AP

Rap producer Shawty Redd due in Georgia court

2010-01-12T16:06:54Z

FILE - Music producer Shawty Redd, who'se real name is Demetrius Lee Stewart, is seen in this undated file photo provided by Henry County Jail. Redd, is scheduled to appear in a suburban Atlanta court on a murder charge Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. He is accused of shooting 35-year-old Damon A. Martin of Detroit in an argument at Stewart's home in Hampton, about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. (AP Photo/Henry County Jail, File)

The Associated Press

McDONOUGH, Ga. (AP) — Music producer Demetrius Lee Stewart, known as Shawty Redd, is scheduled to appear in a suburban Atlanta court on a murder charge.

Stewart has been held without bond in the Henry County jail since his New Year's Day arrest. He is accused of shooting 35-year-old Damon A. Martin of Detroit in an argument at Stewart's home in Hampton, about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta.

He is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Henry County Superior Court Judge Brian Amero on Tuesday. Marcia Fuller, who is listed as Stewart's lawyer, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The 28-year-old Stewart has worked with Young Jeezy, Snoop Dogg and other major artists.

-- AP

Polanski sues French media for invasion of privacy

2010-01-12T15:55:54Z

FILE -- This is a Jan. 15, 2009 file photo, of film director Roman Polanski in Montrouge, France. Lawyers for the "Chinatown" director Polanski said Tuesday Jan 12, 2010 that a December 2009 photo and many others invaded his privacy as well as his family's, and he and his wife are suing four French publications, two newspapers and two magazines, for a total of about euro150,000 (US$217,215). (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — The news snapshot shows Roman Polanski standing at a window, a thin slice of his face visible amid an opening in the curtains. The French paper that printed the photo saw it as a newsworthy depiction of the director's life under house arrest in his Swiss Alpine chalet.

Lawyers for the "Chinatown" director say that the December 2009 photo and many others invaded his privacy as well as his family's, and he and his wife are suing four French publications, two newspapers and two magazines for a total of about euro150,000 ($217,215).

In a hearing Tuesday, Polanski lawyer Marion Gregoire said the suits were an attempt "to put an urgent stop to the media spotlight" on the filmmaker and his family that has intensified in the months since a 32-year-old sex case against him was revived.

Several of the photos at issue depict Polanski's children, Elvis and Morgane — who, as minors, are especially protected by French media law.

"The legal case against Polanski in no way justifies the paparazzi's stalking of his wife and children," Gregoire said.

Invasion of privacy suits by celebrities are common in France, Polanski's permanent residence and the country where he had lived for three decades before he was arrested in September while en route to a Swiss film festival.

Polanski, arrested on a U.S. warrant, spent more than 60 days in detention in a Swiss jail before being transferred to house arrest in his Swiss vacation home on Dec. 4.

Authorities in Switzerland have not yet ruled on whether to extradite Polanski to Los Angeles. He had fled the U.S. in 1978 on the eve of sentencing after pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor in 1977.

In hearings Tuesday, Polanski's lawyer said he has a deeply rooted fear of the media, which she traced back to the stabbing death of his pregnant second wife, Sharon Tate. The actress and four others were murdered by followers of cult figure Charles Manson in 1969.

Polanski has said he was horrified by rumors that swirled in the press before the killers were tracked down — rumors suggesting the victims had bizarre lifestyles and somehow brought the violence upon themselves.

Since then, Gregoire said, "Polanski has feared the media like the plague" and always sought to maintain his privacy.

Gregoire argued that Le Journal du Dimanche weekly newspaper should pay damages of euro10,000 for the photo of Polanski at his window.

The paper's lawyer, Christophe Bigot, held up a photo of a mass of photographers outside Polanski's chalet soon after his house arrest started.

"Can you seriously claim in this context that if you stand at the window you won't get your picture taken?" Bigot retorted. Arguing that the photo was a legitimate depiction of a major international news story, Bigot called the suit unwarranted and asked the judge to order Polanski to pay the newspaper's legal fees.

"The press can and should cover this type of case," Bigot said.

Polanski's lawyer asked for another euro10,000 in damages from Voici magazine for a photo of Polanski's wife, actress-singer Emmanuelle Seigner, walking down a street in Switzerland — a photo that the celebrity-oriented publication called "harmless."

Polanski and his wife are also targeting magazine VSD for a spread that included photos of their children at an airport, demanding a total of euro55,000. VSD's lawyer noted that the photos were taken in public and that the publication blurred the children's faces so they could not be recognized — a common practice in France. Decisions are expected Jan. 19.

A judge also heard a suit against Le Parisien newspaper last week, and that ruling is expected Friday.

In Polanski's sex case, the director was initially accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a Quaalude pill during a 1977 modeling shoot. He was indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molestation and sodomy, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

He fled to his native France on the eve of sentencing in 1978 after spending 42 days a California prison for a psychiatric evaluation.

-- ANGELA DOLAND

Analyst firm says tech sector to recover in 2010

2010-01-12T15:35:08Z

NEW YORK (AP) — The tech downturn is over and a recovery is on the way after a "dismal" 2009, as companies resume spending on computers and software, according to a new analysis.

Forrester Research Inc. was set to report Tuesday that it expects global spending on technology products and services to grow 8.1 percent in 2010, to more than $1.6 trillion. U.S. spending is expected to rise 6.6 percent, to $568 billion.

The projected increases follow sharp declines in 2009, when businesses and governments slashed their purchases of PCs, computer peripherals and communications equipment in response to the economic turmoil and credit crisis. Many large tech companies, such as Microsoft Corp., remained profitable and increased their stock prices in 2009, but often they relied on layoffs and other expense reductions to do it.

Even with the expected rebound, "the level of computer equipment purchases in 2010 will still be lower than in 2008 or even 2007," said Forrester analyst Andrew Bartels.

With the recession over, pent-up demand for new computers and updated software programs stands to benefit the companies that make them. The October launch of Microsoft's latest computer operating system, Windows 7, also gives companies a reason to start replacing PCs.

Still, Forrester cautioned that growth will start slowly and pick up later in the year.

The research firm also expects spending on communications equipment to pick up this year, partly because of demand in emerging markets that are building wireless and broadband networks.

Forrester is not alone in predicting a rebound for the year. Last fall Gartner Inc. forecast 3.3 percent growth in global technology spending. Another analyst firm, IDC, said in December that worldwide tech spending would grow 3.2 percent in 2010, returning the industry to 2008 levels of about $1.5 trillion.

More insight into the sector's recovery should come Wednesday, with the release of figures on PC sales in the fourth quarter, and on Thursday, when Intel Corp. reports earnings for the period.

-- BARBARA ORTUTAY

Vatican says 'Avatar' is no masterpiece

2010-01-12T14:28:30Z

FILE - In this file film publicity image released by 20th Century Fox, the character Neytiri, voiced by Zoe Saldana, right, and the character Jake, voiced by Sam Worthington are shown in a scene from, "Avatar." "Avatar" remains the top box-office draw in the U.S. for the fourth straight weekend with $48.5 million. (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, File)

The Associated Press

In this film publicity image released by 20th Century Fox, Jake (Sam Worthington) meets his avatar, a genetically engineered hybrid of human DNA mixed with DNA from the natives of Pandora. Strange as it may seem for a film that pits greedy, immoral humans against noble denizens of a faraway moon, "Avatar" is being criticized by a small but vocal group of people who allege it contains racist themes _ the white hero once again saving the primitive natives. (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, WETA) NO SALES

The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican newspaper and radio station have called the film "Avatar" simplistic, and criticized it for flirting with modern doctrines that promote the worship of nature as a substitute for religion.

L'Osservatore Romano and Vatican Radio dedicated ample coverage to James Cameron's big-grossing, 3-D spectacle. But the reviews were lukewarm, calling the movie superficial in its eco-message, despite groundbreaking visual effects.

L'Osservatore said the film "gets bogged down by a spiritualism linked to the worship of nature." Similarly, Vatican Radio said it "cleverly winks at all those pseudo-doctrines that turn ecology into the religion of the millennium."

"Nature is no longer a creation to defend, but a divinity to worship," the radio said.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said that while the movie reviews are just that — film criticism, with no theological weight — they do reflect Pope Benedict XVI's views on the dangers of turning nature into a "new divinity."

Benedict has often spoken about the need to protect the environment, earning the nickname of "green pope." But he has sometimes balanced that call with a warning against neo-paganism.

In a recent World Day of Peace message, the pontiff warned against any notions that equate human person and other living things. He said such notions "open the way to a new pantheism tinged with neo-paganism, which would see the source of man's salvation in nature alone."

The Vatican newspaper occasionally likes to comment in its cultural pages on movies or pop culture icons, as it did recently about "The Simpsons" or U2. In one famous instance, several Vatican officials spoke out against "The Da Vinci Code."

In this case, the reviews came out after a red carpet preview held in Rome just a stone's throw from St. Peter's Square. The movie will be released Friday in Italy.

The story of the tall blue creatures who inhabit Pandora and contend with humans intent on grabbing the resources of their planet has made over $1.1 billion at box offices worldwide. Partly boosted by higher 3-D ticket prices, "Avatar" looks well on its way to becoming the biggest grossing movie of all time.

"So much stupefying, enchanting technology, but few genuine emotions," said L'Osservatore Romano, which devoted three articles to "Avatar" in its Sunday editions.

L'Osservatore Romano said the movie's plot is unoriginal and its message not new. It faulted Cameron for taking a "bland approach."

"He tells the story without going deep into it, and ends up falling into sappiness," it said.

Vatican Radio did say, however, that "really never before have such surprising images been seen," while L'Osservatore said the movie's worth lies in its "extraordinary visual impact."

-- ALESSANDRA RIZZO

'Cougars,' 'cubs' unwelcome on Carnival cruises

2010-01-12T14:26:53Z

MIAMI (AP) — Carnival Cruise Lines won't be sailing anymore with a boatload of "cougars" and their willing prey.

The Miami-based company has turned down a request from a singles travel group to book another cruise with the cougar theme. The term refers to older women who date younger men.

The singles group says the ban is unfounded. They point to their first cruise on Carnival's Elation in December that drew about 300 women and the men they call "cubs."

Carnival says there were no problems with last month's trip, it's just a business decision. They have no room for groups with that "theme."

Analysts say it's meant to protect Carnival's focus on family fun.

Party planners say they've had no trouble booking with rivals Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

___

Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com

-- AP

Colo. officials unveil Internet safety program

2010-01-12T13:25:58Z

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has joined Democratic Rep. Nancy Todd, the Entertainment Software Association and Web Wise Kids to unveil an Internet safety program to help parents keep their children safe online.

Suthers said Monday that children are naive about dangers on the Internet and some parents are "clueless" about ways to protect them.

Sponsors say the program, called Wired With Wisdom, addresses the dangers associated with social networking, e-mail, cell phones, chat rooms, instant messaging and other technology so adults can educate young people about safe and responsible online practices.

-- AP

Cowell departure another jolt to weakening 'Idol'

2010-01-12T13:00:05Z

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, television personality Simon Cowell poses in West Hollywood, Calif. Cowell said Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 that this will be his last season on "American Idol." (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — With Simon Cowell's days numbered and Paula Abdul already gone, this season is shaping up to be the end of an era for the nation's most-popular show, Fox's "American Idol."

But when it comes to living up to its title — creating a superstar act that captures the imagination of millions — the power of "Idol" has been ebbing for years. (The new season of "Idol" starts Tuesday night (8 p.m. EST.) While the show produced multiplatinum sensations in its earlier days, starting with Kelly Clarkson and ending with Carrie Underwood, recent "Idol" winners or runners-up have not had similar chart success.

Kris Allen, last year's champion, has sold about 200,000 copies of his debut album. And while his "Idol" runner-up, Adam Lambert, proved to be more popular and controversial, even his debut hasn't stayed at the top of the charts for long.

"When you start thinking about 'American Idol' as a place that feeds the music business, it's not as much as people think it is," said Howard Benson, who produced the first two CDs for "Idol"-finalist Chris Daughtry's multiplatinum band, Daughtry. "It's fallen off."

Of course, "fallen off" is all relative when you're talking about a show that's been the undisputed ratings champion since it debuted in 2003. It has produced millions and millions in albums sales, Grammy Awards and even an Oscar winner in Jennifer Hudson, who is also a Grammy winner and successful recording artist. Even the also-rans of "Idol" have managed to parlay career success after an "Idol" stint.

"It is by far still the most watched show on TV — even more watched in some years than the Academy Awards and the Grammys or anything like that" says Ann Donahue, senior editor at Billboard magazine. "But actually translating those people who watch the show into buying albums remains difficult.

Like the rest of the music industry, "Idol" is battling a decline in music sales. But even taking that into account, the drop-off in sales and buzz for "Idol" winners is telling. When Clarkson became the show's first winner in 2003, her album, "Thankful," debuted at No. 1 and sold a healthy 297,000 copies, and had hits like "A Moment Like This" and "Miss Independent." It went on to sell 2.7 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The next year, champ Ruben Studdard sold 1.8 million and had the hit "Sorry 2004." Clay Aiken, that year's runner-up, did even better, selling 2.7 million copies of his CD, "Measure of a Man."

Studdard was followed by Fantasia, whose "Free Yourself" also sold 1.8 million and had the R&B hit "Free Yourself." Underwood established herself as the show's most successful winner — her country debut sold nearly 7 million copies with major crossover hits like "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats."

But the next winner, Taylor Hicks, was a major disappointment, selling 700,000 copies of his self-titled debut. Jordin Sparks followed with a platinum self-titled debut CD and hit songs, while David Cook had a platinum CD, also self-titled but without the hits.

This year, "Idol" champ Kris Allen released his self-titled CD to little fanfare. It didn't debut at the top of the charts and now sits at No. 91 on Billboard's Hot 200 albums chart and hasn't generated a top hit thus far.

In a recent interview, Underwood said being on "Idol" is not a guarantee of success, even if you have a hit debut.

"You look at people who came before me, too, like some of them you haven't really heard from in awhile. And I don't think it's just since me. I think you've got to have a lot of luck on your side, too. Just because people vote for you doesn't mean they'll go out and buy your album, and especially now," she said.

"You know you look at the music industry and all the changes it's gone through in the past five years, I don't know, it's just maybe in a different way they are successful, but they're just not selling the numbers because nobody's selling the numbers they did five, six years ago."

Still, the success of "Britain's Got Talent" finalist Susan Boyle shows if an artist piques the interest of America, they can still generate huge sales. Boyle's debut CD, "I Dreamed a Dream," has sold more than 3 million copies since it was released in November (the same month that Allen and Lambert's CDs were released). Boyle's CD was produced by a judge on "Britain's Got Talent" — the judge being Simon Cowell.

In an interview with Fox News, Cowell said he decided to leave the show after this season because "I don't think you should be doing the same thing over and over again."

"I hope and believe it's still the No. 1 show in America, which is a pretty good place to be. I think in a way it's a good thing for the show because it breaks it up you know it'll be speculation as to who's going to replace me and more shows need that," he said. "You can't have the same people the whole time, it gets boring."

"Idol" has already provided the show with some jolts. Last year, it added a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, to the original panel of Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, and last year, Abdul announced her departure and is being replaced by sunny talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Donahue says contestants like Allen did well in digital downloads of their show performances, and that may be the best way to gauge their success since the show is more popular with the 18-to-49-year-old demographic, who tend to buy singles more than CDs.

"More and more we can expect 'Idols' do pretty well in terms of their digital downloads ... but maybe it's not really a fair measurement anymore to see how they do in albums, because the people who watch the show, who buy music, buy singles, they don't buy albums," she said.

Fantasia, who had a gold CD and success on Broadway after her initial success, said in the end, the success or failure of any "Idol" depends on the winner — and not "Idol."

"It's in your hands. We had to fight for (our success) as well. ... You have to make sure you put out great music and sell yourself," she said.

___

Eds: AP Writer Chris Talbott contributed to this report.

___

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

___

On the Net:

http://www.fox.com/

-- NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

Blagojevich: 'Blacker' than Obama comment 'stupid'

2010-01-12T12:38:31Z

FILE - In this April 21, 2009, file photo, ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is seen leaving federal court in Chicago. The former Illinois governor told Esquire magazine in its February issue that he's "blacker than Barack Obama" and that he was a real person in a political arena dominated by phonies. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, file)

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2010, file photo President Barack Obama arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich told Esquire magazine in its February issue that he's "blacker than Barack Obama" and that he was a real person in a political arena dominated by phonies. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Rod Blagojevich apologized Monday for saying he's "blacker than Barack Obama," but the disgraced former Illinois governor said he probably won't try to make amends directly to the president.

"I'd be happy to but, you know, I don't have the phone number," he told reporters outside his Chicago home.

In the February issue of Esquire magazine, the ousted governor, semi-professional Elvis impersonator and reality TV contestant refers to Obama as "this guy" who was elected based simply on hope, implying that the president isn't genuine.

"What the (expletive)? Everything he's saying's on the teleprompter," Blagojevich told the magazine. The story hits newsstands on Jan. 19.

"I'm blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived," Blagojevich said. "I saw it all growing up."

On Monday, Blagojevich said the comment was "stupid, stupid, stupid."

He said it was meant as a metaphor for his disappointment with Obama, whom he accused of doing more to help Wall Street than Main Street.

The White House declined to comment.

The response — or lack of response — is in contrast to the reaction Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has received after it was disclosed that he once discussed Obama's presidential prospects in terms of his skin color and whether he had a "Negro dialect." Reid immediately apologized and Obama accepted, though some Republicans are calling for him to step down.

There was no way Obama could avoid acknowledging the statements from Reid, an important Democratic leader and legislative ally, but the president has far more leeway to ignore Blagojevich's latest strange behavior.

The twice-elected Democrat was impeached and removed from office last year after federal prosecutors arrested him on corruption charges that included trying to sell Obama's old U.S. Senate seat. He has pleaded not guilty.

Ahead of his trial, which is expected to start in June, Blagojevich is appearing on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice."

He also continues to accuse prosecutors of persecuting him for routine political deals.

One of those deals, he said, was the possibility of naming Attorney General Lisa Madigan to Obama's Senate seat in exchange for cooperation on important programs from her powerful father, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

He used an infamously coarse word to refer to the attorney general.

"If I can get this, how much do I love the people of Illinois to make that (expletive) senator?'" Blagojevich said in the interview.

But on Monday, Blagojevich said, "I don't think I said that."

___

On the Net:

http://www.esquire.com

-- CHRISTOPHER WILLS

What will Conan O'Brien do?

2010-01-12T12:24:11Z

FILE - This Nov. 7, 2007 file photo shows Conan O'Brien in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2009 file photo, Jay Leno speaks during the panel for "The Jay Leno Show" at the NBC Universal Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

The Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — If "Tonight" show host Conan O'Brien decides he doesn't want to shift back to a post-midnight time slot at NBC, Fox executives have a clear message for him: We love you.

"It's a very compatible fit for our brand," said Kevin Reilly, Fox's entertainment president, on Monday. "He's one of the few guys on the planet who has demonstrated he can do one of these shows every night."

And to make the point even clearer, Reilly, a former NBC executive, said, "I love Conan personally and professionally."

NBC's late-night shuffle, one of the most compelling dramas this television season, hinges on whether O'Brien will accept what is effectively a demotion or go to a network with a spotty record developing a late-night show. NBC confirmed it was ending Jay Leno's prime-time show to mollify angry affiliates. He would appear at 11:35 p.m., followed by O'Brien under the "Tonight" show banner a half hour later.

O'Brien had waited five years after being promised the "Tonight" show and its time slot after the late local news, moving his family and staff from New York to California. That chance lasted half a year. A spokeswoman for O'Brien did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday, and NBC said it has not heard a decision from the comic.

O'Brien found his own situation ripe fodder for comedy on Monday's show, with some pointed jokes at his employer.

"Everybody now wants to know what my plans are," he said. "All I can say is, I plan to keep putting on a great show night after night while stealing as many office supplies as humanly possible. I'm gonna rob this place blind."

He listed a dozen options open to him, which included, "leave television altogether and work in a classier business with better people, like hard core porn."

Other comics chimed in. "Today NBC announced they were bringing back Johnny Carson and they're putting him on at 10 p.m.," said CBS' David Letterman.

NBC said they wanted drama at 10:00 p.m., Leno said. "Now they've got it," he said. "Everyone's mad."

NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin said he had given Leno, O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon (whose show would start at 1:05 a.m.) the weekend to think about the plan.

"I would love the three of them to stay at NBC," Gaspin said.

O'Reilly said there have been no negotiations with O'Brien or his representatives over a move.

"We've been pretty clear about the fact that we like him as a talent and we've always been in this business, but that's as far as it's gone," he told reporters at a meeting Monday of the Television Critics Association.

Fox could potentially offer an 11 p.m. time slot, giving O'Brien the jump on both Leno and David Letterman.

That's where Arsenio Hall thrived — briefly — with a syndicated talk show that aired mostly on Fox stations from 1989 to 1994. Other Fox attempts to establish a late-night beachhead with Joan Rivers and Chevy Chase failed spectacularly. In O'Brien's favor: He attracts a younger audience, which Fox seeks.

O'Brien's run at "Tonight" hasn't been particularly successful. NBC's ratings have dropped dramatically since the time Leno was the host, and O'Brien has fallen behind CBS' Letterman. NBC has said it was satisfied because O'Brien was doing fairly well among a youthful audience that is more valuable to advertisers.

Reilly came to O'Brien's defense, saying he's been hurt by the ratings problems of Leno and the local news programs that precede the "Tonight" show.

"He's been playing a little bit with one hand tied behind his back and these things are a long haul," he said. "He's been given six months."

For Fox, O'Brien would offer the advantage of a seasoned performer with his own team intact, as opposed to trying to start a new talk show from scratch with an unproven personality. That's partly why it's been many years since Fox has tried the format.

Fox owns many of its stations, and putting O'Brien in at 11 p.m. would be no problem. Fox can contractually force its show upon its affiliates, many of whom are doing well in the ratings with reruns of old sitcoms, but Reilly said he would want to work with the stations to make sure they're happy.

There would also have to be complicated contractual issues worked out with NBC.

To many, it had seemed a given that Leno would leave NBC for ABC or Fox when his time on "Tonight" ended, but he decided to stay with the company and try the 10 p.m. idea. ABC has indicated a lack of interest in O'Brien.

NBC's proposal would also shift its new talk show host, Fallon, to an hour best known for insomniacs, and put him a half-hour behind chief competitor Craig Ferguson on CBS. Gaspin tried to play it Sunday as a creative plus.

"It allows him to be incredibly experimental and do what he wants to do," Gaspin said. "There will be a lot less pressure on him."

The plan would also likely mark the end of Carson Daly's late-night show. Gaspin said he expected Daly to stay with NBC in some fashion.

___

AP Television Writers Lynn Elber in Pasadena and Frazier Moore in New York contributed to this report.

-- DAVID BAUDER

CA appeals court overturns award in Jackson taping

2010-01-12T11:47:32Z

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An appellate court on Monday overturned a $20 million award against a defunct charter jet company for secretly videotaping Michael Jackson and his attorneys during a 2003 flight.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled the amount was excessive, and XtraJet and its owner Jeffrey Borer shouldn't have to pay it to attorneys Mark Geragos and Pat Harris.

"The amount awarded to the plaintiffs was so great that it shocks the conscience," the panel wrote in its ruling.

The case was sent back to the trial judge who last March found in favor of the two lawyers.

The panel said a new trial could occur on damages alone unless Geragos and Harris would share a reduced award of $750,000.

Brian Kabateck, an attorney representing Geragos, said he was leaning heavily toward a new trial.

"The judges acknowledge the behavior here was reprehensible," Kabateck said.

Borer and an associate pleaded guilty to conspiracy two years ago for videotaping Jackson and his lawyers as they flew to the pop star's surrender on molestation charges. A jury later acquitted Jackson of 14 charges in the case.

Superior Court Judge Soussan Bruguera ordered XtraJet and Borer to pay the amount for invading the privacy of Geragos and Harris in order to sell the video of Jackson to the media.

The appellate court noted in its ruling that Geragos and Harris weren't severely affected by the contents of the tape because it was never publicly released and didn't contain any audio that would violate attorney-client privilege.

XtraJet attorney Lloyd Kirschbaum was pleased with the ruling.

"It's outstanding," he said. "You can't be damaged by a tape no one has seen."

Geragos, Harris and Jackson filed the invasion-of-privacy suit against Borer and XtraJet in November 2003. Jackson dropped out as a plaintiff in April 2005.

-- AP

On this rare map, China is the center of the world

2010-01-12T11:39:30Z

A detail of Matteo Ricci's 1602 map nicknamed the "Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography" showing Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, is seen on display at the Library of Congress in Washington, on Monday Jan. 11, 2010. The map is the first map in Chinese to show the Americas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Associated Press

Andrew Muller, 16, of Hamden, Conn., looks at Matteo Ricci's 1602 map nicknamed the "Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography" on display at the Library of Congress in Washington, on Monday Jan. 11, 2010. The map is the first map in Chinese to show the Americas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Associated Press

A detail from the China section of Matteo Ricci's 1602 map nicknamed the "Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography" is seen on display at the Library of Congress in Washington, on Monday Jan. 11, 2010. The map is the first map in Chinese to show the Americas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A rarely seen 400-year-old map that identified Florida as "the Land of Flowers" and put China at the center of the world went on display Tuesday at the Library of Congress.

The map created by Matteo Ricci was the first in Chinese to show the Americas. Ricci, a Jesuit missionary from Italy, was the first Westerner to visit what is now Beijing in the late 1500s. Known for introducing Western science to China, Ricci created the map in 1602 at the request of Emperor Wanli.

The map includes pictures and annotations describing different regions of the world. Africa was noted to have the world's highest mountain and longest river. The description of North America is brief with mentions of "humped oxen" or bison, wild horses and a region named "Ka-na-ta."

Several South American places are named, including "Wa-ti-ma-la" (Guatemala), "Yu-ho-t'ang" (Yucatan) and "Chih-Li" (Chile).

Ricci gave a brief description of the discovery of the Americas.

"In olden days, nobody had ever known that there were such places as North and South America or Magellanica. But a hundred years ago, Europeans came sailing in their ships to parts of the sea coast, and so discovered them."

The Ricci map gained the nickname the "Impossible Black Tulip of Cartography" because it was so hard to find.

This map — one of only two in good condition — was purchased by the James Ford Bell Trust in October for $1 million, making it the second most expensive rare map ever sold. It had been held for years by a private collector in Japan and will eventually be housed at the Bell Library at the University of Minnesota.

"I don't want to take away from Ricci's other accomplishments, but we think this is pretty spectacular," said Ford W. Bell, co-trustee of the fund started by his grandfather James Ford Bell, founder of General Mills.

Bell, who's also president of the American Association of Museums, said the map symbolizes the first connection between Eastern and Western thinking and commerce.

The Bell Library's focus "is on the development of trade and how that drove civilization — how that constant desire to find new markets to sell new products led to exchanges of knowledge, science, technology and really drove civilization," Bell said. "So (the map) fits in beautifully."

The map was being shown publicly for the first time in North America. It measures 12 feet by 5 feet, printed on six rolls of rice paper.

The Library of Congress rarely exhibits artifacts it does not own because its holdings are so vast, but curators made an exception for the Ricci map. It will be on view in Washington through April alongside another of the world's rarest maps, the Waldseemuller world map, which was the first to name "America." Later, it will be shown at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Associate Librarian Deanna Marcum said the Ricci was one of the most important maps ever produced. It's extraordinary, she said, "for us to now be able to look back and see what was going on in China at a time when different parts of the world really knew so little about each other."

The library also will create a digital image of the map to be posted online for researchers and students to study later this year. The map also was the first to incorporate both Eastern and Western maps.

In a statement, Ti Bin Zhang, first secretary for cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy, said the map represents "the momentous first meeting of East and West" and was the "catalyst for commerce."

No examples of the map are known to exist in China, where Ricci was revered and buried. Only a few original copies are known to exist, held by the Vatican's libraries and collectors in France and Japan.

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On the Net:

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/

James Ford Bell Library: http://bell.lib.umn.edu/

-- BRETT ZONGKER

Cowell says he's leaving 'Idol' for 'X Factor'

2010-01-12T09:02:56Z

The Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Simon Cowell, the acerbic Brit who has helped give "American Idol" some of its sharpest — and nastiest — moments, will leave the hit TV singing contest after this season.

The cantankerous judge said Monday that "The X Factor," a talent show he created and which is popular in Britain, will join Fox's schedule next year. Cowell will be a judge on "The X Factor" and its executive producer.

Cowell's decision is the biggest threat yet to what has consistently been the country's top-rated TV program and a true cultural force. This season, original host Paula Abdul has been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

But Cowell, with his caustic commentary, has long been seen as the big star of "Idol."

He said it would have been difficult for him to do both shows. While he makes a reported $36 million a year to be on "American Idol," he owns "The X Factor" and could make much more if the show takes off.

Ironically, "The X Factor" led to a lawsuit several years ago between Cowell and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller, who alleged that Cowell copied the format for the British version of "The X Factor" from the original British "Idol." The suit was settled amicably.

Cowell and top Fox executives made the announcement to reporters in Pasadena at a meeting of the Television Critics Association; they said they had reached an agreement only a few hours before.

"I was offered a lot of money to stay on," Cowell said. "But that wasn't the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge."

But an even greater challenge is posed for Idol producers. Without the show's biggest attraction and most critical judge, will "American Idol" lose steam and plunge even more in ratings? At least one analyst, Shari Anne Brill of Carat USA, said the "Idol" audience probably will decline next season.

"I think it's that brand of sarcasm combined with professional know-how that makes Simon the audience magnet that he is," she said. "I really believe the show revolves around him. He's the linchpin of the show's success. He has tremendous influence on how the audience votes. He's interesting to listen to. He's brutally honest."

That said, even without Simon, she predicts the show "will still be a formidable player on Fox's schedule."

Kevin Reilly, Fox entertainment president, said Cowell's departure from "Idol" isn't necessarily a win for the network's competitors.

"I think it would be premature to be popping corks. Maybe they can say this gives us a little bit of wiggle room, but that's a big maybe. On the other hand, we're not losing Simon Cowell, we're potentially gaining another big headache for them in the fall," Reilly said.

Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for Fox, added a dramatic touch to the news conference by asking Cowell to sign his new contract. Cowell's deal with "American Idol," which returns for its ninth year Tuesday, will end with the season.

Cowell said launching a show that doesn't put an age limit on contestants — and allows groups along with individual singers — makes it very different from "American Idol." The top age for "Idol" singers is 28.

Susan Boyle, 48, who was discovered on "Britain's Got Talent," is an example of why age should be irrelevant, said Cowell, a judge on the British show he created and executive producer of "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Boyle became an unlikely sensation and released one of the year's top-selling CDs.

Rice wouldn't speculate on possible replacements for Cowell on "Idol."

"We have to take our time on that," he said. "We have to make sure the chemistry of the judges is as good as it can be."

Cowell said there are many who want the job. But while everybody is talking about the judges, he added, "Fundamentally, the most important reason we do this is to find talent."

Asked about bringing in Abdul as a judge on "X Factor," Cowell replied: "I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity, because I miss her." But Victoria Beckham, a guest judge this season on "Idol," won't be joining his new show, Cowell said without explanation.

Cowell apparently carefully chose his time to resign, saying he didn't want to leave "American Idol" at a time when it was fading in the ratings.

"You want to leave on a high," he said. "I'm very proud of what the show has achieved."

"American Idol," which is entering its ninth season this week, has been the country's most popular television program for the past five years and has launched such stars as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry.

Yet viewership for "American Idol" has been shrinking since its 2005 peak when it averaged more than 30 million weekly viewers, according to research chief Brad Adgate of Horizon Media; last year's weekly audience averaged just under 25 million. The median age of viewers has shot up, from nearly 32 years old in the first season to about 44 last year.

Rice and Cowell said "Idol" and "The X Factor" would complement each other, not detract.

Airing the network's talent shows throughout the season — "The X Factor" in the fall, "American Idol" from January through May and "So You Think You Can Dance" in the summer — will be a "source of strength" for Fox's schedule, Rice said.

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AP Television Writers David Bauder in Pasadena and Frazier Moore in New York contributed to this report.

-- LYNN ELBER

'Up,' 'The Hurt Locker' top Golden Tomato Awards

2010-01-12T06:28:17Z

FILE-In this film publicity image released by Summit Entertainment,Jeremy Renner is shown in a scene from, "The Hurt Locker." (AP Photo/Summit Entertainment,File) ** NO SALES **

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An animated adventure about a widower who sails away in a house lifted by a bouquet of balloons and an up-close look at a bomb-squad unit in Iraq were the top critical favorites of 2009. Now "Up" and "The Hurt Locker" are top winners at the Golden Tomato Awards.

The awards honor the best-reviewed films of the year as determined by the Web site RottenTomatoes.com, which compiles reviews from critics to measure the percentage of favorable critiques.

Pixar's "Up" collected positive reviews from 98 percent of critics, earning it the Golden Tomato for a film in wide release. "The Hurt Locker" was the best-reviewed limited release film, with 97 percent of critics recommending it.

The Moldy Tomato Award, for the year's worst-reviewed film, went to "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li."

-- AP

Wife allegedly changes wires on saw to shock hubby

2010-01-12T04:11:59Z

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Court papers allege that an Olympia woman, angry that her husband left her, tampered with his power tools so that he received a powerful electric shock. Carolyn Paulsen-Riat was booked Friday into the Thurston County Jail for investigation of third-degree assault, domestic violence, and second-degree malicious mischief. A judge released the 33-year-old woman on her own recognizance.

The Olympian newspaper reported that court documents said that on Jan. 1, the man was using a 220-volt table saw when he received the shock, knocking him to the ground. Thurston County sheriff's deputies said the man did not need to go to a hospital.

In the documents, deputies said the woman told them she had reversed the wires on his power tools because she was angry he was leaving.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com

-- AP

2 of 3 Dixie Chicks returning with new music

2010-01-12T04:06:01Z

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two members of the Dixie Chicks — minus lead singer Natalie Maines — are preparing to release a new album this year.

According to CMT.com, sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are working on a project to be released on Columbia Records.

However, Lloyd Maines, Natalie's father, tells CMT.com that the three girls are "definitely still an entity." He says the sisters are "cutting some demos" and that Natalie recorded "a little something with them" about a year ago.

The Associated Press' attempts to contact their publicist and Columbia Records were unsuccessful.

The Dixie Chicks suffered a backlash from fans and country radio over comments Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush in 2003. The Chicks released their last album in 2006, called "Taking the Long Way."

The group has won 13 Grammys and was named the CMA entertainer of the year in 2000.

On the Net:

http://www.dixiechicks.com

-- CAITLIN R. KING