LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – Look out, Victoria Beckham is about to get “Ugly.”
After weeks of speculation, ABC confirmed the “major” newson Thursday that Beckham will appear as a guest star on this season’s “Ugly Betty.”
Posh will play herself as a celebrity bridesmaid at the wedding of Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) and Bradford Meade (Alan Dale).
Access Hollywoodcaught up with the cast last week at the Season One DVD release party and asked about the idea of “Ugly Betty” getting a touch of “Spice.”
“She definitely belongs in the MODE world. She’d definitely be somebody that Wilhelmina is good buddies with,” America Ferrera said.
Video:'Betty' Stars Talk Posh Appearance
Meanwhile, co-star Eric Mabius said that “Betty” producers caught wind of a statement he made to the British press that they were “really keen on having [Beckham] on the show,” so they approached Victoria’s people about making an appearance. The funny thing is, Eric was misquoted by the press.
“They don’t realize that Americans don’t really say ‘keen’ unless it is an episode of ‘Happy Days,‘” he joked with Access.
So does he deserve the credit for recruiting Posh to do the show?
“Well not credit for being misquoted,” he said, “but excited that, you know, that misquote ended up [with] her being on the show.”
The new season of “Ugly Betty” premieres September 27 on ABC. No word yet on when Posh’s episode will air.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards just got a lot more star-tastic with the news that celebs from “Desperate Housewives,” “30 Rock,” “Ugly Betty,” “Two and a Half Men” and more are presenting at the event.
Talk show funny lady Ellen DeGeneres, America Ferrera, Alec Baldwin, Kyra Sedgwick, Marcia Cross, Jon Cryer, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Joely Fisher and Julia Louis-Dreyfus were announced as presenters earlier today.
Emmy Reactions, Part I
The stars will join previously announced presenters including Steve Carell, Kelsey Grammer, Katherine Heigl, Hayden Panettiere, Jon Stewart, Kiefer Sutherland and Jimmy Smits.
It was previously announced that the show will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest (“American Idol“). The Emmy Awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, Sunday, September 16 (8:00-11:00 ET Live/ PT tape delayed) on FOX.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – As Owen Wilson’s recovery from his tragic suicide attempt earlier this week continues in a Beverly Hills hospital, the story moves to Courtney Love’s house.
The vocal rocker spoke to cameras outside her home, continuing to put blame on British actor/comedian Steve Coogan, a man she had a fling with in 2006.
“Hopefully the guy leaves us alone in this town and goes back to Brighton [England] or wherever the hell he’s from and just maybe stays there,” she said.
Love alleged that Coogan was a negative influence over Owen Wilson.
“I tried to warn uh, different friends of Owen,” she told the cameras outside her house on the subject.
What Now For Owen?
“He has been spending time with Owen Wilson?” a reporter asked about Coogan.
“From what I understand, yeah,” Courtney replied, “and it makes me really sad.”
When asked about the allegations by Love, while in Hawaii, Coogan, had little to say.
“Where are you from?” Coogan asked the reporter.
“I’m from Maui, Hawaii,” the reporter replied.
“Hey listen, have a good day. I’m with my family,” Coogan said, refusing to respond to Courtney’s statements as he headed back to LA after wrapping up his role in Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder,” a film Owen had to drop out of.
Coogan did however open up to Access Hollywood yesterday.
“My thoughts are with my friend Owen at this difficult time, but I do want to set the record straight and say that the allegations . . . are completely and utterly false,” he said.
Meanwhile, as previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the city of Santa Monica has refused all media requests for a copy of the 911 call regarding Owen Wilson citing the actor’s privacy rights. They stated: “No person should have to worry about whether placing a call for Emergency Assistance will automatically make his or her medical request open to public review.”
In related news, a source close to Wilson revealed to Access that Wilson did not overdose as other outlets have reported. While Owen did slit his wrists, his stomach was never pumped at the hospital. There were no drugs in his system, the source claims, other than the antidepressants he was taking at the time.
CHICAGO, Illinois (August 30, 2007) — For the past several weeks, the cast and crew of “The Dark Knight,” the sequel to “Batman Begins,” have been shooting in Chicago under a mask of secrecy whenever possible.
Despite the filmmakers’ best efforts, various picture and video images have inevitably been covertly captured from eager fans, spies, and passers-by and leaked to the public. But some things simply cannot be expected to remain under wraps until the film hits theatres next summer.
Yesterday the big budget production took over the abandoned Brach’s Candy Building, renamed it “Gotham General Hospital,” and proceeded to blow it up in a spectacular display of movie pyrotechnics as seen in these pictures.
Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, paid for the demolition of the building so they could utilize it in “The Dark Knight.”
Video: Building Goes Boom On 'Batman' Set
This isn’t the first time Hollywood has targeted abandoned structures to destroy for the benefit of the big screen. The producers of “Bad Boys 2” and “Lethal Weapon 3” also chose to make mince meat out of actual buildings rather than fake it with models or fancy special effects.
The destruction of the fictional Gotham Hospital in context of the well-guarded plot will no doubt be revealed only upon the film’s release, but one could speculate that behind the majority of mayhem wrought upon Batman this time - once again played by Christian Bale - is the Clown Prince of Crime himself, The Joker.
Heath Ledger will deliver the maniacal laugh and don a purple suit to do battle with the Caped Crusader in what promises to be one of the most anticipated movies to heat up the summer of 2008.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown finally opened up about Eddie Murphy, father to her baby daughter Angel Iris, on Wednesday night.
Well, sort of.
“Can I ask you one Eddie Murphy question?” late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel asked the pop singer and soon to be “Dancing With the Stars” contestant.
“So dumb, I don’t really talk about it, but go on. You’re gonna ask me anyway,” she sighed.
“I want to ask you one thing,” Jimmy continued as Mel prepared for the big one.
“What did you think of ‘Norbit’?” Kimmel asked as Mel exploded in fits of laughter.
Video: Mel B. Ready To 'Dance'
She may not want to talk about Murphy, but she opened up a little, to Access Hollywood’s own Tony Potts.
“Is there any resolution? Is it all done and finished with Eddie Murphy,” Tony asked.
“No, it’s going to the courts and the things will get decided there I guess,” she said.
And with that, Melanie stayed mum on her child support battle with Eddie Murphy. What she did want to talk about though, was her upcoming “DWTS” appearance.
“I’m very nervous,” she said. “I don’t even want to think about it. See, I’m already getting a panic attack! I’m in it now. I’m gonna have fun and not think about anything else.”
Mel can expect some support from a certain Spice Girl.
“Victoria [Beckham] is gonna come to one of the shows,” Mel said. “She was excited. She said, ‘I have to design your costumes. We’ve got to sort that out!‘”
Posh will handle her costume, and Sporty will lay down the law. On the upcoming Spice Girls world tour, Sporty Spice, Mel C., has banned booze and insists on lights out by 10:30 p.m., all in an effort to keep the girls focused on their work.
As for new work however, Mel B. remained mum, once again.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) — A man known for brokering deals involving compromising celebrity photos and videos has agreed to plead guilty in a plot to extort more than $1 million from Tom Cruise for the actor’s stolen wedding photos, according to court documents unsealed Thursday.
David Hans Schmidt, 47, has agreed to plea guilty to one count of sending communications for purposes of extortion. He faces up to two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine under a plea agreement filed Aug. 24.
It wasn’t known when Schmidt, who is free on $100,000 bond, might enter his plea in court. A phone message left for his attorney Nancy Kardon was not immediately returned Thursday.
Meanwhile, a plea agreement for Schmidt’s co-defendant was filed under seal Aug. 24, according to a federal court docket in Los Angeles. Marc Lewis Gittleman, who authorities say helped recover photos from a computer hard drive, has been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion.
Video: Access Archives - Tom Cruise
Gittleman, 33, faces up to five years in prison. A message left for his attorney Richard Hirsch also was not immediately returned.
Gittleman and Schmidt were arrested July 26 after federal authorities said Gittleman obtained photos of Cruise’s wedding in Italy last year to Katie Holmes from the event’s official photographer, court documents show.
Gittleman then made copies of photos on the drive and kept them for himself, authorities said. He contacted Schmidt after finding a Web site touting his abilities to broker celebrity photos.
Starting in May, Schmidt had repeated contact with Cruise representatives and threatened to release the photos if he didn’t receive between $1.2 and $1.3 million, officials said.
Authorities said Schmidt sent multiple e-mails to Cruise’s camp, including one with 13 wedding photographs attached as proof he had them. Schmidt also said there were about 7,600 images and he hoped a “commendable and quiet arrangement could be reached” with Tom Cruise, court documents said.
Schmidt attended a Los Angeles meeting with the actor’s representatives and an undercover FBI agent on July 24 in which he compared his actions to “legal extortion” and said he would “hunt down to hell and back” anyone who crossed him, court documents said.
Schmidt also has tried to auction off Paris Hilton’s diaries, along with photos of her in various stages of undress and other personal items that had been locked away in a Los Angeles-area storage locker until a few months ago.
He has claimed to have brokered deals to sell a sex video of Dustin Diamond, who played Screech on “Saved by the Bell,” and a video of skater Tonya Harding’s wedding night, according to published reports. He also claimed to have obtained topless shots of rescued U.S. Army POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch.
A phone message left with Cruise’s publicist was not immediately returned.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – It won’t premiere for almost a month, but already images from one of the fall TV season’s hottest new dramas have appeared.
These shots, in our gallery on the right, come from the Michelle Ryan fronted sci-fi show, “Bionic Woman.”
NBCMichelle and Isaiah hit the set
In addition to Ryan’s character Jaime Sommers and her athletic, fighting moves, these pictures offer the first glimpse of Isaiah Washington’s guest spot. Washington was let go from the hit drama “Grey’s Anatomy” earlier this year and minutes later was picked up to join “Bionic Woman.”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – From the department of “you can run, but you can’t hide,” Britney Spears’ former manager Larry Rudolph has finally been served.
Rudolph (pictured with Britney in November 2006) was subpoenaed during a visit to an LA tanning salon on Thursday, a source confirmed to Access Hollywood.
He becomes the latest target of Kevin Federline’s camp in the raging custody battle between K-Fed and Britney. Brit’s former assistant Shannon Funk, former bodyguard Daimon Shippen, pal Alli Sims and even Brit’s former rehab facility Promises have already been served as Federline builds his case for custody of the couple’s two kids – Sean Preston and Jayden James.
But while the previous subpoenas were handed out by Aaron Cohen, referred to in the press as “Kevin’s commando,” People magazine described Rudolph’s processor as a “5’8” brunette [female] in black slacks and a buttoned-up shirt,” according to an employee at the tanning salon.
Earlier this month, Rudolph phoned Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush to jokingly say he was on vacation “hiding out from Kevin’s processors” after friends told Rudolph Kevin’s camp had been looking for him.
“When I come back, I’m sure they’ll find me,” he joked to Billy.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 30, 2007) — World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 of its wrestlers for violations of a policy that tests for steroids and other drugs, the company said Thursday.
Stamford-based WWE says it issued suspension notices based on independent information from the prosecutor’s office in Albany County, N.Y., which has been investigating illegal steroid sales.
Neither the WWE nor the Albany County district attorney’s office would comment on the suspended wrestlers’ identities Thursday. No criminal charges were filed, they said.
Under a WWE wellness policy instituted last year that requires tests for steroids and other drugs, a wrestler faces a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation. Performers are tested at least four times per year.
“We are very actively working to eradicate the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the WWE,” WWE spokesman Gary Davis said. “Today’s action is part of that effort.”
WWE officials met this month with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales. Albany County prosecutor P. David Soares’ office has said that pro wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed his family before hanging himself in June, and other WWE wrestlers had been clients of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. Investigators say Benoit had a steroid and other drugs in his system at the time.
When Soares’ office began investigating the illegal sale and distribution of controlled substances, he said, his office sought the help of WWE after a number of its wrestlers appeared on customer lists of clinics connected with Signature Pharmacy.
Nine people, including three current or former physicians, have pleaded guilty, most affiliated with Internet and phone-order companies that filled orders for anabolic steroids and growth hormones through Signature and sent drugs to customers around the country, including Albany County.
Signature’s owners have pleaded not guilty.
The Benoit case prompted the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to ask WWE to turn over any information it has on steroid and drug abuse in pro wrestling.
The committee has not yet scheduled a hearing on the case.
WWE said the company’s practice has been to not release the names of suspended wrestlers, but the company has notified performers that starting Nov. 1 the names of those suspended for violating the policy will be made public.
WWE has about 160 wrestlers. WWE shares closed Thursday at $14.80, down 21 cents.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 30, 2007) – As Britney Spears and Kevin Federline’s heated custody battle rages on, an attorney for Britney filed a motion to delay a September 17 custody hearing, according to court papers obtained by Access Hollywood.
In the papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the pop star’s monthly income was also revealed.
According to Kevin’s attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan, Britney rakes in an average of $737,868 per month.
The documents, stemming from the couple’s August 27 hearing, also reveal Kevin is receiving $20,000 a month in spousal support, however, that payment ends on November 15.
The redaction-laden documents also reveal a list of six parties who have been or will be subpoenaed by Kevin’s camp in his push for custody of the couple’s two kids – Sean Preston (23 months) and Jayden James (11 months).
Video: Britney Runs Out Of Gas (8/28/07)
The list includes Brit’s former assistant Shannon Funk, former bodyguard Daimon Shippen, former manager Larry Rudolph, pal Alli Sims, the Promises Treatment Center, Brit’s designated sober companion Dr. Betty Wyman and her former nanny Christine Hallet.
On Thursday morning, Kevin’s team served Rudolph while he visited a Los Angeles tanning salon.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 24, 2007) - As the controversy grows over CBS’ reality show “Kid Nation,” where 40 children between the ages of 8 and 15 try to establish an adult free society in a New Mexico ghost town, a parent is speaking out about her frustrations with the show’s negative portrayal.
Access Hollywood spoke to a New Jersey lawyer identified only as Lori, whose last name is being withheld by CBS to protect her child. Lori’s 14-year-old daughter, Sophia, took part in the show. “I know I speak for most of the parents when I say we are just mystified by this uproar and I guess it’s because people like to read sensational headlines,” Lori said.
Lori told Access that she and the other parents are angry that media outlets, to whom they have granted interviews, continue to focus on the negative. “Every time they show them, they cut out anything that might put the show in a good light, and it was such an amazing experience for these kids,” she said. “We really are so mystified by it. My daughter has nothing but great things to say about it. They had the time of their lives. I’m perplexed.”
Lori claims she had multiple meetings with CBS before agreeing that her daughter would participate in the show and was 100 percent confident in their ability to care for the children. “My child was better supervised there for six weeks than she could have had (she) been living with her family for six weeks. We don’t have her surrounded by doctors, and safety experts, and therapists, and producers and counselors.”
Lori said she is also perplexed by complaints that the show violated child labor laws. “It wasn’t putting the kids in a situation where they had to work,” Lori said. “My daughter told me that there were so many kids that would just lay around the entire time and never did anything at all. So, my understanding from talking to my daughter was that kids could do as little or as much as they wanted to do. Nothing was forced at all.”
She confirmed what CBS told Access, that parents were given status update phone calls every three days. “In fact, I asked them not to call me, you know, unless there is a problem. She has been to summer camp so many times, and I had no contact with her and I had total faith — CBS really allayed any concerns I might have had.”
One parent did complain, however. Janis Miles of Fayetteville, Ga., stated in a letter that her 12-year-old daughter, Divad, was spattered in the face with grease while cooking potatoes. Four other children required medical attention after they accidentally drank bleach. CBS confirmed the incidents but downplayed them as minor. CBS assured Access Hollywood that adults stepped in immediately.
Lori said she heard about the incidents from her own daughter but was confident they were handled properly. “When the child was burned or another drank bleach, my daughter said they had an ambulance right there. No matter how minor any incident was, they went over and beyond,” Lori said. “They had ambulances there. They would take them to the hospital. They would monitor them for days even if they just had a tiny stomach ache.”
Even Sophia did not escape tiny bumps and bruises, Lori said. “Accidents happen. My daughter had a tiny little scrape. She had scrapes on her arm. She hurt one of her fingernails. These things happen in life. Everyday we have accidents.”
Lori said that not even CBS could prevent against people getting paper cuts. “My daughter told me there was (a) safety expert in the kitchen almost all the time giving them advice about how to cook with grease-- they were frying stuff in oil. I think its great that the kids were getting these real life experiences.”
Lori said she was distressed about claims of possible abuse on the show. “I’ve been reading stuff that’s been coming down the pipe, and it’s really been distressing to me and most of the parents that have been involved with this production,” she said. “I’m a former prosecutor of child abuse and to label this show child abuse and child neglect is insulting and denigrating to children who have been victims of child abuse.”
Lori said that to her, child abuse involves children who are battered or murdered. “The stories are just horrendous. They are placed in situations by adults who have no concern for their well-being or safety. This couldn’t be further from the truth on kid nation.”
Lori said she considers the show an educational summer program.
PARIS, France (August 24, 2007) – While daddy Tom was hard at work in Berlin, mom Katie and daughter Suri spent a girls’ day in Paris.
Despite the rainy weather and a high-heel misstep by mom, Katie and Suri were all smiles as they did some shopping, grabbed a bite to eat and even hit the Louvre during the whirlwind day trip.
And Suri wasn’t just along for the ride, she even carried her own bag, as you can see in the photo.
But all the excitement finally took its toll on1-year-oldSuri.
X-17 Online
Katie & Suri stroll the streets of Paris
As mom and daughter took a one-hour personally guided tour of the Louvre, Suri reportedly “was napping when Katie got to the Mona Lisa,” according to People magazine.
Tom is currently in Berlin filming his new movie “Valkyrie,” where there was some drama earlier this week as a group of extras injured on the set threatened to sue the film’s producers.
The injuries occurred last weekend when the extras fell out of a truck during filming.
‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2’ SWEEPS THE NATION: “High School Musical 2” broke basic cable records with 17.2 million viewers tuning in for its Disney Channel debut. The fans also came out in droves to purchase the movie’s soundtrack, which debuted at # 1 on the Billboard chart with over 615,000 copies sold.
As for the planned big screen installment of the franchise, Access Hollywoodinvestigated reports that “HSM” stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were holding out for more money before committing to the project. Reps for both Zac and Vanessa said that they are still in talks to do the third movie, and Disney stated that they are still in “active negotiations” with the cast.
Speaking of Zac — Access uncovered some revealing yearbook photos of the handsome superstar in his formative years!
'High School Musical 2' Graduates To Record Breaker
Lindsay's arresting mug shot
LINDSAY SENTENCED: Lindsay Lohan reached a plea deal on Thursday and will spend one day behind bars, plus 10 days of community service and must complete a drug treatment program. As part of the plea deal, Lohan’s lawyer Blair Berk pleaded guilty on Lohan’s behalf to two counts of being under the influence of cocaine; no contest to two counts of driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08 percent and one count of reckless driving.
Lohan was charged earlier in the day with seven misdemeanors stemming from two drunken-driving arrests in the last three months. More serious felony drug charges were not filed, prosecutors said, because tests showed there wasn’t enough cocaine on her to warrant them.
In a statement to Access Hollywood on Lindsay’s behalf, she admitted that her life had become “completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs,” and that she wanted to be “healthy and gain control of my life and career and have asked for medical help in doing so.”
X-17 Online
Paris gets a workout!
PARIS SETTLES...AND SHOPS: Paris Hilton settled her defamation lawsuit with fellow socialite Zeta Graff this week. Graff had filed a $10 million suit against Paris in 2005, claiming Paris fed a slanderous story to the New York Post about Graff attacking her at a club and ripping a necklace off her neck in what was supposedly a jealous rage over Hilton’s fiancée at the time, Paris Latsis.
The attorneys for Paris and Zeta released the following joint statement to Access Hollywood:
“Zeta Graff and Paris Hilton are pleased to announce the amicable resolution of the lawsuit between them. Both parties are glad that the matter could be resolved without the time and expense of a trial. The resolution is confidential and no one will comment further.”
In other Paris news, the heiress dropped into celebrity shopping hot spot Intuition for some very special merchandise on Wednesday. She spent around 10 thousand dollars buying up baby clothes and accessories for her friend Nicole Richie, who is four months pregnant.
X-17 Online
A little trip to the vet before jail
NICOLE SERVES (SOME) TIME: Nicole Richie checked herself in to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood Thursday afternoon to serve her jail sentence, stemming from her DUI arrest in December. She was sentenced in July to serve four days in jail, but was released 82 minutes after checking in.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department stated that Richie’s quick release was “based on jail overcrowding to manage population levels mandated by Federal Court guidelines,” which met the current criteria for a female arrestee sentenced to 30 days or less for a non violent offense.
“She did everything she was asked and exactly how the way they requested,” Richie’s rep told Access.
X-17 Online
A wigless Britney!
THE LATEST IN K-FED & BRITNEY: Kevin Federline’s defense team issued a subpoena to the Promises rehab facility, where ex-wife Britney Spears spent a month being treated earlier this year. This was the latest in a string of issued subpoenas, as K-fed’s team continue to build their case in the custody battle with Britney over the couple’s two kids – Sean Preston and Jayden James.
Another potential target of Kevin’s team — Britney’s former manager, Larry Rudolph — laughingly told Access this week via phone that he was “on vacation” and “hiding out from Kevin’s processors” after hearing from friends that K-Fed’s team had been showing up at his office and on his doorstep, presumably to serve him a subpoena.
Britney herself was “missing” for a little while this week, with conflicting reports as to her whereabouts permeating the web. Reports claimed that she was spotted using a bathroom at a restaurant in Belgium, but those reports proved false when she was photographed driving in the Los Angeles area with a friend and her two sons.
As for those rumors that Britney may perform at the MTV Video Music Awards? A source told Access on Friday that there is “a very strong chance Britney will open the MTV VMAs.”
Access Hollywood/AP
Vivica defends her co-star
JESSICA’S ‘MAJOR’ INJURY: It was confirmed this week that Jessica Simpson had bruised her nose on the set of “Major Movie Star” when she hit herself with a prop gun during a shoot. Despite the injury, she was able to continue filming.
ATLANTA, Georgia (August 24, 2007) — The NFL indefinitely suspended Michael Vick without pay Friday just hours after he acknowledged in court papers that he did, indeed, bankroll gambling on dogfighting and helped kill some dogs not worthy of the pit.
Vick, however, insisted he placed no bets of his own nor took any winnings.
In disciplining Vick, commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible” and regardless whether he personally placed bets, “your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.”
Goodell freed the Falcons to “assert any claims or remedies” to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.
Video: Jamie Foxx Defends Michael Vick
The commissioner didn’t speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell may meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings.
“You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league’s personal conduct policy,” Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell’s decision and said:
“We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life.”
Earlier Friday, a “summary of facts” signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. He will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson to formally plead guilty Monday and then await sentencing at a later date.
The court documents and a statement by Vick’s legal team seek to portray him as less involved in the dogfighting ring than three co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
“While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved,” the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.
“Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct,” the statement said.
Vick signed the plea agreement late Thursday.
“Most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the summary of facts said, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants.
The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Vick’s three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.
“Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels,” the summary said.
According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.
“Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts” of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.
In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines.
Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday’s hearing.
“Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael’s role,” Vick’s defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. “Michael’s role was different than others associated with this incident.”
Martin said Vick will “speak to the public and explain his actions.” Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.
The U.S. attorney’s office, which has declined to comment on the case, said it would issue a statement after the hearing. The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.
A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent.
Taylor was the first to change his plea to guilty, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring’s gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights.
The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL’s most popular players.
As animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick and sponsors dropped him, Vick was barred from the Falcons training camp, but neither the NFL nor the team have taken further action.
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 24, 2007) - The CBS reality show where 40 children aged 8 to 15 were dropped off in a New Mexico ghost town to try and create an adult free society continues to raise eyebrows. The series is still weeks away from it’s September 19th premiere date but already has prompted complaints from one of the children’s parents, and may have skirted New Mexico’s child protection laws.
While parents and children made available by CBS praised the production as safe, well supervised and a learning experience, one mother has told authorities the conditions warrant an abuse investigation.
Janis Miles of Fayetteville, Ga., said in a letter that her 12-year-old daughter, Divad, was spattered on her face with grease while cooking potatoes on a wood stove, and that four other children required medical attention after they accidentally drank bleach.
Her daughter also had a rash that had caused scarring, and a sunburn on her face and hands, Miles wrote. Miles declined to talk to a reporter, referring calls to CBS.
In an interview with Access Hollywood, the show’s Executive Producer, Tom Forman, confirmed the on set accidents but called them minor incidents, “There was everything from twisted ankles to kitchen burns. The kids received immediate medical attention where they needed it. Nothing serious and no effects afterwards.”
Forman believes the accidents were so minor they may not even be worked into the episodes, “The truth is it didn’t really happen all that often. It wasn’t all that interesting.”
After dropping their kids off at the New Mexico set their parents were sent home. Forman says adults were present at all times during the production including paramedics, security guards, pediatricians, psychologists, wilderness experts, animal wranglers and producers.
According to Forman, producers contacted each of the children’s parents every third day with status updates. Though the children had no contact with their parents, after the initial drop off, Forman says they were free to leave at any point and were constantly asked by producers, “if this was something they wanted to continue to participate in and if they didn’t, we called their parents. Their parents flew out and we got them home.”
CBS declined to comment on how many children chose to leave but Forman told Access it was mostly due to homesickness.
At the time of filming, the state of New Mexico did not have the same restrictive child labor laws as states such as California and New York prompting questions about conditions on set. When questioned by Access about whether the hours could be considering too long for children, Forman claims it was their own choice, “These kids took part in an experience and they created a world. They did whatever they want, they set their own time to wake up. They set their own time to go to sleep. They prepared some meals. They made some decisions. They did whatever 40 kids would do if there weren’t adults around telling them what to do every minute and we filmed what happened.”
Forman is distressed that all this negative attention is being focused on what he claims most kids would call an amazing experience, “In the last few days people have used phrases like child abuse, I’m horrified by that because I know it’s just not true. And I think it frankly, it’s an insult to the production team. But more importantly to the kids that spent 40 days out there and did something pretty incredible. They’re independent kids who wanted the chance to be on their own who wanted to prove something to adults and I think they did that. I think nobody would be more upset to hear people think these kids were exploited then the kids themselves who really went there had a wonderful time and proved something at the same time.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - (Aug. 24, 2007) - Blake Lewis, the singer who beatboxed his way into becoming the runner-up on the sixth season of “American Idol,” has been signed to 19 Recordings / ARISTA Records and is already working on his debut album. The album, which currently does not have a name, is due for release in late 2007.
Among the producers working with Lewis on his first album are Jonathan “JR” Rotem, who has worked with Rihanna (on her No. 1 single “SOS”) and Sean Kingston; Ryan “Alias” Tedder, who has worked with Timbaland and new artist Leona Lewis; and S*A*M & Sluggo, who have worked with two of the year’s biggest new artists, Gym Class Heroes and Boys Like Girls.
Lewis, who has already charted on The Billboard Hot 100 with his versions of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” and the Zombies’ “Time of the Season,” has been finding time to go into the studio to work on his first album while he continues to tour with the “American Idols Live” tour. The tour runs through Sept. 22 with its final stop in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“I love performing, so spending the summer on the road has been a great experience,” says Lewis. “But I’m also enjoying my time in the studio and I’m very excited about recording my debut album. I’m thrilled to be working with 19 Recordings and ARISTA Records.”
The 26-year-old singer was born in Redmond, Washington. He started singing at age five and competed in statewide talent contests while in high school. He became a beatboxer at 17, inspired by the then Seattle-based a cappella group M-Pact. Lewis was a member of the Pacific Northwest a cappella group Kickshaw for four years. He also recorded several music videos and wrote a number of original songs.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 24, 2007) — Oscar-nominated director John Singleton (pictured with Stephanie Allain at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival)was driving a Lexus SUV when it struck and killed a jaywalker who stepped in front of the car, police said Friday.
Singleton, 39, immediately stopped his car and waited for police to arrive after the accident Thursday night in the city’s Jefferson Park neighborhood, said Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman.
“Mr. Singleton stopped and identified himself as required by law and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Lee said. “He was questioned and released.”
The woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Friday morning, Lee said. She was identified as Constance Russell, 57, of Los Angeles.
Other details were not immediately released, and an after-hours call to Singleton’s agent was not immediately returned.
Singleton, whose debut film, 1991’s “Boyz N The Hood,” earned him two Oscar nominations, has also directed “Poetic Justice,” “Shaft,” and “2 Fast 2 Furious.” He was the producer of “Hustle & Flow,” “Black Snake Moan” and the just-released “Illegal Tender.”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 25, 2007) – Britney Spears may be giving new meaning to life in the fast lane.
Sporting a blonde wig and brown hat, Britney was pulled over in her white Mercedes convertible for speeding, according to X-17 Online.
According to the report, Brit was headed east on Interstate 10 around 12:30 a.m. with two male dancers in the car when Highway Patrol attempted to pull the car over.
However, according to reports, despite the officer pulling up directly behind Spears with his lights on, she continued driving for nearly a mile before finally pulling off the highway and stopping at a gas station.
Once she pulled over, Britney was reportedly extremely cooperative with authorities and after a brief conversation, she was let off with a warning.
Video: Access Archives - Britney's First Interview
According to X-17, Britney told the officers she was speeding because she was being chased by the paparazzi.
After the officers left, one of Britney’s passengers took the wheel and the car headed back towards Los Angeles, according to X-17.
In other Britney news, on Friday a source close to the MTV VMAs told Access Hollywood there is “a very strong chance” Britney will open the awards show at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on September 9.
Hollywood notched its first $4 billion summer as teen geeks helped Hollywood end the season in record fashion.
Sony’s “Superbad,” the comedy about three dorky high-schoolers trying to score booze for a party, was the No. 1 movie for a second straight weekend with $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The movie raised its 10-day total to $68.6 million.
“Superbad” was on its way to $100 million, an unusual accomplishment for a movie with no big stars.
“It just goes to show, you make them laugh, and they’ll come,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony, which kicked off Hollywood’s big summer with a record-breaking debut weekend of $151.1 million for “Spider-Man 3” in early May. “To start the summer with `Spider-Man’ and end it like this is an absolute blast.”
Though business is slowing down as parents and students prepare for a new school year, Hollywood continued its summer hot streak. The top 12 movies took in $90.2 million, up 7 percent from the same weekend last year, when “Invincible” opened at No. 1 with $17 million.
Overall, Hollywood crossed the $4 billion mark for the summer season. The figure topped the $3.95 billion set in 2004, according to box office tracker Media By Numbers.
Movies will have grossed about $4.15 billion by the time the season ends on Labor Day, up 8 percent from last summer, estimated Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.
“Whether it be sequels, originals, comedies, action movies or whatever, this particular mix of films brought audiences in a record-breaking way,” Dergarabedian said. “We still have to temper that with the fact that the number of tickets sold is nowhere near a record.”
Factoring in higher admission prices, Media By Numbers estimated about 606 million movie tickets will have been sold this summer — a solid figure but only the sixth-best for modern Hollywood.
The best summer in recent times was in 2002, when 653.4 million tickets were sold.
The weekend’s top debuts were Universal’s “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” and Lionsgate’s “War.”
“Mr. Bean’s Holiday” features Rowan Atkinson reprising the goofy man-child character he played on British television and in the 1997 movie “Bean.”
If the estimates hold when final numbers are released Monday, “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” will finish No. 4 at the box office with $10.1 million. It already has taken in $190 million in overseas markets, where the character is enormously popular.
“War,” an action showdown between Jet Li as a shadowy hit man and Jason Statham as an FBI agent, debuted at No. 5 with $10 million.
The MGM and Weinstein Co. release “The Nanny Diaries,” starring Scarlett Johanssen as a recent college graduate who takes a live-in childcare job for a control-freak mom (Laura Linney) and a career-obsessed dad (Paul Giamatti), opened in sixth place with $7.8 million.
Yari Film Group’s “Resurrecting the Champ,” with Samuel L. Jackson as a former boxer now living on the streets and Josh Hartnett as a sportswriter who chronicles the man’s story, opened weakly with $1.85 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.
LONDON - Prince Charles’ wife announced Sunday that she will not attend Princess Diana’s memorial service this week after criticism that her presence would be inappropriate.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had accepted an invitation from Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry, to accompany them to the service Friday at the Guards’ Chapel in London’s Wellington Barracks. Some criticized the decision, since Camilla had an affair with Charles when he was still married to Diana.
“I’m very touched to have been invited by Prince William and Prince Harry to attend the thanksgiving service for their mother Diana, Princess of Wales,” the duchess said in a statement. “I accepted and wanted to support them. However, on reflection I believe my attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion which is to focus on the life and service of Diana. I’m grateful to my husband, William and Harry for supporting my decision.”
Diana, known for her charity work and tabloid celebrity, died in a Paris car crash with her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, on Aug. 31, 1997.
Diana married heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles in 1981 in a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral televised around the world. They had two sons, William and Harry, but divorced in 1996 after admissions of adultery on both sides.
Friday’s anniversary will be marked with a nationally televised memorial service and specially commissioned prayers.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) — The whereabouts of Britney Spears has been a hot topic over the last 24 hours, with conflicting reports weaving a web of confusion.
Has she left the kids with Kevin Federline and gone halfway around the world, as some reports have claimed, or is she just stuck in Hollywood traffic?
A restaurant owner in the city of Antwerp, Belgium, claimed that a wig-wearing Britney made an emergency stop in the establishment’s bathroom yesterday.
According to a report from Splash News, the staff at the Erasmus restaurant was “stunned” when Spears came through the front door with her bodyguards. Restaurant owner Luka van der Poel reportedly claimed that Britney “didn’t look her best” as she sported a wig which was far too big for her.
Perhaps she “didn’t look her best” because it wasn’t actually her in the Belgian bathroom!
Allure Magazine's 'Chasing Britney'
Britney is actually at home in Los Angeles — and she has her boys, 23-month-old Sean Preston and 11-month-old Jayden James, with her.
X-17 Online
Britney takes a leisurely drive
Cruising the roads of LA yesterday in her black Mercedes, Britney reportedly drove aimlessly with a friend and her two sons for two hours through rush hour traffic. She eventually returned home at 6:30 PM.
Random acts of driving are nothing new for Britney, who is often seen cruising the LA area. Just last week, she was photographed driving in Bel Air...without a wig!
Perhaps the bewigged Belgian body-double wasn’t aware of that new development!
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) — Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines is the latest celebrity to catch “Legendary Bingo” fever!
Legendary Bingo has been a weekly staple in Los Angeles for years, renowned for its charity fund-raising, celebrity appearances, and drag queen number callers.
Maines attended last night’s games, where she posed for a photo with professional performer Bridgette of Madison County!
Legendary Bingo producer Jeffrey Bowman (a.k.a “Bingo Boy“) told Access Hollywood that celebrities are attracted to the games because they are left alone to simply have a fun time. Last week, British singer Robbie Williams got in on the bingo action.
Last night’s games benefited the Voice for the Animals Foundation, and Natalie won the first game of the evening!
“She was one of the most normal, nicest people I’ve ever met,” said Bowman. So nice and normal, in fact, that he didn’t even realize it was her until she won.
Unfortunately for Natalie, she wasn’t the night’s BIG winner — that distinction went to another player who drew the higher ball in a final face off between the two. But that doesn’t mean she left empty handed!
Natalie reached into the “Bingo Bag of Crap” (as it is known) to retrieve her consolation prize - a tiny lunch box filled with Tootsie Pops.
“Hey, that ain’t crap!” Natalie said, according to Bowman.
Natalie had such a good time, she approached Bowman about arranging another Legendary Bingo evening.
“She asked if we would consider doing a wild bingo night for one of her favorite charities,” said Bowman, “and that she would come and call the balls with the drag queen.”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson recently sat down with Jamie Foxx for a candid talk about Jamie’s new gig – and even a hot button topic from the world of sports – Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges.
Jamie is busy doing his thing on “The Foxxhole,” his weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio show. And while an incredible LG Beach House in Malibu provides a spectacular summer backdrop, no subject is off-limits with Jamie, as Shaun found out during her stay as a special guest.
“Is he really going to jail?” Jamie asked Shaun about Michael Vick.
“Yes, he’s going to plea bargain,” Shaun said.
Although Vick has been almost universally condemned since agreeing to plead guilty to dog fighting conspiracy, according to Foxx, people should not be so quick to judge the NFL star.
“It’s a cultural thing, I think,” Jamie said. “Most brothers didn’t know that, you know. I used to see dogs fighting in the neighborhood all the time. I didn’t know that was Fed time. So, mike probably just didn’t read his handbook on what not to do as a black star.”
Video: Access Archives - Jamie Foxx
While he has a way of lightening even the most sensitive of subjects, Jamie is sincere in his belief that the quarterback is not being given a fair shake.
“I know that cruelty to animals is bad, but sometimes people shoot people and kill people and don’t get time,” Jamie continued. “I think in this situation, he really didn’t know the extent of it, so I always give him the benefit of the doubt.”
On Monday, Vick said through a lawyer that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
Vick is scheduled to appear next Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia. According to reports, the recommended sentencing range will be from 12 to 18 months in prison.
New York NY (August 23, 2007) - Jennifer Lopez kicked off a nationwide casting call today in New York City in search of a dancer for her upcoming music video. The “Secret’s Show Us Your Moves” competition teams Lopez up with Secret Deodorant in search of a woman 18 years of age or older who has all of the right dance moves. Inside the Roseland Ballroom the contestants had 30-seconds to show off their moves. The hopefuls were judged on dance must-haves including rhythm, confidence, presentation, and stage presence.
This morning Lopez told us what she’s looking for in a dancer, “I look for somebody who’s clean, who can pick up choreography but also has a stage presence.”
The competition continues on to Dallas (Aug.30th), Atlanta (Sept. 6th), Miami (Sept. 7th), Chicago (Sept. 20th), and Las Vegas (Sept. 28th) in search of a semi-finalist in each city. Dancers who cannot make it to one of these auditions can submit their 30-second dance video to BecauseYoureHot.com by September 28th to be considered for the competition.
A total of ten finalists (one finalists from each city; four from online entries) will then be selected. A video of the finalists’ auditions will be posted on BecauseYoureHot.com from October 22nd through November 2nd where America will vote on the grand prize winner.
The winner will be announced the week of November 12th. The music video will be for one the songs off of her forthcoming album ,“Brave“, which hits stores on October 9th.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – ABC has released the first complete cast photos from “Private Practice,” the “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off show, starring Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery.
ABC
The Cast Of 'Private Practice'
Also co-starring are, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William “Dell” Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.
First Look: 'Private Practice'
The original one-off episode aired this past May, and featured Merrin Dungey as Dr. Naomi Bennett, but the role was recast with four-time Tony winner, McDonald.
KaDee Strickland is also a new addition to the retooled cast.
“Private Practice” premieres Wednesday, September 26th at 9/8 Central, on ABC.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – Justin Timberlake is looking for “Love.” Ice Cube gets ready for his big “Comeback.” Plus, David Schwimmer is ready to tell the “Truth.” It’s all in today’s Access Hollywood Casting Call…
Justin Timberlake is joining the cast of the Mike Myers comedy “The Love Guru,” Access Hollywood has learned.
Timberlake will play Jacques Grande, a professional hockey player in the film, alongside the previously announced Jessica Alba, Romany Malco and Verne Troyer.
“Guru” centers on Pitka (Myers), an American who was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child and raised by gurus. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality.
But his unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between a star hockey player (Malco) and his estranged wife. After the split, Roanoke’s wife starts dating fellow hockey star Jacques Grande (Timberlake) out of revenge, sending her husband into a major professional skid , much to the dismay of the team’s owner Jane Bullard (Alba) and coach (Troyer).
Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old “Bullard Curse” and win the Stanley Cup.
“Guru” marks a reunion for Timberlake and Myers, who previously teamed up on “Shrek the Third.”
Timberlake’s other film credits include “Alpha Dog,” “Black Snake Moan” and “Edison.”
...
Fresh off his Thanksgiving feast, Ice Cube is ready to launch his “Comeback.”
The rapper-turned-actor will star in and produce “Comeback,” an inspirational sports drama to be released November 26, 2008,reports Variety.
Based on a true story, Cube will play a former high school football star who takes his niece under his wing, as she becomes the first female quarterback in Pop Warner history.
Rocker Fred Durst is in talks to direct “Comeback. Durst, best known as frontman of Limp Bizkit, has been attached to numerous projects over the years and made his directorial debut on “The Education of Charlie Banks,” a coming-of-age film that stars Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Ritter.
...
Terrence Howard is joining Channing Tatum in the untitled street fighting film written and directed by Dito Montiel (“A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints”), reports Variety.
Howard will play a veteran street-fighting coach who mentors Tatum’s character, a young man who had been scraping up a living scalping tickets in New York City.
Filming is slated to being in NYC in September.
Howard also stars in the upcoming drama “The Hunting Party” alongside Richard Gere. Howard recently wrapped the comic feature “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr.
...
Carla Gugino is joining Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in “Righteous Kill,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Gugino (“Sin City,” “Night At The Museum”) will play a crime-scene investigator with a dark personal life who gets romantically involved with De Niro’s serial killer-chasing cop character.
The film re-teams Pacino and De Niro for the first time since 1995’s “Heat.”
Gugino recently wrapped production on the indie sports drama “Our Lady of Victory” and next appears opposite Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster.”
...
Former “Friend” David Schwimmer has joined the cast of the political thriller “Nothing but the Truth,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Edie Falco and Alan Alda, “Truth” follows a female newspaper reporter (Beckinsale) who outs a CIA agent and is imprisoned for refusing to reveal her source.
Schwimmer will step into the role of Beckinsale’s husband, who initially supports his wife’s decision not to name names but as time goes by begins to resent her for choosing a principle over her family.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – Lindsay Lohan is headed to jail.
Lohan reached a plea deal on Thursday and will spend one day behind bars, plus 10 days of community service and must complete a drug treatment program, Access Hollywood has learned.
The embattled actress was sentenced to 96 hours in jail, but was ordered to serve only 48 hours. However, after being given credit for the time she already spent behind bars at the time of her arrest, ultimately, Lohan will spend one day in jail.
As part of the plea deal, Lohan reportedly pleaded no contest to two charges of DUI, and two charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance (on two separate occasions) and reckless driving.
Lohan was charged earlier in the day with seven misdemeanors stemming from two drunken-driving arrests in the last four months. More serious felony drug charges were not filed, prosecutors said, because tests showed there wasn’t enough cocaine on her to warrant them.
Video: Lindsay Cops A Plea
A rep for Lindsay released the following statement to Access Hollywood on behalf of Lohan:
“It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs. Recently, I relapsed and did things for which I am ashamed. I broke the law, and today I took responsibility by pleading guilty to the charges in my case.
No matter what I said when I was under the influence on the day I was arrested, I am not blaming anyone else for my conduct other than myself. I thank God I did not injure others. I easily could have. I very much want to be healthy and gain control of my life and career and have asked for medical help in doing so.
I am taking these steps to improve my life. Luckily, I am not alone in my daily struggle and I know that people like me have succeeded. Maybe with time it will become easier. I hope so.”
Paris Hilton dropped into celebrity shopping hot spot Intuition for some very special merchandise yesterday. The socialite spent around 10 thousand dollars buying up baby clothes and accessories for her friend and “The Simple Life” co-star Nicole Richie. Richie is 4 months pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Joel Madden.
Hilton filled up about a dozen shopping bags with items that included a $58 jumpsuit with the cute slogan “Don’t You Wish Your Mama Was Hot Like Mine“, a snuggler blanket by baby JaR which retails for $68 and a $50 couture koala bear made of Australian sheepskin hair by Flatout.
Madden wasn’t left out of the fun. As a gift for the soon to be first time dad, Paris grabbed a guy friendly diaper bag by Diaper Dude.
No word yet on whether Richie’s first baby will be a boy or girl. Paris was seen looking at clothes in both blue and pink. She snatched up a bunch of onesies and a pair of black leather baby shoes and socks by Trumpette.
Of course, the shopping addicted Paris couldn’t resist snatching up some items for herself including 4 pairs of Dita Sunglasses and a dress by Black Halo. She also picked up 2 specially monogrammed Market Bags by Jaye Hersh. The market bag is a hot ticket item among young Hollywood celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, Vanessa Minnillo, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Simpson.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – Almost as soon as she turned herself in to sheriff’s deputies, Nicole Richie was a free woman.
Nicole spent 82 minutes behind bars today to complete her jail sentence stemming from her DUI arrest, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Access Hollywood.
According to her booking sheet, Richie was booked into the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.
She was released at 4:37 p.m.
Richie’s manager Benny Medina confirmed the socialite had turned herself in.
“It really was Nicole’s wish to adhere to all specific requests of the judicial system. She did everything she was asked and exactly how the way they requested,” Medina told Access.
Video: Analyzing Nicole Richie's Body Language
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released the following statement to Access Hollywood:
“At this time, the criteria for a female arrestee sentenced to 30 days or less for a non violent offense is as follows” the arrestee is booked, screened and usually released within 12 hours. This procedure is based on jail overcrowding to manage population levels mandated by Federal Court guidelines.”
On July 27, Richie pled guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and was sentenced to four days in jail by a judge who said she was lucky nobody was killed when she drove the wrong way on a freeway.
She was also given three years probation.
The Century Regional Detention Facility is the same jail where her “Simple Life” co-star and gal pal Paris Hilton served her recent sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.
X-17 Online 
X-17 Online 
X-17 Online 
X-17 Online 
Access Hollywood/AP 
X-17 Online 
Splash News 
ABC 
ABC 
ABC 
INF 
