Iran ‘Happy’ dance leads to six arrests
An Internet video of six young Iranian men and women dancing to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” has led to their arrests, showing how far Tehran, Iran, will go to halt what it deems to be decadent Western behavior – despite the views of its moderate president.
A tweet posted Wednesday evening on President Hassan Rouhani’s account seemed to address the controversy, even if it stopped short of mentioning the video or the arrests directly.
“#Happiness is our people’s right,” it said. “We shouldn’t be too hard on behaviors caused by joy.”
Other social media posts suggested at least some of the dancers had already been released, although there was no independent confirmation from authorities.
The video that got them in trouble shows hip 20-somethings hamming it up for the camera in sunglasses and silly clothes on Tehran rooftops and alleyways. One of the bearded men goofily dips his female dancing partner.
None of the three women in the video wears a hijab.
Tehran Police Chief Hossein Sajedinia confirmed the arrests on state TV late Tuesday.
In the TV broadcast, those arrested said they had been deceived and that the video was not meant to be posted on the Internet.
Leno says he’s enjoying retirement
After two decades of hosting “The Tonight Show,” Jay Leno says his transition into retirement has been seamless.
Without the daily grind of hosting NBC’s popular late-night show, Leno said he feels “liberated” to travel and invest more in his standup routines.
This week he made his first trip to Israel, where he will host an award ceremony today honoring former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg for his philanthropic efforts.
Leno is to perform in front of Bloomberg, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other dignitaries at the first Genesis Prize ceremony in Jerusalem
The 64-year-old Leno retired in February and was replaced by former “Saturday Night Live” star Jimmy Fallon.
The birthday bunch
Actor Michael Constantine (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Room 222”) is 87. Songwriter Bernie Taupin is 64. Actor Mark Christopher Lawrence (“Chuck”) is 50. Model Naomi Campbell is 44. Actress Anna Belknap (“CSI: NY”) is 42. Actor Sean Gunn (“Gilmore Girls”) is 40.