Authorities: Whitney Houston was found underwater in tub

Whitney Houston was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub, and she had prescription drugs in her room, authorities said. The regal pop star's family made arrangements to fly her body home to New Jersey for a funeral at the end of the week.Authorities said that there were no indications of foul play and no obvious signs of trauma on Houston's body but that it could be weeks before the coroner's office completes toxicology tests to establish the cause of death. The 48-year-old singer had struggled for years with cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her behavior had become erratic. Houston was found underwater Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel by a member of her staff about 3:30 p.m., hours before she was supposed to appear at a pre-Grammy Awards gala, police Lt. Mark Rosen said. She was pulled from the tub by members of her staff, and hotel security was promptly notified, Rosen said. She was pronounced dead about a half-hour later. "As of right now, it's not a criminal investigation," Rosen said, refusing to release further details. "We have concluded our portion of the investigation at the hotel."

Whitney Houston's Daughter Bobbi Kristina Recovering, Says Bobby Brown

After suffering what a source said was an emotional breakdown over her mother's death, Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina is on the mend with the help of those closest to her. "My daughter did visit with doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles," her father Bobby Brown says in a statement. "She has been released and is presently with my family including her siblings." A heavily distraught Bobbi Kristina was taken to the hospital on Saturday night after Houston, 48, was pronounced dead in her hotel room. The 18-year-old then returned to Cedars the next morning.

Wife of Chargers' Harris dies
San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Tommie Harris was mourning the tragic death of his new wife at the age of only 29. Ashley Harris died Sunday night in an Oklahoma hospital, barely weeks after the couple married. She was admitted two days earlier following a suspected stroke or brain aneurysm. The couple wed in January, barely months after Ashley Harris gave birth to their second child. Family friend Bill Horn confirmed her death late Sunday. He earlier said loved ones were "holding out for a miracle" amid reports that she was placed on life support. Tommie Harris, 28, was named to three Pro Bowls during his seven seasons with the Chicago Bears, 2004-10. He had a brief spell with the Indianapolis Colts before joining the Chargers in September. Several Bears players reportedly flew to Oklahoma to be with their former teammate, who was released by Chicago in February 2011.

 
Cissy Houston Speaks Out on Daughter's Death

Whitney’s mother, gospel singing sensation Cissy Houston, issued the following: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends.

 

Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested

Hugh Hefner's son Marston has been arrested after allegedly attacking his Playboy model girlfriend Claire Sinclair. Cops were reportedly called to the house Marston Hefner shares with Sinclair in Pasadena, California on Sunday night after one of her relatives alerted them to an alleged bust-up. Police officers witnessed visible injuries on model Sinclair, who has been dating Marston on and off since August 2010. The son of the publishing mogul admitted they'd gotten into an argument but denied striking her, although Sinclair reportedly claimed he had punched and kicked her and prevented her from leaving the property. Marston was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and later released on $20,000 bail.

 Matt Bomer, the star of USA's White Collar, quietly came out over the weekend, thanking his partner and children at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards on Saturday. Bomer, 34, received the New Generation Arts and Activism Award for his activism in the fight against HIV/AIDS at the awards show, and paid tribute to his partner, publicist Simon Halls, and their three children in his acceptance speech. "I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," he said onstage at the show. "Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."

 

Oprah draws fire for asking Nielsen viewers to watch OWN instead of Grammys

Oprah Winfrey took to Twitter last night to ask Nielsen viewers to watch her cable network OWN, drawing criticism from some followers and investigative scrutiny from the ratings measurement company. “Every 1 who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box,” she tweeted Sunday evening at the start Oprah’s Next Chapter and the mega-rated Grammy telecast. She later added, “Commercial Grammy people..u can turn to OWN.” That tweets caused a backlash on the social networking site, with readers accusing her of “begging for viewers” and being “desperate.” Oprah followed up with a flurry of defensive replies that were apparently in response to reader criticism: “The word ‘please’ is used as courtesy not a beg … ‘desperate’ not ever a part of my vocab … ‘unethical’ a little harsh don’t u think? Seemed like it made sense to me. Sorry if u’re offended.” networks are not allowed to specifically target Nielsen subscribers. It’s policy prohibits “attempts to single out panel members … to change their viewing habits.” “In accordance with our policies and procedures, Nielsen is reviewing this incident with our clients and we may withhold, breakout and/or make a note in the ratings,” a Nielsen rep said. “We take any violation of our policy seriously and will work with clients to resolve the situation.” Of course, given that 39.9 million people watched the Grammys last night, with CBS crushing rivals, a more effective punishment might be releasing OWN’s ratings instead of holding them back. Oprah Winfrey released this statement: “I removed the tweet at the request of Nielsen. I intended no harm and apologize for the reference.”

TV NEWS

This Tuesday’s episode ofn Glee — which, coincidentally, finds Mercedes tackling Whitney Houston's beloved ballad, “I Will Always Love You” — will pay tribute to the late musical icon.

Spartacus‘ Peter Mensah is joining True Blood's upcoming fifth season in a recurring capacity. Mensah will play Kibwe, a ruling member of the Vampire Authority. What does this mean for his role as gladiator sensei Doctore on the Starz drama? Probably nothing. The show’s third season doesn’t go into production in New Zealand until April, leaving Mensah plenty of time to squeeze in a trip to Bon Temps.

Spike TV has ordered a 13-episode second season of Ink Master.

The Walking Dead is very much alive and kicking, resuming Season 2 this Sunday night with tallies that broke all-time records for a basic cable drama in key demos, including 5.4 million viewers in the coveted 18-49 category. The AMC drama also broke historical marks by drawing 4.4 million adults in the 25-54 range.

Bradly Whitford will guest star in an upcoming episode of Parks and Recreation, playing Pawnee’s departing city councilman whose seat Leslie is vying for. Unfortunately, the West Wing alum will not share any scenes with former co-star Rob Lowe.

Ving Rhames has been cast opposite Alfred Molina in David E. Kelley’s TNT medical drama pilot Chelsea General. He’ll play a pro-football player-turned-chief of trauma surgery. Bill Irwin, Jamie Bamber and Jennifer Finnigan are also tapped to co-star.

Perfect Couples alumna Christine Woods has joined the NBC comedy pilot Daddy’s Girls, playing a Harvard-educated doctor who returns home to discover her father is dating the mean girl from her high school.

BET has given the green light to Single Black Female, a new project from The Game exec producers Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil. The series follows the work and family life of the host of a successful Atlanta-based talk show.

Jeremiah Franco and Carin Shreve have been named The Simpsons‘ ultimate fans after breaking the Guinness World Record for continuous television viewing. The pair joined Fox and tons of other fans to watch up to 500 continuous episodes of the long-running comedy, and took home the honors after 86 hours and 37 minutes had passed.