måndag 7 mars 2011

David Arquette In Car Accident

Actor David Arquette was rushed to the hospital after a head-on car crash in West Hollywood. But the actor is said to be doing well. [...]

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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Ordered To Stand Trial

Murray faces manslaughter charges in the singer's death; his medical license has also been suspended.
By Kara Warner


Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Dr. Conrad Murray has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

According to The Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor made the decision after a six-day preliminary hearing during which witnesses testified that the Houston cardiologist administered a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives then left the pop star unmonitored.

During the course of the hearing, testimony was given that Murray ordered hundreds of bottles of propofol in the months before Jackson's death. The AP report also cited the fact that the prosecutors concluded their case with testimony from two doctors who said Murray acted outside the standard of medical care when he administered propofol and failed to provide proper care.

Other damning testimony included that of Jackson's bodyguard, who said that on the morning of the singer's death, it appeared that Murray didn't know how to administer CPR to his dying patient.

Judge Pastor also granted a request by the California Medical Board to suspend Murray's license to practice medicine in the state. Pastor said he made the decision in the interest of public safety and ordered Murray to notify every district in which he practices of the decision within 24 hours. Murray has clinics in Houston and Las Vegas.

Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have argued that he did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him. Murray faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

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Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Suit Vs. AEG Can Proceed, Judge Rules

Katherine Jackson and family are pursuing a claim against concert promoter.
By Gil Kaufman


Michael Jackson

When he was alive, Michael Jackson was forever embroiled in a series of complex and expensive-sounding lawsuits. But even in death, the late King of Pop is the subject of major legal action. None could potentially be bigger than the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the pop icon's mother, Katherine Jackson, against concert promotion giant AEG Live.

Reuters reported that a Los Angeles judge ruled on Wednesday that the civil lawsuit can go forward. It will proceed in parallel with the criminal case against Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's June 2009 death from an overdose of the powerful surgical anesthetic propofol. Murray is the only person charged in Jackson's death and he is currently awaiting trial in that matter.

Katherine Jackson's lawsuit — filed in September on behalf of her and Jackson's three young children — accuses AEG of being responsible for the medical decisions made by Murray, whose salary was paid by the touring company behind Jackson's attempted "This Is It" comeback shows in London. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos denied a motion on Wednesday by AEG to dismiss Katherine Jackson's suit, but warned Jackson's attorneys that they would need to show evidence of "fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy" in order to win the case.

The judge has already said she doubts they can prove the latter charge, because the suit does not detail any agreement between Murray and AEG to break the law in providing medical care to Jackson.

"If the object was to get him to rehearsals, I don't see that as a wrongful or illegal act," the judge said. A lawyer for AEG told the judge that the company could not have predicted beforehand that Murray's medical decisions would result in Jackson's death. Court papers also show that AEG "did not choose to hire Murray" and had only participated in negotiations to bring him on as an independent contractor. Michael, who had previously been treated by Murray in Las Vegas, was reportedly the one who suggested the cardiologist serve as his personal, on-call physician during the "This Is It" rehearsals and shows.

Katherine Jackson's attorney recently dropped choreographer Kenny Ortega from the lawsuit based on new information they received about his actions. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 22, just six days before Murray is due back in court for his trial. Jackson's father, Joseph, has twice attempted to file a wrongful death suit in the matter, though his is focused on Murray and the Las Vegas pharmacy that supplied the propofol, not AEG Live.

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söndag 6 mars 2011

Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony's Puerto Rican Weekend

Finished up with a weekend trip to the Caribbean Sea commonwealth territory, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were spotted prepping for departure from Puerto Rico on Sunday (March 6).

The "American Idol" judge and her Latin singer hubby were chauffeured to an airstrip in Carolina as they loaded onto a private jet ahead of the flight back to the States.

As for the trip to Puerto Rico, Lopez and Anthony attended the signing of a new Film Studio Bill at Colegio de Cinematografia, Arte y Television in Bayamon on Friday night.

The "El Cantante" couple joined Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno at the function - which is hoped to boost the production of creative arts in the island locale.

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Gary Winick, 'Bride Wars' Director, Dies At 49

Filmmaker, also behind 'Letters to Juliet' and 'Tadpole,' lost his battle with brain cancer.
By Eric Ditzian


Gary Winick
Photo: Getty Images

Gary Winick, the 49-year-old director behind "Bride Wars" and "Letters to Juliet," has died, following a battle with brain cancer, according to multiple reports.

In addition to his mainstream credits, Winick boasted a résumé filled with independent fare as well. He produced and directed 2002's "Tadpole," a breakout coming-of-age hit at Sundance, and produced 2003's "Pieces of April," for which Patricia Clarkson received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Other production credits include Richard Linklater's "Tape" and Steve Buscemi's "Lonesome Jim." Winick also directed "13 Going on 30" in 2004 and a live-action adaptation of "Charlotte's Web," which grossed more than $140 million worldwide in 2006. In total, according to TheWrap, he produced 19 films.

The filmmaker's death was first made public via Twitter, in an update from producer Matt Dentler, who wrote, "Gary Winick died today. Too late to make the Oscars tribute, but way too early. He leaves behind a legacy of supporting indie film and NYC."

"He was suffering from brain cancer for quite some time, and it ultimately metastasized throughout his body," his manager, Rosalie Swedlin, told The Hollywood Reporter. "What's remarkable is that after his first surgery, he was able to direct 'Letters to Juliet.' It was a battle that we thought he had won, and ultimately they just didn't get it all."

A memorial service is in the works and people will be asked to make charitable donations. "Gary was an incredibly important figure in the indie movement," Swedlin said. "He will be missed."

Share your thoughts for Gary Winick's friends and family in the comments.

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'Glee' Stars Stayed Up All Night For 'Thriller' Cover

'It was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done,' Cory Monteith says.
By James Dinh


"Glee" stars film their "Thriller" performance
Photo: Ramey Photo

When "Glee" returns from hiatus in the high-profile post-Super Bowl slot, it's returning in a big way, covering Michael Jackson's "Thriller." On Tuesday, the cast spoke to "Access Hollywood" about remaking the iconic tune, which will reportedly be mashed up with another yet-to-be-revealed hit.

"It was a huge production. We we're shooting that until 6:30 in the morning," Cory Monteith told "AH" at the Television Critics Association press tour. "We shot all night, and it was probably one of the most physical numbers that we've ever done. I was lifting Naya Rivera at one point in the dance. It was really active. We had the whole USC band wrapped in to this number as you can see in the photos. It was awesome."

Photos of the cast filming "Thriller" surfaced on the Internet recently, depicting a prom night-turned-zombie affair. Jackson's tune is just one of the many hits to be covered in the broadcast. Other songs featured in the post-Super Bowl episode include hits by the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum.

Kevin McHale revealed that Jackson is his "favorite artist ever" and that he has been continuously requesting to cover a tune by the late King of Pop. "I've been pushing very obnoxiously for a very, very long time, so I'm beyond thrilled that we do Michael Jackson," said the actor.

Like the iconic music video, the "Glee" cover was an extravagant production, which was fitting for star Dianna Agron, who couldn't help smile throughout filming.

"The whole night, everybody kept saying, 'Why are you laughing so much? Why are you smiling so much?' " she said. "I was just in my element. I was in huge makeup, huge hair, huge costume, the stuff that I loved the most, which is why I loved 'Rocky [Horror Picture Show]' so much."

Matthew Morrison isn't in the number, but he watched it being shot. "We actually shot it, like, a couple nights ago," Morrison told "AH." "I actually went out to see it. We shot it in Long Beach and at a high school that we used their football field at. It was stunning. It's so weird with this show. We keep outdoing ourselves. It's like, 'What is there left to do?' This number is just fantastic."

What other MJ songs do you want the "Glee" cast to tackle? Share your ideas in the comments!

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