Glitterati Gossip

Hayden Christensen Files Lawsuit Against USA Network

 

Actor Hayden Christensen has filed a lawsuit against  the USA Network, alleging that TV bosses ripped off his idea for a comedy series. 

Christensen and his brother, Tove, claim they contacted the USA Network in 2005, where they pitched a proposal for a show called Housecall.  The show's premise centered around a "concierge" doctor who makes house calls to the rich and famous.  

The brothers are alleging that after the pitch, the network took the idea and ran with it, turning the concept for the show into the current series, Royal Pains - now in its second season.

The brothers filed legal papers in Manhattan Federal Court on  Tuesday.

The New York Post reports that an unnamed executive at the USA Network told the brothers that when they pitched their idea, he was "unaware of concierge doctors," and said their concept was "fascinating." 

Academy Award Nominee 'The Hurt Locker' Allegedly Steals War Hero's Identity

 
On Wednesday, March 3, it was announced in a filing in the Federal District Court in Southfield, Michigan, that a multimillion dollar lawsuit on behalf of Iraq war hero, Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver, was being served against the makers of the Academy Award nominated film, The Hurt Locker.

Plaintiff, Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver, is, in fact, the film's main character "Will James" or "Blaster One" - which it seems. was Master Sgt. Sarver's "call signal" during his tours of duty in Iraq. 

The suit alleges that the screenwriter of The Hurt Locker, Mark Boal, was allowed, as part of an armed services press program, to be embedded in Master Sgt. Sarver's unit.  The suit alleges that all of the situations portrayed in the film were taken from real life situations and occurrences involving Master Sgt. Sarver that were observed and documented by Boal. 

The suit also alleges that Master Sgt. Sarver also coined the phrase, "The Hurt Locker." 

A magazine article about Master Sgt. Sarver, which was also written by Boal, appeared in Playboy Magazine.  That story was later adapted by Boal for the screenplay of  the film.

The suit alleges that the film's makers falsely claim that the characters portrayed in the film are fictional when the film's main character "Will James," is real life Master Sgt. Sarver.

The suit alleges that the movie's screenwriter and makers decided to cheat Master Sgt. Sarver out of financial participation in the film, and any acknowledgment of his heroic actions in Iraq. 

Master Sgt. Sarver only learned of the appropriation of his identity after the film's release.

image courtesy: PRNewsFoto/The Fieger Law Offices

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Sue News of The World Over Split Story

A lawyer for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie says the celebrity couple is suing a British newspaper for erroneously reporting they broke up.

The film stars have been together for more than five years and have six children.

The News of the World tabloid last month reported Jolie and Pitt, who have never married, had consulted a divorce lawyer about how to divide their assets and custody of their kids.

However, the pair's lawyer, Keith Schillings, told BBC News they have begun legal proceedings against the newspaper for publishing "false and intrusive allegations."

via www.upi.com

It just goes to show you can't believe everything you read...

Attorney Reps Tyler: "Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger..."

 
It looks like Steven Tyler's attorney is pulling out the big guns and has sent a letter to those involved with Aerosmith - warning the boys in the band not to replace the hard rocking frontman while he's huddled away in rehab. 

Guitarist Joe Perryhas recently been quoted as saying that he and fellow Aerosmith members are currently seeking stand-in singers while Tyler undergoes treatment for addiction to painkillers, as well as surgery for performance-related injuries.

However, Billboard.com reports that Tyler's attorney, Skip Miller, sent Aerosmith manager Howard Kaufmana letter sometime last week requesting that Kaufman "immediately cease and desist from engaging in acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members."

Miller reportedly added in his letter:

"Contrary to all common sense, you are seeking to bring about the replacement of Steven Tyler. Aerosmith without Steven Tyler is like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger, or U2 without Bono. While this management strategy may get the band on the road a few months sooner, it ultimately could destroy Aerosmith."

Miller also told Billboard.com that he has scheduled a meeting on February 9 to discuss the band's future.

"Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits. We do not want to go in that direction. The direction we want is Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, touring in Europe, touring Latin America, releasing a new album ... This is the direction it's all intended to go. It's just amazing to me current management would be taking any other position."

Shaq's Former Mistress Sues for Harassment

A woman who claims to a former mistress of Shaquille O'Neal, has sued the basketball star for harassment.  Vanessa Lopez, a model in Orlando, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.

Lopez claims that she and O'Neal began an intimate relationship about five years ago and that she was initially resistant because O'Neal was married, but he told her he and his wife has an "open relationship."

Lopez said in a news conference that things began to go downhill once she told O'Neal she thought she might be pregnant.  Lopez says she didn't like O'Neal's reaction, and told him to leave her alone. She claims O'Neal then began harassing her:

"I used to walk down the street not looking back over my shoulder. Now, I fear that someone is after me. At home I'm constantly looking outside to see if there's a strange car parked."

Attorney for Lopez, Gloria Allred, said that Lopez, who is two feet shorter than O'Neal and weighs less than 100 pounds, is determined to take the basket player on in court where size, money and power won't matter, and where the final score will be determined by the scales of justice and not by how many dunk shots O'Neal makes - or how many baskets he scores.

Lopez previously accused Orlando Magic star J.J. Redick of harassment following their breakup in 2007 and reportedly had problems with Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West.

I see a pattern here...

In 2006, West, who was with the Boston Celtics, called security on Lopez, saying she wouldn't leave his Orlando hotel room.  Police were called to the room, where Lopez accused West of making unwanted sexual advances toward her, according to the police report.  West acknowledged he had slept with Lopez in the past, but said he didn't hit on her that night.  Instead, West said Lopez was the one who made advances at him - but he rejected her because he had another woman coming over.

Police eventually removed Lopez from the hotel.

Lopez's problems with Kenyon Martin happened in 2007, when Martin's business manager called police, claiming Lopez charged hundreds of dollars on the basketball star's credit card without permission. 

O'Neal's wife, Shaunie, has filed for legal separation with intent to divorce. Their next hearing is set for March.

Click here for a video from KTLA.

Jon Gosselin Suing TLC for $5 Million

Jon Gosselin's attorney says the father of eight is suing TLC for $5 million, claiming the network hurt his reputation and kept him from working, as well as violated Pennsylvania's child labor laws during the filming of Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Since he and his wife announced their plans to divorce last summer, Gosselin frequently has been photographed at night clubs and out on dates.

When TLC announced it planned to limit his role on the show, he sued to halt production, claiming it is detrimental to his kids.

People.com said Friday Gosselin's lawsuit alleges TLC persuaded various media outlets to stop dealing with him.

Gosselin's attorney, Mark Heller, told People:

"Their behavior has caused Jon great anguish and it has caused him financial losses." 

In an report via the Associated Press, Heller added that TLC failed to obtain child work permits that would spell out what hours the children would work and how they would be paid. An anonymous complaint to Pennsylvania authorities over a clip that showed TV producers refusing water to one of the children prompted an ongoing investigation, according to Gosselin's court filing.

Kate Winslet Wins Libel Case

London's High Court has approved a settlement forcing the Daily Mail to pay actress Kate Winslet $41,000 in libel damages.

Winslet, who won an Oscar this year for her work in the film, The Reader, sued the newspaper last May for reporting that she lied about her exercise regime. The actress said she was distressed and embarrassed by the report, which she alleged harmed her personal and professional reputation.

The BBC said the settlement was approved at a hearing yesterday, which Winslet did not attend.

The Daily Mail published an apology to Winslet in September.

The BBC quoted Winslet as saying in a statement:

"I am delighted that the Mail have apologized for making false allegations about me. I was particularly upset to be accused of lying about my exercise regime and felt that I had a responsibility to request an apology in order to demonstrate my commitment to the views that I have always expressed about body issues, including diet and exercise. I strongly believe that women should be encouraged to accept themselves as they are, so to suggest that I was lying was an unacceptable accusation of hypocrisy."

Keanu Reeves Agrees to DNA Test

It seems actor Keanu Reeves has agreed to take a DNA test since Karen Sala has been so adamant that he's the daddy of one of her grown children. 

Sala, who has four adult children, all in their 20's, is seeking millions in child support and believe it or not, spousal support, from Reeves, who she claims she had a relationship with years ago.

She filed suit against the actor in May, seeking a paternity test to prove that Reeves is absolutely, positively the daddy. 

Reeves of course, has a much different view and denies having a relationship with Sala, who is 46. 

Reeves, who has been petitioning the curt to dismiss the whole thing, has decided to try a new approach to put an end to the madness once and for all, by agreeing to undergo DNA testing in the next few weeks. 

It could be interesting to see what turns up.

Photo Courtesy: Flynet

Joan Jett Rocks a Lawsuit Against Former Runaway Jackie Fox

 

Rocker Joan Jett has filed a lawsuit against former Runaways band member Jackie Fox, claiming Fox is meddling in the production of the film about the band, The Runaways. 

The film, a biopic about the all girl hard rock band from the 1970's, is currently in production and stars Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Scout Taylor-Compton as members of the all girl group.

According to TMZ, Jett claims Fox has attempted to stop filming until she's had the opportunity to read and approve the script herself, while Jett is adamant that there is no character in the film based on Fox.  Jett also alleges that Fox - who joined the band as the bass player in 1976 and played with the band on the first two studio albums, as well as the Live in Japan album - has threatened business partners involved with the film, believing she has a right to be paid for the use of the Runaways name.

Fox left during a 1977 tour of Japan, just before the band would appear at the Tokyo Music Festival.  She was eventually replaced by bassist, Vicki Blue.

The band was formed in 1975 by Jett and drummer Sandy West, who passed away in October 2006 of a brain tumor.

Jett is seeking damages and insists that Fox has no right to the band name, band trademarks or any revenue.

I've been following the making of this film for some time now, and while I can't say for certain that a character based on Jackie Fox has been omitted altogether, I can say there's no mention of her in the cast roster at IMDB, in any press kits or emails, or in any of the photos I have seen which were shot during filming.  For example, in a series of photos (two are shown below), the girls are seen wearing T-shirts which list the names of the band member they play, and nobody is wearing a T-shirt who claims to be Jackie, however there is an actress wearing a T-shirt who claims to be "Robin," however as far as I can recall, nobody named Robin was ever in the band.  

 

This isn't the first time the film has come under scrutiny from a former band member. 

In July, Lita Ford told Rolling Stone that she would not be backing the film in any way.  Ford also revealed to the magazine that she was offered a paltry $1,000 by Jett's manager to sign away the rights to part of her life story:

"I thought that was pretty disgusting. We never even replied."

Related:

Lita Ford Says No to The Runaways

Joan Jett Makes Kristen Stewart Cry

Dakota Fanning on the Set of The Runaways

Oprah Winfrey in Trillion Dollar Plagiarising Lawsuit

Oprah Winfrey is rumored to be facing a staggering $1 trillion legal battle over allegations that she passed off an author's work as her own.

Winfrey is being sued by author Damon Lloyd Goffe, who accuses her and her production company, Harpo Inc., of plagiarising his book, A Tome of Poetry, in her internet published work, Pieces of My Soul.

Goffe and his legal team are claiming that because Winfrey sold an alleged 650 million copies of the book online for $20.00, he's owed at least $1.2 trillion.

A Million Little Pieces, anyone?