More News-Leroy from "Fame" dies

[AKA2D '91]

John Ritter's Mother, an Actress, Dies
Thu Nov 13, 4:06 AM ET


LOS ANGELES - Dorothy Fay Ritter, the mother of late actor John Ritter (news) and star of several B-movie Westerns in the 1930s and '40s, has died. She was 88.



The wife of singing cowboy Tex Ritter (news) died Nov. 5 of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, said her son, Tom.


Ritter, who played opposite Buck Jones (news), William "Wild Bill" Elliott and other western stars, had a stroke in 1987 and moved to the retirement home two years later.


Born Dorothy Fay Southworth in Prescott, Ariz., Ritter attended University of Southern California in Los Angeles and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.


"She was very outgoing, very charming — the sort of person who walks into a room and the energy is driven to her," Tom Ritter told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.


"My brother was very much his mom's son," he added. John Ritter, who starred in "Three's Company" and other sitcoms, died Sept. 11 at age 54 of a previously undetected heart problem.


Dorothy Ritter made four westerns with Tex Ritter but gave up show business shortly after they married in 1941. They were living in Nashville when Tex Ritter died in 1974, and Dorothy moved back to California in 1981.


In addition to her son, Ritter is survived by four grandchildren.

[Paradise359]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
John Ritter's Mother, an Actress, Dies
Thu Nov 13, 4:06 AM ET


LOS ANGELES - Dorothy Fay Ritter, the mother of late actor John Ritter (news) and star of several B-movie Westerns in the 1930s and '40s, has died. She was 88.



The wife of singing cowboy Tex Ritter (news) died Nov. 5 of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, said her son, Tom.


Ritter, who played opposite Buck Jones (news), William "Wild Bill" Elliott and other western stars, had a stroke in 1987 and moved to the retirement home two years later.


Born Dorothy Fay Southworth in Prescott, Ariz., Ritter attended University of Southern California in Los Angeles and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.


"She was very outgoing, very charming — the sort of person who walks into a room and the energy is driven to her," Tom Ritter told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.


"My brother was very much his mom's son," he added. John Ritter, who starred in "Three's Company" and other sitcoms, died Sept. 11 at age 54 of a previously undetected heart problem.


Dorothy Ritter made four westerns with Tex Ritter but gave up show business shortly after they married in 1941. They were living in Nashville when Tex Ritter died in 1974, and Dorothy moved back to California in 1981.


In addition to her son, Ritter is survived by four grandchildren.

Wow! That's so sad in any event, but on top of John just passing... I'll keep the family in my prayers

[Questions404]

Originally posted by vanda
I remember her taking that ironing cord to Penny. That's embedded in my memory. I remember Penny pleading " Please Mama, don't, I'll be good". One of the best episodes. That's right up there with "Damn, Damn, Damn."

Did she take an ironing cord to Penny or did she get her with the hot iron?? I'm think that she unplugged that iron and scorched her with the hot side that usually touches clothes.

[vanda]

You're right! I forgot when she takes off her shirt, there's a burn mark on her arm or back.

[prayerfull]

J.Lo Sued for Video Mimicking 'Flashdance'

NEW YORK - Jennifer Lopez (news) is being sued for copyright infringement for her video "I'm Glad," an homage to the 1983 film "Flashdance," by the real-life welder and dancer who was the inspiration for the film.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleges Lopez illegally depicted the life of Maureen Marder. She had refused to grant sequel rights or to permit any further use of her story or identity after the film became a success, according to her attorney Robert Hefling.


"She is penniless, disabled with a spinal injury, and trying to raise a teenage daughter," Helfing said in a news release. "Now her life story is on the screen again — and other people are profiting from it — with no acknowledgment of her rights, let alone fair compensation for her contribution."


The lawsuit claims that Lopez and her label Sony didn't have permission to make the 2003 video, which re-created distinctive scenes from the movie.


Marder is also seeking profits from Paramount and wants to be declared co-author and co-owner of the movie and screenplay copyrights.


Hefling said "Flashdance" owes its story to Marder, but she received only about $2,300 for the film while the movie helped launch the careers of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Adrian Lyne and writer Joe Eszterhas.

[Questions404]

See, now I thought that the Flashdance people were so impressed with the video that she was supposed to be in talks to do a full length remake of that movie. I know that I heard that somewhere because they were talking about the fact that they wouldn't need a dance double this time around.

[Steeltrap]

Tyrone Wheatley, an Oakland Raiders running back, is testifying in a steroid trial that's involved several pro athletes up in the Bay Area. I'll post the story, but what I really wanted to ask is what is up with brothers looking like the 1970s never left?



SAN FRANCISCO - Oakland Raiders (news) running back Tyrone Wheatley hit a photographer outside a federal courthouse Thursday, hours prior to testifying before a grand jury probing a nutritional supplements lab.
Wheatley was one of five NFL players — including four Raiders — to appear Thursday before the panel. Others included former NFL defensive player of the year Dana Stubblefield and Kansas City Chiefs (news) wide receiver Johnnie Morton.
Also appearing before the grand jury Thursday was Marion Jones (news - web sites), who won an unprecedented five track medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics (news - web sites).
"I can't make any comment, you guys. I would if I could, but I can't," Jones (who just gave birth to Babyperson Monty earlier this year) said as she left the grand jury room following her afternoon appearance.
Wheatley threatened and cursed at a group of photographers and TV cameramen outside the building, then raised his right fist and slapped photographer Noah Berger hard on the right wrist after Berger took a photo of him Thursday morning.
Berger, a freelance photographer on assignment for The Associated Press, said he was not hurt. He filed a report with the Federal Protective Service, but it was not clear whether Wheatley would be charged.
Wheatley, who appeared before the grand jury in the afternoon, declined to comment when asked repeatedly about the incident.
The five players — also including Raiders fullback Chris Hetherington and defensive tackle Chris Cooper — were the first non-track and field athletes to testify in the case.
Stubblefield, the NFL defensive player of the year in 1997 while with the San Francisco 49ers (news), declined to comment after his morning appearance. His attorney, Michael Armstrong, also refused to comment.
Morton, who had four seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving for the Detroit Lions (news) before joining the Chiefs two seasons ago, also refused to comment after his morning appearance.
Track and field stars including Tim Montgomery (news - web sites), the world record-holder at 100 meters and Jones' boyfriend, have appeared before the panel in previous weeks. Dozens of other athletes, including baseball's Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi and boxer Shane Mosley, also have been subpoenaed.
It's not clear what, if any, drug charges might result from the investigation. An appearance before the grand jury, or being subpoenaed to testify, does not mean an athlete is a target of the probe.
Federal officials have refused to discuss the grand jury or the scope of its secret proceedings, but two sources familiar with the grand jury have said the probe is focusing on drug use by athletes as well as possible tax evasion by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO.
An attorney for BALCO founder Victor Conte has said his client is a target of the grand jury investigation.
BALCO also is at the center of an investigation by anti-doping agencies into the newly discovered steroid THG. An unidentified coach who turned in a used syringe containing THG said he got the substance from Conte, who has denied being the course of the substance.
At least five track and field athletes already have tested positive for THG, and face two-year bans.
Also Thursday, major league baseball announced that more than 5 percent of this year's steroid tests came back positive, triggering automatic testing starting next season.

[CrimsonTide4]

J. Lo's Panties Can Now Be Yours

Lopez to debut line of sleepwear, bras, panties in fall 2004.

by Corey Moss

Are wedding gowns next?

With the announcement Wednesday of the J. Lo by Jennifer Lopez lingerie collection, the actress/singer is now designing just about every possible item of clothing or accessory for women.

Lopez, whose Sweetface


Fashion Company is already making sportswear, swimwear, girl's apparel (see "On The 6(-Year-Olds): Jennifer Lopez Plans Fashions For Girls"), fragrances, jewelry, outerwear, handbags, belts, hats, gloves, scarves and leather goods, will debut a line of sleepwear, loungewear, bras and panties in the fall of 2004.

The collection, which will include full-figure lingerie, will be available in department stores and specialty stores nationally, with plans to expand overseas.

"Our goal as a lifestyle brand is to dress our consumers from head-to-toe with products inspired by Jennifer, and lingerie will be an integral part of the J. Lo look," Sweetface president Denise Seegal said in a statement.

Sweetface is partnering on the lingerie line with the Warnaco Group, an intimate apparel company that also manufactures Calvin Klein and Speedo clothing. The companies will begin releasing design sketches in December.

Lopez, meanwhile, is releasing "The Reel Me," a DVD with a bonus remix EP, on November 18 (see "J. Lo DVD Might Make You Forget About Jenny From The Flop").

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Murder Inc. Drops The Murder

Irv Gotti's label now called 'The Inc.'

by Shaheem Reid
It looks like Irv Gotti is going the route of his friend Suge Knight.

Gotti has decided to change the name of his record company, a spokesperson said — Murder Inc. will now just be called "The Inc."

The CEO of the self-proclaimed "World's Most Talented Record Label" did not offer a statement about why the name was changed.

Since Gotti started heavily yelling his label's name in 1999, he's rubbed some people the wrong way. In 2000, he ran into a brick wall while trying to promote the group LP Irv Gotti Presents ... by his roster, which he collectively dubbed "The Murderers." Some video channels chose not to include the group's name in their video credits and some record stores were initially leery about prominently displaying the Murderers' album.

Over the years, Gotti and Ja Rule have explained that when they yell "It's murder," they're not talking about committing homicide; rather, they're referring to killing the track or achieving success.

Irv was in his old stomping grounds of Jamaica in Queens, New York, on Wednesday night directing the video for Ashanti's "Rain on Me" remix. According to the Inc. camp, the remix clip is mostly performance-based, but does illustrate some more of the highs and lows of relationships. During the shoot, the Incsters didn't use any actors or models, opting instead to literally use the girls and guys next door — residents of Queens' Emerson Housing Projects appear in the vid. The "Rain on Me" remix also features Ja Rule and Charli Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Ashanti's holiday LP, aptly titled Ashanti's Christmas, hits stores on November 18 and features such songs as "Christmas Time Again" and "The Christmas Song" (see "Ashanti Wants To Rock Wit U This Christmas With Holiday LP").

**Gotti is also supposed to be dropping GOTTI from his name.**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Weeks After R. Kelly Benefit, Charity Wonders Where Money Is

Singer performed for U.S. troops on October 24.

by Jennifer Vineyard


R. Kelly staged a benefit concert for the troops, but did it raise any money?

The designated beneficiary, the Texas Military Family Foundation, was told that it didn't, and so far the foundation hasn't received any proceeds from the event. On


Thursday (November 13) R. Kelly's reps said they're about to rectify the situation, even if it means paying out of their own pockets.

A spokesperson for the Texas Military Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to making the lives of military members and their families easier, said that ever since the October 24 concert in Belton, Texas, they've been trying to get a response about how much money was raised. They said they've repeatedly called and written Kelly's business manager, his lawyer and the show's producer to no avail.

"We didn't receive any funds from the fund-raising concert," foundation Executive Director Julie Curtis-Win said. "It has really left our foundation in a predicament. I wonder how long patience is supposed to last with these kinds of things. What would you do if you were in my shoes?"

The nonprofit foundation was set to send care packages to the troops in Iraq full of essential but hard-to-find items like toilet paper, baby oil and lip balm. Curtis-Win said she was guaranteed around $50,000 for the project, which she thought she was going to receive an hour before the concert began at the Bell County Exposition Center, where the audience included several thousand soldiers from nearby Fort Hood.

Curtis-Win said that despite ample opportunity to produce a check, none was ever handed over. When she tried discussing it with the show's producer, she said, he told her the concert had lost money because beaming the show via satellite to military bases turned out to be four times the estimate he had originally been given.

In a post-concert report given to the charity and obtained by MTV News, the show's producers claim ticket sales totaled $107,045, but that costs — venue production ($33,771), Kelly production ($25,000), satellite feed ($62,095), advertising ($7,588) and ancillary expenses ($6,034) — left them almost $27,500 in the hole.

However, when MTV News contacted Jaguarr Productions, show producer David Bullock said the show broke even. Still, both stories meant the same result — no proceeds were left for the charity.

"I think the producer has taken advantage of us as well as Mr. Kelly," Curtis-Win said. "It's just truly unfortunate that the TMFF as well as Mr. Kelly have been misled. R. Kelly may have no idea of the situation, he is so protected. And I don't blame him. I'm just frustrated. And I'm disappointed. I stuck by Mr. Kelly despite the allegations [of child pornography], even though I'm on the Children's Advocacy Board, because I thought we were going to do some good. That was the intent."

Kelly's spokesperson said the charity's disappointment is premature because accounting figures for the concert aren't due yet. He said everything was still on schedule and that if it turns out that the concert didn't make money, a "nice infusion of money" was going to come to the charity anyway, the exact amount to be determined.

"They will be able to send the care packages," spokesperson Allan Mayer said. "TMFF is definitely going to get the money."

Plus, Kelly's camp noted, the goal of the concert wasn't just to raise money, but also to boost the morale of the troops, and toward that end they felt successful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P. Diddy Says He'll Run Marathon Next Year For $10 Million

Sponsorship for this year's run has raised $2 million.

by Joseph Patel

P. Diddy at New York City Hall on Thursday (Photo: MTV News)


NEW YORK — Last week P. Diddy ran the city, and Thursday afternoon he ran to City Hall to deliver a $1 million check to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, making good on his promise to run the New York City Marathon to raise money for public


schools.

No real money was exchanged because donations are still being collected, but the ceremony commemorated the $2 million total Diddy has raised through individual and corporate sponsorships for his marathon run (see "Diddy Ran The City, Finished New York Marathon In Four Hours"). The other $1 million he raised will be split between Children's Hope, which helps children with HIV/AIDS, and Daddy's House, Diddy's own charity that helps children and teens through social programs.

"This is just a drop in the bucket," the hip-hop mogul said, standing next to the mayor and public schools chancellor Joel Klein. "This is not a one-time thing. This is something that's a lifelong commitment for me. I love children, and I feel like they need more support. I feel the only way it's going to get better is by getting up and getting out there and doing something about it."

Diddy joked that he could move no faster than walking pace a week and a half after completing the marathon in just over four hours. While he said he wouldn't run the 26-mile trek again, minutes later he changed his tune, throwing down another challenge.

"I said I would not run again, but if there's any billionaires or private corporations that would like to see me hurt myself next year, my starting price for the kids of New York is $10 million. I will do it, and I will come in under 3:45 for that check," he said. "As long as the money goes to the kids."

Diddy said people can still donate to this year's campaign at www.diddyrunsthecity.com.

This report is provided by MTV News

[CrimsonTide4]

What R&B singer apparently was furious when she received a call from her husband’s mistress about a two-year-old child he had fathered? Rumors had been rampant that said singer’s hubby regularly practiced infidelity, but apparently the proof is in the pamper. Supposedly, the baby‘s mamma on the side pointed out some missing collateral from the singer‘s account and assured her it was sent for childcare. This seems messy.

[prayerfull]

Ice-T Reaches Child Support Deal

The New York Daily News reports Ice-T has reached a support deal with Linda Sanchez, the mother of his 2-year-old son, Kevin Ice Marrow. Sanchez's lawyer, Suzanne Kimberly Bracker, says the rapper/actor will pay the Board of Education clerk $8,200 a month, plus over 90% of Kevin's medical expenses, as well as 80% of his private-school tuition.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Irv Gotti's label now called 'The Inc.'

That's just stupid. I wonder what they gon' yell now... stupid.

[nikki1920]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
J. Lo's Panties Can Now Be Yours

Lopez to debut line of sleepwear, bras, panties in fall 2004.

by Corey Moss

Are wedding gowns next?

LOL..that's funny!!!!


P. Diddy Says He'll Run Marathon Next Year For $10 Million

RUN, DIDDY, RUN!!!! You go, boy!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Britney Spears Gets Star on Walk of Fame
22 minutes ago

By ANTHONY BREZNICAN, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES - Part of Hollywood Boulevard is now "In the Zone" of Britney Spears (news). The pop star received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday before nearly 2,000 screaming fans.


AP Photo



The event took place one day after her corset-jiggling appearance on the American Music Awards and a day before her latest album, "In the Zone," was set to arrive in stores.


She arrived at the ceremony in jeans, a pink shirt and a furry pink jacket, and immediately began signing posters and magazines for admirers. One young woman, perched on a friend's shoulders, leaned over a barricade and begged Spears to touch her hand — then exploded in tears when the singer complied.


"I'm seriously speechless right now," Spears told the crowd. "This is something that I've dreamt about since I was a little girl. I can't believe I'm actually here with all of you amazing fans. Hello?"


At 21, Spears tied with former "Little House on the Prairie" actress Melissa Gilbert (news) for being the youngest person to accept a Walk of Fame star. Gilbert, now 39 and president of the Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites), received her honor in 1985.


Spears made funny faces at friends and giggled as Johnny Grant, the Walk of Fame master of ceremonies and chairman of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (news - web sites), introduced her by reading the names of her singles and albums.


The performer has gone from posing as a schoolgirl to sing "... Baby, One More Time" and saying sex should be saved for marriage to recording "I'm a Slave 4 U," kissing Madonna (news - web sites) during the MTV Video Music Awards and posing nearly nude for magazine covers.


Her latest album, aimed at crafting an edgier image, includes moaning and heavy breathing on tracks such as "Breathe on Me" and "Touch of My Hand."

[Gyrl7]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Afrochic
[B]4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 2003

The romance between Gerald Levert and Monique is very real. Gerald was dating singer/songwriter Kandi Buress from Xscape,
but that romance has ended. Right now it's all about Monique.

1. (I'm happy for Mrs. Stanley Oglevie..LOL)

Vivica A. Fox has ditched the weave! Check out Vivica on the latest cover of Jet Magazine. Vivica is sporting a new short do like Halle Berry. Vivica is currently in Baltimore filming the movie Beauty Shop. In a recent interview with celebrity journalist, Jawn Murray, Vivica talked about plastic surgery. She says she doesn't have a problem with it because she is in a business where you have to keep yourself up. Vivica is no stranger to plastic surgery. She has had work done on her face, but she won't reveal what she has had done. Vivica is also very single. She is no longer dating rapper 50 Cent. 50 says he needs a woman who is together; one that's intelligent. He says she doesn't have to be all that beautiful. Did Vivica's jealousy drive him up the wall? Was is it the age difference…he's 27, she's 39? Or was it a publicity stunt? Hmmmmmmmmm? What did he mean by intelligent? Together? Was he dissing Vivica?

2. (She probably took our her weave cuz she ballheaded fo'real and her real hurr wasn't growin with it in, I know i'm so cruel)........Oh and Afrochic, is it true that 50 had a restraining order put out on Vivica last week, in which she violated resulting in an arrest by the po-po??



American Idol judge Simon Cowell is coming out with a new book called I Don't Mean To Be Rude But…Backstage Gossip From American Idol And Secrets That Can Make You a Star. "Mr. Nasty" as he is called, dishes the dirt on American Idol contestants Trenyce, Carmen, Clay Aikens and Ryan Starr to name a few. Simon is very candid and he holds nothing back as he talks about whom he liked and whom he didn't like. He also discusses the jealousy and backstabbing of some of the contestants. Check out the American Idol Christmas Special on Fox on November 25th.

3. Interesting, can't wait to read the book......


Who's better Mary J. Blige miserable, or Mary J. Blige in love? Mary's new CD Love and Life is not doing well. This album has not yet sold a million copies. Despite massive publicity and a great interview with 60 Minutes.

4. Did I miss this interview yet???


The Bernie Mac Show will not air during the November ratings sweep. The show has been pushed back to November 30th and it will air in its new Sunday night timeslot.

5. BOUT TIME!!!!!!!

Actress Lisa Raye who plays "Neesy" on the UPN Show All of Us gives a very revealing interview in the latest edition of Sister to Sister Magazine. Lisa claims she only makes $20,000 per episode on the show because black shows don't pay a lot of money. (Afrochic's sidenote: She has no talent whatsoeva...she betta be happy she's getting that much )

6. I know this lack of talent having fool is not trying to get it twisted and be brand new on them.......shoot, at the rate she was going $500.00 an episode would have been too much for me to pay her if I were in charge of payroll on that show.

[AKA2D '91]

Eminem Accused of Racism
Wed Nov 19, 1:15 AM ET Add Entertainment - E! Online to My Yahoo!



Raymond "Benzino" Scott and David Mays, founders of music magazine The Source would have you believe that he did--and that he's a bigot.


The duo held a press conference Tuesday at which they revealed a recorded clip of Eminem (news - web sites) freestyling an offensive lyric in the early 1990s.


"The tape contains what is clearly identifiable as Eminem's voice, reciting racial slurs targeted against black women," read a statement released by The Source, "and it proves Benzino right after a year of being vilified by the media for bringing such questions surrounding Eminem to the fore.


"Bringing this tape to the public is the latest chapter in The Source magazine's ongoing effort to expose influences corrupting hip-hop, including racism."


Though Eminem expressed regret over the clip's undeniably inflammatory language, he made clear that he considered its release to be a direct consequence of the longstanding beef between Benzino and himself.


"Ray Benzino, Dave Mays and The Source have had a vendetta against me, Shady Records and our artists for a long time," Eminem said in response to the press conference. "The tape they played today was something I made out of anger, stupidity and frustration when I was a teenager. I'd just broken up with my girlfriend, who was African-American, and I reacted like the angry, stupid kid I was. I hope people will take it for the foolishness that it was, not for what somebody is trying to make it into today."


Benzino is credited with beginning the rift between the two rappers after he referred to Em as a "2003 Vanilla Ice" in his song "Pull Your Skirt Up," and the "rap Hitler" in "Die Another Day." He also called Slim Shady a "culture stealer," and indicated that his success is due solely to the color of his skin.


"You think I could grab my crotch and put my ass in people's faces the way he does?" Benzino asked in a 2002 interview with MTV News. "No way. But as long as the color of his skin and his eyes fits what America wants...it's all right."


Eminem rebounded from Benzino's zings with two hard-hitting response tracks of his own, "The Sauce," and "Nail in the Coffin." In the second, he references an infamous rumor that Benzino uses his position at The Source to wheedle guest performances on his albums--offering coverage in the mag in exchange.


The disses continue to fly back and forth between the two and various members of their respective camps in street freestyles and recorded mixtapes.


Benzino has also used the pages of The Source to attack his rival, creating full page posters and cartoon depictions of Em as Elvis and of himself crushing M&M candies. Numerous articles have appeared in the magazine aimed at discrediting Shady Records artists such as 50 Cent.


Hip-hop insiders believe that Benzino is attacking Eminem in a desperate attempt to increase his own fame--a mind-boggling strategy from his rival's point of view.


"I never would think I would see the day when I seen the worst rapper in the world going against one of the best," Eminem said in a radio interview last January.


Eminem has sensational record sales behind him to back his side of the battle--he's sold over 20 million albums, making him the top-selling rapper ever--while Benzino's solo projects have sold poorly.


Last year, Eminem publicly referred to his enemy as "Hasbenzino", adding "I don't know about that, I don't know if he was ever even on."


Apart from his hectic feuding schedule, Em now has the added responsibility of fulltime fatherhood.





The rapper was recently awarded temporary full custody of his 7-year-old daughter with ex-wife Kim Mathers, after Mathers disappeared for several weeks, missing a series of court appearances tied to various drug-related arrests.

Police caught up with Mathers Tuesday and arrested her on a bench warrant. She was arraigned in a Macomb County court and posted $50,000 bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 18