Author: Cher Scholar (Page 64 of 102)

Auctions & Charity

July 15, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

In the news of fundraising, Cher announced an Ebay.com auction to help her Heroes Project,

"a non-profit organization that works with veterans, soldiers, and the families and organizations that support them on all levels. Its mission is to improve the care and protection of heroes through individual support, community empowerment and systemic change. The core work of the Heroes Project includes three initiatives:

Hope for Heroes –As one of the Heroes Project’s founders, Cher helps organize and lead volunteer groups and outreach efforts to support the military community. The Heroes Project promotes and augments the good work of organizations working with this community across the country.

Voices for Heroes –The Heroes Project conducts media campaigns to highlight
success stories in veterans care as well as conduct educational activities targeting decision makers and the general public about the needs and successes in caring for veterans and military families.

Climbs for Heroes – Under the leadership of Tim Medvetz, the Heroes Project supports climbing programs for wounded soldiers and veterans. After a serious accident left Tim injured and in long with a wounded veteran. Tim is now planning climbs to the “Seven Summits” of the world, each with soldiers and veterans, as part of the Heroes Project. term physical therapy, he vowed he would climb to the summit of Mt. Everest, which he ultimately did in 2007. The comeback Tim experienced inspired him to share the challenge and triumph with those who need it the most—wounded veterans. Recently, Tim reached the peak of Elbrus in Europe

You might remember Tim Medvetz as the fellow Cher was romantically linked to a year or so ago. For more information visit www.theheroesproject.org

Meanwhile, there was the Vegas Memorabilia auction with a spattering of Cher stuff:

The most expensive Cher costume sold at the auctions was a tiny two-piece, barely-there costume including wig worn by Cher during her Living Proof Farewell Tour for $24,000. The auction house originally estimated the costume to be worth between $1,000 and $2,000. Another costume worn by Cher in a 1975 episode of The Cher Show sold for $21,000.

Story beginning the auction: http://www.cherworld.com/news/?p=1131

Story ending the auction: http://www.cherworld.com/news/?p=1139

TV Alert: AFI’s Tribute of Mike Nichols

June 24, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 2 Comments

The AFI Tribute of Mike Nichols airs this Saturday night on TVLand. Check your local listings. Highlights of the event show the sparkling, glowing Cher we love…

Cher with old friend David Geffen…

"Mary Louise" Streep makes Cher laugh…

Cher giving the "what the Hell are you talking about?" look…

She speaks…

She performs…

She charms…

She sizzles….

See the full photo slide-show.

“I Have Lived In Many Houses…”

June 24, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

I have lived in many houses
But not as yet a yurt.

Poet Thomas Lux

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the link that Cher scholar JimmyDean pointed out last week: Architectural Digest's online retrospective of a sampling of Cher's homes (not all of their features are covered).

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/features/2010/07/cher_slideshow#slide=1

There have been so many Cher homes, probably even a yurt somewhere in there, truth be told. But I have only three that I'm sentimental about, having lived in none of them: The S&C house on Carrolwood in Bel Air; the Egyptian house from the Barbara Walter's interview, and the last Malibu house with the infinity pool. But because Carrolwood was captured on the back of the S&C All I Ever Need is You album, I never tire of seeing pictures of it.

I've never seen this photo above before. Do you remember from the S&C Comedy Hour that video with Sonny and Chastity running around the house grounds?

..or the Bittersweet White LIght album jacket from 1973?

…or imagine Cher and Robert C. talking into the wee hours on these couches of her New York City triplex?

…or the family Christmases in Aspen?

Click any picture above to enlarge.

Vamp Dish: Cher Tweets

June 21, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

Not sure how long the Cher Facebook page has been up but fans on the Cher lists have recently been discussing Cher tweets that have been feeding back in to it.

The first tweet was "Hello Twitter!" on May 4, 2010, according to twistory.

(I just made that term up…making up twitter terms, proves I'm so in the moment, no?)

Anyway, the fans have been debating the authenticity of this facebook page and twitter feed really being Cher. Apparently, Paula Abdul's tweet page says "Account Verified" and Cher's doesn't.

I was under the impression (from complete, un-fact-checked rumor) that Facebook was fully against people misrepresenting themselves (didn't Lindsay Lohan fight them on this?) but in Molly Ringwald's new book, Getting the Pretty Back (just saw her at a Google reading…she said I asked a good question about Parisian women owning their beauty… was totally starstruck but that's another story.), she claims to be practicing on FB under an assumed name. Maybe FB has relaxed that rule.

Who knows. All I know is apparently Allure Magazine things it's the real deal:

Cher Is Tweeting Beauty Tips!

June 17, 2010

Somewhere
between Moonstruck and Kathy Griffin's hilarious story about visiting
Cher's house, we fell in love with the singer and Oscar-winning
actress. How could we not? Cher wore an 800-feather headdress on the
red carpet. She danced on a battleship. And now she's giving beauty
product recommendations on her Twitter page.

And she is not
doing it casually, as she Tweeted yesterday: "I'll Never recommend
anything Unless I Know it works! I've been around 100 yrs I know a
Gazzilion cool things! I'm pass'n it on xxme."

She gives props
to Proactiv, Jan Marini, and even Olay Regenerist (can you imagine
running into Cher at the drugstore?) Check out Cher's thoughts on some
of her other favorites:

M.A.C. Microfine Refinisher Gommage:
"Pretentious name but it kicks ass! Oily Skins…Use [a] couple times a
week then moisturize like hell!"

Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume Shampoo and Conditioner: "4 fine hair."

Hanky
Panky lingerie: "Ok Best G Strings Ever "Hanky Panky" been wear'n em 4
ever! Great panties 2 I hear!" [Ed. Note: Clearly, Cher only wears
g-strings!]

M.A.C. Brow Set: "always brush your eyebrows up a
little! "Mac brow" set Or old toothbrush & hairspray! Spray little
on toothbrush & brush eyebrows up right away! I Always do!"

http://www.allure.com/beauty/blogs/reporter/2010/06/cher-is-tweeting-beauty-tips.html

Okay, I admit, whether this is Cher tweeting or not–I tried the eyebrow hairspray with a toothbrush thing. If you've seen me, I have Oscar the Grouch eyebrows. It's a good tip! Molly Ringwald's book also talks a lot about the importance of having shaped eyebrows…more important than makeup even, she says.

Cher tweets: http://twitter.com/cher

In other Cher gossip:

Billy Bush interviewed Cher on Access Hollywood recently and she did not collapse backstage in Vegas as one tabloid recently reported dramatically:

“Burlesque,” which opens on November 24,…has been filming for months and wasn’t easy on Cher’s feet.

Cher recently had to pull out of some of her shows at Caesars Palace after re-injuring her tootsies, and she said “Burlesque” didn’t help.

“You were [sidelined] for a night?” Billy asked.

“A couple of nights. Also, when I did ‘Burlesque,’ I was on 16 hour days in the highest heels I’ve ever worked on and it was hard,” she said.

As for her Vegas show cancellations, which occurred at the end of last month, Cher explained to Billy it had to do with her previous injury

“My toes [have] been broken a whole bunch of times so I was having a really hard time with it,” Cher told Billy. “I still am [hurt], but I’m working on [it]. It’s getting better.”

“Precious” isn’t “Silkwood”

June 21, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

I've been catching up on a stack of old Time and Newsweek Magazines. We subscribed for a year and quickly got overwhelmed. So, I'm reading the November 16, 2009, issue of Newsweek when I come across a critical essay written by Raina Kelly about the movie Precious that came out last year.

Here are some good excerpts:

"Depending on who you are, where you grew up, and, frankly, the color of your skin, you'll most likely react in one of two ways to [this movie]….insist that it is yet another stereotypical, demonizing representation of black people [or] thrilled to see a depiction of a young African-American woman that, while heartbreaking, is a portrait of the black experience that has been overlooked on the sunny horizon that stretches from The Cosby Show to House of Payne.

"Yes, Precious is changed at the end of the movie…but that isn't enough. I wanted just a hint that she would also escape the hell that is urban poverty. Precious was lucky to find the alternative school that could help her. But that's fiction. Im reality, there are far more Preciouses than there are teachers to help them. Movies such as this allow us to forget that….Her situation feels so extreme that we lose sight of the bigger picture. It becomes too hard to summon up any more outrage at the social worker who never figures out that something awful is happening in Precious's home, or a the well-meaning civil servant who can't help Precious beyond finding her a a job at $2.12 on hour…I'm tired of movies presenting black people as grateful to find a helping hand to rise above their abusers. Not because we've seen this movie before–staring Sidney Poitier, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, and even Matthew Perry–but because the story never changes.

How about a "based on a true story" tear-jerker that ends with some tangible improvement in the lives of impoverished children? Where's the African-American Norma Rae or Silkwood?

Elijah Has a New Show

June 21, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

Elijah Blue's latest show is called "Stuff of Legends", presented this time by Kantor Gallery and Madison Gallery.

His first exhibition "Step and Repeat" presented by Kantor Gallery was reportedly sold out "with the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art acquiring the final piece."

According to the release:

"both commentaries on the union of celebrity and commerce. "Step-and-Repeat" looked at the commercial medium of the step and repeat backdrop found on red carpets. "Stuff of Legends" is a further abstraction and smaller study on the nuances of the first series of paintings in "Step-and Repeat." Both take a Warhol-like look at logos and Blue explores the "current celebrity condition" as an Orwellian device. In an interview with ArtInfo in February for the "Step-and-Repeat" exhibit Blue said: "I watch Jersey Shore. I love it. I watch it and I am corrupted, and I am the symptom. I am not above any of this – there is no escaping what we have become. I am just commenting on it."

Yes, that always bears repeating.

The exhibition runs at the Madison Gallery 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265-310.317.8787
2 July through 2 August
http://www.kantorgallery.com/exhibitions/elijah-blue-at-madison-gallery/

The release: http://www.luxist.com/2010/06/17/chers-son-takes-on-celebrity-in-second-art-exhibit/

Magazine Alert, Auction Alert, Movie Date Alerts

June 8, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 3 Comments

Cher's on the July cover of Architectural Digest on news stands now.

As the cover girl for July's edition of Architectural Digest, the diva reveals the "spiritual and spunky" interior of her Los Angeles duplex … and a bit of her naughty side.

Interesting note: the space was designed by interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.

Movie Notes:

According to the Washington Post, Cher's movie Zookeeper (voice of the giraffe) will open July 8.

And everyone is still saying Burlesque will open Thanksgiving Day.

And apparently one of Cher's songs in Burlesque was written by Diane Warren:

Nmpa Announces Diane Warren As 2010 Icon Award Honoree

Recently, Diane wrote an original song performed by Cher in the much-anticipated Screen Gems' movie, Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. Other beloved hits include If I Could Turn Back Time performed by Cher, I Get Weak performed by Belinda Carlisle and Un-Break My Heart performed by Toni Braxton.

Another Cher garage sale: June 24 & 25

And what's a Cher sale without crucifixes?

Literally lots of them.

Juliens Auctions' "Hollywood Legends" sale is taking place in Las Vegas at planet hollywood. There are a plethora of other celebrity items, but Cher has 7 pages of her own junk to sell us, including scripts, roller skates ($300-500 for those babies), table tchotkes, wall mirrors, jewelry, Sonny costumes, Cher costumes, Bob Mackie sketches and the ubiquitous gothic books and trinkets.

Interesting items include:

Oh The Horror–The 80s Are Back

June 8, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 1 Comment

Well, the 80s are trying to make a comeback. Can't say I'm happy about it. Can't say I don't feel a pang of distress to see bright-colored, alternative outfits similar to the ones I wore in high school as I was crying on the shoulder of a friend because of some heartless boy who most likely dressed in similar silly ensembles. If I wanted to go back to that fashion statement, I'd have Molly Ringwall's oeuvre of fine films to take me there, including particularly Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. Why do I feel like crap when I watch those? Because I felt like crap when I first watched those.

But the signs of 80s-revival are everywhere: big hipped, baggy, paisley monstrosities worn by contestants on this year's American Idol; David Bowie's "Modern Love" popping all up along my car radio dial; big, big, big hair in the fashion ads of LA Magazine. What's an 80s-era runaway TO DO??

It's funny that I remember the 70s bellbottom jeans revival of the 90s and my older co-workers having similar traumas flashing back to their own innocent eras ("I wore those in high school…never again!").

I never thought it would happen to me. The 80s were so in your face. Those shoulder pads. I spent hours un-sewing shoulder pads from various things. Even purses seemed to have shoulder pads. And of course, everything was pink, my hair was red, my earrings were huge (huge earrings are also back), I wore big obnoxious pink bows in my hair (all of which is pictured above). My friends all had alternative haircuts.

It's really hard to live through this again.

In the 80s, Cher made bombastic power ballads that we will soon be re-hearing on the radio again, along with the old Madonna, Duran Duran and redundant big hair bands. But for Cher the 80s was more than big hair and big music. It was also a new identity and respectability. Videos on MTV, Jack LaLanne ads, good movie reviews, an Academy Award, and tough-chick fashion magazine covers. I liked that part of it, the tough style of the chain mail and leather jackets, the rock-solid bod, the f-u attitude. Even the makeup was strong.

I did acquiesce a few days ago to this pathetic 80s scene. I heard John Waite singing "Missing You" on the radio and I thought, Ok 80s, you can come back.

Updates in Vegas, Love, Charity and Oprah

May 30, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 0 Comments

While convalescing (which entails staying away from the computer, sad to say), I went to see Cher and Barry Manilow in Las Vegas during the first weekend of May. My friends Julie and Dave and Nellie went with us. The opening monologue still went on too long and generally confused Nellie, a Vegas singer and dancer. But the show as a whole was pretty great, especially with the new Bob Seger segment – a seedy rendition of "Fire Down Below" spliced with a fun-loving version of "Old Time Rock and Roll. Cher comes out as a male pimp/gangster (see Mackie sketch below…the real image of it is far more amazing, however) with a gargantuan feather towering over her head. Like in the video "Walking in Memphis" she nearly successfully sublimates her physicality with masculine motions. She appears tinier as a result. Just as when she does Elvis in the video. She quickly transforms onstage into a sexy redheaded moll in a yellow dress for the second song. Great sexy set and a creative and exciting performance. It steals the show for me. She sings "Love Hurts" now from the big pearl.

The set list:

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Laverne segment
Fire Down Below
Old Time Rock & Roll
The Beat Goes On
All I Really Wanna Do
Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves
Dark Lady
Half Breed
Don't Leave Me This Way
Take Me Home
Love Hurts
After All
Walking In Memphis
If I Could Turn Back Time
Believe

It was like a high school flashback to see Barry Manilow the next night. Actually, it was not my choice to see Barry. I've long lost touch with his career. But my husband chose Barry over a Cirque show, reasoning that Cirque will be in Vegas forever; Barry may not be with us forever. Since I was a pre-teen I've seen Barry quite a few times, including at the Hilton a few year's back when he first came to Vegas. His show at the Paris casino was very emotional for me somehow. Our tickets upgraded to the orchestra so I was closer than I've ever been and everything was much smaller scale and personal, including a lovely tribute the paintings of the Louvre. He did a breath-taking (literally) rendition of "Weekend in New England" and no fans were asked to sing "Can't Smile Without You" for which I was thankful. It was very sad to think this may be the last time I'd ever see him.

But enough of that…Cher's Got a New Boyfriend!

The news outing started here.

He's a comic and comic book writer. Here's his Wikipedia Page.

He had me at comics.

You can purchase his Ultimate Adventures book on Amazon.

He's also interestingly a Howard Stern co-hort and his dating of Cher has been discussed on Stern's radio show:

HOWARD MIGHT DROP IN ON CHER

Howard looked forward to his weekend trip to LA, saying he might go visit his old friend Ron Zimmerman at his new girlfriend's house: "[I'm] probably going to go up to Cher's Malibu place and hang with her and Ron…Cher doesn't know anything about it." Howard joked that Cher would probably sequester him to a 'safe room': "Ron told me they have a special room for people like me at Cher's house. Like Ron's riff-raff friends."

Cher's New Charity Donation

http://www.peoplepets.com/news/celebrities/cher-bedazzles-a-dog-to-help-homeless-pets/1

Bedazzles a Dog to Help Homeless Pets

The one and only Cher is stepping up to help homeless animals this weekend in the best way she knows how: with outrageous fashions and lots of sparkle! The pop diva is donating this crystal-studded ceramic dog to the Animal Foundation's Seventh Annual Best in Show event. Decorated with 11,520 Swarovski crystals, the dog will be available for auction, with proceeds going to charity.

The flashy canine was all the singer's idea, inspired by the glittery, sequined costumes of her current Las Vegas show. And though many Sin City headliners are donating similar works to the auction, Cher is by far the biggest name to participate.

Best in Show is a fund-raiser that showcases 60 dogs available for adoption from the Lied Animal Shelter in Las Vegas.

Josh and Cher on Oprah!

Oprah arranged a meetup between Cher and her huge fan Josh. I agree with Kitty's comment on the show positng: https://cherscholar.com/cherblog/2010/05/tv-alert-orpah-.html

It was very touching and I thought Josh was amazingly eloquent and possessed. Here is the experience in a nutshell (with a tiny bit of extra footage not seen on the show): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1xQb15ENtk

And finally, an astute Cher Scholar emailed me this clip of Paul Anka singing the song "Flashback" just like Cher sang it on her 1976 I'd Rather Believe in You album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5RzOlDE7mk

Speaking of album, many new Cher album rumors are flying, including one that Cher would sing a new single "Already Been There" on the May 18 World Music Awards. There was no hint of that on the WMA web site and not surprisingly it didn't happen. Cher is also stoking rumors that she will tour again to support the new album, rumored to be released in conjunction with her new movie Burlesque around Thanksgiving this year.

TV Alert – Orpah

May 7, 2010 / Cher Scholar / 2 Comments

Cher will be on Oprah Monday May 10 (check your local listings). According to my Comcast listing, she'll be appearing with a fan. Interesting!

By the way, Cher Scholar is on non-Cher-related medical leave and convalescence and hopes to be back soon for further snarky Cher dishing!

Author: Cher Scholar (Page 64 of 102)

Auctions & Charity

TV Alert: AFI’s Tribute of Mike Nichols

“I Have Lived In Many Houses…”

Vamp Dish: Cher Tweets

“Precious” isn’t “Silkwood”

Elijah Has a New Show

Magazine Alert, Auction Alert, Movie Date Alerts

Oh The Horror–The 80s Are Back

Updates in Vegas, Love, Charity and Oprah

TV Alert – Orpah

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Websites