Buzz Briefs: Beckham, Dreyfuss
Beckham Housekeepers Off The Hook For Alleged Thefts
Police say no charges will be filed after they investigated allegations of theft from David and Victoria Beckham's British mansion.
Three people, two of whom had worked for the celebrity couple as housekeepers, were arrested in October. British media reported that the arrests came after some of the couple's possessions - soccer memorabilia and dresses - were spotted on an Internet auction site.
Hertfordshire Police said Wednesday that after consulting with prosecutors, no charges will be filed in the alleged theft from the mansion in Sawbridgeworth, northwest of London. They said the "injured party" was aware of the status of the case, but provided no further details.
A spokesman for the Beckhams did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press.
Richard Dreyfuss: My Dad, Uncle Need To Pay Up!
Richard Dreyfuss says his father and uncle owe him nearly $4 million on an unpaid loan.
The Oscar-winning actor sued the pair in August over the loan, but amended his lawsuit this week to raise new allegations of financial wrongdoing. Dreyfuss' complaint states he loaned his father and uncle $870,000 in the early 1980s to help them with a 13-story office building they own in downtown Los Angeles.
In court documents, Gilbert Dreyfuss denied the loan was that old and stated that his nephew didn't have a large enough stake in the building to warrant repayment. He did not immediately return calls and e-mail messages seeking comment.
Dreyfuss is seeking to look at accounting records for the building, and repayment of the loan and interest.
Soulja Boy Apologizes For His Potty Mouth
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em is telling parents he's sorry for his vulgar words.
The 18-year-old rapper became a sensation and started a dance craze last year with his Grammy-nominated hit "Crank That (Soulja Boy)."
Some of the language and subject matter in that hit was risque, and on some of his YouTube videos, he's used some naughty words.
So in an interview this week, Soulja Boy apologized to parents and says he is going to try harder to set a positive example for his young fans.
Soula Boy just released his new CD, "iSouljaBoyTellem," this week.
Carrie Underwood To Sing At People's Choice Awards
The People's Choice Awards says Carrie Underwood will perform at its 35th annual ceremony next month.
The awards show, airing Jan. 7 on CBS, will be hosted by Queen Latifah at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, organizers said Wednesday. The People's Choice trophies go to fan favorites in TV, movies and music.
Underwood went from "American Idol" winner to a country music star whose hits include "Just a Dream" and "Jesus, Take the Wheel."
Hip-Hop's Akon Heads To N.Y. Court In Fan-Toss Case
Hip-hop star Akon will be back in court to face criminal charges lodged after he tossed a fan off stage at an upstate New York concert last summer.
In September, the 35-year-old singer asked for a jury trial during a brief appearance with his lawyer in Fishkill Town Court. He'll be in court Wednesday morning for another hearing.
Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, pleaded guilty last December to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, a violation. He was accused of tossing a teenage boy off the stage during a June 2007 concert at a minor league baseball stadium near Poughkeepsie. Another concertgoer said she suffered a concussion when the teen landed on her.
Akon released his third album, "Freedom," earlier this month.
Roger Ebert Gets Life Membership From Directors Guild
Roger Ebert is becoming an honorary life member of the Directors Guild of America.
The announcement Tuesday from the top union representing Hollywood filmmakers says Ebert is receiving the honor at the guild's Jan. 31 awards dinner.
"From the blockbuster to the tiny independent film, Roger Ebert has devoted his career to sharing his love of film with generations of moviegoers," says guild President Michael Apted. "In doing so, he's kept directors on their toes for more than 40 years."
The Pulitzer Prize-winning critic for the Chicago Sun-Times has been host of TV's "At the Movies" with Chicago colleagues Gene Siskel and later Richard Roeper.
The 66-year-old Ebert has battled cancer and undergone surgery that has left him unable to speak but continues to write film reviews.
Marilyn Monroe Pics Sold For $150,000
A collection of photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken for Vogue magazine the year she died has been auctioned in New York for nearly $150,000.
A spokeswoman for Christie's auction house says the 36 photos taken by Bert Stern sold for $146,500 on Tuesday. The pre-sale estimate was $100,000 to $150,000.
Christie's says the photos from a 1962 shoot were the last professional images taken of Monroe before she died that year of a drug overdose. They ran in Vogue instead as a memorial.
They're among more than 100 Monroe images being offered for sale at Christie's. The sale continues Wednesday.
Also at Christie's Tuesday, four Helmut Newton photographs, titled "They're Coming, Paris (Naked and Dressed)," sold for $662,500.
The buyers were anonymous.
"Twilight" Sequel Speeds Ahead For Nov. 2009
"Twilight" fans have a short wait for the next installment of the vampire saga.
Summit Entertainment spokesman Paul Pflug says "New Moon" is following just 12 months after the first movie. It is scheduled to open Nov. 20, 2009, over the same weekend as "Twilight" this year.
Summit has tapped Chris Weitz of "The Golden Compass" to direct "New Moon," based on the second book in Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series about the the dangerous romance between a teen, played by Kristen Stewart, and a vampire, played by Robert Pattinson.
Weitz is taking over the franchise from "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke. "Twilight" has shot to $150 million at the box office since debuting Nov. 21.
Mannish Boys Lead Nominees For Blues Awards
The group Mannish Boys leads all nominees for the upcoming Blues Music Awards in Memphis with six nominations, including album and band of the year.
The Blues Foundation announced the nominations Tuesday.
Tied with four each are slide guitarist Elvin Bishop, pianist Eden Brent, songstress Janiva Magness, soul man Curtis Salgado and former truck driver Watermelon Slim.
Buddy Guy is nominated for three awards and B.B. King for two.
The awards show will be held May 7 at the Cook Convention Center.
For a complete list of nominees, check out the Blues Foundation's Web site at www.blues.org.
Christian Songwriters Lend Voices To Charity
Michael W. Smith and 11 other Christian songwriters attended a retreat early this year, hoping to write 10 or 12 songs they could donate to charity.
They ended up with 22.
Starting Tuesday, six of the songs were being given away at http://widget.nabbr.com/compassion-art.html. They can be downloaded for free, though a donation is requested.
The songs also will be featured on a 14-track disc, "CompassionArt: Creating Freedom from Poverty" that goes on sale in the U.S. on Jan. 27. The other eight songs written at the retreat were set aside for the time being.
Some of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music are involved with the project, including Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Chris Tomlin, Martin Smith, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin, tobyMac and Darlene Zschech.