Duo Claim Putin Prank Call To Sir Elton John

Two Russians say they were behind a call to Elton John where they pretended to be Vladimir Putin ringing to discuss gay rights.

Pranksters Vovan and Lexus claim they will air the conversation on Russian television on Wednesday night.

Lexus, real name Alexei Stolyarov, told Sky News that Sir Elton had described the call as the "most wonderful call he'd ever received" and that it was a "privilege" to speak to Mr Putin.

"My friend Vladimir was the Russian president. I was like the translator – his press secretary," said Stolyarov

"Elton told that he always loved Russia … he thinks only good about Russia and he wants to meet with the Russian president – not like (politicians) but like humans."

The call is said to have lasted 11 minutes.

Sir Elton posted on Instagram on Monday thanking the Russian president for "reaching out" to him and said he looked forward to a face-to-face meeting "to discuss LGBT equality".

The Russian leader's spokesman denied the call had taken place, but said Mr Putin could still respond positively to Sir Elton's offer.

"The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues," said Dmitry Peskov.

Speaking on Wednesday - after receiving an apology from the pranksters who impersonated him - Mr Peskov said the pair should instead say sorry to Sir Elton.

"I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here. It was not good to trick him like that."

The singer first raised the prospect of meeting Mr Putin last week, during a visit to Ukraine.

The singer met the country's leader, Petro Poroshenko, to lobby him about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.

Sir Elton criticised Mr Putin's "ridiculous" stance on gay rights and accused him of saying "stupid things" about gay people's attitude to children.

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Oscars Academy Loses Cybersquatting Battle

A five-year legal battle by the organisers of The Oscars over alleged cybersquatting has ended in defeat.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences accused domain registrar GoDaddy of illegally profiting from its trademarks by selling domain names including academyawards.net and oscarsredcarpet.com.

It demanded $100,000 (£64,000) per infringement, equal to more than $29m (£18m).

But GoDaddy resisted repeated attempts by the Academy to settle the case, and eventually won after a four-day trial.

The Academy had claimed GoDaddy profited from the sites - thanks to Google-powered adverts which appear on parked domain names.

However GoDaddy pointed out that the income from the adverts amounted to mere hundreds of dollars.

The judge also found there was "no evidence of injury" to the Academy, saying it had not lost any profits and not seen any traffic diverted.

In court, GoDaddy's lawyer Robert Galvin asked why the Academy had gone after GoDaddy rather than Google which ran the ads on the sites.

"Why are you going after GoDaddy?" he asked. "Is it because we have kind of a funny name, and we're not the world's largest search provider?"

A 129-page judgement comprehensively pulled apart the case against GoDaddy.

The judge pointed out that some of the Oscar-themed domains were legitimately owned and operated by people called Oscar.

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Actor Admits His 9/11 Escape Tale Was A Lie

A US television comedian and actor who claimed he narrowly escaped the World Trade Center on 9/11 has admitted fabricating the entire story.

Steve Rannazzisi, who stars in the FX fantasy football sitcom The League, said his lie about fleeing the South Tower before the second plane hit was "inexcusable".

The 37-year-old stand-up, who has a one-hour special due to air this Saturday on Comedy Central, confessed after being challenged about inconsistencies in his story.

Rannazzisi claimed to have been working at Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor of the doomed skyscraper, but the bank says it had no offices in the building, nor any record of employing him.

He has told the story a number of times, claiming his bogus brush with death inspired him to quit his desk job and chase his dream of being an entertainer.

"I was there and then the first tower got hit and we were like jostled all over the place," he told an interviewer in 2009.

"I still have dreams of like, you know, those falling dreams."

In a 2011 interview, Rannazzisi said he had received a good severance package from Merrill Lynch.

"I've spoken about it (9/11) before," he said. "I just don't ever want to feel like, anyone, I am cashing in or anything like that."

He said on Twitter on Wednesday that he began telling people he was in the World Trade Center on 9/11 shortly after moving with his wife from New York to Los Angeles, following the terrorist attacks.

"It wasn't true," he tweeted. "I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day".

"I don’t know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry.

"For many years, more than anything, I have wished that, with silence, I could somehow erase a story told by an immature young man."

"It only made me more ashamed," the father-of-three continued. "How could I tell my children to be honest when I hadn't come clean about this?

"it is to the victims of 9/11 and to the people that love them - and the people that love me - that I ask for forgiveness.

"It was profoundly disrespectful to those who perished and those who lost loved ones.

"The stupidity and guilt I have felt for many years has not abated. It was an early taste of having a public persona, and I made a terrible mistake."

Rannazzisi is also the face of an ad campaign by sports bar franchise Buffalo Wild Wings.

The company said on Tuesday night in a statement to the New York Times: "We are currently re-evaluating our relationship with Steve pending a review of all the facts."

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Cara Delevingne Hits Back At Prince Charming

Cara Delevingne has responded angrily to comments made by Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden where he called her "unprofessional".

The actor, who recently played Prince Charming in Disney's Cinderella remake, told Style magazine the model-turned-actress "showed her age" in an awkward interview with an American TV show where she appeared bored.

"It was unprofessional. It made her seem ungrateful. She showed her age," he said.

"For Cinderella, I did six weeks of those interviews, where you get asked the same eight questions. If you’re not capable of doing that gracefully then don’t do it."

But Delevingne, who is apparently not a Game Of Thrones fan, has hit back at the remarks.

She tweeted Madden saying: "I have no idea who you are but I think it's little desperate for a grown man to be bad mouthing someone they don't know.

"If you really want attention that badly, try focusing on your own work and not other people's," she continued.

Delevingne was promoting her film Paper Towns when the interview with Good Day Sacramento hit the headlines in July.

The 23-year-old gave clipped, sarcastic answers and was told by the hosts to "take a nap" or have a Red Bull.

The interview was eventually cut short.

Delevingne tweeted afterwards: "Some people just don't understand sarcasm or the British sense of humour."

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Richie Set For ‘High Energy’ Vegas Residency

Lionel Richie has revealed plans to launch a residency called Lionel Richie - All the Hits in Las Vegas next year.

The Motown legend will play 20 shows in April, May, September and October at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

The announcement comes after Richie bagged his first number one album in the UK for more than two decades earlier this year, as The Definitive Collection By Lionel Richie & The Commodores shot to the top spot in June.

The 66-year-old thanked his highly praised appearance in on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage - his first ever UK festival performance - for his album success. 

He said: "I was overwhelmed performing at Glastonbury in front of all those people and for the fans to make the album number one is unbelievable."

The Las Vegas shows, which begin on 27 April, will give fans the chance to see Richie perform classics including All Night Long (All Night), Hello, Stuck on You, Say You, Say Me and Dancing on the Ceiling.

Richie said: "It’s a high energy show that is a perfect match for such a vibrant city!"

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Matt Damon Criticised After Diversity Lecture

Matt Damon has been criticised by television viewers and on social media after he interrupted a black female producer to lecture her on diversity.

The Hollywood actor and director was appearing on the reality series Project Greenlight when the awkward moment with Effie Brown arose.

The HBO show, which also features the Oscar winner's long-time collaborator Ben Affleck, gives first-time film-makers $3m to direct their own movie.

Damon and Brown, who has produced many films including Dear White People, were discussing the plot to one of the films when Brown spoke of her concerns that the only black character was a prostitute.

She suggested that the project would benefit from a diverse directing team.

"I just would want to urge people to think about, whoever this director is, the way they're going to treat the character of Harmony. Her being a prostitute, the only black person being a hooker who gets hit by her white pimp," she said.

But Damon appeared not to agree, interrupting her by saying that diversity is "what you do in the casting of the movie, not the casting of the show".

Brown looked shocked at his suggestion that it was more important to cast diverse actors than diverse producers or directors and said: "Oh, wow! OK."

Damon has been slammed by Twitter users who accused the star of "whitesplaining" diversity.

One use wrote: "Thanks for interrupting the one black person in the room to tell her what diversity is about Matt Damon. HOLLYWOOD FIXED! #ProjectGreenlight."

Another tweeted: "Dear Matt Damon & co. Diversity = more people getting to tell their stories. Not keeping everything the same but thinking diverse thoughts."

Brown also took to Twitter herself and said: "Ooof! Wow! Okay. Thank you for watching the show and getting a great conversation started. I can't wait to hear you on the other episodes!"

And she retweeted a GIF of herself which contained the caption:"When you realise even the most liberal white dudes in Hollywood will mansplain representation to you."

However, Damon did go on to address the issue later in the show and said: "I'm glad Effie flagged the issue of diversity for all of us."

In a statement on Wednesday, Damon said he was "sorry" if his comments "offended some people, but at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood".

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Forsyth, Mirren and Caine Celebrated By TV Times

Never-before-seen photographs of television and film stars are to go on display as part of a TV Times exhibition.

The images of stars such as Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Michael Caine and Joanna Lumley have been published to celebrate the magazine's 60th anniversary.

The portraits show Dame Helen shimmering in a golden gown in 2005 after being voted all-time favourite actress as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, Sir Bruce in 1967 during his time on The Bruce Forsyth Show - and Downton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith photographed on a beach.

Stephanie Beacham shows off her puppy loves for her Cavalier King Charles spaniels Amoreena - a gift from director Michael Winner and actor Marlon Brando, following their collaboration on The Nightcomers - and Minnie in the 1974 snapshot.

James Bond star Sir Roger Moore is also seen enjoying a rest between filming scenes of The Saint, in which he plays Simon Templar.

A second exhibition, Interplay, will feature photographs of music stars from the 1960s through to the 1980s, such as The Beatles, Kate Bush and The Doors.

The TV Times 60th exhibition, in association with the Merge Festival, is open from 17 September to 18 October at the Blue Fin Building and Platform, Southwark, in London.

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Nicolle Wallace Is Leaving 'The View'

The political analyst joined the show last year.

"Having worked with her for most of the last year, you know the warmth, smarts, and professionalism she has brought to the job every day," executive producer Bill Wolff wrote in a note shared with show's staff today. "She will always be a friend of our show, and I know you join me in wishing her only the best."

Michelle Collins to Join 'The View' as New Co-Host

Rosie Perez Leaves 'The View' to Pursue Acting

Wallace, 43, previously worked as the communications chief for George W. Bush and as a senior adviser for John McCain's presidential campaign. She's also a published author.

In addition to Wallace, Rosie Perez will also not be returning after this season.

However, it was recently announced that next season, comedian Michelle Collins will join Whoopi Goldberg and Raven-Symone on the "View" panel.

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Macklemore Announces He Has a Daughter

The rapper's daughter, Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty, who arrived May 29, inspired him to create a new song, "Growing Up," featuring Ed Sheeran.

"There is nothing like the joy and happiness that comes from bringing a baby into this universe," he wrote on his website. "She has filled my heart in ways that I never knew were possible. She is the love of my life."

Macklemore Reveals Drug Relapse

Macklemore Does 'Thrift Shop' Parody on 'Sesame Street'

In a lengthy essay, Macklemore explained he was scared when he learned his fiancee, Tricia Davis, was expecting, because he felt he wasn't ready to become a father. That's why half of the lyrics, he explained, are advice about growing up. The other half are about "trying to figure out how to grow up myself."

"When you try to escape yourself, life has an interesting way of creating situations that force you to come back. To look at who you are. This is why ‘Growing Up’ felt like the right song to re-emerge with," he wrote. "It’s where I’ve been the last year, through all the ups and downs. We didn’t want to do a big campaign or anything over the top with this. We just wanted to put out good music, directly to the people that have been here since the beginning. Thank you for your patience. Hope you enjoy."

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Shonda Rhimes Explains Why McDreamy Died on 'Grey’s Anatomy'

"Meredith and Derek’s love had to remain Meredith and Derek’s love, so in order to preserve that, as painful as it was for me as a storyteller, Derek was going to have to die," she told the audience,according to USA Today.

Read: Patrick Dempsey Talks Epic 'Grey's Anatomy' Shocker

Related: Shocking Twist on 'Grey's Anatomy'

She further explained on Tuesday that she didn't want Derek aka "McDreamy" to just leave Meredith, hence the decision to kill the character.

Next season, Rhimes said will show Ellen Pompeo's character deal with the loss of McDreamy and moving forward as a mother.

At the time of Derek's death in April on the show, Rhimes released a statement about the major twist.

"Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character -- for Meredith, for me and for the fans,” Rhimes said. “I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘Mcdreamy.’ Patrick Dempsey's performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example – happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true – of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all."

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'19 Kids and Counting' Star Josiah Duggar's Courtship Has Ended

The "19 Kids and Counting" star and Jackson announced they were seeing each other four months ago.

"Both Josiah and Marjorie have enjoyed getting to know each other and to build their friendship over the past months," the Duggars told ABC News in a joint statement. "We are so grateful that they each are seeking the Lord's will for their future. A few weeks ago Marjorie and Josiah agreed to end their courtship, keeping in step with what they believe the Lord's will is. Both are thankful for the time getting to know each other, and their families continue to enjoy each other's company and close friendship."

'19 Kids and Counting' Star Josiah Duggar Enters Into Courtship With His Girlfriend

'19 Kids and Counting' Cancelled: The Duggars Speak Out

Duggar, 18, and Jackson, 17, have known each other for a few years. They met while Duggar was taking Spanish lessons from Jackson's mother.

"When I was taking Spanish lessons at her house and I was very impressed with the way she was with her siblings and her love for the Lord," he said in April.

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Sandra Lee Experiences a 'Setback' Two Months After Her Double Mastectomy

Sandra Lee experienced a medical complication recently, her rep told ABC News.

The lifestyle guru underwent a double mastectomy in May after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"There was a setback [on Tuesday night] due to what may be an infection post-mastectomy," a rep for Lee told ABC News. "But Sandra is her ever-fighting self."

Sandra Lee Describes Her 'Rough Couple Days'

Sandra Lee Is 'So Happy' to Be Home After Double Mastectomy

Lee, 49, had kept her fans aware of her progress via Facebook and shared photos of herself at home with her partner, New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

On Aug. 3, she wrote that she visited the doctor and was using music to get "a boost of energy."

"Maintaining a positive attitude and surrounding myself with only good vibes is what helps me get through my appointments and helps me to continue to get stronger!" she added.

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'Deadpool' Trailer: Why This Movie Is Different From Rest of Comic Films

The first official "Deadpool" trailer hit the web Tuesday night and even though both the Red Bandand Green Band trailers aren't exactly safe for work, they are glorious.

As most comic fans know, "Deadpool" is a special character that is so unique that some never thought a movie would happen. For example, Ryan Reynolds, who originally played the character in 2009, has been trying to get this spin-off made ever since. So, let's all let out a collective and sarcastic sigh of rejoice that "Deadpool" hits theaters in February.

Read: Comic-Con 2015: All the Highlights, Including 'Batman v Superman,' 'Suicide Squad' and 'X-Men'

Related: Harrison Ford Gets Standing Ovation at 'Star Wars' Comic-Con Panel

Here are the top reasons this film will separate itself from all comic films before it.

It's R Rated!

This definitely isn't your typical comic film. F-bombs galore, other curse words that can't be repeated on a family-friendly website and much more, like lots of blood and gore.

"Daddy needs to express some rage."

No One Is Safe From Being Made Fun Of

Really, no one! As Reynolds is being wheeled in for surgery, he yells, "please don't make the super suit green or animated!" Yep, he's making fun of his past run as the Green Lantern, a movie that was panned by critics. Indeed, in the teaser trailer, the voiceover makes fun of Fox Studios itself, which is producing this film. It jokes about "Wolverine: Origins" and how that film kind of ruined Deadpool by sewing his mouth shut. You don't do that to the Merc with a Mouth!

Later on Posh Spice and Rosie O'Donnell are brought up. More to be expected in the film.

Snarkiest Character in Marvel Universe

If Van Wilder got cancer, had surgery to get super-powers and then was able to curse and talk to the audience, that's Deadpool. This has been said a million times, but is worth saying yet again: This is the movie Reynolds was born to play. Sarcastic, witty, absolutely no respect for authority. Did we mention he curses?!

Bye-Bye Fourth Wall

"Deadpool" is famous for ignoring the rules of comics and talking to the audience. This was another reason a film adaptation took so long to come to fruition. In the Green Band version, you'll notice he says "Cue the music" and literally stops the action from time to time to chat with the viewer. Again, this is tailor made for Reynolds and his brand of acting.

It's a Standalone, While Also Being Tied Into Marvel

Though we see Colossus in one of the scenes and “Deadpool” is part of Fox's Marvel series of movies like "X-Men," this really is its own movie, not dependent on anything else. This isn't a cog in the wheel on the way to an "Avengers" or something like that.

And that's for the better; this is Reynold's film and not a part of a bigger picture. He might appear in other Fox films, but this film will be a classic all on its own. This is an A-list star and you don't need to know too much background to enjoy it.

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