Netflix To Split Into Two Companies, Still Doesn’t Understand Their Customers

Netflix. Stop it.

Just stop.

People woke up this morning to a late night email from Netflix chief executive, Reed Hastings, explaining that they messed up. Which is great, and it's great to hear they recognize that.

But what good does recognizing it do if they don't do anything about it? In fact, they seem to be making it worse:

Under the new plan announced Sunday, the two services will still be split – and the announced price changes will remain. What changes, however, is that the services will become two separate entities with different names and separate lines on customers’ credit card statements. Beginning in a few weeks, there will be Netflix, the video-streaming service; and Qwikster, the DVD-by-mail company.

“[W]e realized that streaming and DVD by mail are becoming two quite different businesses, with very different cost structures, different benefits that need to be marketed differently, and we need to let each grow and operate independently,” Hastings wrote.

Or, you could keep it the same, start adding better titles to streaming, get rid of the waiting periods for title releases (we understand this is partly on the production companies, but how about some negotiation?), and (Read more...)

Chris Brown’s Neighbors Want His Probation Revoked!

This is certainly becoming Chris Brown's week, isn't it?!

Not only did the always calm, mature, and collected pop star have yet another, hate-filled temper tantrum in Vegas, but apparently, he's become such a terror in his West Hollywood condo that his neighbors are trying to get his probation - regarding his domestic battery case - revoked!

As we've reported, his neighbors have claimed for months that he not only blares music at all hours, but that he parks in handicapped spaces - and incurred over $15,000 in tickets - and even vandalizes property - and, the homeowners association will send a letter to the entitled, petulant child's probation officer, to claim that he's violated various laws with his conduct in the building and therefore, has violated the terms of his probation!

What a winner, huh?

We just love these celebrities who think that the law doesn't apply to them!

So you know what? Go ahead - keep pushing your luck, boy!

See what happens!

BARF.

[Image via WENN.]

Dear Zac Efron

Can someone please make sure Zac Efron sees the video above???

K.

Thanks!

Bye!

Russell Brand’s Touching Tribute To Amy Winehouse

We've all been feeling the blues over Amy Winehouse's premature death.

From Kelly Osbourne to Khloe Kardashian, celebrities relayed their thoughts and feelings via Twitter, but there was one celebrity who went above and beyond in penning a memorial for the late talent.

Russell Brand, who knew and cherished Amy before the fame, used one of his best outlets--the written word--to pay tribute to his dear friend.

In the touching letter, he extends his memories as well as his hopes:

When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone.

If you would like to read the rest of his touching letter, click the jump.

Frustratingly it’s not a call you can ever make it must be received. It is impossible to intervene.

I’ve known Amy Winehouse for years. When I first met (Read more...)

Brooklyn Bishop Rejects Generous School Donations From Gay Marriage Supporters

In yuckie news, we have the sad, sad story of a Catholic Bishop who so vehemently denies gays the right to marry, he goes to the selfish length of refusing donations meant for students.

Soon after New York passed the bill allowing same-sex marriage, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio called it 'another nail in the coffin of marriage.'

He then announced anyone who voted in support would be denied the ability to honor students with donations or even come to Catholic school events and parishes.

Joseph Lentol, an assemblyman as well as a Catholic, voted in support of the bill. When he sent a check to honor a student at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel's, he received a rejection letter in return.

When asked to comment, Lentol said:

I was certainly surprised because I know the church needs the money and the school certainly needs the money for the scholarship program they run

Wtf? Seriously, wtf. No, seriously, WTF!?!

We find it appalling that a leader in such an institution would object to any positive support of its children.

We also find it shocking they would ban their own members from attending any church functions over something that causes harm to (Read more...)

T.I. Writes Another Letter From Prison!

Only a few more months!

T.I. is currently serving an 11-month stint behind bars in Arkansas for violating his probation, and recently decided to kill some time behind bars by writing this thoughtful message that has since been posted on his website!

He writes:

What up world? Been a minute. I’d like to thank you all for the thousands of letters, cards, books, pictures and words of encouragement. I’m truly grateful. I’m sure you already know I’m nearing the end of this chapter of my life, and looking forward to taking all of the things I’ve learned with me while leaving all the rest of the “BS” behind. I’ve been tuned in somewhat to what’s been happening out there. I can’t even begin to tell y’all how much being on the outside looking in, having to witness all that’s going on (and not going on) in the game affects me. Not being able to do what I love especially. It’s like a whole other sentence within itself. But I really do appreciate all the love, respect, shout outs and salutations during this very difficult period in my life. Everybody from da homies Weezy, Killa Mike, R. Rozay my (Read more...)

Soap Opera Fans Vs. ABC Affiliates

Hardcore soap opera fans are NOT happy about ABC's decision to cancel their favorite shows.

Last week, fans of All My Children and One Life to Live started A RIOT outside of The Lincoln Center in NYC, as a way of protesting the network's new daytime line-up.

They even handed out brochures referring to the replacement shows as "glorified infomercials appropriate for late-night basic cable channels, not for a major broadcast network." Ouch!

Now, Twitter-based group Soap Fans United are encouraging fans to reach out to ABC affiliates and complain about the new line-up.

The group has been very proactive in their efforts, including writing a letter to ABC president of daytime Brian Frons, in which they accused him of "taking apart a decades old tradition that can be updated and monetized and has built in brand recognition and viewer loyalty."

Here's more from the group's letter to Frons:

"Disney is supposed to be about synergy. Where is the Disney synergy with ABC daytime? Why put on two unproven shows and take a risk with Oprah Winfrey & Regis Philbin departing your station? Many of you are putting in an extra hour of news in place of (Read more...)

Trump NOT Running For President!

While the Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert jokes would have been absolutely HIGHlarious, we think it's pretty good news that Donald Trump has announced that he will NOT be running for the Republican nomination.

Here's some of what he said in his just released statement: test

Sheen NOT Happy He’s Being Replaced On Two And A Half Men

DUH.

Charlie Sheen was NOT happy when he found out that Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre has plans to go on without him. Chuck recently revealed that Charlie will be replaced on the show and Jon Cryer will be given a much more "significant role."

Well, the MaSheen got pretty PO'd when he heard the news and fired off a nasty letter to Mr. Lorre.

In the letter, he called Chuck an "A-hole," adding that he was a "sad silly fool," a "p-ssy loser," and a "low rent, nut-less sociopath."

Charlie went on to say that Two and a Half Men is failing in the ratings (despite the fact that the show is in reruns), and continued with:

"…No one cares about your feeble show without me. The ratings right now are not a fluke. It's a big fat mess. A 2.0 demo. That sucks.

Not even a phone call to the man that put you on the map. The man that put 500 million dollars in your pockets … I busted my ass for 8 years to support your vision.

They are planning on voting you off the AA island. Even those clowns have no room (Read more...)

Warner Bros. Hires Powerhouse Lawyers To Handle Charlie Sheen

Uh-oh.

Charlie Sheen may want to shut up now.

Warner Bros. isn't messing around. They've hired big-time lawyers, Ron Olsen and John Spiegel, to deal with Charlie and his future with Two and a Half Men.

The two lawyers have been in contact with Charlie's lawyer, Marty Singer who sent a letter to Warner Bros. and CBS threatening a lawsuit if they didn't restart production on the sitcom.

He also accused the network and studio of turning a blind eye to Charlie's notorious partying, but then overreacted when he lashed out against show creator Chuck Lorre.

Yikes. With big powerhouse attorneys like Olsen and Spiegel, Charlie may want to keep his mouth shut if he wants to have any chance of returning to his job.

But then again, it's CHARLIE FREAKIN' SHEEN. We have a feeling we'll be seeing him in court very, very soon.

[Image via WENN.]