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Archive: March 2011 (71-80 of 94)

Mar 8 2011 12:36 PM ET

Sarah Ferguson apologizes for taking loan from sex offender

Categories: Lawsuits

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, apologized publicly for accepting a loan from a convicted sex offender. Prince Andrew’s ex-wife told the Evening Standard that she was sorry for her “terrible error of judgment” in accepting help from Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy American financier who spent time in jail for soliciting an underage prostitute. “I personally, on behalf of myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey Epstein became involved in any way with me,” Ferguson said. “I abhor pedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf … I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can I will repay the money and will have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”

Prince Andrew was reportedly involved in arranging the transaction, but Ferguson went out of her way to excuse his involvement. “The duke is a man who does not know how to tell an untruth or behave dishonorably,” she said. “There have been errors of judgment but nothing substantive has been done wrong by him, ever.”

Mar 8 2011 06:53 AM ET

Lindsay Lohan's jewelry store surveillance tape: What does it mean for Lindsay?

by Kate Ward

Categories: Misc.

Image Credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.comLindsay Lohan’s starring in some must-see footage this week — unfortunately, it’s not going anywhere near the multiplexes. Almost one month after the actress dominated headlines when the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed grand felony theft charges against Lohan for allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice, Calif., boutique, the store, Kamofie and Company, has released its surveillance video footage from Jan. 22, the day the alleged theft took place. But likely more interesting than the video itself — which will reportedly stream on necklacevideo.com (snippets already aired Monday night on Entertainment Tonight and The Insider) — is the question of whether its release will have an impact on Lohan’s fate. READ FULL STORY »

Mar 7 2011 11:03 PM ET

Report: 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' may get new creative team, director Julie Taymor could exit

by Thom Geier

Categories: Industry News, Stage

The producers of the $65 million Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark are negotiating to bring in new members of the creative team that may lead to the exit of the embattled show’s acclaimed director, Julie Taymor, according to the New York Times. The show’s backers are reportedly discussing many aspects of the production, from how radically to overhaul the script and score, what individuals should be hired to assist in that overhaul, and when to open the show. The musical’s official premiere, already delayed five times, seems likely to be postponed once again from its current date: March 15. Ken Sunshine, who has worked for several months as a consultant on the show, tells EW he is “just not commenting on speculation.”

Mar 7 2011 03:12 PM ET

'Last Comic Standing' finalist Mike DeStefano dies

by Sandra Gonzalez

Categories: Television

Image Credit: Dan DionComedian Mike DeStefano, best known for his stint on last season’s installment of Last Comic Standing, has died, his rep confirms to EW.

In a statement, his representative said: “We are indeed incredibly saddened by the loss of this amazing man. He had touched the lives of many with his unique brand of comedy and was looking forward to sharing the same with so many more. Mostly, we will all miss his huge heart and incredibly loving and selfless passion for people. Our friend Mike DeStefano passed away on March 6.”

The Bronx-born comedian, a rehabilitated drug addict-turned-counselor who placed fourth on the NBC reality competition last season, reportedly suffered a heart attack.

Mar 7 2011 03:07 PM ET

Jeremy London's kidnapper pleads guilty

by Kate Ward

Categories: Misc.

Skeptics can dismiss their doubts: Jeremy London’s kidnapper, Brandon Ray Adams, has pleaded guilty to felony false imprisonment and a misdemeanor charge attached to taking the Party of Five actor’s car. Last summer, London claimed he was abducted at gunpoint and forced to take drugs by several men in Palm Springs, Calif. After hearing the news, London’s family — as well as many in the media — said they doubted the story was true. (Many blamed his history with drugs — London is a recovering prescription drug addict who appeared on season 4 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.) Adams was arrested in June, and is now paroled, due to the March 3 plea deal. “I feel vindicated,” London told People. “But I’m hardly jumping for joy. The damage that has been done to my career, reputation, and family is almost irreparable.”

Mar 7 2011 02:31 PM ET

Guy Ritchie and girlfriend expecting baby

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Celebrity Babies!

Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie is planning to be a father for the third time. People magazine reports that Ritchie’s girlfriend, model Jacqui Ainsley, is expecting a baby. Ritchie has two children — Rocco, 10, and David, 5 — from his marriage to Madonna, which ended in 2008.

Mar 7 2011 12:59 PM ET

Sophie Monk splits from fiance

by Kate Ward

Categories: Breaking up is hard to do

Less than two months after Sophie Monk, 31, announced she would wed 50-year-old businessman Jimmy Esebag, the model told Chelsea Handler that the two have called off their engagement. During an episode of Chelsea Lately taped Sunday, Monk told the talk show host, “I’m newly single.” The news became public after audience members began tweeting Monk’s comments. This was the second time Monk was engaged: Ex-fiancé Benji Madden proposed to Monk in 2006 before they parted ways.

Mar 7 2011 09:07 AM ET

Lindsay Lohan jewelry store surveillance tape to go viral

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Lawsuits

A website is poised to release a surveillance video of Lindsay Lohan allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace, and still photos from the video have already leaked onto the Internet. Lohan has pleaded not guilty to stealing the diamond necklace from Kamofie & Co. in Venice, Calif., on Jan. 22, claiming she thought she’d been allowed to borrow the piece.

The website, necklacevideo.com, promises to shed light on what actually happened that day, saying in a statement, “Speculation as to what occurred that day has been the subject of intense rumor in the media and elsewhere. Many individuals want to be able to see the video streams from the jewelry store’s surveillance cameras, and we have obtained the exclusive license for them. The tapes speak for themselves. We plan to release the video streams at this site shortly.”

Mar 4 2011 06:19 PM ET

David Arquette in car accident, tweets that he's 'fine'

by Kate Ward

Categories: Misc.

David Arquette was involved in a car accident Friday in Los Angeles. The actor’s rep tells EW that Arquette is currently “fine,” but is on his way to a hospital. TMZ first reported the accident, which they say was a head-on collision.

UPDATE: Arquette just posted these messages to his Twitter account: “I got into a car accident but I’m fine. Luckily I have dragon’s blood running through my veins. Haha Thank you for all your concern.” And: “Remember to wear your seatbelt — wish I was.”

Mar 4 2011 06:05 PM ET

'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' hit with federal fines

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Stage

The makers of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark were fined $12,600 today for workplace safety violations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reports the Associated Press. The show, which has dealt with multiple cast injuries, is charged with putting its performers in danger of “the hazards of falls or being struck during flying routines.” Last month, the New York State Department of Labor issued two safety violations to the $65 million production.