Judge approves Michael Jackson merchandising deal

Judge approves Michael Jackson merchandising deal

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer – 1 hr 40 mins ago

AP – FILE - In this March 17, 2005 file photo, pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County …
Michael Jackson

LOS ANGELES – Official Michael Jackson merchandise will soon arrive on store shelves, but the fate of a proposed tour of the King of Pop's memorabilia remains in limbo after the singer's mother expressed renewed concerns on Monday.

Attorneys for Katherine Jackson withdrew their objections to an agreement with merchandiser Bravado to bring everything from Jackson trading cards, apparel and cell phone themes to consumers.

But her objections remain a roadblock to a deal that would put some of her son's prized items on display later this year. That tour was intended to coincide with the release of a major movie featuring his final rehearsals for a series of London shows.

Burt Levitch, an attorney for Jackson's mother, Katherine, said her objections were over concerns about her son's legacy, as well as the split of proceeds from the memorabilia tour with concert promoter AEG Live.

Attorneys for AEG and the current administrators of Jackson's estate wanted the memorabilia tour approved on Monday, but Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff instead scheduled an evidentiary hearing to determine if the deal represented the best arrangement for Jackson's estate.

Katherine Jackson and her three grandchildren are set to receive the vast majority of the King of Pop's estate. An attorney appointed to represent the children's interests said Monday she thought the deal should be approved.

Kathy Jorrie, an attorney for AEG, said the memorabilia exhibition faces a tight deadline and the company's interest might wane if the tour isn't approved soon. She said the company was not interested in renegotiating the deal.

AEG wants the memorabilia tour to open at the same time as a movie using footage of Jackson's final rehearsals. The deal is expected to generate up to $6 million for the estate, said Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the current administrators of the estate.

Columbia Pictures paid $60 million for the rights to the film based on the Jackson footage, and Jackson's estate is slated to receive 90 percent of the film's profits.

One of the concessions Katherine Jackson is apparently seeking is the authority to sign off on the deal. Beckloff said he was inclined to reject that argument.

"She doesn't own the property," Beckloff said. "There's no reason to make her a signatory to those agreements."

But Beckloff said he wasn't sure that he could grant the estate's administrators approval to enter into the deal without hearing more information. The judge said he was in a difficult position and was concerned that delays in approving the deal — which was first proposed nearly two weeks ago — are hurting the estate.


source of : http://news.yahoo.com

Simon Cowell on Paula Abdul: "She'll Be on the Show" Monday July 20, 2009 news

Simon Cowell on Paula Abdul: "She'll Be on the Show"
Monday July 20, 2009

Simon Cowell

Despite word that Paula Abdul likely won't appear on American Idol next season, fellow judge Simon Cowell isn't worried.

"She'll be fine. She'll be on the show," he tells Extra. "I don't get a lot of say. I've just made it clear that I want Paula on the show."

Check out Paula Abdul's wackiest outfits of all time

Added host Ryan Seacrest (who just inked a $45 million, three-year contract): "I think as far as I know, you'll see everybody back. I hope so."

See the most unforgettable Idol contestants of all time

David Sonenberg, Abdul's manager, raised concern over the weekend, telling the Los Angeles Times that the singer-dancer hasn't been offered a contract yet.

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt," he told the paper.

See which Idol contestants have gotten married or have had babies

Meanwhile, a grass-roots "Keep Paula" campaign has launched on Twitter to keep Abdul on the show.

Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai and Danny Gokey -- who are now on the Idol live tour - are among the alums who've taken time out to join the campaign.

Look back at past Idol contestants' weight ups and downs

Over the weekend, Abdul took to her Twitter page to thank fans for standing by her.

She wrote: "I"m actually moved 2 tears upon reading the enormous amount of tweets showing me your kindness, love & undying support. God bless all you! If it weren't for you, this specific time and situation would feel a lot worse! XoP"

sources of : www.usmagazine.com

Huge crowd seen for star-packed Michael Jackson memorial

By Bob Tourtellotte Bob Tourtellotte – Tue Jul 7, 2:17 am ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Michael Jackson fans will crowd into downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday for a star-packed memorial to the King of Pop whose sudden death nearly two weeks ago shocked the world.

Pop music singers Mariah Carey, Usher and Jennifer Hudson will mix with R&B veterans Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder while sports stars like Kobe Bryant and other celebrities such as Brooke Shields also are expected to turn out.

Some 18,000 fans and friends will crowd into the Staples Center sports arena and a nearby, overflow theater for the two-hour ceremony memorializing pop star Jackson, who died June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles mansion.

Police estimate more than 250,000 people will cram onto the sidewalks outside the arena to pay their final respect to the "Thriller" singer and one-time member of Motown legends the Jackson 5, who was 50 years-old when he died.

"This is certainly a momentous occasion that is probably as big, if not bigger than, when Elvis (Presley) passed away," said Steve Howard, a resident of Glendale, California, who won a ticket in an online lottery.

"The impact he had on American music and world music crossed all boundaries," said Howard, who expects the service to feature performances by Jackson's friends and fellow singers, along with eulogies for the fallen pop star.

Two people who will not be there are Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, who said on Monday her attendance might be a distraction, and long-time Jackson friend actress Elizabeth Taylor, who said she was asked to speak but was too overcome by grief.

Media reports have said Jackson is expected to be buried in a private family service in Los Angeles ahead of the memorial, but a family spokesman declined to comment on that service.

Questions persist over who will pay for police security and other services such as sanitation required for such a massive gathering. Cost estimates were hard to come by, but Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine estimated as much as $2.5 million.

Like other cities, Los Angeles is strapped for cash in the current recession, and people have complained that public money should not be used for what is, in some ways, a private event.

Still, acting Mayor Jan Perry has said police and other agencies have contingency budgets for events such as this.

About 1.6 million people registered to be among the 8,750 who won two free tickets to the event, and police expect many who did not win tickets to show up outside.

The memorial will be televised live on major U.S. networks, as well as streamed on the Internet.


sores of : news.yahoo.com

News and picture of Landon Donovan is right but the MLS needs David Beckham

Landon Donovan is right but the MLS needs David Beckham

BY Frank Isola
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Saturday, July 4th 2009, 3:16 PM

Landon Donovan's brilliant left-footed shot against Brazil in last week's Confederations Cup Final ranks as one of the best start-to-finish goals in United States soccer history. The moment also cemented Donovan's status as the top U.S. player and its unquestioned leader.

And yet that strike pales in comparison to the shot Donovan took at David Beckham, the anointed savior of Major League Soccer, global icon and, as it turns out, a primadonna who would make Barry Bonds blush.

David Beckham
Donovan reveals a different side to his famous Los Angeles Galaxy teammate in The Beckham Experiment authored by Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl. We learn that not only is Beckham something of a cheapskate and seemingly out of touch with reality but one of the world's most famous athletes comes off as a bad teammate who doesn't take his part-time gig in America very seriously. Basically, he comes across as shallow as his wife — Posh Spice — is skinny.

"When David first came, I believed he was committed to what he was doing," the book quotes Donovan as saying. "He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well. Somewhere along the way….he just flipped a switch and said, 'Uh-uh, I'm not doing it anymore."

David Beckham
Donovan suggests that if Beckham, who is scheduled to make his 2009 MLS debut in 11 days against the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium, deserves to be benched if his attitude doesn't improve.

From what I've seen and heard from Donovan in the past he seems like a straight shooter. Not to mention that his performance on the field the last two months has been nothing short of inspiring. And I'm sure everything he says about Beckham is dead-on.

But Donovan is also wrong. The MLS stills needs Beckham more than he needs it. If you don't believe in Beckham's impact just watch what will happen to attendance around the league once the man with the golden right foot begins playing.

Beck's one-time only appearance in the Metropolitan area on July 16th will be the last time the Red Bulls matter again until the club finally opens its beautiful stadium in Harrison, N.J. next season.

David Beckham
In our sporting culture we embrace stars whether it's Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriquez or Tom Brady. No one in the MLS, and that includes Donovan, is bigger than Beckham. The sooner Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney arrive on our shores the better.

Donovan's heart is in the right place; he wants to hold Beckham accountable and give his team every chance to win. But he's fighting a losing battle. Beckham came here two years ago for the money, to have dinner parties with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes and to sit courtside at Lakers game. And on those rare occasions Beckham will play soccer as well. We get that. And so should Donovan.

Marisa's big break came at age 21 when well-known fashion photographer Mario Testino photographed her while she was surfing with friends in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

In high school, Marisa was a star volleyball player. In her junior year, thanks to her position as outside hitter, her team never lost a game during the entire season.

Measurements in 2000: 34D - 23 - 35

David Beckham

Marisa Miller Filmography

"The View" .... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 22 February 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
"Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model" (2004) TV Series .... Herself / ... (unknown episodes)
... aka Manhunt (International: English title: informal short title) (USA: informal short title)
"The Sharon Osbourne Show" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
... aka Sharon (USA: short title)
- Episode dated 23 March 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Swimsuit Special: American Beauty (2004) (V) .... Model
Personal quotes from Marisa Miller


Resource of : www.nydailynews.com

More information on Alicia Silverstone and image

Biography and more information on Alicia Silverstone


Alicia Silverstone Biography



Birthname - Alicia Silverstone
Date of birth - October 4, 1976
San Francisco, California, USA
Nickname - Queen Slice
Height - 5' 5" (1.65 m)

More information on Alicia Silverstone

Won "Best Female Performance and "Most Desirable Female" by the MTV Movie Awards in 1996 for her performance in Clueless (1995).

Confirmed on BBC Radio 1 that she is not "going out" with Kenneth Branagh. [6 April 2000]

In an interview with "FHM", she denies that she is dating Kenneth Branagh. [January 2000]


Alicia Silverstone

Refuses to appear nude in any of her movies. She requires a body double in her place for nude scenes. Also, when starring in the stage version of "The Graduate," she insisted on wearing underwear for the famous nude-scene. The producers were forced to let her do this because, otherwise, she would have resigned from the show.

Was offered the role of Valerie Malone, on "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1990). Since it was the beginning of her career, Alicia turned it down, and Tiffani Thiessen got the role instead. [1994]

Dated Adam Sandler

Parents are English

Dated Christopher Jarecki, lead singer of the unsigned rock band, Underdogs, for eight years, before marrying him.

First commercial was for Domino's Pizza.

Became legally emancipated at 15 in order to work the hours required for the shooting schedule of The Crush (1993)

Was turned down for the lead in My Father the Hero (1994). They said she was too heavy for the part. The role went to Katherine Heigl.

Attended San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California. She was a cheerleader.
Alicia Silverstone

Daughter of Monty Silverstone

Half-sister of David Silverstone and Kezi Silverstone.

Born at 3:44pm-PDT

Was turned down for the role of Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (1996).

Was offered a role in Scream 3 (2000).

Starred in a few Aerosmith music videos, and sometimes typecast as the "Aerosmith chick." She and Liv Tyler were cast in the Aerosmith video "Crazy".

Voted one of the "Fun and Fearless Females" by Cosmopolitan Magazine (2002.)
Alicia Silverstone

Has a dog named "Sampson".

Signed a $10,000,000 3-movie deal with Sony after Clueless (1995).

Measurements: 33-24-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

The Plain English Campaign awarded her the annual Foot in Mouth Award in 2000 for her 'baffling verbal statement', "I think that Clueless (1995) was very deep. I think it was deep in the way that it was very light. I think lightness has to come from a very deep place if it is true lightness".
Alicia Silverstone

She is an animal rights activist. During the filming of Clueless (1995), she adopted a raggedy old mutt, whom she found wandering the streets of Los Angeles. She named him "Samson," and kept him on the set.

In answer to the question 'Is it true that you like to do gardening naked?' in Britain's 'Radio Times' magazine (22.5.04) she said, 'Yes, that is something that I enjoy doing. I don't know how you know about that but it's ... not untrue. It's just that if it's really hot and you're in LA, and you happen to be doing some gardening -- your clothes come off. I also like to swim naked and trampoline naked and do all those kind of things.'

Voted sexiest female vegetarian, 2004. She's Hot.
Alicia Silverstone

More information on Ali Larter

Ali Larter Biography

Birth name - Alison Elizabeth Larter
Date of birth - February 28, 1976
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
Nickname - Allegra Coleman
Height - 5' 8" (1.73 m)

Ali Larter
New Jersey native Ali Larter began her career as a model at the age of 13 before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. She started off on stage and guest starring on numerous

television shows, including Chicago Hope, Just Shoot Me, and Dawson's Creek before landing her first film role in the independent feature Casanova Falling. But it was her role in Varsity Blues opposite James Van Der Beek that really caught the attention of audiences.Her breakthrough role required her to wear a bikini made entirely out of whipped cream. It made an

Ali Larter

impression on Van Der Beek's character and quickly made an equally strong impression on casting directors. Larter soon found herself winning roles in several major projects over the course of 1999. First up was Drive Me Crazy with Melissa Joan Hart, in which Larter played Adrian Grenier's girlfriend. She followed that up with The House on Haunted Hill, in which she played one of several victims (including Taye Diggs) who are offered a million dollars to spend the night in a haunted house.Larter's next major film role is in Final Destination with Devon

Ali Larter
Sawa and Kerr Smith. In it, she plays one of several passengers who disembark an airplane when one of them (Sawa) has a vision that the plane will crash. The plane does, but the victim's relief is short-lived. Soon thereafter, one by one, they each start to die in mysterious ways. The film promises to be much more than just another horror film, particularly with its intriguing theme about fate and death. If the film does well, it could finally be the one that puts Ali Larter permanently on the list of sought-after young actresses.

Ali Larter
More information on Ali Larter

Close friend and former roommate of Varsity Blues (1999) co-star Amy Smart.

Was part of a 1996 hoax by Esquire Magazine: they portrayed her as "Allegra Coleman", a hot young star, in a parody of fluff journalism.

Ranked #40 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).

Ali Larter
Personal quotes from Ali Larter

"I hate pretty-looking boys. I'd rather have a guy with a potbelly than one who's in the gym all the time and watches what he eats.

Warld famous Jennifer Morrison photo gallery and fan page

Jennifer Morrison photo gallery and fan page

Jennifer Marie Morrison (born April 12, 1979) is an American actress, model and film producer, best known for her role as Dr. Allison Cameron on the medical drama House.

Jennifer Morrison

Jennifer Morrison

Early life and education

Morrison was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Her father,

Jennifer Morrison
David L. Morrison, is a music teacher who was named Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education in 2003.[1] Morrison's mother, Judy Morrison, was also a teacher. Both have since retired. She graduated from Prospect High School in 1997 where her parents also

Jennifer Morrison
worked. During her time there, she played clarinet in the school's marching band, sang in the choir and did cheerleading with the school's pep squad. Morrison also has two younger siblings, Julia and Daniel Morrison.

Jennifer Morrison

After high school, she attended Loyola University Chicago where she majored in Theatre and minored in English before graduating in 2000. She studied with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television.

Biography for Alexis Bledel nice image

Biography for Alexis Bledel

Date of Birth
16 September 1981, Houston, Texas, USA

Birth Name
Kimberly Alexis Bledel

Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel

Houston, Texas native Alexis Bledel made her television debut in "Gilmore Girls" (2000), after

Alexis Bledel
spending years in front of the camera as a model. Bledel's parents encouraged her to try

Alexis Bledel
community theater in Houston when she was 8 years old, hoping it would help their daughter overcome her shyness. She went on to perform in productions of Our Town, The Wizard of Oz

Alexis Bledel
and Aladdin, and later was scouted in a local mall to model. She began her modeling career while still in high school, traveling all over to locations like Tokyo, Milan, New York and Los Angeles. After graduating, she enrolled at NYU as a film major. In the Spring of 2000, Bledel

Alexis Bledel
landed a manager through her modeling agency and headed to Los Angeles for her first pilot season, where she quickly landed the coveted role of Rory on "Gilmore Girls" (2000). When she's not working, Bledel enjoys writing, reading, shooting photography, going to the movies and spending time with her family.

Picture of Michael Jackson’s Dead Body

Michael Jackson’s Dead Body Picture

This is the last ever photo of the late Michael Jackson, obtained by US TV show

Michael Jackson

But was the superstar dead in the pic? Reports have suggested that Jackson, 50, had passed away at his Los Angeles home after paramedics failed to revive him.

Jackson reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday afternoon at his Holmby Hills mansion and paramedics were unable to bring him back round.

When paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back, according to TMZ. Jackson was apparently dead when paramedics arrived.

Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive. Jackson’s sister La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.

The star was due to begin a series of comeback concerts with an appearance at London’s O2 arena on July 13.

He had a history of health problems and had not completed a concert tour in 12 years.

Jackson had three children — Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.

Jackson’s body has been flown to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office. His autopsy is scheduled to take place Friday.

Michael Jackson's resent news

Coroner's Office Orders More Tests to Determine Michael Jackson's Cause of Death

Michael Jackson
The autopsy is complete, but the Los Angeles Coroner's Office isn't expected to rule on Michael Jackson's cause of death for several weeks — until toxicology and other additional testing is completed.

Chief Coroner Craig Harvey said at a Friday afternoon news conference that more tests have been ordered and will take approximately four to six weeks, but authorities have found no evidence of external trauma or foul play.

Michael Jackson

Prescription medication was present in Jackson's system, he said, but authorities have yet to conclude whether drugs were involved in the pop star's death.

The coroner's office said Jackson's family has not yet chosen a mortuary, so it is unclear if Jackson's body will be released Friday evening.

LAPD Assistant Police Chief Charlie Beck said at a Friday afternoon news conference that authorities have been in contact with the physican who attempted CPR on Jackson before paramedics arrived. Beck says the unidentified phsyician seems to be cooperative and will assist in bringing light to the case. He also stressed that no search warrants have been issued.

Michael Jackson
A local Houston report claims the doctor's name is Conrad Robert Murray, a cardiologist based out of Texas. The LAPD took Murray's car from Jackson's rented mansion on Thursday because it could contain medication or other evidence.

Police stressed on Thursday that the doctor was not a criminal suspect.

The two news conferences come a day after Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center in what family later said was a suspected heart attack.

Michael Jackson
Paramedics had responded to a call reporting a 50-year-old man "not breathing." In the 911 call from Jackson's home, a man told an emergency response technician that the pop star was not "responding to anything," including CPR.

The coroner's office began the three-hour autopsy Friday morning in an attempt to clear up the mystery surrounding Jackson's untimely demise.

Michael Jackson

There has been speculation that drugs may have played a role in the death of the icon, with TMZ citing sources who claim he was given a "heavy dose of morphine" before his death. Other reports claim that Jackson received a shot of Demerol — a similar narcotic— shortly before his death.

It has been heavily rumored that the pop icon struggled with prescription drug abuse in the past. On July 25, 2007, FOX News reported on a deposition Michael Jackson gave on agreements he signed with former manager Dieter Wiesner in 2003 while possibly being impaired due to prescription medications.

Jackson said he takes medication for an undisclosed impairment that "comes and goes" but was "unsure" if he had taken the medication for all of 2003.

Rayner stressed that he was not under criminal investigation, but coroner's investigators wanted to contact him for more information. His car was impounded last night by police.

But other reports about the mystery doctor were far more disturbing — according to TMZ, he may have given Jackson a possible fatal narcotic injection.

Jackson, whose fame spanned from his childhood with the legendary Jackson 5 to a superstar solo career that earned him the nickname 'King of Pop,' died Thursday afternoon at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 50.

He died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in the posh Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.

This articles sores from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529205,00.html