Buzz Briefs: Heath Ledger, Akon
Judge Nixes Claims In Heath Ledger Tape Lawsuit
A judge on Wednesday dealt a serious, but possibly temporary, blow to a lawsuit filed by a celebrity magazine reporter who has accused a paparazzi agency of secretly filming Heath Ledger doing drugs in her hotel room.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John S. Wiley Jr. tentatively dismissed 11 of 12 claims filed against the agency and two photographers, saying most of the allegations lacked legal standing.
He allowed attorneys to file an amended complaint that could restore some of the claims.
The woman, identified in court documents only as "Jane Doe," sued Splash News & Picture Agency and two of its photographers in April, alleging fraud, intrusion, unjust enrichment and other claims over the filming of Ledger in 2006.
The woman was on assignment for People magazine at the time.
According to the lawsuit, the tape was made after the Golden Globe awards in January 2006 and wasn't revealed until after Ledger's death from an accidental prescription drug overdose earlier this year. "Entertainment Tonight" and its sister show, "The Insider," had planned to air the footage, but canceled those plans after feeling pressure from publicists and other Ledger supporters.
The video later surfaced online.
The lawsuit states the video was shot from a balcony of the reporter's hotel room, and that Ledger became upset when he realized he was being taped. The photographers placated Ledger by telling him they would destroy the tape, the suit claims.
Hip-Hop Star Akon's Case Won't Be Tossed
Hip-hop star Akon will go to trial on criminal charges he tossed a fan off stage at a concert last summer.
The 35-year-old singer asked for the jury trial in Fishkill Town Court Wednesday. He's due back in court Dec. 1. He pleaded not guilty in December to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, a violation.
He's 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.
The incident was caught on videotape.
Akon's hits include "Smack That" with Eminem and "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg. His most recent album, "Konvicted," was nominated for four Grammy awards.
Jackie Chan Thrilled To Be A Part Of Olympics
Action movie star Jackie Chan said Wednesday he was not upset about his small role in the Beijing Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies because he was happy to play any part in promoting the games.
The world's best-known ethnic Chinese movie idol sang along with other singers at the end of both ceremonies, while the spotlight instead fell on retired Chinese gymnast Li Ning who soared - suspended by wires - around the upper, inner rim of the Bird's Nest Stadium to light the Olympic cauldron.
"I don't question my role. When the Beijing Organizing Committee beckons, I'm there," the 54-year-old actor known for his daredevil stunts said Wednesday, noting that he passed on two commercials and a movie to help promote the games.
Chan spoke after being named an honorary professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design at a ceremony in Hong Kong.
The actor said the Olympics helped improve China's image.
"We let the whole world see a China that's different from the China in the past. It's an athletic China, a new China, a clean China, a China that has never been seen before," Chan said.
Will Mick Jagger's Ex Be Evicted From Manhattan Apartment?
New York state's top court is set to hear arguments to overturn Bianca Jagger's eviction from a rent-stabilized Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan.
The ex-wife of Rolling Stone lead singer Mick Jagger contends the apartment was her primary residence, and that building owner Katz Park Avenue Corp. was wrong in refusing to renew her lease when it expired in February 2005.
Katz argues that as a British citizen with a temporary visa Jagger cannot have a primary residence in the United States. A trial court disagreed. But a midlevel appeals court split 3-2 and upheld the eviction.
Katz has rented to a new tenant. Arguments are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Winfrey Plugs Chicago's 2016 Olympic Bid
The city of Chicago is getting the kind of high-profile boost to its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics that only Oprah Winfrey can give.
The talk show host is taping the season premiere for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at a downtown Chicago park on Wednesday, and she's invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her.
Harpo Productions says Winfrey intends the show to be both a welcome home for athletes who competed in Beijing and a chance to showcase Chicago as the city bids for the 2016 Games.
Michael Phelps, Nastia Liukin and Kobe Bryant are among the Olympians set to attend.
Hundreds of fans stood in line for hours for a chance at 2,000 ticketed seats. Another 7,000 lawn seats will be available Wednesday.
The show will air Monday.
Theater Maverick Ken Campbell Dies At 66
Ken Campbell, a maverick British actor, writer and director whose career ranged from sitcom roles to a 22-hour stage extravaganza, has died, his agent said Wednesday. He was 66.
Campbell was found dead Sunday at his home in Epping Forest, east of London, said Nicki Stoddart of United Agents. The cause of death has not been determined.
Born in Ilford, east London, in 1941, Campbell attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the training ground of Britain's thespian elite. His work soon drifted from the mainstream, fueled by a love of improvisation and inspirations that ranged from ventriloquism to action hero Jackie Chan.
Man Denies Crashing The Party At Playboy Mansion
A man accused of ramming a car into the Playboy Mansion's gates twice in a week has pleaded not guilty.
Glen Meador entered his pleas Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court to a pair of felony vandalism charges.
Police have said Meador slammed into the gates twice in late August over an ongoing dispute but have not offered further details.
Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, was not at home on either occasion.
Meador's bail was set at $250,000. He is due back in court Sept. 12 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.