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Danielle Adams

Google making search engine smarter

Google launches Knowledge Graph

Google is trying to think like a person.

On Wednesday, Google announced Knowledge Graph, a change in how the search results are delivered that the company believes will be helpful to users. It’s meant to help you find your search results better.

Say you search for the term “kings.”  You could be searching for a sports team, a television show, or royalty. Knowledge Graph will deliver results arranged according to categories with which the search term has been associated. You’ll also get a box to the right of the results explaining more about your search term.

“The web pages we [currently] return for the search ‘kings,’ they’re all good,” Jack Menzel, director of product management at Google, told CNN in an interview. “You, as a human, associate those words with their real-world meaning but, for a computer, they’re just a random string of characters.”

“It hones your search results right in on the task that you’re after,” she said.

Shashidhar Thakur, Google’s Tech Lead in Search, told ABC News that a team at Google has been working on the Knowledge Graph for two years. The initial version of Knowledge Graph has information on 500 million people, places and things and uses 3.5 billion defining attributes and connections to create categories for them. It has surpassed the launch of Google Image and Google News in terms of data available on the first day.

The feature will begin Wednesday afternoon for some users in the United States and will eventually be available on desktop, mobile and tablet searches. Initially, it will only be available in English but will eventually be in other languages as well.

Kim Kardashian bashed on IMDB

Alternative biography insulting the reality star has since been taken down

Kim Kardashian experienced a bit of an ambush on her IMDB page earlier today.

The IMDB bio is credited to Jon C. Hopwood, and begins as follows: “Kim Kardashian is emblematic of the shallowness of American culture in the first two decades of the new millennium. While some cultural critics call her the prime avatar of the “famous for being famous” faux celebrity crowd, she along with Paris Hilton is a new breed of cat whose celebrity comes from the release of a sex tape and the canny exploitation of the resulting publicity. Like her good friend Miss Hilton (their relationship predates Kim’s “celebrity”, Kardashian is possessed of photogenic good looks but is short of any other discernible talents outside of the bedroom. Both expanded their celebrity by becoming reality TV “stars”.

The bio goes on to say, “As for Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, the release (accidental or not-so-accidental) of boudoir tapes didn’t result in shame but celebration. America like ancient Rome seems to have shuffled off the moral coil of virtue of the Republic and is now enjoying its Imperial self in an orgy of ignominy. It’s always more fun on the toboggan ride down the hill than it was schlepping up it in the first place.”

The bio has since been taken down from IMDB, but luckily, Uproxx has a screen shot so it can exist forever.

Sacha Baron Cohen rides a camel

The Dictator brought a camel to the Cannes Film Festival

Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as Admiral General Aladeen, showed up at the Cannes Film Festival with a camel.

In his latest stunt to promote his upcoming comedy, The Dictator, the comedian emerged from his hotel wearing an orange and green polo uniform, and accompanied by two leggy brunettes wearing military berets and carrying fake Kalashnikovs. The dictator’s third companion was the camel, who was adorned with a license plate on its bridle stating Wadiya 1.

Sacha Baron Cohen then proceeded to hold a news conference outside his hotel, before awkwardly mounting his camel and riding down the road to hit the shops. “Let’s go shopping!” he called out as he entered a Ralph Lauren boutique.

This is not the first time Sacha Baron Cohen has pulled a stunt like this. In February, the comedian showed up at the Oscars dressed as Admiral General Haladeen, carrying the “ashes” of Kim Jong-Il, which he then dumped all over Ryan Seacrest.

The Dictator, co-written and produced by Sacha Baron Cohen, stars the actor as Admiral General Haffaz Aladeen, dictator of the fictional North African country of Wadiya, and as a goatherder. The film also stars Anna Faris and Ben Kingsley.

Not as shocking as some of his previous films, The Dictator has received mostly positive reviews. It is currently at 66% on Rotten Tomatoes.

DWTS down to final three

Maria Menounos eliminated in semifinals

The semifinals of Dancing With the Stars was the closest of any season so far, with only three points separating the four couples on the leaderboard.

As DWTS host Tom Bergeron put it, “No matter which way this goes, it’s gonna suck.” Maria Menounos and Derek Hough were in first place on the leaderboard, William Levy and Cheryl Burke in second, Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd in third, and Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas at the bottom.

In the end, TV host Maria Menounos and Derek Hough turned out to be the exiting couple. “I learned how strong I was; I learned to persevere,” said Maria of her time on DWTS. Their final dance was (oddly enough) set to R.E.M.’s It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).

Aside from the competition, DWTS was filled with plenty of entertainment. Alanis Morissette sang “Guardian” while two dancers performed; Chelsie Hightower and Tristan MacManus performed a samba for Macy’s Design-A-Dance; Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta and Mary J. Blige sang and danced a scene from their new movie, Rock of Ages; and Carrie Underwood sang “Good Girl” while Tristan and three dancers from the Troupe performed.

The show also revealed what’s up for the next season of DWTS – an all-star season. This fall they will bring back contestants from past seasons, including “former champions, finalists, fan favorites and some controversial celebrities.”

Tune in to DWTS Monday night at 8 p.m. on ABC to see the final performances before the winner gets announced.

Manny Pacquiao banned from Hollywood mall

The boxer’s anti-gay remarks causing controversy

Manny Pacquiao was scheduled to have an interview with Extra host Mario Lopez at a Los Angeles mall today, but the sit-down was cancelled on account of the boxer’s recent anti-gay remarks.

Management at The Grove, a posh, outdoor shopping mall, issued a statement, saying, “Based on news reports of statements made by Mr. Pacquiao we have made it be known that he is not welcome at The Grove and will not be interviewed here now or in the future. The Grove is a gathering place for all Angelenos and not a place for intolerance.”

A devout Catholic and Congressman in his homeland of the Phillipines, Manny Pacquiao told the National Conservative Examiner that he doesn’t agree with Obama’s stance on same sex marriage. He then cited Leviticus 20:13, saying “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

The “Pac-man” went on to say “God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married, only if they so are in love with each other. It should not be of the same sex so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah of Old.”

Manny Pacquiao tried to reform his harsh statements, saying that he does not hate gay people, he just believes that they are acting against God’s law. “I only gave out my opinion that same sex marriage is against the law of God. I’m not against gay people…I have a relative who is also gay. We can’t help it if they were born that way. What I’m critical of are actions that violate the word of God.”

Some gay rights activists are satisfied that Manny Pacquiao has been banned from The Grove, but some are calling for harsher consequences. Gay Marriage USA has started a petition to get Nike to drop the boxer as a client.

Manny Pacquaio is listed at No. 4 on Forbes’ list of most influential athletes in the world.

Rock the Bells 2012 lineup announced

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to reunite at festival

Rock the Bells, scheduled to kick off later this summer, has announced a solid lineup for its 2012 festival series.

As the only traveling hip hop festival, Rock the Bells will feature an array of artists, including Kid Cudi, Nas, Wiz Khalifa, J Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Atmosphere, Mac Miller and much more.

Rock the Bells has a reputation for reuniting some of hip hop’s most innovative and influential acts, as well as scheduling artists to perform significant albums in their entirety. This year is no exception. All the members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Hit Squad will be reunited at the festival.

This will be the first time in over 20 years Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will perform onstage with all five members. They will be performing a special tribute to the late Eazy E as well as their breakout album E. 1999 Eternal in its entirety.

Hit Squad, the east-coast collective of EPMD, Redman, Das EFX, K-Solo, Keith Murray and DJ Scratch, broke up in 1993 following the success of their fourth album Business Never Personal.

Method Man and Redman will perform their 1999 debut album Blackout in its entirety as well. West coast legend Ice Cube will also be performing songs off the albums that pushed him into the mainstream, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Certificate.

Rock the Bells will kick off in San Bernardino, CA on August 19-20 at the NOS Events Center. The festival will then make its way to Mountain View, C.A. on August 25-26 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and will wrap on the east coast in Newark, N.J. on September 1-2 at PNC Arts Center.

The Guerilla Union pre-sale will begin on Friday, May 18 at 10am PST – 10pm PST. General on-sale starts on Saturday, May 19 at 10am PST.

Fans are encouraged to check rockthebells.net for the exact lineup per city.

Brevard County mom murders four children, takes her own life

Asked to be cremated with her children

Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies found five people dead inside a home in Port St. John in an area known as the “Space Coast.”

Tonya Thomas, 33, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted wound, said Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Her children, Pebbles Johnson, 17, Jaxs Johnson, 15, Jazzlyn Johnson, 13, and Joel Johnson, 12, were fatally shot.

A neighbor said they woke to the sound of a gunshot in the middle of the night, followed by a knock on their door. Three of the four children were outside, and one of them appeared to have been shot. Thomas came out of her house and called the children back home.

The children returned home and the neighbors called 911 after hearing more gunshots.

Brevard County deputies arrived a short time later and saw someone at the front door go back into the house, Goodyear said. The officers found Pebbles on the front lawn and drove her to a waiting ambulance. She was declared dead on the scene.

Goodyear said deputies saw movement inside the house before hearing the final shot. SWAT team members entered the home a short time later and found the bodies of Thomas and the rest of her children.

A neighbor told the police that Thomas sent a text message in the middle of the night saying she wanted to be cremated with her children. He didn’t see the text until he woke up in the morning.

This was not the first time Brevard County deputies had been called to the house. Records show authorities went to Thomas’ house on three consecutive days in April.

Several neighbors said the family was known for being disruptive and that police were often at the house.

Mitchell Guist dies

Swamp People star died this morning in Louisiana

Mitchell Guist, Swamp People star, died Monday morning after suffering an apparent seizure.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack says Mitchell Guist was pronounced dead at a hospital today. He was reportedly loading something onto his boat around 9 a.m. when he slipped and fell. He was on the Intracoastal Waterway, near Pierre Part, La.

Onlookers said that Mitchell Guist appeared to be having a seizure. Someone reportedly tried to perform CPR on Guist, but attempts to resuscitate the alligator hunter were unsuccessful. An autopsy will have to be performed before an official cause of death can be announced.

Swamp People features Mitchell and his brother Glenn, residents of Louisiana’s Atchafalaya swamp country, during alligator hunting season. The third season of the show debuted on the History Channel in February. The Swamp People website describes the brothers like this: “Swampers through and through, Glenn and Mitchell Guist were born and raised on the bayou and lived entirely off the land. These brothers were always up to something, whether it was hunting for their dinner or making use of everything nature has to offer.”

On Mitchell’s Facebook page, he described himself as a simple man. “I like to hunt and fish. I like to hang out with friends. Im just a normal dude.”

America's Got Talent welcomes Howard Stern

New judge promises to be anything but dull

America’s Got Talent is getting a dose of shock jock with Howard Stern joining the judges panel for Season 7.

America’s Got Talent is a family show, and I have been disrespecting family values for years,” Stern joked at a recent press conference. “I respect what America’s Got Talent is. It is a family show; it is not The Howard Stern Show. It is a show that I love. I have been watching it for years and I don’t want to come in and do The Howard Stern Show. I don’t want to interrupt the flow of the show, I only want to make it better,” he said.

Judge Howie Mandel is happy to welcome Stern to the America’s Got Talent family. “It’s like summer camp, honestly. Like you look forward to it,” he told Huffington Post. “This summer we get to hang out with each other and we’re all over the country. You can’t ask for more. To be witness to people creating entertainment — not necessarily specifically singing or dancing – and watch them become household names and maybe even be part of it in our constructive criticism, has been nothing but a joy,” said Mandel.

Host Nick Cannon is also looking forward to having Stern on the show. “He’s a great man, it’s like one big happy family,” he told HuffPost.

While Stern can be expected to be a bit controversial, he’s committed to keeping things clean on America’s Got Talent. “I took a leap of faith,” he told Rolling Stone. “That’s the only reason I did it: I thought it would be fun, and I thought I might be good at it because I sit at home watching this thing, and I’m doing commentary to the wall.”

America’s Got Talent premiers Monday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Sister Wives Season 3: Family dynamics a bit messy

Christine feels neglected by Kody

Sister Wives season three premiered Sunday night, picking up about two months after baby Solomon is born.

With the family’s recent move to Las Vegas on the last season of Sister Wives, they are no longer able to live in one house, and this is definitely causing some strain on their relationships. The Brown family’s solution is to buy a property that will allow them to build four new homes on a cul-de-sac. This will take some time, of course, but it will be worth it for the family to live closer together.

Christine feels that her relationship with Kody is fading. On the nights Kody is supposed to stay at her house, he comes over late and leaves early. She feels like he thinks of her as chore, but he’s always excited to spend time with Robyn. Perhaps this season of Sister Wives will focus more on the downside to sharing your man with other women.

Christina may not be too keen on Robyn, but Meri has bonded with the newest wife. Meri cannot have another baby, but last season on Sister Wives, Robyn offered to surrogate for her and Kody, an offer that brought Meri to tears.

The family celebrated Hanukkah, which was a bit unexpected. “Jesus honored the festival of light, this isn’t a universal part of our faith, but something we’ve embraced as a family to enhance our Christian experience,” explained Janelle, the second wife. “We absolutely accept the Old Testament and study it as a religious doctrine.”

They then celebrate Christmas, in a big house they rented for a Christmas vacation. On Christmas Day, Kody gives Meri a necklace, Robyn a guitar, Janelle a tablet and Christine a ring. The wives give Kody a gun, which clearly delights him, and he says he takes gun safety seriously as he points it around.

After presents, Kody asks Christine if her ring got him out of the doghouse. (It didn’t.) Kody simply chuckles and gives her a kiss, resolving nothing.

Other happenings on Sister Wives include the parents getting sad that some of their teens are getting to be of age and will be leaving the coop soon. Logan this year, then Mariah and Aspen, then Madison and Mykelt and Hunter after that.

The episode ends with the family taking a trip to look at their future cul-de-sac.