BERNIE MAC - SAMUEL L JACKSON JOINS MOURNERS FOR FUNERAL OF BERNIE MAC

The funeral of US film star and comedian Bernie Mac has taken place with mourners gathering in Chicago's House of Hope church on the city's South Side. Samuel L Jackson was among thousands of mourners who gathered to pay their respects, which halted traffic for several blocks in the area.Jackson, who had made the movie Soul Men with Mac, said he "was always that kid from Chicago who wanted to make everybody laugh".Mac died aged 50 last week from complications caused by pneumonia.Jackson, who spoke at the church, added that he was aware the comedian was "having some health issues, but always said to me every morning that he was good"."He never turned down that kid for an autograph," added the actor.Chicago mayor Richard Daley also paid tribute to Mac's local roots, saying "he never lost his soul in Chicago", adding that he recently asked how he could help fight crime in the city.Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence which was read out at the service.The comedian spent years as a stand-up before breaking into HollywoodHe starred in his own television show and a number of Hollywood films, including Ocean's Eleven and its sequel's. <

OPRAH WINFREY - WINFREY WILL SUPPORT OBAMA AT DEMOCRATIC CROWNING

U.S. chatshow queen Oprah Winfrey has confirmed she will support U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama on the night he is crowned America's Democratic party leader. The TV icon has championed the Illinois senator throughout his campaign, speaking out on her daily chatshow to urge people to vote for the politician. Winfrey came under fire from female fans after she refused to back Hillary Clinton - the first woman to run for U.S. presidency - before the politician lost the race to become the Democrat presidential candidate to her rival Obama earlier this year (08). And the TV mogul is taking her support a step further, by announcing she will attend Barack's official crowning at the end of the party's four-day convention in Denver, Colorado later this month (Aug08). A representative for Winfrey says, "She will be there." Earlier this month (Aug08), U.S. economists mathematically calculated the number of votes Winfrey had won for Obama - claiming she had won the senator and estimated 1,015,519 voters so far.

BARACK OBAMA - OBAMA'S CHILDREN "VERY DOWN" ON BRITNEY AND PARIS

US presidential candidate Barack Obama has said his children disapprove of the actions of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.Speaking to Marie Claire, the Illinois senator said his daughters Malia, ten, and Sasha, seven, were not impressed with the partying stars."Malia and Sasha are very down on Britney Spears and Paris Hilton," he said."Malia is the first one to change [the channel] if something suddenly comes on that she thinks is inappropriate."Mr Obama added that his kids were instead fans of the Disney's Miley Cyrus."[Malia] is a big fan of Hannah Montana," he commented. "And when Miley Cyrus had that picture in Vanity Fair [posing nude covered in a sheet], she just offered this very sensible opinion."She said, 'Well, she seems like a good person. Her family seems to love her. Everybody makes mistakes, so I hope that people won't judge her for just this one picture'."<

JACK BLACK - BLACK FEARS OBAMA WILL PULL THE PLUG ON BENEFIT SHOW

JACK BLACK fears U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama will pull the plug on his band's upcoming campaign trail benefit concert when the Senator realises they've cursed every other politician they've supported. Black admits he and Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass don't have a very good track record when it comes to supporting high-profile political figures. He tells WENN, "We're going to do an Obama benefit on the 23rd of September at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. He's the better candidate and more in line with our views... I'm just a liberal guy. "We've been doing political benefits for years and it's an endorsement. I did it for (Senator) John Carey and that didn't work. We've supported lots of different causes; tried to legalise weed and that didn't work. "You just keep on chugging away trying to do what you think is good. "Maybe Obama is gonna say 'Do me a favour, don't do a benefit for me,' since we've effectively killed all the campaigns we've taken part in."

STEVE HARVEY - MAC DIDN'T UPSET OBAMA, SAY COMICS

American comedians D.L. HUGHLEY and STEVE HARVEY have played down reports late pal BERNIE MAC offended U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama during a stand-up show. MAC was told by Obama to "clean up (his) act" after joking about menopause and sexual infidelity during a fundraiser in Chicago, Illinois last month (Jul08). But MAC's Kings of Comedy pals deny Obama was upset by his comments and crude language. Speaking to talk show host Larry King as part of a special Tribute to Bernie MAC show, Harvey says, "He made no apologies for being Bernie MAC. "I mean respect a cat that's a man's man. This is how he did his thing all these years. He made millions like this. Now, you know, people may say that wasn't the time or place. But it was Bernie MAC's time and Bernie MAC's place. And that's how he looked at it." Hughley adds, "Obama is a politician. And they're pretty much going to say what they need to say at whatever time. Bernie was - he didn't have a season. He did what he did." MAC died on Saturday (09Aug08) aged 50 after losing his battle with pneumonia.

BRITNEY SPEARS - OBAMA GIRLS HATE SPEARS AND HILTON

Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are not welcome in Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's home - because his two young daughters can't stand seeing them on TV. Singer Spears and socialite Hilton were recently linked to Obama after his Republican rival John MCCain unveiled a campaign advert comparing him to the two stars. But in a forthcoming issue of U.S. magazine Marie Claire, before the ad was released earlier this month (Aug08), Obama admits his daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven, aren't keen to imitate the pair. He says, "Malia and Sasha are very down on Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Malia is the first one to change (the channel) if something suddenly comes on that she thinks is inappropriate. "And I don't think we're alone in feeling that the way the culture sexualises young girls is a problem - that it encroaches on their childhood."

JOSS STONE - STONE TO RECORD OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN SONG

British soul singer JOSS STONE is writing a campaign song for U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama, according to reports. The star was approached by Obama personally to record a one-off track that will feature as the theme to his election campaign. A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "Joss is a big supporter of Barack Obama and was very excited to be asked to do this for him. "He sent a personal message asking her to get on board. He has always admired her music and thinks she is the perfect choice because of her unique appeal to black and white voters. "She believes he is going to be the first black American president and she is honoured to be a part of that."

THE X FILES - ONLY OBAMA WOULD LURE ANDERSON BACK TO U.S.

THE X-FILES star GILLIAN ANDERSON will consider moving back to America from her adopted hometown of London if Barack Obama becomes the next U.S. President. The sexy red-head left Hollywood for a stint on the West End stage several years ago and she has never felt the need to return. And now she's expecting British businessman Mark Griffiths' child - her third - she insists there's only one thing that would make her consider a move back to the U.S. She explains, "What might bring me back is if Obama becomes President. That potentially could be so uplifting and something I'd want to be a part of."

NBC - NBC GIVING CANDIDATES LOW-COST SPOTS DURING OLYMPICS

NBC executives have apparently leaned over backwards to please the next president of the United States -- regardless of who he may be. According to MediaPost 's online MediaDailyNews, while the network has charged other advertisers $700,000 and up for a 30-second spot during the Olympics, it charged Barack Obama and John McCain's campaigns only $250,000. The ad buys were made by two Washington-area political consulting firms, Media Ad Ventures (McCain) and GMMB (Obama). One advertising executive who purchased spots during the Olympics told the trade publication, "Whoever bought this, I want working for me." An NBC spokesperson said only that the network "worked very closely with both campaigns to provide them with this singular opportunity to reach millions of American voters." Earlier in the day the network said that it had tallied $1 billion in total ad revenue for the Games, for which it had paid the IOC $894 million.08/08/

SCARLETT JOHANSSON - JOHANSSON 'EMBARRASSED' BY OBAMA EMAILS

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has branded the furore surrounding her email communications with U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama "sexist". Johansson is a huge supporter of the White House hopeful, and told reporters in May (08) how she regularly offers the politician advice via email. But the star is stunned by the media interest in their virtual relationship, branding it an embarrassing product of "extreme sexism". She tells the New York Daily News, "I kept thinking to myself, 'God, if this was just like ... George Clooney or any of the other (Obama) surrogates or supporters ... there wouldn't be (any) question about it. Nobody would even talk about it. "It seemed to me to be like a product of extreme sexism."

GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY PLANS SWISS DINNER FOR OBAMA

GEORGE CLOONEY is hoping to drum up financial support for U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama by hosting a dinner in the Democrat's honour. But the ritzy experience won't take place on American soil; instead, the movie star will stage the two-part gala in Geneva, Switzerland - a short hop from Clooney's holiday home in Lake Como, Italy. Rich fans and local tycoons will be able to hear Clooney speak at a private reception on 2 September (08) for $1,000 (GBP500). The actor will then host a dinner for 75 guests, who pay $10,000 (GBP5,000) for a seat. The money raised will go to Obama's campaign. The dinner party fundraiser is a dramatic turnaround for Clooney, who recently insisted he wouldn't be backing either Obama or his Republican rival Senator John MCCain. The actor told CNN, "I feel that at times you can harm the person that you are trying to help. I don't want to damage anybody."

PARIS HILTON - PARIS HILTON MAKES PRESIDENTIAL BID

Paris Hilton has taken a dig at US presidential candidate John McCain in a spoof viral after he used an image of her in a campaign advert.He suggested his rival, Barack Obama, was becoming no more than a celebrity like Britney Spears and Paris.Hitting back at the unapproved use of her image in his ad, the blonde socialite's video called McCain "the oldest celebrity in the world… like super old".She joked that as she was used in the ad then she must now be running for president and thanked the "white-haired dude" for his endorsement."I'm Paris Hilton and I'm a celebrity too. Only I'm not from the olden days and I'm not promising change like that other guy. I'm just hot," Hilton said while reclining in a bikini on a sun lounger."I want America to know that I'm like totally ready to lead. And now I want to present my energy policy for America – just as soon as I finish this article on where I can fly to to get the best tan."Hilton then launched into an impressive argument for what the US energy policy should be."Why don't we do a hybrid of both candidates' ideas. We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars," the 27-year-old said."That way the offshore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in. We can then create new jobs and energy independence. Energy crisis solved! I'll see you at the debates."<

OPRAH WINFREY - FASCINATING FACT 5752

Two U.S. economists have devised a mathematical formula to calculate the number of votes OPRAH WINFREY has delivered to U.S. presidential candidate BARACK OBAMA. The University of Maryland brains claim the TV queen has won Obama 1,015,519 voters so far.

PARIS HILTON - HILTON POKES FUN AT MCCAIN IN SPOOF CAMPAIGN AD

PARIS HILTON has poked fun at U.S. presidential candidate JOHN MCCAIN in a new online skit after the Republican used her image in a campaign video attack on his opponent BARACK OBAMA.
The socialite has filmed a spoof campaign ad for comedy website FunnyOrDie.com, in which she poses in a skimpy bikini on a pool lounger, while offering her energy policy ideas for America.
Hilton, who was enraged when MCCain used her in an attack on Obama without her permission, says, "Hey America, I'm Paris Hilton and I'm a celebrity too, only I'm not from the olden days (MCCain) and I'm not promising change like that other guy (Obama). I'm just hot.
"But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I'm running for President. So thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude.
"I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead."
She then picks up a magazine and adds, "And now I want to present my energy policy for America just after I finish reading this article on where I can fly to to get the best tan... Oh Maui!"
And then the socialite proves she's no dumb blonde by detailing how she will solve America's energy crisis.
She explains, "Barack wants to focus on new technology to cut foreign oil dependency and MCCain wants offshore drilling.
"Well, why don't we do a hybrid of both candidates' ideas? We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars.
"That way the offshore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in, which would then create new jobs and energy independence. Energy crisis solved."
Hilton concludes the skit by offering up R+B singer Rihanna as a possible vice-president and suggesting she might paint the White House pink, adding, "I hope that's cool with you guys."

BARACK OBAMA - OBAMA + MCCAIN COMPETE FOR LAUGHS WITH FAKE CAMPAIGN ADS

U.S. Presidential hopefuls BARACK OBAMA and JOHN MCCAIN have recorded yet another round of controversial campaign adverts - for an upcoming comedy competition.
The U.S. Senators will go head-to-head when they appear on an episode of hit TV show Last Comic Standing.
The two candidates filmed separate spots for the show, making fun of themselves in mock campaign ads for the series finale.
In one skit, Obama says: "Remember to vote for me in November, and if you don't think I'm funny, you've obviously never seen me bowl," adding: "I'm not going to deliver that line any better."
In his own spot, MCCain insists Presidents must be funny: "I may not be the last comic standing, but I'm definitely the funniest candidate," before an off-camera voice snaps back, "Yeah, funny-looking."
MCCain came under attack last week (begs 28Jul08) when he released a TV commercial comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. It prompted his opponent to fire back and defend his leadership ability.
The episode is set to air in the U.S. on Thursday (07Aug08).

GWYNETH PALTROW - PALTROW URGES U.S. EX-PATRIOTS TO VOTE FOR OBAMA

GWYNETH PALTROW has urged Americans living overseas to vote for BARACK OBAMA in the upcoming presidential elections.
The London-based Oscar winner has filmed a new ad asking U.S. ex-patriots not to waste their vote.
And she thinks they should all vote for Democrat Obama over his Republican opponent John MCCain.
Paltrow says, "I'll be voting from London, but you can vote from anywhere. If you live abroad, you've got to do it. Every single vote will count.
"Where on earth will you vote? Vote Democrat. Vote Obama. Vote from abroad."
The Internet video message has been produced by Democrats Abroad, a division of the party devoted to persuading Americans living abroad to vote.

BEN AFFLECK - AFFLECK AND DAMON SPEAK OUT FOR OBAMA

Hollywood stars BEN AFFLECK and MATT DAMON pledged their support for presidential wannabe BARACK OBAMA at a fundraising event in Miami, Florida on Saturday (02Aug08).
The pair was accompanied by their pregnant wives Jennifer Garner and Luciana Barroso at the gala, to raise money for the Democrat's push for the White House.
The foursome paid $1,000 (GBP500) each for tickets to the black tie event and Affleck, Garner and Damon all gave speeches.
A source tells People.com, "Jennifer Garner gave the first speech supporting Obama, and she was very witty, clever and funny. She was followed by her husband Ben, then Matt Damon. The men gave serious political speeches on how the country needs change."
Damon later explained his support for Obama, "Mostly because I don't like the path this country's on and if MCCain is elected we'll be continuing down that same path."

PERRY FARRELL - FARRELL BAFFLED BY WEST/OBAMA APPEARANCE RUMOURS

Former JANE'S ADDICTION frontman PERRY FARRELL is baffled by rumours KANYE WEST is to be joined on stage by U.S. presidential candidate BARACK OBAMA at this year's (08) Lollapalooza music festival.
West is rumoured to have persuaded the popular Illinois senator to introduce his set at this weekend's (01-03Aug08) event in Chicago, Illinois.
But Farrell - who organises the annual gathering - has no idea himself whether the unusual on-stage pairing will take place.
He tells MTV.com, "That's definitely been the rumour, and it's been coming from their (West and Obama's) camp. I hear that it's his (Obama's) birthday that weekend, so he might be in town.
"But these guys - you're never going to know anything until the last minute anyway. That's what I've been told. I've heard those same rumours, and that would be really cool, right?
"But there are definitely no guarantees."

PARIS HILTON - HILTON SLAMS MCCAIN FOR USING HER IMAGE WITHOUT APPROVAL

LATEST: Socialite PARIS HILTON has hit out at U.S. Republican presidential candidate JOHN MCCAIN after he used her image in a political advertisement to attack BARACK OBAMA without her authorisation.
The controversial commercial, which was aired for the first time on Wednesday (30Jul08), accuses Obama of becoming a celebrity. Images of him flash up on screen alongside Hilton and Britney Spears, while a narrator says: "He's the biggest celebrity in the world, but is he ready to lead?"
And Hilton has blasted the MCCain camp for using her image without asking for permission.
A spokesperson for the star says, "Miss Hilton was not asked, nor did she give permission for the use of her likeness in the ad and has no further comment."
Hilton's parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, contributed a reported $4,600 (GBP2,300) to the MCCain campaign just this year (08).

BARACK OBAMA - RAPPER LUDACRIS SLAMMED FOR ATTACKING OBAMA OPPONENTS

US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has criticised Ludacris after the rapper released a song attacking the Democratic senator's opponents.A track entitled Politics As Usual, included on the Gangsta Grillz: The Preview mixtape, Ludacris says Republican John McCain does not belong in &quot;any chair unless he's paralysed&quot;.He describes president George Bush as &quot;mentally handicapped&quot; before using a misogynistic term to describe Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama's former opponent for the Democratic candidacy.The rapper and actor - real name Chris Bridges - also uses the song to advise Mr Obama against selecting Ms Clinton as his running mate for the White House, saying that she &quot;hated on you&quot;.A spokesman for the Obama campaign team has since come out in opposition to the &quot;outrageously offensive&quot; song and criticised the artist who Mr Obama had described in a Rolling Stone interview as part of a group of &quot;great talents and great businessmen&quot; in US hip-hop.&quot;As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to,&quot; campaign spokesman Bill Burton was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.&quot;This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear.&quot;While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.&quot;<