Faces & Names: Gaga wants album to be decade’s best

Gaga wants album to be decade’s best

It’s only 2011 but Lady Gaga wants her next album “Born This Way” to be the best of the decade.

The performer tells the March issue of Vogue her fans deserve “nothing less” than that. She also doesn’t want to record “something trendy.”

The album’s first single of the same name is described as a gay-pride anthem, which the singer tells the magazine she wrote in

10 minutes.

Earlier this week, Lady Gaga wrote on Twitter the song would debut on U.S. radio on Friday.

Lady Gaga is nominated for six awards at Sunday’s Grammy Awards including album of the year.

Judge grants Grammer divorce

A judge granted Kelsey Grammer a divorce Thursday, clearing the way for the actor to remarry later this month.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maren Nelson signed off on Kelsey and Camille Grammer’s split, and the pair will settle financial issues at a later date.

“I have a great many mixed feelings about today — I’m sad for what was, yet excited for the road ahead,” Camille Grammer said in a statement.

She thanked family and friends who had been supportive throughout the couple’s divorce, which was filed in July. The couple were married nearly 13 years.

“What I hope is that Kelsey and I can improve our communications and truly co-parent our two wonderful children,” her statement said.

She also wished her ex and his fiancee, Kayte Walsh, “love and happiness in their new marriage.”

Kelsey Grammer, 55, told David Letterman on his show last month that he plans to marry Walsh sometime in February. The veteran actor starred in the comedy series “Cheers” and “Frasier.”

Sheen, wife granted divorce

Charlie Sheen can go back to being single, but he’ll have to wait a few months before it’s official, a judge ruled Thursday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Hank Goldberg finalized Sheen’s divorce from Brooke Mueller Sheen, but the pair will not be legally single until May 2.

The actor and Brooke Sheen filed dueling divorce petitions in November, citing Christmas Day 2009 as the day of their breakup. Charlie Sheen was arrested in Aspen, Colo., that day on suspicion of domestic violence against his wife. He later resolved the case and spent 30 days on probation.

The former couple will split the royalties from baby portraits of them and their twin sons, and the actor will keep his Hollywood Hills home, court records show. The Sheens signed a prenuptial agreement before their May 2008 wedding, which called for Charlie Sheen to pay Brooke Sheen more than $750,000.

The pair will share legal custody of their sons, although physical custody is granted to Brooke Sheen with substantial visitation time allotted for the actor. He is required to pay $55,000 a month in child support, according to the agreement filed with the court.

Commoners can dress like Princess Kate

The dress Kate Middleton wore in her official engagement photo with Prince William now is available to the public.

Designed by Reiss, the “Nannette” dress was purchased last year by Middleton at the company’s London store. Reiss decided to re-release the dress this week to brisk sales.

Lyndon Mackenzie, general manager of the company’s Soho store in New York City, said the dress is flying off the racks and will be sold out by week’s end.

The couple will marry on April 29 at Westminster Abbey.

Lohan pleads not guilty to grand theft

Lindsay Lohan pleaded not guilty to felony grand theft of a $2,500 necklace — a case that could return the troubled starlet to jail rather than the big screen.

She entered the plea Wednesday through her attorney.

Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz set bail at $40,000. He says it appears Lohan violated her probation and told her not to push her luck by getting into any more trouble.

The “Mean Girls” star was met by a swarm of photographers when she arrived at the courthouse for her arraignment.

Prosecutors claim the 24-year-old starlet took the necklace in January while on probation for a 2007 drunken driving case.

If convicted of the theft charge, Lohan could face up to three years in state prison.

Duluth's First Baby makes a Super arrival

So while the rest of us were watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, Duluth’s first family was preoccupied with a way more important goal: welcoming Baby No. 3.

Owen Fitzpatrick Ness came into the world (or snuck in, we might say, because the official announcement didn’t come until Tuesday) weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 21 1/2 inches long, according to the office of Mayor Don Ness.

If that sounds a little on the larger side, understand that Owen’s arrival was about two weeks late.

“God has blessed us with a healthy baby boy,” the mayor said in a prepared statement. “(First mom) Laura continues to amaze me with her strength and her grace. We feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends to help us welcome Owen into the world.”

“Despite being born on the day of the Packers Super Bowl victory, I am still hopeful that he will grow up to be a Vikings fan,” Ness said. “ I’m a firm believer that the disappointment of being a Vikings fan is an important part of character-building for each Minnesotan.”

The Ness’s other children are Eleanor, 6, and James, 4. Congrats!

Well, we guess that's why they call it the news

The duluthnewstribune.com scoop Monday night announcing Elton John’s upcoming performance at the DECC was greeted with delight by local fans of the British rock legend, but don’t count Fox 21 News reporter Dan Hanger among those feeling the love that night.

In fact, you might say the whole episode left him feeling like the sun had gone down on him.

“I saw what the DNT did,” Hanger wrote on his Facebook page after a DNT e-mail alert went out announcing the Amsoil Arena’s coup of a concert before Hanger got the chance to tell his TV audience.

“I’ve known about this story for more than a month but never reported it because it was off the record. The DECC and KQDS-FM planned to make it an official announcement (Tuesday) morning. Scoops are scoops, but so is respecting sources. Enough said. I am still crafting my story as it should be told. Watch it. :)”

We’re not sure how it should have been told, but DNT reporter Christa Lawler is perfectly willing to divulge how she found out: “I just looked on Elton John’s website,” she said. “Everyone involved with covering the opening of Amsoil Arena knew that Elton John was a possibility.”

Don’t worry, Daniel. You’re still a star in the face of the sky.

Court grants restraining order against Zuckerberg stalker

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has obtained a temporary restraining order against a California man accused of stalking him, his girlfriend and his sister.

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge on Feb. 1 ordered 31-year-old Pradeep Manukonda of Milpitas to stay away from Zuckerberg and stop contacting him.

Manukonda tried to contact Zuckerberg numerous times in December via letter, e-mail and Facebook, including more than 20 times in one day, Facebook security officer Todd Sheets said in a court declaration. Manukonda also left a note on Zuckerberg’s car and was later spotted outside his house, Sheets said.

Guards stopped Manukonda just as he was about to walk up the front stairs to Zuckerberg’s Palo Alto residence, where Zuckerberg’s girlfriend was inside, according to court documents.

Manukonda did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Prosecutors will charge Lohan with felony theft

Prosecutors said Tuesday they plan to charge Lindsay Lohan with felony grand theft of a $2,500 necklace reported stolen from a jewelry store last month.

District Attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said the charge will be filed Wednesday. She is due in court for an arraignment this afternoon.

The charge brings the troubled star another step closer to jail. Lohan, 24, remains on probation for a 2007 drunken-driving case and a judge had threatened to throw her in jail if she ran into trouble again.

Los Angeles police said Feb. 2 that Lohan was under investigation for taking a necklace from a Venice store later identified as Kamofie and Co. Detectives obtained a search warrant to try to retrieve the item from Lohan's home, but it was turned into a police station before any search was made.

Christie Brinkley to go into ‘Chicago’ on Broadway

The Tony Award-winning hit musical “Chicago” is getting a supermodel makeover — Christie Brinkley is joining the Broadway cast.

Brinkley will appear as the jailed killer Roxie Hart for an 11-week engagement from April 4 to June 19 at the Ambassador Theatre on 49th Street.

The 57-year-old model made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and its 1997 sequel, “Vegas Vacation.”

She also appeared on NBC’s “Mad About You” and hosted Lifetime Television’s InStyle Celebrity Weddings.

Brinkley is the latest to play Roxie in the hit musical, now in its 15th year on Broadway. Others include Brooke Shields, Sandy Duncan, Marilu Henner, Bebe Neuwirth, Ashlee Simpson, Michelle Williams and Melanie Griffith.

Golden Globes sues ex-publicist, claiming fraud

The organization that hosts the Golden Globe Awards has sued its former publicist for fraud, claiming he and his partner cannot prove allegations the group engages in payola in exchange for awards.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association sued Michael Rusell, his partner Stephen LoCascio and Russell’s public relations firm on Monday, claiming they breached a confidentiality agreement. The lawsuit also claims the pair attempted to profit off their connection with the glitzy awards show.

The lawsuit comes roughly three weeks after Russell sued the HFPA, claiming its members accepted graft in exchange for nominations and awards. Russell’s suit was filed three days before this year’s Globes ceremony, which attracted Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and honored actor Robert DeNiro with a lifetime achievement award.

“Without a shred of evidence, (Russell’s firm) manufactured a fanciful tale of Hollywood intrigue that harkens back to the early days of rock ‘n roll radio, with its colorful reference to ‘payola,’” the lawsuit states.

The HFPA’s lawsuit claims Russell and LoCascio attempted to divert money and gifts from sponsors to benefit some of their other clients.

A phone message for Russell’s attorney, Timothy McGonigle, was not immediately returned.

Russell’s lawsuit did not seem to affect this year’s awards ceremony, with 17 million people tuning in. It claims his firm was fired after repeatedly raising ethical issues regarding HFPA members to the association.

Both cases have been filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and are seeking unspecified damages.

Oscar producers say moms to be part of the program

Oscar producers are taking “thanks, Mom” to another level.

Producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer say they’ll incorporate nominees’ mothers, who they call “mom-inees,” into the Oscar show.

Proucers are looking for nominees’ mothers to post updates on Twitter and to appear during the 90-minute pre-show program, they said Monday during the 30th annual Oscar nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Cohen said the input from nominees’ mothers will be “a really fun and beautiful thing.”

But the telecast will still come in under three hours and 10 minutes, academy president Tom Sherak said.

The 83rd annual Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 27 and broadcast live on ABC.

Lohan’s attorney denies necklace theft

Lindsay Lohan’s attorney said Saturday that her client did not steal a $2,500 necklace and would fight any charges if they are filed.

The statement from attorney Shawn Chapman Holley was the first official word from the actress’ camp since police revealed they were investigating the troubled starlet for grand theft.

Kamofie & Co., a Venice custom jewelry store, reported the necklace stolen on Jan. 22, roughly three weeks after the actress was released from three months of court-ordered rehab at the Betty Ford Center.

Police obtained a search warrant Tuesday to try to retrieve the necklace from Lohan’s house, but the item was turned in to detectives before the warrant could be executed.

If she is charged, the case would be the latest problem for the actress, who has struggled to comply with the terms of her probation for a 2007 drunken driving case.

Judges sent her to jail last year twice for violating her probation, and a judge has threatened to sentence her to up to six months in jail if she cannot stay out of trouble.

Pressly pleads not guilty to DUI

Jaime Pressly has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Los Angeles.

Court records show former “My Name is Earl” co-star entered the plea through her attorney Friday.

Prosecutors in the city of Santa Monica charged Pressly with driving under the influence and having a blood alcohol content of more 0.20 last week.

Pressly was arrested

Jan. 5 after police say she was stopped for a traffic violation. She was released after posting $15,000 bail.

Records show a judge also ordered the 33-year-old model-actress to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at least twice a week.

Gabor goes home for 94th birthday

Zsa Zsa Gabor is home at her Bel Air mansion, just in time for her 94th birthday.

The “Moulin Rouge” and “Queen of Outer Space” star is recovering from pneumonia and was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.

Publicist John Blanchette said Gabor’s husband, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, got her a cake with her name on it and the couple will have a few friends over to celebrate.

Gabor, a sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s, had most of her right leg amputated last month because of gangrene. She was released from the hospital Jan. 22 but returned there this past week with a high fever, fluid in her lungs and an infection.

Gabor’s husband also spent a night in the hospital last week after he collapsed from stress and exhaustion.

Asner glad to be the ‘crab’ again

Ed Asner, a busy actor at age 81, waves away any comparison to Betty White, Hollywood’s 89-year-old champion of the work ethic.

“She’s not the female me. She’s the big cheese. She certainly is the mark I shoot for,” Asner said.

While White has shaken up her image by hosting “Saturday Night Live” and with the TV Land sitcom “Hot in Cleveland” — “showing them all that jazz that she’s got stored up in her,” as Asner puts it — he says audiences are used to “the usual crab element I’m known for.”

It’s true that Asner is in full and familiar grouchy glory in his latest role, a grocery store worker who acts as adviser and foil to a single mom, Carli, in CMT’s “Working Class,” starring Melissa Peterman. It’s territory he plowed in the animated movie “Up,” and in TV’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and spinoff “Lou Grant.”

But he does it so awfully well, on screen and in life.

Mention that he’s lucky to work when older people can struggle for employment in any field, and he’s off and running.

“It sucks, doesn’t it?” he said. “I can understand how they don’t want to see an old fart in front of the camera, but when they start ruling out directors and cinematographers and producers and writers because they’re too old, there’s something wrong in the world.”

Asner is more than contented, however, to work with Peterman

“She is ideal. I haven’t worked with anybody as noble, generous and sharp since Mary Tyler Moore,” he said of Peterman.

Women’s Cancer Fund honors Short

Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy, are being recognized for their courage by the Women’s Research Cancer Fund.

Organizers say Short will accept the Courage Award on behalf of his wife, who lost her three-year battle with cancer last year, at the annual Unforgettable Evening fundraising event Thursday.

Annette Bening also is being honored at the star-studded dinner, where Conan O’Brien is serving as host.

The Women’s Cancer Research Fund is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that supports research and education toward early diagnosis and innovative cures for women’s cancers.

Have an event that just happened that you’d like to share? Pictures, perhaps, or other goings-on from the Northland to Hollywoodland? Send them to facesandnames@duluthnews.com.

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