Buzz Briefs: R. Kelly, Michelle Monaghan
Reporter Involved In R. Kelly Trial Is In Hot Water
The judge in the R. Kelly child pornography trial is threatening to issue a warrant for the arrest of a Chicago Sun-Times reporter.
Reporter Jim DeRogatis got hold of the sex tape at the heart of the case in 2002. He didn't appear for a morning hearing regarding his testimony at Kelly's trial.
An angry Judge Vincent Gaughan told a Sun-Times attorney he'd give him 15 minutes to find something in Illinois law that gives DeRogotis the right to defy an order to appear in court.
Gaughan has rejected arguments that the reporter's actions should be privileged under the First Amendment and that he shouldn't have to appear.
Prosecutors rested their case Monday, and jurors have the day off.
The singer has pleaded not guilty.
"Made of Honor" Star Michelle Monaghan Is Pregnant
Monaghan, 32, co-stars in the romantic comedy "Made of Honor," portraying the object of Patrick Dempsey's affection. Her screen credits also include "Gone Baby Gone," Mission: Impossible III," "North Country," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "Constantine."
White is a graphic designer.
The couple married in August 2005. They began dating after meeting in a New York City bar, said Jennifer Allen, Monaghan's publicist.
Singer Sean Levert's Widow Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Levert, a member of the 1980s R&B trio LeVert and son of lead O'Jays singer Eddie Levert, died March 30 shortly after he was taken to a hospital.
Widow Angela Lowe's lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Cleveland accuses his jailers of showing disregard for Levert's medical needs. Lowe and Levert's estate are seeking unspecified damages.
The Cuyahoga County coroner ruled last week that the 39-year-old Levert suffered from a variety of ailments and died of natural causes.
He had just started serving a 22-month sentence for failure to pay child support.
A message seeking comment on the lawsuit was left for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.
Kelsey Grammer Recovers From "Mild" Heart Attack
Stan Rosenfield says Grammer is "resting comfortably" in an undisclosed hospital after being stricken Saturday. Rosenfield says the 53-year-old actor will be released early this week.
Rosenfield says Grammer - the star of "Cheers," "Frasier" and the recently canceled Fox sitcom "Back to You" - was paddle-boarding with his wife, Camille, when he experienced symptoms.
The couple lives in Kona, on Hawaii's big island.
Rosenfield says Grammer was immediately taken to an area hospital where it was determined that he had suffered a "mild heart attack." The spokesman says he is unaware of any history of heart trouble for Grammer.
Princeton Grads Sarcastically Honor Colbert
The award was mounted on a mirror.
"I have to say, I've never seen anything more beautiful," Colbert on Monday told the 2,611 Princeton graduates-to-be assembled at Class Day, which is held each year the day before commencement. Senior Class President Tom Haine pointed out that the ceremony was held in front of ivy-covered Nassau Hall in an area where Gen. George Washington defeated the British in the Battle of Princeton.
"Mr. Colbert is, as George Washington was, a great patriot," Haine said. "He stands firm against the liberal tyrannies of our time. In other words, he fits right in."
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
During his speech, Colbert - in character as a right-wing, blowhard political commentator - tweaked the customary message of graduation speeches by imploring students to maintain the status quo.
"You can change the world," he said. "Please don't do that, OK? Some of us like the way things are going now."
And instead of telling graduates to conquer their fears, he admitted his. "I'm scared of you," he said. "I can tell you are go-getters. At my college, for instance, no one got out of bed before 11 o'clock."
He also made fun of the black and orange class jackets - known as "beer jackets" - that the graduates wore, and other aspects of Princeton culture.
"When you leave here," the comedian said, "no one will ever, ever want to hear you sing a capella. And those jackets you're wearing, do not wear them to your job interview."
Then, he was presented with one.
"In that case," he said, "I take it back. This is a beautiful jacket. Change the world."
Hulk Hogan's Jailed Son Struggles In Solitary
Solitary confinement isn't sitting well with Hulk Hogan's son.
Nick Bollea is serving eight months in jail after pleading no contest to causing a crash that seriously injured his friend. The 17-year-old is being held in solitary confinement at the Pinellas County Jail's medical ward because he's too young to join the jail's general population.
But Bollea's lawyers say in a motion filed Friday the situation is causing him "unbearable anxiety." They say he spends up to 17 hours a day alone in his cell and does not have access to amenities like educational programs.
They asked a judge to consider alternatives like releasing him with ankle monitoring until his 18th birthday or moving him to the jail's minimum-security section.
Photos: Celebrity Mug Shots
Grammy Winner Ne-Yo Will Carry His License Next Time Around
Grammy winner Ne-Yo has been sentenced to 24 hours of community service and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to driving without a license.
Ne-Yo, who also pleaded no contest to reckless driving Monday, must attend a defensive driving course.
The R&B singer, whose real name is Shaffer C. Smith, was arrested early the morning of Feb. 19 after police said he was clocked traveling 105 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The 28-year-old Smith, who lives in Mableton, Ga., won a Grammy this year for Best Contemporary R&B Album for his album titled "Because of You."