I know, I haven't had a Website of the Week for the entire month. Here is the latest edition. I try to keep up to date on various entertainment news coming out of Japan. One of my favorite websites is Japan Zone. The news is generally in small, easy to digest blocks and it's updated once a day. It's just enough to know what's going on without getting too complicated.
Japanese entertainment news 1/8/08
Popular singer Hamasaki Ayumi revealed this past weekend that she has gone deaf in her left ear. She has had problems with her ear for years and now it is too late for surgical intervention. Hamasaki has stated that she will continue to sing as long as she still has hearing in her right ear.
A third season of Gokusen!
I absolutely loved the first season of Gokusen. The second season wasn't nearly as good. Despite that, it has been announced that there will be a third season premiering in April. I hope that they don't make the same mistake they did with the second. Maybe they will change things up a little instead of making it a direct rehash of the first season. (Though it wouldn't hurt if they brought back MatsuJun!) Luckily, Nakama Yukie will be back in her role as Yankumi.
Entertainment news from Japan
Actress Miyazaki Aoi (Hachi in the first live action NANA movie) married actor Takaoka Sousuke (Shinobu in Tokyo Love Cinema) on July 25 at a shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Only close family members attended the small ceremony. Yesterday, actress Matsushima Nanako (Domyouji Tsubaki in Hana Yori Dango) revealed that she is currently pregnant with her second child. She is married to her GTO co-star Sorimachi Takashi. Their first child was born in 2004.
Singer Hamasaki Ayumi recently announced the end of her romantic relationship with TOKIO vocalist Nagase Tomoya. While no specific reason was given for the break-up, rumors are definitely flying. One rumor claims Ayumi had an abortion; another claims their egos got in the way; while yet another blames Ayumi's dogs. I doubt the public will ever find out why the 7-year relationship ended.
Mandy Patinkin leaves Criminal Minds
I know this news is a couple days old but it's something I really wanted to talk about. One of the shows I really enjoy watching is Criminal Minds on CBS. Mandy Pantinkin asked to be released from his contract and has left the show. He cited 'creative differences' but one of the head honchos at CBS said that is nothing but a euphemism for personal issues. Add this to a PBS panel he backed out of on July 11 due to illness. Does this mean that my dear Mandy is sick? Not just *cough cough* sick but sick enough to back out on a starring role on a popular series? A lot of people are comparing this to when he left Chicago Hope. Except he left Chicago Hope to spend more time with his family. Since Mandy hasn't come out and said exactly why he's leaving Criminal Minds, no one beyond the network people know if this is another family issue or what is going on.
I started watching Criminal Minds because it had Mandy Pantinkin in it. Yes, I came to love the other characters, especially computer geek Garcia, but I always felt that Mandy's character was the driving force behind the team. Unless the writers can come up with a character who can be as much of a mentor to the younger agents as Gideon was, I don't see this being a good thing for the show. Last season the team was going through a lot of difficult, emotional times and it was Gideon that was the light of hope that helped them figure out how to handle their situations. I really hope that the writers don't ruin this by tossing in a younger agent. The show needs the older, wiser mentor character in order to survive. Hire an older actor. Make him an ex-agent that the team needs as a consultant. The new agent doesn't have to go into the field. After all, look how much the team needs Garcia and she almost never leaves her office. Just give the already young team the guidance they need to stay a good team.