Holly Madison

Holly Madison Insures Her Breasts For $1 Million 

Holly Madison is protecting her most valuable assets. The Playboy bunny insured her breasts for $1 million with Lloyd’s of London. People Magazines report that Madison took out her new boob insurance policy to protect herself and the people perform with her in the Las Vegas production, “Peep Show.” Madison said People Magazines:

 

    “I have heard about people getting body parts insured and I thought, why not? If anything happened to my boobs, I’d be out for a few months and I’d probably be out a million dollars. I thought I’d cover my assets.”

Madison’s breasts have made her a lot of money. It seems only right that she is returning the favor.

Madison said:

    “I think it is kind of funny. I think they are getting the credit they deserve. They are my primary money makers right now.”

Here’s a picture of Holly Madison and her valuable breasts, you know, in case you were wondering what exactly this article was about.

 Madison, who is currently appearing in Las Vegas (occasionally topless) for the “Striptease Spectacular” Peep Show, first gained fame when she stayed at the Playboy Mansion during “The Girl’s Next Door.” Madison was also a tabloid favorite when she dated Hugh Hefner in 2008.

The International Business Times reports that in 2001 Holly Madison had breast implants that brought her from an A-cup to a D-cup. And it looks like that investment has paid off.

Madison is not the only person to take out an insurance policy on something a little different. Troy Polamalu insured his hair for a million dollars last year. Lloyd’s of London has also insured Michael Flatley of River Dance’s feet, Kieth Richard’s fingers, and Celine Dion’s vocal chords.

What do you think of Holly Madison’s investment? Are Holly Madison’s breasts so brilliant that they warrant their own insurance policy?

Walter Payton

Walter Payton Book Tackles Drug Abuse, Depression

LAKE FOREST, Ill. According to a new book, Chicago Bears Star Walter Payton abused painkillers in retirement and became suicidal.

In "Sweetness; The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton," author Jeff Pearlman says the Hall of Fame running back used a mixture of Tylenol and Vicodin in retirement, kept tanks of nitrous-oxide in his garage and even obtained Ritalin from a friend whose son was prescribed pills. Pearlman says that Payton drew the suspicion of pharmacists and a warning from the police after visiting several drugstores to have a dentist’s prescription for morphine filled.

Payton's longtime agent, Bud Holmes is quoted as saying "Walter was pounding his body with medication."

The book goes on sale 4 Oct. An excerpt appears in this week's Sports Illustrated.

Holmes and Payton's executive assistant, Ginny Quirk, recall receiving suicidal calls at all hours during the mid-1990s, and Pearlman reports Payton was living apart from his wife Connie and having extramarital affairs after retirement. That created an awkward situation at his 1993 Hall of Fame induction, with Connie and his mistress attending.

Quirk is quoted as saying it was her job to keep them apart.

"The introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is supposed to be the greatest moment in his life," Quirk says. "And in truth, it was probably the worst.. Four full days, and Lita and Connie were like two ships passing in the night. If Connie was scheduled to come late, I would make sure that Lita was there early. If Connie was there early, Lita would be there late. I can't describe the horror of that trip."

Payton spent all thirteen seasons with the Bears and retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher after the 1987 season. He died from a rare liver disease and bile-duct cancer in 1999. In a declaration the Bears said Payton's "competitive spirit lives with us today."

"When we take the field every Sunday, we represent the great players like Walter who helped build the rich tradition of our organization," the organization said. "Nothing will change our feelings for men, we have the deepest respect for and miss having around Halas Hall to this day."

Diana Nyad

 

 Diana Nyad Begins New Attempt At Florida Swim:

 

HAVANA (AP), American endurance swimmer Diana Nyad began her second effort in as many months to traverse the 103 miles of sea between Cuba and Florida, waving goodbye to well-wishers before jumping feet first into the still water at a Havana marina, then stroking toward the horizon.

The 62 years old Los Angeles woman hoped to break her own World-Record for open water swimming without a shark cage that she set in 1979 when she stroked from the Bahamas to Florida.

Her last attempt at the Cuba to Florida crossing failed Aug. 9, due to a crippling asthma attack that forced her gasping from the water after 29 hours.

Nyad insisted that this time around she was ready to brave the choppy seas, schools of jellyfish and limits of human exhaustion to accomplish her lifelong dream.

As darkness fell, about an hour and a half into the swim, Nyad's team sent a Twitter message that she was "going strong."

Just before she set off from Hemingway Marina on Friday evening, assistants smeared grease on her shoulders to prevent chafing during the planned 60-hour journey. She pumped her fists in the air as her support team blew horns and cheered from waiting boats.

"I feel good. I feel very good," Nyad said. "But as you know, it really doesn't matter how I feel right now."

She acknowledged being a little more subdued than the last time she departed from this same marina.

"Not that I was ever cocky, but having been through this now and been so deeply, emotionally disappointed, I don't want to take anything for granted," Nyad said.

"It's not that I don't want to enjoy every moment and savor it, but it doesn't do any good to act like, 'Hey I've got this in the bag, this is going to be easy.'"

Before jumping in, Nyad weighed herself, tipping the scales at 146 pounds. She said she expected to lose about 15 pounds over the course of the journey. Her schedule called for to reach Florida early Monday morning.

She hoped to take advantage of what she called a "magical window" of calm seas and favorable weather forecast to last through the weekend.

Last month after her previous attempt failed, Nyad had vowed there would be no repeat, but she joked earlier Friday that nobody should have believed her.

"Don't listen to athletes when they say it's over," she said.

Nyad likened herself to former boxer Roberto Duran, who retired in 1998 at age 47 only to re-enter the ring a year later.

Nyad denied her problems in the last attempt had anything to do with her age, saying she could have fought through the choppy waves and "excruciating" shoulder pain. But she hadn't anticipated the 11-hour asthma attack that she blamed on a reaction to a medicine she had never used before. She said the asthma had her flailing through the water "like a dying, floundering fish."

Even with those problems, she made it about 50 miles (80 kilometers) into the 103-mile (166-kilometer) haul.

In the ensuing weeks she concluded that the aborted attempt was not so much a failure as a dress rehearsal, an unplanned but necessary part of a training regimen that included a bunch of shorter swims.

"The asthma took me down, but ironically enough, that 29-hour swim was like a very, very expensive training swim," said Nyad, who earlier this year estimated it took a half million dollars to get her to the first attempt.

She added that "I'm in better shape than before “I'm more prepared than ever,"

Without a cage for protection, Nyad is relying on special equipment that surrounds her with an electric current imperceptible to humans but strong enough to keep most sharks at bay. Kayakers also are paddling alongside to gently prod away any that make it through.

For the length of the crossing, Nyad will not be allowed to touch the boat if the record is to count. Nor can her team physically aid her other than to pass her food, medicine, a new swimsuit and so on.

She will try to sustain her energy by eating the likes of peanut butter sandwiches and pasta, and said she sings Beatles, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin songs in her head to keep her mind occupied, especially during nighttime.

"I never ever it is the cardinal rule I never look up because it is very depressing to see the horizon with no lights, no nothing. And I never ask my trainer here in the boat what time it is or, 'Are we almost there yet?'" Nyad said. "They're going to tell me when we are about 10 hours away."

Nyad first tried to cross the Florida Straits as a 28-year-old back in 1978, when she swam inside a steel shark cage for about 42 hours before ending the attempt.

Now 62, after celebrating her birthday Aug. 22, she has said she hopes to inspire people to lead active lives into their golden years. She also has called the swim symbolic for increasing understanding between the United States and Cuba, two nations torn by five decades of animosity and mistrust.

Marina commodore Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, whom Nyad described as a cherished friend and who helped with logistics in Cuba, presented her with an honorary membership in the nautical club earlier Friday and called the swim a "bridge of friendship" between the countries.

"He who tries has already succeeded," Escrich said in encouragement, quoting Cuban poet and independence hero Jose Marti.

Nyad's team had hoped to attempt the swim in 2010, but was unable to make planning in time. This year Cuban officials were very supportive in arranging logistics and news media coverage.

"We are ready for everything that could possibly come our way this time," Nyad said, "and I just can not imagine any ending other than the ending that I want which is to get all the way across."

"It's a dream a long time coming."

All My Children

“All My Children” leaves ABC with a Bang

ABC's "All My Children" stayed true to its foamy roots all the way up to its last on-air minute. The fans of long-running series had this day marked on calendars since ABC announced they were giving the soap the boot in support of a new food and lifestyle talk show, "The Chew," earlier this year.

Before the final on-air hour began, fan favorite cast member Susan Lucci, series creator Agnes Nixon and executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers all stopped by "The View" for a special hour-long send-off.

After thanking the ladies of "The View" for the tribute episode, Lucci remarked that it was a "celebration of a wonderful show. This is the building where we shot 'All My Children' most of those 41 years. It’s an emotional time, a very happy time, we have so much to be grateful for."

Cameron Mathison, a.k.a. Ryan Lavery to "AMC" fans, is one of the cast members who is moving with the show to the Web, thanks to production company Prospect Park. "'All My Children' is literally part of my heart, which is why I was so quick to sign up for online," Mathison said on "The View."

It's been reported that Lucci has declined an offer to go on with the show, and perhaps that is why today's episode ended the way it did. As the minutes ticked by to the end of the program on Friday, viewers saw J.R. fire a gun into a party at the Chandlers' place. Of course, we don't know what happened, because what's a soap opera without a dramatic cliffhanger?

As viewer and Twitter user @itsADELEee describes it, "All My Children ends with a bang. literally. I love how all the goodbye montages were like in the previous eps this week. and then boom!"

Wrote @PunditOnPoint, "All My Children has aired its last network episode. Despite the cliches, I enjoyed it. AMC is headed for the internet. End of an era."

Not all fans were happy with the way things ended, though.

"Really?" inquired user @mnfairman. "That All My Children ending was disappointing." Another fan concurred, albeit more strongly: "is this how "all my children" really going to end it?? I am beyond pissed”

Meg Whitman

HP names Meg Whitman new President and CEO, gives Leo Apotheker the Boot

Well, in a period less than one year on the job as HP's top dog Léo Apotheker is out, and former eBay CEO and one time candidate for California governor Meg Whitman is in. The move was hardly unexpected, but it very quickly developed from quiet mumblings and rumors to full-fledged fact this afternoon. It was initially expected that Whitman should only be stepping in as an interim solution, just another person passing through the revolving door at the entrance to the CEO's office. But Whitman, a current board member is in for the long haul. She is stepping in at a crucial and somewhat difficult time for the company that has seen its stock price plummet 47%, its $1.2 billion mobile OS flounder and is considering spinning off its PC business. She is no stranger to controversy (simply refer to her short tenure with Goldman Sachs) and was an essential part in growing eBay from a startup with just a couple of dozen staff members to one of the most popular destinations on the internet so, at least she is accustomed of having a few curve balls in her way.

In a statement, Whitman said, "I am honored and excited to lead HP. I believe HP matters it matters to Silicon Valley, California, the country and the world." The company also announced today that Ray Lane is moving from a non-executive chairman role to executive chairman of the board of directors, and that the board intends to appoint a lead independent director "promptly." HP's press release and some information from the company's investor call announcing the decision are right after the break.

At least, for the immediate future, it does not appear the installation of Whitman at the head of HP is going to lead to a major change of course. The plans for the Personal Systems Group and web-OS remain the same as those Léo Apotheker laid out in August  an announcement new executive Chairman Ray Lane admitted the company struggled with. In fact, Whitman said the "strategy is right," the problem lies in the execution. A spin off that PSG is still under consideration, and the new CEO said a decision will be made before the end of the year. Splitting off the PC business will only happen if it is deemed to be stronger as an independent entity, though it may still keep the HP branding. Meanwhile the company is "exploring options to optimize the value of web-OS."

Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren is currently running for Ted Kennedy's old Senate seat. If the first week of her campaign is an indication, this could wind up being the most interesting Senate competition in the country next year, and certainly the most positive for the Democratic Party to watch. It was always going to be a tough competition, because incumbent Scott Brown is generally well-liked by Massachusetts voters (although he's a Republican), and Warren has never run for public office before in her life. So far as, she appears to be up to the challenge. Of course, it is still very early in the competition, so forming sweeping predictions or conclusions is impossible at this point. But still, it is been a very good first week for Elizabeth Warren.

There is only statewide poll is out since her announcement, and it shows her popularity spiking dramatically. Previously her announcement, three polls put her 9-to-19 points behind Brown. The PPP poll just released shows her beating Brown 46-44 percent. That is a big bump in such a short period, but it is just one poll, so we shall have to wait for further data before drawing solid conclusions. Her rise in support could also be an initial spike after her announcement that she is entering the competition, and could quickly fade away. Even with these caveats, the numbers certainly look better for Warren now than many were predicting even a few weeks ago.

Elizabeth Warren is a polarizing figure. Liberals love her with a fierce passion. Republicans hate her with a fiery passion. What this means is that lots and lots of money from outside the state will be pumped into this race. The reason why Democrats are going to be watching this race closer than any other Senate race next year is easy to see: this may be the only state Democrats have a good chance to pick up a seat from the Republicans. The math isn't good for Democrats this time around in the Senate, and they are in danger of losing control of the chamber next year. Warren may be the sole bright spot in this environment for Democrats.

One video clip of Warren campaigning is already making the rounds among Lefties. From Washington Monthly comes both the video and the transcript of her recent answer to critics of Obama's plans to slightly raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans:

    I hear all this, you know: "Well, this is class warfare, this is whatever." No. There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there? Good for you. But I want to be clear: you moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for; you hired workers the rest of us paid to educate; you were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory, and hire someone to protect against this, because of the work the rest of us did. Now look, you built a factory and it turned into something terrific, or a great idea? God bless. Keep a big hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.

This is sheer political brilliance. Democrats are notorious for not being able to do what Warren just proved she's fully capable of: Explaining an issue in plain language that resonates with the average citizen. Telling a story. Crafting a narrative. I especially like the bit about "marauding bands," since it just proves how silly the entire concept of "class warfare" truly is, in this day and age. Using the term "warfare" for a non-violent political discussion on tax policy is just so completely overblown (and disrespectful to American troops who currently are in the midst of real live warfare) -- at least until gangs armed with pitchforks and torches start appearing across the land. Which is why Warren slipping the concept of "marauding bands" into her rebuttal is so brilliant.

Elizabeth Warren's campaign was certainly helped out by President Obama's timing of his announcements on the American Jobs Act and his deficit-cutting plan. Warren has always been a voice for this true populism, and Obama pushing the issue to the forefront certainly highlights Warren's previous championing of the "little guy." Obama has apparently decided to center his entire re-election campaign on the issue of taxing millionaires, which will continue to bolster Warren's stance in her own race.

Elizabeth Warren was never the caricature Republicans labored so mightily to paint. Conservatives saw her as some sort of anti-business demon which had to be stopped before she forced Wall Street banks to (gasp!) explain their financial products without sixteen pages of fine-print type. When you put it that way, it really shows the disconnect between what Warren actually stands for and the way her Republican opponents try to pigeonhole her. Warren has fought for consumers all this time -- the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was her idea in the first place. Whether Republicans realize it or not, most voters are actually also these same consumers. This, as I said (at length, earlier in the week), is the true face of populism.

Of course, Warren could run into trouble on the campaign trail. It's only been a week, after all. She has never campaigned for anything, but she is certainly no stranger to speaking in front of people. Republicans are already trying to define her as "Professor Warren," in the hopes that Massachusetts blue-collar voters will be turned off by a Harvard professor. But Warren not only appears comfortable talking to people, she shows the ability to present her ideas and her position in a manner that voters can easily grasp. This sounds like an easy thing to do, but some politicians (especially Democrats) never quite seem to get the hang of effectively doing so. Warren has spent the last few years talking to Wall Street tycoons, and answering pointed questions in front of Congress. Picturing her comfortably taking questions from voters or debating Scott Brown is a piece of cake, after watching her being grilled by congressional Republicans who were determined to destroy her. If she continues to show such talent framing the issues correctly, the Warren/Brown race may prove to be the one which garners the most attention outside the presidential race next year.

Populism can be a winning campaign issue for Democrats, but for the past few decades there is only a theoretical statement, because so few Democrats have actually ever tried to run on it (especially at the national level). This is about to be put to the test, both in Massachusetts and in the run for the White House. In fact, Warren is doing so well so quickly that Barack Obama should clear a day on his calendar in the next week and get up to a campaign event for Warren in Massachusetts. The two of them would do each other enormous good by appearing together, and showing other Democrats how to run on the populist issues Barack Obama has laid out. Populism could be a winning issue for Democrats, if they handle it correctly. Elizabeth Warren is certainly doing her best to lead by example in this respect.

Facebook Changes

Did the Earth Shift Again? Facebook Changes in Bulk.

Anyone who is experienced an earthquake can tell you, it is unsettling when something you thought was hard and unchanging suddenly starts moving around. That is why we should all probably be patient with Facebook users who scream when the social network they use everyday suddenly, and with very little warning, starts looking and acting different.

Users adapt to the changes, often coming to the eventual conclusion that yes, it is better now. But make no mistake; there is no learning curve to Facebook. A curve insinuates there is a peak, and the amount of learning needed goes gradually down until there is permanent mastery. Facebook’s learning curve is more like hitting a golf ball on the moon. There will always be new things and tools to learn.

When the Facebook rolls out a boatload of changes around the same time, more changes than at any time in its history, we can call that “the big one.” Let’s take a look at what’s already being rolled out and what’s coming mostly at Facebook’s f8 developer’s conference tomorrow. We will have a full recap blog here tomorrow night at 8 pm.

Facebook saw that these messages usually wind up in “other” folders and don’t get seen by fans anyway. So as of Sept 30, “The best way to make sure your content is seen is to post it on your Wall so people see your updates in their news feed.” Or, you are more than welcome to buy Facebook ads and sponsored stories. Wink, wink. End result, especially for brand marketers, it’s more important than ever to have a tech partner that helps your Wall posts get the engagement needed to show up in users’ news feeds.

Hey, is that a nav bar stuck to your shoe? Hope you like your top nav bar, because it’s going to follow you and float with you as you scroll down the screen reading your news feed. This should give you quick and easy

access to it without the time-consuming, labor-intensive task of scrolling back up to the top. You’re welcome.

Subscribe to me and you will get your first post free!

“Subscriptions” is the new Facebook buzzword. Basically you’re crafting your own little social newswire service, and you’re the editor-in-chief. You’re automatically subscribed to friends, but now you can even get updates from people who don’t want to know you! (Provided they allow subscriptions) I’m wondering if Facebook will eventually let people charge for subscriptions to them. For instance, financial geniuses could charge for access to their updates. Anything’s possible. You can even use subscriptions to edit what kind of content you want in your feed from your friends. Photos? Yes. Their latest Bejeweled score?

How’s your profile?

 Did the Earth Shift Again? Facebook Changes in Bulk.Facebook is rolling out a new-look profile at f8. And while there is not a ton of advance info on it, you may find yourself spending a lot more time there. It is being turned into an entertainment hub on which you’ll watch video and listen to music or audiobooks. You can get content from partner sites, then let your friends see what you’re watching and listening to, including a link to it. Your profile may also be where you shop on Facebook, so you can also let people know what you’re buying. You trendsetter you.

My news feed is suddenly obsessed with time management!

Your news feed will now be separated in sections by time frame. There’ll be a section for updates in the last hour, the last day, etc. And you just might need this, because the news feed is now in real time. That means the updates are going to come fast and furious (very Twitter-like actually), thereby keeping you glued to your feed if you are the kind who can’t turn away for fear of missing something. But fear not! No matter where you go on Facebook, a mini news feed is going to follow you there.

Hold on while I categorize you.

Your friends are being loaded automatically into Smart Lists; like school, family, work, city, etc. Of course, this info is gleaned from what they have put on their profiles, so you will have to go in and manually sort people if they have given either no info, or the wrong info about themselves just to be funny. And you will be able to create your own list so you can put that particular circle of friends in the right place. Ops, did I say “circles”?

Just know that you will undoubtedly survive the big one and may even come out all the stronger for it. oh and by the way, you have changed as you have gotten older too.

Dancing With The Stars Results

Dancing with the Stars' results: Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) won't look back in anger

 

Ron Artest, aka the newly-minted Metta World Peace, was the first contestant to receive a glittery pink slip on Season 13 of "Dancing with the Stars."

As you probably noticed if you watched the abolition, he is not taking it too hard. Zap2it was on the ballroom floor when the 6-foot-7-inch foot NBA small forward met with press, and he remained quite chipper.

"You don't want to leave that last impression, upset and sad," says Artest. "It was fun, and we tried hard. I knew those scores were right. I messed up a lot in the end during that dance."

He was careful to note that he did not think that the name change had any effect on the voting. With only a combined score of fourteen, the premiere's lowest, he was simply out-danced.

Still he is not thrilled to be leaving. "I didn't think I'd like it," Artest says of dancing, his arm around partner Peta Murgatroyd's shoulder. "I'm off the show now, but I like dancing."

Despite the performance, it is a bit of shock to see a prominent athlete go so soon in the competition. And Artest says that's because basketball players aren't nearly as prepared to dance as other athletes.

"Football players do a lot of foot drills," explains Artest. "They've got four seconds to be quick, explosive and fast. Basketball players, we can rest when we want. We can take big steps on our heels and feet. Football players are on their toes, so its no coincidence that football players have won."

Professional athletes have won six of the first twelve "Dancing with the Stars" titles. The only chance that happening this season now rests on goalie Hope Solo's shoulders. 

Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein are back

Two of my favorite children's authors, Maurice Sendak and the late Shel Silverstein, have new books.

Sendak's "Bumble-Ardy," the first book he has written and illustrated in 30 years, tells of a naughty pig's birthday party. Meanwhile, the legacy of Silverstein, who died in 1999, lives on in "Everything On It," a collection of poems with his trademark silliness and cleverness. NPR noted one example, "Frightened": as vintage Shel:

There are kids beneath my bed and Cried little baby monster Fred.

Momma monster smiled. "Oh, Fred, There is no such things as kids," she said.

Dadt

Obama Hails DADT Repeal: End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Means Gay Service Members 'No Longer Have to Lie' 

WASHINGTON (AP/The Huffington Post), The President Barack Obama is marking the end of the ban on gays serving in the military. He says the armed forces will no longer lose the skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members.

At one minute past midnight EDT, a new law took effect repealing a 1993 law that allowed gays to serve only so long as they kept their sexual orientation private.

Obama says that as of today, "patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love." Obama also said that he wanted those who were discharged under the 1993 law to know that the U.S. deeply values their service.

Below, the full statement of Barack Obama on the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal:

Today, the discriminatory law known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.

I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today's achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.

For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend the America's promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to protect the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh Goes For A Spin In Her Porsche

 Kate Walsh out and about in her 997 Porsche Carrera Cab with the top down.

Bob Hope

LOS ANGELES, the sultry-voiced songstress who was married to Bob Hope for 69 years and sometimes sang on his shows for U.S. troops and on his television specials, has died at age 102.

Hope family spokesman Harlan Boll said Hope died Monday of natural causes at home in Los Angeles. He did not elaborate.

Bob Hope died at age 100 on July 27, 2003.

At her 100th birthday party, Hope appeared little changed: Her white hair was richly coiffed, her skin smooth and her voice deep and warm. She was brought to the party in a wheelchair but was alert and happy as she welcomed old friends and posed for photographs.

Hope mused, "I thought it was going to be just another birthday."

In 1933, when Bob Hope was appearing in his first Broadway show, "Roberta," his friend and fellow cast member George Murphy persuaded him to visit the Vogue Club to "hear a pretty girl sing." She was Dolores Reade, a dark beauty whose singing of "It's Only a Paper Moon" entranced the young comedian.

"I'll never forget what a wonderful singer she was," said Rip Taylor. "In fact, that's how Bob and Dolores met. It seems to me that they were always laughing."

Hope returned every night and soon he was escorting her to her hotel after her shows. They married Feb. 19, 1934, and she quit nightclubs to join his vaudeville act. Then she retired.

"Bob was the hot thing in New York then," she recalled in 1997. "I thought I'd better stay home and take care of Bob."

When they moved to Hollywood in 1938 for the beginning of his film career, Dolores stayed home and devoted her time to raising the four children the Hopes adopted: Linda, Anthony, Kelly and Nora.

"I had such a huge admiration for both of them," said Julie Newmar. "The quality it takes to get just one year older, says a lot about that fact that she lived to 102."

She continued singing at parties, and in the 1940s she began accompanying Hope on his Christmas trips to entertain U.S. troops. In 1966 she sang "Silent Night" to hushed thousands of GI's who then rose and gave her a thunderous ovation, many with tears in their eyes.

In 1990, Mrs. Hope accompanied Bob on his last Christmas visit to American forces, visiting troops who were in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Marie Osmond, Ann Jillian and the Pointer Sisters did not perform, to avoid offending Saudi sensibilities about women entertainers. But Dolores Hope was approved and sang "White Christmas" to a rapt audience.

"She was the first lady of the USO," said Carol Channing. "They didn't come any more patriotic, caring or talented than Dolores."

She was born Dolores DeFina in 1909 in New York's Harlem to an Italian father and Irish mother, and grew up in the Bronx. Her diction faintly echoed the Bronx upbringing.

"My father died when I was very young, and there was just my mother, my sister and me," she remarked in 1982. "Were we a needy family? I always like what General Eisenhower said: 'We were poor and didn't know it.'"

She began singing early, worked as a model and a Ziegfeld showgirl and at 20 sang with George Olson's band. She adopted the name Dolores Reade, borrowed from stage actress Florence Reed. In her 80s, Dolores revived her singing career, recording three albums of old and new standards and appearing at New York's Rainbow and Stars as guest with Rosemary Clooney.

Aside from overseeing two homes the 18,000 square-foot mansion in North Hollywood and the 25,000 square-foot hilltop homes in Palm Springs Dolores Hope worked indefatigably for numerous charities. From 1969 to 1976 she served as president of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif., then becoming chairwoman.

In 1982, she elaborates her philosophy: "I like being with people, but I also need to have my time alone. I think it is terribly important to have some time during the day when you stop and take all the energy that you have given out and pull it back in, find the source of your energy. Then you work from there."

Emmy Winners

2011 Emmy Winners

 WINNERS: Jane Lynch is hosting the 63rd annual Emmy Awards live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

And the winners are…

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS  (COMEDY)
Julie Bowen – “Modern Family”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (COMEDY SERIES)
Ty Burrell – “Modern Family”
BEST DIRECTOR (COMEDY)
Michael Alan Spiller – “Modern Family”
BEST WRITER (COMEDY)
Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman – “Modern Family”
BEST ACTOR (COMEDY)
Jim Parsons – “The Big Bang Theory”
BEST ACTRESS (COMEDY)
Melissa McCarthy – “Mike & Molly”
BEST REALITY COMPETITION
“The Amazing Race”
BEST WRITING (COMEDY, VARIETY OR MUSICAL)
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
BEST DIRECTING (COMEDY, VARIETY OR MUSICAL)
Don Roy King – “Saturday Night Live”
BEST SHOW (COMEDY, VARIETY OR MUSICAL)
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
BEST WRITING (DRAMA)
Jason Katims – “Friday Night Lights”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (DRAMA)
Margo Martindale “Justified”
BEST DIRECTING (DRAMA)
Martin Scorsese – “Boardwalk Empire”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (DRAMA)
Peter Dinklage – “Game of Thrones”
BEST ACTRESS (DRAMA)
Julianna Margulies – “The Good Wife”
BEST ACTOR (DRAMA)
Kyle Chandler – “Friday Night Lights”
BEST WRITING (MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL)
Julian Fellowes – “Downton Abbey”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (MINISERIES OR MOVIE)
Maggie Smith – “Downton Abbey”
BEST MALE ACTOR (MINISERIES OR MOVIE)
Barry Pepper – “The Kennedys”
BEST DIRECTING (MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL)
Brian Percival – “Downton Abbey”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (MINISERIES OR MOVIE)
Guy Pearce – “Mildred Pierce”
BEST ACTRESS (MINISERIES OR MOVIE)
Kate Winslet – “Mildred Pierce”
BEST MINISERIES OR MOVIE
“Downton Abbey”
BEST DRAMA SERIES
“Mad Men”
BEST COMEDY SERIES
“Modern Family”

Emmys

Primetime Emmys Live-Blogging

REFRESH FOR LATEST: We are off and running. The much talked about opening number of host Jane Lynch features the Glee star in a massive pre-taped production number having her sing and dance through the stages of a slew of hit TV shows. It opens with Leonard Nimoy, who, as network president, introduces Lynch to the house of TV where all shows are housed. The part was basically taped with Alec Baldwin but was reproduced after Fox cut a line about the News Corp. hacking scandal. The elements are uneven but the best bit is Lynch’s walking into a scene of AMC’s period ad agency drama Mad Men where Lynch was schooled to “go learn how to type and fire the guy who gave her that men’s haircut.” Lynch tells them that she comes from a time where women can marry each other, nodding, “Hi Peggy.” “Does it mean we do not have to sleep with men to get to the top anymore,” wide-eyed Peggy asks. “No, you still need to do that.” When Lynch suggests that where she is from people can omit commercials, ad man Don Draper turns to her and gives her a steely look. “You’re gonna turn around and go away and we are going to pretend that we never met you.” The number spilled into the stage with a big live ending feature Lynch hoisted up by male dancers. “Try doing this with triple Spanx,” she said after getting down.

ABC’s Modern Family is on an early roll in the supporting comedy series acting categories, dismissing some projectionists that, with all 6 cast members nominated in the 2 categories, they may cancel each other. First winner of the night is the show’s Julie Bowen for best supporting actress in a comedy series. “I don’t know what I am going to talk about in therapy next week now.”

A second after she thanked her TV husband, Ty Burrell, he too walked to the stage to pick up his trophy for best supporting actor in a comedy series. Burrell talked about his dad who passed away before his son got into acting, doing a job where he gets to wear makeup all the time.

Ricky Gervais presents the director for a comedy series category in a pre-taped segment. “Sorry. I can’t be live and in person. Not after the Golden Globes. I’m not even allowed on American soil if I say something rude or offensive.”

Modern Family is going 3-for-3 with a comedy series directing award for director Michael Alan Spiller.

Lynch came back from commercial with “Welcome back to the Modern Family Awards.”

Then it’s Charlie Sheen, presenting the lead actor in a comedy series category. Like on The Tonight Show earlier in the week, it was not the Warlock but the old Sheen cool, collected and gracious who showed up. “Before I present the award in my old category I want to take a moment to get something off my chest and say something to all my friends form Two and a Half Men,” he said. “From the bottom of my heart, I wish nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent 8 wonderful years together, I know you will continue to make great television. Now on to the Emmy.”

The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons repeats as a winner in the first major upset of the night. Steve Carell has been considered the sentimental favorite as this was his last chance to win an Emmy for his signature role as Michael Scott on The Office. “This is so odd for so many reasons,” were the first words out of Parsons’ mouth. He, of course, stars on a show, which like Men, is executive produced by Chuck Lorre, the object of Sheen’s insults early in the year and a multimillion dollar lawsuit.

It seems like the TV Academy members themselves were shocked that The Amazing Race‘s 7-year winning streak in the best reality competition series category ended last year. The veteran unscripted series is back with a win. That means that the globe-trotting reality show has now won 8 out of the 9 times since the category was launched. Top Chef was the only show to ever beat Race when it nabbed the Emmy last year.

The Daily Show won for best writing in a comedy/variety series, a category where it seems to alternate with fellow Comedy Central program The Colbert Report. The Colbert Report won last year, The Daily Show the year before.

The Lonely Island guys did a rousing and outrageous number of the all Emmy nominated songs with guests Michael Bolton aka Captain Jack Sparrow from his hilarious Saturday Night Live bit, as well as Maya Rudolph and Akon and others.

Don Roy King is the winner in the best director for a music/comedy/variety series for the James Timberlake/Lady Gaga episode of SNL.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart had won the best comedy/variety series for 8 consecutive years, prompting presenter Scott Can to introduce the nominees with: “here is a look at the shows that will lose to The Daily Show this year. He was right as Stewart & Co. won again to make it 9 in a row.

Big final hurray for departing Friday Night Lights as developer/executive producer Jason Katims wins best writing in a drama series for the series finale. By upstaging heavy favorite Mad Men in the category where AMC’s period drama had 2 nominations, including Matthew Weiner’s tour-de-force Suitcase episode, is the football drama poised for another major upset tonight?

After Sheen, it was his former Two and a Half Men co-star Jon Cryer and Sheen’s replacement on the show Ashton Kutcher’s turn to present. “I am not Charlie Sheen,” Kutcher said, before turning to Cryer, “And I do not think you are a troll,” a reference to a comment Sheen had made about Cryer last spring.

Actress Margo Martindale wins the supporting actress in a drama series award for her season-long gig on FX’s Justified. “Some things take long”, she veteran actress said about her first Emmy. “I love you Graham even though you killed me,” she told Justified creator. The producers, especially Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly for getting me another job.

Martin Scorsese will now have an Emmy to go with that Oscar. The overwhelming favorite in the best director in a drama series category won for the pilot of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.

The pretty wide-open supporting actor in a drama series category was won by Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones, who by the way was the first actor cast in the HBO fantasy drama.

No upsets for Julianna Margulies in the best actress in a drama series category this year. The Good Wife star, who was the heavy favorite to win the category last year but lost out to The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick, won the trophy this time.

Jason Katims’ drama writing win was not a fluke. Friday Night Lights‘ victory lap continues with a surprising win for star Kyle Chandler in the best actor in a drama series category over heavy favorites Steve Buscemi and Jon Hamm.

Host Jane Lynch: “A lot of people are wondering why I’m a lesbian. Ladies and gentlemen, the cast of Entourage.” The cast of the departing HBO comedy are presenting the writing for a TV movie/miniseries category. The winner is British writer Julian Fellowes for Masterpiece Theatre’s Downton Abbey. Like for Scorsese, this is Fellowes’ first Emmy, to join his Academy Award. Fellowes thanked the Hollywood industry for “kick-starting my second career 10 years ago” with the Oscar for Gosford Park and doing it again today with the Emmy Award. Another British-born Oscar winner, Maggie Smith, won the supporting actress in a drama series award, also for Downton Abbey.

Somewhat of an upset in the lead actor in a TV movie/miniseries category where Barry Pepper of The Kennedys gives cable upstart ReelzChannel a first Emmy Award. Pepper won over William Hurt, Edgar Ramirez and fellow Kennedys co-star Greg Kinnear.

Talent representatives are a hit tonight as their mentioned in almost every acceptance speech, prompting one agency insider to email me: “You can tell that times are tough in the business when almost everyone thanks their agent…”

First-time Emmy Awards executive producer Mark Burnett made headlines last month when he said he didn’t want the In Memoriam segment to be a “downer” this year. The segment was a tear-jerkier, set to Leonard Cohen’s beautiful ballad Hallelujah sung live by The Canadian Tenors quartet.

Guy Pierce won the best supporting actor in a TV movie/miniseries for his role on HBO’s mini Mildred Pierce. “I had a delightful experience working on Mildred Pierce I got to have sex with Kate Winslet many, many times. I share this with you you are an outstanding woman,” he said. “Thank you for allowing me to insert myself into… your worlds on Mildred Pierce and to my wife who allowed me to talk about it every night I came back from work.”

Kate Winslet followed him onstage as the winner for best actress in a TV movie/miniseries, continuing the trend of Oscar winners earning their first Emmy tonight. (She’s No. 3). Very emotional Winslet didn’t address her sex scenes with Pierce but was quick to acknowledge Mildred Pierce writer-director Todd Haynes. “This had nothing to do with me, it was all you Todd,” she said about her win.

Commenting on Winslet’s win, Jane Lynch noted how many film actors are doing television now, so “TV actors are forced to do voice work on video games. Then the video games are turned into movies starring the same people who put the TV actors out of work. Hakuna Matata, my friends, this the circle of life.”

A big upset in the now-combined TV movie/miniseries category, which went to Masterpiece Theatre’s Downton Abbey, with HBO’s big troika of Mildred Pierce, Too Big To Fail and Cinema Verite shut out. Fellowes, who accepted the trophy,also looked genuinely surprised. “This is really a David and Goliath story with Goliath represented by some remarkable movies,” he said. “It seems extraordinary that we won.”

Mad Men was shut out in every category tonight except the one that mattered the most — best drama series. The AMC period drama made it 4 in a row, matching The West Wing’s streak, by taking the top drama series trophy over HBO’s hot newcomer Boardwalk Empire and Direct TV’s sentimental favorite Friday Night Lights. “I didn’t think this was gonna happen,” series creator Matthew Weiner said.

LSU football's Les Miles: Tigers 'playing to the strengths of the defense'

LSU Coach Les Miles talks about the Tigers' 19-6 win over Mississippi State in their SEC opener Thursday night in Starkville.

Opening Statement:

"I told the team the defence needed to come in and play the way they did to have the success that we came to have and they did. I felt like the intensity of the defence was strong and that really ended up being the tale of the day. I felt like the offence did the things that they needed to do. I thought we threw and caught, minus one pass, very well. We had over 200 yards throwing and I felt like we were very accurate. Minus a pick, I felt like we executed very well in the passing game. We were without our punter and we punted it perfectly, but I thought our guy did a good job. All being said, it is a win on the road in the SEC against a quality opponent. I think Coach Mullen has done a great job here and I think that is a very much improved football team."

On playing on the road in their SEC opener:

"I think we did the things we needed to do to win. I think we throw the football better than we did and I think we have pieces of the offense that are not necessarily visible. At this point we are kind of playing to the strengths of the defense and getting some first downs and making some plays in the sense that will allow us to run." On weakness in the defense:

"We are not playing perfect; there are a number of things we have to do in terms of assignments, but effort, strength and style of play we are getting there."