Buzz Briefs: Crisis At Oprah's School
Emergency Meeting In Johannesburg
When Oprah Winfrey opened her all-girls academy in Johannesburg to give needy African girls a chance at a better life, she called it "the proudest, great day" of her life. Ten months later, Winfrey is begging parents for forgiveness. South African news site News24.com says Winfrey told families at an emergency meeting at the school, "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." A spokesman says police are preparing a case to charge a dorm matron with abuse.
Bringing Up Britney
While everyone's wondering what crazy stunt Britney will pull next, many wonder where her problems all began. What kind of mother raised a child like this?
Spears' mom, Lynn Spears, is saying, not so fast when pointing the finger in her direction.
Lorilee Craker has a view of Britney Spears that many people don't: through the eyes of the pop star's mother. The Michigan-based freelance writer has been working with Lynne Spears since March on a book chronicling Spears' experiences raising a family in the glare of the media spotlight.
"Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World" is set for release May 11, which is Mother's Day, said Curt Harding, a spokesman for Thomas Nelson Inc., a Christian book publisher.
Photos: Britney Goes To Court
The book comes at a time when the 25-year-old pop star has been trashed in the tabloids over her shaved head, plummeting music career, rehab stay and child custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.
The collaboration isn't a celebrity tell-all, Craker says.
"One thing I do want to make clear is that she's not a stage mom," Craker told The Grand Rapids Press. "People are so accusatory toward her and so judgmental of her, and it just drives me crazy because I know the real her."
Britney and her mother recently reconciled after a period of estrangement, Craker said.
Storm Delays Smith Inquest
About 35 witnesses are expected to testify before the seven-member Bahamian Coroner's Court during the inquest into Daniel Smith's death. Magistrate William Campbell says the jury's only duty is to determine the cause of death.
Police have no known evidence that the death was a homicide.
That didn't stop Arthur, the mother of Anna Nicole Smith, from suggesting that foul play contributed to her 20-year-old grandson's death last year from a combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants. She flew to Nassau, Bahamas, for the long-delayed proceedings.Photos: Bahamas Burial
"I hope this (the inquest) starts the process of justice," Arthur told reporters as she entered the courtroom Tuesday.
In February, Arthur alleged in a television interview that Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend-turned-attorney, played a role in the deaths of both Daniel Smith and Anna Nicole Smith herself, who died on Feb. 8 at age 39 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Arthur offered no evidence.
The inquest was originally delayed by a challenge by Stern's legal team, which wanted jurors to take a questionnaire to determine possible bias.
Britney: Random Drug Testing Needs To Go!
Court records released Tuesday stated that Spears filed a request Friday to "terminate or modify" the order. Additional details were not disclosed.
She also asked the court to reinstate her overnight visits with her two sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1.
Both requests came the same day as Spears and Federline appeared in court for a closed-door hearing in the custody case.
A ruling in the matter is expected sometime this week.
Dead Celebrities Buried ... In Cash
Rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, earned an estimated $49 million in the past 12 months, reclaiming the No. 1 spot on Forbes.com's list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. He last topped the list in 2005.
The bulk of that revenue stems directly from Presley's estate, which continues to generate millions of dollars from music royalties, DVDs, licensing deals and tourism at Graceland, the rocker's mansion in Memphis, Tenn.
Former Beatle John Lennon ranks second with earnings of $44 million, followed by Charles M. Schulz in third place with $35 million. Another former Beatles member, George Harrison, finished fourth with $22 million, and Albert Einstein rounded out the top five with $18 million.Photos: Dollars After Death 2006
Other notables include Andy Warhol with $15 million, Tupac Shakur ($9 million), Marilyn Monroe ($7 million), James Brown ($5 million) and Bob Marley ($4 million).
No Charges Filed For Pam's Exes
"It's worth noting that Tommy Lee requested no prosecution relating to the incident, and there were no injuries to either person," said Dan Kulin, spokesman for Clark County District Attorney David Roger.
"The Clark County district attorney's office will not pursue a battery charge against Robert James Ritchie, also known as Kid Rock, involving a confrontation with Tommy Lee on Sept. 9, 2007, at the Palms Hotel and Casino," Roger said in a statement.
Photos: Celebrity Mug Shots
Representatives for the two celebrities did not immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment. Both are ex-husbands of Pamela Anderson, who was a presenter at the show.
The 36-year-old Kid Rock was not taken into custody, but was cited by police for misdemeanor battery after he was accused of slapping and punching the 45-year-old Motley Crue drummer in the audience at the awards show.
Witnesses said that although Kid Rock threw the only blows that landed, Lee appeared to instigate the confrontation.
Kid Rock still faces a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an Oct. 21 arrest in Atlanta. He and five members of his entourage were cited after a brawl with a male customer at a Waffle House restaurant.
Rod Thinks Model Trains Are Sexy
It's an unlikely hobby for a rocker and wooer of supermodels, but darn it, Rod Stewart likes model railroading.
That's right, the "Maggie May" singer contacted the magazine Model Railroader and offered them access to his greatest nonmusical achievement, "Grand Street & Three Rivers Railroad," which will be featured in the magazine's December issue.
Stewart says that being recognized for his 1,500-square-foot model-train layout which takes up the third floor of his Beverly Hills home, is a dream come true.
"I'm proud to be a railway modeler," Stewart told Model Railroader. "It means more to me to be on the cover of Model Railroader than to be on the cover of a music magazine."
Paris Postpones Rwanda Trip
The heiress's big do-gooding trip to Africa is going to have to wait.
The Playing for Good Foundation announced last week that Hilton's philanthropic trip to Rwanda has been postponed due to restructuring of the children's charity. On her itinerary: visits to schools and health-care clinics.
"I want to travel the world," 26-year-old Paris Hilton says in an interview posted on the Web site of the syndicated entertainment TV show "Extra." "I feel like there's a lot I can do, and a lot I can do to help."
Hilton told "Extra" she will now pack her bags for the African country sometime next year.
"We were supposed to be going in November, but then the charity is doing restructuring and figuring things out. It's going to be for next year," she said. "I know (Rwanda) went through a lot of traumatic experiences, and I feel like if I go there, I can help save some people's lives."
Hilton announced the mission in September, several months after serving a 23-day jail sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.
"I want kids to know, even if you're 15 or 16 years old, you can do something," she said in the interview.
Photos: Paris Hilton Is Free
O'Reilly Sneak Attacks Rosie At Book Signing
Rosie O'Donnell can't even sign a few books these days without attracting controversy.
O'Donnell again finds herself in a heap of debate after attempting to brush aside cameramen employed by Bill O'Reilly during a book signing over the weekend.
The former "The View" host was signing copies of her newest book, "Celebrity Detox," inside a Long Island bookstore when O'Reilly's crew suddenly approached her table.
The purpose of the visit was to ask O'Donnell questions about the controversial post regarding 9/11 she wrote on her blog back on March 15, O'Reilly said on his show last night.
"He (O'Reilly) wants to know if you regret saying that 9/11 was an inside job," said Jessie Watters, a producer on "The O'Reilly Factor."
"I didn't say that. He's quoting the wrong people," O'Donnell responded.
When Watters subsequently asked, "Didn't you say Building 7 was demolished?" an identified male stepped in front of the camera and said, "Sir, sir. Enough. Enough."
"Stop, stop, stop," O'Donnell immediately said calmly. "That's what they want you to do. Now sir, could you put down the camera? Could you turn it off?"Photos: Everything Rosie?
When O'Reilly's crew denied her request, O'Donnell angrily got up from her seat and O'Reilly's crew was escorted out.
NBC Mum On Leno's Rumored Second Thoughts
NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker is saying that Conan O'Brien will take over "The Tonight Show" in 2009 as planned, but that he would like Leno to remain with the network.
"We are in those conversations now," he told an audience at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. "I'm hopeful that Jay will be with us."
Leno marked his 15th year as host of "Tonight" last May and said he's comfortable with his planned departure but, according to a report earlier this month in the Los Angeles Times, the comedian has grown reluctant to retire as host of the fabled, top-rated late-night program.
Kanye West Adds "Author" To His Resume
Rapper Kanye West is putting his thoughts down in a book, set to debut next year. Kanye calls the book an "entertaining volume of 'Kanye-isms' -- the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating my path to success." Kanye says that in the book, titled "Thank You And You're Welcome," he'll be able to deliver his personal message "uncensored, without any five-second delay or media distortion." fans can pre-order the book on the rapper's blog at kanyeunivercity.com/blog.
Grand Jury Investigates Allegations Against David Copperfield
A Seattle grand jury is investigating allegations by an aspiring model who claims magician David Copperfield lured her to an island in the Bahamas where he raped and assaulted her. Now a different woman has given TMZ.com a voice mail message she claims is from Copperfield, whom she met at one of his Las Vegas shows. In the message, a man is heard saying (I've) got a very interesting opportunity for you ... if you're available to come to the island ... we'll just have some fun."