Lady Gaga is firing back at a music producer who claims he launched her career and is suing her for $30.5 million.
Her lawyer said in a court filing made public Friday the agreement at the heart of the suit was "unlawful."
Song writer and music producer Rob Fusari filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Manhattan against the Grammy Award-winning performer. He said his protege and former girlfriend, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, ditched him as her career soared.
The lawsuit said they co-wrote songs such as "Paparazzi" and "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich." Fusari also said he came up with her stage name and helped get her record deal. According to the lawsuit, Lady Gaga and Fusari's relationship turned romantic and then became a business partnership in May 2006, when they created a joint venture called Team Love Child LLC to promote her career. Fusari's share was 20 percent.
But Lady Gaga lawyer Charles Ortner wrote in his response that the arrangement was "structured in such a way as to mask its true purpose — to provide to the defendants unlawful compensation for their services as unlicensed employment agents." Ortner wrote that Fusari and his company violated statutes that prohibited them from "acting as employment agents without a license and charging Lady Gaga an unlawful fee for their purported services."
Fusari's lawyer, Robert S. Meloni, called the claim "ludicrous" in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Fusari is a PARTNER in the Team Love LLC with Gag and her father (through their company Mermaid)," Meloni wrote. "Rob was no more of an 'agent' for her than she is a Roman Catholic nun."
Ortner did not immediately respond to a phone message left at his office and an e-mail.
Lady Gaga won two Grammys in January: best dance recording, for "Poker Face," and best electronic/dance album, for "The Fame."
Rosie Replaces Oprah?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Rosie O'Donnell is plotting a return to daytime.
O'Donnell, who hosted the syndicated "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and did a stint on ABC's "The View," has teamed with syndication veterans Dick Robertson and Scott Carlin for another syndicated talk show.
The show, hosted by O'Donnell, is eyed for fall 2011 launch, which would coincide with the exit of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The news was first reported on Showbiz411.com.
As president of Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution, a post he held for 17 years until segueing into an advisor position in 2006, Robertson shepherded the company's "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," which ran for six years and won a truckload of Emmys, including five consecutive best talk show statuettes.
Carlin, who most recently served as head of HBO Domestic Distribution until he left last June, was also part of the team at WBDTD that launched "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." He worked at the studio under Robertson for nearly two decades until leaving in 1999.
Given the caliber of auspices involved and O'Donnell's solid track record in daytime with her own show and her ratings-fueling one-year stint on "The View," which she departed in 2007 in a contract dispute, the O'Donnell-hosted project has immediately emerged as a top candidate to succeed "Oprah" on the ABC stations.
Days Of Our Lives Renewed
Saturday, March 20, 2010
NBC has picked up "Days of our Lives" for its 45th season, keeping the show on the air through 2011.
" 'Days of our Lives' continues to be a favorite of the daytime audience and we are thrilled to keep it going through its 45th season," said Marc Graboff, chairman, NBC Entertainment. " 'Days' has shown year-to-year increases in key female demographics and remains both relevant and fresh creatively."
"Lives" is NBC's last remaining soap. Titles such as "Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns" recently were canceled last year after decades on the air.
"Lives" first premiered as a half-hour show in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later.
UPDATE! Jesse James Apologizes
Friday, March 19, 2010
Jesse James says he is "truly very sorry for the grief" he has caused wife Sandra Bullock and his three children because of his "poor judgment."
The apology, which was issued on Thursday in a statement to People magazine, comes in the wake of tabloid and entertainment magazine reports that James, 40, was romantically involved with tattoo artist Michelle "Bombshell" McGee — something James neither confirms nor denies in his carefully worded mea culpa.
The former host of TLC's Monster Garage calls the "vast majority" of allegations against him "untrue and unfounded."
But James takes full responsibility for the unnamed actions, stating: "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me. ... I deserve everything bad that is coming my way."
Eyebrows were raised Wednesday after Bullock, 45, canceled an appearance at Tuesday's London premiere of The Blind Side, citing "unforeseen personal reasons."
In a statement released by Warner Bros. U.K., the best-actress Oscar winner also apologized for the cancellation and thanked fans for their support of the Academy Award-nominated film.
Earlier Wednesday, In Touch Weekly reported the alleged 11-month affair between James and McGee. The relationship was said to have occurred while Bullock was filming The Blind Side.
People.com reported Wednesday that Bullock had left the couple's Southern California home. E-mails and phone calls from USA TODAY to Bullock's publicist, Cheryl Maisel, were not returned.
The couple were last seen together at the Academy Awards March 7. Bullock didn't thank her husband by name in her acceptance speech, but she tearfully turned toward James, who was sitting in the audience.
Bullock married the heavily tattooed celebrity motorcycle builder in July 2005. It marked the first marriage for the actress and the third for James. He was married to Karla James from 1991 to 2002; they have a daughter, Chandler, and son, Jesse Jr.
James also has a daughter, Sunny, with his second wife, adult-film star Janine Lindemulder, to whom he was married from 2002 to 2004.
Bullock, who has no children of her own, has been publicly supportive of her husband in his custody battle with Lindemulder over his younger daughter.
Seacrest's Early Tweet
Friday, March 19, 2010
Maybe Ryan Seacrest got a little confused Wednesday night when he tweeted that "American Idol" cast-off
Lacey Brown would be on his radio show Thursday morning.
Maybe he forgot that, even though he was in Los Angeles, Idol hadn't even aired on the West Coast when The Washington Post reports he let his three-million Twitter followers know who had been voted off. Some of them were furious and vowed not to watch Wednesday night since he had ruined the surprise.
It showed in the ratings, which were down, though it's not known if that's the reason.
No Star Search For Paula
Friday, March 19, 2010
Paula Abdul won't be judging "Star Search."
The former "American Idol" judge and ABC couldn't come to terms on Abdul judging a reboot of the classic talent show. The outcome puts the fate of the show in doubt since ABC's interest in "Search" was heavily tied to Abdul participating in the show.
Fox offered Abdul a hefty $5 million to continue on "Idol" last year, which she rejected. Abdul was reluctant to take a lower salary for "Search." And ABC was, naturally, reluctant to indulge in such high figures for launching an untested reality show into a marketplace crowded with successful talent competitions.
UPDATE! Insiders Call Kate's A "Klutz"
Friday, March 19, 2010
Reality TV mom-turned-ballroom beginner Kate Gosselin hasn’t even made her “Dancing With the Stars” debut yet, but the bad reviews are already rolling in for her moves behind the scenes.
According to a report in the National Enquirer, even Gosselin’s pro partner, “Dancing” vet Tony Dovolani, has problems with his pupil. “Kate is a klutz!” Dovolani reportedly complained to his friends. “She doesn’t listen and can’t take direction.”
It seems Gosselin’s long-reputed bossy behavior extends to her newest pursuit, as sources claim she has a tendency to break one of ballroom’s basic rules by leading Dovolani across the dance floor. Sources also revealed the mom of multiples isn’t exactly impressing “Dancing’s” crew members, either. The hair and makeup team are said to find her “rude.”
These latest criticisms come just two days after the New York Post published an insider’s accusation that Gosselin behaves like a dancing diva who “doesn't want anything to do with other contestants” on set. Gosselin addressed that “unfair” rumor Wednesday, during a recent appearance on “The View.”
“I’m 3,000 miles away,” Gosselin said of her remote rehearsal space located in her Pennsylvania home. “I’ve been out (to L.A.) once — for the initial thing. I danced for five days there, met everybody. (They were) wonderful.”
Brown Sent Home
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Lacey Brown is down and out on "American Idol."
The 24-year-old event coordinator from Amarillo, Texas, was the first finalist eliminated from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition Wednesday. Brown, who turned in a lackluster rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday" on Tuesday's performance show, failed to impress the judges with a last-minute performance of Brandi Carlile's "The Story."
"I had a lot of people tell me maybe go the country route or something like that," the teary-eyed pixie-haired singer told host Ryan Seacrest after her dismissal. "I'm willing to keep working. I'm not going to stop singing. I'm going to keep singing for my fans and for myself because I love to do this, so I'm excited for the future."
At the beginning of Wednesday's show, Simon Cowell revealed the return of the judge's save. Introduced last season, the one-time-only power allows the show's panel to rescue a contestant from being eliminated until the top five finalists have been selected. If they unanimously agree, no singer is eliminated that week but two will be sent packing the next week.
The judges decided against saving Brown, who received the fewest viewer votes.
It wasn't a good night for Brown's fellow Texans, either. Joining her in the bottom three were 24-year-old preschool teacher Paige Miles from Houston and 20-year-old college student Tim Urban from Duncansville. Miles overcame a bout of laryngitis to sing a respectable "Honky Tonk Woman" while Urban was chastised for his reggae rendition of "Under My Thumb."
The other finalists remaining are Didi Benami, 23, of Los Angeles; Crystal Bowersox, 24, of Toledo, Ohio; Lee Dewyze, 23, of Mount Prospect, Ill.; Andrew Garcia, 24, of Moreno Valley, Calif.; Casey James, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas; Aaron Kelly, 16, of Sonestown, Pa.; Michael Lynche, 26, of Astoria, N.Y.; Siobhan Magnus, 20, of Marstons Mills, Mass.; and Katie Stevens, 17, of Middlebury, Conn.
Non- Celebs Return To Apprentice
Thursday, March 18, 2010
'The Apprentice" will ditch its "Celebrity" title this fall and return to its roots.
A new edition of "The Apprentice" -- featuring everyday people and reflecting the economic downturn -- will begin taping this June in New York for a fall premiere. And, once again, Donald Trump will return to the boardroom to "fire" people each week.
"This really is a sign of the economy," Trump told The Post yesterday. "So many people were calling and asking us when we'd do a 'regular' 'Apprentice' again, and this happened over the last year-and-a-half during bad times. "It seems to be more pertinent than ever."
This version of the show will feature 14 people, of different ages and economic circumstances, who've been hard hit by the economy (but not all of them will be unemployed). "We'll have these young kids from Harvard or Wharton or wherever as well as people who are supposed to be running companies but are now driving cabs," Trump said. "It will be very representative of the economy."
The back-to-basics version will likely premiere in September, with another version of "Celebrity Apprentice" airing the following February (though NBC hasn't confirmed that yet).
And, Trump said, he's done shooting the show in Los Angeles (the current "Celebrity Apprentice" was shot in New York last fall). "No more LA," he said. "I didn't like driving in LA in a Rolls Royce with the top down -- and this show works better as a New York show.
Sheen Pleads Not Guilty
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
It's back to work for Charlie Sheen.
The Two and a Half Men star will return to the set this week – but still spend nights in rehab – following his not-guilty plea Monday on domestic violence charges.
"Charlie is looking forward to going back to work for the final four episodes of Two and Half Men," says the show's executive producer, Mark Burg. "He's also looking forward to clearing his name, putting all of this behind him and spending time with his kids during his hiatus."
The actor, 44, wore a black suit and tie for his court hearing in Aspen, Colo., where his attorney entered the pleas for felony menacing and two misdemeanors for assault and criminal mischief. Sheen waved to photographers when he arrived at the courthouse, appeared reserved in court and did not speak.
Sheen took a leave from the hit show Feb. 23 to enter the rehabilitation facility for what his rep called a "preventative measure." His wife, Brooke Mueller, who didn't attend Monday's hearing, is undergoing rehab separately at the couple's L.A. home and is caring for their year-old twins.
The charges related to a Christmas Day fight with Mueller at a rental house in the ski resort. She alleged he grabbed her throat and held a knife to it while pinning her down, saying he'd kill her if she told anyone, according to police. The fight had escalated after Mueller, 32, threatened to divorce the actor, she told police.
Sheen denied to police that he threatened Mueller or tried to strangle her. He stated the couple had been having marital problems and that his wife abuses alcohol.
A three-day trial is set beginning on July 21, but the case could end with a plea deal. Experts say most cases like Sheen's end without significant jail time, given that Mueller did not suffer serious physical injury and the actor's lack of multiple convictions.
His next hearing date is April 19, but he's not required to show in person.
Gaga On Tour
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lady Gaga announced has new tour dates.
The 2010 North American leg of The Monster Ball Tour, presented by Virgin Mobile, will begin June 28 at Montreal's Bell Centre and will travel to 31 cities in the U.S. and Canada throughout the summer and fall.
Tickets for The Monster Ball go on sale in select markets including New York (Madison Square Garden on July 6) Vancouver, Toronto, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Boston beginning March 19 at LiveNation. Other area shows include Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on July 4 and Philadelphia's Wachovia Center on September 14.
ABBA, Genesis Inducted Into Rock Hall
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
An English band steeped in harmony, a reggae pioneer, progressive rockers who thrived despite a defection, four Swedes who combined their nation's traditions with their rock heroes and a man who prowled a ballroom floor singing "I Wanna Be Your Dog" wouldn't seem to have much in common.
For a night they did, as The Hollies, Jimmy Cliff, Genesis, ABBA and Iggy Pop's Stooges accepted induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday — a ceremony almost as notable for who wasn't there as who was.
ABBA sold some 100 million records with hits such as "Waterloo," "Dancing Queen" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You" before disbanding in 1982. Songwriter Benny Andersson described how the melancholy of the "vodka belt" so far north, the pre-rock era music they heard on Swedish radio and the songs of their rock 'n' roll heroes all found their way into ABBA's material.
Andersson and ex-wife Anni-Frid Lyngstad attended the ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Agnetha Faltskog, who has a fear of flying, and Bjorn Ulvaeus, who had a family commitment, did not.
"I'm old enough to admit to the fact that I think we did a great job," Lyngstad said.
Keep that in the past tense: Lyngstad told the audience that ABBA would never perform again. She brought along her grandson, a heavy metal musician who nonetheless appreciates grandma's music. Actress Meryl Streep, who was in the "Mamma Mia" movie that introduced ABBA's music to a new generation and older ones that didn't pay attention at the time, was also there.
The audience at the Waldorf and watching on the Fuse TV network got one-fourth of ABBA on stage. Andersson played piano as country star Faith Hill sang "The Winner Takes It All."
Backstage, Lyngstad feigned anger that it had taken so long for ABBA to be voted in.
"I'm very angry that Madonna got in before us," she joked.
Genesis had two distinct incarnations. They were a fixture of Britain's progressive rock scene in the 1970s, known as much for lead singer Peter Gabriel's theatricality as the music. When Gabriel quit, the band put drummer Phil Collins in front of the microphone and they became regulars on the pop charts.
Phish singer and childhood Genesis fan Trey Anastasio said Collins showed hints of his unexpected later role in his musicianship.
"Phil's drums were the only thing that could hold those disparate elements together," Anastasio said. "He always seemed to be aware that the song came first."
Phish paid tribute to both Genesis generations, performing the meandering "Watcher of the Skies" and the pop hit "No Reply At All."
Gabriel was missing from the ceremony. Former bandmate Mike Rutherford said Gabriel sent his apologies, but he was preparing for a tour.
Collins, who seemed to be frowning every time cameras caught him, didn't seem to miss Gabriel.
"We've played without him for 30 years," he said backstage. "We're used to not having him around."
The Hollies also had two lives. Music historian and Bruce Springsteen guitarist Steve Van Zandt said singers Allan Clarke and Graham Nash's "exquisite English harmonies were second, or shared only by the Beatles. Clarke and Nash harmonized again on two of their best-known early hits, "Bus Stop" and "Carrie-Anne."
"The Hollies, after I left in 1968, had the audacity, the gall, to have three No. 1 records after I left," Nash joked. "Thanks a lot, guys."
Those 1970s standards were "The Air That I Breathe," "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)."
"We started out in the '60s," band member Terry Sylvester said. "Now we're in our 60s."
Jamaica's Cliff was among the first to export reggae. His best-known songs include "You Can Get It If You Really Want," "The Harder They Come" and "Many Rivers to Cross," and he energetically performed each of them on Monday.
Haiti's Wyclef Jean recalled loving Cliff's songs so much he translated some of them into hymns so his father would allow them to be sung in church. One of his biggest thrills came when, after a recording session, Cliff accepted his invitation to stay over in his New Jersey apartment.
"When we saw Jimmy Cliff, we saw ourselves," Jean said. "Meaning, coming from Haiti and the Caribbean, you have to see someone do it for you to be inspired to think you could do it. When I saw Jimmy Cliff, I could see my face."
The Michigan-based Stooges never sold many records. But the brutal force of their 1973 album "Raw Power" influenced the punk movement to come, and the rubber-limbed Pop was an electric frontman.
Pop delivered middle-finger salutes to his audience and, at the black-tie affair, had his shirt off even before performing "Search and Destroy." He prowled through the audience for "I Wanna Be Your Dog," and the Stooges were joined onstage by inductor Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
"Roll over Woodstock," Pop said. "We won!"
For all their toughness, the Stooges seemed genuinely touched by the honor. Scott Asheton paid tribute to his brother and bandmate Ron Asheton, who died last year. Pop choked back tears in thanking his colleagues for getting back together and working.
Besides Ron Asheton, some of Monday's inductees died before their special night. They included songwriters Ellie Greenwich and Otis Blackwell, represented by family members.
"You made it, dad," Otis Blackwell Jr. said, looking skyward.
Songwriter Jeff Barry had the most tragicomic reason for missing his big night: He couldn't catch a flight to New York.
"They delayed his plane, delayed it, delayed it and then canceled it. It's an unbelievable drag," said Van Zandt, who read Barry's speech from his smart phone.
Songwriter Carole King inducted old colleagues from an era (the 1950s and early 1960s) when performers largely left songwriting to others. They included Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil ("You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," "On Broadway"), Greenwich & Barry ("Leader of the Pack," "Be My Baby"), Blackwell ("All Shook Up," "Don't Be Cruel"), Mort Shuman ("Save the Last Dance for Me," "This Magic Moment" with Doc Pomus) and Jesse Stone ("Sh-Boom," "Shake, Rattle and Roll").
Another non-performing inductee was David Geffen. Before he spread his influence to other parts of the entertainment business, Geffen started the Asylum and Geffen record labels.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is in Cleveland.
Lady Gaga is firing back at a music producer who claims he launched her career and is suing her for $30.5 million.
Rosie O'Donnell is plotting a return to daytime.
Jesse James says he is "truly very sorry for the grief" he has caused wife Sandra Bullock and his three children because of his "poor judgment."
Maybe Ryan Seacrest got a little confused Wednesday night when he tweeted that "American Idol" cast-off.jpg)
Paula Abdul won't be judging "Star Search."
Reality TV mom-turned-ballroom beginner Kate Gosselin hasn’t even made her “Dancing With the Stars” debut yet, but the bad reviews are already rolling in for her moves behind the scenes. 
Lacey Brown is down and out on "American Idol."
It's back to work for Charlie Sheen. 
Lady Gaga announced has new tour dates.
An English band steeped in harmony, a reggae pioneer, progressive rockers who thrived despite a defection, four Swedes who combined their nation's traditions with their rock heroes and a man who prowled a ballroom floor singing "I Wanna Be Your Dog" wouldn't seem to have much in common.
Jersey Shore's Hit Music Channel
