As I was finishing a cheeseburger at Manhattans 21 Club last night, I saw my colleagues eyes suddenly fixated over my shoulder. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner had taken seats at a table right behind me.
When Donald Trump entered shortly thereafter, the room was abuzz. Some people stood up, some applauded, though it wasnt universal. But, unlike the daily protests outside Trump Tower, there was no outward hostility from the patrons. He appeared at ease, making his way around the room, shaking hands with those who offered, before finding his table.
He sat down between his wife Melania and daughter Tiffany. One of my dinner companions identified us as journalists from Bloomberg News. Now, we had been there for a couple hours at that point and were disconnected from the news. We soon discovered that Trumps campaign had said he was in for the night and hadnt notified the press corps he had left Trump Tower. A colleagues tweet that erroneously said we were at another restaurant -- Keens, not 21 Club -- inadvertently sent others in the press into a frenzy.
Twitter: Taylor Riggs on Twitter
The Trumps werent particularly loud during their meal, perhaps wary of being overheard from their place in the center of the room. I caught whiffs of analysis about their 60 Minutes interview on Sunday and vague references to a woman who would make a great press secretary. The Secret Service had a presence but wasnt suffocating.
The president-elect got a burger with fries and a drink that a colleague thought was a virgin b****y Mary. (He doesnt drink alcohol.) So, technically, it wasnt a steak dinner. At $36, though, the burgers among the citys most expensive.
Twitter: Brian Chappatta on Twitter
Im not exactly a regular at 21 Club but my first editor at Bloomberg News has a tradition of taking me and three other reporters out to a fancy dinner once a year.
When our meal ended, we wandered over to the front bar room. An hour later, people lined up to see Trump and his family exit.(An NBC video would show him saying well get your taxes down as he made his way out.) Only one or two people among the dozens clapped. Many of the others were frantically snapping pictures with their smartphones. One man nearby shouted Thank you, Donald.
Twitter: Bradd Jaffy on Twitter
Minutes later, perhaps even on the short ride home, he was back on Twitter.
Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!
Before it"s here, it"s on the Bloomberg Terminal. LEARN MORE
David Blaine Magic Tricks on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 1
What do Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, Toronto Raptors global ambassador Drake and comedian Dave Chappelle have in common? All of them were a part of magician David Blaine"s ABC special "Beyond Magic" which aired on Tuesday, and all of them were completely freaked out when Blaine did one of his tricks.
Watch:
Yeah, that"s terrifying. And it tells you something: famous people are just like you and me, at least when it comes to squirming when you see someone spit frogs out of his mouth right next to you. Let"s get to the GIFs.
Drake and Butler want no part of this:
Butler is not having a good time:
Chappelle doesn"t want his eyes to work anymore:
Curry can"t believe it:
Nothing about this is good. How have any of these people slept since then?
Skip Bayless says not to write off Tony Romo as the Dallas Cowboys QB yet | UNDISPUTED
FRISCO, Texas -- For the purposes of this conversation, let"s assume quarterback Dak Prescott starts the remainder of the season, performs well and the Dallas Cowboys make a playoff run -- if not finish with a Super Bowl victory.
What happens to former starter Tony Romo in 2017?
Romo is signed through 2019 and has base salaries of $14.5 million, $19.5 million and $20.5 million remaining on his deal with cap figures of $24.7 million, $25.2 million and $23.7 million.
Here is a look at the options:
Same as it ever was: The Cowboys don"t have to do anything. Prescott"s rookie contract helps them absorb Romo"s cap figure in 2017, even if they want him as a backup. But that is not really practical, considering the decisions the Cowboys will have to make in terms of trying to sign Zack Martin to perhaps the largest contract in the NFL for a guard, keep Ronald Leary or add pieces to the defense in the offseason.
The Cowboys could ask Romo to take a paycut, but they should have too much respect for Romo to do that. They did not make an offer to DeMarcus Ware two years ago before releasing him for fear of insulting him and his legacy. They wouldn"t do that to Romo, either.
Splitting up: Considering all of the photo alterations going on, the biggest assumption is that Romo will be in another jersey in 2017.
If the Cowboys simply release Romo once the season ends, they would save $5.1 million in 2017 cap space but he would still count $19.6 million against the cap. That"s a lot of dead money, but the Cowboys might believe ripping the Band-Aid off in one motion is the best way to handle their cap.
The Cowboys could save more cap room by designating him a post-June 1 cut, which would save them $14 million in 2017. He would count $10.7 million against the cap in 2017 and $8.9 million against the cap in 2018. The cap credit, however, does not come until June 1, 2017, so they would not see the benefit of the extra space in free agency. Some of that money could go to signing their draft picks next year and be carried over to the 2018 cap for extra space.
Reworking for a win/win: Based on Romo"s talk Tuesday, there is no doubt he wants to continue to play. It would have to be the right situation. Sorry, Cleveland, he would not go to the Browns. He would be interested in winning a Super Bowl with a team ready to contend.
The Cowboys could trade him anywhere they want, but Romo would ultimately hold the final decision. He could simply say he is retiring, which would void a trade to a place he doesn"t want to go. Considering the close relationship Romo and owner and general manager Jerry Jones have, the Cowboys would not deal Romo to just any team. They should ask him which teams he would be amenable to playing and go from there.
Whether a player is traded or cut, the cap effect is the same. It is possible Romo and the Cowboys could agree to a reworked deal by the end of this season that could lessen the team"s cap requirements and make it easier for them to make a trade next March. It is possible they could do the same if Romo has a change of heart and intends to retire after this season.
Romo and the Cowboys will have options. They have worked together on four contracts worth more than $180 million and $87 million guaranteed since he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
If they need or want to, both sides will figure out another agreement to make both parties happy.
What We Know About Jared Kushner And His Infleunce With Donald Trump | MSNBC
Jared Kushner, son-in-law of of President-elect Donald Trump, walks from Trump Tower on November 14, 2016, in New York. As Trump and President Barack Obama met privately at the White House, Kushner strolled the mansion"s South Lawn, deep in conversation with Obama"s chief of staff. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Chris Christie was fired as the head of Donald Trump"s transition team last week. This week, two members of Trump"s transition team for national security have also been fired. What"s going on? The Washington Post says this:
A former U.S. official with ties to the Trump team described the ousters of Rogers and others as a "bloodletting of anybody that associated in any way on the transition with Christie," and said that the departures were engineered by two Trump loyalists who have taken control of who will get national security posts in the administration: retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Rogers had no prior significant ties to Christie but had been recruited to join the Trump team as an adviser by the former New Jersey governor. At least three other Christie associates were also pushed aside, former officials said, apparently in retaliation for Christies role as a U.S. prosecutor in sending Kushners father to prison.
Smoldering vengeance is about what we"d expect from Trump and his extended family, so I"m provisionally ready to believe this is what"s going on. Remember this?
Aboard his gold-plated jumbo jet, the Republican nominee does not like to rest or be alone with his thoughts, insisting that aides stay up and keep talking to him. He prefers the soothing, whispery voice of his son-in-law.
Kushner is Trump"s very own Grima Wormtongue! And he really, really, doesn"t like Christie. This is from July:
Sources close to Jared Kushner, who is Ivanka Trumps husband, say that Kushner has been telling them that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be Vice-President over his dead body. Kushner, who is playing an increasingly active role in the campaign, has a bitter history with Christie. Christie, when he was the US attorney of New Jersey, prosecuted his father, Charles Kushner, in a case that grabbed national headlines. The elder Kushner, pled guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering in 2005. He received a 2 year prison sentence.
Wait. Kushner"s father engaged in witness tampering? Oh yes:
The federal witnesses he had attempted to retaliate against were his sister and brother-in-law, who were cooperating with that same investigation. Kushner paid a prostitute $10,000 to lure his brother-in-law to a motel room at the Red Bull Inn in Bridgewater to have s*x with him. A hidden camera recorded the activity, and Kushner sent the lurid tape to his sister, making sure the tape arrived on the day of a family party.
Maybe we should be less worried about Steve Bannon and more worried about Jared Kushner. No, scratch that. We should be worried about both. But Bannon is already getting plenty of attention. I have a feeling maybe Kushner should too.
Jerry Lopez well remembers taking the stage in front of 17,000 Ricky Martindevotees at Miami Arena on Oct. 20, 1999.
Lopez was ready for that night. He spent eight days learning the set list for the show he was about to perform on lead guitar. He was equipped with his trusty Fender Stratocaster and a pair of in-ear sound monitors so he would not miss a beat.
But as soon as the crowd heard the first notes of Livin La Vida Loca as Martin raced to the stage, Lopezs preparation was obsolete.
The audiences deafening screams made it impossible to hear, forcing him to play the famous hit by memory.
This roar happened that drowned out everything, said Lopez, the front man and founder of Palms headliners Santa Fe &The Fat City Horns, during a recent interview on my KUNV 91.5-FM radio show. I heard nothing. It was so loud that I was playing by braille. It was a very scary moment in an exposed moment of the show. It was the weirdest, weirdest thing ever.
Having said that, Lopez added, Every musician should have a taste of that, a moment like that, when youre a real rock star.
Martin and Lopezs lives will cross again next April when Martin begins an extended engagement at Park Theater at Monte Carlo. The 44-year-old international singing sensation will perform April 5, 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15. Hes back for two more stretches in June and September (tickets range from $59.50-$175, absent fees, and are on sale beginning at 10 a.m. Monday at ticketmaster.com/rickymartin).
Lopez spent a year on tour with Martin, playing for sold-out crowds at every stop. More than 54,000 filled Foro Sol stadium in Mexico City; 46,000 filed into the Sun Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. The traveling crew exceeded 100 members, with 13 buses and 17 semis descending on each venue.
In 2001 Lopez became the music director for Storm at Mandalay Bay, a theatrical show conceived by members of Martins creative team.
Today, Lopez just drives himself to his gigs at the Lounge at the Palms, where Santa Fe returned to a packed house of more than 240 last Monday night.
But you know what? The crowd at the Palms is actually more intimidating than playing for 50,000 people, Lopez said. At the Palms, you can see the whites of the eyes of the people sitting right in front of me. I can gauge every reaction. In that environment, Lopez can see and more important, hear everything.
BAND BREAKS
Band of Magicians is going dark after next Mondays show at Tropicana Theater, less than four weeks after it opened. James Galea, Joel Ward, Brett Loudermilk and Stuart MacLeod were told last Monday that the production will be on hiatus through the rest of this year (the term hiatus has also been used by 53X, about to close this weekend at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas).
Production officials explained that this break was planned because of seasonally low show attendance caused by the arrival of the National Finals Rodeo, set for Dec. 1-10. The magicians, a magnanimous lot, and executive producer Steve Sterling are reportedly planning some upgrades to the show for a January relaunch. Hey, if that happens, well be back that night.
A PLAN FOR THE PLOT
Rock in Rio USA is not happening in Las Vegas in May of 2017, but that doesnt mean the festival is finished forever. Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts senior vice president of entertainment booking and development, said Wednesday that he still hopes the event will return in 2019. The original schedule was for Rock in Rio to be held here 2015, 2017 and 2019, he said. Its not working out next year, but we plan on keeping communication open for its return. We consider (Rock in Rio officials) our friends, and we want them to come back.
KEEP (FRANKS) MEMORY ALIVE
Divas Las Vegas frontman/woman Frank Marino never forgets a face as long as Larry Edwards is at his side. Marino has been depending on Edwards to help identify fans and acquaintances during Marinos post-show meet-and-greet events after his drag show at Linq Showroom.
It seems Marino, who turns 53 on Sunday, has detected he has increasing difficulty remembering names, dates and events. Edwards, who portrays Tina Turner and Beyonce in Divas, has been a friend of Marinos throughout Marinos 32-year career on the Strip (first in Evening at La Cage and for the past five years in Divas at the Linq). So when Marino draws a blank, Edwards is there to fill it.
I whisper to him, Now, who is this person? How do we know him? Marino said Tuesday during a visit to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. I feel that my short-term memory, things that happened over the past 6-to-18 months, is suffering. Thats why I am here. Marino has volunteered to serve as a case study in the Cleveland Clinics Professional Fighters Brain Health Study as part of National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month.
Though not a professional (or even amateur) fighter, Marino has been taking part in the study to test his cognitive mental and physical health, using the Cleveland Clinics C3 iPad test to monitor his movements and responses. The device is hooked to a harness and the results recorded by Cleveland Clinic research specialist Pamela Dino.
I am a big proponent of research, and raising awareness, said Marino, who plans on continuing the study indefinitely. If there is something wrong, Id rather know now than later.
John Katsilometes column runs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts Kats! On The Radio Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
The top 11 artists of the season were announced in tonights live results episode of The Voice. Coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys didnt have a say in these results, which were determined by voting and iTunes downloads after last nights performance. It was all in the viewers hands. The bottom two had to sing for the instant save.
The first artist voted through to the top 11 was Team Mileys Ali Caldwell, who sang Did I Ever Love You by Leonard Cohen last night. America also saved Team Alicias young artist W Mcdonald, who gave a powerful performance of Take Me to Church by Hozier last night. Team Adams Brendan Fletcher also advanced. Fletcher sang Whipping Post by The Allman Brothers this week in one of his personal best performances.
Levine took the stage with his top 12 artists: Fletcher, Josh Gallagher and Billy Gilman. Team Adam sang For What Its Worth, with Levine, Gallagher and Fletcher all playing guitar.
Carson Daly then brought out the artists for more results. America voted to save Team Blakes Courtney Harrell, who was shocked to join the top 11. But she shouldnt have been surprised; shes Team Blakes most impressive artist. America also saved Team Adams country-turned-pop singer Gilman.
Next, Alicia Keys sang part of her single Blended Family from her new album Here but then transitioned into a performance of Holy War, also from Here. She accompanied herself on the piano and was joined by Levine on the guitar. It was a powerful performance that ended up being the most exciting part of the night.
As more results came in, Team Mileys Darby Walker advanced to the top 11, along with Austin Allsup. Walker put her own twist on Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones last night, while Allsup similarly brought his own sound to Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin.
Cyrus joined Walker, Caldwell and Aaron Gibson next for a Team Miley performance of Therell Always Be Music by Dolly Parton. The harmonies were nice, but everyone sort of seemed like they were trying to outsing one another instead of singing together.
America saved Team Alicias Christian Cuevas, who sang The Scientist by Coldplay last night. Gallagher from Team Adam also advanced, which meant all of Levines artists made it to the top 11. The last artist automatically through to the top 11 was Team Blakes Sundance Head.
That left Team Alicias SaRayah and Team Mileys Gibson to sing for the instant save. Only one could advance to the top 11.
SaRayah went first, singing for her life in a performance of Rock Steady by Aretha Franklin. It was a high-energy and magnetic performance, with SaRayah showing off her bold vocals and range. Keys urged viewers to vote for her artist. Continue to walk in your light, she said to SaRayah, who seemed confident even though everything was on the line.
Gibson followed with a softer, quieter performance. He sang Lego House by Ed Sheeran. Singing a Sheeran song in the high-stakes setting of an instant save was not the smartest choice. Sheeran songs are beautiful but ultimately empty unless the artist can bring something special to it, and Gibson didnt. Would it connect with America enough to keep him in the competition? Cyrus said she was proud of him no matter what was about to happen.
With the votes from Twitter in, Gibson surprisingly received the instant save, and SaRayah went home.
The top 11 perform next week on The Voice. What did you think of tonights instant save?
This was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
Ricky Martin - La Mordidita (Official Video) ft. Yotuel
Ricky Martin is going to be shaking his bon bon down the aisle: Hes engaged to Jwan Yosef, a conceptual artist hes been official with since January.
I was really nervous, the 44-year-old singer told Ellen DeGeneres on her Wednesday show, but I got on my knees and I got out the little not a box,I just had [the rings] in a little velvet pouch and instead of saying, "Would you marry me, Isaid, I got you something!Fact!
The two have been dating for more than a year, after art-collector Martin saw Yosefs work, liked it,and looked him up.
I had no idea what he looked like, and then I saw what he looked like, and I was like,yeah, the Menudo alum explained. Said DeGeneres: And then you collected him.
This, folks, is what Yosef looks like:
(Really, who wouldnt say yeah? OK, you you get out of the room while the rest of us say, yeah. Cool, you can come back in now.)
So, after presenting the ring, I said, Iwant to spend my life with you, explained the singer and father of two. And he was like, What is the question?
It was, of course,Would you marry me?
It was very beautiful, Martin said. And then, like 30 minutes after,I said, "Wait, did you sayyes?
Yes, Ricky, he said yes! As for when this all happened, Martin can be seen with a band on his left-hand ring finger in an Instagram shot posted Sept. 30.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK_RQDjAJVt/
Heres Martin telling DeGeneresthe whole story.
Follow Christie DZurilla on Twitter @theCDZ
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