Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Simon Cowell to Sign New Deal With U.K. TV Network

Words are, Cowell will personally bank around $30 million from the contract worth of a reported $150 million.
Simon Cowell
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has negotiated a new U.K. TV deal to continue making his hugely popular talent shows "" and "" - for a reported $150 million. The music mogul has signed a new three-year contract with British broadcaster ITV to keep the hit shows on the network until 2013.

The deal comes after months of speculation Cowell will take "The X Factor" off-air in the U.K. in 2011 so he can concentrate on launching the contest Stateside. It is thought Cowell will personally bank around $30 million from the contract, according to Britain's The Sun.

Cowell says, "I'm thrilled to conclude this deal with ITV to enable our relationship to continue to develop. I'm committed to making sure both shows get bigger and better every year."

Anne Hathaway 'Cried' Over Doing Sex Scene in 'Love and Other Drugs'

Anne Hathaway 'Cried' Over Doing Sex Scene in 'Love and Other Drugs'
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was an emotional wreck filming sex scenes with for new movie "" and "cried every single day" she had to strip off for the cameras. Hathaway hooks up with her "" co-star, who plays a Viagra salesman, in the new film.

But the actress insists she's nothing like her free-spirited character, and was an emotional mess when it came time to bare all for the racy scenes. She tells America's Vogue magazine, "These (characters) are people who have no trouble taking their clothes off - in a way, their bodies are their currency. But they're terrified of exposing their vulnerability, of becoming emotionally naked."

"I was a wreck from start to finish. I think I cried every single day. I had to lean so much more heavily on everyone around me than I'm used to. I'm used to pulling my own weight. But I totally fell apart."

Local Groups Upset Over Michael Jackson's Name Re-honored

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests officials are against Jackson's name uncovered above the entrance to Gardner Street Elementary's auditorium.
Michael Jackson
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© Stephanie Methven/WENN
A tribute at a Los Angeles school the King of Pop briefly attended has upset one pedophilia awareness group. Officials at the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) are appalled by Los Angeles Unified School District bosses' decision to uncover Jackson's name above the entrance to Gardner Street Elementary's auditorium.

The dedication was boarded over in 2003 when Jackson was charged with child molestation and school officials decided it was time to re-honor their most famous pupil on Friday, October 15. But the rededication has upset many local groups.

A spokeswoman for SNAP tells the Los Angeles Times the move is a "slap in the face" to children who've been subjected to pedophilia. Joelle Casteix tells the publication, "It's grossly disappointing. Although he (Jackson) was never convicted there was a huge secret settlement with at least one alleged victim... With all the brave and courageous people LAUSD could honour, it's a shame they chose to honour him again."

Fans had petitioned the district to uncover Jackson's name on the Gardner Street school's auditorium.



T.I. 'Disappointed' With 11-Month Prison Sentence

T.I.
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© Kristen Noseda/WENN
Rap superstar is "disappointed" to be heading back behind bars after an Atlanta, Georgia judge revoked his probation following his drug arrest in September. The "Live Your Life" hitmaker, who was released from prison in December 2009 stemming from 2007 gun charges, was busted with his wife Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle during a traffic stop in Los Angeles when police found illegal substances on their person.

T.I., real name Clifford Harris, Jr., was hauled back into court on Friday, October 15 to answer claims he had violated his parole, and pleaded with U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell, Jr. to send him to rehab to deal with his drug addiction instead of jail. But his desperate appeal failed to move Judge Pannell and he ordered T.I. to serve another 11 months in detention.

The rapper's lawyer, Dwight Thomas, admits T.I. was upset by the punishment - although he's relieved the judge didn't agree with the prosecution's suggested two-year sentence. Thomas tells website Freddyo.com, "Of course we're disappointed in the sentencing. At the same time, it's far less than what the government asked for... Of course he's disappointed. This is not what he expected; this is not what he wants in his life at this point."

T.I. has been ordered to report to authorities by the end of October. His impending prison time is likely to delay the release of his highly-anticipated comeback album "", which was expected to hit music retailers later this year.