The Hollywood Gossip

Wesley Snipes Really Trying to Avoid Prison

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:28:19 EST

Wesley Snipes really doesn't want to go to prison.

Not that anyone does. But Snipes is going to ridiculous legal lengths to avoid serving a three-year prison term for tax evasion. His first appeal, of the conviction itself, failed. Now he's challenging the length of the three-year sentence.

Here's his defense in a nutshell:

Not paying taxes for five years (when you're rich no less): Eh.
Going to jail for three years: So harsh! Lay off, government!

Seriously. The 47-year-old actor's lawyers are calling the sentence "unreasonable" and claiming that his trial should have taken place in New York, not Florida.

Never mind that Snipes' records show he lived in both states or that he had ample time to request a venue change in the years-in-the-making trial's location.

Come on, Wesley Snipes. It's over, man.

"The right to a correct venue is part and parcel to the right to a jury trial," Snipes' attorney, Peter Goldberger, said of Snipes, who is still free on $1 million bond.

The prosecution, meanwhile, shot down Goldberger's claim, saying that no amount of whining over the justly chosen venue can reverse Snipes' tax wrongdoing.

"Wesley Snipes received a fair trial and fair sentence," Asst. U.S. attorney Patricia Barksdale said. "His numerous appeals do not make that sentence erroneous."

Snipes was sentenced in April of last year after a jury determined that the actor failed to file returns on at least $13.8 million in income between 1999-2004.

At least his White Men Can't Jump quotes should be popular in jail.

Dr. Conrad Murray Linked to Michael Jackson Drugs

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:54:58 EST

A judge has unsealed a search warrant issued against Applied Pharmacy Services in Las Vegas, where authorities believe Dr. Conrad Murray obtained Propofol.

In case you don't know by now, that's the powerful anesthesia police believe killed Michael Jackson, and Murray, his personal physician, was administering it.

The affidavit says at the scene of Michael Jackson's death at his L.A. home, Propofol was recovered "in Dr. Murray's doctor's bag and on the bedside table."

In order to make their case, police are looking to pin down Visa and FedEx information linking Dr. Conrad Murray to the sale of Propofol by Applied Pharmacy.

According to the affidavit, during the search of Dr. Murray's home and office, police recovered a sales receipt from Applied Pharmacy - dated May 12, 2009.

On that date, Dr. Conrad Murray purchased four vials of Propofol.

Police are trying to tie Dr. Conrad Murray's conduct to Michael Jackson's death.

He also bought three vials of benzos, and another drug, flumazenil, which is actually considered an antidote to a benzo, and is used to counteract benzos.

The total cost of the drugs: $853, with a $65 FedEx shipping fee.

After Jackson died June 25, Dr. Murray told police he was not the first doc to introduce Jackson to Propofol. Dr. Murray stated that Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger had given Jackson medicine that he says was not working.

And there's this: "Detectives interviewed Grace Owanda (sic), Jackson's children's nanny." That's Grace Rwaramba, who is in fact MJ's children's nanny.

"Owanda" stated that Michael Jackson was currently being treated by [Dr. Arnold Klein] and the last physician to treat Jackson was Dr. Larry Koplin."

And we wonder why the investigation is taking forever ...

Adnan Ghalib: Jailed!

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:56:59 EST

Britney Spears' ex-boyfriend, Adnan Ghalib, was sentenced today to 45 days in county jail after he pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of an accident.

During said accident, he hit a process server with his car and took off. The victim was attempting to subpoena Adnan in a Spears restraining order case.

He was told to stay away from Britney until 2012, incidentally. In the hit and run case, at least Adnan Ghalib gets credit for one day already served. Woo!

Ghalib will be placed on formal probation for 36 months, has to complete 52 weeks of anger management classes and 45 days of Caltrans (hard labor).

Adnan Ghalib is finally headed where he belongs.

The celebrity gossip photographer was initially charged with three felonies after the incident: assault with a deadly weapon, battery and hit-and-run.

As part of his plea deal, the first two were dropped.

He still faces outstanding warrants for enabling Britney Spears during her dark period and for dressing like an enormous douche. Just kidding. Kind of.

About the second part. Dude was totally an enabler.

New Moon Box Office Results Setting Records

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:41:25 EST

From all indications, The Twilight Saga: New Moon box office results will be absolutely massive on its opening night this evening (or technically this morning).

Anyone surprised?

Advanced ticket sales for the second part of the series have sold out thousands of theaters, projecting an $85-100 million opening weekend for the film.

The first Twilight film brought in $69.6 million its first days.

According to MovieTickets.com, an online seller, New Moon is the #1 Advance Ticket Seller of all time, topping Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Whether you're on Team Jacob or Team Edward, we know where you're going to be Friday night: theaters. Sorry, members of Team Volturi. No one likes you guys.

News organizations nationwide reported local theaters selling out, with many camped out for hours to stake out their spot for the heavily-hyped premiere.

Before even hitting the screen, 2,000-plus theaters sold out. Estimates indicate it already raked in $26.3 million with just its 12:01 a.m. screenings today.

That's an all-time high for midnight premieres.

When released, the final box office results are expected to be outstanding for the first weekend of its release, despite the mixed reviews it's drawn so far.

THG will be reviewing the movie after visiting one of those sold-out theaters tonight. Check back early tomorrow morning for our New Moon review!

Have you seen New Moon already? If so, what did you think? Vote below!

Carrie Prejean and Kyle Boller: Dating!

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:53:37 EST

Hard at work writing and shilling for her new memoir, it's hard to believe that Carrie Prejean makes time for love (well, besides self-love in those nude pics and videos).

But she does. Carrie's dating NFL scrub star Kyle Boller!

The backup quarterback for the St. Louis Rams and Carrie Prejean have been dating since the summer, according to Radar Online, which broke the story today.

The gossip site also posted this cute photo of the two:

Carrie Prejean has proven to be a very bad liar and role model. Kyle Boller has impeccable credentials as a bad quarterback. It's a match made in heaven!

"I know she does like him a lot. I'm pretty sure she's happy," Prejean's brother Billy Arnone said, noting that she likes the Chargers, not Boller's St. Louis Rams.

Good thing, too. The Rams are 1-8 this season. Boller also sucks.

Something about Kyle is doing it for her, though. In her book Still Standing, Carrie wrote the following dedication to her man, whose identity we now know:

"To my Kyle: I am so blessed to have you in my life. You have shown me what love is. Thank you for supporting me through all this drama. I knew when we met there was something so special about you."

Clearly it wasn't his 71.5 career passer rating.

No word on how Carrie Prejean and Kyle Boller got together. Maybe his eHarmony profile said he was looking for a SWF with a penchant for homophobia, pleasuring herself on video, throwing hissy fits and stretching the truth.

Miley Cyrus Bus Crash Leaves One Dead

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:32:23 EST

In terribly tragic Miley Cyrus news, a tour bus transporting the singer's crew members was involved in a deadly crash outside Richmond, Va., earlier today.

Cyrus, 16, was not on board, multiple sources have confirmed, and, according to her website. Miley is set to rock the house Sunday in Greensboro, N.C.

"It was one of our tour buses, but not Miley's,” her manager said in response to the crash. "It was one of our buses that transported our lighting crew."

Miley Cyrus was not personally on board the bus.

An investigation is underway to determine exactly why the Miley Cyrus bus - part of a four vehicle caravan - drifted off the road and overturned, claiming a life.

One person, presumed to be the bus driver, died, while nine other people on board, sustained minor injuries. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

UPDATE: It is confirmed that the deceased is indeed bus driver Bill Douglas. Miley released a statement on her official site regarding the incident:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bill 'Uncle Bill' Douglas. Members of our tour are like members of our family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in the midst of this tragedy. He will truly be missed."

Oprah Tearfully Announces Farewell, Promotes Self

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:22:09 EST

As we reported last night, Oprah will end her reign as the most successful person ever to host a show on TV in 2011. Today, she made the announcement official.

Just because she's stepping aside doesn't mean she's forgotten about sweeps, of course. She saved her big, breaking, shocking news for the end of the show.

While she called rumors for departure "conjecture," her new cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), also happens to be launching in 2011. Hmm.

But in revealing the "real" reason she's walking away after 25 years, Oprah started strong, then began to cry, then regained her composure, saying it "feels right."

Also feeling so right? Shameless promotion for her next season. Holla!

Oprah Winfrey says ending her talk show feels good in her bones. An estimated net worth of over $2 billion has to feel pretty good in her bank account, as well.

Fighting back tears, O said, "I love this show. This show has been my life and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye. Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and my spirit. It's the perfect number, the exact right time."

And then there was this line:

"For some long time Oprah viewers, you have literally grown up with me ... we've grown together ... you had your family and your children ... you left a spot for me in your morning or afternoon - depending on when the Oprah show airs in your town."

Wow. What an emotional, corporate farewell.

Sarah Palin is Not Smart

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:07:30 EST

Okay, maybe our headline above is a little harsh.

Maybe when Sarah Palin confused Iraq with Iran in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity this week, it was just a slip of the tongue and we should back off.

Yet when you're talking about a woman who noted Alaska's close proximity to Russia to bolster her foreign policy credentials, benefit of the doubt is lacking.

Check out her geographical blunder below and see what you think. Maybe she's a visionary and we should crack down on Iraq to prevent a nu-cue-lar Iran.

Whether she's the future of politics or just another random d-lister trying to bolster her own celebrity, Sarah is the gossip world's gift that keeps on givin' ...

Crackin' Down on Iraq!

Hallelujah: Jon and Kate Plus 8 to End Monday!

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:40:14 EST

Monday marks the end of TLC's Jon and Kate Plus 8. That's the good news. The bad? Jon Gosselin's legal battles and personal drama will continue to play out publicly.

What can fans expect on the final hour of the reality show, which Jon pulled the plug on because the network blatantly ried to fire his ass of concerns for his kids?

The estranged parents of eight will venture on separate outings with the kids. Individually, Jon and Kate Gosselin will reflect on the past and look to the future.

Asleep yet?

Back in September, TLC made the announcement that Jon would no longer appear on the reality series and that the program would be re-titled Kate Plus 8.

That plan was axed after Jon objected to his kids being on TV, saying the network was "hurting them," which amazingly he never brought up prior to that.

THE END OF AN ERROR: Farewell, Jon and Kate Plus 8.

"Kate Plus 8 is not in production," TLC spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said Thursday. "We are focusing on the launch of Kate's new series in early spring."

No details on what Kate's new series entails, but Jon and TLC remain entangled in a legal battle surrounding the douchebag's actions of the past six months.

TLC has sued him for breach of contract, claiming he violated contract terms by making promotional appearances (paid or unpaid) without TLC's approval.

The network says any interview or dealings with media outlets have to get the green light from TLC first. He's probably violated that, oh, 200 or so times.

He fired back with a $5 million countersuit, alleging the network has damaged his career (LOL) by discouraging other media outlets from working with him.

Tila Tequila on UStream Video: I'm No Rihanna!

steve@thehollywoodgossip.com (Free Britney) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:50 EST

Clothed and actually sounding somewhat coherent, Tila Tequila attempted to explain her disturbing naked video meltdown that she posted on ustream yesterday.

Tila says she made the video after experiencing flashbacks from her alleged violent altercation with NFL star Shawne Merriman, her then-boyfriend, in September.

She says he assaulted her, but the police didn't press charges. Tila has since sued Merriman, and says amid the pressure, she "just kind of flipped out a little bit."

Ya think?

The best part of her explanation for the video? She says she's no Rihanna, and unlike the popular singer, she feels compelled to talk about the alleged abuse.

Tila Tequila tries to justify her naked video rant.

Never mind that Rihanna did talk about her abuse by Chris Brown - to the cops, who charged him with a felony. She just didn't talk to the press about it.

Rihanna has also now opened up about the incident in graphic detail in extensive interviews. Criticizing her for "not coming forward" is irrelevant and unfair.

Look, we're sorry Tila is so messed up, regardless of what happened with Merriman, and hope she gets help. But don't blame your problems on Rihanna.

Somehow we doubt the "Umbrella" singer made Tila show us a tampon to prove her vaginal cleanliness, masturbate or whip out a gun naked. Just saying.