Buzz Briefs: R. Kelly, Prince
R. Kelly Trial To Commence Sans Media Presence
The Illinois Supreme Court has denied news organizations' emergency motion seeking sealed court records and transcripts related to R. Kelly's pornography case.
The court denied the motion without comment Monday. The 41-year-old R&B singer's trial is scheduled to start Friday.
The motion was filed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and The Associated Press. A request by WBEZ to join the case was denied by the court as moot.
The news organizations wanted the Supreme Court to order the Cook County Circuit Court to unseal the records immediately.
Photos: Stars Behind Bars
Judge Vincent Gaughan has said he's trying to protect Kelly's rights and prevent information from influencing prospective jurors.
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to charges that he videotaped himself having sex with an underage girl.
Prince's New Book To Reveal Poetry, Lyrics And Never Seen Before Pics
"21 Nights," a "photographic essay" that offers "a rare glimpse into the life, lyrics, and mystique" of the maker of such hits as "1999" and "Purple Rain," will be published worldwide come fall, according to Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
The book, his first, is based on Prince's 21 sold-out concerts in as many nights at London's O2 Arena in 2007.
"Juxtaposing his dueling worlds of music and solitude, it (`21 Nights') will incorporate Prince's evocative poetry and lyrics to new songs and other selections, and 124 full-color, sumptuous, never-before-published images by celebrated photographer Randee St. Nicholas," Atria announced Monday.
"21 Nights" will include a CD of after-hours jams, "Indigo Nights," unavailable from any other outlet.
Deliberations, Closing Arguments Wrapped Up For Uma's Accused Stalker
"This is not about a man in love," Assistant District Attorney Jessica Taub said at Jack Jordan's state Supreme Court trial before deliberations began Monday afternoon.
Defense lawyer George Vomvolakis conceded that Jordan's behavior was obsessive - but said there was no criminal intent to scare, harass, annoy or alarm the actress, whose film credits include "Kill Bill," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Producers."
"He's trying to get to the woman he loves - although it's an obsession - in the hope that she will love him back," said Vomvolakis.
Taub countered that intent can be determined by a person's actions. "He wanted to be with Uma Thurman and he would not take no for an answer."
The prosecutor said Jordan used emotional blackmail with Thurman and her family by threatening to kill himself, and harassed the actress by ringing her doorbell at all hours of the day and night. He was thwarted numerous times by her relatives and her staff.
Tom Cruise Is In His Element On A Movie Set
The 45-year-old actor appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Monday to celebrate his career. It's been 25 years since the release of "Risky Business" - and the iconic scene of him dancing in his underwear.
It was the second of a two-part appearance with Winfrey.
Cruise said when he starts a new project, he's nervous beforehand, but that quickly subsides.
"There are some places that I know I belong, and on a movie set is one of them. And I get really excited, because it's something that I want to be great. I want to entertain that audience. I want the movie to work," he said. "I love every aspect."
For Friday's broadcast, Winfrey visited Cruise at his Telluride, Colo., home. That interview centered on more controversial subjects, including his belief in Scientology, critical remarks he's made about antidepressants and rumors about his family.
During both appearances, Cruise appeared calm and relaxed - a far cry from his May 2005 appearance on the show, when he jumped on Winfrey's couch as he proclaimed his love for Katie Holmes, who is now his wife.
Cruise has received Oscar nominations for his roles in "Born on the Fourth of July," "Jerry Maguire" and "Magnolia."
"I'm actually surprised how much I've accomplished, and I feel really privileged to be able to do what I do. And I thank you all for allowing me to entertain you," he told the audience.
Scarlett Johansson And Ryan Reynolds Are Engaged
The 23-year-old actress and the 31-year-old actor have not set a wedding date, Johansson's publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said Monday.
Johansson's recent credits include "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Nanny Diaries." Reynolds recently starred in "Definitely, Maybe." He was previously engaged to Alanis Morissette.
Avril Lavigne Postpones Concerts Due To Laryngitis
Avril Lavigne has laryngitis and has postponed shows on her national tour this week.
The 23-year-old singer, whose hits include "Complicated" and "Girlfriend," backed out of performances in Los Angeles and Anaheim over the weekend. She was supposed to perform in Santa Barbara on Tuesday, San Jose on Wednesday, Spokane, Wash., on Friday and Everett, Wash., on Saturday.
"My sincerest apologies to all of my fans," Lavigne said in a message posted Saturday on her Web site. "My intention was to complete the rest of the tour but tonight at sound check in Anaheim I realized this wasn't possible. Even though I have been resting my voice for days, when I tried to sing nothing came out."
Laryngitis also forced Lavigne to cancel dates last week in Phoenix and San Diego.
Refunds are available where fans purchased tickets, Lavigne's message said.
Tom Hanks Backs Obama On MySpace.com
Tom Hanks is supporting presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
Hanks has taken to his MySpace.com page to pledge his support for Obama, who is competing to be the first black president. Obama, who faces rival Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, has also been endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Scarlett Johansson.
"As an official celebrity, I know my endorsement has just made your mind up for you," the 51-year-old actor says in a short video titled, "Beware: Celebrity Endorsement."
"History with a capital `H' is going to be made this November, no matter who the president-elect is. I want Barack Obama to be president of this country, a country that once said people with his skin color were only three-fifths of a human being."
Hanks, who won Oscars for his roles in "Forrest Gump" and "Philadelphia," explains his decision: "It's because of his character and vision, and the high road he has taken during this campaign. He has the integrity and the inspiration to unify us, as did FDR and Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy and even Ronald Reagan when they ran for the job."
The actor says Obama and Clinton have each "pretended to eat cheese-steak sandwiches and go bowling," "committed gaffes" and distanced themselves from supporters who could damage their campaigns.
But Hanks thinks an Obama presidency could bring about a "seismic shift," and "live up to the great promise once shaped by our founding fathers."
Signing off, the star says: "I'm Tom Hanks, I wrote and approved this message, and I'm now going to turn off the camera."
O'Donnell Admits She Took Walters Out Of Comfort Zone On "The View"
Rosie O'Donnell admits she was a handful when she was on "The View."
O'Donnell tells NBC's "Today" show that Barbara Walters wasn't used to someone as passionate about her views as she was on the show. She says "passion on that show wasn't number one." She says she forced Walters to be "more emotional than she's comfortable with."
She also confirmed reports that she exploded at Walters before an episode of "The View" because Walters hadn't called her and taken her side during O'Donnell's feud with Donald Trump.
Despite their differences, she says she's still friends with Walters.
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
O'Donnell admits she was also "a lot" for Elisabeth Hasselbeck to handle and she says she's "trying" to have at least an e-mail relationship with her.
Gretchen Wilson: Now A "Redneck Woman" With A Degree
Country music singer Gretchen Wilson has a mantel full of awards in her Lebanon home.
Her first radio single, "Redneck Woman," spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and it earned her a 2005 Grammy. Her debut album sold 4.5 million copies.
Despite all her successes, the 34-year-old songwriter was one of 20 percent of Tennesseans without a high school diploma. But no longer.
Wilson, who dropped out in ninth grade, passed her General Educational Development exam in April and will don a cap and gown during a May 15 graduation ceremony.
Wilson told The Tennessean that her 7-year-old daughter was the big reason to finally finish, saying, "I certainly don't want her to think you can be this successful without an education."
Photos: 2008 CMT Awards
Stones Keyboardist Chuck Leavell Offers Grads Advice
Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell entertained Central Michigan University graduates and joked about rock musicians during an appearance at commencement ceremonies.
Leavell also was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree during Saturday's event.
He told the crowd he learned to play the piano by listening to his mother play. He said that she never had any formal training, but that he loved hearing her at the keys at their home in Alabama.
He also offered life lessons for graduating students, including the importance of integrity, desire and determination.
Photos: 2008 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
"The pursuit of excellence can take you to the Super Bowl or the Hollywood Bowl, if you're committed," Leavell said. "If you keep these principles in life, no matter what you've chosen to do, you will be successful."
He also offered a groaner for the graduates.
"What's the difference between a musician and a municipal bond?" Leavell asked. "A municipal bond matures and makes money."
Leavell, a noted conservationist, has a model tree farm near Macon, Ga., that raises Southern yellow pine for use in homes and paper products. He has been a keyboard player for artists such as the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.
The ceremony was one of three for the 3,649 May 2008 graduates. Ceremonies are divided according to which degrees the students are receiving.