• I’m not a huge Rocky fan, but I have to call "bullshit" on this one. Perhaps if the statue featured a picture of Jesus in a jar of urine, or a painting of the Virgin Mary made in cow dung, these artsy fartsy types might deem the “prop” worthy of having a place at their hippie museum. I got a laugh in this article when some “expert” claimed this statue is not “art,” but rather a "prop." This "prop" is what many people probably associate with the Philly art museum, and I’m sure a case can be made that a lot of the crap inside this building, if put to a vote, by simpletons like me, wouldn’t get branded as “art,” either.

Philadelphia officials reject Rocky statue for art museum

 

In attempt to move a bronze statue of the movie character Rocky Balboa to the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been quashed.

 

Sylvester Stallone donated the statue of himself playing the underdog boxer from the film series Rocky.

 

Stallone immortalized the museum in the first film in 1976 with a triumphant run up its steps as Rocky, his fists pumping in the air as he got to the top, accompanied by the exultant Rocky theme.

 

Joan Schlotterbeck, city commissioner of public property, had urged the statue be placed at the foot of the museum. But the city's art commission objected to the move and questioned the statue's artistic merit.

 

"It's not art," said artist Moe Brooker, a member of the commission. "It was a prop."

 

Schlotterbeck promised to return with a new proposal.

 

Politicians at city hall have debated where to place the 2.4-metre statue ever since it was donated in 1982.

 

At first it was put on the museum steps for a few months, then it migrated to the city's sports complex, the Spectrum, and later moved to the Wachovia Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team and NBA 76ers. Currently it sits in storage.

 

Stallone has always wanted the statue to be displayed prominently. The 60-year-old actor and director is bringing out the sixth Rocky Balboa movie with a release this December.

• There are a lot of people out there that don’t like Paris Hilton, but I’ll defend my girl: she sure can bring the comedy, whether it is intentional or not. I’m sure some will say that she doesn’t deserve her fortune, but I disagree; she’s sure been able to milk her “talents” into quite a nice pile of cash, even without all those hotels she owns.

Paris Hilton to Magazine: I'm Celibate

 

LONDON -- Paris Hilton says she is sick of boyfriends and is celibate.

The 25-year-old who gained international fame when a former boyfriend posted a videotape of the couple having sex on the Internet denied leading a promiscuous lifestyle in an interview with the British edition of GQ magazine.

 

"I'm not having sex for a year. ... I'll kiss, but nothing else," says Hilton, who told the magazine she has had sex with only two men during her lifetime.

 

Of the videotape with Rick Solomon that became one of the most searched-for items on the Internet in 2003, she said: "I never received a dime from it. It's just dirty money and he should give it all to some charity for the sexually abused or something."

 

The Hilton Hotels heir and uber-socialite told the magazine she is "very shy" and relates to the late Princess Diana, who was hounded by photographers.

 

"I've been in cars trying to get away from speeding paparazzi before and it's horrible, so I can relate to Diana and the problems she had," Hilton is quoted as saying.

 

During the interview, Hilton also displayed some political illiteracy.

 

When asked about British Prime Minister Tony Blair, her response was: "Who? ... Oh, yeah, he's like your president. I don't know what he looks like."

 

Hilton also told the magazine she collects $500,000 in fees just to show up at parties and other events from Las Vegas to Tokyo. Her best-paying gig, she said, was a recent Austrian appearance.

 

"I had to say `hi' and tell them why I loved Austria so much," she is quoted as saying.

 

And why does she like Austria? "Because they pay me $1 million to wave at crowds!"

• Here's kkk's tip of the day: never watch one of those Jason Bourne movies starring Matt Damon when you have a headache. Ugh.