Buzz Briefs: Amy Winehouse, Colbert
Winehouse To Appeal Fine For Marijuana Possession
British singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse will put on her legal boxing gloves and appeal a fine for alleged marijuana possession, saying that Norwegian police made critical mistakes in the case, her lawyer, Ole Kvelstad, announced Thursday.
Kvelstad said that Winehouse, who was arrested with her husband in the western city of Bergen on Oct. 18 and held overnight on charges of illegal drug possession, was appealing to the Gulating district court because she had not understood that, under Norwegian law, accepting a fine is the same as pleading guilty.
"This is an appeal of errors police made in the case," Kvelstad said.
Kvelstad said that Winehouse was interrogated without legal representation or an interpreter and had not fully understood the Norwegian-language charge she was signing.
Pleading guilty in a drug case could also have serious consequences when Winehouse seeks to enter the United States, Kvelstad added.
Bergen Police Attorney Rudolf Christoffersen said Winehouse was questioned by an English-speaking police officer, who translated chargers and explained the consequences of accepting the fine.
If the appeal court allows Winehouse to withdraw her acceptance of the fine, the original chargers would routinely go to trial.
Stephen Colbert Files As Presidential Candidate ... In South Carolina Only
Stephen Colbert's fanciful White House bid took a real step Thursday when he filed to get on the ballot as a Democratic presidential candidate in his native South Carolina. His campaign paid a $2,500 filing fee just before the noon deadline, said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler.
Whether Colbert, who poses as a conservative talk-show host on the Comedy Central cable network, appears on the ballot will be decided by party officials later Thursday.
The host of "The Colbert Report" doesn't appear to meet the party's viable candidate qualification, and it's unclear if he would meet the requirement that candidates actively campaign in the state.Photos: TV's Sexiest News Anchors 2006
When Colbert announced his candidacy on his show last month, he said he would run only in this key primary state. He also said then he planned to run as a Democrat and a Republican so he could lose twice.
The GOP filing fee is $35,000 and its deadline was Thursday afternoon.
Da Brat Arrested For Alleged Assault With A Bottle
Da Brat was arrested early Thursday after allegedly getting into an argument with a waitress at a Georgia nightclub and then hitting her over the head with a bottle of rum, Atlanta television station WSB reported.
The 33-year-old rapper, whose real name is Shawntae Harris, was booked into DeKalb County jail on a charge of aggravated assault, a bonding agent at the jail said.
Da Brat was the first female rapper to have a platinum-selling album. She has appeared on VH1 reality shows "Celebrity Fit Club" and "The Surreal Life."
Tom Cruise Needs More Zzzzs
Being a husband to Katie Holmes, father to 18-month-old Suri (as well as 12-year-old Connor and 14-year-old Isabella), a major movie star and co-owner of United Artists has taken a considerable beating on Cruise's free time, particularly in the sleep department.
"Just like everybody else, you just work it out," Cruise, 45, told "Entertainment Tonight" in an interview set to air Thursday. "We've gotten pretty good at organizing everything. I don't sleep much anyway."
In addition to saying that the married life with Katie Holmes is "all very good, all very lovely," Cruise said that working with United Artists is "kind of like film school ... like a dorm with all hands on deck. We're all very supportive and very honest."
He also revealed that he intends to direct in the near future, which was miles away from his mind during his early days in Hollywood.
"I remember lying in bed at 18 going, 'Man, I just really hope I don't get fired.'"
Oct. 31, 2007
Kristy Swanson Skates On Assault Charge
It was withdrawn Wednesday in the Ontario (Canada) Court of Justice at the request of a prosecutor, according to the Crown attorney's office and Swanson's lawyer.
"The Crown and I worked together in the best of all parties to resolve the matter," Swanson attorney Constance Baran-Gerez said.
"I am thrilled and excited that the charge has been dropped," Swanson said. "This never should have happened and our family can move on."
The case stemmed from a June confrontation between Swanson and the ex-wife of her boyfriend and skating partner, Olympic medalist and former world champion pairs skater Lloyd Eisler. Swanson is a 37-year-old former Playboy model who starred in the 1992 film "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Britney: "It's Sad How Cruel Our World Can Be"
Britney Spears phoned in to Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show 102.7 KIIS FM on Wednesday to chat about her latest child custody troubles and her new album, "Blackout," that hit stores this week.
When asked about media criticism, Spears replied, "It's sad how people ... how cruel our world can be. But at the end of the day you got to know in your heart that you are doing the best that you can."
Seacrest then asked if she felt she was doing the best she could with her sons. Spears quickly replied, "Oh God, yeah, yeah!"
Asked about the controversial "I'm Britney, bitch!" line in her Blackout album, Spears said her producer told her to say it.