Whoopi Goldberg is pissed off people and yesterday on The View, she let everybody know about it.  She read an article in the New York Times article about the lack of racial diversity among this year’s Academy Award nominees and when she didn’t see her name mentioned in the article, she flipped her lid.

Whoopi Goldberg Defends Christian Bale’s Crazy Ass

In case you didn’t know, she won an Oscar for her part in 1990′s Ghost, with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.

“I am embarrassed to tell you it hurt me terribly,” Goldberg said on the View Monday. “When you win an Academy Award, that’s part of what you’ve done, your legacy. I will always be Academy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg, and [I] have been dismissed and erased by the New York Times film critics, who should know better.  Not only am I an Academy Award winner.  I have made over 50 films. I have been nominated twice – once for The Color Purple, once for Ghost. And I won for Ghost.This is not hidden information, and to these two critics, who are the head critics of the New York Times … it’s hard not to take it personally.  There’s a lot of stuff that people say and do but this is sloppy journalism.  People in Somalia know [about my Oscar win].  People in China know.”

A spokesperson for the Times responded with this statement,

“The error lies with those who are reading the story incorrectly,” the statement reads. “The point of the piece was not to name every black actor or actress who has been awarded an Oscar, it was to draw a comparison between the number who won prior to 2002 (the year Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won) and those who have won since.  And the story states very clearly that in 73 years, prior to 2002, only seven black actors/actresses won Oscars.”

So what do you think?  Who was out of line here?  Or was this really just a misunderstanding?

Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN

More sad news for the world.  It has been confirmed that the reason behind the surgeries and cancellations of many shows is that Aretha Franklin is battling cancer.

Her family and friends are “very concerned,” but say she is doing “okay.”  Other sources are saying that Aretha is suffering from pancreatic cancer.  This is the same cancer that killed Patrick Swayze.  I hope that this is a mistake.

Patrick Swayze Has Died

Franklin underwent a “highly successful” surgery last week.

“God is still in control,” Aretha’s post-surgery statement read. “I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country.”

We are still pulling for you Aretha.  Keep on fighting and know that the world is praying for your healing.

Photo: Joseph Marzullo/WENN

This picture from 2005

How sad is this news?  Patrick Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.  His rep released this statement:

“Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months,“

Patrick continued working on his series ‘The Beast‘ even when undergoing chemotherapy.  His brother, Don, referred to him in his fight with the disease as a ‘warrior’.

He met his wife Lisa Niemi at his mom’s dance studio in Houston, Texas.  They had been married 32.  He credited his wife as his inspiration for his roles in The Outsiders (1983), Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990).

Despite chemotheraphy being ‘hell on wheels’ Patrick told the New York Times in 2008:

“There is probably that little bird that flies through your insides and says, ‘I sure would like to make a mark in life,’” he said. “I’ve made a pretty decent mark so far – nothing to scoff at. But it does make you think: Wait a minute. There’s more I want to do. Lots more. Get on with it.”

Our sincerest condolences to his family.

Patrick Swayze has checked into the hospital for observation as he has pneumonia.    A&E president Abbe Raven:

“As we arrived here this morning we have some news,” ”Patrick Swayze has checked himself into the hospital. However, he asked us specifically to go forward with today’s panel. We wish him the very best with his recovery.”

Patrick was set to discuss his new show The Beast which begins airing Monday.

Patrick told Barbara Walters in his interview:

You can bet that I’m going through hell,” he said. “And I’ve only seen the beginning of it.”  “There’s a lot of fear here,” he said. “Yeah, I’m scared. Yeah, I’m angry. Yeah, I’m [asking], why me.”

Always the fighter, Patrick is not letting it get him down:

“I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life,” he said, “not lived in the shadow of cancer, but in the light.”

We wish Patrick a speedy recovery.   To send your wishes to him, you can do so at:

PATRICK SWAYZE

C/O W.K.T. PUBLIC RELATIONS
335 NORTH MAPLE DRIVE, STE. 351
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

(thanks to BusyBeeBlogger.com for including that information on her site today).

WENN.com

Photo of Patrick and his wife Lisa from 2007

Barbara Walters has landed the first in-depth interview with Patrick Swayze since it was announced he was battling cancer.

The interview that took place at Swayze’s ranch out side of Los Angeles, will air on January 7, 2009.  Says Barbara:

“Everything about him (Swayze) impresses me: his courage, his humour. There’s something very valiant about him… He’s a fighter.”

Photo:  WENN.COM

Isn’t it nice he’s looking so healthy.  And he’s well enough to be working.  That’s so great to know, isn’t it?  The Beast is being filmed in Chicaco.  His wife, Lisa Niemi was also on the set.

Photo:  SplashNews