Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera died in a plane crash Saturday night, her father and brother confirmed. The wreckage was found in the Ejido La Colorada, Municipality of  Nuevo Leon. Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, secretary of communications and transport, said that the plane was not recognizable, but the evidence suggested it was the aircraft carrying the singer. The Learjet carrying the 43-year-old performer lost contact with air traffic controllers after it took off from Monterrey, Mexico, at 3:15 a.m. following Rivera's concert there. Contact was lost about 60 miles away, Mexico's transportation ministry said in a statement. It was scheduled to arrive in Toluca, outside Mexico City, before sunrise. Rivera, a native of Long Beach, Calif., was known as the Diva of Banda with over 20 million albums sold worldwide and recently named one of People En Español's 25 most powerful women. She was also the star of I Love Jenni, a reality show that aired on Telemundo's mun2 documenting the singer's jet-set life as an entertainer and mother of five children. It also featured her publicist, lawyer and makeup artist, who were all on the plane with her. Earlier this month, ABC tapped Rivera to star in her own show. The self-titled comedy, Jenni, would feature her as a strong, middle-class, single Latina woman working to raise a family using unique parenting skills.

  Former South African President Nelson Mandela, in hospital for tests since Saturday, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but is responding to treatment, a government statement said on Tuesday. "Doctors have concluded the tests, and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba (Mandela's clan name) is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment," the statement said. The 94-year-old former South African president and revered anti-apartheid leader is spending his fourth day in a hospital in the South African capital Pretoria. A statement from the office of President Jacob Zuma, who visited the Nobel Peace laureate Sunday, said, "President Mandela had a good night's rest" and was "in good hands." It also thanked members of the public for their messages of support. Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters after paying Mandela a visit in Pretoria's "1 Military" hospital that he was doing "very, very well." The military is responsible for the health of sitting and former South African presidents. Mandela, South Africa's first black president and a global symbol of resistance to racism and injustice, spent 27 years in apartheid prisons, including 18 years on the windswept Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town. He was released in 1990 and went on to be elected president in the historic all-race elections in 1994 that ended white-minority rule in Africa's most important economy.

Australian DJs apologize for royal hoax call

They say they expected a hang-up and a few laughs. Instead, the Australian DJs behind a hoax phone call to the London hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was being treated were deeply apologetic Monday as they described how their joke ended up going too far. The phone call — in which they impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles — went through, and their station broadcast and even trumpeted the confidential information received. Whatever pride there had been over the hoax was obliterated by worldwide public outrage after Friday's death of Jacintha Saldanha, the first nurse they talked to. "There's not a minute that goes by that we don't think about her family and what they must be going through," 2DayFM radio host Mel Greig told Australia's "A Current Affair," her voice shaking. "And the thought that we may have played a part in that is gut-wrenching."  Both DJs apologized for the hoax and cried when asked about the moment they learned that the Saldanha was dead. But neither described having reservations before the hoax tape was broadcast; they said higher-ups at the station had made the decision to air it. "We didn't have that discussion," Greig said. Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of 2DayFM, released a statement Monday saying that Greig and Christian's show had been terminated and there would be a company-wide suspension of prank calls. The DJs themselves remain suspended. Saldanha had two children. Her husband, Ben Barboza, expressed his sadness on his Facebook page with a short note "Obituary Jacintha." "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances," he wrote. He said she will be laid to rest in Shirva, India.

 Sugarland‘s Jennifer Nettles welcomed son Magnus Hamilton Miller on Thursday, Dec. 6, her rep confirmed. Baby Magnus is the first child for the Grammy-winning singer, 38, and her husband, entrepreneur Justin Miller. “We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family,” the couple say in a statement. And the timing couldn’t have been better: after tying the knot during a small, sunset ceremony in Tennessee last year, the couple celebrated their first anniversary on Nov. 28.

 

Toni Braxton hospitalized for Lupus and blood clots

R&B singer Toni Braxton has been hospitalized for complications related to her Lupus, she announced via Twitter. "Hey guys, I'm in the hospital for health issues related to Lupus & Blood clots, I will be home soon...Thanks for all the love&support! Xoxo," the singer tweeted on Friday. The 45-year-old revealed two years ago that she was diagnosed with Lupus, a dangerous autoimmune disease. Specifically, she suffers from systemic lupus erythematosus. Braxton's own uncle passed away from complications related to the illness, and her brother suffers from it as well. Braxton was also hospitalized back in January for what she called a "Lupus flare-up." She also suffers from microvascular angina, or "small vessel disease," which makes blood clots particularly common.

 

Ex-President Bush remains hospitalized, stable

Former President George H.W. Bush remains in stable condition in his third week of hospitalization in Houston for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik said Sunday there was no change in the 88-year-old Bush's condition. Doctors have said over the past several days that the 41st president continues to improve but they're in no hurry to release him. Bush was admitted to the hospital the day after Thanksgiving. Bush and his wife, Barbara, divide their time, spending winters in Houston and summers in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Brent charged with manslaughter

Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter Saturday after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown.  Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said the accident happened about 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the Dallas suburb, hours before Brent was to be on a team flight to Cincinnati for the Cowboys' game Sunday against the Bengals. Argumaniz said the 25-year-old Brown — a practice-squad linebacker who also was Brent's teammate for three seasons at the University of Illinois — was found unresponsive at the scene and pronounced dead at a hospital. the pair had joined a dozen teammates who apparently spent Friday night at Privae, a Dallas club where comedian Shawn Wayans was appearing. Brent released a statement Saturday night through his agent, Peter Schaeffer. "I am devastated and filled with grief," the statement reads. "Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. "I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life. My prayers are with his family, our teammates and his friends at this time.” It marked the second straight week the NFL found itself dealing with a tragedy right before gameday. ''We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. ''At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry's family and all of those who knew him and loved him.'' Officers conducted a field sobriety test on Brent and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Argumaniz said. The charge, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison, was upgraded after Brown was pronounced dead. Argumaniz said Brent, who pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge three years ago at Illinois, was being held without bond. Brent is named as Joshua Price-Brent in the police news release. Argumaniz said Brent missed a 10 a.m. Saturday booking session with a judge because he was intoxicated. He did not know if Brent had an attorney. Brent was speeding when the vehicle hit a curb and flipped at least once, Argumaniz said. Police received 911 calls from motorists who saw the upside-down vehicle but they did not immediately have any eyewitnesses to the wreck, the police spokesman said. Argumaniz said when officers arrived at the scene on a state highway service road, Brent was dragging Brown from the vehicle, a Mercedes, which was on fire. Officers quickly put out the small blaze, he said. Before he was taken to the jail, Brent went to a hospital for a blood draw for alcohol testing and also received treatment for some minor scrapes. Argumaniz said Brent identified himself to officers as a Cowboys player. Cowboys players were aware of the accident Saturday morning, and coach Jason Garrett told the team about Brown's death on the plane about 1:15 p.m. after asking other personnel to step off the aircraft, team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. The flight was ''quiet, more than normal,'' Dalrymple said. Former Illinois coach Ron Zook said Brent, a third-year player who made the first start of his career in the opener against the New York Giants, was trying to help Brown make it in the NFL. Brown joined the Cowboys in October after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts. Brown played for San Antonio in the Arena Football League this year. In 2011, he played for Jacksonville in the AFL and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League. In June 2009, Brent pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of about $2,000. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped one count of aggravated DUI/no valid driver's license. Brent successfully completed his probation in July 2011.


'Skyfall' returns to No. 1
In the box-office lull before the arrival The Hobbit next weekend, Skyfall returned to the number-one spot at the box office, becoming the first film since How to Train Your Dragon to lead the chart in its fifth week. It also became the highest grossing Sony release of all time. Way back in sixth, Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel’s new film, a soccer-themed rom-com Playing for Keeps completely missed the goal, debuting with an awful $6.0 million.
1. Skyfall – $11.0 million
4. Rise of the Guardians – $10.5 million
2. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – $9.2 million
3. Lincoln – $9.1 million
5. Life of Pi – $8.3 million
6. Playing for Keeps – $6.0 million

Rick Ross Cancels Remainder Of His MMG Tour As Safety Concerns Arise

It seemed the Maybach Music Group boss was having a great time on tour with his MMG protégés, Meek Mill and Wale, but he suddenly canceled two North Carolina shows on Thursday night and then the rest of his run on Friday. Rozay has pulled the plug on the tour that was to run up to his New York City show on December 16, a source confirmed with MTV News. That's a total of seven scheduled stops in Nashville, Memphis, Houston, Detroit and the Big Apple; and the previously canceled NC dates. "I want to apologize to all of my fans who I missed performing for due to the cancellations and want to let them know that I will get back to their cities," Rick Ross said on Friday. "I enjoyed my experience with my little bros Wale and Meek Mill and I'm ready to get back in the studio to make good music." A rep for Ross said that though the first leg of the tour was successful the remaining dates were cancelled due to "apparent lack of organization and communication on the part of the tour promoter." Despite the official word, there are rampant reports that Rozay halted his North Carolina dates because he received threats from a street gang known as the Gangster Disciples. In a YouTube clip members of the organization cite grievances with Ross for name-dropping their chairman Larry Hoover on the chorus of his 2010 single "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)."

Kristen Stewart: 'I Can Confirm' I'm Co-Starring With Ben Affleck In Focus

Kristen Stewart's post-"Twilight" career is off to a good start. After a month of buzz claiming the 22-year-old beauty was being considered to star alongside Ben Affleck in the upcoming Warner Bros. comedy "Focus," Kristen herself has revealed she nabbed the role.  The actress, whose latest movie "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (the final film in "The Twilight Saga") is still burning up the box office, is thrilled to be getting a humorous change of pace. "It's a comedy. I'm really excited about it," she told the website. "We start shooting in April." Kristen will play a rookie con artist alongside Ben, who will play an experienced swindler. The fraud-loving pair's relationship grows complicated when they begin to develop romantic feelings for one another. 

 

Yet another celebrity is swept up in a nude photo scandal after taking naked pics for a significant other. This time, it's singer Ciara, who allegedly took the photos for her on-again off-again boyfriend 50 Cent as a gift for his birthday in July -- though some sources say the pics may be as much as five years old. This time, the photos weren't stolen from a hacked cell phone or email account, but taken behind-the-scenes at a private photoshoot. Ciara appears nude, except for elaborate decorative body paint.

Beyoncé signs $50 million Pepsi deal

Beyoncé has cemented her place as a top earning pop superstar by signing a lucrative deal with Pepsi worth an estimated $50 million. The singer has previously appeared in Pepsi ads, but she has now stepped up her involvement with the company by becoming the face of the brand and giving Pepsi sponsorship for her albums, concerts, photo shoots and music videos. Pepsi will also provide a multimillion dollar fund for Beyoncé to use to bankroll her own creative projects over the next few years.  Beyoncé says in a statement, "Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve. As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity." Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, who runs Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment company, insists the deal is more than just a regular brand sponsorship agreement, adding, "It's wise for a brand like Pepsi to give an artist the ability to truly express herself. Instead of just the old-school way of, 'Do you want to be in an advertisement?' This is much bigger. This is, 'How can we create something together that is truly unique?'"  Beyoncé will collaborate with Pepsi on America's upcoming 2013 Super Bowl halftime show, and an image of her face will be stamped on the side of limited edition cans due for release in the spring. The singer's next album is due for release around the time of the massive televised concert in February.

 Nashville star Hayden Panettiere has broken up with her boyfriend of more than a year, New York Jets wide receiver Scotty McKnight, a source confirmed. But the split doesn't appear to be the stuff of a sad country song. The actress, 23, is still friends with McKnight, 24. This is Panettiere's second go at a relationship with an athlete. Before dating McKnight she was with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko for about two years.

 

Justin Bieber adds 30 2013 tour dates

Billboard -- Pop star and recent Grammy-snub victim Justin Bieber has added 30 North American dates to his ongoing "Believe" tour, which has been extended through August 2013. The arena trek, which supports Bieber's latest No. 1 album "Believe," kicked off on Sept. 29 in Glendale, Ariz., and has continued across the country this fall. The tour will head overseas beginning in February and return for a fresh run of North American starting on June 22 in San Diego. Tickets for the newly announced "Believe" dates, presented by AEG Live, will go on sale on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Although the former Best New Artist nominee failed to garner any new Grammy nods for his "Believe" work, Bieber took home the Artist of the Year trophy at the 2012 American Music Awards last month.
 Over the weekend, the "Diamonds" singer, 24, posed for pal Melissa Forde, sipping wine and smoking by a fireplace in a ski chalet- Rihanna was slightly less relaxed earlier in the weekend -- launching a tirade against, presumably, on-again, off-again beau Chris Brown.  "Examine what you tolerate, goodbye muthaf****," she tweeted Friday, although she didn't clarify the root of her anger. "You give, you get, then you give it the f*** back" and "Claps for the basic b****." The tweets came after Chris Brown was recently seen with his ex-girlfriend.


Adele facing fine over baby registration

British singer Adele is facing a fine after allegedly failing to register her baby's birth with authorities. Adele gave birth to her first child with her partner Simon Konecki on Oct. 19, but she has yet to speak out about the new arrival or reveal the little boy's name. It has now emerged that Adele has failed to file the necessary paperwork with registrars within the required 42-day legal deadline and could now be facing a $1,600 fine.

Brooke Mueller could be jailed for drinking alcohol on probation
In addition to reportedly overdosing on Adderall on Friday (Dec. 7), Brooke Mueller faces more trouble, as she has reportedly violated her probation by drinking alcohol. Charlie Sheen's ex say that when Mueller was hospitalized for the overdose, alcohol was found in her system. Mueller is currently on probation for felony drug possession, and part of the deal is no drinking alcohol. No word on whether prosecutors plan to revoke Mueller's probation. Mueller's rep, meanwhile, publicly denied that she overdosed on drugs, saying she was hospitalized for exhaustion and dehydration

Shannen Doherty may have prevented fan's suicide after calling police

"Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed" star Shannen Doherty received messages on Twitter from a fan in New Jersey who was thinking about suicide. Unsure how to help, Doherty called police in Westhampton Township and explained what was going on.  On the call, Doherty says, "This is going to sound incredibly strange ... my name is Shannen Doherty and I'm an actress. I'm on Twitter, sadly, and there is a girl that is threatening to shoot herself and she lives somewhere over there." At one point in the call, the dispatcher even tells Shannen that her co-workers are big fans. Officers were able to find out where Doherty's 27-year-old fan lived, and they were dispatched to her home. According to the report, the woman was fine and said she had no intention of actually hurting herself.

 remember how Kat Von D tattooed Jesse James' creepy school picture from fifth grade under her armpit right before they broke up for the final time (and she then accused him of cheating on her with 19 women)?  Despite her insistence that she would keep the fittingly placed tat because she lives with "no regrets," Kat apparently had a few regrets. On Friday, the Deadmau5-dating tattoo artist tweeted photos showing her getting the portrait lasered off. "AND SO IT BEGINS!" she wrote. "First round of tattoo removal well underway! :) #freshstart."

Roger Ebert Hospitalized With Fractured Hip

Famed Chicago movie critic Roger Ebert has been hospitalized with a hip fracture. His wife, Chaz Ebert, told The Associated Press on Thursday that her husband was doing much better and “doctors are making assessments” about when he could leave the hospital. She posted on Twitter earlier in the day that her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband was doing well and “asking for computer, will probably tweet.” Roger Ebert is a prolific Twitter user and last posted Tuesday afternoon.  In her tweet, Chaz Ebert jokingly attributed the fracture to “tricky disco dance moves.” The 70-year-old Chicago Sun-Times film critic has had health problems over the last several years. He has battled cancer in his thyroid and salivary glands and lost his ability to speak and eat after cancer surgeries.
 Tom Brady and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen welcomed their second child, a girl named Vivian, to the world Wednesday night. It's the third child for Brady. Along with son 2-year-old son Benjamin, the New England Patriots QB also has a 5-year-old son, John, with actress Bridget Moynahan. Brady is expected to lead the first-place Pats (9-3) against the AFC-leading Houston Texans (11-1) on Monday night. Both teams are on six-game winning streaks and have clinched playoff spots.


Software guru McAfee has two heart attacks
Software guru John McAfee, who is fighting deportation to Belize, was rushed to the hospital in Guatemala on Thursday after his lawyer said he suffered two mild heart attacks earlier in the day, Reuters witnesses said. McAfee was carried out on a stretcher from an immigration service cottage where he was detained after crossing illegally into Guatemala from neighboring Belize. Police in Belize want to question McAfee in connection with his neighbor's murder. The fugitive software mogul was blogging from his cell in Guatemala as he awaited deportation. He is wanted in connection to a shooting death in early November. "I am in jail in Guatemala.  Vastly superior to Belize jails.  I asked for a computer and one magically appeared.  The coffee is also excellent," McAfee posted on his blog Whoismcafee.com. McAfee's lawyer, Telesforo Guerra, says McAfee has been denied political asylum in Guatemala, paving the way for the deportation to Belize, where he is a "person of interest" in the killing of fellow expatriate American Gregory Faull. "We are going to go to the human rights prosecutor to lodge a complaint and file an injunction against the foreign minister for detaining him without studying his asylum request," Guerra told local radio. "He entered the country illegally and we are going to seek his expulsion for this crime," Interior Minister Mauricio Lopez Bonilla told Reuters. In a series of blog posts, McAfee says a stay order has been issued so a higher judge can review his case. Since refusing to turn himself in to authorities in Belize, the 67-year-old had been in hiding, blogging his movements and calling reporters, until reappearing in Guatemala to claim asylum. He has not said how he crossed the border into Guatemala.  He said he fears he will be killed if he turns himself in for questioning in Belize. "Belize does not have a good track record of providing safety when they ask to question you," he said. McAfee, creator of the McAfee antivirus program, has led an eccentric life since he sold his stake in the anti-virus software company in the early 1990s. He moved to Belize about three years ago to lower his taxes. He told The New York Times in 2009 that he had lost all but $4 million of his $100 million fortune in the U.S. financial crisis. However, a story on the Gizmodo website quoted him as calling that claim "not very accurate at all." He has dabbled in yoga, ultra-light aircraft and producing herbal medications.

Brooke Burke Undergoes Successful Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Confirming her thyroid cancer diagnosis in November, the "Dancing With the Stars" co-host underwent a successful thyroidectomy on Thursday, Dec. 6. "Thank God it's over. I'm clean, surgery went well and I can talk. Losing my voice was my biggest fear," Burke-Charvet, 41, tweeted after her procedure. "Thanks for all your prayers and light." Prior to going under the knife, the star posted a candid snapshot of herself in a hospital gown on her WhoSay page, to provide "last looks at her neck." Though she was in good spirits leading up to her procedure, Burke-Charvet confirmed she was emotionally and physically drained afterward. "Feels like I got hit by a car," she tweeted.

 Perhaps it's not totally over between Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman after all. The pair, married for 30 years and one of Hollywood's most enduring couples, separated this fall. But DeVito, 67, now says it's not that simple. Asked how he's adjusting to single life, DeVito replied: "It's not something you adjust to. Rhea and I are really close. Actually, still together – just separate, but together."  DeVito married Perlman, best know for her role on Cheers, in 1982. They have a son and two daughters, all in their 20s.  "We're working on it," the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor says of his marriage.

Ariel Winter's Mother Tried to Leak Nude Photos of Her Other Daughter

Publicist Jonathan Hay has come forward, alleging that Chrystal Workman, the mother of "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter (left), asked him for help in leaking nude photos of Winter's older sister, 34-year-old Shanelle Workman, who is also an actress. Workman approached him last week with the images, which are reportedly eight or nine years old. After allegations that Workman was emotionally and physically abusing 14-year-old Ariel, a court awarded guardianship of Winter to her mother. Winter's case returns to court Dec. 10.
 The Duchess of Cambridge has left a London hospital where she was being treated for acute morning sickness related to her pregnancy. The former Kate Middleton smiled as she left King Edward VII Hospital on Thursday alongside her husband, Prince William. She was holding a bouquet of yellow flowers. Neither she nor William spoke to waiting reporters before being driven way. Kate, who married the second-in-line to the throne in April 2011, has been suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, an acute morning sickness which causes severe nausea and vomiting and requires supplementary hydration and nutrients. The couple's office said she would head to Kensington Palace in London for a period of rest. Royal officials have said Kate is less than 12 weeks pregnant with her first child.

Dennis Rodman Must Pay $500K In Child Support

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been found in contempt of court and ordered to pay $500,000 in overdue child support to his ex-wife. An attorney for Rodman’s ex-wife Michelle said Thursday that the flamboyant basketball player was also sentenced to informal probation. City News Service reports that Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson warned Rodman he could face jail time if he didn’t pay the child support. Rodman and his ex-wife still must work out custody arrangements.  A trial is set for Jan. 24, but both sides hope to resolve the custody dispute before that. Rodman was ordered to perform 104 hours of community service in May for failure to pay child support.


Prosecutor Says Stephen Baldwin Owes $350K In NY State Taxes
Actor Stephen Baldwin was charged Thursday with failing to pay New York state taxes for three years, amassing a $350,000 debt. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said Baldwin, of Upper Grandview, skipped his taxes in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The youngest of the four acting Baldwin brothers pleaded not guilty at an arraignment and was freed without bail. His lawyer, Russell Yankwitt, said Baldwin should not have been charged. “Mr. Baldwin did not commit any crimes, and he’s working with the district attorney’s office and the New York State Tax Department to resolve any differences,” Yankwitt said. The district attorney said Baldwin could face up to four years in prison if convicted. The actor is due back in court on Feb. 5. Zugibe said Baldwin owes more than $350,000 in tax and penalties.  “We cannot afford to allow wealthy residents to break the law by cheating on their taxes,” the district attorney said. “The defendant’s repetitive failure to file returns and pay taxes over a period of several years contributes to the sweeping cutbacks and closures in local government and in our schools.” Thomas Mattox, the state tax commissioner, said, “It is rare and unfortunate for a personal income tax case to require such strong enforcement measures.” Baldwin, 46, starred in 1995’s “The Usual Suspects” and appeared in 1989’s “Born on the Fourth of July.” He is scheduled to appear in March on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.” His brothers Alec, William and Daniel are also actors. A bankruptcy filing in 2009 said Stephen Baldwin owed $1.2 million on two mortgages, $1 million in taxes and $70,000 on credit cards.
 Ashley Hebert and J.P. Rosenbaum's wedding was picture perfect. In an exclusive shot from the couple's weekend nuptials, the newlyweds – who met on season 7 of The Bachelorette and got engaged on the season finale – beam with joy. Hebert, 28, and Rosenbaum, 35, say that even though their wedding was filmed for TV (it will air Dec. 16 as a two-hour special on ABC) their love is as genuine as it comes. "The ceremony was simple, sweet and personal," Hebert says. Adds Rosenbaum, "We didn't want it to be a circus."

Ludacris reportedly fires back at trademark lawsuit

Hip-hop star Ludacris has reportedly filed a countersuit in his ongoing legal battle over the name of his Disturbing tha Peace record label.  Demetri Brown and Donna Evans-Brown sued the rapper in October, accusing him of trying to dupe lawmakers into believing they had renamed their audio/visual company Disturb the Peace after he had created and trademarked his record label, Disturbing tha Peace. Brown and Evans-Brown, who claim they came up with the name for their enterprise in 1988, demanded an injunction and a cease-and-desist order to prevent the rapper from using the phrase, but now Ludacris is firing back. the rapper insists he has owned the trademark for Disturbing tha Peace since 2003, and he wants the couple to be banned from using their company name to avoid any potential confusion with consumers. Ludacris, real name Christopher Bridges, also declares the pair's continued use of the phrase could damage his label's top-quality reputation. The rapper is seeking damages and court fees.

Ian McKellen defends 'The Hobbit' trilogy decision

Ian McKellen has defended filmmaker Peter Jackson's decision to turn J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" into a movie trilogy, insisting fans will be delighted to see three installments. The director originally intended to make a two-part prequel to his "The Lord of the Rings" series, and came under fire after announcing he would release three epics instead. Critics accused him of trying to make more money by stretching out the classic book, but McKellen, who plays Gandalf the wizard, refutes the suggestion.  He tells The Hollywood Reporter, "Anyone who thinks Peter Jackson would fall for market forces around him rather than artistic integrity doesn't know the guy or the body of his work."  Jackson explains he was able to expand the narrative by drawing from appendices Tolkien included with "The Return of the King," his third and final volume of "The Lord of the Rings." Jackson tells The Hollywood Reporter, "The ('Hobbit') is written in a very brisk pace, so pretty major events in the story are covered in only two or three pages... (We) wanted to do a little bit more character development, plus... we could also adapt the appendices of 'Return of the King,' which is 100-odd pages of material that sort of takes place around the time of 'The Hobbit,' so we wanted to expand the story of 'The Hobbit' a little bit more, as did Tolkien himself. So all those factors combined gave us the material to do it."

 

Lindsay Lohan Attends Jingle Ball Concert in Philadelphia After New York Arrest

Lindsay Lohan is definitely a fan of The Wanted! Following her Nov. 29 arrest in New York, Lohan, 26, made her first appearance at Q102's Jingle Ball concert in Philadelphia on Dec. 5.  The British boy band was present at the club where Lohan's alleged brawl occurred last week. The "Liz & Dick" star was taken into police custody and charged with assault after a woman claimed Lohan had punched her. Prior to the incident, the actress had attended Justin Bieber and the Wanted's show at Madison Square Garden. "It's a bit of a blur actually," the Wanted's Jay McGuiness told MTV News this week. "We actually carried on partying after that. It was reported that [the fight] was about [band mate] Max [George], but I don't think it actually was." The Wanted singer Max George has said he is 100% not dating Lindsay Lohan and no one seems sure of exactly how she got backstage

Justin Bieber's manager slams Grammys over nomination snub

Justin Bieber's manager has accused members of the Grammy Awards board of making a mistake by failing to nominate the teenage pop star for the 2013 award show.  The nominees were announced on Wednesday night, with fun., Frank Ocean and the Black Keys leading the pack. Bieber's protegee, Carly Rae Jepsen, picked up two nominations for her hit song "Call Me Maybe," but Bieber didn't receive a single nomination. After the nominees were announced, Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, took to Twitter to criticize the board for failing to include the 18-year-old star, who previously scored two noms at the 2011 ceremony.  In a series of posts, he writes, "First... congrats to Carly Rae Jepsen. Thought u deserved a Best New Artist nom, but proud Call Me Maybe got u 2 noms. So proud of u. Second... this time there won't be any wise words, no excuses, I just plain DISAGREE. The kid (Bieber) deserved it. Grammy board u blew it on this one. The hardest thing to do is transition, keep the train moving. The kid delivered. Huge successful album, sold out tour, and won people over... this time he deserved to be recognized and I don't really have any kind nice positive things to say about a decision I don't agree with. So to all those nominated... you do deserve it. You worked hard and u earned it. (I) just feel like so did JB." The Grammy Awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on February 10.

Grammy Nominees:
Album of the Year:
Black Keys, El Camino
Fun., Some Nights
Mumford & Sons, Babel
Frank Ocean, Channel Orange
Jack White, Blunderbuss

Song of the Year:
Ed Sheeran, “The A Team”
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
Miguel, “Adorn”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, “We Are Young”

Record of the Year:
Black Keys, “Lonely Boy”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Fun. feat. Janelle Monae, “We Are Young”
Gotye feat. Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know”
Frank Ocean, “Thinkin Bout You”
Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Best New Artist:
Alabama Shakes
Fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Pop Vocal Album:
Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials
Fun., Some Nights
Maroon 5, Overexposed
P!nk, The Truth About Love

Best Rock Album:
The Black Keys, El Camino
Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto
Muse, The 2nd Law
Bruce Springsteen, Wrecking Ball
Jack White, Blunderbuss

Best Alternative Music Album:
Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel…
Bjork, Biophilia
Gotye, Making Mirrors
M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Tom Waits, Bad as Me

Best Rap Album:
Drake, Take Care
Lupe Fiasco, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1
Nas, Life Is Good
The Roots, Undun
Rick Ross, God Forgives, I Don’t
2 Chainz, Based on a T.R.U. Story

Best Country Album:
Zac Brown Band, Uncaged
Hunter Hayes, Hunter Hayes
Jamey Johnson, Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran
Miranda Lambert, For the Record
The Time Jumpers, The Time Jumpers

Best Dance/Electronica Album:
Steve Aoki, Wonderland
The Chemical Brothers, Don’t Think
Deadmau5, > Album Title Goes Here <
Kaskade, Fire & Ice
Skrillex, Bangarang

Country Solo Performance:
Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Eric Church, “Springsteen”
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Ronnie Dunn, “Cost of Livin’”
Blake Shelton, “Over”
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”

 Malcolm's in the middle of a health scare. Former child star Frankie Muniz is recovering from "mini-stroke" that sent him to the hospital last Friday. Muniz, who turns 27 on Wednesday, tells his Twitter followers that the experience was "not fun at all." "Have to start taking care of my body!" he writes. "Getting old!" Muniz provided no more details. But a "mini-stroke" is commonly used to describe a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, when blood temporarily stops reaching the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms for one to 24 hours. Doctors believe a TIA can be a warning sign for a possible full stroke in the future without preventative measures. Muniz grew up in front of TV audiences on Malcolm in the Middle from 2000 to 2006. He's moved on to racecar driving and music – he drums for the band Kingsfoil – though recently made a cameo on Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

Jamie Foxx to be next 'Spider-Man' villain

Jamie Foxx has some electrifying news for ET: He will definitely be starring in the sequel to "The Amazing Spider-Man!" "Electro is a great character," Jamie tells ET's Nancy O'Dell when she asks him if he's confirmed to be in the next installment of the blockbuster franchise "I met with the director, Mark Webb, I met with Andrew Garfield, and we talked. I think Electro will be an exciting character to play because he's a genius electrician-type person, and he gets the short end of the stick from the whole world, and the next thing you know he turns it on." Rumors had been swirling for quite some time that Jamie would be taking on the role of Spidey's nemesis, and he fueled the fire the day after Halloween when he tweeted that he dressed up as the character. Plus, Webb alluded to the super-villain being a part of the next movie while promoting the upcoming release of "The Amazing Spider-Man" on Blu-ray and listing his favorite villains: "I like Green Goblin. I like Electro a lot. I think Electro is pretty fantastic." Earlier today it was announced today that "Chronicle" and "Lincoln" star Dane Dehaan will join the super sequel as Harry Osborn, with Webb tweeting, "Meet Harry Osborn. So excited to have him on board. @danedehaan." Of course, Spidey fans know that Harry Osborn is the son of Norman Osborn, who becomes The Green Goblin, and Harry himself eventually becomes the super-villain Hobgoblin. So who are the official baddies of the next Spider-Man film? No actual names have been announced, but the information is all there for those who want to connect the dots. Also starring Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx and Shailene Woodley, the new film in the Spider-Man saga is set for release in 3D on May 2, 2014. Production will begin in early 2013.

Jason Patric fighting for secret son

Julia Roberts' ex-boyfriend Jason Patric is fighting for custody of the son he had hoped to keep a secret. The Speed 2 star donated sperm so his ex-girlfriend Danielle Schreiber could have a baby three years ago (09), but now he wants to be a proper dad. News of Patric's biological son, Gus, didn't make headlines until now because Schreiber agreed not to tell anyone who the father of her child was. The couple briefly reconciled last year (11), and it appears the actor took a liking to his son - because now he has split from his ex again, he wants to be a part of the child's life and he filed legal documents in a family court earlier this year (12) asking a judge to award him joint custody. Although by law he's little more than a sperm donor, and therefore has no custody rights, Patric has been awarded visitation, while his ex was granted temporary sole legal and physical custody of Gus. The boy's mother has taken issue with the order because she doesn't believe her ex should have any legal rights to custody or visitation. The case is ongoing.

Katt Williams: I'm retiring from stand-up

Embattled comedian Katt Williams has announced his retirement from the stage just a day after he was arrested for his part in a vicious bar fight in Seattle, Wash. The arrest is the latest in a long line of legal woes for the funnyman, and it appears to have taken the fun out of his career. In a rambling interview with KOMO TV on Monday night, Williams announced his current stand-up tour has been cancelled -- and he is planning to retire from stand-up. The actor and comedian said, "I'm just gonna go ahead and announce my retirement from stand-up, I'm kinda done. I've discussed it with my kids, I wasn't gonna do (it) in the middle of a Seattle street, I was going to go to Los Angeles and do it in the offices of ICM (talent agency) or Live Nation (event promoters)." Williams also told the reporters he had been kicked out of four Seattle hotels in recent days, but didn't explain further. He also joked that he was considering buying the up-for-auction Washington State Ferry Rhododendron so he had a place to stay. He said, "I can stay (on the ferry), and my family can be there, and my dogs can be there, and my whole staff can be there until we get done suing Seattle for this $50 million that I want for crippling my reputation as a father, and a black man, and as a taxpaying citizen, and as a person who is not a convicted felon." Williams was released from jail early on Monday, following his arrest at the World Sports Grille on Sunday. He was booked for charges of assault, harassment and obstruction. It has since emerged that he was also involved in a fight with three fans on Friday after they forced their way into his dressing room before a show.
 In photos from his weekend nuptials to actress Courtney Mazza, Lopez, 39, looks like a classic handsome groom dressed in black and white as he leads his bride – and their adorable 2-year-old daughter Gia – down the aisle after tying the knot. The trio also shared the spotlight as they cut the enormous pink multiple-tiered wedding cake as a family. The cake, a winter-wonderland-meets-beach theme creation, was by Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro. The wedding will be featured in a two-hour TLC special called Mario & Courtney's Wedding Fiesta, slated to air Dec. 8.


Gabriel Aubry Started Fight but Won't Be Prosecuted

The verdict is in as far as cops are concerned Gabriel Aubry was clearly the instigator of the Thanksgiving Day brawl at Halle Berry's house. Detectives are now clear on what they believe happened -- Gabriel committed two batteries on Olivier Martinez before Olivier lifted a finger to defend himself. Gabriel deposited Nahla at Halle's house Olivier walked out and said, "We have to talk." Based on interviewing the principles and witnesses, detectives have concluded Gabriel then pushed Olivier (battery #1) and swung at his face, making contact with his shoulder (battery #2).  Cops say at that point, Olivier responded in self defense with 3 quick punches to the face.  What's more, law enforcement sources say they are "concerned" about what they believe are "Gabriel's ongoing anger issues." As one law enforcement source put it, "It seems he's still having a hard time getting over his break up with Halle." But here's the good news for Gabriel, Halle and Olivier have both told detectives and prosecutors they do not want Gabriel charged with a crime because they do not believe it would be in Nahla's best interests. The case will be set for an informal hearing at the city attorney's office. The likely outcome is that Gabriel will agree to take anger management classes, although the the hearing officer could decide to just drop the entire matter after hearing both sides.

 Officials have removed a relaxation drink named after reggae icon Bob Marley after several students at a New Jersey school were sickened. Marley's Mellow Mood is promoted to reduce stress. The drink's nutrition facts say it may cause drowsiness and is not intended for children. However, students at Satz Middle School and Holmdel High School could buy it on campus. Several middle school students were sickened on Friday. The Asbury Park Press reports the school district's food service provider has removed a manager pending an investigation. Chartwells School Dining Services also has removed the Marley product. The company issued a statement in which it said it takes this situation very seriously.


Steele says she’s engaged to QB

Christian Ponder's development as an NFL quarterback hasn't moved along as quickly as Minnesota Vikings fans would like, but it appears as though he's progressing nicely in the romance department. Roughly six weeks after Ponder confirmed he had been dating ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele for a couple of months, Steele on Tuesday told Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch that the pair is engaged. "Spoke to ESPN's @Samantha_Steele today. She confirms she is engaged to @VikingsFootball quarterback Christian Ponder," Deitsch tweeted. Ponder, in his second season with the Vikings after becoming the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, hasn't shied from talking about the high-profile pairing since it became public. "I'm proud of the relationship," he said the first time reporters asked him about it. "I have bragging rights."

 Anderson Cooper can see once again after a temporary – and painful – bout of blindness. Cooper posted a picture of himself on Instagram Tuesday sporting a white gauze patch over his right eye. "Temporarily blinded last week while on assignment," he said. "UV light bouncing off water. Much better now. Details today on #andersonlive." On Anderson Cooper Live, he explained how he went blind over the weekend while filming a story for 60 Minutes on the coast of Portugal. "I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire," he said. "It turns out I have sunburned my eyeballs and I go blind. I went blind for 36 hours. I took this picture of me after I went to the hospital." He then showed his audience his photo and joked, "That's my new Match.com profile picture, by the way." But the potential damage he faced is no laughing matter, and Cooper had NBC's chief medical editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, on to warn viewers about eye protection. Snyderman said that the light reflected off the water burned his retinas, but that the hospital visit could have easily been avoided. "It's a reminder that frankly everyone needs sunglasses," she advised. And to Cooper, she added, "Fortunately for you you're going to be fine, but it's a real reminder."

Eddie Murphy tops Forbes list of most overpaid actors

I  bet Eddie Murphy would like to trade places with another actor right about now. The Saturday Night Live alum tops Forbes‘ list of the year’s most overpaid actors again, followed by newcomer Katherine Heigl and Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock (say it isn’t so!). Murphy’s earning power has steadily declined since his string of ’80s hits, including Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop. His voice work in Shrek and Mulan and family-friendly roles in Norbit and Dr. Dolittle left him in good standing, but his recent films, Imagine That, A Thousand Words, Meet Dave, and Tower Heist, flopped at the box office. Forbes calculates that for every dollar Murphy was paid for his last three films, they returned an average of $2.30 at the box office. Hollywood’s one-time go-to romcom leading lady, Heigl, fell close behind Murphy. Her films earned an average of $3.40 for every dollar she was paid. Her most recent movie, One For The Money, reeled in $37 million on an estimated $40 million budget. However, her upcoming ensemble pic The Big Wedding, starring Robert DeNiro, Susan Sarandon, and Amanda Seyfried, is sure to give her more wiggle room.
1. Eddie Murphy – Returns $2.30 for every $1 paid.
2. Katherine Heigl – Returns $3.40 for every $1 paid.
3. Reese Witherspoon – Returns $3.90 for every $1 paid.
4. Sandra Bullock – Returns $5 for every $1 paid.
5. Jack Black – Returns $5.20 for every $1 paid.

Netflix outbids Starz for rights to Disney movies

Netflix's Internet video service has landed the U.S. rights to show Disney movies shortly after they leave theaters, a coup that could turn into a costly mistake if the deal doesn't bring in more customers. The multiyear licensing agreement announced Tuesday represents a breakthrough for Netflix as it tries to secure more exclusive programming for a popular service that streams video over high-speed Internet connections. The approach is making Netflix more like traditional pay-TV channels such as HBO, Starz and Showtime. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but analysts estimate that Netflix will pay Disney more than $350 million annually. That's a hefty bill that will require Netflix to accelerate its subscriber growth or consider raising its prices - something that management has vowed not to do after rankling customers with rate hikes last year. Netflix is snatching the rights to the Disney movies from Starz, which had failed to reach terms on renewing a separate licensing agreement with Netflix. Until February, Netflix's streaming service had access to Disney movies through that Starz deal. The loss had been interpreted as a blow that diminished Netflix's market value. Investors applauded Netflix Inc. for trumping Starz to get the Disney rights directly from The Walt Disney Co. - and for winning an exclusive provision that shuts out Starz and other rivals.  Netflix had 25.1 million Internet video subscribers in the U.S. through September, up from 21.5 million at the same time last year. Starz's premium channel had 20.8 million subscribers at the end of September, up from 19 million a year ago.

Hugh Hefner, fiancee obtain marriage license

Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris are again taking steps toward the altar, more than a year after the centerfold canceled their previous engagement and was branded a "runaway bride" in Playboy. The couple obtained a marriage license Tuesday at a courthouse in Beverly Hills. Harris called off the couple's previous engagement in June 2011, prompting Playboy to affix "runaway bride" stickers to an issue introducing her as Mrs. Hefner. they reunited earlier this year and plan to wed on New Year's Eve.

TV NEWS
ABC has released details on its midseason schedule, which features a toned-up Body of Proof returning to Tuesday nights. The revamped Dana Delany-led procedural again will air in the 10/9c slot left vacant after Private Practice‘s series finale, likely to take place in late January. The network will fill 666 Park Avenue‘s Sunday 10 pm spot with Red Widow, starring Finding Neverland‘s Radha Mitchell as a woman who gets tangled up with an Eastern European mob. Widow will debut with a two-hour premiere at 9 pm on March 3 and premiere in its regular timeslot the following week.


Elizabeth Banks will reprise her season one character as Mitch & Cam’s wild and hard-partying best girlfriend on Modern Family this season! In the episode that’ll air in 2013, Sal delivers big news to Mitch and Cam that she’s getting married.


Michael Richards is plotting his TV return. The Seinfeld vet will co-star opposite Cheers alumnae Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman in the TV Land comedy pilot Giant Baby.  The potential sitcom stars Alley as Maddie Banks, a Broadway star who comes face-to-face with the son (Eric Petersen) she gave up for adoption 26 years ago. Richards will play her limo driver, while Perlman is her long-suffering assistant and best friend. Additionally, Gilles Marini (Switched at Birth, Dancing With the Stars) will guest in a potentially recurring role as Maddie’s chef.


Jason Morgan may have left Port Charles, but Sonny Corinthos isn’t going anywhere. General Hospital vet Maurice Benard announced via Twitter late Monday that he had “just signed [his] contract” to continue with the ABC soap. “It makes me feel good that I’m not leaving my family,” he added.


Let the Animation Domination continue. Fox has ordered 13 episodes of Murder Police, a new animated series from David A. Goodman (Family Guy) and Jason Ruiz. The twisted take on a local police precinct will follow Manual Sanchez (voiced by Ruiz), who wants to be a good cop but is constantly challenged by his co-workers’ incompetence.


More ABC moves, Suburgatory will move back to its Season 1, 8:30 Wednesday time slot starting April 3; after its season finale, it’ll be replaced on May 1 with Family Tools, a family-business comedy (an adaptation of the British sitcom White Van Man) starring The King of Queens‘ Leah Remini and The Closer‘s J.K. Simmons. How to Live With Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life), a comedy led by Scrubs‘ Sarah Chalke as a single mom who moves back in with her folks (Everybody Loves Raymond‘s Brad Garrett and Weeds‘ Elizabeth Perkins), premieres Wednesday, April 3 at 9:30. Chefs Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre and Brian Malarkey will hed up The Taste, a new cooking competition. It’ll bow Jan. 22 at 8 pm. Dancing With the Stars will return for its 16th season on at 8 pm on Monday, March 18. The results show will debut the following week at 9 pm on Tuesday, March 26.

Tonight's Premieres:GMC TV: ASPiRE: The Root 100 at 8p
Investigation Discovery: Final Cut at 9p
truTV: Caught Red Handed at 10p
Tonight's Finales:Syfy: Ghost Hunters at 9p
Lifetime: The Houstons: On Our Own at 10p

 

St. James's Palace said Monday that the Duchess of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton, is expecting a baby, and is currently hospitalized with morning sickness. The palace said that since the pregnancy is in its "very early stages," the 30-year-old duchess is expected to stay in the hospital for several days and will require a period of rest afterward. In recent days, Middleton has kept up royal appearances — recently playing field hockey with schoolchildren at her former school. The confirmation of her pregnancy — following intense speculation ever since their lavish Westminster Abbey wedding last year — was greeted with congratulations. Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter that he was "delighted by the news," saying the royals "will make wonderful parents." Not only are the attractive young couple popular — with William's easy common touch reminding many of his mother, the late Princess Diana — but their child is expected to play an important role in British national life for decades to come. As the first-born to William — who is second in line for the throne after his father, Prince Charles — the couple's child stands an excellent chance of one day becoming monarch. Whether boy or girl, the child will be next in line behind William in the line of succession to the throne, Cabinet Office officials have said. Leaders of Britain and the 15 former colonies that have the monarch as their head of state agreed in 2011 to new rules which give females equal status with males in the order of succession. Although none of the nations had legislated to make the change as of September 2012, the British Cabinet Office confirmed that this is now the de-facto rule.

David Oliver Relin, Co-Author of Three Cups of Tea, Commits Suicide at 49
David Oliver Relin, a journalist who co-authored the controversial best-selling book Three Cups of Tea, has committed suicide. He was 49. Relin, who co-wrote the 2006 book with Greg Mortenson about how Mortenson, a former mountain climber, started building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, "suffered emotionally and financially as basic facts in the book were called into question." His family said Relin "suffered from depression" but would not give further details surrounding his death. As a journalist during the '90s, Relin focused on telling humanitarian stories including articles about child soldiers and traveling to Vietnam. This work was what led Viking Books to pair him with Mortenson. Three Cups of Tea sold over four million copies, but in 2011 60 Minutes and author Jon Krakauer – who released an E-book titled Three Cups of Deceit – both questioned the validity of major points in the book. Relin did not speak publicly about the accusations, but hired a lawyer to defend him in a federal lawsuit that claimed he and Mortenson defrauded readers. The suit was dismissed earlier this year. Relin is survived by his wife, Dawn; his mother, Marjorie; his stepfather Cary Ratcliff; and his sisters Rachel Relin and Jennifer Cherelin. 

Comedian Katt Williams arrested in Seattle

Stand-up comedian and actor Katt Williams has been released from jail after being arrested following a dispute at a Seattle bar. Police say he argued Sunday with another patron at the World Sports Grille, menaced the manager with a pool cue and refused to leave. "At one point during the altercation, Williams followed a family outside of the bar where, as the family got into their car, Williams flicked a cigarette through a car window at a woman, striking her just below her eye," the police news release said. "Williams also threw a rock at the family's car." "Two of Williams' associates were standing nearby and were pleading for Williams to calm down," the officer wrote. Police say Williams struggled with officers who arrested him and jailed him for investigation of assault, harassment and obstruction. He was released from King County Jail early Monday. Williams also was involved in an altercation with three fans Friday evening after they tried to take a photo with him. He said they had forced their way into his dressing room. Williams also made headlines last week after he slapped a Target employee in the face while in Sacramento. And just two weeks ago, the comedian was accused of hitting an 18-year-old man over the head with a bottle while in Oakland, Calif. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Williams began his career as a stand-up comic, gaining attention in 1999 for comedy club appearances. Television appearances on the BET network led to more success. His 2006 HBO special "Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt.1" raised his profile to a higher level. He has acted in several movies, including Eddie Murphy's "Norbit," and his voice is featured in several popular cartoons, including "The Boondocks."
 All hail King James! LeBron James is Sports Illustrated's 2012 Sportsman of the Year. "He was the most dominant athlete this year – MVP of the NBA regular season, MVP of the NBA playoffs, led the Heat to the NBA championship and Team USA to the gold medal in London," Paul Fichtenbaum, Editor of Time Inc.'s Sports Group says. At just 27, the eight-time NBA All-Star and former all-time leading scorer of the Cleveland Cavaliers joins athletes including his teammate Dwayne Wade, Brett Favre, Michael Phelps, Derek Jeter and Drew Brees. "The intangibles [James] brought to the court were significant in leading his teams to victory. He was a selfless player, doing whatever it took to will the Heat and Team USA, making all of his teammates better," Fichtenbaum says. But it was more than his athleticism that led to James being honored. The basketball player – who is dad to LeBron Jr., 8, and Bryce, 5, with finacée Savannah Brinson – established a program to benefit children in Akron, Ohio. Fichtenbaum says: "The program he built and developed in [the] Akron school district for young kids had a profound effect on children who ordinarily might fall through the cracks of an educational system," he says. "He didn't just lend his name to a cause, he was directly involved."


Cinderella
Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement"), Alicia Vikander ("Anna Karenina") and Gabriella Wilde ("The Three Musketeers") are all set to test for the title role in Mark Romanek's live-action take on "Cinderella" at Disney. Cate Blanchett is already in negotiations to play the evil stepmother.
  The San Antonio Spurs' bad week just got a whole lot worse. Days after commissioner David Stern fined the team $250,000 for sitting its star players during a nationally televised game with the Miami Heat, a less-than-pleasant photo of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker has surfaced online that is sure to cause the organization another headache. The image, appears to have been taken on Halloween. It shows Parker and Duncan, both in costume, pointing toy guns at the head of a man dressed as NBA referee Joey Crawford.  Crawford can be one of the league's more controversial referees, and once he even ejected Duncan from a game while the Spurs big man was on the bench. The league suspended Crawford for the incident.


Mercy
Chandler Riggs ("The Walking Dead") and Joel Courtney ("Super 8") are set to join Peter Cornwell's horror thriller "Mercy" at Blumhouse, Wonderland Sound and Vision, and Universal Pictures. The story is an adaptation of Stephen King's 1984 short story "Gramma." The young actors will play brothers who go with their mother (Frances O’Connor) to take care of their grandma. Unbeknownst to them, the grandmother is a witch, who made an evil deal using black magic years earlier.
 

Epic Fail
Jon Hamm is considering starring in the Kevin Costello-scripted comedy "Epic Fail" which Mark Teitelman is set to direct. Hamm will play a prick of a high school teacher who, in an attempt to appear more heroic, hires two students to secretly stage a kidnapping of his wife.


All You Need Is Kill
Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Won't Back Down," "Without a Trace") has joined Doug Liman's sci-fi thriller "All You Need Is Kill" which is currently shooting in London. Jean-Baptiste will portray scientist Dr. Whittle. The story centers on a soldier (Tom Cruise) in a war against aliens who relives his last day over and over after being killed. Emily Blunt also stars.


White Bird In A Blizzard
Dale Dickey ("Winter’s Bone") has been cast in Gregg Araki’s "White Bird In A Blizzard". Shailene Wooley plays, a young woman whose mother disappears. Dickey will play Mrs. Hillman, Kat’s blind next door neighbor. Angela Bassett, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni and Gabourey Sidibe also star.

Howard Stern returning to 'America's Got Talent'

Howard Stern is returning for a second season of "America's Got Talent." He joins host Nick Cannon, whose return to the show was announced last week. Judge Howie Mandel is also expected to return, though Sharon Osbourne is not.  She said over the summer that she would not be back, accusing the network of discriminating against her son, Jack, by cutting him from the reality series "Stars Earn Stripes" after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. NBC has denied her claims, saying it offered the younger Osbourne other positions on the series and that he turned them down. The upcoming season of "America's Got Talent" -- in which judges offer their take on a wide array of colorful competitors -- will be the show's eighth. Auditions are underway.
 Everything appears to be rosy between Kristin Chenoweth and her new beau Jake Pavelka. "We have been spending a little time together," Chenoweth says of her dates with the former Bachelor star. The actress, 44, met her new man, 34, at an event in October and it was not long before the couple was spotted dining together in West Hollywood as well as more recently at a cafe near Pavelka's home in Texas. Squeezing dates into her busy schedule has proven difficult in the past, admits Chenoweth, who performed at an Audi-sponsored Trevor Project event Sunday, and is currently rehearsing to co-host the American Country Awards, airing Monday, Dec. 10 on Fox. "A lot of people know that I got hurt in July," says Chenoweth of suffering a head injury while filming The Good Wife. "I am doing so much better but I think it slowed me down and I've realized life is short. I want to do things that make me happy."

TV NEWS
AMC reports that The Walking Dead‘s midseason finale opened to 10.5 million total viewers — up 58 percent versus Season 2′s fall closer — and across two encores added 4.7 mil. In the 18-49 demo, TWD‘s 9 pm showing drew almost 6.9 mil, besting any and all non-sports programming of the fall.


Justified baddie Jere Burns has joined A&E’s Psycho prequel Bates Motel. His role is being kept under wraps, but is said to be “pivotal.”


S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order) has landed a recurring role in NBC’s midseason series Deception, playing leading lady Meagan Good’s mother.


Covert Affairs‘ Piper Perabo has booked a guest arc on NBC’s Go On — and no, it’s not one of Annie’s really deep cover gigs. Perabo will play a former member of Lauren’s support group who returns for some therapy and strikes up a relationship with Ryan. The actress will be around for three episodes. She’s the latest big name to spend some time on the NBC comedy; Parenthood‘s Lauren Graham and Olympic beach volleyball champ Misty May-Treanor recently took guest turns.


Spike TV has renewed Ink Master and Tattoo Nightmares for third and second seasons, respectively.


Rob Kardashian accuses Rita Ora of cheating

Rob Kardashian, 25, took to Twitter to seemingly call out his reported girlfriend (and presumably now ex) Rita Ora, 22, for cheating. After month of rumors, Rob publicly confirmed in October that they were dating , when he posted a kissing pic of the two together on Twitter. In August, he posted a photo of his and Rita's knuckles tattooed with each other's names. "S--- got crazy tonight… What can I say… #tatmynameonya," he tweeted. He has since unfollowed Rita on Twitter and deleted all of his tweets and pictures on Instagram related to her.

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Chiefs LB Belcher kills self
What began like any other Saturday for the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL season, their general manager and coach at work early to put final touches on this weekend's gameplan. Then they got a call to hurry to the parking lot. The two men rushed through the glass doors of Chiefs headquarters and came face-to-face with linebacker Jovan Belcher, holding a handgun to his head. Belcher had already killed his girlfriend and sped the short distance to Arrowhead Stadium, right past a security checkpoint guarding the entrance. Upon finding his bosses, Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel for giving him a chance in the NFL. Then he turned away and pulled the trigger. The murder-suicide shocked a franchise that has been dealing with controversies now made trivial by comparison: eight consecutive losses, injuries too numerous to count, discontent among fans and the prospect that Pioli and Crennel could be fired at season's end. Authorities did not release a possible motive while piecing together the case, other than to note that Belcher and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins, had been arguing frequently. The two of them left behind a 3-month-old girl. She was being cared for by family. The Chiefs issued a statement that said their game Sunday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers would go on as scheduled, even as the franchise tried to come to grips with the awfulness of Belcher's death. "The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in brief a statement.  "I can tell you that you have absolutely no idea what it's like to see someone kill themselves," said Kansas City Mayor Sly James, who spoke to Pioli shortly after the shootings. "You can take your worst nightmare and put someone you know and love in that situation, and give them a gun and stand three feet away and watch them kill themselves. That's what it's like," James said. "It's unfathomable." Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn told The Kansas City Star that when the team met later Saturday morning, Crennel broke the news to them. "It was obviously tough for coach to have to tell us that," Quinn said. "He really wasn't able to finish talking to us. We got together and prayed and then we moved on." But Quinn said the team was so stunned, it was hard to digest what had happened. "It's hard mostly because I keep thinking about what I could have done to stop this," he said. "I think everyone is wondering whether we would have done something to prevent this from happening." The 25-year-old Belcher was from West Babylon, N.Y., and played college football at Maine. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, made the team and hung around the past four years, eventually moving into the starting lineup. He played in all 11 games this season.  The NFL released a statement expressing sympathy and pledging "to provide assistance in any way that we can." The players' association has also been in touch with members of the Chiefs. "We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted," Hunt said. "We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization." The drama unfolded early Saturday when authorities received a call from a woman who said her daughter had been shot multiple times at a residence about five miles from the Arrowhead complex. The call came from Belcher's mother, who referred to the victim as her daughter. "She treated Kasandra like a daughter," Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp said, adding that the woman had recently moved in with the couple, "probably to help out with the baby." Police then got a phone call from the Chiefs' training facility, and Belcher's description matched the suspect description from the initial address. Snapp said officers pulled into the practice facility parking lot in a matter of minutes, in time to witness the suicide. "Pioli and Crennel and another coach or employee was standing outside and appeared to be talking to him," Snapp said. "The suspect began to walk in the opposite direction of the coaches and the officers and that's when they heard the gunshot. It appears he took his own life." The coaches told police they never felt in any danger.  "They said the player was actually thanking them for everything they'd done for him," Snapp said. "He was thanking them and everything. That's when he walked away and shot himself." Members of the Chiefs mostly laid low Saturday, but a few reacted on Twitter. "I am devastated by this mornings events," Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali wrote. "I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone effected by this tragedy."  Earlier this year, the NFL provided a grant to help establish an independently operated phone service that connects players, coaches, team officials and other staff with counselors trained to work through personal and emotional crises. The NFL Life Line is available 24 hours a day. The season has been a massive disappointment for the Chiefs, who were expected to contend for the AFC West title. They're 1-10 and mired in an eight-game skid marked by injuries, poor play and fan upheaval. During the past few weeks there have been constant calls for Pioli and Crennel to be fired. It's unknown how the Chiefs plan to pay tribute to Belcher during Sunday's game. "His move to the NFL was in keeping with his dreams," said Jack Cosgrove, who coached Belcher at Maine. "This is an indescribably horrible tragedy."
 Formerly one of PEOPLE's Hottest Bachelors, Mario Lopez is officially off the market. The X Factor and Extra host married his girlfriend, actress Courtney Mazza, Saturday in an outdoor ceremony in Punta Mita, Mexico. The couple, who met in 2008 when Lopez starred in A Chorus Line on Broadway, exchanged vows just before sunset at the seaside estate of Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis. The couple's two-year-old Gia was the flower girl. The lavish affair featured a mariachi band a wedding cake with a winter-wonderland-meets-beach theme by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro. The wedding will be featured in a two-hour TLC special titled Mario & Courtney's Wedding Fiesta, slated to air Dec. 8. It's the first marriage for Mazza and the second trip down the aisle for Lopez, whose 2004 marriage to model and actress Ali Landry was annulled.
 It’s official: Bachelorette star Ashley Hebert and her fiancé J.P. Rosenbaum tied the knot Saturday afternoon in Pasadena, Calif. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Bachelor and Bachelorette alumni like Ali Fedotowsky, Emily Maynard, and Jason and Molly Mesnick, the couple said "I do" in an outdoor ceremony officiated by franchise host Chris Harrison. The 28-year-old dentist from Madawaska, Maine, met New York construction manager Rosenbaum, 35, on season 7 of The Bachelorette. The couple became engaged on the season finale. Hebert and Rosenbaum are the second couple in the franchise's 24 seasons to make it from their show finale to the altar, following in the footsteps of Bachelorette Trista Rehn, who married Vail, Colo., firefighter Ryan Sutter in 2003.


Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly' misfires with $7 million debut
The post-Thanksgiving frame has always been a slow one, and this year was no exception. Two new releases entered theaters — including the Brad Pitt vehicle Killing Them Softly — and both were met with unenthusiastic responses. Among holdovers, the Top 10 movies fell by an average of 51 percent. Basically, not too much happened at the box office this week. In fact, the top six movies finished in the exact same spots as last week. Atop the chart was The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – Part 2, with  $17.4 million, lifting its total to $254.6 million after three weekends. Skyfall held strong in second place, with $17.0 million. The Bond installment, which has already become the highest-grossing entry in the franchise’s 50-year history, has now earned $246 million domestically and a truly astounding $869 million worldwide. In third place, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar hopeful Lincoln with $13.5 million as it continues its march right past $100 million. The presidential picture, which cost Disney $65 million, has now earned $83.7 million in 17 days, and it will join the century club in the next two weeks. Further down the chart, The Weinstein Co.’s $15 million production Killing Them Softly debuted in seventh place with a sad $7.0 million.
1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – $17.4 million
2. Skyfall – $17.0 million
3. Lincoln – $13.5 million
4. Rise of the Guardians – $13.5 million
5. Life of Pi – $12.0 million
  There’s another baby on the way for Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein. “We are both over the moon,” the Marchesa co-founder and Project Runway: All Stars judge, 36, says. The couple are already parents to daughter India Pearl, 2. The Weinstein Company chairman, 60, also has three daughters from a previous marriage. “We don’t know the sex — it could be Harvey and five daughters,” Chapman, who’s due in the spring, jokes. “I’d be happy either way.” She and Weinstein wed on Dec. 15, 2007 at his Connecticut home.


Dennis Quaid Files for Divorce, Seeks Joint Custody

Dennis Quaid is ready to end his marriage for good. After his wife of eight years, Kimberly Buffington-Quaid, sought legal separation in October, the Vegas star filed Friday for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court. The actor requests joint physical and legal custody of their 4-year-old twins, Thomas and Zoe, and offers to pay spousal support, according to the petition. This will be the third divorce for Quaid, 58, who was previously married to Meg Ryan and P.J. Soles. Kimberly, a former real estate agent, initially filed for divorce in March. She put the divorce on hold a month later, pulling the papers so they could work on their marriage, before then filing for separation.

Gabriel Aubry Drops Restraining Order Against Olivier Martinez

Things are looking up for Gabriel Aubry. Shortly after reuniting with Nahla, the 4-year-old daughter he shares with ex Halle Berry, on Friday, Nov. 30, the French-Canadian model, 36, dropped the restraining order he had in place against Berry's fiance, Olivier Martinez. Following Aubry's Thanksgiving Day brawl with Martinez, 46, the model was granted his own legal protection against Berry's fiance. In a legal declaration, Aubry claimed that in the midst of their fight -- which began when Aubry picked up Nahla from Berry's home for a custodial visit -- Martinez threatened to kill Aubry if he refused to allow his ex to move to France with their daughter. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Aubry and Berry, 46, "reached an amicable agreement" over the care of their child, according to a written statement released by Berry's attorney, Blair Berk. Though specifics were not made available, the agreement ends a nearly two-year long bitter custody battle for the exes.

Bob Marley's widow settles trademark lawsuit

Bob Marley's widow Rita and their nine children have settled a trademark lawsuit with the reggae legend's half-brother. The Marleys accused Richard Booker of using his connection to the late "One Love" singer to promote fish produce and concerts in Miami under his Mama Marley banner. They filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement and unauthorised use of the singer's likeness in late 2011, and now both parties have come to an undisclosed agreement after settling the matter out of court. Booker's lawyer, Robert Scholz, says, "This was a very sensitive case because the legacy of a great man and family were at stake. From what I have learned about Bob Marley, he would be very happy, especially that his family is now at peace. Both parties were happy with the settlement agreement."

IRS Seizes Lindsay Lohan's Bank Accounts

Lindsay Lohan's tax problems have become so extreme the IRS has seized ALL of her bank accounts in order to repay her massive outstanding debt. Uncle Sam has filed tax liens against Lindsay for the years 2009 and 2010 -- claiming she owes $233,904 in unpaid federal taxes. Charlie Sheen generously paid Lindsay $100,000 to help alleviate Lindsay's 2009 tax problem. The IRS has given Lindsay ample time to pay up so the IRS has seized ALL her bank accounts in order to settle her debt.

Brandi Glanville Tells LeAnn Rimes: My Sons Are Not Your Boys

On Nov. 30, the country singer tweeted about a weekend getaway with her husband, Eddie Cibrian, and her stepsons, Mason and Jake. (Rimes and Cibrian had an affair on the 2009 set of Lifetime's "Northern Lights"; the singer was wed to chef Dean Sheremet at the time, while Cibrian was married to Glanville.) "Flying out with my boys in a few hours. Love that it's a family tour weekend," Rimes wrote. "It's always more fun when they are with me." Rimes' comments didn't sit well with Glanville, 40, who responded the following day. "Someone is trying to get under my skin by calling my children 'her boys. So transparent!" the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star tweeted. "They are my boys, Eddie's boys and your stepsons. . .for now." The model also retweeted a fan who asked, "Why is it ok for LeAnn to whore out Brandi's kids on Twitter, but they can't appear on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?" (Cibrian refuses to let his sons appear on the Bravo reality show.) Rimes, who performed in Lincoln City, Oregon, chose not to retaliate via the social networking site. She did, however, share pictures of Cibrian, 39, Mason, 9, and Jake, 5. Rimes also retweeted a fan who wrote that "being a stepmom is such a hard role to play, but only the strongest women can handle it."

TV NEWS
The 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 22 on CBS.


We've barely had time to catch our breath from the insane midseason finale of "The Walking Dead," but AMC has set an official premiere date for the second half of Season 3: Feb. 10, 2013. That's only 10 weeks away! Season 3 of the mega-hit zombie drama has been split into two equal halves, so the second half will run for eight episodes, just like the first. Additionally, Chris Hardwick announced on "Dead" "post-game" talkshow "Talking Dead" that "Talking" will move to 10 p.m., immediately following new episodes of "Walking" in 2013


Arrow has cast Spartacus alum Manu Bennett as Slade Wilson, who, as fans of Green Arrow comics will attest, eventually becomes mega-villan Deathstroke. The actor will appear in a handful of episodes.


There’ll be a few new recruits on the base when Army Wives starts Season 7. The Lifetime drama is adding The Vampire Diaries’ Torrey DeVitto, pop singer Ashanti and newcomer Elle McLemore as series regulars in its upcoming season. DeVitto, who’s also a Pretty Little Liars vet, will play a former soldier who gave up the Army to be a mom. Her character, Maggie Hall, is a truck driver married to a staff sergeant. Ashanti’s character, Latasha Durant, is a “sexy, fun” mother of three who runs her family and marriage with a firm hand. The “Foolish” singer has had guest roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and American Dreams. McLemore will play naive Holly Gordon, a sweet farm girl who recently married a soldier. The actress currently shakes her pom-poms as Eva in Bring It On: The Musical, which is scheduled to end its Broadway run on Dec. 30.


And Asylum‘s modern-day Bloody Face is… Dylan McDermott! The American Horror Story Season 1 star took to Twitter Thursday to confirm what many guessed a few episodes back, after hearing the voice of Briarcliff’s current dweller for the first time: He is the man behind the grotesque mask.


Breakout Kings‘ Serinda Swan has been promoted to series regular on USA Network’s upcoming law-enforcement drama Graceland.


Family Guy is coming to the big screen. The animated series’ mastermind Seth MacFarlane told a group of UCLA students that a feature film is basically a done deal — “It’s just a matter of when." Meanwhile, MacFarlane will lend his voice to The Simpsons‘ Season 25 premiere,  playing a man trying to romance Marge.


Nickelodeon has given the green light to its iCarly-Victorious spinoff Sam & Cat. The 20-episode series, starring Jennette McCurddy and Ariana Grande, will launch in 2013.

Tonight's Premiere:Travel Channel: Hotel Impossible at 10p
Tonight's Finales:Discovery Channel: American Chopper (series finale) at 9p
Style Network: Made in Chelsea at 12a