Will Dispute Prevents Burial Of Sherman Hemsley

The embalmed body of actor Sherman Hemsley, who became famous for his role as television’s George Jefferson, will be kept in refrigeration at an El Paso funeral home until a local court rules on the validity of his will. In the will Hemsley signed six weeks before dying of lung cancer July 24 he named Flora Enchinton, 56, whom he called a “beloved partner,” as sole beneficiary of his estate, which is estimated in court documents to be more than $50,000. The will is being contested by Richard Thornton, of Philadelphia, who claims to be Hemsley’s brother and says the will might not have been made by the actor. Enchinton said that she had been friends with Hemsley and had been his manager for more than 20 years. Over the time she, Hemsley and Hemsley’s friend Kenny Johnston, 76, lived together, she said he never mentioned any relatives.  “Some people come out of the woodwork — they think Sherman, they think money,” Enchinton said. “But the fact it that I did not know Sherman when he was in the limelight. I met them when they (Hemsley and Johnston) came running from Los Angeles with not one penny, when there was nothing but struggle.”Mark Davis, listed in court documents as Thornton’s lawyer in El Paso, did not immediately respond to messages left at his office. There is no date set for the case to be heard, court officials said. Enchinton said she hopes it will all be cleared in court. The Philadelphia-born Hemsley played Jefferson in the CBS sitcom “All in the Family,” then starred in the spinoff “The Jeffersons” from 1975 to 1985. It was one of TV’s longest-running and most successful sitcoms, particularly noteworthy for its predominantly black cast. Hemsley made George Jefferson — the bigoted, blustering Harlem businessman — one of TV’s most memorable characters and a symbol for urban upward mobility.
 Bill and Giuliana Rancic welcomed their first child, son Edward Duke Rancic, on Wednesday, Aug. 29 in Denver, the couple announced via Twitter Thursday morning. “The ‘Duke’ has landed! Edward Duke Rancic was welcomed into the world last night at 7 lbs., 4 oz.,” the Apprentice winner writes. “G & I feel blessed beyond words…We did it!” Born at 10:12 p.m. with the parents in the delivery room, the baby’s cord was cut by Bill and he was first held by Giuliana, the couple said. After struggles with infertility, miscarriage and a breast cancer battle for E! news anchor and Fashion Police co-host Giuliana, 37, the couple announced that they were expecting a baby via gestational surrogate.

Rapper Beanie Sigel faces weapon charges in Pa.

Rapper Beanie Sigel was arrested Wednesday on weapon and drug violations during a traffic stop, just two weeks before he is scheduled to report to prison for failing to file taxes, state police said. The 38-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwight Grant, was a passenger in a car pulled over on Interstate 95 in Tinicum Township, just south of his hometown of Philadelphia. Police said they found a gun in the car's console. Both Sigel and driver Gerald Andrews are felons banned from having such weapons. Andrews was also carrying several prescription bottles and a small amount of marijuana, police said. Sigel had more than $4,600 in cash, plus prescription pills and a bottle of codeine syrup. Court records indicate Sigel and Andrews both face drug and gun charges and were unable to post bail. Sigel's lawyer declined to comment immediately, saying he had not yet reviewed the case. It was not clear if Andrews had an attorney. Sigel's latest album, called "This Time," was released on Tuesday by Ruffhouse Records.  Chris Schwartz, the label's chief executive, said in a statement that the company is disappointed in Sigel's arrest. But he added that the rapper has displayed "the utmost professionalism in all of the initiatives related to the promotion of his new release." "Beanie has obviously been struggling with some personal issues, and we continue to support him now and throughout his impending incarceration," Schwartz said. Sigel is scheduled to begin a two-year prison sentence on Sept. 12 for failing to pay federal taxes. Prosecutors said he owes more than $700,000 for the tax years 1999 through 2005.


LeAnn Rimes Enters Treatment for Anxiety and Stress
LeAnn Rimes is seeking help to address emotional issues. "LeAnn has voluntarily entered a 30 day in-patient treatment facility to cope with anxiety and stress," her rep Marcel Pariseau says in a statement. "While there will be speculation regarding her treatment, she is simply there to learn and develop coping mechanisms. While privacy isn't expected, it's certainly appreciated." Rimes – who checked in on Wednesday, the day after her 30th birthday –says she hopes to emerge from treatment with better tools to deal with the life she'll be returning to. This is just a time for me to emotionally check out for a second and take care of myself and come back in 30 days as the best 30-year-old woman I can be," she says. "All the things in my life will be there when I get out, but you know what? I'm hoping they're not going to affect me as much," she adds. "I'll have the tools to know how to deal with them." Rimes's husband Eddie Cibrian, 39, said he's giving his wife his full support and praises her courage. "My wife is the most remarkable and courageous woman I know," says Cibrian. "I am so proud of her for having the strength to finally take some time for herself. I will be with her every step of the way." Though Rimes has been the victim of body bullying in the past, her rep confirms she is not seeking treatment for an eating disorder or substance abuse. The country star – who has been gearing up for the upcoming release of her latest studio album, Spitfire and a fall tour – will continue to perform in September during breaks from treatment. "The facility has granted her permission to keep her weekend tour obligations, as LeAnn doesn't want to disappoint her fans," adds her rep. "She will report back after each weekend."
 Shawn Ashmore is off the market. The X-Men star, who played the mutant Iceman in the superhero movies, married film executive Dana Renee Wasdin on July 27 in Los Angeles. "Thank you to everyone for sending Dana and I well wishes!!! We couldn't be happier," Ashmore wrote on Twitter after the wedding. Wasdin – an exec with Darkwoods Productions – then Tweeted a photo of the newlyweds and wrote, "I'm so proud to be an Ashmore!" The couple, who met on the set of the drama Frozen where she was an assistant director, got engaged last October.

Kelly Rutherford, Daniel Giersch Ordered to Co-Parent in Monaco

Since their 2009 divorce, Kelly Rutherford and her ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, have been involved in a heated custody battle ... and three years later, it's as nasty as ever. The bitter dispute spans the globe as Giersch, who lives in Monaco, is barred from returning to the U.S. because of a revoked visa. The Gossip Girl actress, 43, has been fighting for sole custody of Hermes, 5, and Helena, 3, so she may keep them in the country. On Tuesday, a judge ruled that Rutherford's schedule is flexible enough to allow her to travel back and forth to Monaco to visit her children. "Kelly is devastated by the court ruling and will never stop fighting for her children," her spokesperson says. "An appeal is already in the process." "To protect the children and also Kelly, I have decided to continue not to comment," Giersch says. His lawyer, Fahi Takesh Hallin, meanwhile says Giersch is "focused on co-parenting the children, and continuing to promote any and all contact of the children with Kelly." As for Giersch's inability to return to the U.S., a source claims accusations made by Rutherford are responsible for the German businessman's revoked visa. "Kelly stated on the record that Daniel was dealing drugs and weapons in South America, which under the Victory Act is considered terrorism," a source said, adding it's all untrue. "Just the accusation is enough to revoke his visa." Papers show Rutherford is now required to make "good faith efforts" to facilitate his attempts to get his residence right reinstated. Despite their feuding parents, Hermes and Helena, who have lived with Giersch in Monaco since May 20, have spent their summer like any other children and will attend a prestigious international school in the fall. The court has determined that after two years it will be assessed whether Giersch can successfully re-enter the U.S. and what's in the best interest of the children. The latest advancements in the custody saga follow a bitter divorce in which Rutherford tried to bar Giersch from leaving the country with Hermes, hired a private eye to videotape him, failed to notify him of Helena's 2009 birth and filed a restraining order against him.

Wynonna resumes tour after husband's crash

Wynonna Judd is going back on tour after her husband lost his left leg in a motorcycle crash. She says in a statement that husband Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser "continues to improve every day as he begins his road to rehabilitation." Moser was also her drummer. Judd says they are looking forward to the day when they will be together again on stage. Moser was injured Aug. 18 in South Dakota. He was airlifted to a hospital, and doctors amputated his leg. Instead of gifts, the couple is asking people to donate in Moser's name to Homes For Our Troops. The organization helps members of the military with serious disabilities. Judd's tour resumes Thursday in Michigan. She has also rescheduled shows that she missed because of the accident.

Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias axe Florida tour stop

Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias have scrapped a planned concert in Orlando, Fla., this Sunday. The Latin superstars, who are currently on a joint tour of North America, were expected to hit the stage at the Amway Center this weekend following shows in Miami on Friday and Saturday.  However, the Orlando date has now been axed due to "logistical issues," according to venue representatives.  It is the second concert on the Lopez/Iglesias trek to be cancelled -- a scheduled gig in Anaheim, Calif., earlier this month was also scrapped.

 

Clive Davis to write about Whitney Houston for new book

Music mogul Clive Davis will pay tribute to his longtime friend Whitney Houston in a new book sanctioned by her estate.  The legendary singer drowned in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles in February just hours before she was set to appear at Davis' annual pre-Grammy Awards party. The record executive, who is credited with helping Houston find fame, will now write about their relationship in an essay for a book called "Whitney: Tribute to an Icon."  The book will include never-before-seen photographs of the star, and music photographer Randee St. Nicholas and the singer's sister-in-law manager, Pat Houston, will also write tributes. The book will go on sale in November.

TV NEWS
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts was supposed to begin a medical leave of absence after Friday’s show. But in a surprise move, the ailing newswoman announced on air this morning that today would, in fact, be her last day on GMA “for a while.” “Some things happened at home,” Roberts said, explaining that her 88-year-old mother is also in poor health. Roberts and her sister, Sally-Ann, are both heading to Mississippi to care for her and be with other family members affected by Hurricane Isaac. Once home, Roberts will also begin preparing for a bone marrow transplant to treat her myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS. While Roberts is gone, an all-star slate of celebrity subs will fill in for her on air. The list includes Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, the cast of Modern Family, Kelly Ripa, Chris Rock, Rob Lowe, Oprah Winfrey, and other surprise guests.


In a move Family Guy fans will no doubt find freakin’ sweet, Saturday Night Live announced this morning that Seth MacFarlane will host the show’s 38th season premiere on Sept. 15. MacFarlane — who will be promoting the fall premieres of his Fox animated series Family Guy, American Dad (both Sept. 30), and The Cleveland Show (Oct. 7), as well as the upcoming DVD release of his hit talking teddy-bear movie Ted – will be joined by musical guest Frank Ocean. Joseph Gordon-Levitt will return to host for the second time on Sept. 22, joined by Mumford & Sons, who will be making their SNL debut. On Oct. 6, James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, will host, with Muse providing the music.


Joel McHale fans are used to seeing the host of “The Soup” bring the laughs on his E! show and on his NBC hit comedy, “Community.” However, the funnyman is dropping the humor for a decidedly darker role on FX’s biker drama “Sons of Anarchy.” Joel, whose character, Warren, gets to be “really bad” on the FX series, said he worked alongside Jimmy Smits and series star Katey Sagal for his two-episode arc.


Party at Charlie Sheen’s house tonight! The actor’s comedy series Anger Management was just picked up for a 90-episode renewal, FX announced. “We set a very high ratings bar that included some additional hurdles for Anger Management to earn its back-90 order and the series met and exceed those metrics,” said Chuck Saftler, executive vp of FX.  “Bruce Helford has created a sitcom that works extremely well in our pre-10 p.m. programming lineup. Charlie Sheen and the entire cast did an amazing job in the first ten episodes, which were produced in a very tight window. I have no doubt that the producers and cast will be able to pull off the Herculean task of producing 90 episodes over the next two years.”


Once Upon a Time has “big” plans for Jorge Garcia. Lost‘s Hurley will guest-star during Season 2 of ABC’s fantastical series as a giant. Garcia right now is booked for just one episode. Garcia’s casting comes as no great surprise, given Once co-creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz’s own Lost roots. Plus, as recently as July they shared their wish to find a place for the big lug on their canvas, just as they did with Emilie de Ravin (who played castaway Claire back in the day and now is a series regular as Belle).  Once, which was last season’s highest-rated freshman drama, opens its new season on Sunday, Sept. 30.