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Let Chris Harrison Find You A Date

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Who better to find you your next date than "Bachelor" host Chris Harrison? The 41-year-old television personality has been hosting "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" for 11 years -- a gig that has taught him quite a bit about dating, falling in love, and people that aren't in it for "the right reasons."

Harrison is using his knowledge on love to launch a new dating app called At First Sight with "The Bachelor" creator Mike Fleiss. The app, which HuffPost exclusively previewed and is available for download on iOS and Android, features video profiles, avenues for chatting, and connecting through social media. "There's an insatiable appetite for companionship," Harrison told HuffPost. "That's the one thing that no matter where I go in the world with this show, and why our show is so successful around the world, is because it's very simple. It's about that one thing that everybody wants, and that's love, it's companionship."

HuffPost caught up with Harrison by phone about the app, the current season of "The Bachelorette," and whether he would ever sign up for "The Bachelor."

Are you going to use the app to meet some women?
Definitely. We had this beta version up and I've gotten addicted to it, I have to say I'm sitting around at home, watching all these videos. I find it as compelling as I find "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." I think people are gonna love it for the same reasons -- you can't take your eyes off of it. You get going and you just can't stop.

What is different about it from traditional dating websites?
We looked at our own show and we would never cast "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" with somebody sending us an old photoshopped picture and taking some psych evaluation or even writing their own bio and just take their word for it and go, "Okay, we're gonna put you on national TV and let you go date!" I mean, who does that? So we were thinking, why would anybody go on a date with these people if that's all you see and that's all you get? Hence, At First Sight, where you will have video profiles and you will get to see these people and hear these people much like how we cast the show.

Do you think these alternative forms of dating have become the new normal?
I do. People have asked me for years, "Why do people come on the show?" I always say, "Why not? What's crazy about it?" Is it crazy going online and finding somebody? Is it crazy going to a bar and finding somebody? You know this is the way people meet now. What's the first thing you do when you meet somebody? You go find them on Twitter, you go find them on Instagram, you go find them on Facebook. You basically go search them out and you do your own profile on them.

"The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" recently came under fire for a lack of diversity on the programs. Are there any plans to make the shows more diverse in the future?
Honestly, there's never been a plan for it or against it. We never really set out to do anything other than make a great television show. That's really all anybody does. The good news is I can say this because it's well above my pay grade, obviously I don't make these decisions, nor will I ever on "The Bachelor," but I do know this, it's my job. If I think I can keep my job and get a million more people to watch because someone who is any color race, ethnicity, I don't care. It's an entertainment show. As much as we would love to be groundbreaking and change the world, if we do that and our show fails, then all we've done is lost everybody their jobs. We'll never pick anybody for any other reason other than they are the best person for the job. Period. If that means they're African-American, if it means they're Italian, if it means they're Greek, if it means they're Latino, or whatever, we will make the choice that is best for our jobs. ABC would love to do groundbreaking shows and there are moments for that, but they're also trying to entertain millions and millions of people and paid advertisers and keep my family happy.

You've been doing this for a long time, do you have a favorite season of the show?
That's like picking your favorite child. It's just like children, you don't love them all equally all the time. I think I go back to probably season two with Aaron Buerge and the first season of "The Bachelorette" with Trista, are two seasons that just really stand out just because the show was so innocent at the time. It was still young and new ... That first season of "The Bachelorette" was just lightening in a bottle where you just knew you had something spectacular after that proposal. We thought, "Oh my gosh, this works! We're gonna get a marriage out of this."

Did you feel the same way with Ashley and J.P. as they were one of the recent ones to make it?
Yes, definitely. I would like to say you can tell, but all I can tell is how genuine they are at the moment. Because then what happens is life. I've been around the block enough myself to know that things work out and they don't, and why has nothing to do with television, it has more to do with just, did they squeeze the tube of toothpaste in the middle or leave the toilet seat up. When we left Fiji with Ashley and J.P., they could not have been more in love and more genuine and luckily that stayed and stood the test of real time.

On the flipside, have you ever had a time where you wanted to step in knowing it wouldn't work out?
Probably one of the seasons where I thought "This will never last very long" is Charlie O'Connell and, I believe her name was Sarah, she was a nurse. He was at a kind of messy point in his life, self-admittedly. But surprisingly they lasted like, four years or five years after the show. What happens after the show is you just never know and it's real life and who's to say what will work and what won't.

What's ahead for Des on the current season?
The thing with Des is, it started off really slow. I think we're just getting going with her and the guys are slowly coming around and you really get to know them better. There's definitely some more excitement and drama for her. The deal with Brian and the girlfriend was so early on that it was kind of explosive but it wasn't that impactful on Des because she wasn't that emotionally tied to him yet. There's some things to come with some of these guys that she isn't going to see coming and it is going to impact her.

A lot of the guys on this season have similar names, do you ever have trouble keeping them all straight?
Oh my god, this season it was like Ben, Bryden, Braxton... I felt like Vanna White, like can I please buy a vowel?

So now that you're single, are you dating again or are you taking it easy?
It's been over a year, so I've started dating again and slowly getting back out there. I have two kids and so I have them half the time so they've kind of been the focus, obviously, of rebuilding my life. Yeah, I've slowly started getting back out there. More than ever I can empathize and I can see why people have been coming on the show for 11 years and why they would really desire something like At First Sight, because man, it's not easy out there. It's not all together that much fun. It's tough.

If they gave you the chance, would you ever do "The Bachelor"?
I don't think it's really for me. I'm not really the type of guy that dates out loud, lives out loud. You never really see me, unless its accidental, in the tabloids or any of those magazines. I don't go out and party much, so it's not really my thing. On top of that, having been behind the curtain and helped produce this, it would be so hard to be genuine and go through it with any sense of naiveté. You kind of have to have that innocence to be the bachelor or the bachelorette. It needs to kind of happen around you and I would be producing and directing while I'm doing it and that's probably not a good way to go about finding love.


Cher's Advice: 'You're Screwed'

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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

The 67-year-old singer who has spent most of her life in the spotlight offered this advice to young artists on navigating the world of paparazzi attention: "You're screwed. That's my advice."

"You don't deal with it. You just try to get a place where no one can find you and that's your little sanctuary," continued the "Believe" singer in an interview Tuesday. "I have a fabulous house that I love and it's my sanctuary."

Looking ever the rock star in leather and studs, Cher took the stage Tuesday for the season finale of NBC's "The Voice." She performed "Woman's World," the first single off her upcoming album of the same name – her 26th album since she began recording in the 1960s.

Cher said reality singing competitions are simply a modern incarnation of classic star-makers like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts."

"It's just another vehicle, you know what I mean? Talent is talent," she said on the red carpet following the finale which crowned 16-year-old country singer Danielle Bradbery the winner.

The young powerhouse from Blake Shelton's team beat out indie rocker Michelle Chamuel and country duo the Swon Brothers for the season four title.

Though Cher has topped the Billboard pop charts throughout the last six decades, she credits luck, not necessarily talent, for her incredible staying power.

"If you have an idea, you tell me because I haven't got a clue," she said of her secret to career longevity. "I believe that luck has a lot to do with it. There are lots of people who are more talented or whatever, but somehow this has been my path. So this is what I'm doing."

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Follow Nicole Evatt at http://twitter.com/NicoleEvatt

Would Whitney Port Do Another Reality Show?

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These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question-and-answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?

It's been nearly three years since the finales of the two reality series that cast Whitney Port into the spotlight -- "The Hills" and its spinoff "The City" -- but the MTV alum is keeping busy. Port, 28, is currently working on the spring 2014 collection for her eponymous fashion label Whitney Eve, and a new jewelry line, Bits & Bobs. She's also teamed up with Pillsbury to design the official apron that finalists will wear for the brand's Bake-Off Contest in Las Vegas this November (scroll down to see it). We caught up with Port to find out who makes her best-dressed list and what she's watching these days.

Why did you want to work with Pillsbury?
I wanted to get involved because I thought it would be a fun challenge to design something different. I actually love to bake and so I thought it was something cool that I could contribute to and that I could get something out of too. I’ll wear the apron when I bake and not get so messy and I also think it’s inspiring and empowering for all these people who have these awesome recipes that would have no other way of getting them out there.

What's your baking specialty?
I like to try different things. I like challenges. This weekend for Father’s Day, I made a strawberry crisp that was really delicious. And I made this special homemade Snickers bar recently that was really good.

What's always in your fridge?
Green Granny Smith apples, hummus, peanut butter, parmesan cheese.

What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Probably the amount that I would go for manicures and pedicures. It’s something that I feel like I always need and allow myself to do because it makes me feel good.

What shows are always on your DVR?
“So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dance Moms,” Iron Chef, “Shark Tank.” Those are the big ones right now.

What's the last song you downloaded?
Jack Johnson’s “I Got You.” I put it as my Music Monday on my website.

What's on your nightstand?
My nightstand is pretty empty. I have a candle and some lip balm on it right now.

What's one thing from your childhood wardrobe that you wish you could wear now?
I have these white satin pants I got from Theodore. I wore them in 5th grade to a spring-sing concert and I feel like they would be pretty cute right now.

What's one fashion item that women love and men hate?
Harem pants. For sure.

Are there any celebrities whose style inspires you as a designer?
I love Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. I love what Diane Kruger wears. I love what Rihanna wears. I saw Rihanna yesterday. She wore this awesome oil-stained, sequined, beaded crop top and baggy boyfriend jeans. I just think she always looks so cool and she can pull it off, and not many people can.

What's your dating deal-breaker?
If they have no sense of humor. If they don’t make me laugh.

What's the dumbest thing you've read about yourself?
I feel like there haven’t been a lot of stupid rumors surrounding my life. I can’t even think of one.

Do you keep in touch with anyone from "The Hills" and "The City"?
Yeah, I’ve kept in touch with Roxy [Olin] and Kelly [Cutrone].

On those shows you were always portrayed as the levelheaded one. Do you feel like that in your relationships offscreen?
My friends come to me for advice, but I feel like as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten less levelheaded [laughs]. I think it’s just more things have happened in my life that made my brain go a little nutty and over-analytical that I’m not as levelheaded as people might think I am.

What’s the secret to staying grounded?
I think the secret is not taking yourself too seriously. Realizing that you’re just one of millions and millions of people in this world.

Would you ever do another reality show?
If it was fashion-based, then yes. But I would never do something as personal and intimate as the show that I was on was.

whitney port

Lil Wayne Pulls Controversial Flag Stomp From Video

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NEW YORK — Lil Wayne says he wasn't intentionally stepping on the American flag when shooting his latest video.

Video of the rapper from his music video shoot for the song "God Bless Amerika" hit the Web on Monday. In it, he appears to be stepping on top of the American flag. But he said in a Facebook post Tuesday the flag on the ground will not appear in the clip.

He writes it was never his intention "to desecrate the flag of the United States of America."

He says the flag will reveal a group of people behind him in the video.

The New Orleans-based rapper says in the statement his environment helped shape the way he views America and his song and video represent the people he grew up with.

Some Of Tony's Best Lines

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NEW YORK -- Some memorable lines spoken by the late James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in "The Sopranos":

_"You know my feelings: Every day is a gift. It's just, does it have to be a pair of socks?"

_"What kind of (expletive) human being am I, if my own mother wants me dead?"

_About his father: "The belt was his favorite childhood development tool."

_"Nothing beats popping up some Orville Redenbachers and listening to `Men in Black.'"

_"Nowadays, everybody's gotta go to shrinks and counselors, and go on `Sally Jessy Raphael' and talk about their problems. What happened to Gary Cooper? The strong, silent type."

_"I gotta be honest with you. I'm not getting any satisfaction from my work."

_"I'm like King Midas in reverse. Everything I touch turns to (expletive)."

_"You got any idea what my life would be worth if certain people found out I checked into a laughing academy?"

_"When you're married, you'll understand the importance of fresh produce."

_"It wasn't like it was friggin' Cobain. It was just a little suicidal gesture, that's all."

Journey Comments On James Gandolfini's Death

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Thanks to the series finale of "The Sopranos," James Gandolfini and Journey were always connected.

The band's song "Don't Stop Believin'" played during the series' final moments, ending abruptly and launching conspiracy theories about the fate of Gandolfini's Tony Soprano that are still discussed and debated.

Following Gandolfini's death on Wednesday at the age of 51, Journey released a statement on the band's website:

It's truly an honor to have been able to share one of the greatest moments ever in TV history with James Gandolfini. He was an amazing actor -- taken way too young -- and he'll be missed. Our condolences go out to his family.

Watch the final moments of "The Sopranos" above. More on Gandolfini's passing can be found here.

WATCH: Did Ke$ha Really See An Alien? (VIDEO)

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Ke$ha seemingly saw an alien last night and released a paranormal video. Although in the past she has claimed she's slept with a ghost, no video or proof of that ever surfaced, so this is something on a whole other, much more newsworthy level.

That's pretty scary. Good thing she seems to be all right!

LOOK: What Is J. Lo Hinting At, Wearing This Dress?

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Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony may be exes, but they sure do get along for the kids.

The famous duo was spotted in a Calabasas park in Los Angeles, Calif., yesterday, as part of a school function for their twins Max and Emme, 5.

J. Lo looked stunning in a floor-length, strapless white gown, her hair tightly pulled back in a bun. Anthony opted for a casual khakis, white button-down and flip-flops combo.

Though the two split two years ago, they've been keeping it amicable and even hung out on several occasions with Lopez's current beau, Casper Smart.

Recently, the 43-year-old diva opened up to The Telegraph about her divorce, saying "When Marc and I decided to separate, I thought, 'I'm not going to let this turn me into someone unhopeful who doesn't believe [in love] anymore.' ... I didn't want to just survive it. I wanted to grow from it. And I did learn a lot."

Click here to see more pictures of J. Lo and Marc on X17online.com.

jennifer lopez wedding dress


Still No. 1, Despite 'Rapey' Criticism

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Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" topped Billboard Hot 100 chart for the second consecutive week, slagging off criticism that the song and its NSFW video were misogynistic and/or "rapey."

The track features T.I. and Pharrell WIlliams and was buoyed by the viral nature of its video, in which the three performers mingle with and grope gorgeous models. YouTube banned the uncensored version of the video on account of its frank nudity, and Thicke said he had asked his wife, actress Paula Patton, for permission before working with the naked women. (Highly NSFW photos from the shoot are available in the gallery at the bottom of this entry.)

Criticism of "Blurred Lines" has focused on lyrics like "I know you want it," which when coupled with the racy video, have led some to call the song "rapey." Thicke didn't exactly smooth things over when asked about his detractors: "People say, 'Hey, do you think this is degrading to women?' I'm like, 'Of course it is. What a pleasure it is to degrade a woman. I've never gotten to do that before. I've always respected women.'"

The continued Billboard success of the song, however, is a big win for Pharrell, who is also featured on Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," which jumped up to take the No. 2 spot on the Hot 100. The combo punch makes Williams the first singer in four years to be featured on the No. 1 and 2 songs in the same week. the Black Eyed Peas did the same with 2009's "Boom Boom Pow" "I Gotta Feeling" and T.I. is one of the few solo artists to have accomplished the same feat, with "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life" in 2008.

"Blurred Lines" is Thicke's first No. 1 hit in the U.K. as well.

The single is the title track off Thicke's recently announced album, which is headed to stores on July 30. A tracklist is available below.

1. "Blurred Lines" (feat. T.I. and Pharrell)
2. "Take It Easy On Me"
3. "Ooo La La "
4. "Ain't No Hat 4 That"
5. "Get In My Way"
6. "Give It 2 U" (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
7. "Feel Good"
8. "Go Stupid 4 U"
9. "For The Rest Of My Life"
10. "Top Of The World"
11. "The Good Life"

What Is 60s Icon Judy Collins Up To Now?

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At 74, Collins is a more remarkable entertainer now than she was years ago when she first started singing and playing guitar in Greenwich Village coffee houses and then in concert halls. Her cascading hair is now silvery, her "sweet Judy blue eyes" (she was the inspiration for Stephen Stills' song and it's the title of her 2011 memoir) have been improved by cataract surgery.

PHOTOS: Khloe Kardashian Might Be On To Something With Her New Braids

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If you hadn't noticed, Khloe Kardashian is looking fantastic lately, experimenting with all sorts of bright, daring outfits. She's also been experimenting with her hair, as evidenced on the red carpet last night.

The Kardashian sis debuted her own version of the half-braided head on Wednesday evening, showing off her 'do at an event for her family's new line of self-tanner. Khloe drew attention with her sheer shirt (hello, bra!) but even more so with her braids, which reminded us of Jennifer Aniston's hair at the Spike Guys' Choice Awards last week.

Carmen Electra has also rocked lopsided braids several times over the past few months, giving us the creeping feeling that this fancy update to the Skrillex-inspired hairstyle is becoming a trend.

And we're not sure how we feel about it. Check out Khloe's latest look plus Jen Aniston and Carmen Electra below. Are you on board with the half-braided head?

Khloe:

khloe kardashian braids

khloe kardashian braids

Jennifer:

khloe kardashian braids

khloe kardashian braids

Carmen:

carmen electra cornrows

khloe kardashian braids

A journey through braid history:

Want more? Be sure to check out HuffPost Style on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram at @HuffPostStyle.

Is Kid Rock The Most Existential Pop Star?

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Sometimes we find ourselves pondering the value of our very existence. Sometimes it hits us that we don't like the outcome of all the little things that have added up to this moment. This is what happened To Kid Rock during a visit to Fox News on June 19. This is the moment he became "Sad Kid Rock"

sad kid rock

Really, what is the meaning of anything?

sad kid rock

Why can the universe just reuse our cells after we die?

sad kid rock

Does it really matter if I'm a star if I'm but just one in a universe of millions?

sad kid rock

I'm no longer a kid anymore ...

sad kid rock

... but not yet a man.

ALWAYS Stunning

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On Wednesday, actress Olivia Munn appeared on "Jimmy Fallon" wearing a sexy, formfitting little number. Here's a closer look at Munn after the show. Is it a surprise to anyone that she makes it look so good? The answer you're looking for is no.

olivia munn dress

PHOTOS: A Stately Southern Home That Has Us Swooning

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Ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek in 2011 as the seventh most expensive housing block in the US, it's no surprise that River Oaks is home to many beautiful properties. Nestled in the center of Houston proper, the homes that line these streets are typically American-colonial. So when we came across a house tour of one of these stunners, we knew we had to share it with you.

According to the Houston Chronicle, this house sits on one and a half acres of prime property in Houston...featur[ing] four bedrooms and six bathrooms in more than 8,800 square-feet of living space." The massive size is impressive, but no surprise there. (Isn't everything bigger in Texas?) What really amazed us was how loyal the spaces were to their architectural roots.

The traditional feel flows through the house, from the stately presence of the exterior's four pillars to the elegantly designed interiors. The entire space reminds us of Southern living. But that's just us. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

river oaks home

river oaks home

river oaks home

Credit: HAR

For more photos of this residence, be sure to flip through our slideshow below, photos courtesy of HAR.

Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram.


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Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

Food Network 'Monitoring' Allegations of Paula Deen's Racism

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SAVANNAH, Ga. — Celebrity cook Paula Deen said while being questioned in a discrimination lawsuit that she has used racial slurs in the past but insisted she and her family do not tolerate prejudice.

The 66-year-old Food Network star and Savannah restaurant owner was peppered with questions about her racial attitudes in a May 17 deposition by a lawyer for Lisa Jackson, a former manager of Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House. Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, own the restaurant. Jackson sued them last year, saying she was sexually harassed and worked in a hostile environment rife with innuendo and racial slurs.

According to a transcript of the deposition, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, an attorney for Jackson asked Deen if she has ever used the N-word.

"Yes, of course," Deen replied, though she added: "It's been a very long time."

Asked to give an example, Deen recalled the time she worked as a bank teller in southwest Georgia in the 1980s and was held at gunpoint by a robber. The gunman was a black man, Deen told the attorney, and she thought she used the slur when talking about him after the holdup. "Probably in telling my husband," she said.

Deen said she may have also used the slur when recalling conversations between black employees at her restaurants, but she couldn't recall specifics.

"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on," Deen said. "Things have changed since the `60s in the South. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do."

William Franklin, Deen's attorney, said the celebrity was looking forward to her day in court.

"Contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable," he said in a statement.

Attorneys for Jackson did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

Plenty of people were already judging Deen on social media sites Wednesday. One of the top trending topics on Twitter was (hash)PaulasBestDishes, the name of her Food Network show. Tweets used the tag along with satirical names for recipes such as "Massa-Roni and Cheese," "Lettuce From a Birmingham Jail," and "Key Lynch Pie."

Station spokeswoman Julie Halpin said in a statement: "The Food Network does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion. We will continue to monitor the situation."

The civil suit was filed in March 2012 in Chatham County Superior Court and was transferred to federal court a few months later. Deen and Hiers have both denied the allegations made by Jackson, who is white.

"Bubba and I, neither one of us, care what the color of your skin is" or what gender a person is, Deen said in her deposition. "It's what's in your heart and in your head that matters to us."

Known for her sometimes ribald sense of humor as well as her high-calorie Southern recipes, Deen acknowledged in her deposition to sometimes telling jokes. She seemed to struggle when asked if she considered jokes using the N-word to be "mean."

"That's kind of hard," Deen said. "Most jokes are about Jewish people, rednecks, black folks. ... They usually target, though, a group. Gays or straights, black, redneck, you know, I just don't know – I just don't know what to say. I can't, myself, determine what offends another person."

Jackson's attorney, Matthew Billips, also pressed Deen to explain whether she had once suggested that all black waiters be hired for her brother's 2007 wedding.

Deen said she once mentioned the idea to her personal assistant and Jackson but immediately dismissed it. Deen said she had been inspired by an upscale Southern restaurant she and her husband had visited in another state.

"The whole entire wait staff was middle-aged black men, and they had on beautiful white jackets with a black bow tie. I mean, it was really impressive," Deen said. "And I remember saying I would love to have servers like that, I said, but I would be afraid that someone would misinterpret (it)."

Asked if she used the N-word to describe those waiters, Deen replied: "No, because that's not what these men were. They were professional black men doing a fabulous job."


How HBO Will Honor James Gandolfini

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HBO will air future episodes of "The Sopranos" with a tribute to the late James Gandolfini.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, future episodes of "The Sopranos" that air on HBO will feature this message: "HBO mourns the loss of James Gandolfini, a beloved member of the HBO family."

David Chase, "The Sopranos" creator, hailed Gandolfini as a genius in a statement released following the actor's passing.

“He was a genius," Chase said. "Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone. For Deborah and Michael and Liliana this is crushing. And it's bad for the rest of the world. He wasn't easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain."


Gandolfini passed away in Italy at the age of 51
. The actor won three Emmys for his work as Tony Soprano on the game-changing HBO series that aired from 1999-2007.

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," HBO said in a statement on its Facebook page. "James Gandolfini was a special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us."

An episode of "The Sopranos" airs Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO Signature.

James Gandolfini Dies At Age 51

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LOS ANGELES — James Gandolfini's lumbering, brutish mob boss with the tortured psyche will endure as one of TV's indelible characters.

But his portrayal of criminal Tony Soprano in HBO's landmark drama series "The Sopranos" was just one facet of an actor who created a rich legacy of film and stage work in a life cut short.

Gandolfini, 51, who died Wednesday while vacationing in Rome, refused to be bound by his star-making role in the HBO series that brought him three Emmy Awards during its six-season run.

"He was a genius," said "Sopranos" creator David Chase. "Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes."

Dr. Claudio Modini, head of the emergency room at the Policlinic Umberto I hospital in Rome, said Gandolfini suffered a cardiac arrest. He arrived at the hospital at 10:40 p.m. (2040 GMT, 4:40 p.m. EDT) Wednesday and was pronounced dead at 11 p.m. after resuscitation efforts in the ambulance and hospital failed, Modini said.

Modini told The Associated Press that an autopsy would be performed starting 24 hours after the death, as required by law.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome, which said it had learned about the death from the media, said it would be available to provide a death certificate and help prepare the body for return to the United States. The Embassy said it can often take between four and seven days to arrange shipment outside of Italy.

Michael Kobold, a family friend, told reporters in Rome that Gandolfini experienced a "medical emergency" in his room at Rome's Exedra hotel at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. He said a family member discovered Gandolfini, but he declined to say whom.

Organizers of the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily were scrambling to put together a tribute to Gandolfini, who had been expected to attend the festival's closing ceremony this weekend and receive an award. Organizers Mario Sesti and Tiziana Rocca said Gandolfini will instead be honored with a tribute "remembering his career and talent."

Sesti and Rocca said they had spoken to Gandolfini hours before his death "and he was very happy to receive this prize and be able to travel to Italy."

Edie Falco, who played Tony Soprano's wife Carmela on "The Sopranos," remembered him as a "man of tremendous depth and sensitivity."

"I am shocked and devastated by Jim's passing," she said in a statement. "I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family. As those of us in his pretend one hold on to the memories of our intense and beautiful time together. The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I've ever known."

Joe Gannascoli, who played Vito Spatafore on the drama series, said he was shocked and heartbroken.

"Fifty-one and leaves a kid – he was newly married. His son is fatherless now. ... It's way too young," Gannascoli said.

Gandolfini and his wife, Deborah, who were married in 2008, have a daughter, Liliana, born last year, HBO said. The actor and his former wife, Marcy, have a teenage son, Michael.

Gandolfini's performance in "The Sopranos" was his ticket to fame, but he evaded being stereotyped as a mobster after the drama's breathtaking blackout ending in 2007. In a December 2012 interview with The Associated Press, he was upbeat about the work he was getting post-Tony Soprano.

"I'm much more comfortable doing smaller things," Gandolfini said then. "I like them. I like the way they're shot; they're shot quickly. It's all about the scripts – that's what it is – and I'm getting some interesting little scripts."

He played Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in Kathryn Bigelow's Osama bin Laden hunt docudrama "Zero Dark Thirty." He worked with Chase for the `60s period drama "Not Fade Away," in which he played the old-school father of a wannabe rocker. And in Andrew Dominick's crime flick "Killing Them Softly," he played an aged, washed-up hit man.

On Broadway, he garnered a best-actor Tony Award nomination for 2009's "God of Carnage."

Deploying his unsought clout as a star, Gandolfini produced a pair of documentaries for HBO focused on a cause he held dear: veterans affairs.

He was mourned online in a flood of celebrity comments. "The great James Gandolfini passed away today. Only 51. I can't believe it," Bette Midler posted on her Twitter account.

"An extraordinary actor. RIP, Mr. Gandolfini," Robin Williams tweeted.

His final projects included the film "Animal Rescue," directed by Michael R. Roskam and written by Dennis Lehane, which has been shot and is expected to be released next year. He also had agreed to star in a seven-part limited series for HBO, "Criminal Justice," based on a BBC show. He had shot a pilot for an early iteration of the project.

While Tony Soprano was a larger-than-life figure, Gandolfini was exceptionally modest and obsessive – he described himself as "a 260-pound Woody Allen."

In past interviews, his cast mates had far more glowing descriptions to offer.

"I had the greatest sparring partner in the world, I had Muhammad Ali," said Lorraine Bracco, who, as Tony's psychiatrist Dr. Melfi, went one-on-one with Gandolfini in their penetrating therapy scenes. "He cares what he does, and does it extremely well."

Gandolfini grew up in Park Ridge in New Jersey, the son of a building maintenance chief at a Catholic school and a high school lunch lady.

After earning a degree in communications from Rutgers University, Gandolfini moved to New York, where he worked as a bartender, bouncer and nightclub manager. When he was 25, he joined a friend of a friend in an acting class.

Gandolfini's first big break was a Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" where he played Steve, one of Stanley Kowalski's poker buddies. His film debut was in Sidney Lumet's "A Stranger Among Us" (1992).

Director Tony Scott had praised Gandolfini's talent for fusing violence with charisma – which he would perfect in Tony Soprano.

Gandolfini played a tough guy in Scott's 1993 film "True Romance," who beat Patricia Arquette's character to a pulp while offering such jarring, flirtatious banter as, "You got a lot of heart, kid."

Scott called Gandolfini "a unique combination of charming and dangerous."

In his early career, Gandolfini had supporting roles in "Crimson Tide" (1995), "Get Shorty" (1995), "The Juror" (1996), Lumet's "Night Falls on Manhattan" (1997), "She's So Lovely" (1997), "Fallen" (1998) and "A Civil Action" (1998). But it was "True Romance" that piqued the interest of Chase.

In his 2012 AP interview, Gandolfini said he gravitated to acting as a release, a way to get rid of anger. "I don't know what exactly I was angry about," he said.

"I try to avoid certain things and certain kinds of violence at this point," he said last year. "I'm getting older, too. I don't want to be beating people up as much. I don't want to be beating women up and those kinds of things that much anymore."

___

Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers David Bauder, John Carucci, Jake Coyle and Frazier Moore in New York; Nicole Winfield in Rome, and Shaya Tayefe Mohajer and Sandy Cohen in Los Angeles.

A Guide To Wearing Shorts

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Follow this simple guide for everything you need to know about wearing shorts this summer.

What are shorts?
Shorts are very similar to pants. In fact, some might call them "short pants" or "mini britches" but you should call them "shorts" if you don't want to get funny looks.
shorts

How do shorts work?
Shorts are applied to the person, again, much like pants. However, you should be aware that your legs are going to come out into the open air much faster with shorts than with pants and you should be prepared for that.
man legs


What will happen when I wear shorts?

Your legs will be visible to other people.
knees

What should I do to prepare for wearing shorts?
Mentally prepare yourself. Remind yourself that your legs will be exposed to the elements and the peering eyeballs of strangers and loved ones alike. Be sure to make your peace with that.
man legs

Should I wear shorts?
The answer to this question lies at the end of a long journey of self discovery that many are too frightened to embark upon.
summer shorts

When should I wear shorts?
The decision is yours alone. Just look at your watch and ask, "is it leg time?"
summer

Which shorts are right for me?
Anything but cargo shorts.
shorts

Are there any side effects from shorts?
Aside from tan lines and possible spikes or dips in self esteem, you might end up with a shorts-related nickname like Sir Shorts-a-Lot.
summer shorts

Why do people wear shorts?
Science has yet to provide an explanation as to why people wear shorts. We may never know.
shorts man

The 'Freaks & Geeks' Are Still Friends

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Can you ever really leave the past behind? Not if you're Linda Cardellini.

Although her face is now a familiar one thanks to her role as Don Draper's (Jon Hamm) latest mistress Sylvia on "Mad Men," Cardellini got her start playing Lindsay Weir on "Freaks And Geeks" from 1999-2000.

The series was short-lived -- it lasted only a season -- it's responsible for launching the careers of actors like James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Busy Philipps. And according to Cardellini, they've all remained friends.

"Oh, we see each other. You constantly run into each other," Cardellini explained while on HuffPost Live. "Busy, I just gave her a baby shower. Sarah Hagan, I was just invited to her art show. It's a small world in this business.

"It was such an amazing time in all of our lives and careers," she said. "It's one of the most special things I've been a part of."

Catch Cardellini on "Mad Men," Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.

'Daily Show' Diagnoses Paula Deen With 'Type 2 Racism'

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On Thursday, John Oliver tucked into the Paula Deen racism story with gusto and seemed to enjoy every buttery bite.

After taking us through Deen's outrageous testimony, Oliver turned to correspondent Jessica Williams who diagnosed the celebrity chef with either type 1 or type 2 racism. Unfortunately, Williams explained, there is no cure, but Deen can manage her symptoms.

When Oliver commended Williams for generously offering suggestions to someone who had said something so hurtful, Williams put it all into perspective: "Oh, please. Paula Deen's words aren't hurting black people anywhere near as much as her recipes are."

Check out Oliver set up the story with some rapid fire jokes above (his southern accent is back again!), and Williams' scathingly funny analysis below.

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