Oprah, schoolgirls to testify at defamation trial
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Oprah Winfrey and several schoolgirls allegedly abused at her academy in South Africa are expected to testify in a trial over a defamation lawsuit brought by the school's former headmistress, whose performance Winfrey criticized. When news of the scandal broke in 2007, Winfrey said she had "lost confidence" in headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane and was "cleaning house from top to bottom." Mzamane, who said she didn't know about any sexual abuse, had trouble finding another job afterward.
Ellen presents $30K to Miss. lesbian in prom flap
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A lesbian high school student embroiled in a legal flap over her school's prom policy has received a $30,000 scholarship on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Constance McMillen was speechless Friday when the talk show host pulled out an oversized check from the Web site Tonic.Com, a digital media company.
Volunteer day promoted to honor Mister Rogers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mister Rogers cared deeply about his neighbors and his neighborhood, both in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and in real life. Now, friends and colleagues of late television icon Fred Rogers want to honor his legacy with a national day of volunteering on his birthday. Rogers, who died in 2003 after battling stomach cancer, would have been 82 on Saturday.
Demi Moore's Twitter account part of suicide help
CASSELBERRY, Fla. (AP) — Actresses Demi Moore and Nia Vardalos were linked to an online chain of Twitter posts that ultimately led to Florida authorities intervening Friday when an 18-year-old man threatened to commit suicide. Moore's Twitter account, mrskutcher, was among those responding to a message from a young man threatening to hang himself in his front yard in Casselberry, north of Orlando. Moore — with more than 2.5 million followers — and husband Ashton Kutcher are both active on the social network.
Icahn launches hostile bid for all of Lions Gate
NEW YORK (AP) — Activist shareholder Carl Icahn raised the stakes in his yearlong dispute with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. on Friday, launching an all-out bid to take over the movie studio following disagreements over its spending. The hostile bid comes a week after Lions Gate rejected Icahn's offer to buy a larger minority stake and rewrote its bylaws to make such a takeover attempt more difficult in the future.
Producer files $30M suit against Lady Gaga in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga's spokesman is declining to comment on a music producer's lawsuit. Rob Fusari filed the $30.5 million lawsuit in Manhattan against the Grammy Award-winning performer on Wednesday. He said his protege and former girlfriend ditched him as her career soared.
Ex-porn star reveals purported Tiger Woods texts
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former porn actress says she may reveal more potentially embarrassing information about Tiger Woods after releasing sexually graphic text messages that she claims prove her affair with the golfer. Joslyn James told The Associated Press on Thursday that she disclosed the messages because she wants people to realize that she was honest when she came forth earlier this year and said Woods had avidly pursued her.
Rome to display ancient Greek silverware
ROME (AP) — A collection of ancient Greek silverware dating to the third century B.C. is going on display in Rome after being returned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York, officials said Friday. The 16 pieces of silverware with gold detail were returned as part of Italy's aggressive campaign against illegal trafficking in antiquities. They include two large bowls, a cup with two handles, plates and drinking utensils.
Geneva's 'Parsifal' ends in embrace
GENEVA (AP) — Geneva's new "Parsifal" production escaped the boos heard after several recent Richard Wagner opera premieres at the Grand Theatre, with a richly colored staging accompanying music that was at times so sensuous the allegory of Christian salvation seemed destined to end in embrace. Perhaps it was a nod to Wagner the young revolutionary, and not the moralizing elder, that Swiss director Roland Aeschlimann chose to finish the German composer's final opera with spiritual and earthly redemption.
Theater owners say thanks to hitmaker Bruckheimer
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Like most people who receive lifetime-achievement awards, Jerry Bruckheimer wants everyone to know he's not finished yet. "Hopefully, there's more to come," said Bruckheimer, the producer of such franchises as "Pirates of the Caribbean," "National Treasure" and "Beverly Hills Cop," who received a career prize Thursday night at closing ceremonies of the ShoWest convention for theater owners.
