Betty Garrett, actress in film, TV, Broadway, dies

Betty Garrett, the vivacious Broadway star who played Frank Sinatra's sweetheart in two MGM musicals before her career was hampered by the Hollywood blacklist, has died in Los Angeles, her son said Sunday. She was 91.  Garrett died Saturday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, most likely from an aortic aneurysm, said her son, Garrett Parks. Garrett had been in good health and taught her usual musical comedy class at Theater West, the non-profit organization she helped found, on Wednesday night, but Friday checked into the hospital with heart trouble, and died with her family at her side the following morning. Garrett was best known as the flirtatious girl in love with the shy Sinatra in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "On the Town," both in 1949, and later in life she became well-known to TV audiences with recurring roles in the 1970s sitcoms "All in the Family" and "Laverne & Shirley." Her movie career was brief, largely because of the Red Hunt led by congressmen who forced her husband, actor Larry Parks, to testify about his earlier membership in the Communist Party. Parks had won stardom and an Academy Award nomination as best actor for his dynamic portrayal of singer Al Jolson in the 1946 "The Jolson Story." But in 1951, he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and he admitted that he had joined the Communist Party in 1941 and left in 1944 or 1945. He made one more film, "Love Is Better Than Ever" with Elizabeth Taylor, then his film career was over. "It was a dark period, a foolish, foolish period," Garrett said in 1998. "It destroyed a lot of lives and ruined my husband's career." In addition to Garrett Parks, a composer, his wife Karen Culliver Parks and her granddaughter Madison Claire Parks, she was survived by her son Andrew Parks, an actor, and his wife Katy Melody.

Elizabeth Taylor Admitted to Hospital for Congestive Heart Failure

Elizabeth Taylor is in the hospital to treat congestive heart failure. Taylor, 78, was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical center earlier this week for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, an ongoing condition she disclosed in 2004. "This issue is being addressed," her rep said in a statement. "She is currently being kept in the hospital for monitoring. Her family and close friends are appreciative of the warm support and interest of her loyal fans, but have asked that people respect her privacy and allow her medical team the time and space to focus on restoring her back to health." The two-time Oscar-winning actress underwent heart surgery in 2009, following a long history of medical problems, including using a wheelchair in recent years because of scoliosis, and undergoing surgery to have a brain tumor removed in 1997. She was also hospitalized in 2008 for an undisclosed ailment.

Reggae star Buju Banton faces life in US prison

Buju Banton checked out some cocaine, put some on his finger and tasted it — all of it caught on law enforcement video inside a Florida warehouse. Now he has another chance to explain why. The Grammy-nominated singer's second trial is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection, five months after a previous jury hung on federal drug trafficking charges that could put him in prison for life. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, claims he was entrapped by a confidential informant and got in over his head while trying to impress the man, who implied he could help Banton's music career. The U.S. government says Banton conspired with two associates to buy a shipment of cocaine from an undercover officer. The two other men pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with investigators. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled next month. Banton, 37, was arrested in December 2009 at his Miami-area home. He remained in custody until November, when another Jamaican singer, Stephen Marley, reggae legend Bob Marley's son, posted his South Florida home as bond. Banton has been on house arrest except for a Miami concert last month to raise money for legal expenses. Federal prosecutors initially charged Banton with drug conspiracy and gun charges, and in November added two more drug-related charges. "Buju is not guilty. The number of charges doesn't change that," Banton's attorney, David Markus, said in an e-mail. "The prosecution wasn't happy with the first trial, so now it is trying to throw as many charges against the wall in the hopes something sticks." Markus has argued the singer, who rose from the slums of Kingston to massive success in the 1990s, was a victim of entrapment by an informant who's been paid $3.3 million for working with law enforcement over several years. During his first trial, the Rastafarian singer, his long dreadlocks tied in a braid, testifed that he talked a lot about cocaine with the informant, Alexander Johnson. But he said he was only trying to impress the man, who claimed to have music industry connections. He said he had no interest in buying or selling drugs. "I talk too much, but I am not a drug dealer," Banton said on the stand. The singer was not present two days later when his two associates, Ian Thomas and James Mack, were caught on video trying to buy the drugs at the warehouse. Banton's 2010 album "Before the Dawn" was nominated for a Grammy award Sunday night. The album's 10 songs were recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, before Banton's arrest. The singer worked with producers and engineers over the phone from jail to finish the album before its September release. In an e-mail from his manager, Banton thanked his fans for their support and celebrated his fifth Grammy nomination.

Movie fans catch Bieber fever at box offices

"Never Say Never," which looks at the 16-year-old Canadian singer's rise to fame using concert film and video of his everyday life, took in $30.3 million, just short of $31 million for the Adam Sandler-Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy "Just Go With It," also in its first weekend in theaters. Coming in No. 3 in the weekly sweepstakes at U.S. and Canadian movie theater box offices was animated family film, "Gnomeo and Juliet" with $25.5 million.

Kings leave Cousins at home after dustup

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was barred from the team's flight to Phoenix after a locker room altercation with teammate Donte Greene. Cousins was angered not to have got a touch in the final seconds of the last play, which ended with Tyreke Evans missing a 3-pointer, in the 99-97 defeat to Oklahoma City on Saturday night and called Greene out after the game. The pair traded words and needed to be separated. Greene had insisted to reporters that Cousins was not open during the play, a view supported by Kings coach Paul Westphal. The result was Cousins staying in Sacramento. A team spokesman said Kings president Geoff Petrie would make a decision Sunday whether to suspend the center, who has been fined and thrown out of practice twice during his rookie season for unwelcome comments around the team.

Tom Cruise in final talks for 'Rock of Ages' film

Tom Cruise and New Line are in final negotiations for the Academy Award-nominee to star in "Rock of Ages," an adaptation of the award winning Broadway musical. The movie features hair-metal songs from the 1980s, from bands including Bon Jovi, Styx, Twisted Sister and Poison. Cruise's character, Stacee Jaxx, sings the Bon Jovi anthem "Dead or Alive." Adam Shankman is directing the movie about a Midwestern girl who moves to Los Angeles to follow her dream of becoming an actress.  Alec Baldwin had been offered the role of Dennis Dupree in the highly anticipated project. Mary J. Blige is playing Justice Charlier.



Haynesworth arrested following alleged road rage incident
Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been charged with assault stemming from an alleged road rage incident, according to Fairfax, Va., police. Haynesworth will turn himself in next week. His agent Chad Speck told the Post that the allegations were “ridiculous.” Haynesworth, of course, has a history of vehicle issues in his past. He was busted for driving 103 mph in Nashville while playing for the Tennessee Titans and allegedly caused an accident in his Ferrari that seriously injured a man in a separate incident. A civil case on that matter is pending.  “I’m disappointed,” Redskins owner Daniel Snyder said from the Super Bowl when asked about Haynesworth’s performance over the last two seasons, according to Rick Maese of the Washington Post.

Madonna's brother Chris Ciccone slams Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way'

Chris Ciccone, Madonna's younger brother who works as a music manager, said ine that he is in disbelief at how much Lady Gaga's new "Born This Way" hit sounds like Madonna's 1989 hit "Express Yourself." "All I can say is 'What the f***!'" says Ciccone, "It sounds just like 'Express Yourself' - I can't believe it, to tell you the truth." Do not confuse Ciccone's outrage at outrage from Madonna herself, however. The two have been estranged for years, which Ciccone details in his 2008 tell-all "Life With My Sister Madonna," in which he blames a lot of the estrangement on Madonna's relationship with director Guy Ritchie, her husband from 2000 until 2008.




Plaxico Burress in 'terrific shape'
After visiting Plaxico Burress in prison agent Drew Rosenhaus said his client is ready to return to the NFL. Rosenhaus wrote on Twitter that the former Giants wide receiver "is doing great! He is running & lifting weights 5 days a week. He looks in terrific shape." Burress is scheduled to be released from an upstate New York jail on June 6 after serving time for a handgun charge. He is expected to resume his NFL career, with the Giants, Jets and Steelers as possible destinations. "He is in great spirits and is excited to be reunited with his family on June 6th," Rosenhaus wrote. "We talked at length about his future in the NFL & he can't wait to get back on the football field in 2011! He is mentally & physically strong right now and is looking forward to the future!" During Super Bowl week, former Steelers teammate Hines Ward said Burress would be welcomed back to Pittsburgh, and former Giants teammates Eli Manning and Osi Umenyiora reportedly also spoke out in support of Burress recently. Burress has not played in the NFL since November 2008 when he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub.

'Glee' star says solo CD features 'dream' duets

"Glee" star Matthew Morrison recently announced that he has a duet with Elton John on his upcoming CD. But that won't be all. The 32-year-old says his debut album will feature two more duets, explaining that after working with the performers his "dreams have all come true." Morrison said he will release the album in May, with a first single out in three weeks. He describes the sound as "very eclectic," saying he's an "old school soul" and that he drew inspiration from the music he grew up on, like Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. The "Glee" cast has two nominations at Sunday's Grammys.




TV NEWS
The small-screen Superman mythos just breathed an enormous sigh of relief. After nearly a year of will-he-or-won’t-he speculation, Michael Rosenbaum has inked a deal to reprise his role as Smallville‘s Lex Luthor in the two-hour season finale airing May 13.  “I’m delighted to return for the series finale,” Rosenbaum says. “I’m simply doing it for all of the fans out there who made Smallville the great success it is. I appreciate all of their passion, their relentlessness, and even their threats. Ha ha.” The actor continues, “I can’t wait to hug the old crew back in Vancouver one last time and see all of my old friends once again. Oh, and for Lex to become the bad-ass he’s destined to be.”

We hope Ryan Murphy takes this rejection better than he took the Kings of Leon thing. According to Us Weekly, Justin Timberlake has turned down a request from "Glee" producers to use his music in upcoming episodes. One "Glee" insider called the rejection a "slap in the face." We're not sure why Timberlake decided to decline the offer. After all of his recent Serious Actor Business as he promotes "The Social Network," we almost forgot that he once reigned supreme as our favorite pop star ever.

Lost and V beauty Elizabeth Mitchell will appear in the March 30 episode of Law & Order: SVU. The actress will star opposite returning guest Jeremy Irons as a piano teacher who was the last to see one of her students alive.



Ethan Suplee and Jamie Pressley are the latest batch of My Name is Earl alums to drop by Raising Hope. The former onscreen ex-siblings-in-law will appear as a married couple in the Fox hit’s penultimate episode of the season. Earl‘s star Jason Lee has already shown up on the freshman series.


The Killing will make its two-hour debut on AMC Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c. Following the premiere, the series will move to its regular time slot, Sundays at 10/9c.


Complete List of Grammy Winners:
Also Picts Below

Song of the Year: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
Country Album: Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
New Artist: Esperanza Spalding
Pop Vocal Album: Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster
Rock Album: Muse, The Resistance

POP:

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Train, "Hey, Soul Sister (Live)"
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Michael Bublé, Crazy Love
Female Pop Vocal Performance: Lady Gaga, "Bad Romance," The Fame Monster
Male Pop Vocal Performance: Bruno Mars, "Just The Way You Are," Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Imagine," Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare, The Imagine Project?
Pop Instrumental Performance: "Nessun Dorma," Jeff Beck, Emotion & Commotion
Pop Instrumental Album: Take Your Pick, Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto

R&B:

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Fantasia, "Bittersweet," Back to Me
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Usher, "There Goes My Baby," Raymond V Raymond
Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Sade, "Soldier of Love," Soldier of Love
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: John Legend & The Roots, "Hang On In There," Wake Up!
Best R&B Song: John Legend & The Roots, "Shine," Wake Up!
Best R&B Album: Wake Up!, John Legend & The Roots
Contemporary R&B Album: Raymond V Raymond, Usher

RAP:

Rap Song: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind," The Blueprint 3
Rap/Sung Collaboration: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind," The Blueprint 3
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz, "On to the Next One," The Blueprint 3
Rap Solo Performance: Eminem, "Not Afraid," Recovery
Urban/Alternative Performance: "F*** You," Cee Lo Green

ROCK:

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: Paul McCartney, "Helter Skelter," Good Evening New York City
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: The Black Keys, "Tighten Up," Brothers
Rock Song: "Angry World," Neil Young, Le Noise
Hard Rock Performance: New Fang, "Them Crooked Vultures," Them Crooked Vultures
Metal Performance: "El Dorado," Iron Maiden, The Final Frontier
Rock Instrumental Performance: Jeff Beck, "Hammerhead," Emotion & Commotion
Rock Album: Muse, The Resistance

COUNTRY:

Female Country Vocal Performance: Miranda Lambert, " The House That Built Me," Revolution
Male Country Vocal Performance: Keith Urban, "'Til Summer Comes Around"
Country Song: "Need You Now," Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum) (Need You Now)
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
Country Instrumental Performance: Marty Stuart, "Hummingbyrd" (Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions)
New Age Album: Miho: Journey to the Mountain, Paul Winter Consort
Contemporary Jazz Album: The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band
Jazz Vocal Album: Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee, Dee Dee Bridgewater

LATIN:

Latin Pop Album: Paraiso Express, Alejandro Sanz
Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: El Existential, Grupo Fantasma
Tropical Latin Album: Viva La Tradición, Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Tejano Album: Recuerdos, Little Joe & La Familia
Norteño Album: Classic, Intocable
Banda Album: Enamórate De Mí, El Güero Y Su Banda Centenario

DANCE:

Dance Recording: "Only Girl (in the World)," Rihanna
Electronic/Dance Album: La Roux, La Roux