23 May 2006
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Rodriguez Sentenced To More Jail Time
Lost star Michelle Rodriguez is heading back to jail after being sentenced to serve 60 days in prison for violating her probation. Rodriguez was arrested in December on suspicion of drunk driving in Honolulu, Hawaii. The arrest came six months after she pleaded no contest in Los Angeles to a hit and run, drink driving and driving with a suspended license and was placed on probation. The Hawaiian incident violated her California probation, according to website TMZ.com. Judge Rex Heeseman sentenced Rodriguez to serve 60 days in jail in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday and read off a list of other sanctions. Rodriguez was also ordered to complete a 30-day alcohol rehabilitation program and perform 30 days of community service, including participating in programs run by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The star also had her probation extended for three more years to June 2009. Rodriguez and her attorneys left without making a comment and the judge did not disclose the starting date of her new jail sentence. The actress pleaded guilty in April to the Hawaiian drink driving charge and chose five days jail time over performing 240 hours of community service.
Madonna "Crucifixion" Upsets Church
Madonna has enraged Christian leaders after appearing crucified on stage during her new tour. On the first night of her Confessions tour in Los Angeles on Sunday the Material Girl mounted a 20 foot high mirrored crucifix and sang her song "Live To Tell." The Church of England is furious with the stunt, accusing Madonna of abusing religious imagery. A Church spokesperson says, "Is Madonna prepared to take on everything else that goes with wearing a crown of thorns? And why would someone with so much talent seem to feel the need to promote herself by offending so many people?" Madonna upset the Catholic church in 1989 when burning crosses and a black Jesus appeared in the video for hit single "Like A Prayer."
Jolie Photographer Case Dismissed

A court in Namibia, Africa has dismissed a case against a photographer who allegedly trespassed on the grounds where Angelina Jolie is expected to give birth. South African snapper John Liebenberg, 48, was arrested on Friday night but has since been released with a warning after three days in custody. Liebenberg drove into the rear of Walvis Bay police station after receiving a tip that the actress was about to have her first biological child with partner Brad Pitt at the adjoining Welwitschia medical clinic. Magistrate Sarel Jacobs was bemused the photographer had been detained for several days. He said, "It might be that you are a foreigner and that you were arrested for trespassing, (but) why was it necessary to keep you in custody for the whole weekend? I don't understand that and I think it was unnecessary." The prosecution had asked for a fine of 1,000 Namibian dollars ($140) or a year in prison. Liebenberg says, "They probably wanted to make an example of me to the other so-called nasty paparazzi press. But we have been very respectful to (the couple.)"
Black Set for Fatherhood

Hollywood funnyman Jack Black has confirmed he and musician wife Tanya Haden are to be parents. The couple are expecting a baby boy early next month. The King Kong star announced the happy news at a promotional event for new movie Nacho Libre at the weekend, and maintains he is already prepared for his next role - as a dad. He says, "I think I will be good when it comes to playtime. I don't know how good I'll do with the discipline." And the actor added his hectic work schedule won't compromise his parenting, insisting, "Wherever the job goes, the baby is just going to come with me. It will work out. Besides, I don't really get involved until he's, like, 10." Black and Haden eloped in March. The couple first met while they were attending a private performing arts high school in Santa Monica, California, but were not romantically involved.
Richards Joins Bon Jovi in Ireland

Actress Denise Richards has ended rumors she has broken up with boyfriend Richie Sambora, by joining him on tour in Ireland. Media reports in the US last week claimed the couple had ended their relationship. But Richards flew in to Dublin airport at 4pm on Friday and immediately checked into the posh Four Seasons Hotel. That night she and Sambora headed out for a romantic dinner and then went straight back to their hotel. The couple emerged at 1pm Saturday afternoon to find a sizable media presence gathered outside their hotel and then left for a sound check in Croke Park. Bon Jovi performed for a 70,000-strong crowd later that night and Richards was seen watching the concert from a side stage. The couple was expected to join the band for a private party after the show, but instead left Dublin in a private jet around midnight Saturday. Richards recently reached an agreement with estranged husband Charlie Sheen, extending her temporary restraining order against the actor. Sambora is embroiled in his own divorce battle with estranged wife Heather Locklear.
Bullock Fights To Restrain Stalker

A terrified Sandra Bullock has filed papers to extend a restraining order against a man who stalked her and is being released from a mental institution. The Speed star took out the original restraining order against Thomas James Weldon three years ago and is seeking to make it permanent. She wrote in the court filing in Los Angeles Superior Court, "I continue to fear for my physical safety and the physical safety of my family." Weldon has been incarcerated at the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute for the past three years and is set to be released in September, according to website TMZ.com. Before he was sent to the institution, Weldon left phone messages, faxes, and emails stating he wished to have a relationship with the actress. Weldon stalked and harassed the actress for more than a year, following her to California, Texas and South Carolina. In a statement, Bullock's lawyer, Ed McPherson said, "Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of Ms Bullock and her family. Our application to extend the restraining order was filed in order to ensure that safety and well-being."
Keith Richards Returns Home
The Rolling Stones star Keith Richards is back home in the US after recovering from brain surgery two weeks ago, and is eager to get back on the road. The "Under My Thumb" rockers had to put their A Bigger Bang tour on hold when the wild guitarist fell from a coconut tree in Fiji last month. But Richards, 62, is "feeling great" and looking forward to touring next month. A statement from the band reads: "Keith Richards has arrived back home in the US from New Zealand. He is feeling great, happy to be home and looking forward to getting back on the road with The Rolling Stones next month. A revised tour itinerary will be announced shortly."
Lopez Avoids Legal Action

Superstar Jennifer Lopez has managed to avoid legal action after promising to reimburse promoters following her cancelled European and Asian mini-tour. The Out Of Sight star pulled out of a string of gigs in Mumbai (Bombay), India; Dubai; Moscow, Russia: Sofia, Bulgaria; Istanbul, Turkey; and Thessaloniki, Greece earlier this month without giving an explanation. Following Lopez's cancellation, Bulgarian promoters Pick and More told the press they were teaming up with the rest of the promoters to sue Lopez, to retrieve the fees they paid her for the July 23 concert. However, Lopez has now been in contact with the concert promoters and has vowed to reimburse them for any advertising expenses and supplies that were imported from the United States for her backstage rider. Bulgarian promoter Ivaila Bakalova tells MTV, "She told us everything would be OK."
Kingston Contemplated Suicide

Former ER star Alex Kingston was so devastated by the end of her marriage to actor Ralph Fiennes, she considered taking her own life. The actress was so distraught over the split, she actually got into her bathtub with a knife and planned to slit her wrists. Kingston, who is now happily remarried, claims those dark days are now behind her. She says, "I can't imagine being that person at all. You don't know where life is going to take you. You think you know and then all of a sudden you realize it's all completely wrong." The star married German freelance journalist Florian Haertel in 1998 and they have one daughter, Salome.
Sci-Fi Guru Val Guest Dead at 94

Science-fiction moviemaker Val Guest has lost his battle with prostate cancer in a Palm Desert, California hospital. He was 94. The British-born director and screenwriter is best known for his work on films like The Quatermass Xperiment and The Day The Earth Caught Fire, but he's also among the credited film-makers behind 1960s James Bond spoof Casino Royale. Guest and co-writer Wolf Mankowitz picked up a Best British Screenplay award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in 1962 for their work on The Day The Earth Caught Fire.
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