TV, movie and music news | News Briefs

News Briefs TV, movie and music news

Archive: December 2010 (71-80 of 92)

Dec 9 2010 09:22 AM ET

Howard Stern signs with SiriusXM for five more years

Howard Stern, whose five-year, $500 million contract was set to expire at the end of the year, announced on his radio show this morning that he had signed a new five-year deal to stay on SiriusXM satellite radio. “I have come to the conclusion that the real innovators, the real geniuses are the people here at Sirius,” he said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “I can say with almost certainty that this [will be] my final five years on radio.” Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dec 8 2010 07:04 PM ET

Ronni Chasen killer 'acted alone,' according to Beverly Hills police

by Benjamin Svetkey

Categories:

The Beverly Hills police have confirmed that Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was murdered by the same weapon that suspect Harold Martin Smith used to kill himself as police were closing in on him at his Los Angeles apartment. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that at a press conference today, police chief David Snowden said, “We believe that Mr. Smith acted alone. We don’t believe it was a professional hit.” Another detective at the press conference, Sgt. Mike Publicker, added, “This was a random act of violence. With Mr. Smith’s background, we believe it was a robbery gone bad.” The investigation, however, is still ongoing.

Dec 8 2010 06:07 PM ET

Cypress Hill back-up singer sues Rockstar Games, claims 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' based on his life

by Darren Franich

Categories: Lawsuits, Tech

Michael “Shagg” Washington, a model and back-up singer/performer for rap group Cypress Hill, has filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive alleging the companies appropriated his image for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Playstation 2 videogame released in October 2004. According to court documents filed by Washington’s lawyer in California on Monday, Washington met with a group of young videogame developers in January 2003 to discuss possible participation in a future videogame. The developers spent two hours asking Washington about “street life,” and he told them details about his “troubled youth.”

Washington signed no contract, and was never contacted by the developers again. In 2010, his young nephew informed him of his similarity to CJ, the main character in GTA: San Andreas. Washington’s suit claims that the GTA developers are guilty of copyright infringement and fraud, and is demanding $250 million in compensation.

Dec 8 2010 02:20 PM ET

Jeffrey Tambor to star in Broadway's 'La Cage Aux Folles'

by Tanner Stransky

Categories: Stage

Arrested Development and Larry Sanders star Jeffrey Tambor has his sights set on his next starring role — he’ll take over Kelsey Grammer’s part as Georges in Broadway’s La Cage Aux Folles, which won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical this year. Recently, it was announced that Harvey Fierstein would play Albin, which is currently portrayed by Douglas Hodge, who won a Tony for the role. Grammer and Hodge are set to depart the production after the Feb. 13, 2011 performance. Tambor and Fierstein will debut in their roles on Feb. 15, 2011.

Dec 8 2010 09:27 AM ET

Leonardo DiCaprio's attacker sentenced to two years in prison

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Lawsuits, Movies

Aretha Wilson, the woman who slashed Leonardo DiCaprio’s face with a broken beer bottle at a party five years ago, was sentenced to two years in jail, according to the Associated Press. The 40-year-old, who’s been in a Los Angeles jail since July, pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon last month.

Dec 7 2010 05:15 PM ET

Elizabeth Edwards, author and estranged wife of John Edwards, dies

by Keith Staskiewicz

Categories: In Memoriam, Politics

Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesJust one day after announcing that she would not be continuing with additional treatment for cancer, Elizabeth Edwards has passed away, CNN reports. Edwards, wife of beleaguered former vice presidential candidate John Edwards, died in her North Carolina home after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 61. “Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth’s presence, but she remains the heart of this family,” her family said in a statement. “We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life.”

Being a politician’s wife almost always means the public will define you by what your husband does. Unless, that is, he becomes embroiled in a scandal, at which point you are defined by what he does to you. But Edwards, even as scandal was thrust at her, refused to accept the limiting mantle of “victim.” READ FULL STORY »

Dec 7 2010 03:49 PM ET

Howard Stern to Sirius: 'I am not taking a f--ing pay-cut.'

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Tech

Howard Stern, whose half-billion dollar contract with Sirius XM ends Dec. 31, lashed out at his boss during this morning’s show following reports that Sirius XM executive David Frear had suggested a paycut was in order. “I am not taking a f—ing pay-cut,” Stern said, according to The Wrap. “Why would I have to take a pay-cut? … Who is this guy to say this in public?” Stern went on to say, “I know what I have done in this company. I am more important than Oprah, in this company anyway. Oprah’s out getting the Kennedy Center honor and I’ve got the CFO announcing to Wall Street that I have to take a pay-cut.”

Sirius XM did not respond to requests for comment. Stern’s last show is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Update: On Wednesday morning’s radio show, Stern explained that he’d investigated Frear’s speech and concluded that The Hollywood Reporter had misinterpreted the CFO’s words when it concluded that he’d said Stern would need to take a pay cut. “David Frear is okay with me,” said Stern, who reportedly conceded that the financial landscape had changed since Sirius merged with XM.

Dec 7 2010 01:13 AM ET

Elizabeth Edwards stops treatment as cancer spreads to liver

by Adam B. Vary

Categories:

People is reporting that Elizabeth Edwards, best-selling author and estranged wife of presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards, is not continuing with additional treatment of her cancer on the advice of her doctors, after the disease spread to her liver. “I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces,” Edwards, 61, wrote on Facebook on Monday. “My family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that.” She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in Nov. 2004.

Dec 6 2010 05:26 PM ET

Kelsey Grammer engaged to girlfriend; divorce not yet finalized

by Kate Ward

Categories: Weddings

Kelsey Grammer’s rep confirmed to EW that the actor, 55, is engaged to his girlfriend, Kayte Walsh, 29. The couple — who began dating shortly after the actor split from Camille Donatacci, his wife of 13 years — have been engaged “for some time,” according to Grammer’s rep. According to reports, Grammer’s divorce from Donatacci is not yet finalized.

Dec 6 2010 03:26 PM ET

Danny Bonaduce weds girlfriend in Hawaii

by Margaret Lyons

Categories: Weddings

Danny Bonaduce married Amy Railsback in Hawaii Nov. 22, according to People. The former Partridge Family and reality show star, 51, and his now-manager, 28, met in 2007.