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KELSEY GRAMMER has ended a lawsuit over 2008 flop SWING VOTE - by paying a $10 (=C2=A36.67) settlement to a man who alleged the film was similar t o a plot he wrote years earlier.
Grammer was named as a defendant in a suit filed by Bradley Blakeman in August 2008 but was the last party left fighting the case after a judge dismissed claims against co-star Kevin Costner and the Disney executives who owned the rights.
The incensed screenwriter claimed he had given a copy of his script Go November to Grammer himself in 2006 and was stunned to see the actor star ring in the "extraordinarily similar" Swing Vote two years later.
But Grammer has finally won the legal battle with Blakeman, who agreed to drop the case and accept the measly sum earlier this month (Mar10), ac cording to TMZ.com.

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Actor JAMES FRANCO is set to enrol in Yale University to obtain his docto rate, according to the esteemed institution’s student newspaper.
The Spider-Man star has already studied film-making at New York Univers ity, and also took writing classes at Columbia University, where he earne d a masters of fine arts diploma.
A rep has confirmed the star was accepted into prestigious Yale, in Con necticut, and will begin courses for his Ph.D. in September (10) if he ac cepts his place, reports the Yale Herald.

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ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS actress JOANNA LUMLEY welled up after Britain’s Prime Minister phoned her on Monday (29Mar10) to apologise for criticism fired at her campaign to help veteran Gurkha soldiers.
The former Bond girl was furious after Britain’s defence minister Kevan Jones accused her of a "deathly silence" since helping to convince offic ials to give 36,000 Nepalese soldiers and their families the right to liv e in the U.K. last year (09).
Her campaign was also smeared by further accusations that lawyers at hu man rights firm Howe & Co had misused funds.
Lumley hit back during a press conference on Monday - and was overcome with emotion when Prime Minister Gordon Brown later called her to persona lly apologise for Jones’ comments.
She says, "He (Brown) told me he thought the world of what we are doing .. I said the thing that smarts most is the attack on Howe & Co and he apo logised unreservedly for that." A spokesperson for Brown confirms, "The Prime Minister said he was sorr y this had happened."

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Actress MARIA CONCHITA ALONSO has fuelled her dispute with SEAN PENN by w riting him an open letter condemning his public support for controversial Venezuelan President HUGO CHAVEZ.
Penn has voiced his admiration for Chavez on numerous occasions - the a ctor visited the politician in 2007 when he was writing an article about the leader, and caught up with him again in 2008.
In a 2007 interview following his first trip to the South American coun try, Penn said: "The first thing I’m going to say is that we know more li es about him in the United States than we know truth. If you want a sound bite from me about Chavez, then I would say that, for the moment, he’s mu ch more positive for Venezuela than he is negative." But Venezuelan native Alonso, who appeared alongside Penn in 1988’s Col ors, has challenged his political views in a new missive which she hopes will "set the record straight for you regarding the Chavez regime".
She writes, "Why do you validate a government that has converted Venezu ela into the second most dangerous country in the world, where impunity i s above 90 per cent and its people live in a constant state of stress and fear of getting killed? "My intention isn’t to convince you, but to let you know what is truly happening in this beautiful country of noble people, Venezuela. I would e ncourage you to investigate in depth the ‘inside story’ and realize for y ourself the dark side behind the person you choose to idolize.
"Agreed, Chavez did win his first elections, but like Hitler, he betray ed what the country gave him: The vote of confidence."

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MARIAH CAREY is in talks to turn her life into a new stage musical.
The Precious star is unsure about appearing in the project, and wants B rit Leona Lewis to play her onstage, according to reports.
An insider says, "Mariah secretly likes the idea of Leona Lewis playing her. Not only is she exotic, she’s the only one who they reckon would be able to tackle Mariah’s eight-octave vocal range."

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GIRLS ALOUD singer SARAH HARDING has laughed off reports she is to branch out as a solo artist, insisting she’s focusing on her movie career.
The U.K.’s biggest girl group has taken a 12-month hiatus to concentrat e on individual projects, and tabloid rumours suggest Harding is planning to record solo material during the break.
But the blonde beauty has dismissed the speculation - revealing she’s s pending her time away from Girls Aloud to develop her acting skills.
She explains, "I never said I was going solo. Can I just straighten tha t out? I’m still wanting to do music and involve myself more in film. I l ove thrillers. I’d love to do something quite psychological, paranormal. I’m a bit sort of sinister like that but I also love comedy as well - I l ove a good comedy.
"I’ve got a few things I want to do this year. I’ve got a few bits and bobs but it’s too early to talk about, things in production and all that.
There’s possible TV and possible film, bit of both." The singer made her acting debut in St. Trinian’s in 2007 and followed it up with a part in last year’s (09) sequel, St. Trinian’s II: The Legen d of Fritton’s Gold, alongside Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. (CL/WNWCDS

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Rocker LOU REED has made his debut as a documentarian with a new film abo ut his cousin.
The Velvet Underground founder turned the camera on Shirley Novick as s he celebrated her 100th birthday.
In the film, Red Shirley, Novick, a retired dressmaker, recounts her lo ng life.
The documentary, which features a soundtrack created by Reed, will prem iere at the upcoming Visions du Reel film festival in Switzerland. (KL/WN

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KELIS has been ordered to pay $5,000 (=C2=A33,125) for a hair weave after allegedly failing to settle a salon bill.
The Milkshake hitmaker is said to have received the hairstyle at a Sant a Monica, California salon last May (09) - but faced legal action from he r stylist over the alleged outstanding debt.
Legal documents were subsequently filed and the case was sent to trial - but Kelis failed to attend the hearing on Monday (29Mar10), according t o TMZ.com.
The website reports that the judge entered a default judgment for the R &B singer to pay the full amount.

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HEATHER MILLS attempted to humiliate SIR PAUL McCARTNEY by flaunting a yo unger lover in front of him following their bitter divorce, according to the TV star’s former nanny.
The couple separated in 2006 after four years of marriage, leading to a n ugly public divorce battle.
The union was officially dissolved in 2008 and the former Beatle was or dered to hand over $38.9 million (=C2=A324.3 million) of his fortune to M ills, as well as annual payments for their daughter Beatrice - but the pa ir’s relationship remained frosty.
And Mills was keen to show off her new personal trainer boyfriend, Jami e Walker, to taunt McCartney whenever he dropped Beatrice off at his ex’s home, Sara Trumble told an employment tribunal on Monday (29Mar10).
She says, "When Paul would bring Beatrice round to the house, Heather m ade Jamie go out and meet Paul, as if to make a show of him." (CL/WNWCDAM

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Singer NATALIE COLE is to be honoured for her contribution to music with an award named after ELLA FITZGERALD.
The Society of Singers (SOS) will present the star with the Ella Award at the Beverly Hilton in California on 1 June (10), in recognition of her Grammy-award winning album Still Unforgettable.
SOS President Jerry F. Sharell says, "To be honouring Natalie is a grea t, great privilege. She is absolutely magnificent." Past recipients of the award include Frank Sinatra, Sir Elton John and Celine Dion.

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American rocker DWEEZIL ZAPPA’s wife has filed for divorce after five yea rs of marriage to the star.
Lauren Knudsen submitted divorce papers, citing irreconcilable differen ces, in a Los Angeles court earlier this month (Mar10).
Knudsen is seeking sole physical custody of their daughters, Zola Frank , three, and one-year-old Ceylon Indira, with legal custody to be shared.
She’s also seeking spousal support from Zappa, reports People.com. (CL/W

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PETE DOHERTY is worried about THE LIBERTINES’ upcoming sets at a U.K. mus ic festival, admitting the reunion is "potentially a disaster" waiting to happen.
The cult band, fronted by Doherty and Carl Barat, was announced as part of the line-up for Britain’s twin Reading and Leeds festivals on Monday (29Mar10).
It will mark the first time the group has performed together in full si nce 2004 - and Doherty is worried their stormy relations could resurface when they take the stage together this summer (10).
He tells NME.com, "I was like, ‘Lets get on with it’. Potentially it’s a f**king disaster - it’s a tinder box waiting to go up.
"I think we need to be honest with each other and speak up if something is happening that no one else agrees with and, rather than just wander o ff in silence and let get everything get messy, just be honest." (CL/WNWC

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Rockers RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE have reached out to SIMON COWELL after t heir feud over the U.K. Christmas charts last year (09) - they want to pe rform with his protege SUSAN BOYLE.
The California band snatched the coveted top spot from the winner of Co well’s talent show The X Factor, following an internet campaign to stop a four-year run of reality stars ruling the festive charts.
They infuriated the American Idol judge by topping Joe McElderry with t he re-release of their 1992 hit Killing In The Name, and are set to put o n a massive free gig in London in June (10) to thank fans for downloading their track.
They’ve invited Boyle, who was discovered on Cowell’s Britain’s Got Tal ent, to sing onstage with them at the concert - in a bid to make peace wi th the music mogul.
Frontman Zack de la Rocha tells Britain’s The Sun, "I really hope there are no hard feelings with Simon. He seemed to think that it was a bullyi ng campaign but the truth is the British people wanted a change.
"I don’t think anybody has heard anything of that Joe guy since Christm as, but we have nothing against him. The truth is Simon’s shows occasiona lly produce talent. We love Susan Boyle, she is hot.
"To show there are no hard feelings we would like her to perform with u s on stage this summer. She is a great vocalist and we would love to perf orm Killing In The Name with her. Everybody knows her in the U.S. and she can add her vocals to anything. It would be an honour for us." (CL/WNTSU

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British actress ELIZABETH HURLEY has downplayed her ex HUGH GRANT’s alleg ed spat with his former public relations manager, insisting the scandal w as "a storm in a teacup".
The Notting Hill star is said to have become involved in a food fight w ith his former representative, PR guru Matthew Freud, during a glitzy bas h in London earlier this month (Mar10).
Freud allegedly overheard the actor make a disparaging comment about hi m and was said to have thrown chocolate cake at the star.
But Hurley, who dated Grant in the 1990s, claims the two men are still pals - and reveals they’re planning to meet again for a meal in the near future.
She tells Britain’s Daily Telegraph, "Hugh and I have known Matthew for years and we’re all friends. We’re having dinner together soon." (CL/WNB

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Actors MARK INDELICATO and MICHAEL URIE are struggling to bid farewell to UGLY BETTY as they film their final scenes for the hit U.S. show.
The pair was left stunned when ABC executives announced in January (10) that the sitcom’s current fourth season will be its last.
And as they both step on set for the last time this week (begs29Mar10), the stars admit they’re still coming to terms with the sad news.
Indelicato writes on his personal Twitter.com page, "Can’t believe that tomorrow is the second to last day of shooting. This rain is saying some thing about the end of UB (Ugly Betty).
"Just realised that I don’t have a job in 2 days…….okay. Actually, I haven’t JUST realised this, I just keep realising it over and over agai n." Urie adds, "Tomorrow morning is my last Ugly Betty scene evah (ever)! T hink if I don’t show up, it’ll mean they can’t cancel us….?" The finale of Ugly Betty will air in America on 14 April (10). (CL/WNJJ

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British newcomer CHLOE MORETZ has defended her decision to star in MATTHE W VAUGHN’s controversial new movie KICK-ASS.
The director has come under fire from critics in Britain who claim the film is too violent for the big screen, and that 13-year-old Moretz shoul d not have been cast as assassin Hit Girl, a character who uses bad langu age throughout the movie.
But Moretz, who was 11 when she shot the scenes, insists she felt matur e enough to tackle the role.
She tells Britain’s The Sun, "It’s a movie. Obviously a little girl can ‘t beat up and kill huge, heavy men. I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t real ise it’s not real. It is a controversial role, but it was a role I wanted to do.
"If I said a sixteenth of the words I say in that movie at home, I woul d be grounded for the rest of my life for sure."

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Fans of hit U.S. TV show GLEE have been given the chance to see the seaso n premiere early at exclusive charity screenings.
A new episode of the series, which stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith, is set to debut in America on 13 April (10), but a few lucky fans will g et to see it a week in advance.
Fox network executives have announced they are holding a string of earl y viewings to raise funds for the Grammy in the Schools music education p rogram.
For just $15 (=C2=A39.40), Glee followers can attend screenings next we ek (begs05Apr10) in New York City, Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas. (

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Disney star DEMI LOVATO has landed a role in hit U.S. show GREY’S ANATOMY ..
The Camp Rock star is shooting her scenes as a patient who is being tre ated for possible schizophrenia this week (begs29Mar10) - and she’s lovin g her time on set.
In a post on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "I=E2=80=99m so thrilled to announce that this week I=E2=80=99m shooting Grey=E2=80=99s Anatomy!! !!!!!! AHHH!!!! By the way… Mr. Patrick Dempsey himself wants me to giv e a shoutout to you guys! Hahahaha so awesome." Lovato’s episode will air in America in May (10).

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