"I'm very sorry for your loss. Your mother was a terribly attractive woman." - Gene Hackman, "The Royal Tenenbaums" 
I admire those people willing to state things as delicately as Hackman, who nailed the delivery for most of that movie. But today feels like a day for sugar-coating hard statements because I rarely allow myself to take ugly detours on Fridays. So, with that in mind, let's look at the hard stories of the week such as:
Joaquin Phoenix, who announced his retirement from acting late last year, showed up for a performance at LAVO in Las Vegas this past week to showcase his talents in his next career - as a rapper.
“This is me saying who I am,” Phoenix, 34, told People magazine before taking the stage to perform. “This is my story.” Phoenix performed two songs, then slipped and fell coming off the stage. 
I guess his "story" had a poor ending and needed better editing.
The Parents Television Council issued a warning this week to parents about the Britney Spears song "If U Seek Amy" and urged radio stations not to broadcast it because it "would violate the broadcast indecency law" if aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The group believes that saying the title quickly produces a sound close to spelling out the F-word. PTC president Tim Winter said "There is no misinterpreting the lyrics to this song, and it's certainly not about a girl named Amy."
I just wonder where Winter was when "Hit Me Baby One More Time" was so popular because that seems equally as bad.
Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor were at the Sundance Film Festival this week, promoting their forthcoming gay romance movie, "I Love You Phillip Morris."
At a press conference following the film, Carrey said kissing McGregor was: "A dream come true. I mean, look at the guy." 
To fully prepare, Carrey also stated he had watched "Trainspotting" in slow-mo to "get a better look at Ewan's package so I knew what I was working with."
It was reported this week that Kelly Osbourne was arrested earlier this month on an assault charge in connection with an August 2008 incident at a London nightclub, the Daily Mail reported.
Osbourne allegedly slapped Daily Mirror gossip columnist Zoe Griffin because in a column, Griffin called Osbourne's fiancé, Luke Worrall, stupid and said that the 19-year-old didn't know what an earthquake was. 
It was also reported that Osbourne violently shook Griffin for several minutes while screaming "this is what a fucking 7.2 magnitude Earthquake feels like you bitch."
Alyssa Milano received a restraining order this week against a man she says has repeatedly tried to contact her and showed up at her home unannounced.
A judge in Ventura County granted Milano a three-year restraining order on Dec. 23 against Jeff Turner, who lives in Northern California, and who according to the order, "had hiked miles to try to meet her and repeatedly called to get access to an event where she was appearing."
In response, I immediately cancelled my cross-country trip to California since Milano has gotten so litigious.
"Entertainment Tonight" reported this week that George Clooney will make one last cameo appearance on “ER” before the medical drama calls it quits in early April.
Sources informed “ET” that Clooney will film scenes for the show very soon. 
There's no word on whether Clooney will bring back the 'Caesar' haircut for his return to television.
Shia Labeouf had his driver’s license suspended for at least one year as a result of his July 27 car crash where LaBeouf refused a chemical test after officers pulled him over, People.com reports.
LaBeouf was originally booked for a misdemeanor DUI, but the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence. 
In a related case, officers did find sufficient evidence - a DVD copy of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" - to suggest that Labeouf could never carry Harrison Ford's jock-strap for that role.
As always, let's end with a pleasing image or three: 
I just felt like pushing even more images out today as things, both good and bad, tend to run in threes, although these shots are decidedly a good thing in my book. So, don't be afraid to increase your output today, acknowledge the power of three and . . . Happy Friday!
-BDS
I find myself pressed for time again this Friday, which is a real pisser.
I will say that it's very sad that Ozzy looks better in a dress than his daughter does.
Have a great weekend, BDS.
I haven't heard the Britney Spears song, for good reason. This is the first I've heard about that tune.
I spent a couple of minutes just repeating the line aloud in my office. (Thank God nobody was within earshot.)
It took me a while to figure it out. I'm a bit slow this morning.
So what if she's saying "F, u, c, k, me." She's a pop strumpette, it's her job to walk around and tell people to bang her senseless. Actually, if you've been paying attention to her in the last few years, she is senseless. Hmm... wonder how that happened...
Heff - You need to build more time into yr. Friday schedule Heff. Ha. As for Kelly, she looks way better now than she did a few years ago, but it is a sliding scale. Have a great weekend.
WHatIgot - Don't feel bad as it took me awhile when I first read the story, and I was wrestling with it in the afternoon, so I should have been awake. Anyway, at this point, I don't see Spears having that much influence on impressionable teenagers, but maybe I am just underestimating her . . . Who knows, eh? Happy Friday.
It was a golden week for celebritards uttering their "thoughts" on politics and world events. Was hoping to see them here.
Oh well.
The Royal Tenenbaum's is one of my favorite movies. There are so many quotable lines. Maybe I'll watch it again this weekend.
I didn't realize Alyssa Milano had taken out a restraining order on me, so thanks for the heads up.
And speaking of the Jim Carrey/Ewan McGregor thing, my captcha code is pounder. I'm not making this up.
No comment on the celeb news, but that second-to-last black-and-white picture intrigues me. It looks like she's checking to see if her deodorant is still working.
TheTroll - I generally try to stay away when most celebs stray into political statements, so I either missed it by accident or subconsciously. Regardless, sorry for the lack in QHF.
Native Minnow - Definitely. I have it on DVD, and I was thinking the same thing because it's been awhile . . . And you're welcome on Milano as she seems to be serious, and she's engaged now, so maybe that has something to do with it. Finally, you couldn't make something like that up. Ha.
Wendy - Ha. Sometimes, even in the heat of the moment (sometimes especially then), I guess you want to make sure you're still protected. These things are important. Check often and regularly.
George Cloony is a class act to agree to appear one last time on the show that made him a star.
Kelly Osbourne learned how to deal with her emotions from her Mother, didn't she? Sharon recently hit a woman on her reality show "Charm School". AHAHAHAHA.
Happy weekend, 2$.
Happy Friday!!
When did Kelly Osborne turn into a middle aged frump? Yikes! Clooney is still the best eye candy around, I don't care how he wears his hair. Happy Friday!
Boxer - Clooney seems like a pretty reasonable guy to me, so I'm not too suprised he ended up coming back. And yes, I read something about Sharon whacking someone too as I guess it runs in the family like cursing. Have a great weekend.
Nobich - Happy Friday back at you.
Linda - I guess Kelly's fashion is a work in progress (and I guess I'm feeling charitable today). Ha. And I like Clooney, however, that Caesar is a tough one . . . Happy Friday.
I hope George has permanently retired the "Caesar" as well. It's almost as bad as the "chili bowl". ha
I didn't recognize that pic as being Britney Spears! A little heavy on the retouching there...
Interesting pics this week. I especially like the middle one. Have a great weekend!
I see we're playing "Boycott Heff" again this week. Hmmph !!! LMAO !!!
I didn't even recognize Joaquin in that pic... geez, what happened to him?!
I was going to say the same thing about Joaquin. Don't you have Social Security in the States because he looks like a homeless guy I recently threw change to on a park bench.
I loved the days of George Clooney, Anthony Edwards and Noah Wyle on ER. Actually I recently caught an episode after many years of not seeing it and it's definitely time for them to hang up their stethoscopes.
Loved that second pic down the bottom.
Happy weekend B and I will try harder to get here on time next week :)
Jlee - Chili Bowl. Ha. And yes, Clooney seems to have sent that one packing for good, although I guess it's somewhat amazing he could pull it off (probably a very short list). I also agree about Spears. Hope you had a hell of a good weekend.
Heff - I made it over, and as I said, I'm been off since the New Year. Ha. No excuses.
Grace - I know. He looks like a degenerate cave man . . . Ha. I guess that's what happens when you retire from acting pursue a rapping career.
Romany Angel - I was beginning to wonder about you and Bertha (think that was the computer name). Ha. I agree about Phoenix as he looks pretty rough, but then again, he's a weird dude, so who knows with him? Not me. And I hoped you got over to see that second to last pic as that was a nod to those requesting a bit more males around here. Ha. Hope you had a good weekend.
Swooning at the thought of the greying Doug Ross returning...