O.J.’S COLLECTIBLES HEADED BACK TO L.A December 23, 2008

 

A Las Vegas judge has ordered that the sports memorabilia caught up in O.J. Simpson’s bungled robbery attempt must be turned over to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where the items’ ownership will be determined.      

       According to E! Online, collectibles judged to be Simpson’s will likely be auctioned off with proceeds going toward the wrongful death judgment awarded to the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown.      

       Las Vegas District Judge Jackie Glass also ruled during the brief hearing that Simpson, along with codefendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart and the other defendants who struck plea deals, must pool their resources and pay a combined $3,560 in restitution to the robbery victim – memorabilia dealer Bruce Fromong.           

       Fromong claimed he was left with $2,600 in medical bills due to injuries suffered during the altercation.       

       Alfred Beardsley, the other memorabilia dealer targeted by Simpson, testified at a separate hearing that he didn’t have Simpson’s NFL Hall of Fame ring, which the Goldman family is looking for.

MARY J SUED FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT December 23, 2008

 

Two producers have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Mary J. Blige and others claiming her track, “On My Grind,” is too similar to a tune they submitted to the song’s producer, reports TMZ.com.      

        New Jersey-based Jermaine Jumpp and Michael C. Adams say in their federal lawsuit that they handed a “compact disk” to the “office” of producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins that contained the song “On My Grind,” reports TMZ.com.       

       Four years later, Darkchild produced the track “Enough Cryin’” for Mary J., and the guys say it’s a rip off of “On My Grind.”       

       “Enough Cryin” was recorded and mixed in 2005 for Blige’s multi-platinum album “The Breakthrough.” Blige and Darkchild are credited with writing the tune, which features a rap segment from Brook-Lyn, Blige’s alter ego whom Mary created to give her lyrical freedom without the fear of damaging her own persona.       

       Jay-Z was also named in the lawsuit, although his role is unclear.

OPRAH’S CAMP DENIES DC HOUSE HUNT December 23, 2008

 

Rumors of Oprah Winfrey looking for property in Washington D.C. to be closer to the Obama White House have been shot down by her reps, according to TMZ.com.

 

      The New York Post reported that Winfrey was eyeing “a nine-bedroom Georgetown mansion” listed at $50 million. But according to TMZ, “Oprah’s peeps tell us [there's] no truth to this at all.

 

       “In fact, some D.C. real estate sources say there’s exactly one house in the District even approaching that price — an estate called Evermay — and Oprah hasn’t looked at it.”      

       Winfrey will record two shows at the Kennedy Center next month while she’s in town for the inauguration.

SIMMONS’ VISA RUSH CARD REACHES MILESTONE December 22, 2008

 

In the midst of a global economic downturn, Russell Simmons’ prepaid Visa RushCard has managed to reach the two billion dollar mark in deposits – an all time high for the five-year-old venture.

 

       The RushCard allows members to track their transactions online while including debt reducing strategies and restrictions to prevent overdrafting or over use. It allows people with bad credit to build up good credit.       

       “I’m personally very happy that RushCard is benefiting and empowering people exactly as it was intended,” said Simmons in a statement. “In America today, no one should be left out or kept out of having access to the American Dream and financial services which a bank account or credit card provides to others. The fact that we have already helped our members manage $2 billion in transactions proves that RushCard is instrumental in providing access to those services that hundreds of thousands of people may not otherwise have.”      

       The online Spend Tracker and the RushPATH to Credit are new programs added by Simmons that make it possible for users to report their regular payment history to participating consumer credit reporting agencies while still easily tracking expenses.      

       Simmons expressed hope for the future saying, “As we celebrate this major accomplishment, we look forward to the day all Americans have the financial access and dignity they deserve.”

IS J.LO’S MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE? December 22, 2008

 

A rep for singer Marc Anthony is denying a flurry of rumors suggesting his marriage to Jennifer Lopez is at a “breaking point,” as one gossip rag put it.

 

      Reports of trouble in paradise began when Us magazine posted a story online this week noting that J.Lo attended a movie premiere without her 8-carat diamond engagement ring, her wedding band – or, for that matter, her husband.

 

      The story came in the wake of reports earlier this month that Anthony was spotted flirting with a woman at two New York City nightspots. The singer was also reportedly seen in Las Vegas this month without his wedding band.

 

      But Anthony’s rep said Wednesday that reports of a rough patch between the two are false.

 

       “They are doing great,” his spokeswoman Blanca Lasalle told Newsday. “Any comments implying that they are having problems and that Marc behaved in a questionable manner while out with friends last week are absolutely false.”       

       A spokeswoman for Lopez co-signed, stating of the couple: “They are fine.”      

       Us magazine’s story quoted a “close pal of Anthony’s” who claimed “He’s very, very controlling of her. The skirts aren’t as short. You don’t see so much of that booty anymore.”       

       The magazine also reported that Anthony picks out Lopez’s clothes and keeps tabs on her phone calls. But Lopez – who once claimed she “loved getting his opinions” – has become less interested in his approval since the birth of their twins, Max and Emme, the magazine said.      

       “She walks in from work, washes her hands and grabs the babies,” a “longtime friend” told Us. “With him, it’s almost like, ‘Ugh, they’re crying again?’”

JERMAINE DUPRI SAYS JANET IS NOT PREGNANT December 22, 2008

 

Jermaine Dupri is using his own blog to set the record straight regarding his girlfriend Janet Jackson and the never-ending rumors that she is pregnant and/or the two have split up.

 

       “As you all know Janet is a very private person … the only reason you see her as much as you do on my YouTube vlog is because of me. LOL,” Dupri wrote. “But I hear yall and your questions. … No she is not pregnant and yes we’re still together.”

 

       Dupri, who has dated Jackson for the past four years, also wrote:  “It baffles me how yall let these blog and magazines control your lives.”      

       The pregnancy rumors flared up again after Jackson canceled a string of concerts on her Rock Witchu tour this fall because of “migraine-associated vertigo,” which is characterized by dizziness, imbalance and other symptoms.

DMX EXTRADITED FROM MIAMI TO ARIZ December 22, 2008

 

Rapper DMX is back in an Arizona jail today after he was extradited from Miami to Phoenix Friday to face a number of charges.

 

      A bench warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month after he missed a scheduled appearance in Maricopa County court to answer charges of animal cruelty, drug possession, and ID theft.

 

       The artist, born Earl Simmons, was apprehended on Dec. 9 at the home South Florida home of producer Scott Storch. His arrest came after the FBI was tipped off on his whereabouts from a Georgia woman.      

       Due to his flight risk and previous no-shows, a judge has now ordered DMX’s bond raised to $120,000 in cash, reports Allhiphop.com.       

       According to the deputy that escorted DMX back to Phoenix, the rapper took time to explain how much disdain he has for Sheriff Arpaio’s tactics against him.

MIKE JONES TO ENDORSE NEW COGNAC LINE December 18, 2008

 

Houston rapper Mike Jones has been tapped by ProConcept Marketing Group, Inc. to endorse the exclusive collection of cognacs from the “House of Dobbe’,” the company announced.

 

       Jones will collaborate on marketing ideas and participate in promotional events in timing with national music tours and unique engagements. Also, special promotional events will be structured in selected markets.       

       The artist is in the midst of Dobbe’ Cognac’s premiere promotional engagement at Planet Hollywood’s Club Asia in Las Vegas. The joint promotion began on Dec. 1 and ends tomorrow (Dec. 19) with a grand Dobbe’ Model Talent event.      

       Also, Dobbe’ Cognac will collaborate with Jones during the Super Bowl for a special promotional event to plug the line of cognacs and his new album, “Voice of the Streets,” due in February.            

       “This opportunity could not have come at a better time, with the launch of my new single (‘Next to You’ feat. Mya),” Mike Jones stated. “I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do what I love; produce hot music and engage in business opportunities. The story of this product fits my life. I had to work extremely hard to be a success in the music industry, and will give the same level of commitment to House of Dobbe’.”

TRACY MORGAN TAKES IN ‘ROOMMATES’ December 18, 2008

 

30 Rock” actor Tracy Morgan will star in and produce “Freshman Roommates,” a comedy feature inspired by the ubiquitous e-mail scams purporting to be sent by a Nigerian prince looking for help in accessing his fortune.

 

      The film for Montecito and Paramount Pictures asks the question what if one of the emails isn’t a scam. The story kicks off when a young man answers one such email during a drunken stupor. Soon thereafter, the spoiled son of a deposed African dictator (Morgan) shows up at his door, looking to secure his inheritance.

 

       TJ Miller (“Cloverfield”) will co-star in the film, which was written as a starring vehicle for Morgan by standup veterans John Mulaney and Nick Kroll, reports Variety.      

       Morgan is producing via his Street Life banner. The actor most recently appeared in the Sony comedy “First Sunday” and lends his voice to the Disney CGI picture “G-Force,” which opens July 24.

SIMON COWELL DISCUSSES DEATH OF PAULA FAN December 18, 2008

 

During a telephone conference call with press on Wednesday, “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell said the alleged suicide of former contestant and diehard Paula Abdul fan, Paula Goodspeed, hit the production very hard.

 

      “You’re talking about a human tragedy,” Cowell told reporters. “It hit us like an express train. It upset me a lot.”

 

       Cowell said he couldn’t remember Goodspeed from her strange “Idol” appearance, but his memory was jogged after footage of her audition flooded media outlets last month  when she was found dead of apparent suicide in a car near Abdul’s Los Angeles home.

 

        “I don’t remember to be honest with you. We’ve seen a lot of people. [But] when I saw the clips back on the news I remembered it.”

 

       While he didn’t recall if Paula Abdul had asked producers not to let Goodspeed into the audition room—as she claimed in a recent radio interview—he said Abdul could have stopped the audition at any time.

 

       “All you’ve got to say is ‘Stop filming, I need to speak with the producers.’ That didn’t happen. But I only remember from what I saw [in news clips],” he said.

 

       He also stressed that Abdul would not have been in any immediate danger during the audition: “There are a minimum of seven security guards in the room. You don’t see them, but they’re everywhere.”

 

       On Monday, series executive producer Ken Warwick said, “I would definitely not put a dangerous person or person I thought was remotely dangerous in front of the judges.”

 

       Cowell said the entire experience has led him to stop and think about his blunt comments to off-key contestants.      

       “I have thought long and hard about this…I think we will continue in the way we have always done. We have tried to have a sense of humor. The show is not an inherently mean show. It is an American dream show where the whole purpose is to find somebody who through the process becomes a star,” Cowell said.

 

       As for the actual “Idol” show, Cowell said he would love to have Beyonce and Britney Spears appear as guests during the upcoming eighth season, which begins Jan. 13. Both appeared earlier this year on his British show “The X Factor.”