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News Briefs TV, movie and music news

Chris Brown rejects plea deal in D.C. assault case

By Associated Press on Jan 8, 2014 at 3:38PM

Lawyers for Chris Brown say the singer has rejected a plea deal in a case in which he’s accused of hitting a man outside a Washington hotel.

Brown appeared Wednesday afternoon in a D.C. court. He and his bodyguard face a misdemeanor assault charge after an October altercation outside the W Hotel.

Speaking outside of court, Brown’s lawyer, Danny Onorato said they had decided not to accept the plea because “Chris Brown’s not guilty.”

His lawyers say they expect a trial date to be set at another hearing, scheduled for Feb. 20.

At the time he was charged, the Grammy winner was on probation in California for a 2009 attack on singer Rihanna, his then-girlfriend. As a result of the charge in Washington, a judge revoked Brown’s probation in California.

Insane Clown Posse sues feds over gang label

By Associated Press on Jan 8, 2014 at 1:38PM

The Insane Clown Posse is suing the U.S. Justice Department over a 2011 FBI report that depicts the rap-metal duo’s devoted fans, the Juggalos, as a dangerous gang.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Detroit federal court on behalf of the group’s two members, Joseph Bruce (Violent J) and Joseph Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope). It also names four fans as plaintiffs.

The lawsuit contends that the description of the Juggalos as a “loosely organized hybrid gang” in a national report on gangs violated the plaintiffs’ rights. The group says its fans are a family, not a gang.

Scott Gandy, who is one of the four fans who are suing, says he was forced to remove Insane Clown Posse tattoos to apply for the Army.

Lily Tomlin ties the knot with partner of 42 years

By Associated Press on Jan 8, 2014 at 9:04AM

After more than four decades together, Lily Tomlin’s longtime partner and collaborator is now her wife.

Tomlin’s publicist Jennifer Allen told People Magazine and other media outlets Tuesday that the 74-year-old actress and comedian married 78-year-old Jane Wagner in a private New Year’s Eve ceremony in Los Angeles. READ FULL STORY

Young Jeezy released after arrest for false imprisonment, battery

By Associated Press on Jan 7, 2014 at 7:51PM

Fulton County sheriff’s officials say Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy surrendered late last week on charges including terroristic threats, false imprisonment, and battery.

According to Fulton County jail records, the rapper is free on $45,000 bond.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan says the rapper turned himself in on Friday to face charges linked to a grand jury warrant. A report outlining details of the allegations wasn’t immediately available, including when the allegations were made and by whom.

One of the rapper’s representatives said he didn’t have details of the allegations and had no comment.

Flanagan says the rapper, whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 29 for a plea and arraignment hearing.

Actress Carmen Zapata dies after long career

By Associated Press on Jan 7, 2014 at 6:45PM

Image Credit: ABC/Getty Images

Emmy-nominated actress Carmen Zapata, who started a foundation to promote Hispanic writers because jobs were so scarce, has died of heart problems, colleagues say. She was 86.

Zapata died Sunday at her Van Nuys-area home, said Luis Vela, marketing manager for the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts in Los Angeles.

Zapata started her career in 1945 in the Broadway musical Oklahoma and went on to perform in Bells Are Ringing, Guys and Dolls, and many plays.

“She was an inspiration for me,” Vela said. “She taught me that art is the key to resolving differences in the community.”

He said Zapata was once asked how she wanted to be remembered — as an artist, producer or founder. “‘I prefer people remember us as educators,’” Vela recalled her saying.
READ FULL STORY

Emma Roberts and Evan Peters are engaged

By Hillary Busis on Jan 7, 2014 at 9:19AM

It’s a match made in heaven — or at least by Ryan Murphy. Emma Roberts is engaged to her American Horror Story costar Evan Peters, People confirms. Peters reportedly popped the question over the holidays. The two have been dating since 2012.

Their betrothal comes nearly six months after Roberts, 22, was arrested in Montreal following a physical altercation with Peters, 26. (In a joint statement, reps for both actors called the July incident “unfortunate” and a “misunderstanding.”)

Justin Bartha gets married

By Pamela Gocobachi on Jan 6, 2014 at 2:53PM

Actor Justin Bartha married fitness trainer Lia Smith over the weekend during a sunset ceremony in Hawaii.

According to People, the couple exchanged vows on Saturday afternoon on the island of Oahu and followed up with a reception at Kualoa Ranch. Reese Witherspoon and her husband, agent Jim Toth, were among the celebrities in attendance, along with Jesse Eisenberg and Bartha’s Hangover co-star Ken Jeong.

Bartha, 35, and Smith announced their engagement this past May after first being spotted together celebrating New Year’s Eve on a Maui beach in 2013.

UPDATE:

People has additionally learned that Bartha and Smith will welcome a child into the world later on this year. The pregnancy will mark the couple’s first child together.

Oscar-winning producer Saul Zaentz dies at 92

By Keith Staskiewicz on Jan 5, 2014 at 11:39AM

Saul Zaentz, known for producing intelligent, award-winning adaptations of novels, died on Friday at his San Francisco home. He was 92. Zaentz had won Best Picture Academy Awards three times over the years—for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient—and was awarded the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1996. Other films he produced included Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated version of The Lord of the Rings, Peter Weir’s The Mosquito Coast, and the Daniel Day-Lewis-starring adaptation of The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

'That '70s Show' actress Lisa Robin Kelly died from multiple drug intoxication

By Pamela Gocobachi on Jan 3, 2014 at 7:28PM

Lisa Robin Kelly, best known for playing Eric Forman’s sister on That ’70s Show, died from multiple drug intoxication, the L.A. County coroner revealed Friday.

Specific drugs in Kelly’s system at the time of death were not noted, but the actress had a history with illegal substances. She was arrested at least four times over the past three years for DUI, spousal abuse, and assault.

Kelly’s agent spoke with People at the time of her death, saying Kelly had “addiction problems that have plagued her” for the past few years prior to her passing. TMZ was the first to report this story.

Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg are engaged

By Jake Perlman on Jan 3, 2014 at 4:25PM

Actors Jamie Chung (The Hangover Part 2) and Bryan Greenberg (How to Make It in America) have gotten engaged, according to People.

The couple have been linked together since spring 2012. Chung got her start as a cast member of The Real World: San Diego in 2004 before breaking into the acting world. Greenberg will next appear in the Lance Armstrong biopic starring Ben Foster.

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