By Sean O’Connell

Hollywoodnews.com: George Clooney has become such a huge movie star, it’s easy to forget that he got his start on television. The actor cut his professional teeth on such shows as “The Facts of Life” and “Roseanne” before “E.R.” turned him into a household name. And now television’s prepared to honor Clooney for his career, and his off-screen accomplishments.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences have selected Clooney to receive this year’s Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. It will be presented to the actor during the Emmys, which will be televised on NBC on Aug. 29.

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award goes to someone whose humanitarian work has brought credit to the industry and has had a lasting impact on society. Other recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, and Danny Thomas.

“George was an obvious choice for this honor,” said John Shaffner, the TV Academy’s Chairman and CEO, in a statement. “He has understood and harnessed the power of television, the most powerful medium of our time, to reach into the hearts of people around the world and compelled us to action on behalf of those in sudden and desperate need as well those tragically oppressed in Darfur.”

Clooney will next be seen on the big screen in the motion picture “The American,” which opens on Sept. 1. In the meantime, expect a humble and self-deprecating speech at the Emmys as Clooney accepts his award. We wouldn’t have him any other way.

Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News, Hollywood News

By Greg Hernandez

HollywoodNews.com: I’m starting to watch some of the Outfest movies that will be screening at this year’s festival which kicks off July 8.

Last night, after watching back-to-back episodes of Hell’s Kitchen (I just can’t quit that damned show!), I slipped Violet Tendencies into the DVD player and hoped the for the best.

The movie is directed by Casper Andreas from a screenplay by Jesse Archer in what is their third film together. Both have roles in the film but the star, thankfully, is the marvelous Mindy Cohn who shines in just about any scene she’s in.

Mindy is Violet, the self-described “fag hag” who is loved by her circle of gay friends in New York City but lonely for a man of her own.

“I turn 40 this year. 40! I’m the oldest living fag hag,” she says at one point. “All my life I’ve been a fruit fly, fag hag, queen mother.”

Declaring that “this fruit fly is finished!” Violet becomes scarce to her friends to date. Her attempts are bumpy as she tries to meet dudes via something called “Frisky Friends,” describing herself to one potential suitor this way: “I’m a simple girl from Idaho … my face is rural too. I have an ample bosom and, well, my body is kind of ample.”

Cohn still has that same screen charm she had on The Facts of Life as Natalie but she is a far better actress now. She makes you root for Violet to find happiness but not to change too much because you like her so much the way she is even if she does, for some reason, dress as a cat one night.

Awards News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News, Hollywood News

To read more go to GregInHollywood.com.