This week in pop culture and law is dedicated to Andrew Koenig.
Best known for his role as “Boner” on “Growing Pains” from 1985-89, Koenig suffered from depression as an adult and, sadly, was found dead yesterday in a Vancouver park after committing suicide.
Believe it or not, suicide used to be a felony in many states and, today, some states classify attempted suicide as a criminal act even though prosecutions are rare. Illegal or not, let’s make sure none of our friends or family gets to that point. If you are feeling desperate, alone, or hopeless … or know someone who is, please call for help ASAP.
Just days after battling it out with The Bachelor’s host, Chris Harrison, ousted contestant Rozlyn Papa may be preparing for a court fight over an alleged sex tape.
TMZ reports that a sex tape starring Papa “is being shopped to a variety of XXX companies all over all over L.A. — including LiveJasmin.com.” Her rep, however, says Papa has “no knowledge of any tape.”
The rep’s answer could be setting up the legal strategy. Namely, if Rozlyn had no knowledge of being filmed, then she did not consent to the sex tape. Without that consent, it may be pretty easy for Rozlyn to obtain an injunction to stop distribution of the footage.
Check out Ke$ha at her junior high talent show when she was only 13 years old. Yeah, she’s totally pitchy, but that didn’t stop her from signing a recording contract!
Vancouver police are still looking for the former “Growing Pains” star, and The Today Show is tracing his last steps. Watch and contact authorities if you have seen him!
Charlie Sheen rep says he entered rehab yesterday as “a preventative measure.”
[Bauer Griffin Online]
Of course, “preventative” isn’t the only type of measure that could come from his stint there.
It could jeopardize his freedom. In the Colorado criminal case against him for allegedly attacking his wife over the Christmas holidays, the judge ordered him not to use alcohol or drugs as a condition of his bail. If the DA can prove Sheen violated that order, jail time could be imminent after rehab.
This is an unlikely result, though. It will be difficult for the DA to prove Charlie used alcohol or drugs — prosecutors would need physical evidence such as a blood test or an eye witness willing to testify. Plus, the judge likely will grant Sheen leniency for entering rehab voluntarily.
Clean up your act, Charlie! You’ve had MANY second chances. Don’t take them for granted.
PS: Don’t worry about Charlie’s job while he is in rehab over the next few weeks. California law generally requires employers to let employees take time off for rehab.
Today is all about GTLD — gym, tanning laundry and DVDs — and it’s all because a New Jersey judge denied a request to stop today’s release of the Jersey Shore DVD box set.
[Bauer Griffin Online]
Stephen Izzo, Jr., the dude Ronnie punched and knocked unconscious during last season of the reality series, wanted the court to prevent the release of the box set. The judge, however, decided that MTV had done a sufficient job blurring out Izzo’s identity and, as a result, Izzo could not show he was irreparably harmed by the DVD release.
That’s not the end, though.
The judge set another court date for March 19 when he will decide whether further airings of the episode in question should be aired and whether MTV and the show’s production company should be prohibited from profiting from it.
Privacy ain’t easy to come by these days, especially for public figures seeking medical attention.
[Bauer Griffin Online]
Joining the ranks of Britney Spears and Farrah Fawcett, Charlie Sheen’s wife is the latest alleged victim of a medical privacy breach. TMZ reports that The Canyon, a rehab facility where Brooke Mueller has been staying, has “leaked Brooke’s admission form to the media, which contained very personal information about her substance abuse.”
Brooked has since left The Canyon, and her lawyer says she will sue for invasion of privacy and will “have the individual responsible for leaking the information arrested.” And, she should!
People who work in hospitals and rehab facilities must be held accountable for their actions. Leaking information not only harms patients, but it also could discourage people from getting the help they need.
Andrew Koenig, aka “Boner” on “Growing Pains,” suffers from depression and has been missing for nearly a week.
His parents say they last heard from him on Valentine’s Day and that he was supposed to return to the U.S. from Vancouver, Canada on Feb. 16. He never boarded his flight, however, and no one has heard from him since then.
Sadly, Canadian police say “so far there are no new details, but we are hoping someone will see this and call us with new information.”
If you or anyone you know has any information about his location, please contact contact Detective Raymond Payette of the Vancouver PD at 604-717-2534. Click here for a current photo.
Someone once asked me how messed up you have to be for a court to establish a conservatorship over your life. The answer is: umbrella-thumping-head-shaving-messed-up!
[Bauer Griffin Online]
That’s why this week is all about my favorite pop culture / law collision, Britney Spears.
Believe it or not, Brit took those infamous clippers to her head three years ago this week. After she stripped every hair from her head, the court system stripped away her parental rights and, eventually, the right to control her own life. But, look at her now. Her hair (with the help of some extensions and hair dye, of course) is back and, by all accounts, so are her career and personal life. Congrats, Brit!
Have a good weekend, Popsquire peeps. Remember, please don’t drink and drive!
By now, you’ve seen Tiger Woods’ statement, but did you see this doozy? Alleged mistress and Gloria Allred’s client, Veronica Siwik-Daniels, demands an in-person apology from Tiger Woods. Um, how about apologizing to his wife and kids? Karma is a boomerang.
If you missed Popsquire’s Russell Wetanson on last night’s premiere of E!’s “Doomed By Lust,” don’t fret. Below is a snippet, and you can watch many repeats on E!.
Chris Brown is expected in downtown Los Angeles today to provide a status update to the judge who sentenced him to five years’ probation, 180 days of hard labor, and 52 weeks of anger management classes.
[Bauer Griffin Online]
Judge Patricia Schnegg has been clear from the beginning — she wanted Brown to perform hard labor as part of his sentence and not fluffy community service. Brown is expected to detail the hard labor he has completed so far to the judge today in an effort to show that he is complying with his sentencing requirements.
Brown’s previous status conference went smoothly. This one likely will follow suit, and Popsquire will keep you posted.
UPDATE: Like Popsquire predicted, the hearing went well. The judge was happy with Brown’s progress. He’s completed 17 anger management sessions and 32 days of hard labor so far. Lots more to go.
If you miss hearing about Jon & Kate Plus whatever rhymes to fit the story, today is your lucky day — we have Jon & Kate Plus A Settlement Date.
[Bauer Griffin Online]
E! Online reports that TLC has settled its breach of contract lawsuit against Jon; the network sued the octodad for going on a media blitz even though his contract prevented him from doing so.
The terms are confidential (so far), but TLC says that “the whole Gosselin family remain under contract with TLC.” Popsquire smells a new show!
If you need a refresher on the case, watch Popsquire’s Russell Wetanson on HLN’s “Prime News” from October 2009 below.
Last night, Lady Gaga dedicated her Brit Awards performance to Alexander McQueen. Today, a British medical examiner told the Westminister Coroner Court that the designer’s death was a suicide.
BTW, Gaga took home awards for best international female artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for The Fame.
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