Popsquire

The Popsquire Beat provides highlights from this week’s most entertaining pop culture/law collisions!

First up, Britney Spears rejected a plea bargain in her misdemeanor invalid driver’s license case this week.  The deal reportedly would have imposed on her a $150 fine and 12 months probation.  With a trial expected to start next week, Britney may have to testify.  If the judge asks her to state her name for the record, lets pray she says: “It’s Britney, bitch!”

Lindsay Lohan is camera shy.  As part of a Samantha Ronson lawsuit, Lindsay was subpoenaed to appear for a videotaped deposition.  Lindsay’s attorneys filed a motion to prevent videotaping because “there are no security measures sufficient to ensure that the videotapes of Ms. Lohan’s deposition will not be made public.”  Well, let’s hope so…Tape, baby, tape!

And, Christie Brinkley filed a request for a temporary restraining order this week against ex husband Peter Cook.  She hoped to strip Peter of visitation with the kids this weekend because she doesn’t want her kids to see his revealing Barbara Walters interview on 20/20 tonight.  The court denied the TRO request, but Peter has to prevent them from watching the interview.  Um, who’s gonna keep him away from the internet?

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

Technorati Tags: 20/20, barbara walters, Britney Spears, celebrities and law, child custody, christie brinkley, for the record, invalid driver's license, lindsay lohan deposition, peter cook, pop culture law, samantha ronson, temporary restraining order

The Popsquire Beat provides highlights from this week’s most entertaining pop culture law collisions…

First up, The Parents Television Council filed an indecency complaint with the FCC over the penis appearance on the premiere of Survivor: Gabon. By contrast, CBS described the incident as a “completely unintentional, inadvertent, and fleeting incident that was virtually undetectable when viewed in real-time.”  Um, did CBS really just say that Marcus’ penis is “virtually undetectable?!?”  Poor Marcus…

Helio Castroneves is Dancing With The Feds!  The 33-year-old DWTS champ pleaded guilty to tax fraud this week, after being indicted for failing to pay taxes on more than $5 million in income over a four-year period.  The court set bail at $10 million and took his passport away.  Helios’ definitely had a taxing week!

And, Sharon Stone says there is not even a Sliver of truth to the accusation that she wanted to inject her son with botox to cure smelly feet.  Her attorney says: “Sharon Stone never made this statement. It is a complete fabrication.”  In short, Sharon is defending her Basic Mothering Instinct!

Have a great weekend.  Remember, please don’t drink and drive!

Technorati Tags: celebrities and law, fcc, helio castroneves, indictment, marcus lehman penis, parents television council, phil bronstein, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, roan, sharon stone botox, sharon stone custody battle, survivor penis, survivor: gabon, tax fraud

The Popsquire Beat provides highlights from this week’s best pop culture/law collisions…

Anne Hathaway’s ex, Raffaello Follieri, pleaded guilty in federal court this week to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering.  He is expected to serve five years in federal prison when he is sentenced in October. In short, The Devil Wears Stripes!

J.K. Rowling successfully convinced a New York federal court to prevent the publication of The Harry Potter Lexicon, a proposed companion guide/encyclopedia to the Harry Potter series.  The judge ruled that the book was not protected under fair-use provisions of copyright law and ordered the publisher to pay minimal damages in the amount of $6,750.  J.K. was not J/K’ing!

A New York federal court dismissed a lawsuit filed against Twentieth Century Fox and Sacha Baron Cohen for embarrassing various individuals in the successful Borat film.  The court dismissed their claims because each of the plaintiffs had signed an “explicit waiver” with “unambiguous” language.  No joke needed if Borat is smarter than you…

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

Technorati Tags: anne hathaway, borat lawsuit, copyright law, explicit waiver, harry potter, harry potter lexicon, j.k. rowling, lawsuit, money laundering wire fraud, pop culture law, raffaello follieri, sacha baron cohen

The Popsquire Beat provides you with the week’s best pop culture/law collisions…

The courts still want a piece of Britney Spears! This week, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejected her motion to dismiss a misdemeanor charge for driving with an invalid license last year, leaving the possibility of an October trial. Picture it…The judge asks Britney to state her name for the record and swear in; she says, ‘It’s Britney, bitch!”

Oprah Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee, is being sued by a high-end Wisconsin fashion boutique for allegedly failing to pay for more than $150,000 in purchases. According to the store, she has been racking up the bill since 2004 and has failed to make minimum monthly payments in the amount of $2,000. In short, Oprah’s mom may not be paying for her favorite things!

In June 2008, a flight attendant filed a $5 million lawsuit, claiming that J-Lo’s dog chomped her leg on a plane trip. Now, the plaintiff’s attorney says that Marc Anthony is being added as a defendant to the federal court lawsuit because he may be the dog’s registered owner. Unlike love, dogs do cost a thing!

Have a great weekend. Please don’t drink and drive. And, remember to tune in to MTV’s Video Music Awards on Sunday night to watch Popsquire’s favorite pop culture/law collision, Britney Spears. Popsquire loves a good comeback!

Technorati Tags: 5150 hold, Britney Spears, comeback, invalid driver's license, jennifer lopez dog lawsuit, marc anthony, misdemeanor charge, mtv video music awards, oprah, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, vernita lee

The Popsquire Beat provides this week’s best collisions between pop culture and law…

MacKenzie Phillips was arrested this week for drug possession. During a routine search at LAX, a bag of cocaine fell down her leg. After spending the night in jail, McKenzie posted $10,000 for bail. Let’s hope she gets some help and takes it One Leg At A Time!

Hilary Duff’s parents, Bob and Susan, were in court this week as part of their ongoing, bitter divorce. Susan asked the court to order Bob to contribute $25,000 for Hilary’s 21st birthday party and present, but she got something else — courtroom drama. After ordering Bob to pay $12,500 for Hilary’s birthday, the judge also sent him to jail for 10 days in contempt of court. In short, this week Hilary’s dad was Without Love!

Australia, a country filled with descendants of convicted criminals, may not allow Snoop Dogg to enter the country for his fall tour alongside Ice Cube. With a criminal record including several drugs and firearms charges as well as a murder acquittal, immigration officials confirm that they will be “undertaking a more thorough assessment of [Snoop's] character” in connection with a look at his visa status. Sadly and ironically, there may not be any doggy style down under!

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

Technorati Tags: australia immigration, bob duff, cocaine fell down leg, contempt of court, divorce, drugs, Hilary Duff, mackenzie phillips, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, snoop dog, snoop doggy dog, visa status

The Popsquire Beat provides highlights from this week’s pop culture/law collisions…

Craig Robinson (The Office and Pineapple Express) pleaded guilty to a felony count of ecstasy possession in Los Angeles this week, while charges for meth possession were dropped. And, the ecstasy charge will be dropped against him after he completes a drug education class. In short, the court concluded that Robinson is not a meth-od actor!

Malaysia can’t make up its mind! Despite earlier reports that the Malaysian government had canceled Avril Lavigne’s August 29 concert after Islamic groups complained she was “too sexy,” the singer now says the concert is on. Seriously, how Complicated can it be to decide if Avril is sexy?!?

And, Michael Vick is a _____! Fill in the blank however you’d like, while Vick is serving a 23-month jail sentence for animal abuse. This week, further details about his bankruptcy emerged this week.  In addition to shouldering $19 million in liabilities, Vick currently makes only 12 cents an hour for prison work. Popsquire, of course, wouldn’t pay him a dime!

Have a great weekend. Please do not drink and drive!

Technorati Tags: animal abuse, Avril Lavigne, bankruprcy, censorship, craig robinson, drugs, ecstasy, islamic groups, malaysia, meth possession, michael vick, pineapple express, pit bulls, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, the office, too sexy

The Popsquire Beat brings you the best pop culture/law collisions of the week…

After watching Hulk and Linda Hogan wrestle in divorce court for two days, a Florida judge gave Linda $40,000 a month in tax-free spousal support, access to one of the couple’s homes, and free domestic help. In short, Hulk has to do the taxes and pay for someone to clean up after Linda. That’s what the legal community calls a body slam!

Paris Hilton is being sued for not doing enough to publicize the 2006 movie, “National Lampoon’s Pledge This!” After being paid $1 million to star in and promote the straight-to-DVD comedy, Paris reportedly did not provide “reasonable promotion and publicity” for the film. Give the girl a break — clearly, she was too busy developing her blond-roots campaign for President!

Representing a group with few legal rights, America’s Next Top Model announced this week that one of its 14 contestants in the upcoming cycle will be a member of the transgender community. 22-year-old Isis confirms that her “cards were dealt differently,” and identifies herself as “a woman born physically male.” In a room filled with Tyra, Isis, and Ms. J, will the real transgender please stand up?!?

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

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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

Oops…the court did it again! A judge decided this week to extend the conservatorship overseeing Britney Spears’ financial and legal decisions. The conservatorship, headed up by Brit’s dad Jamie, is expected to continue until at least until the end of October and possibly through December 2008. In short, Brit remains a Slaaaaaave 4 Her Dad!

On Wednesday, Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky and her father were arrested for an alleged violent airport altercation in Turks and Caicos. Nikki was charged with assault, while her father is facing charges for causing bodily injury. Nikki’s anticipated defense: “You Can’t Stop The Beat…ing!”

And yesterday, the LA City Council entertained hearings to address ongoing problems with the paparazzi. Speaking out against any further regulations, LAPD Chief William Bratton implied that celebrities are to blame, stating: “As you notice, since Britney started wearing clothes and behaving, Paris is out of town, not bothering anybody anymore, thank God, and evidently Lindsay Lohan has gone gay, we don’t have much of an issue.” No joke needed.

Have a great weekend! Please don’t drink and drive. Otherwise, you might end up like Shia La Busted!

Technorati Tags: 5150 hold, bianca golden, Britney Spears, conservatorship, hairspray, lapd police chief, lindsay lohan, nikki blonsky, paprazzi, pop culture law, william bratton

Rapper 50 Cent was In Da Court again this week! He’s suing Taco Bell for trademark infringement and misappropriation of his right to publicity, claiming that the chalupa chain released a letter asking him to change his name to 79, 89, and 99 Cent in support of its value menu promotion.

Although clever, the Taco Bell strategy may ultimately backfire…kinda like the results of some of its menu items.

A federal court of appeals ruled that the FCC’s $500,000 fine against CBS for the 2004 Janet Jackson Nipple Gate was out of Control.

In short, the court found that Janet’s brief nudity (nine-sixteenths of a second) just wasn’t Nasty enough to warrant the fine!

Jennifer Lopez celebrated her 39th birthday this week! In the last decade, J-Lo allegedly witnessed a NYC nightclub shooting with P-Diddy, sued an ex-husband to prevent publication of a tell-all book, and recently was sued because her dog allegedly bit a flight attendant. Ain’t It Funny how one celeb can have so many collisions with the law?!?

Please don’t drink and drive this (or any) weekend. For non-legal pop culture goodies, check out What a Week It’s Bean at SpunkyBean.com!

Technorati Tags: 50 cent, dog, fcc, janet jackson, jennifer lopez, lawsuit, p diddy, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, taco bell, trademark infringement

It’s family week on The Popsquire Beat!

First up, former Family Ties child star, Brian Bonsall, skipped out on a court date this week. He was placed on probation last year for assaulting his girlfriend and was supposed to be in court this week to address alleged violations of probation. What will he do, baby, without court? Sha-la-la-la…

Rapper 50 Cent was In Da Court this week asking a New York judge to grant him visitation with his son, Marquise. After passing a drug test, 50 convinced the judge to give him unrestricted visitation for a week in August. Is Popsquire the only one wondering if the judge asked him 21 Questions?!?

And, Britney Spears and Kevin Federline settled their custody battle today, with Britney getting more visitation rights and K-Fed retaining physical and legal custody. This means there will be no trial in August. And, sadly, this means that Popsquire won’t be able to use this line…”At trial today, when the judge asked Britney Spears to state her name for the record and swear in, Britney replied, ‘It’s Britney, bitch!‘”

Have a great weekend! And, remember, please don’t drink and drive!

PS: For the rest of the non-legal pop culture goodies, check out What a Week It’s Bean at SpunkyBean.com!

Technorati Tags: 50 cent, brian bonsall, Britney Spears, custody battle, family law, family ties, kevin federline, mark kaplan, marquise, pop culture law, Popsquire Beat, settlement, shaniqua tompkins, visitation rights

This was the Week Of The Dog in the world of pop culture/law collisions!

Early this week, the Orange County D.A.’s office threw Shante Broadus – Snoop Dogg’s wife – a bone when it decided not to move forward with a June DUI case against her. The D.A.’s office now says it doesn’t have enough evidence “to prove her driving was impaired” by marijuana. Apparently, the D.A. had never met Snoop Dogg!

Next, Michael Vick, who is currently serving a 23-month jail sentence for animal abuse, filed for bankruptcy this week. According to the court documents, he is $10-$50 million in debt. In short, he is now both morally and financially bankrupt!

And, finally, Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook reached a settlement this week in their widely publicized divorce trial. Peter, the now infamous dog, will get $2.1 million, while Christie gets custody of the kids and her boat, “Sweet Freedom.” Um…isn’t that what Peter thought he had during their marriage?!?

To find out more about this week in pop culture, check out “What A Week It’s Bean” on SpunkyBean.com.  Have a good weekend everyone!

Technorati Tags: christie brinkley, divorce, dog abuse, michael vick, peter cook, settlement, shante broadus, snoop dogg, sweet freedom

The Popsquire Beat provides weekly briefs with the most entertaining pop culture/law collisions of the week!

First up, the Christie Brinkley divorce trial started this week with a bang. Actually 12 – that’s the number of times Peter Cook admitted to having sex with his 19-year-old assistant, Diana Bianchi. To show Bianchi he cared, Cook also would leave envelopes full of cash hidden around the office for her to find. Who is he…the tooth fairy?

Verne Troyer, aka Mini Me, sued TMZ for posting a snippet of his sex tape on web. A Los Angeles judge initially ordered TMZ to take the snippet down. Then, after learning that Mini Me’s girlfriend created the tape and gave TMZ permission to post the snippet, the judge approved putting the snippet back up. Is Popsquire the only one who’s uncomfortable talking about Mini Me’s snippet going up and down?

And, Lindsay Lohan, who celebrated her 22nd birthday this week, will not be getting a birthday card from Popsquire this year. There were no car crashes, DUIs, lawsuits, or stolen fur coats. Instead, Lindsay had a small, private party at the Roosevelt hotel without any incident. Who does that??!

Have a good holiday weekend. Please don’t drink and drive.

Technorati Tags: birthday, christie brinkley, cocaine, crack, divorce, drugs, drunk driving, DUI, lindsay lohan, peter cook, pop culture law, tatum o'neal