Confessions is Reprieved, it only took three comments to save it

but feel free to leave me a few more. I like that I have daily readers. Thank you so much. Happy New Year!!

PHILLY CHIT CHAT 2007 WRAP UP - A BIG THANKS TO YOU

Ok it's my Philly Chit Chat Wrap Up and my Confessions of a Paparazzi Wrap up all rolled up into one: http://phillychitchat.blogspot.com/2007/12/philly-chit-chat-2007-wrap-up-big.html This concludes my regularly scheduled entries on Confessions of a Paparazzi. I will take the rest of the month to wrap up things as time permits as I do have a few more things to say, and then that will be it for this blog. Well I will post every once and awhile when I go to NYC, but for the most part I will now be posting on Philly Chit Chat, ok unless you guys leave a comment begging me to stay, no I guess not really, I have to let my baby go so I can live life and get some sleep. Thanks for your readership, really thanks I appreciate it. Happy New Year - HughE

Mischa Barton joins 2007's DUI Club

2005 2006 2007 December 26, 2007 - Drunk Driver Mug Shot

Somehow, it seems only fitting that yet another Hollywood star ends up in the slammer for DUI charges, if only to prove that fame and fortune can't buy these babes any brains. This time it's Mischa Barton who made nice with the mug shot man, posing for her glazed-eye police pic after L.A. deputies stopped "The O.C." star for straddling lanes and failing to signal before making a turn. Making matters worse for Barton was the fact that the unlicensed driver was booting about town "while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage." That's how officials described Barton's big boneheaded blunder. Yes, the actress who recently told the press she hoped to do more "mature" roles was ultimately arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a license, possessing a controlled substance and possessing marijuana. There's a grown-up list of accomplishments Mischa!

http://showbizblog.ctv.ca/blog/_archives/2007/12/27/3433944.html

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

Confessions of a Paparazzi is closing in on another year, and about to celebrate 2 years of almost everyday entries, ok well it's been getting sparse lately as my Philly Chit Chat blog is getting very popular, but back on topic. What a difference a year makes, and what a difference FASHION ROCKS 2005 LOOKED (These two are divorced now)

to 2006 (these two are divorced now) to 2007, which we will get to in a minute to see the change, but 2005 & 2006 had a lot of similarities for meAs I was a fan and had to watch the action from across the street I honestly said to myself that one day I would be on the other side of the street shooting the celebrities I didn't know how I would do it, but I was going to figure it out and by the time 2007 rolled around

I had!! What a thrill for me as the first person I shot on Fashion Rocks 2007 was Nicey from Clean House, one of my favorite shows. I even had a chance to tell Nicey how much I loved her show, and why didn't she travel to the East Coast and do a few clean houses. She said that the messiest house in 2007 was located in Pennsylvania (I saw that special show). Oh well there was no convincing her to come to my house, but I enjoyed chatting with her.

Then came Susan, er Terri Hatcher. Girl put down that arm, yuck, I don't like that Beyonce pose Ashley Simpson and her designer friend The queen of drama and style, Mary J Blidge (I was blown away shooting these beautiful women, these beautiful women that as a fan rarely gave me this pose when I 1) shot on the street 2) shot as a fanI missed these personal connections when I watched from across the street because of the distance and photographers on risers. Here's Tyra Banks greeting Martina McBride with Carrie Underwood in the background as the publicists look on Suzanne Vega, it was exciting to see her. Not alot of people knew who she was, nor did they care. I was thrilled. Lindsay Buckingham, I still wish he and Stevie Nicks were still together (See Landslide on Youtube.com) The most publicized photo of the night, not mine though Maroon 5 guys Ugliest dress, why is Mischa Barton famous? The iconic rock group that rocks fashion J-Lo waves to the fansMaybe one of them will be on the red carpet next year shooting the celebrities. The year went by so fast, and the time between Sept 5 and today even faster, I never had a chance to publish these photos or to tell you how wonderful, and awesome it was for me to shoot this event. Stay tune for the weeks countdown of amazing, mind blowing things I accomplished this year. I will try and continue to have interesting things for you to read, and maybe an event or two for you to see a celebrity. Anyone interested in HughE's Star Chaser trips? (sorta like storm chaser but with celebrities)

WILL SMITH SAYS IT'S NOT TRUE WHAT HE SAID ABOUT HITLER

This is the Will Smith quote and the source: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/2007/12/22/will-smith-my-work-ethic-will-make-me-a-legend-86908-20262460/

Remarkably, Will believes everyone is basically good. "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today'," said Will. "I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good'. Stuff like that just needs reprogramming. "I wake up every day full of hope, positive that every day is going to be better than yesterday. And I'm looking to infect people with my positivity. I think I can start an epidemic."

Terrell Owens CHECKS HIS BALLS AT THE DOOR AND BACKTRACKS ON Jessica Simpson

Dallas Cowboys star Terrell Owens says he was only joking when he blamed quarterback Tony Romo's lousy performance last Sunday on the presence of new girlfriend Jessica Simpson. "I tried to get [Romo] to call her so I can explain to her that she doesn't really know me and I can be funny," Owens told The Dallas Morning News yesterday. "It's not a big deal. I will try to rectify the situation between her and I." The wide receiver with the big mouth made a tongue-in-cheek comment targeting the ditzy celeb after Dallas' 10-6 loss to Philadelphia. Romo threw three interceptions as the Cowboys failed to score a touchdown. (CFDA)Simpson attended the game wearing a Romo jersey with a pink No. 9. The last time Romo played so poorly, his then-girlfriend, singer Carrie Underwood, was in the stands. Cowboys fans and sports talk radio hosts suggested Romo was distracted by his girlfriend's presence. Owens, in a widely misinterpreted crack, echoed their complaints. "Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite in this locker room," Owens initially said. "I think with everything that happened, and obviously the way Tony played ...I think a lot of people feel like she's kind of taken his focus away." (With John Mayer at the MAC Gala last May) Hours later, while attending the Dallas Mavericks victory over Phoenix, Owens clarified things. "I understand how everybody was looking at Jessica Simpson as a distraction, and that's definitely not how I saw it," Owens said. "[Romo] had a bad game. I don't think she had anything to do with it."

AVRIL LAVIGNE'S 15 MINUTES IS JUST ABOUT UP

It’s claimed that Avril Lavigne cut short her own gig so that she could catch the Spice Girls on the Canadian leg of their comeback tour. Star magazine reports: “Avril Lavigne] arrived more than an hour late to her free outdoor concert in honor of the grand opening of the Best Buy in Burnaby, British Columbia, on December 2, and never apologized for leaving her fans to wait in the freezing, snowy weather. "The 23-year-old performed just two songs, then darted off to the Spice Girls concert at GM Place in Vancouver. “It’s so unfair!” 14-year-old Avril fan Hannah Bryla said in reaction to her idol’s behavior. “It seems like her fans aren’t important to her.” Good to see she’s still earning her place in our Biggest Losers Of 2007 list.

Alycia Lane still in Hot Water, Stick a fork in Her she's Done

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22937107-23109,00.html?from=mostpop Alycia Lane, Hugh Hefner is on the phone for you, did you ever want to pose for naked photos in Playboy? You might need money for the legal fees? How about your bikini pictures, will you give them up now?

MARK WAHLBERG AND THE FAMED PHILLY FANS

I heard Mark Wahlberg might stop by Q102's and BOOKER's "Toys for Pints" annual party at Kildare's Headhouse on 2nd Street, and made arrangements to shoot the event.

More on this story over on my local blog http://www.phillychitchat.com/

(PS This event might just be the trigger to me giving up my short career as a paparazzi: I missed my all important MONEY SHOT: Alycia Lane was there with her boyfriend DJ BOOKER, but I didn't want to interupt their private moment when Alycia Lane was kissing Booker good-bye before she left for work. SO I missed the only shot of them together before their Arresting Moment in NYC on Saturday.)

Liza Minnelli collapses on stage in Sweden Wednesday

Get Well Soon Liza; Liza Minnelli falls off stage after collapsing in Sweden NME.com, UK - 55 minutes agoLiza Minelli collapsed onstage in Sweden last night (December 12) and was rushed to hospital where she stayed overnight. The ‘Cabaret’ star was performing ... Minnelli collapses during concert in Sweden after 'feeling dizzy' Independent, UK - 1 hour agoBy Sadie Gray The actress and singer Liza Minnelli has flown back to the United States for medical treatment after collapsing on stage during a Christmas ... My many Liza's sightings in NYC Liza an the Prince of Spain Liza singing New York, New York 1982 Liza going in the stage door at Tony Danza Liza & Ben Vereen at Idlewild Premiere 8/06 The last time I saw Liza was on the street in NYC 12/06, she was always gracious enough to pose; I also saw her this past September in concert in AC.

Liza on the Oh in Ohio - Vagina Monologue

JOHN TRAVOLTA, QUEEN LATIFAH AND JODIE FOSTER; which one is on the verge of COMING OUT

At an awards show in LA last week, one of these closeted actors opened the Closet Door just a crack...(I would give photo credit if I knew who took this shot)

Ever since this story broke: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/wenn/20071212/ten-foster-s-sexuality-under-spotlight-a-c60bd6d_1.html about Jodie Foster and her girlfriend, I have been getting inundated by hits because of a story I wrote back in September about Jodie, who I shot at her premiere, and Cindy Bernard who was not there as I noted http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2007/09/jodie-foster-shows-up-at-her-premiere.html . Last week the Hollywood star paid tribute to "my beautiful Cydney" as she accepted an award from The Hollywood Reporter at Los Angeles' Beverly Hills Hotel. It is the first time she has made reference to her relationship with film producer Cydney Bernard, her reported girlfriend of 15 years.

Let me make it easier for the thousands and thousands of people that have visited my blog this past week: here are a few of my favorite stories on the subject of Jodie and Cindy (And it's a beautiful thing):

http://community.livejournal.com/jodiefosterlove/2765.html#cutid1

http://origin.www.afterellen.com/people/2007/12/jodiefoster

This poster knew all the way back in 2000 who Jodie Foster's GF was:

http://www.curvemag.com/speak/showthread.php?threadid=3022

Maybe it wasn't Queen Latifah who was the one getting married?

http://www.therundown.tv/headlines/rumors/queen-latifah-is-getting-marriedto-another-woman

TOM CRUISE SHOWS UP AT THE PREMIERE OF "I AM LEGEND" to suuport WILL SMITH

Tom Cruise and Will Smith share a deep bond. Real deep. It’s a beautiful thing! Sunday night he was in Sin City supporting his good friends the Beckham's at the Spice Girls Reunion Tour, Monday Cruise show up to the ceremony where Smith immortalized his hands at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, then on Tuesday Tom flew cross-country to support Will Smith's movie "I Am Legend". It's good to see these two together again after what appeared to be a fracture in their friendship. What happened you ask, well last year TC was supposed to show up at the Moving Image Awards and support his friend Will Smith, but Tom was a no show because maybe Will was defending Tom when the poor guy was being thrown under the bus by just about everyone. Then this year Tom was honored, I remember asking someone if they thought Will Smith would show up, and they said he wouldn't and went through the story. A few weeks back Will Smith went to bat for Tom Cruise and the interviewed appeared in print, in the media all over the entertainment news. Smith admits in the issue of Men’s Vogue on sale Tuesday that he has studied Scientology with Tom Cruise and doesn’t disagree with its basic tenets. Will Smith says Scientology teachings are 98% identical to Bible and so here we have it, Tom Cruise will be covering his friends back for now on. Last week the Beckhams were on Barbara Walter's Most Fascinating People of 2007 show, and on Monday they were on Larry King. Both shows asked about Tom and Scientology, and on both occassions the Beckhams supported Tom Cruise, Katie Cash Holmes and Scientology stating the Cruises' are a nice family, and they have never pushed their religion on them. (I am not saying I think TC is wrong in his religion, or right, but what I am saying is Tom Cruise is a loyal friend when you are loyal to him) (Photo credit: 1st shot - WENN, 2nd shot Hughe Dillon) - On Page SIX today: Sightings TOM Cruise and Katie Holmes with Victoria and David Beckham being escorted through the back door of SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas after closing on Sunday night for stone crabs and Kobe steaks.

Mark Webber's "Explicit Ills" - A Day of Filming In Philadelphia

I wrote about it extensively over on my Philly Chit Chat Blog yesterday. Check it out: http://phillychitchat.blogspot.com/2007/12/mark-webbers-explicit-ills-day-of.html AND on Philly Chit Chat check out today's entry about the Charity Event - Running With The Santa's happening in many cities this weekend, including the Running With The Speedo Santa's in Boston. There's nothing like a Santa in a Speedo.

WHAT'S EVERYONE SMILING ABOUT?

The NYC Fan Ciera was out in force again catching these celebrities as they returned to their hotels. It's a long, cold wait when you are trying to catch a celeb returning to their crib. Often they don't want to pose for you, they are tired, they are drunk or they think the child should get a life. It can be harsh, but we sure apreciate her hard work in getting us these shots. Here is MISS MARY J BLIGE SMILING no less. I do not have one of these, the girl doesn't even smile on the Red Carpet, no more drama girl is smiling and she has a hott red coat on, now go on, I wish I had waited out in the cold for this shot. The Connicks, even Jill looks like she is smiling, Jill does not smile, she is a sour puss. And Harry oh my god, you remember him last year at "The Pajama Game", he wouldn't let fans take his picture at the stage door, and look at him now, all smiling and loosingning his tie. Rosario Dawson completes the night, well she always smiles, she's the best. She looks amazing here. See the guy to the right, that's the famed Radioman (I wrote about him earlier this year, do a search if you want) but a Christmas tibit is he is the bum on the bench in the movie ELF, when Santa flies out of Central Park. He is crazy like a fox in person, but knows all the stars, and is invited to the Oscars every year, oh and has an XM radio show about celebrities. Oh yeah they're rich and they are just about to go to bed at the Four Seasons. P.S. Tonight is the WILL SMITH Movie premiere at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. I so wanted to go, especially because it was one of the last films I saw them shoot when I lived in NYC, but again, wuss here, can't stand the cold, on my winter sabatical. But you can go, and you can send me the photos, please!! I'll give you some tips, drop me an email or a comment.

ADDITIONAL FAN PHOTOS OF SWEENEY TODD PREMIERE

These shots are of some of the co-stars taken at the afterparty of the Sweeney Todd premiere. The only way to really ever know where the AP party is going to be, is to be at the premiere and then either ask security, the actors, or befriend a photographer in the know. It helps if you are a cute girl, and ask one of the male photographers. Otherwise your're on your own. Pictured below is Jamie Campbell Bower. Hmm interesting, I have no idea about who he is, yes its a he, I had to look it up even OMG, OMG its SYlar from Hereo's looking very un-Sylar here: more Zachary Quinto, the next Spock on Star Trek: E Sanders Thanks to the fan who sent me these shots. And remember if you and/or your photos want to be featured on "Confessions of a Paparazzi" drop me a line and I will put them up.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE - Dec 8 2007 - 27 years after John Lennon was Killed we still Wish to Give Peace A Chance

December 8, 1980 was an unusually warm day in New York City. John Lennon was up and about early, first to his favorite haunt, Cafe LaFortuna, for his morning coffee then to the barber before returning home. He would then do an interview for the BBC before a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for Rolling Stone magazine. Lennon was pronounced D.O.A. in the Emergency Room at the Roosevelt Hospital at 11:15 p.m. by Dr. Stephen Lynn. Lennon continues to be mourned throughout the world and has been the subject of numerous memorials and tributes, principally New York City's Strawberry Fields[154] — a memorial garden area in Central Park, across the street from the Dakota building. Shortly after his death, Yoko Ono donated $1 million for its maintenance. It has become a gathering place for tributes on Lennon's birthday and on the anniversary of his death, as well as at other times of mourning, such as after the September 11, 2001 attacks and following George Harrison's death on November 29, 2001.

ATTEND THE TALE OF SWEENEY TODD with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton: A Fan's Perspective

A Confessions of a Paparazzi and big time Johnny Depp fan, Kurt, sent along his tale of attending the Sweeney Todd movie premiere at the Ziegfeld in New York City on that cold and windy Monday night. Here they are preparing the red carpet. The guy in the center is head of security for the Red Carpet, I have seen him before. The round white machine, to the left of the guy with the blue hat, is the heater. These contraption line the "Red Carpet" in the winter usually limiting the space for photographers. But they do a good job at keeping the guests on the Red Carpet warm, especially the ladies who often come without coats so the paparazzi can get the "Fashion shot"

Sadly for the fans, they have to stay across the street and watch the proceedings from there. In the summer the premieres are tentless, and its much easier to see the stars. Kurt writes: My wife and I made it to the premiere in plenty of time to get a good spot on the barricades. We only had to move three times before the tent contractors could decide where they would park their trucks. At one point we were told that Johnny Depp might spend as much as an hour signing autographs but he was late, as usual, and had to rush through the 'general public' portion of his activities until he had to go inside to do the video interviews. (I myself am getting excited just viewing this shot, as you know Johnny is in there somewhere coming our way) A lucky fan, I bet Kurt's with got a chance to feel the charisma of Johnny Depp I got this shot as Johnny approached where we were standing. It is probably my best shot as the flash in most of the remaining shots was even more shaded by that #$!^&* paper on the left. (I say its the best one could hope for, JD doesn't have time to look up, plus there's a paper cut hazard with all the autograzzi's vying for his signature at $50 a pop they can make) and then he's gone. I am sure Kurt and his wife felt the surge of the crowd move to the right. The autograzzi's can not give up, they will follow the celeb to the end of the line because they need to get the 'graphs.and in a flash its over for the fans, and onto the Red Carpet and the blinding flashes. Looking at this picture makes me happy that a fan like Kurt would share these shots with us. Hands down the most creative shot I have seen in a while. First of all as a photographer, I didn't miss attending this event. Although I am a Johnny Depp fan, I am not a cold outdoorsy fan. Thanks Kurt for sharing the night with us. Now on to Kurt's wrap-up.Kurt states: Interesting in its own right, I think, but no where near saleable. We were not close enough to get the numbers from the car Johnny arrived in to see where it was parked or know when it went around the corner to pick up Johnny and Keith Richards. That would have been some shot! Fortunately, one of the two WENN photogs did notice and got those shots. He was kind enough to show them to us before we finally had to get out of the cold. In any event, my wife got her autograph and I learned a little more about what it takes to take a decent photograph under these circumstances. Maybe if I used one of those huge umbrellas for the flash I wouldn't have so many people trying to reach passed me and blocking my shots. (Yeah, right!) Thanks again for all of your advice regarding shooting at the Ziegfeld and may your sale to Us Weekly be the first of many more!

If you would like to share your celebrity photographs and story with Confessions of a Paparazzi, just drop me a note. Also in the future I will begin posting about events where you can see your favorite celebrities, maybe it will encourage you to send the shots to me and I can stay in my warm house while you cover the event, just until spring. Thanks HughE (Editors Note: i just received additional photos from another fan and will be posting them tonight. So remember send me your photos, and your story, if you want a link to your personal site, or even your photo published I will do anything so that this is mutually benefitting.)