R.I.P Betty Page

Famous 1950s pin up star Betty Page has died in Los Angeles, aged 85.

The iconic model known for her provocative poses was credited for helping to pave the way for the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

She was admitted to hospital last month suffering from pnuemonia, and last week suffered a heart attack and never regained consciousness.

Read the New York Times article.

Happy Anniversary, Spacing Magazine

In the spirit of Spacing Magazine’s 5th Anniversary party on December 10 at the Great Hall in Toronto, the top 5 things I like about Toronto:

1. Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, Little India, Portuguese Village, Greektown
2. Ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square
3. More live music venues than the province of Manitoba
4. Escaping to the island on a lazy Sunday afternoon
5. The centre of the hockey universe

Congratulations to Matthew Blackett and the whole Spacing staff for a wonderful five years. Up 'em irons!

Visit Spacing Magazine on-line.

Man Killed for 'Hogging Karaoke'

Police say a Malaysian man has been stabbed to death by customers at a karaoke bar for singing too much and refusing to share the microphone.

Abdul Sani Doli, 23, was apparently attacked and killed by a group of angry customers at the bar in Sandakan town on eastern Borneo island.

Read the Washington Post story

Canadian Media Giant Ted Rogers Passes Away

Canadian media magnate Ted Rogers, founder and CEO of Rogers Communications, has died.

Rogers, 75, died at his Toronto home on December 2, surrounded by loved ones, said a statement from the company's board of directors. He had recently been admitted to hospital for an existing cardiac condition.

In 1960, Rogers laid the foundation for his company while studying law with the purchase of CHFI, a Toronto FM radio station. At the time, the FM format was considered obscure.

Rogers went on to dominate the cable television provider market, leading the way for cellular and wireless communications. He flirted with bankruptcy when he decided to invest in high-speed internet making Rogers one of the first cable companies in the world to do so.

Along with the Rogers media conglomerate, including over 50 magazines, a number of television and radio station, Rogers bought the the Toronto Blue Jays and the Skydome, renaming it Rogers Centre.

Rogers Communications hasn't named a successor. The company said its board will form a special committee to search for candidates. Alan Horn, currently chairman of Rogers Communications, will take on the role of acting CEO in the meantime.

Ted Rogers is survived by his wife, Loretta, whom he married in 1963, and their four children - Edward, Lisa, Melinda and Martha.

Read the Canoe.ca story

R.I.P Paul Benedict

Versatile American actor Paul Benedict - probably best known for his portrayals of English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom The Jeffersons, the Memphis hotel desk clerk in the film This is Spinal Tap and the The Number Painter on Sesame Street - died on December 1.

Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.

Benedict was found dead at his home in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. He was 70 years old

Read the L.A Times obituary

Watch the "4" episode of the Number Painter, co-starring a very cute Stockard Channing

Tell us Something we Didn't Know

"There is a strong correlation between media exposure and long-term negative health effects to children."

Dr. EZEKIEL J. EMANUEL, of the National Institutes of Health, on a Dec. 2 study linking kids' bad television habits with obesity, smoking and early sexual activity

NHL Suspends Sean Avery Indefinitely

NHL Super pest Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely by the league for comments he made on camera prior to his Dallas Stars game against the Calgary Flames on December 2.

"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," he said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds..."

Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf; she had also been romantically linked to Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens. Avery also dated model Rachel Hunter, who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll.

"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

Avery's a jackass. Plain and simple.