In an attempt to jump-start negotiations that stalled a week ago, representatives for N.F.L. owners and the league’s players planned to engage in seven consecutive days of talks with a federal mediator beginning Friday. The collective bargaining agreement expires in less than two weeks, and the decision to attempt to intensify negotiations with the help of a neutral party is the first significant move at making progress since owners abruptly canceled a negotiating session last week. But the developments do not guarantee a new deal will be finished before the current one expires after March 3. The two sides had agreed during a session the day before the Super Bowl to meet twice a week until March 3, but those sessions did not proceed after owners and the union could not agree on whether a document the league received from the union constituted a proposal on how to split revenue or was merely an illustration. Consultation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is voluntary and is not binding, meaning the mediator, George H. Cohen, the agency’s director, merely hopes to help the sides find common ground. The sessions are scheduled to take place in Washington.
Closing arguments finished in Buju Banton trial
Closing arguments in the federal drug trial of Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton have ended, setting the stage for jurors to deliberate on his fate. The 37-year-old Banton is accused of conspiring with two other men in setting up a drug deal in December of 2009. His album "Before the Dawn" won a Grammy for best reggae album this week, and he remains wildly popular in his native Jamaica. This is Banton's second trial; a jury deadlocked in his first trial last year. If convicted of all the charges, he faces up to life in prison. Every seat in the federal courtroom in Tampa was filled as the lawyers gave their closing arguments; many of the seats were taken by Banton's friends and fans.
Singer Celine Dion and husband Renee Angelil debut their 4-month old twins on the Vegas Strip. Gaga lands the 1,000th number one single on Billboard
Lady Gaga has scored the 1,000th number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after crashing in at the top with her new song "Born This Way." The track, which was released to much fanfare on Friday, has also entered high on the influential Radio Songs countdown, breaking Janet Jackson's 10-year-old record for the most-played debut. The new tune also breaks Britney Spears' record as the highest debuting female artist -- fans downloaded 448,000 copies of "Born This Way," which is now the third largest debut among all digital tracks behind Flo Rida's "Right Round" and the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow."
Lance Armstrong Re-Retiring
Cyclist, Lance Armstrong, is re-retiring after he came out of retirement two years ago. Armstrong came back from testicular cancer to win the Tour de France a record seven times and channeled that into raising millions of dollars for cancer research. Armstrong says he's retiring from professional cycling in order to devote his time to his family, to the fight against cancer and to leading the Livestrong foundation he established. So far, his foundation has raised over $400 million dollars.
TV NEWS
Actor David Arquette will now be featured on the Feb. 24th episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" instead of NFL star Michael Vick. "I can now confirm that next Thursday's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will now feature an exclusive sitdown with David Arquette in his first interview post-rehab," Oprah's rep says.
Billboard is reviving its annual music awards show with the first broadcast scheduled for May 22. The Billboard Music Awards, telecast live from Las Vegas on ABC, will honor artists with the most sales in various musical genres. That contrasts with the just-concluded Grammy Awards, a more subjective honor based on the votes of industry professionals.
Orlando Jones is venturing past his comedic background in favor of grittier fare. Jones’ agent confirmed that the comedian/actor -- a former “MADtv” cast member and 7 Up pitchman -- has landed a starring role in ABC’s procedural pilot “Identity.” Jones will play Agent Wareing, a member of an elite police unit dedicated to battling the growing scourge of identity-related crime. Jones, who had recurring roles in the CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement” and ABC’s comedy/drama “Men In Trees,” will also play civil-rights activist Bobby Seale in the film “The Chicago 8,” based on the infamous trial following the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
"Family Guy" creator, Seth MacFarlane will be the host when Comedy Central roasts Donald Trump. His previous reign as Roast Master for the COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of David Hassellhoff scored big with viewers. The special was the number one show in all of television with men 18-34.
"Easy Rider" Peter Fonda will be making a guest star appearance on CSI:NY. He will play an ex-partner of Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) for two episodes that will air in late April. Fonda, who will play William Hunt, will reconnect with Mac after a bad guy they once put away is released from prison. This "reformed" criminal has a vendetta against Fonda's character.
In a sit-down Sarah Jessica Parker reveals that a third "Sex and the City" movie could happen, despite the second's underwhelming response from audiences and critics alike (not to mention those Razzie nominations). "I would go back," says Parker. "I think there's one more story to tell. I know there is. I'd definitely tell that [third] story, and I know [writer-director] Michael [Patrick King] would do it right. But maybe not now. Maybe in five years, you know?" As for rumors of a "Sex" prequel starring Blake Lively as a young Carrie Bradshaw during her early days in New York, SJP says no way.
Oksana Grigorieva Extortion Case Going to District Attorney
Oksana Grigorieva extortion case is now in the hands of the L.A. County District Attorney". The investigation is about a $15 million deal Oksana signed and then rejected during child custody mediation in May, last year. The deal included child support, a house, and other assets ... plus the guarantee that Oksana would NOT release the audio tapes of Mel's now infamous rants. The D.A. will now determine if Oksana will be charged with a crime.
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