The Popsquire Beat provides highlights from this week’s most entertaining collisions between pop culture and law. See below for the audio podcast!
First up, Britney Spears is still a Slave 4 Her Dad! Contrary to speculation that Britney’s conservatorship might end this week, it actually was made permanent. The court’s ruling leaves her dad in charge of her estate, finances, and legal affairs. Jamie Spears’ job is to make sure Brit doesn’t say, “Oops, I shaved my head again.”
Love Do Cost A Thing…$545,000, to be exact! A Los Angeles judge upheld an arbitrator’s April 2007 award to Jennifer Lopez against her first husband, Ojani Noa. J-Lo previously sued Ojani to prevent publication of a tell-all book, in violation of a 2005 confidentiality agreement. In short, Jennifer and the judge are saying to Ojani: “Let’s not Get Loud!”
And, 12 jurors heard evidence this week to determine if a paparazzo lawsuit against Keanu Reeves is a Bogus Journey. The photog-plaintiff claims that Keanu’s car hit him while the pap was taking pics of the actor in 2007. The jury must decide whether the trial was a Walk In The Clouds for Keanu or a most Excellent Adventure for the plaintiff.
Have a great Halloween weekend. Please don’t drink and drive.
Because Popsquire followers (like you!) love when movies collide with the law, it’s time to schedule Angelina Jolie’s new film into this weekend’s plans. Changeling, which is based on actual events, is about a mother whose kidnapped child is returned. She soon realizes, however, that the child is not hers!
Watch below for Popsquire’s recent TV discussions about the Ange.
Because you are a faithful Popsquire follower, you likely remember that Mackenzie Phillips was arrested in August for drug possession. During a routine search at LAX, a bag of cocainefell down her leg and she was charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor for drug possession.
Today, Mackenzie pleaded guilty to felony possession of cocaine in a Los Angeles court, and the judge agreed to dismiss the remaining charges after she completes a drug diversion program.
According to TMZ, the former actress addressed the court, saying: “I want to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the Airport Police for stopping me — they saved my life.” Popsquire wishes Mackenze is healthy recovery!
Click here to learn about other unfortunate collisions between pop culture and drugs.
Amy Winehouse’s alleged drug dealers say “yes, yes, yes…”
Johnny Blagrove and Cara Burton admitted in a London court today that they offered to sell drugs — specifically ecstasy and cocaine — to Winehouse. Although the celeb is not being charged, the dealers will be sentenced November 28.
As a reminder, the dealers were arrested and charged by London police back in June after the world watched Winehouse smoking an unknown substance from a pipe, searching for her cat, and bragging about having taken a Valium in this footage. Prosecutors suspect that they sold photos of Winehouse allegedly smoking crack to a British tabloid.
Click here for a review of Winehouse’s pop culture/law collisions.
SNL may provide yet another a collision between pop culture and politics!
According to US Magazine, John McCain is set to appear on this weekend’s SNL, hosted by Democrat Ben Affleck. As a warning, the actor’s people already have sent McCain a note, saying “He’s Just Not That Into You.”
Police now believe that 7-year-old Julian King may have been alive when he left the house where his grandma and uncle (Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother) were killed. This means Julian likely was shot in the SUV where his body was found.
Police still have not arrested anyone, although William Balfour remains in custody. We await results from gun shot residue and a determination about whether the gun found near the scene is the murder weapon.
UPDATE, 4:30 pm: (1) The gun found near the SUV is *the* murder weapon, responsible for all three deaths; (2) Julian’s body was covered by a curtain, likely explaining why it took three days to find him; and (3) a public memorial is scheduled for Sunday at the Pleasant Gift Memorial Baptist Church in Chicago
The Keanu Reeves/paparazzo trial is reaching Point Break!
After some morning testimony and closing arguments, Keanu’s case is expected to be handed over to the jury later this afternoon. As a reminder, the jury will be charged with determining whether Keanu owes damages to a photog — Alison Silva, a man — who claims Keanu’s car hit him while taking pics of the actor in 2007.
Like a good lawyer, Popsquire presents you with a brief timeline of this week’s trial events. Get out your flashcards!
Oct. 27: The jury is selected, and opening arguments take place.
Oct. 28: Keanu testifies and denies hitting the pap with his car. Instead, Keanu says his Porsche never touched the plaintiff, insisting the cameraman walked backwards, lost balance and tripped over his own feet. The plaintiff, however, claims he was busy taking pics when Keanu’s car moved forward, struck him in the right knee and severely injured his left hand.
Oct. 29: The plaintiff continues his testimony, claiming he was barely able to work after the incident. He even cried so much that the judge asked him if he needed a handkerchief.
Oct. 30: Keanu’s attorney plays a video showing the plaintiff jumping over a fence in order to shoot video of Britney Spears and then using his left hand — the hand he claims was injured — to brace himself and keep his balance while climbing down. In addition, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy testifies that neither the plaintiff nor Keanu’s car had any marks indicating that a collision took place.
For this morning’s collision between pop culture and politics, check out this PSA from the cast of Ugly Betty urging Californians to vote No on Prop. 8, which seeks to eliminate gay marriage rights.
A Los Angeles judge has upheld an arbitrator’s April 2007 award to Jennifer Lopez against her first husband, Ojani Noa. J-Lo previously sued Ojani to prevent publication of a tell-all book, in violation of a 2005 confidentiality agreement the pair entered. In short, Jennifer and the judge are saying to Ojani: “Let’s not Get Loud!”
Remember to listen for Popsquire’s pop culture legal expert, Russell Wetanson, every weekend on Leeza Gibbons’ internationally syndicated radio show, “Hollywood Confidential.”
In case you miss it, click here and here for behind-the-scenes videos provided by Leeza’s website. Enjoy!
Michael Jackson doesn’t think a Jackson 5 reunion would be a Thriller!
Sadly, although Jermaine led everyone to believe in the possibility of a reunion, Michael says the idea is Off The Wall and Bad:
“My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”
Don’t worry, You Are Not Alone in hoping the reunion would happen. It’s Human Nature to hope for it. You know it would be a Scream!
In an odd/sad collision between pop culture and law, this picture of Christopher Barrios — a six-year-old Georgia boy who was killed in 2007 — showed up in a scene of “General Hospital: Night Shift,” airing on SOAPnet.
In the episode at issue, Billy Dee Williams’ character received a letter and a photo from a son he abandoned. For an unknown reason, the photo was of Christopher, the real-life Georgia murder victim. The network offered the following apology and plan of action:
“While the production team would never have knowingly chosen this particular photo, its use was a terrible error. We offer our deepest condolences to the Barrios family for their loss and our sincerest apologies for any pain caused by our mistake. In the coming weeks, SOAPnet will air a series of public service announcements in Christopher’s honor, to raise awareness of missing and exploited children. Meanwhile, the episode is being edited to permanently remove the photo, and we have taken steps, including reviewing internal processes to determine how it happened in hopes of preventing this type of mistake from occurring again.”
Jennifer Hudson will mourn the loss of her mother, brother and nephew Monday morning at Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God. The service will be open to invited guests only.
Instead of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the newly created Hudson-King Domestic Violence Protection Fund, named in honor of 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, 29-year-old Jason Hudson and 7-year-old Julian King.
Popsquire hopes Jennifer will be able to smile again one day.
First up, Britney Spears is still a Slave 4 Her Dad! Contrary to speculation that Britney’s conservatorship might end this week, it actually was made permanent. The court’s ruling leaves her dad in charge of her estate, finances, and legal affairs. Jamie Spears’ job is to make sure Brit doesn’t say, “Oops, I shaved my head again.”
Love Do Cost A Thing…$545,000, to be exact! A Los Angeles judge upheld an arbitrator’s April 2007 award to Jennifer Lopez against her first husband, Ojani Noa. J-Lo previously sued Ojani to prevent publication of a tell-all book, in violation of a 2005 confidentiality agreement. In short, Jennifer and the judge are saying to Ojani: “Let’s not Get Loud!”
And, 12 jurors heard evidence this week to determine if a paparazzo lawsuit against Keanu Reeves is a Bogus Journey. The photog-plaintiff claims that Keanu’s car hit him while the pap was taking pics of the actor in 2007. The jury must decide whether the trial was a Walk In The Clouds for Keanu or a most Excellent Adventure for the plaintiff.
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