PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

MADONNA’s divorce from GUY RITCHIE is set to be the most expensive in showbiz history - dwarfing those of SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY and PHIL COLLINS.
The Material Girl hitmaker and her filmmaker husband have an estimated combined fortune of $525 million (£284 million), the bulk of which belongs to the singer.
The couple also owns properties in New York, Los Angeles, London, and the English county of Wiltshire.
And, although Madonna earned the majority of her wealth before she married Ritchie in 2000, experts speculate she faces a costly settlement with the RocknRolla director.
Madonna and Ritchie are rumoured not to have signed a pre-nuptial agreement before they wed and it is believed the eventual figure could smash the $46 million (£25 million) singer-songwriter Collins paid to third wife Orianne Cevey in August (08), and Beatles legend McCartney’s $45 million (£24.3 million) payment to Heather Mills.
Leading British divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag, of London-based Ayesha Vardag Solicitors, says: "While clearly Madonna has been the bigger hitter, arguably Guy Ritchie has had to take a back seat in his own career in order to back her up and support the family emotionally during her demanding work.
"The law doesn’t discriminate between breadwinner and home maker - it doesn’t in most circumstances matter who earned the money if they were married and therefore a team. One way or another, this divorce should result in a huge payout for Guy Ritchie if properly handled.
"While a lot of Madonna’s wealth will have been acquired before the marriage, a sizeable amount of wealth will have been built up during the marriage as part of their partnership, which will mean this is not just a case of meeting financial needs.
"There will be a huge amount of forensic accounting work relating to what was acquired when and how, and a lot of legal argument about how and indeed how much to differentiate between marital property, which is up for sharing, and non-marital property, which can to some extent be shut out, as the law on that has become somewhat woolly lately."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Legendary actor TONY CURTIS has justified his five failed marriages, insisting he was jilted as a young boy by the abusive tendencies of his schizophrenic mother.
The 83-year-old star was lusted after throughout his career as one of Hollywood’s most handsome leading men.
And Curtis insists his own lust for women has yet to leave him - even 10 years after wedding his sixth wife, Jill.
He says, "I have a feeling she (my mother) was abused in so many ways and never said a word..
. she slapped me around for no reason so I avoided her." And the actor admits he’s been desperate for affection since his childhood: "The one quality that never left me was my joy and love of women since I was a kid
. My mother shocked me because she just didn’t have that loving feeling
. So I ran all over..
. anybody that was a female got me right in their lap.
"As I grew up, I began to find a lot of qualities in women that I liked..
. I enjoyed living, I enjoyed the ladies I met and that made my life."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Students at Yale University have taken aim at the writers of TV hit GOSSIP GIRL over their portrayal of the esteemed institution in a recent episode.
In an article published in the Yale Daily News, students interviewed allege the episode, which aired in the U.S. on Monday (13Oct08), is filled with several factual errors, especially with regards to the university’s admission process.
The episode, which was filmed at Columbia University near the show’s New York City set, follows three main characters as they meet privately with the college’s dean of admissions - a premise Yale’s actual admissions dean Jeff Brenzel is adamant would never occur.
Brenzel says, "I don’t do any interviews of applicants or potential applicants, so I’m not in the position of advising anyone. I certainly do not hold or attend private dinners for candidates." Student Katie Zimmerman, a fan of the Blake Lively-starring drama, adds: "It didn’t bring out the Yale that we all know and love, but instead just used stereotypes about Yale. And all the characters were just focusing on getting in (to Yale). It was kind of a failure."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JOSH BROLIN has hit back at claims he owes his success as an actor to his famous father JAMES and step-mother BARBRA STREISAND.
The W star became accustomed to the limelight as the child of casting director Jane Agee and television/film actor James Brolin, who wed third wife Streisand in 1998.
But Brolin insists he’s never taken advantage of his famous relatives adamant his success is derived from his own talents.
He says, "My mother worked as an assistant casting director for Batman (the TV show) and that’s where she met my father… There’s this kind of mythology when you have a (famous) parent - he can’t get me a job. If he owned a studio, maybe he could get me a job. It’s a myth."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES actor GALE HAROLD has suffered a fractured shoulder after he was involved in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday (14Oct08).
The star, 38, was rushed to the Los Angeles County - USC Medical Center, where he is currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit, reports TMZ.com.
A spokesperson for Harold - who plays Jackson, the boyfriend of Teri Hatcher’s character Susan Mayer, in the hit TV series - says, "He has fractured his shoulder and is under observation to assess any possible further injuries.
Everyone is hopeful for a full recovery. No one else was injured in the accident."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

America’s former First Lady NANCY REAGAN has been hospitalised after fracturing her pelvis in a late night fall at her Bel Air home.
The 87-year-old widow of Ronald Reagan has been admitted to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
Reports suggest Reagan checked in on Monday (13Oct08) after falling last week (ends10Oct08) and, although she’s in great pain, surgery will not be required.
She’ll undergo physical therapy at the hospital.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

R&B legend KEITH SWEAT has banned his socialite ex LISA WU HARTWELL from including their two sons on her reality show THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA.
Sweat, 47, has refused to sign a waiver allowing his kids Jordan, 13, and Justin, 11, to be filmed for inclusion on the TV programme, which Hartwell stars in - because he fears they will be exploited.
But Hartwell has accused Sweat of purposely being difficult to stop her from achieving her TV dreams.
She tells E! online, "He’s like, ‘Lisa, it’s nothing personal. I just really don’t know how they’re going to edit and if they are going to make you look crazy. I just don’t want the kids to be, you know, overexposed or anything.’ "They (the boys) asked their dad could they be involved and he (said) no. It could have been a Disney show and I don’t think he would have signed it."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

ADAM ‘DJ AM’ GOLDSTEIN made his first big public appearance at a benefit concert held in his honour on Tuesday (14Oct08), less than a month after surviving a fatal plane crash.
The Los Angeles DJ and entrepreneur is still recovering from the South Carolina tragedy, which left four people dead and pal/bandmate Travis Barker in critical condition last month (19Sep08).
But he is easing himself back into showbusiness and turned up at the special concert, dubbed ‘Welcome Home DJ AM’, which aimed to raise funds for the victims of the tragedy.
A host of celebrity DJs, including Mark Ronson, Steve Aoki, Danny Masterson and Mixmaster Mike rallied together for the show, with tickets selling for $20 (£10.80) each. Guests included Hilary Duff, will.i.am and actor Chris Masterson.
And Goldstein’s pals were stunned at how well he is recovering.
Rocker Cisco Adler, a close pal of the 35-year-old, says, "I’ve known him since we were kids. I just saw him for the first time (since the crash) and it was literally an amazing moment." Another artist friend, Simon Rex, has also praised Goldstein’s rapid recovery, adding, "I hung out with Adam the other day, he’s home, and he’s doing great. (But) Adam is still I think in shock. He can’t believe what happened. It’s a miracle." Barker is still receiving treatment for his burns at a Los Angeles hospital, and was therefore unable to attend.
Goldstein is due back onstage supporting rap heavyweight Jay-Z when he plays the Palladium Theatre in Hollywood on Wednesday night (15Oct08).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

LATEST: STATUS QUO have been forced to reschedule a string of dates after learning drummer MATTHEW LETLEY’s viral infection is worse than expected.
The rockers pulled Tuesday night’s (14Oct08) show in Hull, England due to Letley’s illness and now all dates up to the weekend (18Oct08) have been postponed.
The dates effected include a show at the Blackpool Opera House on Wednesday (15Oct08) and two concerts in Manchester.
The cancelled shows will now take place in January (09) Letley has been diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract viral infection, and ordered to rest.
Status Quo manager Simon Porter says, "The band hate to have to reschedule shows and hope that the fans realise that these situations are outside their control.”

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

A preview performance of SIR ELTON JOHN’s Broadway musical BILLY ELLIOT had to be cancelled just minutes before its start after technical problems forced the show to shut down on Tuesday (14Oct08).
A faulty elevator used to lift scenery onto the stage was blamed for the cancellation, which left the Imperial Theatre’s 1,400 audience members moaning after the news was announced by the play’s general manager.
The Olivier Award-winning show began previews in New York last month (17Sep08) in preparation for its official opening on 13 November (08).
A show spokesperson tells Playbill.com: "The problem is being fixed and tomorrow evening’s performance is expected to go ahead as scheduled." Ticketholders have been offered a full refund as a result of the malfunction.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MADONNA and GUY RITCHIE have confirmed they are divorcing after eight years of marriage.
The singer has been under intense media scrutiny amid rumours she indulged in an affair with New York baseball star Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez.
Madonna and Rodriguez were alleged to have had an "affair of the heart", according to his estranged wife, Cynthia. They divorced last month (Sep08).
Madonna denied having an affair with Rodriguez, insisting rumours of a split between her and director husband Ritchie were untrue.
But the couple has been forced to admit their marriage is over following further speculation in British newspaper The Sun.
Madonna’s spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg confirmed to the Associated Press via email that the couple will divorce and asked the media to respect their privacy.
The statement, co-signed by Ritchie’s representative, says the couple had not agreed to a settlement.
The Sun reported on Wednesday (15Oct08) that the pop superstar would announce the split after her Sticky & Sweet world tour later this year (08).
A source told the newspaper, "Despite huge attempts to patch things up they both knew deep down that divorce was on the cards. It wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.
"They tried hard over the last few months but their fighting was getting out of control." The couple met after being introduced through mutual friends Sting and wife Trudie Styler in 1999. Madonna gave birth to their son Rocco in Los Angeles in 2000. They married in Scotland later that year (00).
Madonna was previously married to actor Sean Penn in 1985 but they divorced in 1989. She has a 12 year old daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, from her relationship with fitness trainer Carlos Leon. She and Ritchie also have another son, David, whom they adopted from Malawi in 2006. (LJ/WN&WNTSU/ZN) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 15 OCTOBER 2008 ————————————————————————–

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

MADONNA has fired back at critics of her new film FILTH AND WISDOM for insisting she should focus on her singing career rather than delve into directing.
The Material Girl hitmaker premiered her directorial debut in New York on Monday (13Oct08) night, in between dates on the U.S. leg of her Sticky & Sweet world tour.
The film has been met with mixed reviews, but Madonna is unfazed by the criticism.
She tells the New York Daily News: "There are certain kinds of resentment when (you) do one thing well - not to toot my own horn or anything - and then you try to go do something else, and that’s their f**king problem.
"I consider myself a storyteller, whether I’m writing songs or a screenplay.
So I don’t see (directing) as such a big leap from what I already do."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actress SHANNEN DOHERTY has confirmed she will appear in a further two episodes of the BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 spin-off series, despite announcing her departure.
Doherty plays the adult incarnation of Brenda Walsh in 90210 - the character she played on the original teen TV series until in 1994.
The star initially signed-on to appear in only four episodes of the show, which made its debut in September (08).
But a spokesperson for the show has confirmed Doherty’s return for two additional episodes of the series, which are set to air on 18 November (08).
She has been joined by fellow former castmates Jennie Garth and Joe E. Tata, who have also signed-on to reprise their roles, and Jason Priestley, who has been tapped to direct an upcoming episode of the spin-off.
Last month (Sep08), Doherty told reporters: "I signed on for four episodes…
I think there’s such a thing as overstaying your welcome, and I don’t wanna do that."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The maker of classic U.S. TV series LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE has filed a lawsuit against a nonprofit organisation running a small museum in Kansas with the same name.
Bosses at California-based Friendly Family Productions filed court documents last week (beg06Oct08) in Los Angeles federal court against Little House on the Prairie Inc., claiming trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution.
The family farm, located in the southeast region of the state, was the site of the book Little House on the Prairie - where writer Laura Ingalls Wilder lived between 1869 and 1871.
The production company executives claim they acquired merchandising rights for the famous name, the trademark Little House on the Prairie and the right to exploit the book on television, motion pictures and theme parks from Ingalls’ heirs in a 1974 deal - the same year the TV movie and series were produced.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting the museum from using the trademark, as well as unspecified damages for infringement and for any money the group has made from its use.
According to the New York Post, the company offered the Kansas museum $40,000 (£21,622) for its trademarks and to change the name of its website and online store.
But museum president Jean Schodorf has vowed to fight the legal action.
He tells the newspaper: "It is so sad that the Friendly Family Productions company of the Little House on the Prairie TV show feel they have to sue the real little house on the prairie… We said, ‘Thank you, but no thank you. We would like to keep it.’" According to Schodorf, the museum makes about $90,000 (£48,649) a year.
She plans to seek donations so the museum can defend itself from the lawsuit, adding: "We are a nonprofit (group). We barely make ends meet. We don’t think this is right. We don’t think this follows Laura’s principles."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Shakespearean actor KENNETH BRANAGH has stepped down as director of upcoming West End play HAMLET to take on the big-screen adaptation of Marvel comic THOR.
The English star, who helmed and starred in the 1996 version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, was due to direct Jude Law in a Donmar Warehouse production of the tragedy at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre.
But he’s had to withdraw from the project after reaching the final stages of negotiations with Marvel bosses over the Thor movie, due for release in 2010.
Branagh will be replaced by Michael Grandage, the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, which is currently in the middle of its year-long residency at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
Grandage says, "We have arrived at this arrangement very amicably." And Law is also in support of the production change.
He adds, "I feel privileged to be part of the Donmar West End season and to be directed by the company’s artistic director Michael Grandage.
"It was Ken who brought me to this project. With his support and guidance, as one of the greatest Hamlets of all time, and with Michael directing, I can’t imagine a better scenario for me, as an actor, to undertake the role." Hamlet is due to begin previews at the end of May (09).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Bollywood legend AMITABH BACHCHAN has been put on a liquid diet by Indian hospital staff after he was admitted with abdominal pains on Saturday (11Oct08).
The actor was hospitalised on his 66th birthday after suffering from an "intestinal obstruction".
But Bachchan’s health is improving since he began his liquid diet, according to a spokesperson for Lilavati Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The spokesman adds, "Amitabh Bachchan continues to improve in health. He is on a liquid diet. While the doctors are definitely happy with his constant progress, they are not ready to comment on when he is going to be discharged." In 2005, Bachchan underwent surgery for an intestinal condition at the same hospital.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

CHRISTIE BRINKLEY has reportedly filed suit against ex-husband PETER COOK for breaching the confidentiality agreement in their divorce settlement.
During a candid interview with Barbara Walters on a U.S. news show 20/20 last week (10Oct08), Cook spoke of his regret of the affair that ended his marriage.
The interview reportedly angered Brinkley, who failed in her attempt to secure a restraining order against Cook just prior to its airing - which would have prevented him contacting the couple’s two children.
Brinkley claimed that by opening up about their marriage problems, he violated the confidentiality provision set out in the terms of their divorce, which was agreed upon following a bitter public trial over the summer (08).
Cook could be subjected to a $10,000 (£5,405) contempt of court fine if he is found to have violated the terms of the deal, according to the New York Post.
Brinkley could also be allowed to respond to his allegations.
But Cook has defended his decision to open-up about his failed marriage on the news programme, telling the newspaper: "Anything I’ve done to resurrect my image for the sake of my children she finds offensive… It’s clear that she’s threatened by my relationship with them. Really, I just want her to leave us alone." Cook has also countered that Brinkley has "multiple breaches of the agreement" herself.
His lawyer, Steve Kuhn, insists his client’s on-air comments did not constitute a breach of the confidentiality agreement.
Brinkley’s lawyer, Robert Stephan Cohen, was unavailable for comment.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The composer of the theme from the BATMAN TV series has died.
Neal Hefti died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday (11Oct08) at the age of 85.
Hefti was famed for writing the iconic piece of music, which he described as the "hardest piece I ever wrote".
It charted in the U.S. and U.K. and won a Grammy Award in 1966 for best instrumental theme.
Hefti was also an American jazz trumpeter, composer, tune writer, and arranger.
He worked with Frank Sinatra on two albums, Sinatra and Swingin’ Brass, plus Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)