Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na! Adam West, the original "Batman" got his star today on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We have a round-up of pictures from the ceremony and a couple of (campy) videos of West on "Batman" and more recently, "Family Guy."
The Original 'Batman' Adam West Gets a Hollywood Star
Extra, Extra
In tonight's Extra, Extra, rumors of a Missoni restock in WeHo were exaggerated, Gotham PD makes an appearance and one man used his divorce as a chance to change his name to Led Zeppelin II. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
We Lost Three Today: Jim Henson, Andy Kaufman, Sammy Davis Jr.
Three is the un-magic number of today's video lunch retro delight buffet. These massive talents all departed the planet on May 16. Andy Kaufman who (most likely did not fake his own death but rather) died tragically at age 35 in Los Angeles from cancer in 1984, and both Jim Henson and Sammy Davis Jr. in 1990, Henson at age 53 in New York from a streptococcal infection and Sammy Davis Jr. in Beverly Hills at age 64 of complications from throat cancer.
Backstage @ FAME Awards, 7/10/10 (SFW)
Last weekend, the fifth annual Fans of Adult Media and Entertainment Awards, co-hosted by Jessica Drake and Sunny Leone, were held during the inaugural edition of eXXXotica Los Angeles at the LA Convention Center. If the AVN and XBIZ Awards are the Oscars and Golden Globes of the adult industry, the FAME Awards are the equivalent to the People's Choice Awards.
Found in L.A.: MVP Kobe as Batman Street Art
Before he was named MVP in the chaotic series of 7 NBA finals games, this street art depicting the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant in a Batman mask was spotted by LAist Featured Photos contributor Lord Jim. So who is the artist behind this image?
Midnight Movie: Batman, Robin Enjoy a Day Off in LA
How can we be lovers if we can't be friends? That's the question no talent ass clown Michael Bolton asked us in 1990, and now comedian/voice actor John DiCrosta and actor Joe Nicchi ask the same question of lovers/friends/superheroes Batman and Robin in this short video that won the Sklar Brothers' Open Projector Night at the Hammer Museum Tuesday night. The Dynamic Duo jumped in the sidecar motorcycle and hit up Hollywood and Santa Monica to enjoy a day of frisbee tossing, roller coaster riding and lots of crime couples fighting. Will our heroes put their differences aside and have some fun in the sun? Tune in and find out.
Screening Alerts: Warner on Wednesdays
If you've got under a hundred dollars in your bank account, a date at the movies is usually out of the question. You stare longingly at LAist's film calendar every week: the Arclight's obviously a fortune, but even AMCs & revival houses run $15-$20 for two tickets. Add popcorn & soda? Ugh. This is news to no one, but if you're in the South Bay? WOW! The Warner Grand Theatre is looking out for you! Even if you're not - it's probably still cheaper to drive to San Pedro, plunk down a Hamilton and enjoy 2 tickets, 2 sodas & 2 popcorns (single tickets are a whopping $3 - cheaper than a DVD rental).
'Batman,' 'Odd Couple' Composer Neal Hefti Dies
Jazz musician and Hollywood composer Neal Hefti died Saturday in Toluca Lake at 85, the New York Times reports. Hefti, who also played trumpet, had his biggest influence in jazz arrangements and compositions, but in pop culture, his theme for the original Batman TV show is probably the most well known: "Oddly enough, his most famous tune is among his least musically interesting, even if it was somehow brilliantly apt: the jauntily arch and repetitive theme for the television series 'Batman. Mr. Hefti said that the show was so campy it took him weeks to come up with a suitable melody. It won him his only Grammy."
Box Office Roundup: Dark Knight Still in Top 5
For the box office, it was a four-day weekend (Friday is included) and despite 45 days after being released, the Dark Knight claimed #3 raking in over $11 million. The movie has broken record after record and this weekend crossed its 14th one: highest grossing movie, a half billion, in 45 days. For the other movies in the top 5, the controversial Tropic Thunder stayed at the top with over $14 million. while newcomer Babylon A.D. came in at #2 with an even $12 million. The House Bunny ($10.2 million) and Traitor ($10 million) rounded off the list.
Photo of the Day
The Batmobile gets a spit shine before the crowds descend on the Arclight theater in Hollywood
Batman Star, Christian Bale, Arrested on Schedule
Christian Bale, who plays Batman in the Dark Knight, was arrested today in London for allegedly assaulting his mother, who made the complaint to police. Bale came to the police station "by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. He currently remains in custody," explained The Guardian. By appointment? "It is understood that although the police were aware of allegations on Monday, they allowed the actor to attend four press conference and the evening premiere of The Dark Knight in Leicester square."
People are Way Excited for Batman
Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Batman anticipation has lucrative effects. "MovieTickets.com says that, four days prior to its release, Warner Bros' Batman: The Dark Knight has sold out 700 performances in North America and is outselling 3 of MovieTickets.com’s Top 10 Performing Films of All-Time." That's 90% sold-out. Are you ready for 152-minutes of glory?
LAist Interview: Chris Bell of Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
Filmmaker Chris Bell set out to make a film about heroes and found himself in the center of the steroid debate. His documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster* explores the world of bodybuilders, sports, and how performance enhancing drug use is viewed in the United States. The story of his childhood and his brothers' weight-lifting careers are the centerpiece of the film. LAist asked Chris Bell about his heroes, documentary film-making, and what Governor Schwarzenegger has to say about Bigger, Stronger, Faster*.
Eric Garcetti for Mayor, Explained
There's a lot of confusion out there about Los Angeles City Council President, Eric Garcetti, these days. He's a superdelegate for Barack Obama (which leads to people throwing out the "cabinet position" question), it's often brought up that he has congressional aspirations, there's a viral website to elect Garcetti for D.A. of Gotham City (ah, yes, the new Batman movie), Mayor Tommy Carcetti is a character in HBO's The Wire (you can buy reelection t-shirts) and lastly, the most confusing: an Eric Garcetti for Mayor website launched last week.
Man Tries To Smoke Pot With Hollywood Superheroes
Even though tens of thousands of tourists have gotten their picture taken with the "superheroes" out front of Mann's Chinese, it took the Jimmy Kimmel show that's taped across the street to make these fellas world famous. Recently Rob Cantrell of the THC Comedy Tour approached Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk to ask them if they'd get baked with him. Cantrell didn't ask for an autograph or a backrub or to pose...

