Buzz Briefs: Helio Castroneves, Lil Wayne
Castroneves Asks Judge To Put The Breaks On March Trial
Race car driver Helio Castroneves' attorneys and employer asked a judge to delay his March trial on tax evasion charges until next November so he can continue racing, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Penske Racing, Inc. said if the trial is held between March and October, it will have to change drivers now to avoid the risk that Castroneves will be unavailable for the 2009 IndyCar series, which runs from April to October.
Penske attorneys said Castroneves was under contract with them for 2009 and must be available exclusively for all races.
Castroneves, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner who also won the 2007 "Dancing with the Stars" TV competition, is charged with conspiracy and tax evasion. He's accused of dodging U.S. taxes on about $5.5 million in income using offshore accounts. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $10 million bail.
His sister and business manager, Katiucia, and attorney, Alan R. Miller, were also indicted. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Titans' Johnson On Lil Wayne's Fantasy Team
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson says he's on the fantasy team of Lil Wayne, apparently explaining why the rapper wore the player's uniform number Wednesday night at the 42nd annual Country Music Association awards show.
Lil Wayne wore the No. 28 during a live performance on stage with Kid Rock.
Johnson said after practice Thursday, "It was real cool, because he's like my favorite artist."
The rookie player said he did not see the show but heard about it from others.
Johnson said he and the rapper "text from time to time" because Lil Wayne has him on his fantasy team.
The two first met at a Nashville concert.
Emma Thompson Wishes She Were At Buckingham Birthday Bash
Emma Thompson has been in Los Angeles promoting her upcoming romantic comedy with Dustin Hoffman called "Last Chance Harvey."
And she says she wishes she could be helping Prince Charles celebrate his 60th birthday. Thompson says she almost went back to London to be with her "old friend" but thought jet-lag would leave her "useless."
Thompson praises Prince Charles' charity work and his call to save the rainforests.
She says "he's a remarkable guy who just spends his entire time trying to make the world slightly less tricky to be in."
NAACP Image Awards To Honor Gore, Maathai
The NAACP says it will honor environmental activists Al Gore and Wangari Muta Maathai at its 40th Image Awards.
The Feb. 12 ceremony will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Gore and Maathai, both Nobel Peace Prize laureates, were chosen by NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond to receive the chairman's award. Nominations for the Image Awards, which honor those who promote diversity in the arts, will be announced Jan. 7.
Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for bringing attention to global warming. Maathai and the Green Belt Movement, the environmental group she founded, won the Peace Prize in 2004.
Magic Johnson Takes Shot At Spokesman Position For Tax Prep Company
Magic Johnson is getting into the tax business.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend-turned-businessman has signed a deal to be the spokesman for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service - one of the nation's largest tax preparers.
An executive for the New Jersey-based company says Johnson is appearing in print ads and beginning in January he'll be in TV spots nationwide. Some spots will show him offering basketball tips to kids, talking about helping people and discussing the company's tax services.
The Hall of Famer also will help the company identify potential franchise owners.
Patti LuPone Revival Of "Gypsy" Closing March 1
Madame Rose and her daughters are leaving Broadway.
The Patti LuPone revival of "Gypsy" will close March 1, 2009, at the end of its star's scheduled engagement, lead producer Roger Berlind announced Thursday.
The show about the ferocious stage mother whose daughter grew up to become stripper Gypsy Rose Lee will have played 388 performances by the time it ends its run at the St. James Theatre.
"I know I speak on behalf of my partners when I say that this production has been one of the most gratifying endeavors of our professional careers," Berlind said in a statement. "Legendary director Arthur Laurents assembled a superb company led by the incomparable Patti LuPone. And, while we wish 'Gypsy' could entertain us all much longer, it has become clear to us that there is no way to replace the irreplaceable."
LuPone won a 2008 Tony for her performance as Rose. Laura Benanti, who plays Gypsy, and Boyd Gaines, who portrays Herbie, Rose's long-suffering paramour, also won Tonys.