Tiananmen Square massacre: 20 years later

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacres in Beijing, China. Though still a taboo subject in the Communist regime, the death toll is believed to be about 700 -- mostly unarmed residents of the city.

Dan Southerland, executive editor of Radio Free Asia, was the Beijing bureau chief for the Washington Post during the protests led by pro-Democracy students. He's penned a telling recount of the tragedy for the Post.

The repression continues today as China buckles down to prevent any recognition of the anniversary.

"Authorities have also blocked Twitter, Hotmail, You Tube, blogs, and the photo-sharing site Flickr, expanding an already tough firewall aimed at suppressing any online mention of the night June 3-4, 1989 when Chinese troops opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing hundreds and prompting an international outcry," according to a report on Radio Free Asia. "In Beijing, security forces blanketed the square and black police vans lurked alongside the nearby Forbidden City, as police and paramilitary forces patrolled through crowds of tourists."

Madonna finds Jesus ... and dates him!

Completing the ultimate circle of blasphemy, Madonna -- just a few short years after grinding up next to a giant disco crucifix outside the Vatican -- is now sleeping with Jesus. Sounds like the sequel to The Da Vinci Code.

Sadly, it's not that interesting. Our current favorite '80s punching bag -- since neither Boy George nor George Michael has been arrested this week -- is reportedly dating Jesus Luz, a Brazilian citizen who's age is estimated at ... well, let's just assume she has platinum albums older than he is.

Madonna also is cajoling her friends in the fashion biz to employ her boyfriend as a model so he can remain in the United States and at her side.

Want more Madonna news? Neither do I, but it's the last for today, I promise. A new poll has named Madonna the "hardest working mom in Hollywood." Yeah, strange world we live in.

[Photo from Desperately Seeking Susan]

5 bands that belong in Rock's Hall of Fame

Kiss, Genesis, Duran Duran, Rush and Neil Diamond. What do they all have in common? They're music visionaries AND they're not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Examiner.com's Mike Raymond has named those acts as his "why the hell are they not in the hall" list. They'd all get my vote too, if the hall bothered to ask. Truth be told, I don't think I'd take the time to set foot in the Cleveland-based museum until they figured out how to justify how Madonna gets in before any of those five bands listed above.

Meanwhile, Raymond's readers had their own suggestions for must-inductions to the hall: Roxy Music, Depeche Mode, New Order, The Zombies, Kraftwerk and more.

You can find the full list of hall inductees here. What other '80s bands are missing? (Keep in mind, to be nominated, 25 years must have passed since a band's first recording.)

[AP photo]

More pathetic: Boy George or Madonna?

The '80s world is starting to consume itself. Next thing you know we'll all be dancing to the Spin Doctors again and watching reruns of Party of Five.

Decide for yourself which of today's story is more pathetic:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Christie's auction house says a 30-year-old nude photo of Madonna, which earned her a $25 modeling fee, is expected to sell for at least $10,000.

LONDON (AP) -- Singer Boy George was sentenced to 15 months in jail on Friday after being convicted of falsely imprisoning a male escort by handcuffing him to a wall in a London apartment.

For some reason, I'm leaning toward the Madonna story. I mean, $10,000? To see Madonna naked? That's what Google Images is for!

The Michael Jackson garage sale

It's the mother of all '80s events: Michael Jackson is selling off a few thousand items from his Neverland Ranch.

Among the items you can buy on April 21-25: His glittery solo glove made famous in the Billie Jean video.

Julien's Auctions is handling the massive sale. How big is the collection? Julien's is actually selling a six-volume catalog describing the items for sale. (Cost of the catalog alone? A mere $100.)

Auction Network will broadcast the event on live TV and via the Web. Beginning Feb. 15, interested buyers can place proxy bids and register for the auction. (Hurry, before he runs out of money, though proceeds are reportedly going to charity anyway.)

Though we don't actually know what else is for sale yet, here are some things we'd love to bid on (besides the glove, of course):

• The infamous hyperbaric oxygen chamber he reportedly slept in.
• Bubble's monkey wardrobe.
• Any leftover wedding night photos of Lisa Marie Presley.
• His collection of Bryan Adams records ('80s only, of course).
• His second and fourth noses.
• Empty or near-empty bottles of Valium and Xanax.

What would you like to own from the Michael Jackson collection (in reality or hypothetically)?

[AP photo]

Do U Really Want To Imprison Me?

Like we didn't see this coming: A jury in London today convicted pop singer Boy George of falsely imprisoning a male escort.

According to the Associated Press, Boy George, who was tried under his real name George O'Dowd, admitted he handcuffed 29-year-old Audun Carlsen, who also claimed the former Culture Club singer of swinging a metal chain at him as he ran from George's apartment after a nude photo shoot. (Insert your own punchline here. I'm coming up empty.)

Our favorite cross-dressing '80s hero was released on bail following the jury's decision, but is due to be sentenced Jan. 16. And unlike his previous brushes with the law, Boy George likely could spend time in the clink this time around.

"This is a case where custody is the more likely option," judge David Radford told the AP.

[AP photo]

Her birthday wish: Name of a good lawyer

Oh, this isn't good. Heather Locklear was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence in Montecito, Calif., according to the Los Angeles Times.

Locklear, who turned 47 years old last week, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol -- hey, CHiPs! -- after someone called 911 to report a woman driving "erratically."

Define "erratic"? Locklear reportedly drove "back and forth over a pair of sunglasses on the pavement and revving her engine. After leaving the parking lot, she stopped her car on the street and stumbled into the traffic lane, according to the caller, who followed Locklear out of concern," the Times reports.

Locklear was tested for alcohol consumption, but the tests were negative. Results are pending on other drug tests.

[Booking photo via Associated Press]

Sure looks like he needed a restroom

You can't turn your back on George Michael for a minute, can you?

George today issued the usual public apology after his arrest (again) in a public bathroom (again) for possession of drugs (AGAIN).

"I want to apologise to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I'll sort myself out," he said in a statement. "And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."

We're not bored, George. But we'll be horrified if you did this latest stunt to drum up publicity for any upcoming appearances on TV's Eli Stone.

In the meantime, please feel free to add your suggested caption to today's George Michael photo.

[Getty Images]

World's most beloved sexual deviant?

You got to hand it - no pun intended - to Paul Reubens. Very few actors can survive arrests for public masturbation and child pornography and emerge triumphantly in today's celebrity-crazed world.

Such is the legacy of Pee-wee Herman, the greatest fictional character of the later half of the 20th century. (Yeah, I'm dissing you, Max Headroom, you techno-poser!)

Reubens was arrested in 1991 for masturbating in a Sarasota adult theater during a showing of "Nurse Nancy" (begging the question, what else do you do during a movie that stars "Sandra Scream?") and again in 2001 for an investigation into child pornography. But a little legal wrangling later, he reappeared nearly unscathed.

Reubens -- who turns 56 years old today -- is working again today as Pee-wee, with production of a movie version of "Pee-wee's Playhouse" already in the works and set for release next year.

TOP 5 MEDIA MOMENTS FOR PAUL REUBENS:

5. THE GONG SHOW: Don't ask me to explain what's happening in this 1976 clip. Just watch -- in horror.

4. BATMAN RETURNS: Reubens played the father of Danny DeVito's "Penguin" character in the 1992 stink-fest.

3. CRACK INFOMERCIAL: Don't wait for a punchline -- it's not coming.

2. CHEECH & CHONG: "I'm soooorry I took the money!"

1. TEQUILA: From "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." God bless, youtube.com

Did Macaulay Culkin kill the '80s?

You can confess to adoring him in "Uncle Buck." You might even shamefully admit you once rented "Rocket Gibraltar" just to catch his cutesy little appearance.

But I'm here to tell you: Macaulay Culkin, who turns 28 today, is the devil and his appearance in movies basically destroyed everything we held dear about the '80s. His rise to short-lived super-stardom came at the stoke of the end of 1989. And his fall in the late '90s was karma and triggered the '80s revival.

I'm betting even John Hughes is nodding along, while sitting somewhere in the basement of his Wisconsin home, throwing copies of "Home Alone" into the furnace to cut the chill, muttering "Are you thirsty for more? Are you thirsty for more!?!" to nobody in particular.

Sleep tight, Johnny. Take solace in knowing that Culkin's real slide into evil didn't begin until he played "The Nutcracker" in '93.

TOP 5 QUOTES THAT PROVE MACAULAY CULKIN IS THE DEVIL (Or at least a very weird kid):

5. "Their dog's a ball-sniffer." (Uncle Buck)

4. "Guys, I'm eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me!" (Home Alone)

3. "You can't marry a teacher, it's against the law." (My Girl)

2. "Bad worms." (Rocket Gibraltar)

1. "Waiting for your sex?" (Uncle Buck)