In the news
Owners say Studdard was paid to wear '205' shirts
By Times Wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 7, 2003
Owners of Birmingham, Ala., hip-hop clothingmaker 205 Flava Inc. say they secretly paid Ruben Studdard to wear the company's bright jerseys on American Idol, despite a ban by the program on such deals.
A lawyer for owners Willie and Frederick Jenkins responded Monday to a lawsuit filed by Studdard last week accusing the brothers of wrongly profiting from his image as the second American Idol winner.
The Jenkins' lawyer, at a news conference, showed copies of $10,000 in checks made out to Studdard's brother, Kevin Studdard, and his manager, Ron Edwards.
Lawyer LaVeeda Morgan Battle, who spoke on behalf of the Jenkins brothers, said Studdard told them to "keep this confidential" because Fox prohibits American Idol contestants from entering into contracts while on the show.
Studdard refused to comment Monday. "The public will hear from us soon," said Studdard's lawyer, Byron Perkins.
Ebert to have radiation treatment
Film critic Roger Ebert will undergo radiation treatment for cancer later this month.
The treatment will be for a cancerous tumor in Ebert's salivary gland, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday.
The critic, 61, had surgery in February 2002 for cancer in his thyroid and in February 2003 for cancer in his salivary gland.
He said treatment for the malignant tumor will begin later this month after he returns from a family trip to France.
"I will, however, continue to see movies, write reviews and do the Ebert & Roeper television show," Ebert wrote Tuesday in an e-mail message to friends. "The treatments are a followup to earlier surgery, and I look forward to a complete recovery."
Charles cancels concerts
Acute hip discomfort has forced Ray Charles to cancel his remaining tour dates for 2003, which had been scheduled through Dec. 16.
"It breaks my heart to withdraw from these shows," Charles said in a statement Wednesday. "... But the doctors insist I stay put and mend for a while."
Charles, 72, has had cartilage problems around the joint and was diagnosed and undergoing treatment in Los Angeles, spokesman Jerry Digney said last month.
Coroner: "JAG' actor's death was accidental
On Wednesday, a Los Angeles coroner ruled that JAG and Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Trevor Goddard died from an accidental drug overdose. Initial reports after Goddard's death on June 9 focused on the possibility of suicide.
Goddard, an Englishman who masqueraded as an Australian to land his recurring role on CBS's hit military drama, built up a complicated and largely fictional backstory about his Australian past.
The autopsy found a combination of cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs in his system.
Lane, Broderick may return to "Producers'
Will Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to The Producers early next year?
Broadway buzzed Wednesday with the prospect that the original stars of what was once New York's hottest musical would come back to the Mel Brooks extravaganza in January, in an effort to boost the show's box office fortunes.
"We are in discussions with Nathan and Matthew about returning," said John Barlow, a spokesman for the musical. He added that nothing has been confirmed.
The New York Post reported Wednesday the duo would rejoin the show in January.
"They both miss the show a great deal, and both have been aching to have an opportunity to go back in it together," said Simon Halls, a spokesman for both Lane and Broderick.
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In the newsOwners say Studdard was paid to wear '205' shirts
