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Tattle: Pop star learning sex doesn't sell in Indonesia

NORMALLY CONSERVATIVE Indonesians, some of whom blanch at the sight of a bare shoulder, are grappling with their first-ever celebrity sex-tape scandal, casting aside social taboos as they swarm around office computers and mobile phones to watch clips allegedly showing a much-loved pop star with two girlfriends.

NORMALLY CONSERVATIVE Indonesians, some of whom blanch at the sight of a bare shoulder, are grappling with their first-ever celebrity sex-tape scandal, casting aside social taboos as they swarm around office computers and mobile phones to watch clips allegedly showing a much-loved pop star with two girlfriends.

Not at once, thank goodness. The country's collective head would explode.

The sex scandal topped newscasts for a week and dominated chatter on Facebook and Twitter, competing with such deep thoughts as "Just finished laundry, yay!"

Tattle happily welcomes Indonesia to the 21st century.

But just as controversial as the sex vid has been the reaction of officials.

Police initially threatened to charge the "stars" under a strict anti-pornography law. And some Muslim ministers said the incident pointed, once again, to moral decay and the need for stricter controls of the Internet.

Tattle welcomes them to the 16th century.

The first six-minute video clip appears to show pop singer Ariel (aka Nazril Irham), in bed with his girlfriend Luna Maya, the face of Lux beauty soap.

The two deny it's them, saying the footage has been doctored, but were called in for questioning by police.

A second eight-minute video, purportedly showing Ariel with an ex-girlfriend, sent the country teetering (or Tweetering) on the edge of sexual hysteria.

The good news is, Indonesians will get over it and the celeb sex tape will become as commonplace to them as the celeb DUI.

Passing the baton

Canadian conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin (Yah-NEEK Nez-ZAY Say-GUN, so there's no reason to mispronounce it from now on) has been named the Philadelphia Orchestra's eighth music director after only two mostly-impressive appearances, says Daily News arts writer Tom Di Nardo. The orchestra hopes the 35-year-old - and he looks even younger - will bring his energy and wide repertoire to attract a new generation of concertgoers.

Nezet-Seguin, who has been on the shortlist to lead many major orchestras, will take over in the fall of 2012 with a contract extending to 2017. Charles Dutoit, who has spurred the orchestra to great heights while only holding the interim title of chief conductor, will continue for the next two seasons and eventually become conductor laureate.

Wall-to-wall Wizard

In Friday's Daily News, Jerome Maida wrote that Wizard World 2010 was going to try to bring the excitement and crowds back to the Convention Center with its biggest lineup of stars in ages, and Daily News artist Brad Guigar ("Evil Inc.," Page 38) drew an amazing "Big Fat Friday" cover with superheroes literally raining down on the Convention Center.

So, since the turnout was huge, we're taking some of the credit.

"We were blown away by the response to our 10th Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con this weekend," said Wizard Entertainment CEO Gareb Shamus in a statement. "The crowds and the general excitement for the event were way up, and we plan on expanding our list of guests, artists and vendors even more in 2011."

Mark the calendar: Wizard Philadelphia 2011 will be June 10-12.

(For more on comics, see Page 40.)

Tattbits

While Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and other top musicians were in South Africa to help kick off the World Cup, singer Jason Mraz was in Ghana this week with Free the Slaves, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "end slavery worldwide."

Mraz is the first celebrity to participate on the ground with the organization.

* Rapper Kid Cudi was arrested Friday in New York City and charged with criminal mischief and criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to police Sgt. John Butorn.

Cudi was bailed out in time to perform early Saturday at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee.

* In the Shawn Johnson stalking case, L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor found Robert O'Ryan guilty of felony stalking and burglary charges and two misdemeanor concealed weapons violations Friday. The verdict came after four days of testimony and evidence.

Pastor also ruled that O'Ryan was legally insane at the time of his arrest last March. He likely will serve his sentence in a state mental hospital after a court-ordered evaluation.

* Wales-born Catherine Zeta-Jones was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on Saturday by Queen Elizabeth II.

CZJ is part of an eclectic list of honorees, announced to mark the queen's official birthday, that includes Tamara Mellon, the founder of the Jimmy Choo footwear label, and 1960s rocker Graham Nash.

For the ceremony did the queen wear sensible Choos?

Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

E-mail gensleh@phillynews.com.