Sideshow

A 14-year Inquirer veteran with previous stints as an editorial assistant, news researcher and an editor, staff writer Tirdad Derakhshani is a Ph.D. candidate in the philosophy of religion at Penn, where he teaches courses in film studies, modern philosophy, and religion. He had a revelation in 2002 upon the discovery of Bennifer.

“Following the vicissitudes of that ill-starred romance gave me the spiritual sustenance I had craved for so long,” he says. “I hope these celebrity stylings help others experience the healing powers of gossip."

Email Tirdad at sideshow@phillynews.com

Sideshow: Debut and dissent for Nas

By Tirdad Derakhshani, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted 2:28am

It was Nas' day yesterday. The Brooklyn-born hip-hop artist's new CD, Untitled, sold 187,000 copies to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's album charts, pushing Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III to No. 2. Nas caused a big ruckus in October when he announced he would title the CD with the word considered one of the most offensive to African Americans. Guess the hype was good for sales.

First came the London pre-miere Monday of "The Dark Knight" starringChristian Bale as the Caped Crusader - and then came his arrest yesterday on charges of assaulting his mother and sister.

Sideshow: A particularly dark night

By Tirdad Derakhshani, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted 07/23/2008

In yet another testament to the preeminence of commerce over law, Scotland Yard waited an entire day before they finally arrested Christian Bale, 34, yesterday in London for allegedly assaulting his 61-year-old mom, Jenny, and 40-year-old sister, Sharon,

Sideshow: Ebert, Roeper: Show's over 07/22/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Could the nationally syndicated movie review show At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper possibly be the same without Roger Ebert, who's leaving the show? Ebert, who cofounded the show with the late Gene Siskel, yesterday said he's bailing because Disney-ABC Domestic Television is taking the show "in a new direction" and he doesn't want to be associated with it.
Sideshow: Jolie, babies leave hospital 07/21/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Before the sun rose on Saturday, Angelina Jolie and her twins slipped out of the hospital on the French Riviera where they had been sequestered since Angelina delivered the young'uns, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, a week ago, according to an Associated Press report.
Sideshow: 07/20/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

WENN apologizes to Yusuf Islam Yusuf Islam, the Brit folk singer once known as Cat Stevens, has accepted libel damages and a mea culpa from tabloid news service World Entertainment News Network for a report in March 2007 that said the Muslim singer reportedly had ignored female guides at a German awards ceremony because they weren't wearing veils.
Sideshow: Hayek, French beau call off engagement 07/19/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Salma Hayek, 41, may have done irreparable harm to relations between Mexican Americans and the French with an announcement yesterday that she has called off her engagement to French bizman Francois-Henri Pinault, whose greatest attraction seems to be that
Sideshow: Director Mike Nichols has bypass 07/18/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

The New York Post says director Mike Nichols (Carnal Knowledge, Charlie Wilson's War) took a break from helming the Broadway production of Clifford Odets' The Country Girl over the weekend, but not to take a day trip, or catch up on some chores. He had a coronary bypass.
Sideshow: The rap sheet just grows 07/17/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Former NewsRadio star Andy Dick is thriving in his new career as public nuisance. The Charleston, S.C., native was arrested yesterday in front of the Buffalo Wild Wings eatery in Murietta, Calif., after someone called cops to complain that a man was urinating outside.
Sideshow: Jail for Kardashian in DUI 07/16/2008: By Elizabeth Fox , Inquirer Staff Writer

Khloe Kardashian's next dose of reality will involve the Los Angeles County jail. The reality show star and youngest daughter of the late attorney Robert Kardashian admitted during a July 3 court hearing that she violated her probation stemming from a 2007 drunken driving arrest, according to court records.
Sideshow: They never laugh anymore 07/15/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Everyone knows that however happy and goofy they might act in public, many comedians are deeply flawed human beings - inside they're sad, insecure, neurotic. Some even loathe themselves.
Sideshow: Boy, girl a Nice turn of events for Jolie, Pitt 07/14/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Oh, blessed day. The Brangelina twins, dubbed "the most famous babies in the world" by Nice Matin newspaper, have arrived: Angelina Jolie has given birth to a girl and a boy, and dad Brad Pitt took the whole thing in stride.
Sideshow: 07/13/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer

Shakespeare folio recovered A virtually priceless edition of William Shakespeare's plays that was stolen from a library at Durham University in northeast England in December '98 has been recovered, and police in England were holding a man for questioning Friday after an international search for suspects.

MORE STORIES

Sideshow: Ronnie Wood leaves wife for waitress, 18 07/12/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Brinkley and Cook strike a deal 07/11/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Madonna's biggest love? 07/10/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Drew and Mac guy kaput 07/09/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Sunday is born on Monday 07/08/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: One less 'Bachelor' now 07/07/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 07/06/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: That drunken, cussin' Hancock? It's just Dad 07/05/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Grogan pens a childhood memoir 07/04/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: $400 million for Limbaugh 07/03/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Any minute now: Brangelina's twins 07/02/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Dr. Drew: Celebs a tough gig 07/01/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: N.J. native's gospel dream realized 06/30/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 06/29/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Uma gets a big rock from fiance 06/28/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Friends say Ms. Day won't be seen 06/27/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Rocker kids about stealing 06/26/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Hathaway's ex-bf is pinched 06/25/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Winehouse's lung troubles 06/24/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Brokaw to handle Russert job for now 06/23/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Banned in Britain 06/22/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Campbell gets community service, fines 06/21/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Young Jamie Lynn has baby girl 06/20/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: J.Lo's graduation present 06/19/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Laila Ali's idol? (Not Dad) 06/18/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: The Vatican bans 'Angels' 06/17/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Princess busted in the buff 06/16/2008
Sideshow: 06/15/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Bravos to Beatty for his lifetime achievement 06/14/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: For all your Tom Cruise needs 06/13/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Is Paul Newman ailing? 06/12/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Clinton sex videos, just $1.99 06/11/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Trump visits the auld home 06/10/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Friends, family celebrate Bo Diddley at his funeral 06/09/2008
Sideshow: Eastwood lashes out at Lee 06/08/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: McMahon says bad economy's done him in 06/07/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 'ET' knew Jolie source was fake? 06/06/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: McMahons face foreclosure 06/05/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: B. Clinton: No tryst, #$%*! 06/04/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 'GWTW' will soon be gone 06/03/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 'Sex' sells, raking in $55.7 million to start 06/02/2008
Sideshow: 06/01/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Brangelina twins have arrived. Or haven't 05/31/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Bill Murray's wife wants a divorce 05/30/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Dunkin' Donuts dumps ad 05/29/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Britney and bf, LiLo and . . . gf 05/28/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Yale honors McCartney 05/27/2008
Sideshow: Cannes honors 'The Class' 05/26/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 05/25/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Michelle Williams comes to Cannes 05/24/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Oprah makes a clean start on diet 05/23/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Queen is royally displeased 05/22/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Jessica Alba 'quietly' hitched 05/21/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: How Jolie got her jollies 05/20/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Ashlee Simpson, Wentz tie the knot 05/19/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: 05/18/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Wedding bells to peal for Ellen 05/17/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: A memorial for Oprah's 2 late dogs 05/16/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Jack Black spills both beans 05/15/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Al Reynolds hates his life 05/14/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: From acting out to acting 05/13/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
SideShow: 'Mermaid' cast member hurt in fall 05/12/2008
SideShow: Joaquin to sing again 05/11/2008
Hulk Hogan's son, 17, sentenced for a crash 05/10/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Winehouse in custody, again 05/08/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Brit's visitations expanded 05/07/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Maestro Muti off to Chicago 05/06/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Miley Cyrus returns to stage 05/05/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Mariah Carey gets hitched 05/04/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Three steamy, exciting interviews for Oprah's show 05/03/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: For Mia, torch was not the point 05/02/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: The stuntmeister's dream 05/01/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: A sex video with Hendrix? 04/30/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Photo makes Miley blush 04/29/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: At annual dinner, Bush stands up for comedy 04/28/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Seal and Heidi: 'I do,' redux 04/27/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow: Lehrer has heart procedure 04/26/2008: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Townshend writes another rock opera 07/15/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Paula Abdul: I'm not wack 07/08/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Wing Bowl champ is top dog, too 07/05/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Princes present a concert for Diana 07/02/2007
Sideshow | Commending a brave journalist 07/01/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Hilton washed jail out of her hair 06/27/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | It's freedom day for Paris 06/26/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Hilton taking tale to King 06/25/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Puccini for Woody? 06/24/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Appendectomy for Jimmy Kimmel 06/22/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | 'Silver Surfer' arrives in the top spot 06/18/2007
Sideshow | Pop goes the Piano Man: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | For once, leap is not a stunt: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Honors for Mirren, Whitaker: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Compiled By The Inquirer Staff
Sideshow |: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow |: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Urban, out of rehab, eyes the road: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | 'Trees' star Heche sheds a guy: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow |: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | 'Basic Instinct 2' gets 7 worsts 01/23/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Compiled By The Inquirer Staff
Sideshow | Unusual cruelty? Judges plead innocence 01/22/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | 'Meeting of the guts' lacks a certain gusto 01/20/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | A super-sweet 01/17/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Inquirer Staff Writer
Sideshow | Photogs nettling Wills' gal 01/16/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Compiled By The Inquirer Staff
Sideshow | Melissa Rivers has eyes on Eagles 01/13/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , COMPILED BY INQUIRER STAFF
Sideshow | Madge goes to bat for friend Rosie 01/12/2007: By Tirdad Derakhshani , Compiled By The Inquirer Staff

Top Jobs
Top Homes
Top Cars

Philly.com Promotions

Apparel
Books
Movies
Page Reprints
Photos

Ticket Offers

COMCAST TIX

Event: Playhouse Disney Live!
Event: WWE Smackdown
Concert: Celine Dion
Concert: Eric Clapton