Popsquire

If you haven’t heard of “National Lampoon’s Pledge This!,” then you are not alone!

Starring Paris Hilton, this straight-to-DVD flick is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed against Paris for failing to provide “reasonable promotion and publicity.” Alleging breach of contract, Florida-based Worldwide Entertainment Group claims that Paris didn’t do enough to publicize the movie after being paid $1 million to star in and promote the 2006 comedy.

Popsquire’s perspective…

Contractual clauses covering promotion and publicity are standard in the entertainment industry.  They typically impose a requirement on talent to render a minimum level of promotion, in addition to their acting services.  Because the arrangement is entirely contractual, the parties are advised to set forth their expectations in writing.

In some circumstances, the parties may even agree to a specific number of appearances that talent must make in order to promote the project.  Here, however, the lawsuit alleges that Paris agreed only to provide “reasonable promotion and publicity,” which is open to wide interpretation and may prove to be an obstacle for the plaintiff’s case.

Like, maybe she was just too busy developing her blond-roots campaign for President?!?

Technorati Tags: breach of contract, lawsuit, paris hilton, pledge this, pop culture law, promtion, publicity, talent services

The Popsquire Beat…providing you with the best from this week’s pop culture/law collisions!

Paris Hilton shot back at John McCain this week with her own, brilliant campaign video.  In honor of Paris’ decision to join the Presidential race, Popsquire has re-written the pledge of allegiance.  Please read aloud: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Paris, and to the materialism for which she stands, one nation under Paris (for one night, at least), indivisible, with liberty and tans for all.”

Anderson Cooper gave us a lesson in defamation laws this week. While filling in for Regis this week, Anderson riffed with Kelly Ripa about “Living Lohan,” Dina and Ali’s reality show on E!.  Although Anderson called it an “atrocious” show, referred to them as “horrific people,” and said Ali looks like she is 60 years old, it still was not defamation because he was just providing an opinion.  Or, as some might say…he was speaking the truth!

Mary-Kate Olsen was let off the hook this week!  Just as the media learned that the DEA had a subpoena with her name on it in connection with the Heath Ledger investigation, the case suddenly closed.  As a result, speculation about Mary-Kate’s reported requests for immunity and level of cooperation with the feds became moot.  In short, we won’t be seeing her in A Full Court!

Have a great weekend. Please don’t drink and drive!

Technorati Tags: ali lohan, anderson cooper, campaign, dea, dina lohan, drug enforcement administration, heath ledge, immunity, john mccain, law, mary kate olsen, materialism, paris hilton, pledge of allegiance, pop culture, popsquire, Popsquire Beat, presidential election, tanning

Popsquire loves a good feud!

Click here for Paris Hilton’s brilliant — yes, brilliant — response to the John McCain’s YouTube ad.  In it, she refers to John McCain as the “wrinkly white haired guy,” sets forth her own energy policy, and suggests Rihanna as her VP running mate.

John McCain’s campaign actually responded: “Paris Hilton may not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously as a better energy plan.”

Popsquire Pop Quiz: Could Rihanna actually be Paris’ VP?

Sadly, the answer is no.  Article 2, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.”

And, 12th Amendment has the following language to clarify that a VP candidate also must be natural born citizen: “But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”

Technorati Tags: barack obama, celebrity, john mccain, paris hilton, Politics, pop culture law

Is Popsquire the only one who thinks at least one country ought to outlaw appearances by Paris Hilton?

Technorati Tags: belly dance, law, paris hilton, pop culture, turkey

TMZ reports that one of its photogs spotted (at Ralph’s Supermarket) “someone Paris slept with, which narrows the field to … a football field.”

Popsquire’s perspective… 

Aside from being extremely funny, this statement may constitute defamation.  It clearly involves a published statement of fact (i.e., that Paris has slept with so many people that they would fill a football field) that could harm a person’s reputation.

Popsquire would LOVE to see this turn into a lawsuit.  Imagine the arguments…

1. Paris could evoke “truth” as a defense by listing everyone she slept with and proving that her bed post numbers are fewer than TMZ’s projection.
2. TMZ could argue that Paris’ reputation – based on starring in a sex video and flashing her punani to photogs –  was not harmed in any way by the statement.

Popsquire can only hope to write about such an event.  In an effort to make wishes come true, Popsquire dedicates this Dionne Warwick classic to the cause…

Technorati Tags: defamation, law, libel, paris hilton, pop culture, slander, tmz

According to People, Billy Ray Cyrus is apologizing for failure to buckle up while filming the movie, “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour.” During a scene in the film in which Miley Cyrus and her dad are riding in the back seat of a Range Rover on the way to rehearsal for the concert tour, neither was wearing a seat belt.

Faithful Popsquire readers know that Billy Ray and Miley join Paris Hilton in the list of celebs caught on camera without buckling up. As a reminder, there are consequences for failing to click it!

The maximum fine in California for a seat-belt violation for individuals 16 and older is $87 for the first offense and the citation more then doubles for the second offense.

Drivers who are cited for not properly securing children under 16 in a vehicle are subject to a maximum fine of $340 for a first offense and up to $871 for a second offense.

Popsquire also wants to remind everyone that failing to wear a seatbelt can kill! Just like this 30 Seconds To Mars video…

Technorati Tags: billy ray cyrus, car crash, hannah montana, law, miley cyrus, paris hilton, pop culture, range rover, seatbelts

Popsquire’s peeps have been asking why Kiefer Sutherland served so much more time than Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Richie, as described here. 

Popsquire has the answers…

Kiefer did his time in the Glendale city jail, as opposed to the Lynwood county jail where the starletts all did their time.  City jail generally is considered much more comfortable than county jail.  There are two catches, however: (1) you have to pay a daily fee to serve there; and (2) you have to serve the entire sentence.

In county jail, non-violent offenders often serve a fraction of their full sentence due to overcrowding.  As a result, many people (including celebs) elect county jail.  Although there are no guarantees, it typically results in a shorter jail term…unless you are Paris Hilton, of course!

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Kiefer_Sutherland_s_Longer_Jail_Term_Explained]

Technorati Tags: city jail, county jail, drunk driving, DUI, glendale, jail, keifer sutherland, lindsay lohan, lynwood, michelle rodriguez, nicole richie, paris hilton

TMZ caught Paris Hilton crammed into a SUV last night.  Check out the video here.  Do you see her — or anyone else — wearing a seat belt?

Popsquire Pop Quiz: How much does a click it or ticket fine cost in California? 

The maximum fine in California for a seat-belt violation for individuals 16 and older is $87 for the first offense and the citation more then doubles for the second offense.

Drivers who are cited for not properly securing children under 16 in a vehicle are subject to a maximum fine of $340 for a first offense and up to $871 for a second offense.

Popsquire wasn’t there, but he just knows which Rihanna song was blasting…

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Paris_Click_It_Or_Ticket]

Technorati Tags: paris hilton seat belt tmz jail fine traffic law popsqu

In celebration of Christmas, Popsquire brings you one of the best collisions between pop culture and law this year.  Watch and hear one man’s reaction to the announcement that Paris Hilton will be sent back to jail…make sure you watch until the end.

Technorati Tags: christmas, jail, law, paris hilton, pop culture, popsquire, russell wetanson

TMZ has published a report by the Office of Independent Review concluding that three L.A. County Sheriff’s Department employees gave preferential treatment to Mel Gibson during his DUI arrest last July.

Um, duh!  Is anyone shocked?

Actually, what’s shocking is that the same report found that there was no preferential treatment involved in Paris Hilton’s arrest for driving on a suspended license while on probation.  

Maybe the cops were worried that Mel was packing a lethal weapon?!

PS: Popsquire is bringing you a link to the report here.

Technorati Tags: antisemitism, cops, lethal weapon, Mel Gibson, office of independent review, paris hilton, popsquire, preferential treatment, russell wetanson