Sandra Bullock gives Jesse James a Second Chance

It's been no secret that Jesse James has been working overtime to win
back ex-wife Sandra Bullock, and now sources tell me all his efforts
have -- woh! -- actually paid off.

"Sandra has made it clear that Jesse is the love of her life," a
friend of the actress tells me. "She's not the sort of lady that just
stops loving someone, no matter what he did behind her back. Sandra
misses him and their life together every single day. You have to
remember Sandra raised Sunny [Jesse's 6-year-old daughter] as her own
for the past five years. Packing her school lunches, brushing her
hair, reading her bedtime stories. Sandra even took care of Sunny
while Jesse was getting help in rehab."
Sandra and Jesse have been in constant contact since the day in March
that Sandra left, however, sources tell me that recently their
conversations have been less and less about the children and more
about the two of them and everyday stuff.

"Jesse has made her smile again. She can finally have a normal
conversation with him again without focusing on the pain and anger," a
friend of Sandra's tells me. "She really is the most amazing person
you will ever meet. Her heart is big and open; holding onto anger
makes you bitter and twisted and that's not and never will be who she
is."

FILE - In this March 7, 2010 file photo, Sandra Bullock and Jesse
James arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, Calif.
Sandra Bullock won the best actress award for her role in "The Blind
Side." (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File)

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James Pics

In this publicity image released by ABC, correspondent Vicky Mabrey,
left, is shown with Jesse James, husband of actress Sandra Bullock
during an interview for "Nightline," on Wednesday May 12, 2010 in Long
Beach, Calif. The interview will air on Tuesday, May 25, at 11:35 p.m.
EST on ABC. (AP Photo/ABC, Patrick Wymore)

Sandra's friend says Jesse has been charming the actress with stories
of mundane tasks he's been undertaking at his new home in Austin,
which happens to be just 16 miles from her Texas digs.

"She thinks its hilarious listening to him talking about what towels
he needs to buy or that Sunny wants to paint the entire house pink!
She would always be in charge of looking after the home in the past
and knows interior decorating and Jesse is not a good fit."

In her first interview after the split, Sandra made it clear how
important Jesse's children were to her, saying, "I don't want to know
what life is like without those kids." And now that the court has
approved Jesse's petition to let him take Sunny away from her
biological mother, Janine Lindemulder, Sandra wont have to.

Jesse and Sunny, as well as his other children, Chandler, 15, and
Jesse Jr., 12, will all relocate to Austin, just minutes away from the
place Sandra calls home. And with Jesse's new workplace, a motorcycle
shop just steps away from Walton's Fancy & Staple, a deli and grocery
that Sandra owns, they will be seeing even more of each other.

However, its not just the children that have brought the couple back
together. Famed M.D. Keith Ablow explains, "Infidelity is almost never
a reason why educated, introspective and forgiving people stay
separated or divorced. If other facets of the relationship are present
-- including commitment to one's children and an overriding sense that
life is more meaningful together than apart -- then marriages can not
only survive infidelity, but end up stronger, despite it."

Jesse ex-wife agrees, telling this week's issue of Life & Style
magazine, "They want to exclude me. He will do anything to get back in
her good graces."

And whatever he's doing seems to be working.

LINDSAY LOHAN FACES PARIS HILTON TREATMENT IN JAIL

Inside a nondescript two-story building next to a busy freeway in an industrial neighborhood far removed from Hollywood is where Lindsay Lohan will likely spend several weeks as part of her punishment for violating her DUI probation.

Lohan is slated to begin her sentence Tuesday at the bleak, 16-year-old Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, Calif., just south of downtown Los Angeles. The actress would be housed in the 2,200-bed facility's special needs unit, where she would live in isolation for her own safety.

Thanks to jail overcrowding and a state program that credits inmates for good behavior, nonviolent female misdemeanor offenders such as Lohan typically serve only about 25 percent of their sentences, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

That means Lohan's 90-day sentence could be reduced to about three weeks and she could be out of jail in time for the premiere of "Machete," the action-thriller opening Sept. 3 that stars Lohan as a nun.

It won't be Lohan's first time inside the lockup, which has served as Los Angeles County's only all-female jail since 2006. The actress spent about 84 minutes there in 2007 for a drunken driving offense, reduced from her already trimmed daylong sentence because of the overpopulation issue. She was searched, fingerprinted and placed in a holding cell but allowed to keep wearing her street clothes.

This time, with a much longer sentence, the 24-year-old "Mean Girls" and "Georgia Rule" star will most certainly have to trade her sparkly Pamella Roland jumpsuit — or whatever ensemble she decides to wear going in — for a jail-issued orange one. Lohan will also be asked to arrive empty-handed and must surrender any jewelry.
Besides the jumpsuit, Lohan will also be given a set of simple toiletries that all inmates receive: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, deodorant, shampoo and shaving implements. Paris Hilton received one for her own secluded 23-day stay in 2007 for reckless driving charges, according to Whitmore.

Like other inmates in the special-needs area, Lohan will be served her meals in her cell and will be allowed outside the 12-foot-by-8-foot space for at least an hour each day. With only a public pay phone at her disposal, the frequent micro-blogger will likely be silent on Twitter during her incarceration. Cell phones and computers aren't allowed inside.
Alexis Neiers, the reality TV starlet from E!'s "Pretty Wild," is currently serving a six-month sentence in
Lynwood after being implicated in a break-in at Orlando Bloom's home. Neiers' mother, Andrea Arlington, has criticized the jail's conditions on Twitter, suggesting the water made her daughter sick and that Neiers wasn't receiving items ordered from the commissary.

Neiers' lawyer, Jeffrey Rubenstein, said the 19-year-old aspiring model had a difficult time at first adjusting to her solitary life, from eating "really bad food" like noodles and apples to being woken up throughout the night. Rubenstein, who visited Neiers last Tuesday, said the folks inside the facility are buzzing about the potential arrival of Lohan.
Other celebs who have been housed at the jail include Daryl Hannah, who spent a few hours there in 2006 after being picked up for trespassing during a tree-sitting demonstration. Nicole Richie and Khloe Kardashian both spent less than a day there in 2007 and 2008 for their respective drunken driving charges.

Michelle Rodriguez has served time in Lynwood twice. The "Lost" actress showed up in 2006 to complete a 60-day sentence for violating her probation following a drunken driving arrest but was released after a few hours because the jail was overcrowded. She returned in 2007 for a 180-day sentence after another probation violation. She erved 18 days.

For more comfortable accommodations, Lohan could petition the court to "pay to stay" in one of about a dozen smaller jails, such as those located in nearby Beverly Hills, Burbank or Glendale, home of the 5-year-old jail where a judge allowed Kiefer Sutherland to serve 48 days in 2007 and 2008 for his drunken driving charge because of county jail overcrowding.

But there would be trade-offs: If approved by her sentencing judge, Lohan's stay at one of these suburban jails could cost her between $75 and $120 a day. And she would probably serve more of her 90-day sentence at these facilities because they aren't as overcrowded as Lynwood.

'TRUE BLOOD' POLL: WHICH MONSTER MATCH ARE YOU ROOTING FOR MOST?

On Sunday's (July 18) episode of "True Blood," things went to hell in a hand basket pretty fast, but there were some rays of light.First, the bad news: Eric discovered that he and Russell may have met in his past life and it wasn't a joyful introduction. It's also getting very close to the deadline that The Magister gave Eric for bringing back Bill and Russell is in no hurry to help. Poor Pam. And after meeting with the "packmaster," Sookie and Alcide realize that all roads lead back to Russell.On the other hand, we saw lots of love blossom in the same episode. Jesus (played by Kevin Alejandro) stopped by Merlotte's to claim him some Lafayette.

The mysterious Crystal (Lindsay Pulsipher) found herself arrested by a shirtless Jason Stackhouse. And Franklin proved he's crazy in love with Tara (OK, so maybe she wasn't exactly swept off her feet - at least not of her own free will) with an unexpected proposal. Also, Sam may have found a new buddy in little bro, Tommy. Plus, Terry and Arlene, who he thinks is his baby-mama, took their relationship to the next level by moving in together.

So, which burgeoning relationship are you rooting for the most?survey software

Lindsay 'Suffering From a Disease' I Am All Too Familiar With

Lindsay Lohan's new attorney Robert Shapiro is telling ET that he is taking on her case and shares his hopes for his client.

Shapiro tells ET, "I have agreed to represent Ms. Lohan on the condition that she complies with all of the terms of her probation, including a requirement of jail time that was imposed by Judge Marsha Revel."

Shapiro, who is known for formerly representing O.J. Simpson in the '90s, went on to say, "Ms. Lohan is suffering from a disease that I am all too familiar with. Hopefully, I can be of assistance to Ms. Lohan and Judge Revel in implementing a treatment approach recommended by medical professionals for Ms. Lohan's long-term recovery and sobriety."

Lohan is expected to turn herself in and serve jail time by July 20 after Judge Revel deemed she had violated the terms of her probation related to a 2007 DUI case.

Lindsay Lohan’s Day in Court (July 6, 2010)

Dr. Drew On Lindsay Lohan: She Has 'Great Potential For Treatment'

Dr. Drew Pinsky says Lindsay Lohan may be on the right track.

With the actress' decision to enter the Pickford Lofts sober-living
facilities and hire attorney Robert Shapiro (who founded the Lofts),
the "Celebrity Rehab" star told Access Hollywood's Tony Potts on
Friday that he was optimistic for Lindsay.

"This girl has great potential for treatment," he told Tony. "Mandate
a year, have three years of urine toxicology to follow that - this
girl would do very well.

"She should've gone in the day she left the courtroom," he added of
Lindsay's arrival in the sober-living home. "This judge has had enough
of her nonsense. [Lindsay's] active in her disease. She's lying and
blaming and doing these things that addicts do. There's evidence now
that she's on pharmaceutical medications, which explains why [there
is] all this craziness."

Dr. Drew added that he is concerned that Lindsay will stay on her
various medications, which, in previously revealed court documents,
include Adderall, Zoloft and other prescription drugs, during her
90-day jail sentence.

"Presumably they will give her some medical management. They may just
continue her on those medications. Not only could jail potentially
harden her, she may end up on these pharmaceuticals the entire time,"
he said, noting those decisions will come down to Lindsay's doctors.

He also praised her new attorney and showed sympathy for Lindsay's
longtime attorney Shawn Chapman Holley, who asked to exit the case not
long after Judge Marsha Revel sentenced Lindsay to jail time.

"It's very frustrating to deal with people like this," Dr. Drew said.
"Robert Shapiro's a great guy, dedicated to treating addicts. How
sincere [Lindsay's] attachment is to the process remains to be seen...
My fear is that something is going to happen to her before she finds
that motivation to get well."

The reality doc also weighed in on his past Twitter sparring with
Lindsay, explaining he felt the actress was linking him to her father,
Michael Lohan.

"I represent her father to her," he said. "She's had a very tumultuous
and traumatizing experience with her dad. Her dad is now appropriately
advocating on her behalf but she can't see that. She sees just the
past and somehow I get linked up with that, too."

Lindsay is due to report to jail on Tuesday. In a statement to Access
Hollywood on Friday, Shapiro said the star would accept the
"requirement of jail."

"I have agreed to represent Ms. Lohan on the condition she comply with
the terms of probation, including a requirement of jail, imposed by
Judge Marsha Revel," Shapiro said in the statement. "Ms. Lohan is
suffering from a disease that I am all too familiar with. Hopefully, I
can be of assistance to Ms. Lohan and Judge Revel in implementing a
treatment approach recommended by medical professionals for Ms.
Lohan's long term recovery and sobriety."

7 Secrets to Staying Fit on the Road

Finding the time and energy on a daily basis to exercise and eat right can be difficult. Throw in frequent business travel, and the task can seem almost impossible. To ensure that your hard work at home doesn't go by the wayside on the road, there are a few simple steps that you can take to keep your waistline and calorie intake in check.

1. Include Workouts in Your Travel Itinerary
Exercising on the road is just like working out at home — it requires planning and commitment. If you don't plan to exercise on a regular basis, it's not going to happen.

When we travel, we schedule. From airline reservations and rental cars to hotel reservations and itineraries, every detail of the trip is planned well in advance. So why not schedule your workout like you do a meeting? Put it on your calendar and e-mail yourself a reminder so you don't forget.

Get Bikini-Ready: Burn off 2 sizes by summer with this workout plan.

If possible, exercise in the morning. When you travel, the days can be long and last-minute client dinners can interfere with 
your evening workout. Exercising in the morning helps ensure success.

2. Determine How You Will Exercise on Your Trip Before You Leave
Most hotels have gyms. Call before you travel to determine the gym's hours and range of equipment. Once you know what the hotel offers, you can decide whether you will need to bring additional equipment, like exercise bands or a swimsuit if there's a pool.

On the road: Is your destination one of the 25 top walking cities?

In addition, DVD players are readily accessible in hotel rooms or on laptops. If you have a favorite exercise DVD, bring it along and do the routine in your hotel room.

3. Don't Forget Your Tennis Shoes
When you travel for business, you would never think of leaving your laptop or cell phone behind. The same should hold true for your tennis shoes and workout gear. Just as your computer provides the tools you need for your work, your tennis shoes offer a wealth of exercise possibilities.

4. Don't Be Rigid When it Comes to Your Fitness Routine
When you travel, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by flight delays, traffic snarls and scheduling changes. If you miss your "scheduled" workout, a short exercise routine is better than nothing. Consider doing sit-ups or yoga stretches in your room, or running up and down the stairs in the hotel a few times. Even 10 minutes of activity can make a difference.

Another good place to get exercise is in the airport. If your plane is boarding at the farthest end of the concourse, you can skip the electronic walkways and power walk to the gate (just remember to wear comfortable shoes). And if you hate layovers, make the most of your time by taking a power walk around the airport. Again, every little bit helps.

5. Pack Healthy Snacks
When you make a list of things to take while you travel, make sure to include granola bars, apples, or better yet, make your own trail mix that you can enjoy on the plane or in your hotel room.

Not only will the snacks tide you over until your next meal, they also will ensure that you don't make a late-night trip to the vending machine or an afternoon jaunt to the coffee shop for a pastry.

And, always, ALWAYS carry water. Traveling dehydrates the body. Water satisfies hunger and helps you stay alert.

6. Have it Your Way
Remember that restaurants are there to serve you. In addition to ordering your salad dressing on the side, ask that your meal be prepared to your specifications. Replace potatoes with steamed vegetables, ask for sauces on the side, and request a "to-go" box for half your meal. Or consider eating soup and a salad instead of a large entrée.

Also, if you are required to attend cocktail parties, order a glass of water between each beverage. Whether you drink alcohol, soda, or coffee, water decreases the calories that you consume and counteracts the effects of alcohol and caffeine.

7. At the Very Least, Try Not to Lose Ground
If you know that you are going to eat more when you travel, make sure that you institute some type of daily exercise so that you balance the increase in calories with physical activity. While it may not be realistic to think that you will lose weight while traveling, you will feel better if you maintain some healthy habits.

While traveling for business offers some challenges to your exercise routine, a little creativity can go a long way to helping you stay fit at home and on the road.

NBC comic rips his own network

As one of the judges on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," comic Andy Kindler tempered his annual State of the Industry address at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal. For about a minute.

"Now that I'm on an NBC show, I don't appreciate that kind of thing," Kindler said Friday, a day after fellow comic Lewis Black a day earlier savaged network TV executives during his Just For Laughs keynote address.

Kindler defended the industry for working hard. "They're good people. It's not our job to make fun of people that are low-balling me on my contract."

With that off his chest, Kindler promptly slammed NBC's "Parks and Recreation." "Can we all admit that 'Parks and Recreation' is horrible? Is this something we would all know, but don't say? Maybe everything should not be improv'd," he told a packed conference room at the Hyatt Regency hotel, headquarters for the Montreal comedy festival.

Kindler also poked fun at the "Today Show" for tourists standing outside the set window waving. "I don't like to wake up in the morning and see people desperately waving and trying to connect with their families."

There were also thoughts on the recent Tina Fey and Steve Carrel romantic comedy "Date Night." "You tell me that 'Date Night' was good? I'm not going to see it. I will debate you on it, having no knowledge of the footage in the film. I was next to someone on the plane watching it, and they were dozing off," he deadpanned.

Even comic-turned-drama actor Mo'Nique became a target. "Why did God have to make Mo'Nique a good actress? What was God thinking when he decided to give Monique acting chops. Now we have to endure Mo'Nique comedy specials," Kindler said.

He recalled the "Precious" Oscar winner's recent appearance on "Barbara Walters' Oscar Night Special." "She said, 'Don't do what's popular, do what's right.' Except in the case of my comedy, where I'll hack it up," Kindler said, breaking up the room.

Also coming in for a Kindler slam was George Lopez of the self-titled ABC sitcom. "George Lopez is always on the verge of hilarity. If he could ever think of something funny to say, if he had a funny thought in his mind, he's ready to go. He's got the look on his face when you're ready to deliver a funny punchline -- and then nothing."

Before he closed off with his trademark jabs at Jay Leno, Kindler put in a word about his next possible sidekick: "The replacement for (band leader) Kevin Eubanks will be expected to spit up blood at the end of each joke.

Mad Men' Funny Girl Crista Flanagan Poses For Playboy

Crista Flanagan is ready to drive Playboy readers "Mad."

The "Mad Men" actress, who plays Lois Sadler -- a scatterbrained switchboard operator -- on the hit AMC show, appears in an eight-page spread in the August issue of the iconic men's magazine.

Crista's 1960s-inspired Playboy shoot pays tribute to her TV series, paying homage to the style, dress, makeup, poses and setting of the celebrated era.

"I got there and they had a little area for my wardrobe, and I felt okay when I walked in and saw all the beautiful shoes," Crista said to Playboy in an interview for the magazine.

Playboy decided to recreate two covers from past issues that had been published forty plus years ago. "Mad Men's" funny girl undressed for replications of the magazine's April 1969 cover with Sharon Kristie and for their November 1960 cover with Toni Lacey.

Alongside the eight-page pictorial is an essay titled "It's a Mad World," which was written in the '60s by provocative ad man George Lois. Accompanying the passage are advertisements that had been featured in Playboy issues throughout the decade.

This is Crista's first time undressing for a mass-distributed publication.

"It scared me," the "Mad Men" on-screen dim-wit admitted to Playboy. "[But] I thought it was exciting that something still scared me."

The August issue of Playboy hit newsstands today.

Asthma - Causes & Risks

Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, and can lead to wheezing sounds.

Most people with asthma have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some patients have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. In others, a cough may be the main symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.

In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances (called allergens or triggers).

Common asthma triggers include:

• Animals (pet hair or dander)
• Dust
• Changes in weather (most often cold weather)
• Chemicals in the air or in food
• Exercise
• Mold
• Pollen
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Strong emotions (stress)
• Tobacco smoke

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provoke asthma in some patients.

Many people with asthma have an individual or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others have no history of allergies.

ZSA ZSA GABOR TO HAVE SURGERY AFTER BREAKING HIP

Zsa Zsa Gabor will undergo hip replacement surgery Monday after suffering a fall last night at home, her publicist tells ET.

The 93-year-old star was watching "Jeopardy" in her Bel Air home when she reached to answer the phone and fell out of bed, said publicist John Blanchette. An ambulance was called by Gabor's husband, Prince Frederic Von Anhalt, who says he heard his wife scream after she fell.

Blanchette said several bones were broken in the fall,but he didn't provide other details of her injuries. He added that the actress remains in a Los Angeles hospital with her husband and other family members at her side.  

The star -- who appeared in such films as 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Lili' and 'Touch of Evil' -- has rarely been seen in public since a 2002 car accident which left her partially paralyzed.

Detectives get recordings in Mel Gibson custody case

Detectives investigating Mel Gibson on a possible domestic violence case have received audio recordings from a court handling a child custody matter, authorities said Thursday.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said CDs were turned over during a closed session in the custody case. The hearing was attended by several sheriff's investigators, including detectives who look into possible child abuse.

Whitmore declined to say Thursday whether the investigation into Gibson had expanded. "I'm not going to get into why they're there," he said of the detectives from the Special Victims Bureau.

He said investigators would try to authenticate the recordings, but declined to say how much audio was received from the court.

Detectives are looking into allegations that Gibson harmed ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva during a January confrontation. He said he would not speculate on when the case would be turned over to prosecutors, who will decide whether Gibson should face criminal charges.

Gibson and Grigorieva, 40, are locked in a bitter custody dispute over their 8-month-old daughter. Neither one appeared in court for a daylong session on Thursday. The hearing was attended by numerous attorneys, including Gibson's criminal lawyer, Blair Berk.

The attorneys declined comment after the hearing ended around 4:30 p.m.

Gibson, 54, did get some support from his estranged wife, Robyn, who filed a brief declaration stating that the actor-director did not physically abuse her or her children. Mel and Robyn Gibson have seven children together, only one of whom is younger than 18 years old.

Like all documents in the custody dispute, Robyn Gibson's declaration is sealed. A source familiar with the case who was not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press that Gibson's estranged wife filed the declaration so that people didn't wonder about his conduct during their 28-year marriage.

"She really wanted to set the record straight and protect her family," the source said.

Robyn Gibson filed for divorce in April 2009. The case is ongoing.

Mel Gibson and Grigorieva have been locked in a custody dispute over their infant daughter for several weeks. The former couple reached a confidential custody agreement earlier this year after they broke up, but the matter is now being decided by a family law judge.

It is unclear whether the recordings received by detectives include those that have been posted by the celebrity website RadarOnline.com since Friday. The site has posted more than 20 minutes of recordings of arguments between a man who sounds distinctly like Gibson and a woman identified by the site as Grigorieva.

In the profanity-laced clips, the man is heard using two racial slurs and several derogatory terms for women.

Whitmore said detectives still hope to speak to Gibson, who has not yet been interviewed.

"It's not going to be rushed," Whitmore said.

Taylor Lautner: Teen Wolverine?

"Twilight" heartthrob Taylor Lautner makes a fine wolf, but could he play a Wolverine?

The upcoming "X-Men: First Class" chronicles the teen years of many of the Marvel Comics team's most popular heroes, and while Hugh Jackman believes 18-year-old Lautner could be a good choice to portray a younger version of his razor-sharp character, he does have some concerns.

"My only question is, can he grow mutton chops?" 41-year-old Jackman joked to E! Online about the smooth-skinned actor, who has not been cast in the movie.

But perhaps recalling the "Twilight" franchise's box office records led to Jackman reconsidering his position.

"Actually, I think people would probably prefer him as a hairless Wolverine than a rather hairy-chested version," the Aussie actor said. "Certainly about a billion young girls would!"

Apple offers free cases for iPhone 4 reception problem

 After a presentation saying the iPhone 4's reception problems have been "blown way out of proportion," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said Friday that all owners will receive free cases to fix the issue.

People who already paid for a case, which reduces interference, will get a refund, Jobs said.

"We're not perfect; phones aren't perfect," Jobs said. "We want to make all our users happy."

Customers will be able to visit an Apple store for a free case between now and September 30. Jobs said Apple has not made enough bumpers -- hard rubber bands that cover only the edges of the phone -- to offer them free.

The iPhone 4 set Apple sales records after its release June 24, drawing positive reviews from tech bloggers and almost religious fervor from Apple fanatics who lined up for hours to get their hands on one.

The smartphone has sold more than 3 million units, Jobs said Friday, and has been the most successful product launch in Apple history. He maintained that, despite the reception issue, the phone remains "our best product ever."

"It's not like Apple has had its head in the sand on this," Jobs said. "It's only been 22 days."

But just hours after its release, reports of a problem with reception began surfacing.

Video: 'We're human, we make mistakes'
Video: iPhone 4 still has lots of fans
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Apple iPhone
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Analysts found that holding a certain spot on the metal band around the edge of the phone leads to interference, causing weakened reception and, sometimes, dropped calls. The band houses the phone's antenna, part of a design that made the sleek iPhone 4 about 25 percent thinner than its predecessors.

The complaints reached critical mass Monday, when vaunted product tester Consumer Reports gave the phone a "can't recommend" rating after verifying the problem.

The report pushed the problem onto the sets of late-night comedians, creating a rare public-relations crisis for Apple, which has enjoyed positive reviews for years for products including its iPhone, iPad and MacBook laptop computers.

Read CNNMoney's coverage of the Apple announcement.

Jobs set up Friday's announcement with a lecture-style presentation, noting that all mobile phone antennas have problems and showing what he said was video of similar reception issues on other smartphones.

Even as he made the announcement, Jobs said that returns of the iPhone 4, which have been 1.7 percent, have been lower than the 6 percent return rate for the previous generation iPhone 3GS.

He did acknowledge that the iPhone 4 drops more calls than the 3GS but said the difference is less than one call per 100.

He said only a small percentage of users have been affected.

"We care about every user," he said. "We're not going to stop until every user is happy."

Jobs bristled when asked about media reports that an Apple technician told him about the reception problem before the phone was released.

"Total bulls---," he said.

He wrapped up the news conference with a parting shot at media coverage of the issue.

Fortune: Did Apple solve its PR problem?

"I wish we could have done this for you in the first 24 or 48 hours, but then you wouldn't have had as much to write," Jobs said.

Early reactions to the announcement were lukewarm in the online tech community.

"From a customer's point of view, this is a really unsatisfying response, because a lot of people feel like the bumper cases -- or cases of any kind -- are just not that pretty," said Dylan Tweney, an editor at Wired.com. "They definitely make the phone look less attractive than it does by itself."

Why iPhone case makers aren't hitting the jackpot

Huffington Post tech columnist Larry Magid wrote that while he was "pretty pleased" with Apple's response to a relatively minor issue, he thought Jobs sounded unnecessarily defensive.

"Truth be told, iPhone users can get a signal just as well as with any other phone as long they don't put their finger on the little crack in the lower left side of the wraparound metal antenna," he wrote.

Responses from CNN Tech readers ranged from dismissive to upbeat. "I think the whole thing is a big fuss over nothing," said a reader responding to the CNN Tech feed on Twitter. "It certainly won't stop me getting one. The free case is more than enough."

Tweney acknowledged that the problem is relatively minor in the grand scheme of things but that by downplaying it so much, Jobs and Apple run the risk of still not seeming sympathetic.

"This press conference does absolutely nothing to alleviate the impression that Apple is an arrogant company led by an extremely self-confident, arrogant CEO," he said. "There's no doubt about that. But they believe they're in the right and that there's not a serious problem."

In other iPhone 4 news, Jobs said that white phones will be shipping by the end of July. So far, only the black version of the phone has been available. He also said Apple plans to release the phone in 17 more countries on July 30.

'West Wing' creator takes on John Edwards

With "Charlie Wilson's War" and "The West Wing" among his writing credits, Aaron Sorkin is no stranger to political drama.

Now he'll make his feature directorial debut with a movie about former presidential candidate John Edwards and his affair with mistress Rielle Hunter.

The writer/producer has acquired the rights to Andrew Young's book, "The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down," CNN confirmed.


"This is a first-hand account of an extraordinary story filled with motivations, decisions and consequences that would have lit Shakespeare up," said Sorkin, who will write and produce the film.

In the book, Young, a confidant of Edwards, details the demands Edwards made of him during his 2008 campaign. But, Sorkin added, "There's much more to Andrew's book than what has been reported, and I'm grateful that he's trusting me with it."

Now the big question is: Who will play Edwards? Any chance Tim Daly or Harry Hamlin are available?

10 most memorable big-screen dance scenes

This summer, as "Grease" returns to theaters in sing-a-long form (it's
being billed as "the original high school musical"), and the
surprisingly unstoppable "Step Up" series releases its third
installment (in 3-D, no less), it's clear: Films that feature dance
are bigger than ever.

Accordingly, we've compiled a list of some of the best dance scenes
ever shown on-screen.

Grease

Pollyanna-ish Sandy needn't have bothered with her bad-girl makeover:
She'd already won Danny's heart. But we love the way Olivia
Newton-John and John Travolta's tight, black, "greaser" duds contrast
with their super-sunny singing and dancing in this 1978 musical's fun
finale.

Funny Face

In the 1957 musical, Audrey Hepburn played an amateur philosopher
turned reluctant fashion model (opposite dance legend Fred Astaire).
The beatnik black ensemble she wore for a scene in which she broke out
into a Bohemian-style routine is still chic; the sequence was
repurposed by Gap in a 2006 ad for "skinny black pants."

Step Up

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan worked as professional dancers prior to
being cast in this 2006 sleeper hit; their expert moves (and, as seen
here, ultra-realistic rehearsal gear) were a big reason for the film's
unexpected success. (Their obvious chemistry -- they started dating as
soon filming wrapped and married last summer -- didn't hurt either.)

Chicago

In 2002, Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere
starred in this Hollywood version of the popular musical. The film's
critical and commercial success paved the way for subsequent
stage-to-screen adaptations like Rent, Phantom of the Opera,
Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and even Mamma Mia. (And didn't Renée look
divine as 1920's-era murderess/aspiring showgirl Roxie Hart?)

Flashdance

This 1983 movie about an eighteen-year-old steel worker/aspiring
dancer was responsible for the slashing of a million sweatshirts; the
insouciant off-the-shoulder style worn by actress Jennifer Beals is
still popular. (The scene in which she douses herself, mid-dance, with
a bucketful of water, is just as difficult to forget.)

Saturday Night Fever

John Travolta went from sitcom star to big-screen sensation after this
movie's 1977 release. His white three-piece suit and impossibly smooth
moves combined with a best-selling soundtrack by the Bee Gees made
disco more popular than ever.

Center Stage

Starring a mix of little-known young actors -- like future Avatar star
Zoe Saldana--and professional ballet dancers, this 2000 film followed
students at a fictional New York City dance school. There was a run on
red toe shoes after star Amanda Schull donned them for the high-energy
workshop scene (in which she twirled to a pop soundtrack of Michael
Jackson and Jamiroquai).

Footloose

A much-delayed remake is scheduled to debut in 2011, but we're not
sure it's possible to improve on the 1984 original -- we particularly
like the scene in which small-town transplant Ren McCormack (Kevin
Bacon) dances his troubles away in an empty warehouse. The setting,
along with his super-basic sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers, set off
his transcendent steps.

West Side Story

A New York City-set update of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the 1961
film is beset by tragedy in the second half. But Rita Moreno's
spirited, twirling defense of "America" is -- much like the hot-house
colors of the ladies' dresses -- nothing short of exuberant.

Dirty Dancing

The rolled-up jean shorts that Jennifer Grey wore throughout this
1963-set flick proved almost as popular in 1987 as the film itself.
And who didn't love the final scene, in which Baby and Johnny (Patrick
Swayze) "dirty" danced to (and even lip-synced along with) the
then-contemporary song "I've Had the Time of My Life"?