Daryl Wayne Joseph Lorette

Christie's auctions off Andy Warhol portrait of Michael Jackson for $812,500 in New York City

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:15:00 +0000

NEW YORK - A "Thriller"-era silk-screened portrait of Michael Jackson created by Andy Warhol has sold for $812,500 to an anonymous collector.

The artwork sold at Christie's in New York City Tuesday evening. Christie's estimated that the portrait would sell for $500,000 to $700,000. The 1984 portrait depicts a smiling Jackson in a jacket with squiggles of red and yellow in his hair.

The auction house says the seller is an anonymous private collector based in New York who bought the image from the Andy Warhol Foundation in the 1990s. It did not say who bought the artwork.

The image was one of 47 lots auctioned Tuesday, including two other Warhol paintings.

Lil Wayne's rock album rolling out next month

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:07:00 +0000

NEW YORK (Billboard) - After much delay, rapper Lil Wayne's rock-inspired album, "Rebirth," is now slated for a December 15 release date according to Universal Music Group.

The set was originally scheduled for April 7. The first single, "Prom Queen," reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Guest artists include the members of rock band Fall Out Boy, Lenny Kravitz, Travis Barker and Canadian rapper Drake.

Lil Wayne plays guitar on most of the tracks. The leaked song "Fix My Hat" is one of the few rap tracks that made it onto the "Rebirth" set.

In related news at Universal, the new Mary J. Blige album, "Stronger," is due out December 22, while Redman's "9 1/2" is confirmed for a December 15 release date.

New star Taylor Lautner rises in "New Moon"

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:39:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Women swooned for Robert Pattinson as vampire Edward Cullen in last year's hit movie romance "Twilight," but in its upcoming sequel Taylor Lautner, who almost didn't make it into the film, is the newest hunk for fan's to feast on.

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" rises in theaters on November 20 as one of the most-anticipated movies early in Hollywood's holiday season. Predecessor "Twilight" made $384 million at worldwide box offices in 2008, and its young principal actors, Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, shot to overnight stardom.

But in "New Moon," the second romance about the netherworld adventures of teenager Bella Swan (Stewart) and the love of her life Cullen, it is Lautner who grabs the spotlight.

He portrays American werewolf Jacob Black, Swan's protector when Cullen leaves her to go to Italy. Black's devotion to Swan has earned him -- and that means Lautner, too -- the devotion of millions of young girls obsessed with author Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" books on which the movies are based.

"We have fans all the time that will just burst into tears, it's just moving," he said. "It must mean so much for them to meet us, and it's an amazing feeling to know that you can touch someone in that way."

Prior to "Twilight," the 17-year-old Lautner was best known for his starring role in 2005 children's film "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D." And in 2008's hit vampire film, the Jacob Black role was a small one as Swan's childhood friend. So, Lautner is relatively new to the stardom "New Moon" is bringing, and the teenager seems to be enjoying it.

STARDOM ALMOST FADED

But for a time it appeared the studio behind "Twilight," Summit Entertainment, might not hire him for the sequel.

When Summit left Lautner's name out of a statement announcing the other actors for "New Moon," including Pattinson and Stewart, "Twilight" fans protested stridently, and their Internet-based campaign brought Lautner back from the dead.

"The doubts came up because he had very few scenes in the first movie, and also because he's described as being 6'5'' in the second book, so there were reasonable facts that we had to come to grips with," said "New Moon" director Chris Weitz.

To gain the stature he needed for the role of Black in "New Moon," Lautner set about bulking up. He said he worked out regularly and ate every two hours, which involved carrying around a baggie full of beef, raw almonds and sweet potatoes.

In "New Moon," Black regularly runs, jumps and flexes his muscular frame, and when Bella is wounded, he rips off his shirt to staunch her bleeding head.

Lautner said the last scene -- one of many where he is bare-chested -- makes him laugh. But he knows moments like those are what causes "New Moon's" target audience of teenage girls to swoon. They did for Pattinson in "Twilight", and well before the sequel hits theaters, they are for Lautner, too.

In an online poll last month by AOL's JSYK.com, a website aimed at teens and tweens, Lautner surged past Pattinson in both the favorite male movie star and "cool guy you'd like to hang out with" categories.

When asked by reporters if he thought he could win in a fight with Pattinson -- werewolf against vampire; old teen heartthrob against new one -- Lautner laughed and said: "He actually does a lot of boxing in his time off, so it would be a good match-up."

"A Prophet" nominated for six European film awards

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:02:00 +0000

MADRID (Reuters) -The French film "Un Prophete" (A Prophet) has been nominated for six European Film awards, including best film and best director, the European Film Academy announced on Saturday at the Seville Europe Film Festival.

Tahar Rahim was nominated as best actor for his role in the film, which also saw director Jacques Audiard nominated for European Screenwriter 2009 with Thomas Bidegain.

British film "Slumdog Millionaire," directed by Danny Boyle, scooped five nominations, including best picture, best director and best actor for Dev Patel.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar was nominated for best director for his latest film "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces), which stars his muse Penelope Cruz.

The film is Almodovar's fourth collaboration with Spanish actress Cruz, nominated in the best actress category for her role as Lena, a secretary who ends up in a relationship with her wealthy boss Ernesto. Also an aspiring actress, she is spotted by the charismatic director Mateo Blanco, played by Lluis Homar, with whom she quickly falls in love.

Cruz will compete for the best actress accolade with Charlotte Gainsbourg for her role in "Antichrist" and Kate Winslet for "The Reader."

Other candidates for best film are: "Fish Tank," from British writer and director Andrea Arnold; "Let the Right One In," a Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson; "The Reader," directed by Stephen Daldry; and Austrian film maker Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon."

The more than 2,000 EFA members will now vote for the winners, which will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on December 12 in Bochum, Germany.

The Italian film "Gomorra" swept the board at last year's awards, winning best film and best director for Matteo Garrone.

Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:04:00 +0000

LAS VEGAS – A young woman broke into the homes of Hollywood celebrities she admired, including Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Audrina Patridge, because she wanted to own their designer clothes and jewelry, an informant told police.

According to a Las Vegas police search warrant obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, Nicholas Prugo told Los Angeles police detectives that Rachel Jungeon Lee was the "driving force" behind the break-ins.

Prugo told police Lee, 19, would suggest a target, then Prugo would trawl the Internet for information about where they lived and when they would be away from home. Las Vegas police were involved because Lee lives there.

Police say the pair was part of a group of at least six that stole from October 2008 until September.

After watching a house, they would break into the poorly protected properties, often by simply walking through unlocked doors.

Prugo said they removed cash, narcotics and thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, including family heirlooms.

Acting on a tip, police arrested 18-year-old Prugo on Sept. 17. He initially refused to talk to police but on Oct. 6, he and his attorney met with detectives and Prugo "provided a full confession, and implicated several other suspects," court documents state.

"Prugo admitted to committing all of the burglaries and that Rachel Lee was with him during the residential burglaries of the homes of Audrina Patridge, Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson and the Hilton family," the search warrant states. "Prugo stated that it was Lee who would suggest a target and that he would surf the Internet to learn where the celebrity lived as well as the target's travel itinerary."

Prugo said Lee was motivated by her desire to "own the designer wardrobes of the Hollywood celebrities she admired."

At least six people have been arrested in the case. They include 18-year-olds Courtney Ames and Alexis Neiers, and Diana Tamayo, 19.

Ray Lopez Jr. and Jonathan Ajar, both 27 also were arrested. Ajar faces 10 felony charges after detectives found drugs and weapons at his home during a search. Ajar was convicted of a federal drug charge in 2002 and was not supposed to possess firearms.

The search warrant states Prugo told police he and Lee broke into Hilton's house several times. At the Lohan house, the burglary crew gained entrance by prying open a window with a screwdriver then swiped luggage, clothing and jewelry including a Rolex wristwatch with a blue face, Prugo told police.

He said expensive watches were also a target at Bloom's house, and several were stolen along with artwork and clothing.

Lee's father, David Lee, knew about the burglaries and gave advice about avoiding arrest and prosecution, Prugo said. He allegedly told his daughter to bury the stolen property in the Nevada desert and told Prugo to join the military.

Attempts to find a number for David Lee were unsuccessful.

A search of the Las Vegas home Lee shared with her father turned up a piece of paper with the names of her accomplices which Las Vegas Detective Ethan Grimes confirmed were the other subjects identified in the crime ring.

Police also found three photos of Paris Hilton, designer jeans, three computers, a Korean passport, 204 $100 bills and less than one ounce of marijuana when they arrested Lee at the home in northwest Las Vegas on Oct. 22, according to the warrants.

Lee was booked at the Clark County jail on a charge of possession of stolen property charge and released after posting $3,000 bail, Morgan said. Charges were not immediately filed and prosecutors in Los Angeles asked police to investigate her further.

Morgan said she did not know if Lee was represented by a lawyer. She could not immediately be reached Friday for comment.

Prosecutors have filed felony residential burglary charges against Neiers, Ames, Tamayo and Lopez Jr.

Winfrey takes Winans off her show

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:52:00 +0000

NEW YORK – Oprah Winfrey is removing gospel singer BeBe Winans from her show's "karaoke challenge" until charges against him for allegedly pushing his ex-wife to the ground are resolved.

Winans appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last week and was seen in promos for future appearances. Now he'll be cut out of the segment, said Winfrey spokesman Don Halcombe on Thursday.

Winfrey was criticized by some bloggers this week for including Winans after she had taken a strong stand against domestic violence earlier this year. She did a show on the topic when singer Chris Brown assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna.

The daytime TV leader said at the time: "Domestic violence is something that I wouldn't tolerate. Period."

Halcombe would only say that the decision to eliminate Winans was made this week. It was not clear if Winfrey had been aware that Winans was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault in the Feb. 13 incident, where Winans and his ex-wife Debra were allegedly arguing about their children. Winans has a court date set for Jan. 20.

Winans' manager did not immediately return a telephone call for comment.

"Let's just not have a double standard on domestic violence or even accusations of domestic violence," said Joni Reynolds, a woman from the Baltimore area and author of a blog called Ebony Mom Politics.

She had called attention to Winans' participation and wondered if Winfrey had overlooked the charges because the Winans were friends or because there were no photos that had become public as in Rihanna's case.

Reynolds commended Winfrey for deciding to take Winans off the show.

Bachman, Turner being sued by rest of Overdrive over right to band name

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:44:00 +0000

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Randy Bachman and Fred Turner fronted one of the hottest rock bands of the 1970's, selling millions of albums under the name Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Now they're front and centre in a B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit in which Bachman's own brother and another former bandmate are suing the pair for using their own names.

Robin Bachman and Blair Thornton launched the lawsuit claiming Randy Bachman and Fred Turner signed away the rights to the Bachman-Turner Overdrive and BTO names in three separate contracts.

"Much as Coca Cola is synonymous in the world with Coke, so too is Bachman-Turner Overdrive with BTO," says the lawsuit filed last Friday.

The Canadian rock band from Winnipeg was best known for the songs "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and "Takin' Care of Business."

After the group broke up in 1977, the lawsuit claims Randy Bachman and Turner signed away the rights to the BTO name to their two former bandmates and agreed not to use the Bachman-Turner Overdrive name without the consent of the other parties.

The lawsuit states that Randy Bachman and Turner signed two further deals in 1984 and 2002, saying they wouldn't use the Bachman-Turner Overdrive name in connection to new recordings and live performances.

But in May 2009, the lawsuit claims that Randy Bachman's company, Ranback, registered several names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office including the names Bachman-Turner, B.T.U., and Bachman Turner Union.

It said Bachman and Turner have entered into contracts with concert promoters and agents to perform in Canada and Europe without the plaintiffs consent.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants have passed off their services to the public and diverted business that was rightfully theirs, "causing the plaintiffs harm and damage and appropriating to themselves profits which were rightful profits of the plaintiffs."

Robin Bachman and Thornton are asking for a permanent injunction stopping Randy Bachman and Fred Turner from using the BTO and Bachman-Turner Overdrive names.

The pair is also looking for financial damages for loss of market share, income and profit.

No statement of defence has been filed and the allegations in the lawsuit have not been tested in court.

Legal expert Mira Sundara Rajan, the Canada Research Chair on Intellectual Property Law, said such a lawsuit is very unusual.

"That question of not being able to use their own name for musical performances is really dodgy," she said.

Canadian law gives the moral right to the author and Canada has recently signed on to an international agreement that gives moral rights in performances, she said.

"If they perform, or if their work is used, they have a right to be associated with it by their own name, it's basically common sense if you think about it."

Sundara Rajan said if the artists specifically waived their moral right in the contracts, the outcome may be different.

"But what judges sometimes do is they look at contacts and they say 'well this provision is very unfair' and they interpret it some other way," she said. "So no contract like that is going to be iron clad."

She said the name Bachman-Turner Overdrive could be contentious because it is associated with a group that no longer exists.

Rihanna: Chris Brown's assault and aftermath were humiliating but she's stronger, wiser now

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:28:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES - Rihanna says dealing with the media attention after being assaulted in February by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was humiliating. But she now hopes to speak for young women who are afraid to talk openly about domestic violence.

The 21-year-old pop star told Glamour magazine in an interview posted online Tuesday that the police photo of her bruised face that was leaked to reporters added insult to injury.

After the assault, she awoke to find helicopters circling her house and reporters swarming her street. "I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears," she said.

Rihanna said she felt disappointed and taken advantage of, especially when she heard that the two officers under investigation for leaking her photo were women.

"I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it's my life," she said.

Rihanna said she didn't realize how much her decisions affected people she didn't know, like her many fans. She feels stronger, wiser and more aware now, she added.

"Domestic violence is a big secret," Rihanna said. "The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn't heard. Now I can help speak for those women."

Brown, 20, pleaded guilty to felony assault in June. He was sentenced to five years' probation, six months of community labour and a year of domestic violence counselling for the attack, in which he was accused of hitting, choking and biting Rihanna in a rented sports car.

TMZ published the photo of Rihanna's bruised face less than two weeks after the beating, and the LAPD immediately launched an internal investigation of the leak.

Big names from Hollywood on Obama's arts committee

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:59:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker, Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and agent Bryan Lourd were among big Hollywood names named on Monday as members of U.S. President Barack Obama's Committee on Arts and the Humanities.

The panel focuses on arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy, economic revitalization through the arts and humanities and special events.

First lady Michelle Obama is its honorary chairwoman and film producer George Stevens Jr. and theater producer Margo Lion had already been named as its co-chairs.

Besides Parker, Whitaker and Lourd, who is a partner and managing director of Creative Artists Agency, other Hollywood figures named to the group included actors Edward Norton, Kerry Washington and Alfre Woodard, director George Wolfe, independent filmmaker Liz Manne and publicist Andy Spahn.

The list of 25 people from the worlds of arts and entertainment also included cellist Yo Yo Ma, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, philanthropist Teresa Heinz, architect Thom Mayne and ballet dancer Damian Woetzel. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

Lil Wayne slapped with copyright lawsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:48:00 +0000

Lil Wayne, who faces yet more legal woes, is now being sued for copyright infringement along with fellow rapper Birdman.

Florida resident Thomas Marasciullo says the pair used his voice without permission on several tracks.

The Grammy-winning Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Carter, is already facing a jail term after pleading guilty last week to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He is slated to be sentenced at New York State Supreme Court in February.

Marasciullo says that back in 2006, he was asked to record "Italian-styled spoken-word recordings" for Cash Money Records, the rappers' record label. Cash Money was co-founded by Birdman, whose real name is Bryan Williams, with his brother, Ronald.

Marasciullo says those recordings were used in four tracks in the rappers' joint album Like Father, Like Son and also on five tracks on Birdman's 5 (Star) Stunna record.

Like Father, Like Son became a gold-selling release in 2006.

Marasciullo is also suing Cash Money Records and Universal Music and is seeking unspecified damages.

In his filing in a Manhattan court Friday, the Florida man contends that after he started to ask for compensation, his son was fired from his job as a recording engineer at Cash Money.

Marasciullo says he only discovered his work had been used when his daughter heard the song Respect from Like Father, Like Son while trying to download a ring-tone version of the Aretha Franklin single of the same name.

Madonna leaves Malawi after week's charity tour

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:17:00 +0000

LILONGWE, Malawi – Madonna has left Malawi after a nearly weeklong visit with her family, airport and charity officials said Saturday.

Officials said Madonna flew out of the southern African country on Friday. The 51-year-old celebrity arrived in the impoverished country on Sunday accompanied by her four children — daughters Lourdes and Mercy, and sons Rocco and David. Mercy and David were adopted from Malawi.

While in Malawi, she broke ground for her $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls and visited the orphanage that cared for her son David before she adopted him.

Madonna's Raising Malawi, a charity founded in 2006 when she first visited the country, helps feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi's orphans.

Malawi, a nation of 12 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 500,000 children have lost a parent to AIDS.

Robbie Williams pulls out of awards performance

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:47:00 +0000

LONDON (Billboard) – Robbie Williams has pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards.

According to a statement issued Friday by the U.K. singer's spokesperson, the cancellation was "due to a scheduling conflict." The statement went onto say that "all other promotional commitments carry on as planned."

Wiliams was expected to perform alongside Jay-Z, Green Day, Tokio Hotel, Leona Lewis, Foo Fighters and Shakira at the awards ceremony, which takes at Berlin's O2 World Arena on Thursday (November 5).

The singer -- who recently ended a three-year hiatus with the single "Bodies" (Virgin/EMI) -- is up for the award for best male at the ceremony. "Bodies" entered the Official U.K. Charts Co. singles rundown at No. 2 on October 25.

Williams' new studio set, "Reality Killed the Video Star," will be released internationally on November 9.

Williams also is set to receive the outstanding contribution to music prize at next year's Brit Awards, which take place February 16 at London's Earls Court.

(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)

Michael Jackson movie earns $20 million on 1st day

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:33:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Michael Jackson movie "This Is It" earned $20.1 million at worldwide box offices on its first day in theaters as fans around the globe turned out in strong numbers, Columbia Pictures said on Thursday.

The movie studio said the film, which shows the late pop star rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts before his death in June, made $7.4 million in the United States and Canada, and another $12.7 million internationally.

"The studio believes that the worldwide launch, with very strong performance across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, represents an amazing beginning for the film and a reaffirmation of the global appeal of Michael Jackson," Columbia Pictures spokesman Steve Elzer said in a statement.

Finding comparable films to "This Is It" is difficult because of the movie's unusual nature as a hybrid documentary and concert film, as well as the fact that its star was not alive to promote it.

Moreover, "This Is It" premiered on Tuesday night and then began playing around the world on Wednesday, which is unusual for a movie that is not based on a major franchise like the "Harry Potter" or "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.

"It's difficult to make comparisons because there is nothing like this," said Paul Dergarabedian, who runs box office tracker Hollywood.com Box Office.

Among concert films, one top performer recently was 2008's "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour." It enjoyed an opening, three-day weekend of $31 million, starting on a Friday, and went on to earn just over $70.6 million globally during its entire run.

Another recent music movie was 2008's "U2 3D," which earned a total of $16.6 million worldwide during its entire release.

Columbia Pictures paid $60 million to distribute the film and millions more to market it. Columbia is a unit of the Sony Corp's Sony Pictures Entertainment media group.

INTERNATIONAL BOX OFFICE

In the United Kingdom, box offices rang up just under $2 million, while French sales totaled about $1.4 million, and Germany just over $1 million. Japanese fans spent roughly $1.2 million, and in China, the movie delivered $730,000.

The question now for Columbia is how well the movie will perform during the upcoming, first weekend. Jackson's fans were expected to turn out in droves early, but whether they will be repeat customers remains to be seen.

Columbia has said the movie will be extended beyond its planned two-week run if ticket demand is high, and it plans a DVD release in 2010.

Jackson died on June 25 in Los Angeles at age 50 after suffering cardiac arrest brought on by a drug overdose only weeks before he was to have begun the "This Is It" concerts in London. The shows had been hyped in the media as his chance to erase the stigma of a 2005 trial in which he was acquitted of child molestation charges.

The nearly two-hour movie features Jackson singing and dancing to his biggest hits, including "Beat It," "Black or White" and "Man in the Mirror." Throughout the film, audiences see him working to create a show that would wow fans.

Documentary group taps Errol Morris for honor

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:47:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The International Documentary Association will present its 2009 Life Achievement Award to filmmaker Errol Morris at its 25th annual IDA Awards on December 4 in Los Angeles.

An Oscar winner for "The Fog of War," Morris has directed such distinctive documentaries as "The Thin Blue Line" and "Standard Operating Procedure."

The group's Pioneer Award will go to producer, director and writer Nicolas Noxon, who has worked with ABC, David Wolper, Columbia Pictures Television, MGM, Time-Life and National Geographic.

The IDA will present its Amicus Award for only the third time in its history. It will go to attorney and independent film advocate Michael Donaldson, an expert on fair use and other clearance-related issues and author of the book "Clearance and Copyright." The group said the award "acknowledges the friends of the documentary who have contributed significantly to our industry."

"This American Life" host and producer Ira Glass, a past IDA Award recipient, will host the event.

(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)

David Copperfield wins 6-month stay in lawsuit filed by woman who claims sexual assault

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:50:00 +0000

SEATTLE - Magician David Copperfield has won a six-month stay in a lawsuit filed in July by a Seattle woman who contends Copperfield sexually assaulted her while she was a guest on his private island in the Bahamas.

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour stayed the case Tuesday so the U.S. attorney's office in Seattle can complete a criminal investigation. Copperfield has denied the woman's allegations.

Cooperfield said he was being put in the untenable legal position of having to provide information in the civil case that could be used against him in a criminal prosecution.

The Seattle Times describes the woman as a former Miss Washington USA contestant. She says she met Copperfield during a performance in Kennewick, Washington, and was invited to visit his island in July 2007.

Springsteen cancels show after roadie's death

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:35:00 +0000

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bruce Springsteen canceled a performance in Kansas City after his cousin and road crew member died.

The death of 36-year-old Lenny Sullivan was announced in a statement on Springsteen's Web site.

Sullivan was found dead at Kansas City's Intercontinental Hotel hours before Springsteen and the E Street Band were to take the stage Monday night.

Kansas City police spokesman Capt. Rich Lockhart said officers were investigating the death, although he said it was not suspicious.

A call to Springsteen's publicist was not immediately returned.

The Sprint Center arena said tickets would be refunded.

20,000 try for Thriller dance record

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:28:00 +0000

Dancers from Vancouver to Beijing to Buenos Aires attempted to make their mark in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest number of people dancing simultaneously to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

It's estimated about 20,000 people in more than 200 locations in 37 countries around the world participated in the dance which occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning depending on where you were.

"I love dancing, I love Michael Jackson and it was a perfect opportunity to do both and get into the Guinness Book of World Records," said elementary school teacher Heather Shantz, 26, who had travelled several hours from her community to join about 230 people in downtown Vancouver on Saturday night.

Dance co-ordinator Graeme Lea led the crowd — all of whom had brought food and money donations for the city's food bank in order to participate in the event.

"When we take our first step, people in China will take their first step," said Lea. The dance around the world was co-ordinated by cellphone so all the dancers could begin at the same time.

In Los Angeles, a massive crowd of more than 4,000 made-up dancers gathered at the Nokia Center to do their bit.

Previous record set in Mexico City on Jackson's birthday

Further south, in Buenos Aires, 400 people boogied to the 1982 song.

"I'm here to pay tribute to the King of Pop," said 10-year-old Melissa Acosta, who danced while watching Michael Jackson's video on a big screen.

"For my father, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are the real kings. But personally I like Michael more."

In every locale, participants dressed up as ghouls or bloodied brides and sometimes, prisoners.

Jackson's Thriller remains the bestselling album of all time, with sales estimated to be 100 million worldwide.

Organizers hope their efforts will top the previous record which was set on Aug. 29 in Mexico City when 13,597 shimmied to Thriller on what would have been the King of Pop's 51st birthday.

Jackson died on June 25 from a lethal combination of prescription drugs.

AP interview: Comedian Bill Cosby to keep it clean for humour prize that he's twice declined

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:59:00 +0000

WASHINGTON - Bill Cosby still thinks America is funny - like the name-calling over health care and the way we drink so much water from plastic bottles that could be toxic - even though he says the nation has some serious problems it needs to tackle.

The 72-year-old who has long drawn laughs for his wisecracks and deadpan observations will receive the nation's foremost humour prize Monday at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Sinbad and other top entertainers will line up to honour him with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

It's a prize Cosby has turned down twice before because he said he was disgusted with the profanity and racial epithets thrown around by performers honouring Richard Pryor, who was the first recipient in 1998.

"I told them flat out no because I will not be used, nor will Mark Twain be used, in that way," he told The Associated Press from his home in New York.

The profanity bugs Cosby. He always kept it clean with the family laughs on "The Cosby Show," portraying a middle-class black family and everyday life, from 1984 to 1992. And he's not impressed with today's comedians who can't help but curse.

It took a chat with Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser this year at Sen. Edward Kennedy's birthday celebration for Cosby to accept the award this time.

"What I wanted was to associate my work with why I do what I do," he said.

For a man with a master's degree and doctorate in education, his life is about more than laughs.

So Cosby helped craft the tribute show - airing Nov. 4 nationwide on the Public Broadcasting Service - to capture his overarching emphasis on taking education seriously and telling stories that teach something in the process. He's planned a special nod to his beloved Central High School in Philadelphia, with fellow alumnus James DePreist conducting their alma mater's orchestra.

Producers of the show are worried it won't be funny, Cosby said. But he said there will still be plenty of entertainment.

Cappy McGarr, one of the show's executive producers, said they're thrilled with the lineup, which also includes Carl Reiner, Wynton Marsalis, and "Cosby" co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The producers shape each show around the honoree and have had Cosby on their list for years. McGarr explained the tribute to Pryor aired for a different audience on Comedy Central and wasn't meant to be offensive, but the show has aired on PBS ever since.

He said the producers were grateful Cosby finally accepted.

"He is a comic genius," McGarr said. "He just has a wonderful reflection of funny ... and is an absolute master at taking an ordinary human condition and giving his take on it.

"He makes us laugh with us, not at us."

The comedian who kept NBC viewers laughing on Thursday nights after "Cosby" went to reruns will salute the man he says reinvigorated the TV sit-com.

Seinfeld said he started buying Cosby's comedy albums when he was 11 years old. He was watching as Cosby made the jump from nightclubs to television with the "I Spy" series and as physical education teacher Chet Kincaid on "The Bill Cosby Show" in 1969.

"Watching him do those things showed me the right way for a standup comedian to play himself on television - how you kind of transform your standup persona into a character persona," Seinfeld told the AP. "I think only comedians know and understand that this guy has reached like a virtuoso point of command over this form that most people, even the big star comedians, don't get anywhere near."

Beyond the comedy that he still performs on stage, Cosby has spoken bluntly about society over the years. He has spoken out about personal responsibility in the black community and talks often about education on his Web site, Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Of all things he'd wish for young people, better television is on the list. Cosby said he wishes kids had access to classic writers and their stories on TV, "so that our youth can find themselves being excited about things other than going straight for the genitalia."

The longtime TV dad also has some observations on politics, though he says he's not a "wheeler, dealer" when he visits Washington. Recently, the protests against President Barack Obama have struck a chord. Demonstrators likened themselves to the American colonists who protested against oppressive British rule by dumping a shipment of tea into Boston harbour in the 1773 Boston Tea Party.

"To see people marching down the street, talking about a tea party, they've got to be kidding ... and the name-calling, these people are hilarious," he said. "What's not funny is how seriously so many of them have come together to speak like this."

He was appalled by the refusal of some public schools last month to show students an Obama speech about education, and he agrees with some observers, such as former President Jimmy Carter, that some of the opposition is driven by racism.

"I just want this United States of America to be the United States of America, for which it's supposed to stand," Cosby said.

On the Net:

Bill Cosby's Web site: http://www.billcosby.com/

"Saw VI" carves up more of the same

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:10:00 +0000

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – There's not really much to say anymore about the "Saw" series, which has found its formula and is sticking with it.

Arriving Friday (October 23) for its annual Halloween time slot, this Lionsgate franchise is now in its sixth edition. It might well be time for a creative rebooting; the freshness, if not the viscera, has begun to diminish.

There is, however, at least one all too timely angle to this year's installment, courtesy of screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. The chief victims here are predatory lenders -- two of whom are dealt with in a harrowing opening scene in which the heinous Jigsaw demands a literal pound (or more) of flesh -- and an uncaring insurance company executive, whose struggles through yet another diabolical series of torture contraptions comprise most of the film's running time.

If this is torture porn, it's as if it was designed to be enjoyed by Michael Moore.

Indeed, the film's most compelling scene is entirely free of bloodshed. It's a flashback depicting Jigsaw/John's anguished conversation with the insurance company exec when he's denied coverage for an experimental treatment of his cancer. "F***ing insurance companies," he exclaims, shortly after noticing that the fish tank in the office is filled with -- what else? -- piranha.

Otherwise, it's pretty much the same old story, as Jigsaw/John, played as usual to icy perfection by Tobin Bell, continues to enjoy more screen time dead than he did when he was alive. Perpetuating his twisted legacy is, among others, Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), who may be just as evil but, let's face it, doesn't quite have the same panache. And by this point, the increasingly twisted chronology of the various supporting characters is beginning to become headache inducing.

As usual, what gives the film whatever interest it has -- beyond satisfying the rapacious appetites of gore aficionados -- is the moral element attached to the various Rube Goldberg-style set pieces. Here, it's exemplified by a well-staged sequence in which a man must choose who lives or dies during a particularly lethal variation of musical chairs.

Lil Wayne guilty on N.Y. gun charge, headed to prison

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:15:00 +0000

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty on Thursday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in a July 2007 incident and will serve a year in prison, New York City prosecutors said.

Lil Wayne, 27, who won best rap album at the 2009 Grammy Awards and whose real name is Dwayne Carter, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and will be sentenced at New York State Supreme Court in February.

Prosecutors said a gun was found in his tour bus in July 2007. Rapper Ja Rule was arrested separately on similar charges after a hip hop concert in New York where both men performed.

Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, pleaded innocent and a trial date has not yet been set.

Carter had convinced the court earlier to delay his trial date to accommodate his performing schedule.

The rapper would have faced more serious gun possession charges if the case had gone to trial, as well as a maximum 15-year prison sentence, a spokeswoman at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said.

Carter's lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Carter's album, "Tha Carter III," was the biggest-selling U.S. release of 2008 and won him best rap album and three other prizes at the 2009 Grammy Awards. (Reporting by Edith Honan, Editing by Christine Kearney)

Ninja Turtles snapped up by Nickelodeon

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:38:00 +0000

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – Viacom's Nickelodeon has acquired the global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles kids' entertainment franchise from the Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment for approximately $60 million.

It unveiled plans Wednesday to develop a new CG-animated TV series based on the franchise, expected to premiere in 2012, and a new feature film in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures unit, also planned for 2012.

The company's goal is to reintroduce the 25-year-old franchise, centered on a quartet of crime-fighting turtles, to existing and potential new fans.

The deal also gives Nickelodeon all merchandising rights. It will continue to work with the franchise's long-term toy partner, Playmates Toys.

As a result of the deal, the CW network will next summer lose its animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series, jointly produced by 4Kids and Mirage. It will continue to air on "TheCW4Kids" Saturday morning programing block through August 31, 2010.

Lindsay Lohan ordered to appear in court

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:43:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actress Lindsay Lohan has been ordered to appear in court on Friday following media reports that she may have violated the terms of an alcohol education program imposed for a 2007 drunk driving case.

Lohan, 23, risks being sent to jail if she is found to have broken her probation or other orders imposed as part of her sentence.

Beverly Hills Superior Court judge Marsha Revel told Lohan to attend Friday's normally routine hearing in person, court officials said.

Celebrity web site TMZ.com said officials running the alcohol education program had expressed concern about Lohan to the court.

In August 2007, the "Mean Girls" actress was ordered to complete an 18-month alcohol education program, serve 24 hours in jail and perform 10 days of community service while on 36 months probation for drunk driving, reckless driving and driving under the influence of cocaine.

Lohan found fame as a child star in the 1998 movie "The Parent Trap," but went onto become one of the most troubled and talked-about teen stars in Hollywood.

Earlier this month fashion critics panned her debut collection in Paris as artistic advisor to the Emanuel Ungaro fashion house. Lohan told People magazine on Wednesday that she was still learning and blamed the Paris fiasco on "coming in so late and not having that much time to do a whole collection."

No Illusion: Guns N' Roses set to launch Canadian tour in January

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:07:00 +0000

TORONTO — It's no illusion: Guns N' Roses have announced a Canadian tour for January.

The first show announced is at Winnipeg's MTS Centre on Jan. 13, with shows scheduled through Feb. 4 at Halifax's Metro Centre.

The hard-rockers will also visit Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Hamilton, London, Ont., Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Moncton, N.B.

The band - which now includes Axl Rose, Frank Ferrer, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, Ron (Bumblefoot) Thal, Dizzy Reed, Chris Pitman and Dj Ashba - is scheduled to begin rehearsals in Los Angeles shortly, according to a release from Live Nation.

The tour is in support of the band's latest record, "Chinese Democracy," which was finally released last year after more than a decade of delays.

Guns N' Roses' world tour will begin in Asia in December.

Talks ongoing to revive canceled "Southland"

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:45:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Keep up the faith, "Southland" fans.

John Wells, executive producer of the recently canceled NBC drama, called actors on the show late last week to tell them he is in talks with two networks about the cop series finding a new home.

Wells reportedly didn't identify the networks, but TNT, corporate sibling of show producer Warner Bros. TV, has been interested in acquiring the series and is considered the most likely contender to pick it up.

Even if a deal is to be made to go to another network, there are indications that "Southland," whose production was shut down by NBC this month, won't resume filming anytime soon. The potential buyer would run the seven episodes from the first season and the six produced episodes from the second as a 13-episode freshman cycle.

Depp, Richards light up Spike TV's 'Scream 2009'

noreply@blogger.com (Daryl Lorette) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:30:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES – Fans dressed as vampires, zombies, monsters and mummies descended on the Greek Theatre Saturday for "Scream 2009," a Spike TV special that honors sci-fi, horror, fantasy and comic-inspired films and TV shows.

"It's crazy," said "Dexter" star Julie Benz. "It's a real loud, rock 'n' roll show."

Rock 'n' roll indeed: Fans welcomed Keith Richards with a standing ovation as Johnny Depp presented the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist with the Rock Immortal award.

"I liked the living legend, that was all right, but immortal is even better," Richards said in an interview before accepting his award.

Quentin Tarantino continued the celebration of the immortal as he paid tribute to "Night of the Living Dead" director George A. Romero with the Scream Mastermind award.

The star-studded event was taped Saturday and is scheduled to air as a two-hour special on Oct. 27. Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Harrison Ford, Justin Long and Christina Ricci helped present the spike-shaped trophies to their peers.

The show opened with a larger-than-life snow globe inhabited by two creepy little girls. They emerged from the orb and as one girl slashed her throat, the other started bleeding from the neck. Keeping the creep-factor constant, a zombie piano player appeared later in the show.

Fans voted online for the winners, so some of the year's most popular films and TV shows took home trophies. "True Blood" was a four-time winner, taking honors for best TV show, along with best villain for Alexander Skarsgard and best horror actor and actress for real-life couple Steven Moyer and Anna Paquin.

"Twilight" won twice: Best fantasy film and breakout performance for star Taylor Lautner, who showed world-premiere footage from the film's next installment, "New Moon."

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" also won a pair of prizes: Megan Fox was voted best sci-fi actress and Isabel Lucas was recognized for her breakout performance as an evil shape-shifting robot.

Celebrities arrived on a checkered carpet flanked by costumed fans while two women wearing angel wings — and little else — sat in swings suspended overhead.

"It kind of reminds me of Comic-Con," said "Watchmen" star Jackie Earle Haley, who plays Freddy Kruger in the reboot of "Nightmare on Elm Street." "It's just awesome."

Fans were invited to vote online for their favorite films and TV shows in categories such as best villain, best superhero and most memorable mutilation.

___

On the Net:

http://www.spike.com/event/scream2009