Twilight is almost upon us, y’all … we are mere 3 days away from the movie’s official opening (well, 2 days away if you figure in the first midnight showings on Thursday) and anticipation for the film is reaching a fevered pitch. The movie had its official Hollywood premiere at Mann Village and Bruin Theaters in Westwood, CA last night where the principal stars were joined by their celebrity cohorts on the red carpet … oh yeah, and about 600+ “fanpires” who came out to shriek and scream for the arriving cast members, getting louder and louder until Robert Pattinson’s arrival caused the excitement to go supersonic (poor R. Pattz even went “completely deaf”). Here are a few pics from last night’s premiere arrivals and some info about the night’s festivities:

Hundreds of shrieking fans — mostly teenage girls — lined the streets outside the Mann Village and Bruin Theatres on Monday for a chance to peek at the stars attending the Los Angeles premiere of “Twilight.” Some enthusiasts of the popular vampire literary series-turned-movie camped out overnight, while many arrived at dawn to secure a place in line. “I’m on basic motor functions right now,” actor Robert Pattinson, who plays sexy vamp Edward, said amid fans’ screams. More than 600 people were allowed inside special holding areas along both sides of the premiere’s red carpet. The self-proclaimed fanpires gawked, squealed and begged for autographs and photos with the stars. Others spilled out beyond the barricades and across the street from the premiere. Many held up handmade signs. Most just wanted face time. What question did they ask the most? “‘What’s it like kissing vampires?’” said actress Kristen Stewart, who plays human teenager Bella. Marie Sheranian, 16, and Brianna Matheson, 17, came from Simi Valley, Calif., to catch a glimpse of Pattinson, the 22-year-old actor who became a heartthrob after winning the role of Edward. The two “Twilight” fans created T-shirts professing their devotion for Pattinson and brought crates to stand on in hopes of seeing the actor’s face — or even the top of his hair — from above the crowd. “My heart is gonna explode,” Sheranian said from atop a crate. Not everyone in the horde was a howling teenage girl. Several teenage boys were sprinkled throughout the crowd. And there were even a few parents — including the founders of TwilightMoms.com, who left their children and husbands at home to attend the premiere. Pia Castillo said she came all the way from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to see the film’s bloodsuckers in person. “It’s shocking something I came up with could inspire all this,” said “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer. The red carpet was buzzing about possible sequels. Meyer has written three other “Twilight” novels. Pattinson said he signed on for the film thinking it would be part of a trilogy, and he knows a script for a second film has been written. Stewart said she originally heard the cast might reunite to film both the second and third sequels at the same time, but now they might be filmed separately. “It has to make a certain amount of money, like $150 million, to be able to afford the sequel,” director Catherine Hardwicke said. “So we really don’t know yet.”

LOL. I’d be surprised if Twilight didn’t make $150 million in it’s opening weekend, considering all this insane hype. But, more realistically, it prolly won’t make that much money in one weekend but I think it’s a bit silly to say that they’re not sure about future sequels … this movie will make more than enough to justify the sequels to come. I have to say, I’m so impressed that all of this crazed excitement has been generated by a book … once again, my spirit is heartened by the fact that all of this rabid fandom comes not from video games or pop star worship — all of this excitement comes from reading books. The naysayers have much to say about all this “silliness” over vampires but I am most taken by the fact that books have inspired this insanity. Kids are reading! I really do hope that Twilight exceeds all expectations. The more success that movies like this have, the more credence will be paid to the actual written word. It won’t be long now.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

She’s baaaaack! Shannen Doherty joined the cast of The CW series 90210 on set at the Gay and Lesbian Center in Hollywood this weekend. I assume that an upcoming ep of the show may have a gay storyline but it could just be that the center will merely stand-in as something else on the show. In any event, Shannen was proudly showing off a new dude on set but it was unclear what, if any, the state of their relationship is. Jennie Garth was also on set, proudly showing off a No on Prop 8 sign she got from the Gay and Lesbian Center to show her disdain for the discriminatory proposition’s passage here in California:

As we learned previously, Shannen was asked back to appear in two more eps of the series later on in the season and it looks like she’s begun work filming those eps. No word on if any other Beverly Hills, 90210 alums will be appearing on the spin-off this season but at least now we know that Shannen is back for sure. I just love that Jennie Garth has joined the chorus of celebs who are vocalizing (in whatever way they can) their opposition to Prop 8 in this State. I understand another round of protests are taking place today … and for the foreseeable future. A few Pink readers have asked if I knew of any planned protests coming up so I offer THIS link to a list of events that should be updated as new events are planned.

In any event, it’s great to see Shannen back to work again (we’ll see if this new guy turns out to be someone relevant) and to see Jennie be so awesome :)

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Hilary Duff, Lance Bass, Jennie Garth and others were all on hand at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA last night for the 4th Annual GLSEN Respect Awards hosted by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. Darren Star, Disney/ABC Television and Lance Bass were the special honorees at last night’s event for their “commitment to all America’s students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression”. Here are a few pics from the red carpet last night:

It’s great to see Hilary Duff so proudly supporting this amazing organization. You may recall that earlier this week we got to see her new GLSEN produced PSA that encourages young people to Think Before You Speak in order to curb curb bullying or threatening language aimed at LGBT youth. I am such a huge supporter of the GLSEN organization. They work so tirelessly to bring together straight allies with the LGBT community in order to foster inclusiveness so that, together, they are able to work towards ending bullying and hatespeak aimed at targeted youth. The Respect Awards annually celebrate those folks who work towards that inclusiveness. I am constantly surprised and impressed with the strides that are made in acceptance and inclusiveness among different groups of people in this country. Even tho there are still those who fear and vehemently oppose the equality of all citizens, the country seems to be moving towards inclusion rather than exclusion. It’s a long process and it is slow-going at times but we are getting there. It’s just really exciting, y’all :)

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

This past weekend we learned that Nicole Kidman would be receiving a special tribute from Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine at the 15th annual Women In Hollywood Tribute event hosted by Elle magazine — and last night was the big night. Celebs of varying stature and caliber made their way out to The Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, CA last night to partake of Elle magazine’s tribute to, in their estimation, the most worthy women in Hollywood. Here are a few pics from the event’s red carpet arrivals last night:

Nicole Kidman, Jane Fonda, Jennifer Lopez, Diane Keaton and Halle Berry joined dozens of other stars in a ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel on Monday for Elle magazine’s 15th annual Women in Hollywood tribute, honoring seven noteworthy women in entertainment. Fonda served as an informal entertainment ambassador before the program, chatting up actress Kat Dennings and introducing Amber Tamblyn to Shirley MacLaine. Meanwhile, the evening’s host, Chelsea Handler, shared laughs with Jenny McCarthy and Cheryl Hines. Other guests included Kate Beckinsale, Courteney Cox, Eva Mendes, Angie Harmon and Cheryl Tiegs. Elle’s annual dinner pays tribute to women “who are telling our stories” in Hollywood, said editor Roberta Myers. This year’s honorees included Berry, Fonda, Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Sigourney Weaver, Isla Fisher and director Catherine Hardwicke — all of whom are featured in the magazine’s November issue. “Someday hopefully it won’t be necessary to allocate a special evening to celebrate where we are and how far we’ve come,” Weaver said. “Someday women writers, producers and crew members will be so commonplace, and roles and salaries for actresses will outstrip those for men, and pigs will fly.” Though things have improved for women, “we do have a long way to go,” she said. Hathaway said in today’s Hollywood “women are about so much more than how they look. I think it’s pretty remarkable that, at 25, I’m able to say that my role as a woman in Hollywood is purely as an artist, not a cause,” Hathaway said. “I’m free to play my characters as I imagine them, far beyond what size jeans they wear.” Fisher thanked “my baby daddy SBC” (Sacha Baron Cohen) and paid homage to Kidman, “who paved the way for all us Aussies.” MacLaine continued the praise. “Nicole Kidman has been a revelation to me, and it’s not easy for me to be revelated,” she said, calling Kidman “my star child.” Kidman thanked all the directors who “molded” her, particularly Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack. “They were men in Hollywood who loved women,” she said. Fonda thanked all the women in the house — and Hollywood itself. “Aren’t we glad we’re not bankers,” she said. “We are in the most fantastic business.”

I feel I must echo Sigourney Weaver’s comments and am also very much looking forward to the day when events like this are no longer necessary. Hopefully the day will soon come when there’ll be no need to honor women in Hollywood on a singular night of tribute because they will be afforded the same tribute as their male counterparts every single day. I find it criminal that Johnny Depp (and no offense to him in any way) can demand $55 million dollars for a film role when women cannot garner the same pay. There is still a huge disparity between wages paid to men over women. We may have come a long way (baby) but there is still a long way to go yet. In any event, congrats and kudos to the women honored at last night’s event. It sounds like due tribute was paid to some very deserving women.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Last night’s episode of 90210, you know — the one that revealed the identity of Kelly Taylor’s babydaddy, featured a very prominent shout-out to Tori Spelling’s character Donna Martin (and the famous Donna Martin Graduates episode of BH, 90210) in the early part of the ep. It sounded so natural to have Kelly Taylor and Brenda Walsh talking about Donna Martin as if no time had passed, as if all was right with the world (Brenda also revealed that Donna has a baby … tho it wasn’t specified if she had that child with her husband David Silver). I feel that there is hope that Tori Spelling might still be brought on the show … in fact, Tori Spelling herself is still hoping that she might be able to, one day, return to the role that made her a star:

At the Silverspoons Pink Party Luncheon in recognition of breast cancer awareness, OK! caught up with Tori Spelling as she tried on the New Balance pink sneaker designed especially for breast cancer awareness month. Tori was happy to talk about upcoming projects, revealing she’s still holding out for a role on the new 90210. “Yeah, well see. I’m a big believer in what’s meant to be will be, so if it’s meant to be it will work out,” she says. “I watched it and I think it’s so cute. The new cast is so cute.”

My money says that last night’s Donna Martin shout-out is a clue that producers will eventually bring her back on the show again. My guess is that she will, indeed, return … most probably after Shannen Doherty’s 4 eps have aired. I would love to have Kelly, Brenda and Donna all together again on screen but … at this point, I’ll take what I can get. After the jump, check out video of Kelly and Brenda talking about Donna in the cafeteria of West Beverly High School …

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Jennie Garth, who is currently riding a new wave of nostalgic fame due to her new permanent stint on 90210, was spied sitting for a magazine photoshoot here in LA yesterday afternoon. By the looks on her face, it doesn’t look like she was having a good time:

I wouldn’t say that Jennie’s facial expressions are quite at the level of the master herself, Miss Whitney Port, but it looks like she can hold her own. Dunno what exactly was causing Jennie to make such sour faces but it’s kinda hard to hate on the girl no matter what she does. I’m a big Kelly Taylor fan so she has my heart.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

So … 90210 finally debuted on The CW last night to much anticipation and speculation about the new incarnation of the hugely successful and beloved Beverly Hills, 90210 from the early ’90s. Right off the bat I have to admit that my fears have been put to rest, the new version of the hit series (thus far) seems to have all the necessary elements to make it a big hit for a whole new generation of viewers:

So as not to spoil anything for those of you who have yet to see the 2-hour series premiere last night I’m putting my comments about the show behind the cut. After the jump, check out my take on the new 90210 …

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