyrus: Going Naked In ‘Adore You’ Video Was The Wrong Move

UPDATE: Sarah Palin, Louisiana Governor Weigh In On ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Controversy

UPDATE, 9:40 AM: Duck Dynasty fan Sarah Palin has taken to social media to voice her support for Phil Robertson, saying that his suspension is an attack on free speech. “Free speech is an endangered species,” she wrote on Facebook. “Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us.” And Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also added his voice. “Phil Robertson and his family are great citizens of the State of Louisiana. The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with. I don’t agree with quite a bit of stuff I read in magazine interviews or see on TV,” Jindal said in a statement reported on the Fox News website. “In fact, come to think of it, I find a good bit of it offensive. But I also acknowledge that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”

PREVIOUS WEDNESDAY PM: Here comes the backlash to the Duck Dynasty star’s anti-gay remarks published in GQ today. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBT civil rights group in the U.S., is demanding an apology from Phil Robertson and for A+E Networks to denounce his comments. “These remarks go beyond being outlandishly inaccurate and offensive,” the group said in a long and detailed statement. “They are dangerous and revisionist, appealing to those in our society who wish to repeat patterns of discrimination. We urge A+E to immediately denounce and repudiate Robertson’s comments. Furthermore, we call on you to see that Phil Robertson apologizes for his vitriolic comments. Surely a brand like A+E does not want to be associated with such racist and homophobic remarks. Meanwhile, GLAAD, which had slammed Robertson’s remarks as “vile” earlier in the day, praised A&E for its swift action to suspend its star. “What’s clear is that such hateful anti-gay comments are unacceptable to fans, viewers, and networks alike,” the organization said in a statement. “By taking quick action and removing Robertson from future filming, A&E has sent a strong message that discrimination is neither a Christian nor an American value.”

PREVIOUSLY: A+E Networks said that Phil Robertson has been put on an indefinite hiatus from his hit reality series for anti-gay remarks he made in the January issue of GQ magazine, which became available today. This comes as Season 5 of the series is set to debut January 15. We’re hearing that the show isn’t shooting right now, and there are episodes in the can that Robertson will be in. But he will not be a part of the production when filming resumes. “We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty”, the network group said in a statement just now. ”His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

This move is no small potatoes for A&E Network — the series’ Season 4 debut remains the No. 1-rated nonfiction series telecast in cable history with 11.8 million viewers. For A&E was its best-ever series telecast in adults 18-49 (6.3 million viewers) and adults 18-34 (3 million). It has spawned a couple of Christmas specials (the one last week drew 8.9 million viewers) and just landed its first major awards nomination this month, a PGA Awards nom for best reality series. The Louisiana family also secured big salary increases just before that record Season 4 premiere, with the clan reportedly earning more than $200,000 an episode — roughly 4.5 times more than their previous salaries – divvied up among the nine adults and 11 kids on the show. Those negotiations with the WME-repped family and series producer Gurney Prods caused a delay in the start of the season.

In today’s GQ article profiling the family behind the reality hit, Robertson — who in the story described his family as “Bible-thumpers who just happened to end up on television” — sounded off on among other things homosexuality, calling it a sin. “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.” Later, when asked what is sinful, he replied: “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

The comments quickly drew the ire of gay-rights groups like GLAAD. ”Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.” The group said it reached out to A&E to see whether the network stood by Robertson’s statements.
Related stories
Petition Launched Demanding A&E Return Phil Robertson To 'Duck Dynasty'
'Duck Dynasty' Season Finale Shatters A&E Viewer Records, Season 4 Is A Go
'Duck Dynasty' Maker Gurney Productions Sells Controlling Stake To ITV For $40M

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Beat-up Giants scramble just to conduct practice

Forget motivating his team for the final two games of the season coming off a shutout home loss to last week, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin has more pressing matters - beginning with finding healthy bodies.

The Giants were missing almost 19 percent of their 53-man roster Wednesday as they began preparations for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, forcing Coughlin to alter his practice plans.

"It will be adjusted," he said. "We'll do half speed work and half jog-thru. We'll get all the learning in, but probably half of the speed stuff."

With a little bit of luck, Coughlin said, the team hopes to get back three or four of those key players who missed Wednesday's session, though he joked when asked which players might return.

"Wanna roll the dice?" he said.

Upon closer inspection of the team's injury report, there are three areas that could potentially create issues for the Giants if the players in question aren't able to go.

The first is at receiver, as Victor Cruz (concussion/knee) and Jerrel Jernigan (knee) are both banged up to the point where the team promoted Julian Talley from the practice squad as backup depth.

Cruz is unlikely to play this week, even if he passes the concussion protocol and returns to practice.

"He's going through the concussion protocol, but he does have a knee that will probably prevent him from doing anything," Coughlin said of Cruz.

Jernigan, who last week led the team with receptions (seven) and receiving yards (67) is also the team's kickoff returner.

If he can't go against the Lions, the Giants could look to cornerback Charles James to handle the kickoff return duties as well as the punt return duties, the latter of which are currently handled by receiver Rueben Randle, who figures to have a bigger role in the offense this weekend.

At running back, Peyton Hillis has yet to pass the concussion protocol and his status for Sunday in question.

With Brandon Jacobs on injured reserve, the Giants might be forced to go with a rotation of Andre Brown and Michael Cox, with Brown getting the bulk of the planned rushes. Fullback John Conner, who has had a few touches at the NFL level but who has yet to carry the ball for the Giants, could also be an option in an emergency.

The biggest worry, though, is on the offensive line, where guards David Diehl and James Brewer are both nursing injuries. As it is, the offensive line hasn't played well as a whole all season. Diehl, who was held out Wednesday due to some swelling he experienced in his knee during the game, might have a better chance of being in the lineup on Sunday.

Brewer is another story, though in his case he has struggled so badly that even if he was healthy the coaches might go in another direction. If Brewer can't play, presumably the Giants would stick with Brandon Mosley, who relieved Brewer last week, at the left guard spot.

"We've got to regroup and compete like heck, and play much better and do a better job at protecting the quarterback," Coughlin said.

The status of the offensive line naturally raised a question regarding whether Coughlin might consider sitting quarterback Eli Manning, who has started 149 consecutive games.

"We've talked about this," Coughlin said. "He wants to play. He looks forward to playing competing and having a better game. I wouldn't expect any different.

Despite the precarious injury situation at key positions, Coughlin's expectations of his team this weekend are no different now than they were earlier in the season.

"I expect us to prepare well and to go up (to Detroit) with the idea of competing and doing the best we possibly can, (and) find a way to win."

SERIES HISTORY: 41st regular-season meeting. Lions lead series, 20-19-1. New York is 8-13-1 at Detroit, but have won two out of the last three games during the Tom Coughlin era, including the last two in a row. The two teams last met on Oct. 17, 2010, a 28-20 Giants' win in at MetLife Stadium. The Lions have outscored the Giants in regular-season games 672-588.

NOTES, QUOTES

--One of the bright spots to emerge for the Giants this season has been the play of rookie defensive tackleJohnathan Hankins, their second-round draft pick this year.

"It took a while to get him active, but he's made some progress," said head coach Tom Coughlin.

Hankins, who has played in nine games this season, has accumulated 14 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and two quarterback hits.

"He had a couple of good plays the other day. He's a young guy who's coming along and learning how to play in this league," said Coughlin of the 6-2, 320-pound Hankins.

"He made some errors but he did make a couple of nice aggressive plays."

Hankins admitted that it was tough waiting his turn to play, but in retrospect, he's glad that his rookie year has unfolded the way it has.

"We have a great defensive line, and I learned a lot by watching them. Once I got my chance to go out there and play, I kind of knew what to do, how to react and that really helped benefit me on the field."

One of the biggest lessons Hankins said he learned was to curb his anxiousness.

"I would say being patient on the field, not always trying to make a play or jumpy a snap," he said. "Do your job and the plays you have to make will come to you."

With the plays starting to come to him, Hankins, who usually lines up next to Mike Patterson in the defensive interior rotation, said the next step is for him to continue to take advantage of his opportunities.

"I just want to show the coaching staff that I know the plays, that they can have confidence to put me out there to do my job," he said. "If I can just finish out the season doing that, then I feel like maybe they'll be more confident in me going into next year."

--During a conference call with reporters, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson was asked about the Giants defensive backs.

Turns out that he stumbled over the pronunciation of Prince Amukamara's name, and didn't even know Trumaine McBride's name.

If the Giants corners were offended by Johnson's remarks, they didn't let on.

"It's just words really," said Amukamara. "I can't really comment much about it because I didn't hear the interview, but he's a great wide receiver, and they have a great quarterback, and it's going to be a great challenge for us."

McBride also shrugged when told of Johnson not knowing his name.

"Last year I was out of the league. I haven't done much," he said. "So it doesn't bother me that he doesn't know me. It's not a big deal."

What is a big deal to both Amukamara and McBride, both of whom are likely to line up across from Johnson at various point on Sunday is that they keep the 6-5 receiver from burning them with his big-play making ability.

"I know I can't jump with him, so it doesn't make sense for me to try that," the 5-9 McBride said when asked about the challenges of facing Johnson.

"What does make more sense to do is play his hands when he's coming down and try to knock the ball out. That's one of the things I can do."

McBride added that there is no reason for the Giants cornerbacks to be intimidated by Johnson or his big-play making ability.

"We're all players, we're all me and we're all at this level for a reason. He can make plays, but I can make plays also.

"He's a great wide receiver. We just have to watch film to see what he doesn't do well and just take advantage of that," he added.

--Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul continues to be conflicted over his desire to play again this season and his desire to avoid the risk of needing surgery on his ailing shoulder.

"At the end of the day, I'm not a quitter," Pierre-Paul said. "I'm going to try my best to be out there with my teammates."

At the same time, Pierre-Paul knows that he has to be smart with his injury because he believes that if he stays the course and continues to rehab his injury, he will avoid the need for surgery.

"I think I'm doing pretty good in my rehabbing and just getting better on that injury," he said. "I don't really want to have surgery unless it's called for it. I think with me rehabbing and staying on schedule, that I won't need surgery."

Pierre-Paul, who admitted that if he played again and made his shoulder worse that surgery would then become a necessity, said that he has a full range of motion in his ailing joint, but that he doesn't have the full strength necessary to push and fight blockers.

"I can't go out there and defend myself so if I can't do that, then there's no reason for me to be out there playing," he said. "I play defense and I deliver a blow.

"I'm not going to put myself in a predicament where I go out there and then I have my teammates looking at me crazy. If you're not well enough to play, you should be on the sideline. I'm trying to get back out there though.

BY THE NUMBERS: 12 - Number of players the Giants currently have on injured reserve. The list includes six starters: offensive linemen David Baas and Chris Snee; fullback Henry Hynoski; cornerback Corey Webster; safety Stevie Brown; and running back David Wilson.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anyone who comes through the door, we'll be more than happy to wrap our arms around." -- Head coach Tom Coughlin when asked which of his 10 injured players he thought he might have for Sunday.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The Giants' decision to place cornerback Corey Webster on injured reserve comes as no surprise, as despite being able to practice on a limited basis for several weeks, the handwriting was on the wall for Webster after Trumaine McBride took over the starting job and after Jayron Hosley acquitted himself well as the backup.

As a result of the transaction, the Giants promoted receiver Julian Talley to the 53-man roster. Talley's promotion serves as insurance in case fellow UMass alumnus Victor Cruz (conclusion/knee) can't finish out the season.

--RB Kendall Gaskins, who was previously with the Bills, was signed to the Giants practice squad. Gaskins had worked out for the Giants several weeks ago.

INJURY IMPACT

--LG James Brewer (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday, but could be one of the players that head coach Tom Coughlin said he was hopeful of having later in the week.

--WR Victor Cruz (concussion/knee) did not practice on Wednesday and is not expected to play on Sunday.

--RG David Diehl (knee) was held out of practice on Wednesday, but will reportedly try to work on Thursday. Diehl said he experienced some swelling in his knee last week, but didn't think he'd have to miss Sunday's game.

--RB Peyton Hillis (concussion) was not present at Wednesday's practice, as he has not passed the concussion protocol. His status for Sunday is unknown at this point.

--DT Cullen Jenkins (shin/quad) didn't practice on Wednesday, but he could be back in the lineup on Thursday. Jenkins is going on his second week with this injury and was able to play last week.

--WR Jerrel Jernigan (knee) did not work on Wednesday. His status for Sunday is a question mark.

--CB Trumaine McBride (groin) did not practice on Wednesday, but could be back later in the week on a limited basis. McBride has been playing with a groin injury for several weeks now.

--DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday and is unlikely to play on Sunday.

--S Cooper Taylor (hamstring) is not expected to practice or play this week.

--CB Terrell Thomas (knee) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to work in a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.

GAME PLAN:

The Giants' turnover-prone offense is in a complete state of shambles right now. Quarterback Eli Manning has no time to scan the field and often times cannot step into his throws due to having one of his pass blockers being walked back into his lap.

As a result, Manning, who last week topped his single-season career high in interceptions (25) has been sacked 36 times, also a career high.

The running game, which is averaging 83.5 yards per game has sputtered so badly that barring a surge in this average, it will be their lowest season-long average since they rushed for 76.9 yards a game in 1945.

All of that spells trouble for a Giants offense that will face an aggressive Lions defense. The Lions have the fourth-best run defense and are allowing opponents an average of 98.6 yards per game.

They also have the top-ranked defense against third downs, an area of struggle for the Giants, who are ranked 30th in the league in converting third downs.

If the Giants are going to have a shot this week, they're going to have force the turnover-prone Lions offense into making some mistakes. Against the Ravens on Monday night, quarterback Matthew Stafford boosted his season interception total to 17 after tossing three in his last game.

He hass also thrown at least one interception in five of his last six games, three of which featuring multiple interceptions. That might bode well for the Giants, who are tied for 16th (with the Lions and two other teams) with 13 interceptions this season.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Giants defensive line vs. Lions offensive line -- The Lions' offensive line has only allowed 16 sacks this season, which is pretty impressive considering they have a pair of rookies on the right side in guard Larry Warford and tackle LaAdrian Waddle who have started the last seven games as a tandem. It will be interesting to see how this rookie dup holds up against defensive end Justin Tuck and defensive tackle Linval Joseph, the left side of the Giants defensive line, which has been playing some of its best ball over the last five weeks. Tuck has 7.5 sacks in his last four games, as he looks for his fifth game in a row with at least a half-sack.

--Giants CBs Prince Amukamara and Trumaine McBride vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson -- Both the 6-foot Amukamara and the 5-9 McBride have been a solid duo in coverage this season. However, the 6-5 Johnson's size could be a potential nightmare for smaller cornerbacks, as Megatron isn't afraid to fight back if a corner dares to try to impede his release off the line of scrimmage. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will likely see to it that Amukamara draws Johnson; if that is the case, it will be important for Amukamara to get his hands on Johnson every chance he gets to try to slow him down.

Lola The Dog's Santa Encounter Will Get You In The Holiday Spirit

It was Lola's turn to sit on Santa's lap.

But what the pit bull/English boxer mix, who belongs to Miles Clark Gray of theWashington Animal Rescue League in D.C., really wanted for Christmas was on the floor -- in the form of a great big belly rub.

Lucky for Lola, it's the season for giving!

Lola happens to be a friendly dog. Normally I get a little scared of large dogs, as my former school friend Annie's dog use to make me run around the table, and stopped going to her place as she refused to tie up the dog, instead called her over to my house. This large dog is really friendly and wants just some one to rub her belly and make her feel that she has got attention and warmth of love of a person.What I like of all dogs is the sincerity which shows in their eyes for their master and extent of bravery to save infants from trouble when toddlers are in crawling and slightly walking stage and ability to be happy in human company and playful nature.

Khloé Kardashian Tweets About Split From Lamar Odom: ‘This Is … Torture to My Soul’

Khloé Kardashian has been keeping a low profile since filing for divorce from Lamar Odom less than a week ago. But on Wednesday, the 29-year-old posted a heartfelt message to Twitter that appeared to address the recent reports that she and Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp were an item. The reality star wrote, "This, in and of itself, is heart breaking and torture to my soul. Please, I don't need the extra rumors and BS right now."



But could Khloé's spirits soon be lifted? According to the December 30 issue of Us Weekly, the brunette beauty will gain a fortune when the divorce is finalized. The report states that in addition to keeping their $4 million Tarzana mansion and her $1 million diamond engagement ring, she will also be awarded a $2 million cash payout. That's a lot of change!

Check out the vid to hear how Khloé wore her heart on her sleeve just three days after filing for divorce, and be sure to tune in to "omg! Insider" on TV tonight for the latest in entertainment news.

http://omg.yahoo.com/video/khloé-kardashian-tweets-split-lamar-005613262.html

Facebook to Start Selling Video Ads

Facebook Inc. (FB) said it would begin selling video advertisements later this week, a move that may help the social-networking giant capture a share of the annual $66.4 billion TV advertising market.

The ads will start appearing Thursday both on the Web and on smartphones, according to people familiar with the matter. They will play automatically in users' news feeds—though the sound will be off, Facebook said Tuesday.

[More from WSJ: A Look at How Facebook Video Ads Will Work]

How long they will be is unknown. In August, The Wall Street Journal reported Facebook planned to offer ads of up to 15 seconds on both smartphones and the Web.

One of the first ads will be a short teaser—made specifically for Facebook—for the coming Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF) film "Divergent." It isn't known how many other companies will offer ads in the early days.

Many advertisers had hoped Facebook would begin selling ads in time for the holiday shopping season but Facebook delayed a launch fearing ads could annoy users.

Some advertisers produced videos early in the year, anticipating a summer rollout, and were frustrated when Facebook pushed back the launch. Other advertisers worried ads might alienate users.

[More from WSJ: U.S. Energy Websites Fend Off Assaults]

Facebook founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg took a personal interest in the video ads and delayed their introduction in part because of engineering problems that made them slow to load. In August, the Journal reported Facebook software engineers improved the back-end technology to speed up ads.

Last week, some Facebook users saw videos playing automatically in news feed as Facebook began to test the technology.

Facebook said video ads playing on mobile devices would have been downloaded in advance when the device was connected to WiFi—meaning this content won't consume users' data plans.

It isn't clear how much Facebook will charge advertisers but it is likely to be expensive. "We do not disclose pricing," Facebook said in a statement Tuesday. "The goal for this test feature is to be a premium advertising format on Facebook, intended to reach a large audience at specific times."

[More from WSJ: #Downgraded: Twitter Analysts Turn Cautious After Big Rally]

Executives told The Wall Street Journal in August Facebook planned to charge $2 million a day to let advertisers reach the full Facebook audience of adults aged 18 to 54.

"We expect video to be more expensive," said Dan Slagen, senior vice president of marketing for Nanigans, a digital-marketing software company. "But we're going to see advertisers willing to pay," he said on Monday.

Data-research firm eMarketer expects advertisers to spend $66.4 billion on television in 2013.

The delayed rollout could prove profitable for Facebook because this time of year advertisers can have excess money to spend. Traditionally, Facebook hasn't been a go-to place for that money and video ads will make it a more attractive destination, advertising industry experts said.

‘The Voice’: Shakira and Usher Returning For Season 6

Shakira & Usher are coming back to ‘The Voice’ — and much sooner than you might think!

If you loved Shakira and Usher on the fourth season of The Voice, you’ll definitely want to turn around for this news: NBC officially announced Dec. 17 that both former coaches will return for the show’s upcoming sixth season! They’ll rejoin Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in those famous red swivel chairs when season six begins Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET.

Like most Voice events, the premiere will take place over two nights, concluding Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. And while this means Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will be taking the season off, don’t expect them to disappear from The Voice forever. This show, and its constantly rotating panel of coaches — isn’t going anywhere.
‘The Voice’: Shakira & Usher — Why We Can’t Wait For Their Return

We didn’t know how to react when we first learned that Shakira and Usher were joining The Voice back in season four, but it didn’t take long for us to completely fall in love with them as coaches. HollywoodLife.com gushed over the new duo back in April 2013, proclaiming season four to be the best one yet, largely due to the chemistry between Shakira, Usher and the other coaches.

This news broke on the night of The Voice‘s season four finale – a coincidence, I’m sure – which found Tessanne Chin, Will Champlin and Jacquie Lee going head-to-head for the right to be called the new Voice champion.

HollywoodLifers, are you excited to have Shakira and Usher back on The Voice next season? Drop a comment with your thoughts on their return below!

Chris Brown's Probation Revoked; Not Smoking Medicinal Marijuana in Rehab

Embroiled R&B star Chris Brown got some more bad news today in the form of a revoked probation in response to his October arrest in Washington, D.C.

The singer, 24, who appeared before a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Monday was spared jail time because he is already participating in his court-ordered 90-day residential rehab program.

A progress report was included in documents obtained by omg!, in which Brown's rehabilitation program director indicated he has "made improvements and positive behavior change in the program since his arrival," and has been "taken off medical marijuana and is taking psychotropic medication as prescribed".

his latest development in Brown's criminal probation record, which originated from his 2009 pre-Grammy assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna, comes about after the performer was arrested on an assault charge on October 27 after allegedly having an altercation with a man who tried to take his picture outside of the W Hotel.

[Related: Chris Brown's Probation From Rihanna Assault Reinstated]

Brown checked into rehab the day after his arrest, but was discharged two weeks later after a "violent outburst" in which he allegedly smashed his mother's car window with a rock during a family session according to court documents obtained by omg!.

Brown's mother, Joyce Hawkins, was not present for Monday's court hearing, but he was accompanied by girlfriend Karrueche Tran.

He is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on February 10 to determine if additional jail time will be required after completing his three-month rehabilitation.

Spying, Public Disses, and Snubs: It's All Relative for the Judds

As the Judds once sang, "Love Can Build a Bridge."

What they didn't say in that sweet song, but that singers Wynonna and Naomi Judd, as well as Naomi's younger daughter and Wynonna's half-sister Ashley, know all too well is that love can also build dysfunctional families.

In the latest Judd family drama, Ashley, 45, accused Wynonna, 49, of spying on her. ABC News reported that Ashley went to the Franklin Police Department after the device was discovered in her silver Mini Cooper last month. The actress said she suspected it had to do with "an ongoing custody dispute" between the two and the unnamed driver of the car, Wynonna's 17-year-old daughter Grace, according to multiple reports.

The story isn't surprising, though, when you think about the Judd's history of family drama. Way back in 1995, former manager Ken Stilts told People that Wynonna and Naomi were "at each other's throats every minute of the day" during the time they were one of country music's biggest acts of the '80s.

"They performed many times with sunglasses so you couldn't see they had been crying," Stilts said. And that's just two of them!

Here are three more of the Judd's most dysfunctional family moments:



1. The "bitter" truth comes out. Ashley revealed in her 2012 memoir, "All That Is Bitter and Sweet," that she had been sexually abused as a child and, even worse, that no one believed her when she tried to tell them. In addition, she was often left alone as her mom and sister were on the road. (Her parents divorced when she was still a toddler.) "There was too much trauma, abandonment, addiction and shame," the "Double Jeopardy" star wrote. "My mother, while she was transforming herself into the country legend Naomi Judd, created an origin myth for the Judds that did not match my reality. She and my sister have been quoted as saying that our family put the 'fun' in dysfunction. I wondered: Who, exactly, was having all the fun? What was I missing?" (Wynonna and Naomi confessed the very next week that they, too, had suffered sexual abuse as children.)

2. They diss each other in public.
This has happened more than once. In January, when there was talk that Ashley might run for Congress, her mother told Piers Morgan that, "She is not as smart as she acts." Ouch! Winona once told the ladies on "The View" that she often called Ashley "The Third Judd" — you know, like the wheel! Isn't that sweet sisterly love?! At least Ashley's surely had the chance to tell her sister and mother about her frustrations in therapy, since they've spoken about going as a family and as individuals.

3. Wynonna doesn't invite them to her wedding … next door!
When you look at their family dynamic, it's not all that unexpected that Wynonna wouldn't invite her sister and mother to her low-key June 2012 nuptials to third husband Cactus Moser, especially since she limited to the guest list to their children. But when you consider the fact that they all live on the same family farm in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, it's a little weird. "Mom [lives] at 11 o'clock, Ashley is like at 1 o'clock, and I'm at 6 o'clock," Wynonna explained to Us Weekly at the time. And, she added, that she was "not even sure" they knew the wedding was happening!

Come to think of it, it's probably good that Naomi and Ashley weren't there. Who knows what kind of drama might have happened?!

Charlie Sheen Slams Denise Richards, Chops Up Wedding Souvenir Pictures.

Forget the Grinch. According to Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards is to blame for stealing Christmas this year. The Anger Management star lashed out at his second ex-wife via Twitter on Sunday, Dec. 15, with an angry message and accompanying photo.

The picture shows a wooden Rawlings baseball bat chopped into pieces, with a sword and what appears to be a tiny bottle of Tabasco sauce lying amid the wreckage. On one piece of the bat is an inscription: "Congratulations Denise & Charlie. June 15, 2002. Have a home run of a life." (The bat was a souvenir from the former couple's wedding; they divorced in 2006.)

PHOTOS: Famous family feuds

Alongside the snapshot, Sheen shared one of his trademark tweet poems. "More like a feeble 'K' / The lie is over. / I'm done / Being treated like / A relative with a / One-way ticket," he wrote, along with the hashtag "#DuhNeese," an apparent dig at his ex.

The photo was posted amid reports that the Two and a Half Men alum is upset over Richards' change of plans for the holidays. According to TMZ, the actor was supposed to join his ex and their daughters, Sam, 9, and Lola, 8, for Christmas -- but she reportedly pulled the plug on their trip. (The currently single Wild Things actress also has a 2-year-old, Eloise, whom she adopted in 2011.)

Other sources tell TMZ, however, that Sheen is still welcome on the trip. She has yet to address the incident on Twitter, though.

PHOTOS: When exes attack

In any case, the feud (if there is one) is a big change from the couple's friendly relationship over the last couple of years. In October, the pair were spotted enjoying some family time with their kids at the pumpkin patch. And earlier this year, Richards called Sheen the "greatest ex ever" for lending her his jet.

The actor even voiced his support for Richards taking over the care of Max and Bob, his twin boys with Brooke Mueller, when the latter had to check into rehab. He is "truly grateful that she is here for the kids," a source told Us Weekly at the time.

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/charlie-sheen-slams-denise-richards-chops-wedding-souvenir-picture-20131612#ixzz2nfZMZedC
Follow us: @usweekly on Twitter | usweekly on Facebook

Family Guy Brings Brian Back From the Dead

The Griffins got the best Christmas present ever on Sunday's episode of Family Guy, when beloved dog Brian — who was hit by a car and killed in an episode that aired last month — was brought back from the dead.

Though the episode opened with Brian's replacement, Vinnie, still included in the opening credits, an uncharacteristically emotional Stewie later told a mall Santa that his biggest wish for Christmas was to have Brian back.

Photos: The most shocking TV deaths

Vinnie dresses up as Brian to try to cheer his new owner up, but when that doesn't work, he takes him to the mall to pick out something else. While there, Vinnie sees Past Stewie, who still has the time machine Stewie was using in the episode where Brian was killed. Vinnie and Stewie hatch a plan to use the time machine to go back in time and save Brian before he was hit by a car.

The resurrected Brian thanks Stewie, saying "a lot of other families would have just gotten another dog and moved on." Ha.

Fans of the Seth MacFarlane cartoon were outraged when the show appeared to have killed Brian off, and had even started a petition to bring the character back to life. But apparently the entire arc was part of a well thought-out plan, according to MacFarlane.

Fans start petition to resurrect Brian on Family Guy

"And thus endeth our warm, fuzzy holiday lesson: Never take those you love for granted, for they can be gone in a flash," MacFarlane tweeted after the episode airs.

He later added: "I mean, you didn't really think we'd kill off Brian, did you? Jesus, we'd have to be f---ing high. ... Oh and hey... thanks for caring so much about the canine Griffin. He is overcome with gratitude."

Are you happy Brian is back on Family Guy?

Beyonce's Surprise Album: How She Kept It Secret

Beyonce -- and her extended team of publicists, record label executives, stylists, producers and many musical/video collaborators -- could teach a master course in secret-keeping to the NSA. Days later, fans and the music industry are still reeling and digesting the superstar's self-titled fifth album -- featuring 14 songs and a whopping 17 videos -- dropped on iTunes with absolutely no warning at midnight last Friday, Dec. 13.

"Beyonce decided several months ago to release her album in this way but she didn't decide on this date until very recently, just a little bit ago," a source explains to Us Weekly, adding that the "XO" singer had been contemplating a surprise January release date. "Now just felt right, especially on Friday the 13."

As folks now know, Blue Ivy's mama had already recorded over a dozen songs and shot even more videos, with those around her "begging her" to release them. "She kept going back and forth about what to do," the source admits.

"She discussed it over and over again with Jay Z and her team and decided to just drop it this way. Only Beyonce could have done this!" See photos of the superstar.

How did one of the world's biggest stars keep such a massive project under wraps? "Everyone agreed not to breathe a word or the plan would be ruined . . . One person leaking it would have destroyed the whole project. She wanted to reinvent the way we listened to albums. . . there was already so much interest in this project that it all built up perfectly."

And, some of that secrecy required some innocent fibbing to the press. "The few people involved that knew had to lie a little so it didn't blow the whole thing. It was worth it."

Indeed. Billboard.com currently projects that Beyonce is set to debut on the Hot 100 chart at number one, selling over 550,000 copies -- a number that could grow.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Beyonce's Surprise Album: How She Kept It Secret

Obama Family Celebrates Christmas Concert With Adorable ‘Elves’

Some were naughty and some were nice, but ALL of the children dressed up as Santa’s elves for the White House’s 32nd annual Christmas benefit concert on Dec. 15 were so cute, the First Family couldn’t help but break into beaming grins!

President Barack Obama and his family had a great time taking in the Christmas In Washington concert at the White House on Dec. 15. The truly star-studded event was hosted by Hugh Jackman and featured performances by Sheryl Crow, Janelle Monáe and the Backstreet Boys, but as First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia can attest, the little kids dressed as festive “elves” were definitely the stars of the show!

Obamas Meet Christmas Elves: Kids Dress Up At Washington Charity Concert
Brave young patients from the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. showed off bright and festive sprits when they met the President and his family during 2013′s annual rocking Christmas concert! They dressed up as Santa’s helper elves — complete with jingle bell belts and pom-pom tipped shoes!

As the young kids posed for photos with the Obamas, they spread their enthusiasm and joys. With some elves making funny faces and others smiling sweetly at the crowd, no one could hold back a laugh — including President Obama himself!

Obamas Meet Christmas Elves: Kids Dress Up At Washington Charity Concert

Brave young patients from the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. showed off bright and festive sprits when they met the President and his family during 2013′s annual rocking Christmas concert! They dressed up as Santa’s helper elves — complete with jingle bell belts and pom-pom tipped shoes!

Sasha & Malia Obama Collect Donated Christmas Presents For Children

Before enjoying the concert together as a family, 12-year-old Sasha and 15-year-old Malia helped their parents collect donated toys and other gifts for the young patients are the Children’s National Medical Center. They seemed equally excited about the young “elves” and the other wonderful deserving children the presents would help!

What do YOU think, HollyMoms? Which elves are your favorite: the mischievous kids or Santa’ssweet helpers?

Kim Kardashian Pulled Over for Speeding While Being Chased by Paparazzi

Apparently, the paparazzi is "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" a little too well.



The California Highway Patrol confirms that Kim Kardashian was pulled over for speeding in her black Rolls-Royce in L.A. on Tuesday afternoon. Several paparazzi cars were trailing the 33-year-old at the time, and the driver of one of those vehicles was stopped as well.


Both Kim and the photographer were cited for speeding and released, although there could be an investigation as to whether the photographer cited was harassing Kim, TMZ reports.


The website claims that some of the photogs abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the freeway in an attempt to get a shot of the reality star being ticketed and, in the process, caused a traffic jam.


A rep for Kim did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Kardashian and her fiancé Kanye West were already paparazzi magnets on their own, even before they got together in April 2012, and interest in them has only increased since the birth of their baby girl, North West, this past June.


Although the new mom built her empire by enticing the paps to follow her every move and constantly sharing her life by posting selfies and tweets, she has been less happy to encounter photographers lately. In an October episode of her family's show, Kim, who was still pregnant when the show was filmed, complained about being followed. Her younger sister Khloé went as far as comparing her to the late Princess Diana, whose died in a 1997 crash after a car chase with the paparazzi.


Both Kim and Kanye have vowed to keep their daughter out of the spotlight, and West himself has long had an adversarial relationship with the paps. Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges of battery and attempted grand theft following an altercation he had with paparazzo Daniel Ramos at Los Angeles International Airport on July 19. In the caught-on-camera incident, the rapper is seen wrestling Ramos to the ground after he and fellow photogs refuse to stop taking his photo. The criminal case resumes on Jan. 23. Ramos has also filed a civil lawsuit against West.


Somehow we don't think this will be the last of their run-ins with the paparazzi.

Marcia Wallace: ‘The Simpsons’ Actress Dies At 70

So sad. The woman who voiced Edna Krabappel on ‘The Simpsons’ for 13 years passed away on Oct. 25 in her home in Los Angeles.

We’ve lost one of the most recognizable voices in TV. Marcia Wallace, an actress who found her calling giving life to the cranky teacher on The Simpsons, died on Oct. 25. She was 70 years old.

Marcia Wallace Dead At 70

Marcia passed away in her Los Angeles home with her family by her side, a close friend of hers told our sister site Deadline.
“She passed at 9 p.m. last night due to complications from breast cancer of which she was a long and proud survivor and advocate for women and healing,” the friend Cathryn Michon said. “Ironically, it was during breast cancer awareness month during which she was always a funny ray of hope for so many. I’m devastated.”
Marcia was just a week away from her 71st birthday. She will always be remembered as the voice of Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons, a role that won her an Emmy. Co-star Yeardley Smith also mourned her passing on Oct. 26 with a short but sweet message: “Heaven is now a much funnier place because of you.”

Edna Krabappel Getting Killed Off ‘The Simpsons’?

The Simpsons star’s death certainly comes at an awkward time, less than a month after a Simpsons producer announced that one of their famous, iconic characters would be getting killed off the show.
Devoted fans speculated heavily and Marcia’s character became the odds-on favorite to get the ax. Obviously her death is totally unrelated, but it still may confirm that Edna Krabappel will be leaving The Simpsons.
Marcia is survived by her adopted son Michael Hawley. We are so sad to see her go, and our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family in this difficult time.

WATCH: Edna Krabappel Ha! Laugh Montage

– Andrew Gruttadaro

More Sad Celebrity Deaths:

1. Ed Lauter Dead: Character Actor Passes Away At 74
2. Lee Thompson Young Dead At 29: Ex-Disney Star Dies From Suicide
3. Michael Ansara: Iconic ‘Star Trek’ Actor Dies At 91

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Sleepy Hollow Q&A: Nicole Beharie Hints At The 'Bevy Of Demonic Forces' To Come

She saw her boss and mentor lose his life due to a Headless Horseman, had to team up to fight off evil with a breeches-wearing man who'd never eaten a donut, and most recently, incinerated a corpse witch with centuries old dynamite, but Lt. Abbie Mills is still standing and going strong on Fox's fall hit "Sleepy Hollow.""I think a lot of people are watching and they're kind of responding and following her journey because they're sort of like, 'What would you do? How would you exist in these circumstances?'" actress Nicole Beharie, who plays Abbie, told Access Hollywood .

"And it's honestly a lot of fun," she added of making the show.

PHOTOS: Scenes From Fox's Spooky Hit 'Sleepy Hollow' 

The new series teams up Nicole's Abbie alongside Brit Tom Mison's Ichabod Crane as the two witnesses who are fighting to stop the apocalypse. Each week brings another challenge for the cross-centuries pair, who've had to scrap with the supernatural -- a Horseman, a demon in the mirror and even the reanimated Andy (John Cho), who came back to life in Episode 2, to fight for the dark side. Abbie has the added challenge of giving Ichabod, who last walked the earth in the late 1700s, a crash course in modern inventions. And, in our new interview, Nicole addressed everything from Abbie's caring, informational Post-Its on lamps and showers, to where the Headless Horseman has gone.

AccessHollywood.com: Can we talk about John Cho, who plays Andy, being back on the show? First of all, how fun was it to keep that secret (that he wasn't out after the pilot)?

 Nicole Beharie: We're sort of in a tunnel. We are shooting in North Carolina, away from everything. As far as keeping it secret, it wasn't really a lot of work because we're working like all the time, like insane, crazy, crazy, crazy hours. But he's amazing. He's a lot of fun. We've seen him do a ton of different things and this is like a complete 180. Like really? He broke his neck; it's backwards; what's going on? And he's a bad guy. I can't give any spoilers [but] it gets more interesting as far as his character's concerned. … I'm a huge fan of his as well as Clancy Brown, who plays Sheriff Corbin, who appears and reappears and dies and comes back and all that kind of stuff.

WATCH IT NOW: Tom Mison & Nicole Beharie Talking Taking On Supernatural Action On Fox's 'Sleepy Hollow'



Access: Speaking of Sheriff Corbin, it was a 'Lost' like twist when we got to see him at the desk in Episode 2. Would you like to see him continue as her mentor in any way, shape or form?

 Nicole: Abbie's definitely at a loss for what's happening at the moment. Because Corbin is sort of in on it to some degree and she's discovering that, he definitely helps to guide her throughout the season and put little bits and pieces together.

Access: At this point, how do you think Abbie feels about all this stuff. Is it good because it makes her childhood makes sense or is she hoping someone slipped something in her drink and she's going to wake up and it was all a dream?

Nicole: I know right? It's like the red pill or the blue pill. What do you do? I feel like it's a bit of like the absurdity of life. I think everyone feels that way and I think that's what's pretty cool about it and that's what people can relate to. Even though this is like a big fantasy picture and it's really out there, everyone's had the moment of like, 'Is this really happening? Is this my life? Am I seeing this? Is everything that's happened to me before preparing me for this moment?' And I think that's kind of where she is. She's figuring out what it all means, but is really skeptical about a lot of it at the same time.

 Access: Abbie seems like she's got a tough side, but then we saw in last week's episode she's the kind of woman that puts Post-It notes on lamps and in showers (so Ichabod could figure out how they worked). What did you think of that? It showed her softer side without her having to be all warm and cuddly. 

Nicole: She cares. She didn't come from a really frilly, touchy-feely background, but she's a good person and ultimately, she's kind of his caretaker. He has no idea what's going on in the world around him in this day and age and she's just trying to help him become acclimated to the whole thing. And I love that you noticed that, though. It wasn't like a scene like, 'Oh, poor Crane. I'm gonna do this for you.' She just did it and that was it and there's not a whole lot of discussion about it. It's like, 'Here's the clothes.' He chose not to wear [them]. Whatever. But, you know, it's just kind of like cut and dry even though it's coming from a really loving place.

READ IT NOW: 'Sleepy Hollow' Q&A -- Tom Mison On Ichabod & Abbie & The Bourne-Esque Headless Horseman 

Access: At least he bathed though, which is awesome, because back during Revolutionary times, they didn't bathe that often. So that's probably been more pleasant for you in the car.
Nicole: (Laughs) And, you know, Tom is actually really serious about embodying that kind of thing, so he actually won't shower for like weeks.

 Access: What do you think about their relationship -- Abbie and Ichabod's -- especially since he started probing her about her ex, Luke, in Episode 2? 

Nicole: I don't know. I think right now, what I love about it is, it's not a romantic thing. It's sort of like they're figuring out what it means to be with someone from a totally different world, a different time and all that. … Like, following the exact same path and trying to defeat this monster, stop the apocalypse together, with a different vernacular, different tools at their disposal. So I kind of feel like that's what they're figuring out right now. I don't know that there's much more happening, but who knows.

Access: So tell me about Luke. We know he's handsome, a veteran, fairly manly, not good with the jokes. What are we gonna get from him going forward?

 Nicole: (Laughs) You seem to have filled in all the blanks on that one. I think that they had a decent relationship, so I guess figuring out why they really broke up and what's going on and the town of Sleepy Hollow has like a ton of secrets, so I wonder if Luke has any secrets.

 Access: Speaking of secrets, where is the Headless Horseman and when is he coming back? 

Nicole: It's so funny, my sister called me and she was like, what happened to the Headless Horseman… Every episode is going to be a little bit different. Headless -- I mean, in the first episode we were basically able to put him in like a purgatorial state, so he's in limbo right now. I don't know when we'll be seeing him again exactly, but we will. That's all I can probably say.

Access: Katrina Crane said in Episode 2, that in order to start this whole thing, this army has to be born and you guys incinerated the first one. So are we going to be facing those sorts of people (creatures) as it goes along?'

Nicole: I think we're going to have like a bevy of demonic forces coming at us. I think the forces that be, the powers that be, will sort of unleash whatever tools they have to stop us from succeeding and the Headless Horseman is just one of them really.

 Access: So, Jenny Mills -- the 'uber demon' (as Tom calls him) is in her mental facility patient room. … What are we going to see going forward? She can kick a**, which is helpful, but their relationship has to be hard, right? 

Nicole: Yeah, they have sort of a caustic, they have a tough relationship and there's a lot of history there. It's going to be really interesting to see how that unfolds and how Jenny plays into it, because she obviously knows some things. The Mills sisters are both pretty tough and it's hard to get powerful women in a room in any way, you know what I mean? So I think that's gonna be interesting to see.
PHOTOS: 'Sleepy Hollow's' Tom Mison 

Access: I noticed the ladies really like Tom (who plays Ichabod)? Is that weird for you because maybe you've seen him do something ridiculous and embarrassing…?
Nicole: No, he's actually a gentleman, so they have every reason to love him (laughs).
Access: Ok. Is it going to his head yet, all the attention?
Nicole: It was born in his head (laughs). No, I jest, he's a lot fun. He's a sweetheart and yeah, the ladies love him. He's a gorgeous guy and he's so much fun to work with so more power [to them].

 "Sleepy Hollow" airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox. 

-- Jolie Lash 

Copyright 2013 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Cruz, Manning right back at it for Giants

 

 

 PITTSBURGH (AP) -- So much for Victor Cruz's holdout harming his chemistry with Eli Manning.The New York Giants' wide receiver - who missed organized team activities and minicamp while trying to hammer out a new deal - still has some of the fleetest feet in the NFL. Some of the fanciest too.

 Cruz hauled in a 57-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning in Saturday night's 18-13 win over Pittsburgh in the teams' preseason opener, though Cruz eschewed his traditional salsa celebration dance.

 Two half-hearted steps and Cruz gave up, figuring it's best to save the good stuff for when it counts in September.
And judging by how quickly Manning and Cruz were able to re-establish their ''go deep and I'll chuck it to you'' rapport, Cruz could have plenty of chances to tear up the dance floor this season.


''Anytime that happens, we're over there cheering,'' New York coach Tom Coughlin said.
Not that there was much more to get fired up about for either team during an otherwise lethargic 60 minutes that left both teams with plenty to work on.
Here are five things we learned from the game:
1. JARVIS JONES CAN FIND THE BALL: The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker and heir apparent to the departed James Harrison has been a revelation during training camp.

The 17th overall pick in the draft has consistently found a way to get his hands on the ball, particularly in pass coverage. He managed to do it on Saturday night by keeping his head up when New York quarterback David Carr and running back Andre Brown botched a handoff in the second quarter. Jones raced in from across the field to land on it and give the Steelers good field position.


''The guys on the sideline told me I should have picked it up and ran,'' Jones said. ''That was a learning curve for me too. In college I would have been down.''

2. VICTOR CRUZ IS FASTER THAN YOU: Cruz beat just anybody during his sprint to the end zone.
Lining up in the slot on third-and-4 at the New York 43, he beat William Gay and an overly aggressive Troy Polamalu then moved to the middle of the field to haul in the perfect rainbow from Manning. The recognition of both quarterback and receiver led to the only real offensive play of consequence.

''(Cruz) just had a basic seam route and read the body language for what he was going to do and (I) threw it out there for him,'' Manning said. ''He made a good play.''

3. PITTSBURGH'S SPECIAL TEAMS NEED SOME WORK: The Steelers brought longtime Washington Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith in during the offseason hoping the passionate Smith could stoke some life into a largely blase unit. It's going to take some work.

New York blocked a punt after Pittsburgh's first possession when Damontre Moore came in untouched to smother the punt off the foot of Drew Butler.
Things didn't get much better from there.

Punt returner David Gilreath inexplicably caught a punt inside the Pittsburgh 5 early in the second half. A block in the back penalty put the ball at the Pittsburgh 2 for the first snap of rookie quarterback Landry Jones' career. Jones botched a handoff and New York fell on it for a safety.

Gilreath later let a punt smack off his facemask. The Giants recovered the muff but were unable to score.
4.DAVID WILSON ISN'T IN GEAR YET: The Giants anointed Wilson the starting running back when they decided not to re-sign Ahmad Bradshaw. Facing the NFL's top-ranked defense last season, Wilson showed little during his two series of work.

He managed just 16 yards on five carries. Take away a 9-yard sprint, and his other four carries went a total of 7 yards.

''It wasn't much to talk about,'' Coughlin said. ''I don't know how many chances we had. It wasn't anything great. We played that first offensive line a few more plays than we intended. We'll have to improve in that area no question.''

5. GET WELL LE'VEON BELL: The Steelers' rookie running back was held out of the game due to a sore left knee.

Coach Mike Tomlin said the decision was strictly a precaution and he expects Bell to return to practice on Monday.

Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer did little to create any breathing room between themselves and Bell for the starting job. The duo combined for 22 yards on eight carries.
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Follow Will Graves at www.twitter.com/WillGravesAP

MTV’s Miley Cyrus Documentary: What You Will (and Won’t) See

Miley Cyrus may be a hot mess but, by her own admission, she's "a strategic hot mess."

The same can be said for "Miley: The Movement," the one-hour documentary on the star premiering on MTV on Wednesday at 10 p.m. The network's cameras followed her around for four months this year leading up to (and including) the MTV Video Music Awards and preparations for the release of her debut RCA Records album, "Bangerz," on October 8.
Throughout the interview portion of the film, the 20-year-old star attempts to define this transitional period in her life – "The Movement," as she calls it – and, thankfully, she's not the only person trying to do so.

"The world thinks that they know this girl, but my thing to you is, don't be fooled," Pharrell Williams explains.

In order to help you not be fooled, we should point out that Miley's biggest co-star in the film isn't Williams or any of the other artists who make appearances, but its glaring absences. Here's the rundown on what to expect (or not) from the "Miley: The Movement":

.Miley and Liam Hemsworth

You won't see Liam Hemsworth. Miley and Liam's engagement was called off publicly on September 16, so you'd think he might pop up in the flesh or at least in conversation at some point over the course of the four months of shooting. Not so. In fact, as Miley sits in her home – the home she shared with the "Hunger Games" star – this omission begins to feel a bit like a gaping hole in the documentary. "We just decided to focus on the music and professional side," Dave Sirulnick, executive producer of the project and EVP of MTV News and Docs, said during a roundtable interview. "We were not doing a documentary about anything in her personal life." You will see Mike Will Made It. The producer Miley's been spotted with here, there, and everywhere lately is here, there, and everywhere in the footage. "The connection just started and then got crazier and better," she explains, calling their chemistry "magic" and pointing out that they put together her hit single, "We Can't Stop," that first day in the studio together. Later, the 24-year-old can be heard in a somewhat intimate phone call with the singer and posing all up close and personal-like with her.

You won't see Mike Will talk. While an intimacy between Miley and her producer is rather evident, don't expect the pair to confirm their relationship. In fact, don't expect Mike to talk much at all. He doesn't offer his two cents on the star's career or even so much as corroborate her claims about their chemistry.

You will see Pharrell Williams. And that's a good thing. He turns out to be the only other person talking about the singer's voice and talent, raving about her rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Fun fact: It was Williams who gave Miley the final green light to chop off her hair. "Figure out what you want to do and do it," he claims to have told her.

You will see Britney Spears. "I always said, 'I want one b---h on my record and that's Britney, b---h,'" Miley says. And sure enough, she got her way. We get to watch the pop princess in the studio and listen in as Cyrus cracks her up with her plans for a VMAs performance.

You won't see Will.i.am. much. The Black Eyed Peas member makes brief cameos at public appearances with Miley, but he doesn't so much as open his mouth. Or even look at the camera.


 

You will see Tish Cyrus. "My mom is my homie," Miley says. And her "homie" is one of the few additional interviews included.

You won't see Billy Ray Cyrus. In fact, he's mentioned so little, that if you're really looking for a dose of the "Achy, Breaky Heart" singer, you should probably just go re-read that Rolling Stone interview. "The pieces that we were shooting, he just wasn't there for," was the best explanation Sirulnick could offer. We'll just take his word for it and not assume it had anything to do with the country star's rocky relationship with his wife at the time they were filming.

You will see Miley's attention to detail. One of the highlights of the documentary is seeing the star as she approaches the red carpet and her plans for a grand entrance fall apart. It's obvious she cares deeply and has creative ideas, and when she steps out of her car and flips the switch from frustrated to energetic and happy, she proves she's a pro.

You won't see Robin Thicke. Despite all the conversation around the VMAs in the film, the "Blurred Lines" crooner doesn't offer a peep.

You will see Miley's sharp sense of humor. There's a great moment where she does her best Shakira impression. And we'll leave it at that.

Watch the trailer for "Miley: The Movement," airing on MTV on Wednesday, October 2, at 10 p.m.: