Buzz Briefs: Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna
Winfrey Web Site Adds Holocaust Story Disclaimer
Oprah Winfrey has yet to comment on Herman Rosenblat and his debunked story of meeting his future wife in a Nazi concentration camp. But a brief disclaimer has been added to her Web site which still devotes substantial space to the Rosenblat romance.
"On December 27, 2008, Herman Rosenblat acknowledged fictionalizing portions of his life story, including how he met his wife," reads the update, which was posted Monday. "Based on this admission, the publisher of his forthcoming memoir - 'Angel at the Fence' -- canceled plans to print his book."
Winfrey spokeswoman Angela DePaul, when asked Tuesday why Rosenblat's story -- listed on the site as an example of "Love Lessons From Amazing Couples" -- wasn't removed, referred to the update posted by "the Oprah.com editorial team."
Rihanna Taking No Wardrobe Risks
The good girl gone bad has promised to be good for one night.
R&B sensation Rihanna will shun skimpy outfits when she performs in Malaysia next month, the concert's organizers said Tuesday, becoming the latest international star affected by the Muslim-majority country's strict rules on performers' dress.
Recent concerts by Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne faced protests by conservative Muslim Malaysians over immodest clothes. Stefani eventually made what she called "a major sacrifice" at her show by donning attire that revealed little skin.
Under government guidelines, a female performer must be covered from the top of her chest, including her shoulders, to her knees.
The organizers of a Pussycat Dolls concert in 2006 were fined nearly $3,000 after the U.S. girl group was accused of flouting decency regulations.
Charges Dropped For Brolin & "W" Crew
An attorney for actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright says prosecutors have agreed to drop all charges in an incident at a Louisiana bar last year.
Brolin, Wright and five crew members of the Oliver Stone film "W." were arrested on misdemeanor charges on July 12. Brolin and Wright were charged with interfering with police officers after a disturbance involving a crew member broke out.
Los Angeles attorney Blair Berk, who represented the actors and five others, says Louisiana prosecutors have agreed to drop all charges against the group within 60 days. She declined to comment further.
A prosecutor didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday.
Brolin, who played President George W. Bush in Stone's film, wasn't required to appear during a court hearing Tuesday.
Alan Colmes Plays Colbert's Sidekick For A Day
Divorced from his longtime co-host Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes was adopted by Stephen Colbert - for a day, at least.
On Monday's "The Colbert Report," Colbert introduced the Fox News commentator as his new co-host.
It was the first episode of the Comedy Central show following the holiday break, and Colbert unveiled a completely new format, dubbing the show "Colbert & Colmes." The new design featured a "C & C" graphic and a chair behind the desk for Colmes (albeit one a foot or two shorter than Colbert's).
In November, Fox News announced that Colmes, the liberal half of "Hannity & Colmes" for the last 12 years, was leaving the show but would remain a commentator on the channel.
Sensing he could push around his liberal sidekick, Colbert - who plays a mock conservative pundit - gave Colmes a list of pre-approved comments, such as, "Hamburger, you're good," and "Aw, snap!"
The Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton Found Dead At 60
Punk guitarist Ron Asheton of The Stooges has been found dead in his Ann Arbor home. He was 60.
City police Sgt. Brad Hill says there were no signs of foul play, and the death appeared to be of natural causes.
Hill says officers discovered Asheton early Tuesday after they were called to his home around midnight by an associate who hadn't heard from him in several days.
Asheton was an original member of The Stooges, the influential protopunk band founded in Ann Arbor in 1967. Asheton's brother, Scott, was the band's drummer.
Asheton's distorted guitar was a hallmark of the Iggy Pop-led group's late-1960s and early-1970s sound. He was named the 29th greatest guitarist of all time in 2003 by Rolling Stone.
Rip Torn Faces Drunken Driving Charges In U.S.
Actor Rip Torn has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Connecticut, nearly two years after temporarily losing his license for similar charges in New York.
The 77-year-old appeared in court Monday. He pleaded not guilty to illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.
State police say Torn was driving in the breakdown lane of Route 44 on Dec. 14. Police say he failed part of a field sobriety exam and refused to take a Breathalyzer test.
His lawyer, A. Thomas Waterfall, says he'll be meeting with Torn to discuss his defense options. Torn, whose credits include "The Larry Sanders Show" and the "Men in Black" movies, returns to court Jan. 28.
Kraftwerk Co-Founder Parts With German Group
Florian Schneider, a co-founder of Kraftwerk, the German band that built the foundation for electro-pop and scored a chart-topping global hit with "Autobahn" in 1974, has left the group, its label said Tuesday.
News of the departure was first reported on the Web site Kraftwerk in November but gained prominence when the Kraftwerk Official Fan Web Site posted a short statement on Monday.
"Florian Schneider leaves Kraftwerk after a 40 years (sic) partnership with Ralf Huetter," the statement said, adding that the partnership between the pair generated "incredible music and huge advances in music technology."
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, EMI Germany confirmed the move but did not elaborate.
Despite Schneider's exit, Kraftwerk is planning a 10-stop tour this year, with appearances in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Germany in March and April.
Schneider co-founded the band with Ralf Huetter in 1970 after the two met while studying in Duesseldorf a couple years earlier.
Since then, Kraftwerk has released 12 albums, including "Autobahn," "Radio-Activity" and "The Man Machine."