Judge Weighs Allowance for Joe Jackson

A judge has scheduled a hearing to decide if Michael Jackson's father should receive a monthly allowance of more than $15,000 from the pop star's estate.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said Thursday he would hold an evidentiary hearing on May 26 regarding Joe Jackson's petition.

Michael Jackson had an often-strained relationship with his father. He omitted Joe Jackson from his will and trust, which benefits the singer's mother, three children and various charities.

Joe Jackson sought the stipend in November, saying he had little monthly income.


Attorneys for estate administrators John Branca and John McClain on Thursday filed papers opposing Joe Jackson's efforts last week. The filing states Joe Jackson has failed to show that his superstar son supported him while he was alive. Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles at age 50.

The filings also note that the singer omitted his father as a beneficiary in his will and trust, and that any money paid to Joe Jackson would reduce the estate's assets available for Michael Jackson's mother and children.

An attorney for Michael Jackson's children said she has concerns about Joe Jackson's petition as well.

The children, Katherine Jackson and various unnamed charities are the only beneficiaries of Michael Jackson's estate. Katherine Jackson and the children are receiving more than $86,000 a month, and the administrators recently moved to increase the monthly stipends. The exact allowance amount has not been released.

Joe Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman, said the opposition filing means the issue will now likely be decided after lengthy proceedings. "It's a pretty difficult thing to go through," Oxman said. "Michael took care of most of his life."

Oxman said he intends to prove to a judge, who will have to decide whether to award Joe Jackson an allowance, that the superstar supported his father.

"I was present when Michael would take care of his father," Oxman said. "I saw it happen. Lots of people saw it happen."

A former steelworker, Joe Jackson managed and trained his children and organized the Jackson 5. He has been married to Katherine Jackson for 50 years, but he lists his home in Las Vegas. She lives at a family home in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles.

He is seeking payment for expenses that include $1,200 a month on rent for his Las Vegas home; $2,500 to eat out; $1,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacations; $2,000 on air travel and $3,000 on hotels.

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Big farewell ‘Tonight’ audience for Conan

NEW YORK - Preliminary Nielsen ratings suggest that Conan O'Brien won a hefty audience for his final hour hosting "The Tonight Show."

O'Brien scored a 7.0 rating for his farewell appearance on NBC Friday, compared to a 2.5 rating for CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" and, on ABC, a 2.8 for "Nightline" followed by 1.3 for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC.)

These early figures, which reflect viewership in roughly 70 percent of the country, can't be reliably translated into audience numbers. An accurate viewer count is expected later this week.

O'Brien exited NBC after tumultuous negotiations that resulted in a severance deal signed last Thursday. His departure ends nearly eight low-rated months at "The Tonight Show," and, before that, 16 years hosting "Late Night."

Aamir is focused, Salman cool, SRK charming: Asin

She has worked with the two and is looking forward to work with the third, but actress Asin Thottumkal has already formed an impression about the three Khans in Bollywood.
The Southern beauty started her career in Hindi film industry with Aamir Khan starrer blockbuster 'Ghajini' in 2008 and went on to work with Salman Khan in her second film 'London Dreams' Last year.

When asked to pick out adjectives to describe the three Khans, Asin said, "Aamir is very focused, Salman has a cool attitude and Shah Rukh, from what I have seen of him, seems to be very charming."

The 24-year-old actress was in the capital recently to announce the 55th Filmfare Awards to be held on February 27 this year.

Asin has already bagged three Filmfare awards – the first one in 2003 for being the Best Telugu Actress, second was the South Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performance in Tamil film, 'Ghajini' and the Filmfare 'Best Female Debut' Award for the Hindi remake of the film.

"I hope to be nominated this year too, but my favourite film for this year's awards would be '3 Idiots'," said Asin, adding that the film was an "obvious choice" since it has been appreciated by all.

Even though she stepped into the film industry as a teenager, Asin, who hails from Kerala, never dreamt of becoming an actress in her childhood.

"It might sound like a cliche, but becoming an actress was never my ambition. I would have probably gone into academics like my parents. I am the black sheep in my family as no one else has any connection with films," said Asin.

Having said that, the Southern beauty, who has been a prominent face in Tamil and Telegu films for years now, does not regret her choice.

"Back then, I was too young to think about what I was doing, but now, I am happy with my profession," she said.

Asin has been often compared to another Southern beauty who has made it big in Bollywood, Sreedevi. When asked about the comparison, the actress said, "She is a great actress and is very close to me as we are neighbours. But I would like to make a name and place for myself in films."

The actress might be a newcomer in Bollywood, but is not jumping at every offer and taking it slow and steady in terms of film projects.

"I'm taking up select films which excite me, which is why I do not have a number of releases one after another. I have some films in hand now but none of them have gone on floors yet so I cannot reveal anything about them," said Asin.

She is also one star who believes in staying fit and positive but has no faith in the concept of size zero.

"Do I look like I could believe in size zero? To each his own, but I like to stay healthy and I think confidence, positivity and a good diet can achieve that," Asin said.

"Mad Men," "Glee" among early SAG TV winners

Television drama "Mad Men", quirky new TV musical "Glee" and movie actor Christoph Waltz were among early winners at the Screen Actors Guild awards on Saturday as

Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin continued their long streak of wins for best comedy actress and actor for NBC's "30 Rock," while Waltz took his first supporting actor SAG award for playing a manipulative Nazi officer in the movie "Inglourious Basterds."

Waltz also won at the Golden Globes last weekend, making him a leading favourite for glory in March at the Oscars, the movie industry's highest honours.

"I have no lucky charm. I am 100 percent superstition-free and I take nothing for granted," Waltz told reporters when asked about his Oscar chances.

All eyes were on the most coveted SAG award -- best ensemble movie cast -- which is handed out at the end of the two-hour ceremony in Los Angeles.

That award is usually seen as a leading indicator of Oscar success. But this year, Golden Globe best picture winner "Avatar," which has wowed critics and earned more than $1.6 billion (993 million pounds) at global box offices, is not in the running at SAG, which tends to recognise acting talent rather than action adventure movies.

Instead, widely honoured independent Iraq war movie "The Hurt Locker," is competing against British movie "An Education," star-studded musical "Nine," Quentin Tarantino's World War Two revenge fantasy "Inglourious Basterds," and urban drama "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Actor George Clooney's corporate down-sizing tale "Up in the Air" also failed to get a best ensemble cast nomination from the 120,000 SAG members who work in U.S. films, television shows and commercials.

But the popular Clooney, who helped organise Friday's celebrity telethon for victims of the Haiti earthquake, is up for a best actor award, joining Golden Globe winner Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart," Briton Colin Firth in "A Single Man," Morgan Freeman for "Invictus" and Jeremy Renner for his turn as a bomb disposal expert in "The Hurt Locker."

Sandra Bullock hopes to add a SAG award to her slew of trophies for playing a wealthy white mother who takes a down-trodden black student into her home in "The Blind Side."

Bullock is competing against veteran Meryl Streep for "Julie and Julia," newcomers Carey Mulligan in "An Education" and Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious," as well as Helen Mirren in the Tolstoy drama "The Last Station."

In the TV categories, stylish 1960s series "Mad Men" won for a second year for best ensemble drama cast, while high school comedy "Glee" won for best ensemble comedy cast.

Both shows won at the Golden Globes last week.

Julianna Margulies won for best TV drama actress for "The Good Wife," while Michael C. Hall won for his role as a serial killer in the drama "Dexter."

Music of Nepal

Music is an integral part of Nepali life and Nepali culture. None of the cultural, social or religious event is complete without musicians and without the sounds of music in Nepal. Traditionally, there is special caste of people in Nepal called the 'Damais' and the 'Gaines' whose main duty in life is playing musical instruments and singing in all kinds of functions and celebrations. Going side by side with their ethnic diversities the people of different ethnic groups have their own musical instruments and dances viz. 'Lakhe' dance of the Newars and 'Rodi' of the Gurungs to name a few. 'Ropain'(Rice planting) is also considered a special occasion that is always accompanied by songs and dances.

The influence of Indian and other forms of oriental music in Nepal has been always very strong due to the cultural and religious affinities that exist between the people of these two countries. So don't be surprised if you hear Hindi film songs being aired on FMs, T.V. and discothèques. The shops are full of CDs of Indian music including 'Bhajans', Film Songs and Classicals.

But of late, it is the western music that has been able to appeal and influence the young minds of Nepal. Like elsewhere in the world, western modern music like pop, rock and rap are the latest craze. It is no wonder that a large number of clubs and musical bands have mushroomed up in every nooks and corners of not only Kathmandu but in other big cities as well. '1947 A.D.' and 'Robin and the New Revolution' are amongst many other popular musical bands. You can also listen to classic Nepali songs sung by well known singers like Narayan Gopal, Tara Devi and Natikaji. If you are interested in pop music you can always listen to Nima Rumba, Nabin K. Bhattarai and Sabin Pokharel. Or if you are a die hard classical music fan, then Sur Sudha is the best choice.

To get a taste of western music you can always visit Thamel - the tourist center of Nepal. Restaurants in Thamel come alive with all kind of music ranging from Blues, Rock, Heavy Metal and Rap.

But if you want to get a feel of the local or ethnic taste, book your seats at the 'Bhanchaghar' or the 'Bhoechen' that hosts live cultural shows every night with ethnic music, dance and food.

You must take extra prevention to ensure safety. Do make sure you do not travel alone at night. During night time it's always best to go to a restaurant or a pub that is just a walk away from the hotel you are staying at. You do not get public transportation after certain hours during night time. Taxis are always stand by but can be very expensive.

With these few points in mind, dance away to the tunes of Nepali folk as well as modern day music that is so welcoming and entertaining for all ages and time

Fawcett estate sues producer over alleged misdeeds

LOS ANGELES – Farrah Fawcett's estate sued a producer Friday who collaborated with the actress, claiming he botched a documentary project and misused her company's money.

The lawsuit claims Craig J. Nevius exploited Fawcett and improperly revealed privileged information about the actress to the media, including that her cancer had returned. The suit also claims Nevius turned in an unworkable first cut of a documentary on Fawcett's fight with cancer and he may have embezzled money from the actress' company, Sweetened By Risk.

The lawsuit states NBC, which aired the television special "Farrah's Story," had to rework the footage with help from Fawcett's longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal. The edits were being made until shortly before the special aired, the lawsuit states.

"These allegations lack merit and are a pathetic attempt to try to intimidate and further injure Mr. Nevius," said attorney Miles J. Feldman.

Nevius sued O'Neal and Fawcett's friend Alana Stewart over "Farrah's Story" last year. The case is still pending.

That case, filed the day the special was aired for Fawcett's friends and reporters, claims O'Neal, Stewart and Fawcett's business manager Richard B. Francis, interfered with Nevius' role in "Farrah's Story."

Friday's lawsuit was filed by Francis, who is a trustee of Fawcett's estate, and Sweetened By Risk LLC.

The lawsuit states Nevius knew Fawcett for about five years before he June 25 death. He worked on a reality TV series featuring the actress called "Chasing Farrah" and was producing the documentary that eventually aired on NBC. The lawsuit claims Fawcett cut ties to him in early 2009 and he became jealous of O'Neal and Stewart.

The lawsuit filed Friday contends Nevius turned in a first cut of "Farrah's Story" that was deemed "wholly unacceptable" by the actress. She then turned creative control of the film over to O'Neal, the suit states.

The complaint states Francis believes Nevius "embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars" from Fawcett's company. It states Nevius has refused to allow Sweetened by Risk's financial records.

Fawcett's "Charlie's Angels" co-star, Kate Jackson, said Friday evening she was shocked at the lawsuit's allegations against Nevius. Jackson had been critical of the producer in the past, but said Friday those comments were misguided.

She said it was her understanding that Fawcett had creative control of the early version of the documentary on her cancer fight.

"He had an unflagging devotion to Farrah in every way and he worked with her to help her achieve her vision, not his vision and not anybody else's vision," Jackson said in a telephone interview.

Samantha Mumba is back in town!!

Dont miss Aidan Power chatting to the gorgeous Samantha Mumba on tonight's 'The Cafe' about life in LA and filming her new music video with Mariah Carey!!

Samantha may live in sunny LA but she is available for Personal Appearances, Corporate Events and special occasions within Ireland.

For further information and all bookings please contact Red Carpet on 01 4069999.

Apprentice Aoiffe becomes a Red Carpet Star!

Aoiffe graduated from Griffith College Dublin with an honours degree in Journalism and Visual Communications, furthering her studies next with a post graduate diploma in PR and Event Management from The Fitzwilliam Institute. Aoiffe has always had a keen interest in the fashion industry and has worked in number of diverse fashion roles over the years. She spent 9 months working as an assistant fashion stylist with Prudence Magazine, as well as spending time working with such fashion and beauty names as Bally, Reiss, Topshop, Chanel and Lancome, to name but a few. After graduating she spent a year working with a Dublin based PR Agency before moving to Clerys where she worked as a marketing and business development executive. This role involved sourcing international fashion and beauty brands and negotiating terms with each.

In 2009 Aoiffe took time out from her 9-5 job to star in the second series of the hit TV show, THE APPRENTICE.

With using both her brains and beauty, Aoiffe successfully made it to week ten of the thirteen week show, emerging as a new rising Irish Star. Best known for her sharp tongue and polished style, Aoiffe is now in high demand for many TV programmes, Personal Appearances and Media Events. With a keen eye for fashion and beauty, Aoiffe is set to make her mark on the Fashion and PR industry in 2010 and is excited about what the future holds

Entertainment and Nightlife in Nepal

Nepal is an agricultural based society which means most of the locals go to bed early and get up with the rising sun – working like a dog and sleeping like a log but this does not mean that life goes to sleep too. The life is still wide awake and young to many who need to keep themselves fully entertained and you will find plenty of places to fulfill your desire. Most of the restaurants in the main tourist areas like Thamel close after 10 pm but a number of bars stay open until after midnight.

Note that the city laws in Kathmandu means all music needs to be put off by 10 pm and people on the streets should be on their way home. In this magnitude too, you still can be merry in the fascinating action packed Casinos or shake a leg or two in some discotheques.

People travel to Nepal for various reasons and one of the reasons for their travel especially for the South Asian people has been to play in the Casinos of Nepal and try their lady luck smiling upon them.

There are four Casinos in Kathmandu located in the premises of the city’s top hotels which offers 24 hours of non stop fun and games like baccarat, blackjack, flush, poker, pontoon, roulette, and other card games and slot machines. All the games are played in chips and they can be bought with US dollars or Indian rupees. You'll get free food and sometimes a disco if you put some money on the tables. Nepali's are officially forbidden from entering in Casinos.

To keep yourself amused from dawn to dusk, you can get yourself engaged in different things from a short trek, sight seeing, mountain flight, movies to dining in a nice and cozy restaurant that offers cultural programs and witness the diverse and fascinating ethnic and cultural traditions of Nepal. Enjoy your visit to Nepal all the more by visiting in the following entertainment places in Kathmandu:

Casino Nepal - Soaltee Compound, Tahachal, Ph. 4270244
Casino Anna - Hotel de L'Annapurna, Durbar Marg, Ph. 4228650
Casino Everest - Hotel Everest, New Baneshwor, Ph. 4488100,
Casino Royale - Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg, Ph. 4225550

Beyonce Talks About Her Baby Plans With Jay-Z

Beyonce opened up to Allure magazine about her baby plans with Jay-Z. Beyonce and Jay-Z have been married for a few years now, but she has always said in interviews that she isn’t ready to pop out babies yet. But why? Her career is rocking. So is Jay-Z’s. The couple can swim in their own fortunes. It seems ideal.

Chicago returns to Broadway this winter with Michelle Williams as Roxie Hart

This winter, Grammy® Award-winning recording artist Michelle Williams returns to Broadway as Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO for a seven-week limited engagement, Monday, February 8, 2010 through Sunday, March 28, 2010 at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.).

Williams first took on Roxie Hart last year, playing the role to critical and popular acclaim in London’s West End production of CHICAGO at the Cambridge Theatre. Her limited engagement proved so successful that it was extended an additional three weeks by popular demand.


Singer-songwriter-performer Michelle Williams rose to international renown after joining Destiny's Child, the top-selling female group of all time, in 2000. As a member of Destiny's Child, Michelle received three Grammy Awards and performed on several hit singles by the group.


Following the success of Destiny’s Child, Williams became the first member of the group to release a solo record. Her 2002 solo debut album – the gospel-infused Heart To Yours – entered the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at, peaked at on the Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart and became the year's top-selling Gospel album.


Her second solo album, Do You Know, achieved similar success to her debut, peaking at on the Top Gospel Albums chart and on the Top Christian Albums chart following its release in 2004.


Released in October 2008, Unexpected, her third solo album, introduced a bold new dance/pop sound for Williams, showcased by the Billboard Hot Dance tracks “We Break the Dawn” and “The Greatest.”


Michelle made her television acting debut in February 2006 on the UPN comedy series, “Half & Half.”
Williams made her Broadway stage debut in 2003, replacing R&B icon Toni Braxton in the title role of Disney’s Aida. In April 2007, she joined the national touring company of the hit musical The Color Purple, performing extended runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix with members of the original Broadway cast.


For more information on Michelle Williams, visit www.michellewilliamsonline.com.

'Blonde' bombshell: London critics praise musical

LONDON – OMG: "Legally Blonde: The Musical" has warmed the hearts of London's crusty theater critics.
The stage show, based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, tells the story of Elle Woods, a bubbly blonde from Los Angeles who discovers her inner strength at Harvard Law School. The show earned a lukewarm reception on Broadway, where it ran for a year and a half before closing in October 2008.

"Blonde" opened Wednesday at London's Savoy Theatre after a month of previews that saw large, enthusiastic and female-dominated audiences embracing its brand of frivolous fun.

Despite themselves, British critics were largely won over, too.

"I tried, I really tried to hate this show, but resistance is futile," wrote Charles Spencer in Thursday's Daily Telegraph, praising the show as "light, fast, fun and frothy."

"The stage show has its tongue in its cheek throughout, it knows it is ridiculous and infantile, and celebrates the fact with knowing wit," he said.

The Independent's Paul Taylor declared the musical "ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish," and a big improvement on the movie. He said the lyrics by Heather Hach were "unflaggingly funny" and the score by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin full of "brassiness, bite, joie de vivre, sheer cheek, and even the odd strain of sadness."

The Times' Benedict Nightingale was another convert, won over by the show as well as the enthusiasm of the audience, who "cheered, whistled and made my cavils seem precious."

The Guardian's Michael Billington was skeptical — dubbing the show "preposterous" — but still preferred the stage version to the movie.

"The plot is pap, the musical unmemorable, the dancing often hefty," said The Daily Mail's often-contrarian critic Quentin Letts, although even he acknowledged that some of the lyrics were "almost worthy of Gilbert and Sullivan."

Like others, he saw a new stage star in Sheridan Smith, who plays Elle. Until now Smith was best known for roles in TV comedies including "Gavin and Stacey" and "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps."

Besides her singing and dancing, Billington said "Her true star quality lies in a sense of mischief."

Spencer said Smith had "vitality, warmth, great comic timing and sudden moments of touching vulnerability."

The cast also includes Duncan James, a member of boy band Blue, as Elle's Harvard-bound boyfriend, and Jill Halfpenny as a lovelorn hairdresser.

The show was a box office hit even before Wednesday's opening. Critics said they could see the appeal.

"Oh my god, I'm like so totally going again," said The Independent's Taylor.

"Avatar" closing in on "Titanic" record

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The four-day Martin Luther King Day weekend features a box office smackdown between "Avatar" and the tag-team pairing of two new pictures.

If James Cameron's behemoth manages to beat the newcomers, it would be the first to top the rankings for five consecutive weeks since "The Sixth Sense" in 1999.

It will also keep tongues wagging over its prospects for cruising past Cameron's "Titanic" in the history books.

But the competition appears potentially muscular: Warner Bros. sends out the Denzel Washington action movie "The Book of Eli," and Lionsgate launches the Jackie Chan comedy "The Spy Next Door," a more family-friendly action film.

Last weekend, "Avatar" shrugged off a trio of wide openers in posting the first four-peat performance since "The Dark Knight" in the summer of 2008.

Meanwhile, there's talk of Fox setting "Avatar" for DVD release in April. But don't expect an official decision until "Avatar" starts running out of theatrical steam, and nobody anticipates that happening anytime soon. In fact, industry observers now say it's not impossible for "Avatar" to beat the $1.84 billion worldwide total for Cameron's "Titanic."

Its North American tally through Wednesday stood at $446 million, behind only "Titanic" ($601 million), "The Dark Knight ($533 million) and "Star Wars" ($461 million).

The sci-fi epic could fall 25%-30% this session -- it slid 27% last weekend -- and still ring up about $36 million, and Monday grosses could take the haul past $40 million.

That likely would be enough to beat the newcomers. "Eli," skewing significantly male, could fetch $30 million-$40 million through Monday. It marks directing duo Allen and Albert Hughes' first theatrical feature since 2001's "From Hell."

Washington's movies usually open in the $20 million range, with the notable exception of 2007's "American Gangster," which kicked off with $43 million.

"Spy" looks likely to reach the high-teen millions through Monday. Directed by Brian Levant ("Are We There Yet?"), the film co-stars George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus, both good draws for family moviegoers. Chan was last on screen with 2008's "The Forbidden KIngdom," alongside Jet Li. The superstar pairing opened to $21 million.

Elsewhere, Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" opens nationally after a month of limited engagements. The supernatural crime saga should play decently with young women.