Justin Bieber’s perfume ad: seduction by a child is wrong

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who do not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/may/29/ask-hadley-justin-bieber-perfume-ad

Hadley Freeman guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 May 2011 22.01 BST

To be fair, Eduardo (and aunt of Eduardo), perfume adverts are not exactly known for that elusive quality we in the business refer to as “the relaxed sphincter factor”. This is when something is so unembarrassing that one can relax one’s sphincter. Clever that, huh? A really, like, smart linguist must have come up with that one. A cunning one, even. OK, step away, folks, nothing to see here.

Some of us are still recovering from Ewan McGregor’s unforgivable plug for Davidoff Somethingorother (”I find myself in an exhilarating journey” – presumably a journey straight to the bank). Even worse was the Chanel sheckel taken by McGregor’s former singing mate, Nicole Kidman. It is a proven medical fact that just the memory of Kidman braying, “I’m a dancer! I love to dance!” still causes the innards of all sentient human beings to curl.

Meanwhile, the contributions to the world of olfactory cinema from Sean John/Diddy/Daddy/Swagg/whatever-his-stupid-name-is-this-week are so extraordinary they require their own genre, as Hitchcock’s films do, or those of David Lynch, but in a perhaps less positive way.

Predictably, the Biebmeister’s contribution to the artform is in keeping with the tradition. It features Dree “yes, the great granddaughter of” Hemingway (truly, Ernest, all of your efforts to achieve immortal artistic credibility were not in vain). If I can grasp the semiotics and subtextual messages in this nigh-on Buñuelian artwork, Justin appears to be suggesting that if you spritz on this offering from the duty free bargain bin he will magically appear in your room, take you into the cover illustration of a 70s prog-rock band’s album, reveal he is wearing some very misjudged purple high-top trainers, and depart.

Leaving aside the distracting thought that there is something very wrong about advertising a perfume with the promise of seduction by a child, and then leaving aside the depressing thought that such concerns are a sign of how old I am as I did not have such qualms when I was snogging posters of a barely pubescent Jordan Knight several decades ago, let us focus on the message that Bieber is sending here.

He is making the basic mistake that all celebrities make, namely that it is their fans’ dearest wish to meet them. It is understandable that they believe this, and that even their fans believe this, but speaking as one who fell passionately in love with many young men she’d never met when she was between the ages of 13 and 16, I can say with authority that this is not really the case. What teenage and tweenage fans really want is to talk about the object of their desires with fellow fans, obsessively and even fanatically. The object himself is actually irrelevant. He is merely the vessel into which young girls pour all their emotions and desire – not for the boy himself, exactly – but for being part of a community, whether it’s a school clique or a Justin Bieber (or Jordan Knight) fan club.

So my advice to Bieber is this: if he really wants to sell his whiffy plonk, promise it can freeze time for everyone but those who wear the perfume. Thus, all Bieber fans can talk for hours on the internet with other obsessives and not have to worry about boring things such as going to school and writing a thank-you note to grandma.

The cat who got the Cole: A relaxed Nicole Scherzinger leaves X Factor storm behind her to join the stars at Monaco Grand Prix

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1392103/Nicole-Scherzinger-leaves-X-Factor-storm-join-stars-Monaco-Grand-Prix.html

Nicole Scherzinger looks happy and relaxed as she strolls through the enclosure at the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last week, she found herself at the centre of a growing storm when it emerged she had replaced Cheryl Cole as a judge on the U.S. version of the X Factor.

But Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger looked like she didn’t have a care in the world in Monte Carlo earlier today, as she watched boyfriend Lewis Hamilton race in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Looking happy and relaxed in a grey and black patterned minidress, white sandals and a large oversize floppy hat, the 32-year-old singer smiled as she strolled through the race crowds.

She was also pictured holding an umbrella over her 26-year-old British boyfriend before the race to shade him from the Monaco sunshine.

The star was clearly enjoying some relaxation time before she is due to return to the U.S. where she will take Cheryl’s place alongside Simon Cowell, L.A.Reid and Paula Abdul.

Nicole had originally been co-hosting the show alongside Steve Jones, but will now replace Cheryl after she was fired from the show.

At one point, she was seen sporting a pair of headphones and watching the action intently from a raised platform.

Nicole joined a slew of other celebrities at the Monte Carlo circuit for what has become known as Formula One’s most glamorous Grand Prix.

Accordingly, the stars were pulling out all the stops in the glamour stakes.

Princess Beatrice arrived with her boyfriend Dave Clark looking chic in an apricot dress and wedge sandals while Geri Halliwell turned up with her boyfriend Henry Beckwith.

Looking striking in a bright green playsuit, the former Spice Girl larked around with a camera taking photographs of the action.

British racing driver Jenson Button’s model girlfriend Jessica Michibata looked stunning in a white one shouldered minidress, while singer and actress Holly Valance went for a simple chic grey and black patterned dress teamed with Gladiator sandals.

Monte Carlo was enjoying its reputation as something of a millionaires playground with Richard Branson posing with his daughter Holly and fashion mogul Philip Green also being spotted trackside.

Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone’s daughters Petra and Tamara showed off their svelte figures as they arrived at the event, Petra in white shorts and Tamara sporting a white and black patterned playsuit.

Monaco royal Charlotte Casiraghi looked chic in an orange and white dress with beige sandal as she watched defending Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel race to victory.

Zhou Libo: Close up with Shanghai’s favorite funny man

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/play/zhou-libo-close-shanghais-favorite-funny-man-605395

By Wing-Yee Fong

Shanghai’s favorite comedian Zhou Libo (周立波), or ‘Bobo’, is best known for drawing sell-out crowds to his live shows, delivering his act in Shanghainese, and lampooning just about everyone. His latest project — “Zhou Libo: Hui Ci Dian” or “Zhou Libo’s Dictionary of Humour” — is a lexicon containing hundreds of commonly used Shanghai slang terms, explained with Zhou’s funny flair.

RCNNGo: Why did you help write this Shanghainese dictionary?

Zhou Libo: Shanghai is a big city with lots of cultures so it’s easy to lose your own. I hope that Shanghainese people, newcomers and people who are interested in Shanghai culture can use this dictionary to better understand our dialect and slang. From the thousands of Shanghainese slang, I picked about a hundred — the funniest ones, of course.
CNNGo: Like what?

Zhou Libo: “Fa dia” is a funny one because it was traditionally used to describe some women. But it has changed over time, and now it’s an expression to describe a very old person who does something immature.
CNNGo: How do you feel about people calling you a “savior” of Shanghai culture?

Zhou Libo: There are all kinds of different cultures building up Shanghai, and this city has become one of the best in the country. And because it’s the best, there are many misunderstandings about it in China. I want to say something true and good about what Shanghai really is. I’m just a supporter of Shanghai culture. I really love this city — I’m so proud of being Shanghainese.
CNNGo: Like you, more and more performers across China are using local dialects in their acts. What do you think about this trend?

Zhou Libo: I think it’s very good. One single flower blooming does not mean spring has arrived. When hundreds of different flowers grow in the garden, this is when spring has come.

CNNGo: Describe your favorite types of jokes.

 
Zhou Libo: Some comedians don’t care about what kind of jokes they tell because they only focus on their audience’s laughter. But humor and laughter are two different things. This is why I like meaningful jokes and playing with logic — laughter is not my only trick.

I really like American-style comedy, especially when they play with words and double meaning. After the joke is delivered you have to think again about what’s being said and you realize there’s even more to think and laugh about.

CNNGo: Not too many people make fun of Chinese politicians. Why do you think they’re fair game?

Zhou Libo: This is just my creative method. My comedic material always connects with current affairs to make it fresh; this way I won’t run short of topics to play with. Also, in the past comedians would say good things about politicians, but now comedians are closer to people, their audiences.
I love my country. I make jokes about our leaders because I love them — I’m very patriotic and I joke about them with good intentions.

CNNGo: Who is your favorite politician to impersonate?

Zhou Libo: The politicians I grew up with as a child were strict. These days, our leaders are closer to people. Jiang Zemin is one of my favorites because he has a very strong personality. He can sing, play instruments, sing Russian songs, speak English and shows charisma.
Zhou Libo’s tips on how to make a Shanghainese person laugh:
1. Observe. Watch for things that resonate with you, your friends and anyone else. Use these common feelings as the basis of your jokes.

2. Analyze. Make current affairs easy to understand, and make it interesting for any ordinary person.

3. Impersonate. Master the ability to impersonate others.

4. Language. Switch between Shanghai dialect and Mandarin well, and without any hesitation.

Lady Gaga: icon or just eye-candy?

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8523660/Lady-Gaga-icon-or-just-eye-candy.html

Lady Gaga: Everything about her new album speaks of empire-building ambition

Her outlandish fashion sense has helped make Lady Gaga the pop phenomenon of the digital age – but does the 25-year-old New Yorker have the musical talent to lift her to the ranks of all-time greatness?

By Neil McCormick

Displaying a typically perplexing mixture of imperious control and neurotic fragility, Lady Gaga scurried through the cramped but swanky Annabel’s nightclub, eyes fixed dead ahead, making a beeline for the piano.

The club’s clientele of aristocrats and arrivistes looked up from their dining tables at this vision of a pop star from another planet: gold stiletto boots, see-through black catsuit and sweeping, floor-length green veil covering what appeared to be a prosthetic lizard spine snaking down her back. An ashen-faced man whose mouth had been stopped up with a silver gag played piano while Gaga began to sing, eyes bulging beneath a net headpiece. It was the most peculiar dining entertainment I have ever witnessed.

At first Lady Gaga appeared stiff and edgy, possibly wondering what she was doing singing for her supper at a private event sponsored by Belvedere Vodka (after all, she’s sold 68 million singles and 22 million albums, has had more than a billion views on YouTube, and is both number one on Twitter and the most downloaded artist of the digital age). Yet she visibly relaxed once she had dismissed her slave and taken over the piano herself. Showcasing new material, songs like You & I were a revelation, equal parts rock and roll, country and Broadway showtune, it was as catchy as a Seventies’ Billy Joel hit and as soulful as Adele. Gaga seemed to lose herself, folding over the piano as she moved through the dial from tremulous intimacy to barnstorming finale.

At moments like this you were reminded what an extraordinary talent Lady Gaga really is. Strip away the costumes, autotune, synthesizers, beats, dancers, special effects and all the smoke and mirrors of 21st century pop production, and you are still left with a virtuoso pianist, soulful vocalist, masterful songwriter and commanding performer. Often compared to arch media manipulator Madonna, she has a range of skills that leave her role model in the dust: the musicalilty of Prince, the craftsmanship of Elton John and the peculiarity of David Bowie. She is the next stage in pop’s evolution, the girl who seems to have everything.

Yet Lady Gaga’s incongruous appearance at London’s most exclusive night spot last Tuesday was part of an almost desperately frenzied three-week world tour to promote her new album Born This Way (out on Monday) that has taken in chat shows, Radio 1 concerts and even guest editing a newspaper. Born This Way is undoubtedly a critical moment in the trajectory of Stefani Germanotta. She is already a global sensation, the likes of which the ailing music business was worried it would never see again, and this album will either mark the moment when the 25-year-old New Yorker ascends to the ranks of legendary all-time greatness – or gets blown into the middle distance, just another wannabe chewed up and spat out by the voracious pop machine.

Plays that make you faint

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-features/8510012/Plays-that-make-you-faint.html

Stage fright: the Garrick has had to stop 'Haunting Julia' six times because of faintings

By Robert Gore-Langton

At the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield, currently staging the chiller Haunting Julia, if you hear a dull thud it is probably the sound of an audience member hitting the floor. The play – about a musical prodigy whose ghost hauntsa museum – features a sinister doorway, searing shrieks and spooky laughter. It’s that curious thing, a psychodrama written by the master of stage comedy, Alan Ayckbourn.

In Lichfield, they can’t handle it. Adrian Jackson, who runs the Garrick, says: “We have had just two medical incidents in five and a half years at this theatre. Along comes Haunting Julia and we’ve had to stop the show six times. Two people collapsed in one performance; one passed out and the other had some sort of attack. On the night Lady Ayckbourn came along, someone keeled over. I said to her, ‘Look what your husband is doing to my audience’.”

I recently caught the show and was rather looking forward to ambulance crews carrying a few patrons out feet first. Nothing happened, but I will admit I jumped a mile – at two moments – in a show that expertly creaks away like a horror film door hinge.

Haunting Julia – which premiered in Scarborough in 1994 – was inspired by that godmother of stage chillers, The Woman In Black, which hails from the same town and was adapted for the stage by the late Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s ghost story, set on the east coast with a creepy house, an apparition and some tight-lipped locals.

This magnificent tingler has run for 21 years in London and its director Robin Herford has had a few fainters. The worst was prone for 45 minutes before they got him out of the stalls. “In Scarborough, we knew we were onto something when it reduced grown Yorkshiremen to jelly. Some nights it’s all rapt attention. Some nights it’s mayhem. Its audiences have a collective personality and it varies hugely how they react.”

The show that can claim the most violent audience reaction is Ghost Stories, which completes its year-long run in the West End in mid-June. Its website is plastered in health warnings and it is recommended for the over 15s. It has attracted a new, young audience to the theatre (a crowd who wouldn’t have gone to see last year’s revival of Deathtrap whose seat prices alone were terrifying) with its modern stories linked up in the old Hammer film portmanteau style.

According to its co-creator and performer Andy Nyman, it’s part play, part ghost train ride. “It’s quite common for people to walk in, say ‘I can’t do this’, and leave as soon as the show starts. We have had some very extreme panic attacks, real hyperventilating, and people in pieces who we’ve given sweet tea to backstage. We don’t get so much fainting. But at least once a month someone throws up, which considering there’s no blood and guts in the show, is bizarre.

“But I think people get into such a state, the fear is so tangible, it all comes up.”

None of us wants to go to the theatre to be thrown up on or to be crushed by a swooner in the next seat. But it’s cheering to know the stage chiller tradition is not dead – even if the emergency services wish it was.

Haunting Julia is at Riverside Studios, London W6 (020 8237 1111), from May 25

Bad egg: Bieber shell-shock charge

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/bad-egg-bieber-shellshock-charge-20110505-1e9in.html

Not everyone was impressed with the Bieber fever that swept Sydney when the Canadian pop star arrived for his long-awaited concert last week.

A Bondi Junction teenager has been charged by police after he allegedly broke into the roof of Acer Arena to throw eggs at Justin Bieber during his performance on Friday night.

A number of eggs were thrown at the teen heartthrob and his back-up singers during the performance, but all missed.

Acer Arena complained to police after becoming aware of the incident when details were posted on a social networking site.

A 17-year-old was arrested at his home at 7.30am today and taken to Waverley police station where he was charged with break and enter, trespass and malicious damage.

Police also seized a mobile phone among other items.

He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Children’s Court on June 2.

AAP

Kate’s plan to wear hair down draws ire

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

 http://royalwedding.yahoo.com/blogs/kates-plan-to-wear-hair-down-draws-ire-6652

LONDON — Kate Middleton is at risk of alienating female members of the royal family if she breaks with tradition and wears her hair down when she marries Prince William, multiple sources told Yahoo! on Tuesday.

Royal brides have historically kept their hair neatly bound instead of flowing down their shoulders, but according to her personal stylist, Kate is expected to stick with her usual look at Westminster Abbey.

Yet that move may not meet with the approval of several influential royals, after long-haired brides like the queen’s daughter Princess Anne, Viscountess Linley, and Lady Sarah Chatto all put their hair up.

“It is a strange custom and you wouldn’t think it should matter,” a source close to the royal family told Yahoo! “But there is a strong feeling, especially among the older royals, that things should be done a certain way. This is one of those things and it will be quite a bold move if [Kate] goes against it.”

A second source believed that the theory against leaving the hair down was so that “she does not hog all the spotlight, which is faintly ridiculous given that the bride is supposed to be the center of attention.”

But with the eyes of the world due to be upon her, it looks likely that Kate will stick with her decision to go with the look that she feels suits her best.

Before she heads to Westminster Abbey on Friday morning, Kate will have her hair tended to by the staff of salon owner Richard Ward, led by chief stylist James Pryce.

“It will 100 percent be down and flowy,” Ward told the Daily Telegraph. “Every bride’s hair should reflect their look throughout the year. Kate is such a natural girl, so no stuffy do-ups for her.”

Jennifer Lopez went gray at 23, how about you?

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/jennifer-lopez-went-gray-at-23-how-about-you-2476712/;_ylt=AkGMB62lxpwK5X8AKeXKz63FbqU5

Jennifer Lopez, along with most celebrities, dyes her hair. Yup, those beautiful honey colored highlights are not natural. But what I didn’t know was that J.Lo went gray at the tender age of 23! According to Digital Spy, People’s most beautiful woman admitted this in a recent radio interview. “My mom and my dad both went gray at a young age and I did too,” Lopez said. “At 23! Once I got started doing movies, I started to [go] gray.”

We wrote about a study recently that found nearly one third of women under 30 are going gray—a 14% increase from 20 years ago, with a rise in stress possibly to blame. Really? One in three women under 30 are already going gray? I had no idea! So many ladies enjoy experimenting with hair color and getting highlights, it hadn’t occurred to me that many of them were covering up their gray.

As for me, I just turned 30 and have no gray hairs yet, but when the time comes I will probably dye my hair too. Going gray is part of part of growing up, and we’re lucky to have simple ways to cover it up if we should choose to do so. But with that said, I am curious… when did you start going gray? And if you have, do you now dye your hair to cover it up? Take our anonymous poll or reply in the comments!

Philip Treacy ‘very busy’ creating royal wedding hats

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/04/philip-treacy-very-busy-creating-royal-wedding-hats-/1
By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Philip Treacy hasn’t returned your call?

“We’ve been very busy recently, what with the wedding,” he tells The Telegraph.

Treacy, of course, is the famous milliner whose creations are nothing short of works of art.

And right now, according to The Telegraph, at his studio on the banks of the Thames, it’s like this:

Feathers hang from ceilings; fabrics and ribbons of every imaginable colour are attached to all available surfaces; and in the middle of it all is the Mad Hatter himself, Mr. Treacy, creating wedding headwear for the duchesses, queens and princesses who will be at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

And Treacy is quite happy with the job. “If I designed dresses I would just have one type of customer, but doing hats I get to work with Lady Gaga and the wife of Prince Charles and everybody in between.” He mentions Grace Jones and the late Elizabeth Taylor, too.

So will he be going to the royal wedding? “No, no, but my hats are, and that’s nice.”

‘Rio’ roosts at top of the box office again

Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.

The villainous cockatoo Nigel tells his story in song (and in 3-D) in the comedy Rio.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-04-25-boxoffice25_ST_N.htm

By Scott Bowles
The Easter holiday delivered a bounty to cartoons as Rio held the top spot for a second straight weekend.

The 3-D comedy took in $26.8 million, according to studio estimates from the box-office tracking firm Hollywood.com. The movie has generated $81.3 million in 10 days, nearly recouping its $90 million budget. The movie has benefited from a timely release as school-age kids on break for Good Friday gave the cartoon a surge.

The haul was enough to hold off a slew of newcomers, including Tyler Perry’s latest, Madea’s Big Happy Family, which took second with $25.8 million.

Though some analysts expected Madea to take the top spot with a higher opening, the debut will mark another profitable project for the Atlanta-based Perry, who keeps his production costs below $20 million, making him one of the industry’s most bankable filmmakers.

Perry has never been as popular with film critics, though. Two-thirds of them gave the movie a negative review, according to the movie review site RottenTomatoes.com.

Robert Pattinson’s drama Water for Elephants scored better with critics, 51% of whom gave the movie a thumbs-up. The film was third with $17.5 million, landing it in the middle of its modest projections.

The Easter cartoon Hop got a boost from the holiday, which kept it in the top five a fourth straight weekend. Hop earned $12.5 million, which lifted its overall gross to $100.5 million.

Wes Craven’s horror/comedy Scream 4 was in fifth place with $7.2 million, followed by the Disney documentary African Cats, which was sixth with $6.4 million, meeting most analysts’ expectations.

Final figures are due today.