People: Ches says online voting is off-base
Kenny Chesney may have won entertainer of the year at Sunday’s 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards, but he wasn’t entirely happy about it.
For the first time, the academy turned over the results to an online vote, and backstage, Chesney sounded off.
“They took it from what the award really represents into a sweepstakes to see who can push people’s buttons the hardest on the Internet,” said Chesney, who won the award for the fourth straight time.
“It’s complete disrespect of the artist, what they’ve lowered it to. It really diminishes the integrity of the music that we’re making. And I can say that because I won.”
The rest of the trophies were spread around, with the duo Sugarland and Brad Paisley tied with the most (two each), and others going to both veterans (Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts) and newer acts (Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood).
Vocal duo winner Kix Dunn was more subdued.
“Most of my awards are in my daughter’s room with Barbie clothes on ‘em,” he said.
To boldly go …
First it was Ellen DeGeneres. Now George Takei wants to take advantage of California’s gay marriage laws and tie the knot with longtime partner Brad Altman.
“For now, Brad and I are enjoying the delicious dilemma of deciding where, when and how we will be married,” says Takei, 71, best known as Mr. Sulu from “Star Trek.”
“Marriage equality took a long time, but, like fine wine, its bouquet is simply exquisite.”
Brother Four, husband four
Speaking of weddings, you’ve probably heard about the big nuptials over the weekend.
No, not twentysomething rock stars Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz and their “Alice in Wonderland”-themed ceremony.
We’re talking about a more mature couple: actress Loni Anderson and Bob Flick, a founding member of the 1960s folk group The Brothers Four.
Quinton Reynolds, Anderson’s son by Burt Reynolds (her first of three previous marriages), walked her down the aisle.
The Sheen wears on
Former “West Wing” star Martin Sheen was honored by the University of Notre Dame on Sunday with its Laetare Medal for his humanitarian work.
“While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive,” said Sheen, 67, a self-described Catholic peace activist.
What, no octopuses?
Beatlemania erupted at London’s Chelsea Flower Show on Monday as Ringo Starr joined George Harrison‘s widow for the opening of a garden inspired by the “quiet Beatle.”
“From Life to Life, a Garden for George” features a large star emblazoned with “Sun, sun, sun, here it comes,” from Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun.”
The birthday bunch
Singer Joe Cocker is 64. Singer-actress Cher is 62. Guitarist Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) is 50. Actor Bronson Pinchot is 49. TV personality Ted Allen (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) is 43. Actress Mindy Cohn (“Facts of Life”) is 42. Rapper Busta Rhymes is 36.