An officer put out an "officer needs help -- shots fired" call in the 1700 block of East 115th Street about 8:25 a.m., according to police and broadcast reports from the scene.
Someone may have fired a shotgun at a neighbor's house, triggering the response and the shooting.
Vitamin C Amanda Bynes Tina Fey Susie Castillo Jaime Pressly
It was guilty pleasure week on Dancing With the Stars.
In keeping with the theme, Hanson performed Monday and last night, a pair of duets by New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys were the perfect way to close out the results show. As guilty pleasures go, this is hard to top!
Here's the boy bands of yore merging catalogs, eliciting screeches and performing "I Want It That Way," "Step By Step" and "Don't Turn Out The Lights":
New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys on DWTS - I Want It That Way
New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys on DWTS - Don't Turn Out The Lights
Brooke Burke Monika Kramlik Kelly Monaco Amy Cobb Rachel Nichols
Holy Groff! It's like the writers over at Glee said to themselves, "Well, since the first episode back didn't really have anything exciting, we should shove all the good stuff into the episode after!" And boy, did they.
"Born This Way" was not only an extra-long episode of Glee, it was also full of revelations, flashy numbers, and scenes that covered pretty much every fan-favorite pairing. Since this was a super-sized episode, you know I had to write a super-sized Glee-Dux! Plus, I got some goods on what's going down up in New York City?
MORE: The Girl Behind Glee's Prom Spoiler Scandal Speaks Out: "If I Could Take It Back, I Would!"
WHAT WE LEARNED:
Santana Is My New Star: She usually has one or two quotes in my One-Liners sections, and ever since "Sexy," I've been totally on the Naya Rivera train. This episode just cemented my love for her. The insult spew in the beginning of the episode was awesomely mean, and her inner monologue is often more entertaining than other characters' outer monologues. I also loved hearing that winning Nationals is a big deal to her, which is a far cry from joining the glee club in the first place as a spy for Sue. Oh, how she has grown. Brings a tear to my eye. Wait, no. That's just sweat from the exertion caused by trying to keep track of Quinn's mood swings
Finn and Rachel Finally Get Un-Boring: I'm sorry, I love Finn and Rachel as individuals very much. But together, they were often dullsville. Until this episode. First, Finn hits her in the nose and then is kind enough to escort her to the doctor. And when he told Rachel in front of the entire glee club that she was beautiful, I actually started to miss them as a couple. Too bad glee club includes his girlfriend, who looked pissed to say the least. Plus, Quinn yells at Finn because they were fighting about Rachel "once again." Makes you wonder just how often they fight about her. And was it just me, or was Finn's number with Harry Shum Jr. the best Cory Monteith has sounded in quite some time? The vocals sounded a bit smoother than previous solos. Stay adorable, C.M.
Emma and Will Continue to Be Precious Human Beings: Will going to Emma for help and advice was very reminiscent of season one, so I approve of those scenes. Mr. Schue came down hard on Emma about her anxiety and OCD, which used to be a running joke, but now has been made into a full-fledged plot point. Still, if it leads to Will cleaning grapes with Emma, I am OK with her OCD being front and center. And before you can say "enough product to season a wok," I'm officially a Wemma shipper. Who knew? At least Emma is getting some help, and that could only mean good things for Will and Emma's future as couple
Hell Yes, Burt Hummel: That confrontation between fathers, sons, principal and teacher about the bullying was all kinds of wonderful, mostly because of Mike O'Malley's continuing flawlessness as Kurt's father. I wish I could put that entire scene in a little box and carry it with me wherever I go, so when I want to get some goosebumps, I can just whip it out. Bam! Insta-goosebumps. When Finn said he was "one step ahead" of Burt when it came to protecting Kurt?well, I don't have enough Word document to type all my love for this scene. Especially because it led to?
Kurt Hummel Is Back at McKinley: Finally, the rosy-cheeked boy that stole our hearts has returned to his old stomping grounds. And he certainly got the welcome back/goodbye celebration he deserved. Also, Blaine saying that he has Kurt after school and on weekends was a sweet little wink to their couple-ness, and my fellow Klaine fans had to smile at that right? Cheers, everyone. Kurt has "come home at last!" And just in time, because only he could arrange a "Barbravention" to encourage Rachel to keep her original nose.
We Miss You, Sue: Glee just isn't the same without at least one Jane Lynch outburst. And that's all I have to say about that.
Rachel and Quinn Need to be BFFs: It's hard for me to hate Quinn for being so beautiful and knowing it, because I personally have a crazy girl crush on Dianna Agron. She is that gorgeous. Lea Michele and Dianna had my favorite number of the episode. "Unpretty/I Feel Pretty" was one of the best duets I've seen in a long time. We also discovered they sit next to each other in at least once class. Who else hopes they are sliding intricately folded notes to each other? WBS!
The Race for Prom Queen Heats Up: Lauren vs. Quinn: The battle is on! Who would you vote for? I'm actually shocked that Rachel didn't throw her tiara in the ring, since she is so set on school diva domination. Especially since I have now picked her running mate: Puck. How cute were those two in this episode? Lea and Mark Salling sizzle onscreen. I'm not sure what it is about them, but I definitely would get on board with this couple should they happen again.
Santana's Club Members Wear Berets: Seriously, what was up with those heinous outfits that Bully Whip members must wear? I'd simply overlook them because of the duty the club would be serving to the school, except for that fact that it's all a lie! Who else was crushed by the crestfallen look on Brittany's face when Santana grabbed Dave's hand? At least we got a Slushie-remix from past episodes. I thoroughly enjoyed that.
Quinn's Secret Past Is Revealed: The perfect blonde used to be someone called "Lucy Caboosey!" Wow, kudos to Lauren for digging up that bit of info on Quinn. It's very interesting, indeed. Necessary? Before you say no, think about this: Quinn's past explains pretty much every mean thing she's done. Torturing people less pretty than her. Wanting to destroy anyone who came between her and staying on top. The whole nose job thing. At least we know why she's an evil troll. Will she stop now that she's been found out? Only writers time will tell. Speaking of the writers: They need to keep this Lauren and Quinn friendship going, because it's pretty awesome.
Brittana Keeps Breaking Our Heart: Ugh. Another heart-wrenching hallway scene between Santana and Brittany. This time, it was the dumb blonde who was feeling smarted. Why can't these two figure it out?! I'm not going to lie, I honestly thought Santana would run out in the middle of the "Born This Way" performance to dance with her ladylove wearing the "Lebanese" shirt. Sadly, I was brutally rebuffed. Clueless reference? Don't mind if I do!
It's T-Shirt Time: Sorry about the Jersey Shore reference, I couldn't stop it. We learned a lot from the "Born This Way" number, besides that Glee can still bring it when it comes to episode-ending numbers. We also learned that Will is self-conscious about his butt chin, Mike accepts that he can't sing and Mercedes doesn't wear a weave. Way to go, New Directions! Fans are now flocking to buy the T-shirts that their favorite characters wore. Ka-ching.
Rewind Moment: Mike Chang performing a dance step, and then motioning for Finn to mimic it. He fails and flails horribly.
One-Liners:
"Who you are inside and who you pretend to be to the rest of the world? They're two different people."?Lauren
"I'm sure that Sam has been at the doctor's office and riffled through pamphlets on mouth reductions. I'll bet Artie's thought about getting his legs removed since he's not really using them anyway. And I'm definitely sure Tina has looked into eye de-slanting."?Santana
"People say that I smell like copper."?Emma
"Baby, you're gonna get that crown. And I'm gonna be your king."?Puck
"The only straight I am is straight-up bitch."?Santana
"I'll never say goodbye to you."?Kurt to Blaine
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Let's Hear It for New York: How awesome are those photos of the cast that keep pouring in from on location shooting? If you haven't seen these photos, please tell me the address of the rock you've been living under and I'll bring them to you personally. My NYC spies are telling me that some very interesting things have been witnessed on the Finchel front, as made apparent by some of the recent photos. We told you Finn and Rachel were acting awfully chummy while shooting scenes in yesterday's Spoiler Chat, and from what I hear?it's continuing. Perhaps Finn and Rachel reconcile before Nationals? Or do you think the rush of competition brings them together again, � la the season-one finale?
Prom Pickle Resolved: Since Darren Criss told us that prom reshoots would really suck, we can only imagine between a crazy shoot schedule in NYC and the tour preparations, there won't be much time for the cast to breathe, let alone go in and reshoot scenes. Those prom spoilers that leaked? Probably not changing anytime soon. Good news or bad news for you guys?
Brittana Gets a Break: Next week's episode, titled "Rumors," might be the dart of hope to shoot directly into the hearts of Brittany-Santana fans everywhere. I can't promise it'll be kiss and makeup, but I can definitely promise some much-needed interaction.
The Opposite of Finchel Re-Emerges: Well, I guess the opposite of Finchel would be just Rachel, but my point is that Puck and Rachel will have some scenes together quite soon. And while I don't think the point is for them to reignite any former fire, it certainly feels that way with the amount of chemistry Lea and Mark have.
Another Death: Yes, the gang has shot a scene for an upcoming episode on location at a funeral parlor. But what I find most interesting about this fact is those who attended this funeral. It's the usual suspects?plus Sue Sylvester. Now, who could be kicking the bucket that would lead to the Cheerios coach to zip up her nicest black track suit?
What did you all think of tonight's superextended-extra-long-Gaga-themed celebration of acceptance? If you were to make a T-shirt like the glee kids did, what would yours say? Mine would say "Imagined Relationships With Celebrities," just in case you were wondering. Head down to the comments and let's talk "Born This Way!"
WATCH: Lea Channels Mary Tyler Moore
Lil Kim Bonnie Jill Laflin Rachel Weisz Melissa George Sunny Mabrey
I am old enough now to admit certain things that I might not have admitted at a less-secure age, i.e., when I actually cared what people thought.
By Veronica Salazar, USA TODAY
By Veronica Salazar, USA TODAY
Hugs and kisses for Mother Nature.
No longer.
I am a tree-hugger, for instance. I make no apologies for this. I love trees.
As they say, you can take the man out of the '60s, but you can't take the '60s out of the man.
Whenever I read about someone strapped to a tree to save it from being cut down, I want to join him. Or at least take him some granola.
I've never understood why "tree-hugger" is such a negative term. I've certainly been called worse. Someone thought I was a gay Republican once. Now that was embarrassing. A Republican!
But back to trees. There's an ugly rumor spreading through my neighborhood that an ancient magnolia tree that stands in a neighbor's garden might come down. For more than a century, it has proudly stood right across from my house. I look out on it every day from my office window. I consider it an old friend. Strong. Steady. Always there.
But a young family is renovating the house this spring, and rumor is they want to take the tree down so their children will have more light.
What they need is enlightenment.
Why do people not understand that it takes decades to grow a magnificent tree and only an afternoon to bring it down? And with it goes everything trees inspire?
Joyce Kilmer became famous for his poem about trees, but he isn't the only one who understood their powers.
For the past few years, author Richard Horan has been making pilgrimages to the homes of celebrated American authors, visiting the trees that still stand outside their study windows. While there, he gathered the trees' seeds to take home to grow.
His journey took him from John Muir's California to Robert Frost's Vermont to Harper Lee's Alabama and Thomas Wolfe's North Carolina. He also stopped at Gettysburg and Mount Vernon along the way.
What came out of his travels is a charming new book simply called Seeds.
So the guy's a little strange, but I certainly understand.
"In so many yards and parks across America, ancient trees have stood proud, watching all like gods," he writes. "They are both the silent witnesses of, and active partners in, our personal history."
Pray that my neighborhood magnolia will remain both.
E-mail cwilson@usatoday.com
Brody Dalle Mischa Barton Jules Asner Busy Philipps Willa Ford
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Natalie Zea Kate Beckinsale Summer Altice Anna Friel Laura Harring
Cary Grant and daughter Jennifer Grant
Everett Collection; Robert Legg
"Okay, I had a crush on Dad. Okay, more than a little crush on Dad," Jennifer Grant, 45, writes in her warm memoir, Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant, which Alfred A. Knopf is publishing May 3. "My other real crushes were Donny Osmond and Jean-Paul Belmondo."
But it was Cary Grant who picked up young Jennifer at school, who read to her, taught her life lessons and saved every photo, souvenir and scrap of paper that the two of them shared for the 20 years he was in her life. He died, at 82, in 1986.
Those mementos and Jennifer's memories of them form the crux of her book, which is dedicated to her mother, the actress Dyan Cannon. (Cannon and Grant, who was married five times and divorced four, were wed from 1965 to 1969.)
"Something in me has always felt that my parents came together to make me. Vanity? Perhaps," writes Jennifer. She says that although Grant and Cannon loved each other, both were far too headstrong to remain together, something they both must have known in advance.
While Jennifer concedes that George Clooney possesses a touch of her father's magic, some readers may find her book short on star gossip. Cary retired and disassociated himself from the screen in 1966, age 62, to spend his remaining years with his one and only child. What it is long on are tales of growing up privileged in Beverly Hills, Malibu and other enclaves of the rich and renowned. She also recalls playing board games with Princess Stephanie in Monaco and shares Howard Hughes's advice to her father on how to pack for a trip. (Take only two suits ? one to wear and one to send out to be cleaned, he said.)
"In my experience, Dad was neither cheap nor excessive," she writes. "Which, for a wealthy man, is remarkable." Even so, he did deny her expensive designer jeans, because, he'd learned, the denims at the Gap came from the very same manufacturing plant as the signature versions.
As for Cary Grant's sexuality, "Can't blame men for wanting him, and wouldn't be surprised if Dad even mildly flirted back," his daughter writes. "When the question arises, it generally speaks more about the person asking."
Then again, she says, "Dad somewhat enjoyed being called gay. He said it made women want to prove the assertion wrong."
Busy Philipps Willa Ford Natassia Malthe Maria Sharapova Fergie
Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell are close friends
Simon Cowell has given his strongest hint yet that Cheryl ?Cole will be joining him on the US X Factor.
The music mogul says American TV bosses have been keen on Cheryl, 27, as a judge from the outset - despite reports they were hesitant to hire her because of her little-known status across the pond and strong Geordie accent.
'Mike Darnell and Peter Rice will tell you they wanted her all the time,' reveals Simon, 51.
'I showed a tape to Mike Darnell 2 years ago of a clip I'd shot in England of Cheryl and he said there and then, "I'd hire her now for [American] Idol."
'They absolutely fell in love with her...they were desperate for her.'
Simon had only met Girls Aloud singer Cheryl once himself before he gave her a job on the British X Factor, but he knew straight away that she was perfect for the role.
'I thought she was bright, cute, knew what she was talking about, ambitious,' he tells Deadline.com.
'And you meet someone special a few times in your life...and this girl is special.
'She's just got a great ability to communicate. She's a great judge. She's smart. It's just a hunch.
'If people take to her like the British public did, I think she's going to do really well in America. And Fox was desperate to hire her.'
So far, Simon has only confirmed himself and producer LA Reid, 54, as judges on the show, but he has said there's a 'good chance' 80s popstar Paula Abdul, 48, will be joining them.�
SEE PICTURES Stars arrive at Simon Cowell's 50th birthday party>>
NEW PICTURES Cheryl Cole wears nude dress to meet Prince Charles>>
SEE PICTURES Cheryl and Ashley Cole: The story so far>>
MORE PHOTOS Cheryl Cole looking red hot at the Elle Style Awards 2011>>
SEE PICTURES The life of Ashley Cole's ex Cheryl Cole>>
FASHION GALLERY SPECIAL Cheryl Cole's fashion history - the highs and the lows>>
Esme RileyHayden Panettiere Aisha Tyler Brittny Gastineau K. D. Aubert Minka Kelly
