Beverly Hills, CA

 Photo credit used by permission: Emmy Magazine, Lucy Liu

 
Congratulations to all of the 2013 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invitees.

"These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today," said Academy President Hawk Koch. "Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy. Invitees who accept their invitation to join will be eligible to vote in the annual Oscars.

The 276 invitees for 2013 include 12 names with Asian surnames that could be informally determined from the official Academy list. 

The 2013 invitees include actors Lucy Liu and Sandra Oh, CEO of Warner Bros Entertainment Kevin Tsujihara, documentary filmmaker Michael Chin, and composer and music director Joe Hisaishi who is a frequent collaborator to animation director Hayao Miyazaki ("Ponyo,""Spirited Away").

In 2012,  the overall list was 100 names shorter than 2013's. Only 7 people with Asian surnames made the 2012 list of 176 invitees including (Actor) Michelle Yeoh (“The Lady,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), (Cinematographer)  Larry Fong ("Super 8,” “300”), (Cinematographer) Toyomichi Kurita ("Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family," "Waiting to Exhale"), (Director) Wong Kar Wai (“My Blueberry Nights,” “In the Mood for Love”), (Music) Ryuichi Sakamoto (“Love Is the Devil,” “The Last...

Astronaut Leroy Chiao's Space Blog

Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov picked up the pace of scientific, maintenance and familiarization activities aboard the International Space Station this week.

A highlight of the weeks scientific activities was work with an advanced diagnostic method that could be important to medical care of future crewmembers on long spaceflights. It also could improve medical care in remote areas and emergency medical care on Earth.

On Tuesday, Election Day, Chiao talked with reporters from Fox News and Associated Press. The conversations focused on Chiao having become the first person in space to vote in a U.S. presidential election when he cast his ballot by e-mail Oct. 31.

Next Monday Chiao and Sharipov will carry out proficiency training in operating the Space Station robotic arm, Canadarm2. To practice their work with the arm, the crew will maneuver the arm to provide camera views of an area of interest on the U.S. Lab module's exterior debris shielding. The area may be a shadow or possibly a dent in the shielding. The area has been observed in previous imagery taken during a Space Shuttle flight several years ago. On Friday the crew will operate the arm again to position its cameras in a prime viewing location for the relocation of the Soyuz by the crew later this month.

Information on the crew's activities aboard the Space Station, future launch dates, as well as Station sighting opportunities from anywhere on...

Grey's Anatomy Receives TV Land Future Classic Award

SANTA MONICA, CA

ABC's critically-acclaimed hit drama, Grey's Anatomy, was awarded this year's TV Land Future Classic Award at the TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV in Santa Monica, CA on March 20, 2006. Creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes, along with the cast of Grey's Anatomy, accepted the honor on behalf of the show. The award -- which TV Land unveiled in 1998 and is presented annually -- recognizes the one new show from the past calendar year which best exemplifies the qualities of an emerging television phenomenon that will endure for years to come. The TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV will air on TV Land and simulcasts on Nick at Nite on Wednesday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

"Grey's Anatomy embodies the qualities of a true television classic," states Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "The show's complex and emotional storyline, as well as its amazing cast has made it one of the most important television shows to come along in years. TV Land would like to thank ABC, Shonda Rhimes and the entire cast and crew for making every episode of this series a weekly event we look forward to with anticipation. Of all of 2005's freshmen shows, TV Land is thrilled to present Grey's Anatomy with the 2005 TV Land Future Classic Award."

"We are honored that TV Land has chosen Grey's Anatomy as their Future Classic Award recipient," states Shonda Rhimes, creator and executive producer...

Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Sings for Victims of Typhoon Disaster on Monday, October 12th @ 7PM at The Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall

NEW YORKThe Ayala Foundation USA announces that Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga will appear in a special performance for the victims of Typhoon "Ondoy" to be held at The Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall on Monday, October 12th @ 7pm. The Philippine Center is located at 556 Fifth Avenue (btwn. 45th and 46th Sts.) in New York.

The typhoon, which resulted to the country's worst flooding disaster in over 40 years, has displaced over 450,000 people and left 380,000 living in makeshift shelters. There are 246 known to have died in severe flooding caused by the typhoon which struck on Saturday, September 26th.

Victor Lirio, who is co-producing the event with Ayala Foundation USA, said in a joint statement with Lea Salonga: "This was a very quick planning decision over a cell phone conversation last night. Lea will be in town for a brief period of time. She altered her plans to do this. Both Lea and I feel that we have a responsibility to help our kababayans who are suffering and in dire need of relief and assistance. We have to put in our share, no matter how small. Every little bit counts, right?" He added: "We are grateful to the Ayala Foundation for providing the system and for the support of the Philippine Consulate General to make this happen."

LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS
Tickets available at http://leasalongaondoybenefit.eventbrite.com
$50...

Update:

July 17, 2012

Goodbye New York, Hello Houston! 

After weeks of speculation, Tuesday night the New York Knicks announced it would not match the Houston Rockets' offer.

Emotions have been running high with Knicks fans. To quote writer Ian O'Connor at ESPNNewYork.com, "Jim Dolan just made one of the dumbest moves of his basketball life"...

Meanwhile, Lin remains a gentleman, thanking the Knicks and showing enthusiasm for Houston. 

Twitter comments: (@JLin7)

For the latest on Jeremy Lin:

ESPN.go.com

July 5, 2012

This afternoon Jeremy Lin agreed to a multi-million dollar offer sheet by the Houston Rockets. Numerous sources say that the Houston Rockets' offer is reportedly a four year $28.8 million deal with Lin. The contract cannot be signed until after the NBA moratorium ends next Wednesday, July 11, 2012, then the New York Knicks have three days to match the Rockets' offer or let him go. 

This story is evolving day by day, and in some cases hour by hour.

(Video image by Suzanne Joe Kai at a press interview with Jeremy Lin in the NY Knicks locker room at Madison Square Garden March 11, 2012)

Update:

February 21, 2012

"Can't escape race, no matter what," says writer William Wong who pens...