Ja Rule gets more than two years in jail on tax charge

Jailed rapper Ja Rule was sentenced in federal court in New Jersey on Monday to 28 months in prison for failing to pay more than $1 million in taxes. The 35 year-old hip-hop singer and actor, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, is already serving a two-year jail sentence on a weapons conviction in New York. The two terms will run concurrently, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey. Ja Rule previously pleaded guilty in March to three counts of failing to file tax returns. According to prosecutors, Atkins did not pay taxes from 2004 to 2008, costing the U.S. government more than $1.1 million."Taxpayers do not have the luxury of deciding whether to comply with laws," U.S. Judge Patty Shwartz said in delivering the sentence. Ja Rule pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon last year and began his New York prison sentence in June. The charge stemmed from a July 2007 incident, when police pulled over the singer's car after a concert and discovered a semi-automatic handgun hidden away.



Cheap Trick escapes disaster after frightening stage collapse

The members of Cheap Trick escaped serious injury, but a member of their entourage was hospitalized after the stage at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest collapsed. Marc Messier, a spokesman for Ottawa Fire Services, said that a 49-year-old man was in serious condition with abdominal, pelvic and leg injuries. Another had a spinal injury and a third person experienced chest pains. At least eight other people were treated at the scene for minor issues including twisted ankles and anxiety. According to a statement on the band’s website: “Severe weather hit the stage as Cheap Trick was performing at the Ottawa Bluesfest tonight. The stage blew down and collapsed. Everyone is shaken up but band and crew are all fine. Cheap Trick hopes that everyone who attended the show is also ok. Robin says ‘Fortunately the band and crew are all lucky to be alive and we’ll see you down the road. And all the best to our truck driver Sandy.’



A moment of silence for Borders: The book retail giant is no more

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for Borders. Hemingway is just one of many authors whose books you’ll no longer find lining the shelves of the popular — but not popular enough — book chain, after a financial white knight failed to materialize to save the company from insolvency. Borders Group, after months of trying to find a solution to its bankruptcy problems, has decided to liquidate, starting as early as this Friday. The company’s nearly 400 stores will be closed and its 10,700 employees laid off — a major blow, both literal and moral, to the continued existence of physical bookstores in an era of increasing e-book readership. The company released a statement announcing their intention to liquidate after 40 years of business. “Following the best efforts of all parties, we are saddened by this development,” Borders President Mike Edwards said in the statement. “We were all working hard towards a different outcome, but the headwinds we have been facing for quite some time including the rapidly changing book industry, eReader revolution and turbulent economy have brought us to where we are now.”



Demi Lovato and Ryan Phillippe Dating?!?!

Lovato, 18, and Phillippe, 36, have apparently been hooking up for the last few months. But ever since Phillippe’s ex-girlfriend and rumored baby mama, Alexis Knapp, gave birth two weeks ago, the couple has been taking a break. A source says their relationship “was really hot and heavy for a while,” but Demi didn’t know Ryan was going to be a father with Knapp’s baby “until it basically happened. It kind of threw her for a loop.” Ryan has also been having an on/off relationship with Amanda Seyfried, and those two were also said to have stopped dating once Knapp had her baby. Ryan has two children, Ava Elizabeth, 11, and Deacon Reese, 7, with Reese Witherspoon.



Dennis Quaid is the latest addition to ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting’

Lionsgate has confirmed that Dennis Quaid will pair up with Brooklyn Decker in the ensemble comedy, for a May-December romance that hits a speed bump when Quaid’s character, Ramsey, learns that Decker is pregnant with twins. In a Duggar family style twist, Ramsey’s son Colin is also expecting his first child, and the competitive Ramsey is determined to one-up his son. Quaid’s is the latest name added to the film’s roster, but the big screen version of Heidi Murkoff’s pregnancy guide is certainly not hurting for stars. Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford, Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids), Glee‘s Matthew Morrison, and True Blood‘s dreamy Joe Manganiello have already signed on. Filming is set to begin this month for a scheduled May 11, 2012 release.



Charlie Sheen Set to Return to TV in Anger Management

The former Two and a Half Men star is set to make his way back to the small screen in a television adaptation of the 2003 movie Anger Management. Sheen, 45, who was famously fired from the sitcom during a battle with the show's creator Chuck Lorre over his behavior on and off the set, will play an ex-athlete balancing his own temper problems and those of the criminal defendants he counsels – the character Jack Nicholson originated in the Joe Roth-produced film.



TV NEWS

First Lady Michelle Obama is continuing her “Joining Forces” Initiative on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this fall, teaming with the do-gooder series on a house for otherwise homeless female military vets.



A 61 year old man was struck and killed in Vancouver by a taxi used in the Canadian version of the game show "Cash Cab."  A producer for the show was driving the vehicle after finishing production for the day when he struck the man. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he died a short time later. No charges have been filed yet in the incident. All parties involved are cooperating with Vancouver police.



Even more Pine Valley faves are returning before All My Children‘s (televised) “fauxnale,” airing Friday, Sept. 23, on ABC. The new encores include David Canary (Adam Chandler), Julia Barr (Brooke English), Ray MacDonnell (Dr. Joe Martin), and Lee Meriwether (Ruth Martin).



Emmy winner Drea de Matteo will guest-star on "Californication" next season. She will appear in one episode as Holly, a foul-mouthed stripper who spends a wild day with Hank (David Duchovny).



VH1 has renewed the Queen Latifah-produced Single Ladies for a second season, to premiere in 2012. Season 1 is currently airing Mondays at 9/8c.



Syfy has ordered a fourth season of its fantasy series, Merlin, to air in 2012.



AMC’s critical darling Breaking Bad returned Sunday night with a tense episode that delivered its highest ratings ever. A total of 2.6 million viewers and 1.5 million adults 18-49 tuned into the premiere telecast, up a whopping 30 percent from its third season debut more than a year ago.



Entourage‘s Constance Zimmer has found a new male posse to hang with. The actress is headed to Royal Pains as a potentially recurring love interest for Mark Feuerstein’s Hank. Her character, Dr. Abby Burton, is a psychiatrist and an old friend of Hank’s who may be able to help an especially important HankMed patient.



Kristin Cavallari Sets a Date

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and his TV reality show fiancee, Kristin Cavallari have set a wedding date...July 7, 2012.  The date was chosen so Cutler can get married, go on his honeymoon and get settled before having to head to training camp in August.