Oscar Pistorius granted bail ahead of murder trial
Oscar Pistorius was granted bail Friday pending his trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Olympic and Paralympic star Pistorius, dubbed the “Blade Runner,” maintains he did not realize Steenkamp was in the locked bathroom of his home in a suburb of Pretoria, South Africa, and fired through the door in a panic over a possible prowler. However, prosecutors say the 26-year-old committed the “premeditated murder” of Steenkamp, 29, a model and trained lawyer. On the fourth day of his bail hearing Friday, Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair told the court he had decided Pistorius could be freed ahead of the trial. Defense lawyer Barry Roux told the court that Pistorius should at most be charged with culpable homicide, which is the unlawful, negligent killing of someone under South African law. He said “intent” to possibly kill a burglar could not be transferred to become intent to kill Steenkamp. Roux said Pistorius would not be able to flee the country unnoticed. If he went through security at an airport "the system would react." The lawyer added that Pistorius would not skip bail, saying that his prosthetics needed adjustment every month and that he also required medication for his stomach. The arrest of Pistorius stunned millions who watched in awe last year as the sprinter reached the semi-final of the 400 meters at the London 2012 Olympics. In South Africa, Pistorius was seen as a rare hero who commanded respect from both blacks and whites, transcending the racial divides that persist 19 years after the end of apartheid.
 Wiz Khalifa better take any tummy troubles elsewhere! The rapper and his fiancée Amber Rose welcomed their first child, son Sebastian Taylor Thomaz, on Thursday, Feb. 21, the proud dad announced via Twitter. “Happy Birthday!!!” Khalifa — born Cameron Thomaz – writes. “Everyone welcome this perfect young man into the world.” After confirming the pregnancy while walking the MTV Video Music Awards’ red carpet in September, the couple posed for a series of intimate shots that showed off the model’s budding baby belly.
 After eight years of marriage, Josh Brolin and Diane Lane are splitting, their reps confirmed. "They've been separated for several months. This was a hard decision for both of them to make." They were together for 11 years, the relationship just ran its course." The pair, who married in a 2004 ceremony at Brolin's central California ranch, were first introduced by the actor's stepmother, Barbra Streisand, at a party in 2002. Brolin, 45, was recently arrested and held for public intoxication just before midnight on New Year's Eve 2013, but he was released without charge. Spotted without his wedding ring the following day, Brolin, donning sunglasses, seemed unfazed by the trouble as he ate with a male friend at Sauce on Hampton in Venice, Calif. A few days later, Lane, 48, headed to the Palm Springs Film Festival – without her husband – where she presented an award to her former Unfaithful costar, Richard Gere. Brolin was previously married to Alice Adair, with whom he had two children. Lane previously wed Christopher Lambert, and they had one child together.

Jesse Jackson Jr. Facing Five Years
One-time Democratic Party rising star Jesse Jackson Jr., weeping and repentant as his famous father looked on, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to misusing about $750,000 in campaign funds on luxuries such as fur capes and a Rolex watch. Jackson, 47, who had represented Illinois in the House of Representatives from 1995 until his resignation in November, told U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins he had been living off his political campaign funds for years. When Wilkins asked for Jackson's plea, he responded, "Guilty, your honor. I misled the American people." Prosecutors said they may ask for a five-year prison sentence in the corruption case - the maximum permitted by law - while Jackson's legal team said it may argue for four or less. Sentencing is scheduled for June 28.

Megan Fox Joins TMNT
Megan Fox and Michael Bay appear to have buried the hatchet, and not in each other's heads. Fox will star as April O’Neil, the journalist character and female lead in the upcoming live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot at Paramount Pictures. Bay revealed the news on his site, saying: "TMNT: we are bringing Megan Fox back into the family" Casting is currently underway and last week actors, mostly relative unknowns, were being tested for the four mo-cap turtle roles. Fox and Bay reportedly reconciled over a series of recent meetings, while director Jonathan Liebesman allegedly wowed her with storyboards from the project. Bay will produce the film through his Platinum Dunes labels.

Ja Rule Leaves Prison for Federal Custody

Ja Rule might be out of prison, but he isn't a free man yet. The rapper left a New York prison Thursday morning after serving the majority of his sentence for illegal gun possession and headed straight to federal custody in a tax case. Ja Rule is waiting at New York's Oneida County Jail to learn from the Federal Bureau of Prisons about where he will serve his sentence for the $1.1 million in back taxes he owes. The "Put It On Me" rapper was arrested in 2007 after police found a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun in his car during a traffic stop. He pleaded guilty in 2010 and was sentenced to two years in prison, most of which he served in Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy. In 2011, Ja Rule was hit with even more jail time — 28-months' worth— when he plead guilty to three counts of failing to pay taxes on the more than $3 million he earned from 2004 to 2006.

Marsden Joins Anchorman Sequel
James Marsden ("30 Rock," "Straw Dogs," "X-Men") is the latest name to join the cast of director Adam McKay's upcoming comedy sequel "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" at Gary Sanchez Productions, Apatow Productions and Paramount Pictures. Marsden will play a rival anchor and nemesis to Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy in the sequel. Much of the original Anchorman cast are set to reprise their roles.
Shooting is slated to begin next month in Atlanta, with a December 20th 2013 release date being targeted.

Lady Gaga Undergoes Hip Surgery, Thanks Fans in a Letter Hours Later

Lady Gaga has always had a special relationship with her fans, aka her Little Monsters. She proved just how special Wednesday, when she took to her website to write a letter to her devoted army just hours after she underwent surgery to treat a hip injury. In the heartfelt note, Gaga thanked her fans for their support and inspiration amid her recent troubles. (Last week, the 26-year-old "Poker Face" singer was forced to cancel the rest of her Born This Way Ball tour due to a labral tear in her right hip. She was also previously diagnosed with synovitis, or severe joint inflammation.) "Monsters, you really gave me a lot of strength today. Everything happened so fast, but when it came time to face it, I reflected on the many stories and experiences you've shared with me about your lives," she wrote after her operation on Wednesday. "You have completely blown my mind," she continued. "As they wheeled me into surgery today, I thought about all of your pain and perseverance, your unique family situations, school environments, health issues, homelessness, identity struggles -- sometimes you are so brave that it terrifies me. I wonder how it's even possible." The Mother Monster then went on to say that the injury was just a temporary obstacle in her path, and that she was grateful to be living her dream -- a dream made possible by her multitude of Little Monsters. "You have changed my life," she gushed. "I love you and am proud to be a part of your lives. If you can do it, I can do it too, and if we stick together we can get through anything."

Drew Peterson sentenced to 38 years in Kathleen Savio murder

Retired Illinois police Sgt. Drew Peterson has been sentenced to 38 years in prison for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Judge Edward Burmila could have imposed up to a 60-year prison term, but he took into consideration Peterson's military service and his past as a police officer. He will also receive credit for the four years he has been in custody. Before the sentencing, Burmila denied Peterson's request for a new trial. He was convicted of murder in September 2012 for Savio's 2004 death, which was initially ruled accidental. Savio's body was exhumed following the disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson in 2007. Stacy has not been found, and no charges have been filed in that case. In 2012, Rob Lowe portrayed Peterson in Lifetime's "Drew Peterson: Untouchable." Kaley Cuoco played Stacy.

 

TV NEWS
FX has decided The Americans is red-hot, and renewed the retro spy drama for Season 2, just four episodes into its freshman run. The Americans‘ series premiere emerged as the most-watched debut of any FX series ever, with a Live+7 tally of 5.11 million total viewers, while reviews gave it an average grade of “A-.” After two weeks of declines, this week’s Episode 4 rebounded by posting gains of 22 percent in the coveted 18-49 demo and 46 percent in 18-34. Season 1, airing Wednesdays at 10/9c, has nine episodes remaining, with the finale set for May 1. A marathon of the first five episodes will air next Friday, March 1, starting at 10 pm.


Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams will be getting her own reality show on Entertainment One Television. Titled My Sister’s Keeper, the series will follow Williams and her sisters as she works on her new gospel album.


Soledad O'Brien is partnering with CNN to produce a series of longform programming specials, the network said Thursday. It's the latest in a string of changes made during Jeff Zucker's tenure.  The Starting Point anchor is forming a company called Starfish Media Group, which will produce three documentaries for CNN in 2014, the network said.  A new morning program hosted by Chris Cuomo -- who last month joined the network from ABC News, where he spent time as the news anchor on Good Morning America -- and likely Erin Burnett is expected to premiere in April.


Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back to Saturday Night Live… again. The Emmy-winning singer/actor has been tapped to host the late-night staple for a fifth time, NBC announced Thursday. Pulling double duty, Timberlake will also act as the March 9 installment’s musical guest, performing tracks from his upcoming comeback album The 20/20 Experience.


OWN has picked up a third season of Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse, which previously aired on TBS. The cabler will also air the series’ existing 45 installments.


Sons of Anarchy‘s Rockmond Dunbar has joined ABC’s Doubt. The legal drama from David Shore (House) centers around Vincent, a former cop-turned-charmingly low-rent lawyer who uses his street smarts and cunning to work the system for his clients while battling his own demons and wooing his ex-wife. Dunbar will play Vincent’s former partner on the force and current confidante. In addition to FX’s Anarchy, Dunbar’s credits include The Game, Terriers and Prison Break.