HAPPY DAYS SUES PARAMOUNT OVER $10 MILLION LOST WAGES

Alex Ben Block said the cast of the classic sitcom Happy Days isn t too happy with CBS
Studios and Paramount Pictures, charging in a lawsuit that they have
not been paid for their share of years of home video releases and
licensed merchandise that used their images and voices. The plaintiffs
say they are owed at least $10 million plus interest and possibly
damages.


The suit was brought Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Anson
Williams, Marion Ross, Don Most, Erin Moran and Patricia Bosley, who
is executor of the will of her husband the late Tom Bosley.
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, also stars of the iconic show, are not
part of the suit.


Happy Days epitomizes what is best in America, says the opening
salvo of the lawsuit, adding that the actions by CBS and Paramount
epitomize what is worst in corporate America, exemplifying the worst
business practices.


The show originally ran on ABC from 1974 until 1984 and has been a
staple in TV syndication and on various cable outlets since. It was
originally produced by Paramount, but after a corporate split in 2005
became part of CBS Studios.


The suit apparently was triggered after a former cast member saw their
images on slot machines at a casino. They had also watched as the show
was repackaged for at least four DVD release in box sets beginning in
2004, again with their pictures on the boxes and in show photographs
used inside, according to the complaint.


The suit says CBS continues to market the brand to merchandisers,
quoting the CBS Consumer Products website as saying that Happy Days
has strong purchase-intent among women 18-54 and men 18-34. CBS also
sells related merchandise online with pictures of the cast on
everything from mugs to T-shirts.


All those included in the suit say they had different salaries but the
same contracts when it came to merchandising. Each was to receive a
portion of net proceeds after the studio took 50% off the top as its
handling fee, a practice the suit now questions.


This handling fee, charges the lawsuit, regardless of actual handling
costs violates defendants business conduct statement and constitutes a
material breach of the implied covenant of good fair and fair deal in
the agreement.


The suit says that beginning in 2002, Moran (who played Joani
Cunningham on the series) contacted the studio to see if she was owed
money for merchandising but was told none was owed. They say they had
no way to know the truth and only acted after seeing Happy Days slot
machines in casinos.


The suit says the failure to pay breached their contracts and that
CBS/Paramount is guilty of oppression, fraud and malice." The cast
believes it is entitled to punitive damages as well as at least $10
million in money they believe they are owed plus interest. They are
also seeking to be repaid for their legal costs in bringing the suit.


On the show Williams played Warren Potsie Weber, Ross was the mom
Marion Cunningham, Most was Ralph Malph, Moran was Joanie and Bosley
was the father, Howard Cunningham.


In a statement, a spokesperson for CBS Consumer Products responded:
We agree that funds are owed to the actors and have been working with
them for quite some time to resolve the issue."


Matthew Belloni also contributed to this article.

NATALIE PORTMAN'S BODYGATE CONTINUES...

FROM MAIL ONLINE-

Her dance double for Black Swan has claimed that she did hardly any of
the full body shots seen in the film.


And now it is claimed that Natalie Portman used yet another body
double for her latest film Your Highness.


In fact, the actress is said to have avoided diving into an icy lake
in Belfast and a local Irish girl was paid just £250 to take the
plunge instead.


Caroline Davis from Ulster was paid the sum of money to jump into the
cold waters meaning that Portman avoided braving the freezing lake.


The Irish student told The Sun: ‘I’m a film studies student so I
jumped at the chance to be on set.’


Portman has been accused of performing very little of the body shots
seen in Black Swan, the film that earned her an Oscar gong.


Sarah Lane, a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre who worked as
Natalie's dance double on the Oscar-winning film, continues to claim
the 29-year-old actress did hardly any of the full body shots seen in
the movie.


Talking to ABC's Elizabeth Vargas, Lane says that the film's producers
are lying about the amount of dancing Portman did in her scenes and
need to come clean.

INDEPENDENT FIGHTER FRANKIE Z., PRODUCES DOCU ON LADY FIGHTERS.

HUGH JACKMAN'S STUPID ROBOT BOXING MOVIE.

LIONSGATE WILL UNLEASH (NON-MICHEAL) BAY ON AMERICAN AUDIENCES.
From PR Newswire

LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Barry Levinson's found footage eco-horror film THE BAY from Alliance Films. The announcement was made jointly by Joe Drake, President of the Motion Picture Group, and Jason Constantine, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

From the producers of the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY franchise, the film is the next installment in their series following INSIDIOUS, and chronicles an unprecedented biological disaster unleashed from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay- an isopod parasite, carrying a horrific untreatable disease, that jumps from fish to human hosts. The true horror and scope of the event unfolds on footage captured on home videos and the internet by the town's victims.

"Ingenious genre films are and always will be a specialty at Lionsgate," explained Drake of the choice to acquire the film. "THE BAY is a shining example of the kind of truly fresh horror film that audiences are always ready for, and that we excel at eventizing with them. Thanks to Barry, we'll all be afraid to go in the water for years to come."

Adds Constantine, "We have been big admirers of Jason Blum, Steven Schneider and Oren Peli since their breakout hit PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and are thrilled to be in business with them. This film works so effectively because it establishes a very natural, everyday world, places the audience intimately within it, and then sits back as everything takes a horrific turn. Barry has incorporated found footage to the most satisfying possible effect, and it's all the scarier for not relying on anything supernatural."

"It's exciting to see a company like Lionsgate embrace THE BAY so enthusiastically. The found footage / multiplatform approach opened up the film to creative possibilities I hadn't encountered in my previous films, and I think these sorts of films will only continue to push boundaries as the technology changes," said director Barry Levinson.

The film was directed by Levinson, from a script he co-wrote with Michael Wallach. THE BAY was produced by Levinson, Jason Blum, Steven Schneider, and Oren Peli, and co-produced by Mythodic Films, with Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Jason Sosnoff, Colin Strause, and Greg Strause executive producing.

THE BAY is an Alliance presentation in association with IM Global. IM Global handled foreign sales, and Alliance will distribute in Canada, the UK and Spain.

The deal was negotiated by Lionsgate's Constantine, with Eda Kowan, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions, and Wendy Jaffe, Executive Vice President Business & Legal Affairs for Acquisitions. The sale was brokered on behalf of Alliance by ICM and CAA. ICM packaged the film and represents Levinson and Wallach.

CZ JONES TO VISIT TO SHADDY PINES

Sarah Crow reported that after Michael Douglas "is on the mend after completing
treatment for throat cancer," his wife actress Catherine Zeta-Jones "is finding herself
in need of some expert care."


Gossip Cop reports that the actress has checked herself into a mental
health facility.


"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the
decision to check in to a mental health facility for a brief stay to
treat her Bipolar II Disorder," her rep confirms, adding, "She's
feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her
two upcoming films."


In addition to her duties as a working actress and mother, Zeta-Jones
has dealt with more than enough stress in the past few years to merit
some much-needed time off and TLC.


In 2010, Zeta-Jones' stepson, Cameron Douglas, was sentenced to five
years in prison for drug-related charges, and only four months later,
her actor husband was diagnosed with cancer. In between the
devastating events, Michael Douglas was also sued by his ex-wife,
Diandra, who claimed she was entitled 50 percent of the profits from
his film 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.'


Sources report, "Catherine had a lot of trouble coping [with Douglas'
cancer]. She was chain smoking and drinking," although her rep has not
confirmed that her stay was related to substance abuse.


It does seem the actress is on the mend, however. Her rep says, "She's
feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her
two upcoming films."

MATT AND KATIE TOGETHR AGAIN?

BETTY WHITE TELLS LILO TO SUCK IT, FOR HER LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM!

WIL FERRAL TAKES OVER...

MY DINNER WAS PROVIDED BY HBO'S GAME OF THRONES!

A few nights ago at the Sunset-Vine plaza (at the soon to departed Borders,) A black lunch truck was giving away choice of blackened trout or roasted rabbit with a tiny lemon cake.The staffers were quite kind and gave everyone stately menus of their choices, as well as the debut night time for the program.

The food was tasty and artistically well designed. It was also quite filling,considering the tiny portions. The truck did allow multiple runs of the meals,in order to sample each of the dishes. Still, some Caucasian males made pigs of themselves going through the line at least four times.

The show will be doing this for the rest of the week, in order to promote the show in the Hollywood area.

JWOW PAULY D. AND SNOOKI GET THEIR OWN SHOWS.
From PR Newswire.

NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- David Janollari, MTV Head of Programming, and Chris Linn, MTV Executive Vice President of Programming and Head of Production, today announced that the network is set to build upon its record-breaking series "Jersey Shore" by greenlighting new programming that will feature cast members Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio and Jenni "JWoww" Farley. Executive Produced by SallyAnn Salsano of 495 Productions, the two untitled reality projects begin production later this year and are slated to air in 2012. Both series will chronicle the lives all three lead away from their summer shares and housemates in the trademark humorous and unapologetic style that made "Jersey Shore" a pop culture phenomenon and TV's top-rated cable series of 2010.

"The 'Jersey Shore' cast is at the center of the show's ongoing success and Nicole, Pauly D and Jenni have become household names as a result of their unique, sometimes outrageous and often hilarious personalities," said Chris Linn, MTV Executive Vice President of Programming and Head of Production. "We're excited to put the spotlight on their lives away from the shore as they pursue their individual passions, careers and relationships. Both series are fun, fresh ways for us to evolve what is an already successful brand for us."

"As we continue to reinforce our position as the entertainment destination for the Millennial generation, these two shows fit perfectly into that overall strategy, and we're thrilled to add them to our diverse line-up," said David Janollari, MTV Head of Programming.

The following two shows have been greenlit for series:

UNTITLED NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI AND JENNI "JWOWW" FARLEY PROJECT – Fans of "Jersey Shore" watched, laughed and marveled as Snooki and JWoww forged a genuine bond sure to go down in TV history. Always inseparable and ready to get the party started at the shore, viewers will get to see how they deal with life and love when the vacation is over in this 12-episode series. The locale may be different, but the friendship is sure to remain the same.

UNTITLED PAUL "DJ PAULY D" DELVECCHIO PROJECT – Whether it's Seaside Heights or Miami – no one has more swagger, one-liners or a more distinctive haircut than DJ Pauly D. Set to air for 12-episodes, this series follows Pauly D's jet-setting and often hilarious life on the road as one of the country's most in-demand DJs. Aiming to become one of the world's most successful and recognized names in music, viewers will get to see Pauly D chase his dream with the help of the best friends he grew up with in Rhode Island by his side.

JOURNAL OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST- TV AUDIENCE WORK FOR GSN'S LINGO.
(NEW SEGMENT.)

F$#@ Them at that three-lettered company!!

The white guy with a brownish, chicken head Mohawk seemed nice enough. Then, he begin the usually LYING,biogotd tirades I write here TOO often,not just by him. A pimp dressed black man and usually fat arsed and ignorantly cute, Latina friend joined him by the dirty pimp saying " I always thought you were one," and the dumpy Latina trying make a Loser Sign, forgetting that now means you a fan of Glee specifically. I've NEVER BEEN rude or unprofessional to anyone there, unlike them. Still, I must commend the work of a decent British Fellow, who appears to try to do right by every one there (at other shows, he wasn't there today.)

Getting back to the alleged, white bigot who signed on Two WHITE girls, because they white, right in front in front of us. They had just arrived and got in, while the rest of us had been there an hour at the point. He declared he didn't care because
"I already HAVE a job," as he smirked with one of the confirmed audience members, who too was real late.

Personally, I think I'VE been barred- since I wrote about similar hate mongering and bullying about going back to 2008's American Gladiators.

Lastly, one of the men-a Lingo staffer- said there was one chair left and picked the one WHITE guy ,who wasn't business casually dressed and gave the last seat. Everyone else left,were black folk- properly attired, as per their dress code request.

I don't care about being liked by stupid idiots, but I don't deserve this level of constant disrespect or bullying anymore, not being apart of their clique, none of us do.

BRITNEY SPEARS CAN AND WILL WRITE MUSIC FOR SELENA GOMEZ.

THE NEW ARTHUR GOES APE S#$% ON CONAN.

LILO GOES TO SOURCE CODE MOVIE PARTY.

AMC AND LIONSGATE SCORE THREE SEASON DEAL FOR MAD MEN!

PRNewswire/ -- AMC and Lionsgate today announced the return of the iconic series "Mad Men" for seasons five and six with series creator Matthew Weiner back on board as showrunner. Concurrently, it was announced that Weiner has signed a new long-term deal with Lionsgate, extending into a possible seventh season. The announcements were made by Charlie Collier, president of AMC, and Kevin Beggs, president of Lionsgate Television Group.

When AMC debuted "Mad Men" in July 2007 it quickly became one of the most talked about series on television. Set in 1960s New York, "Mad Men" is a sexy and provocative original drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. Produced by Lionsgate, "Mad Men" has made television history as the only cable series to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama and the Golden Globe for Best Television Series-Drama for three consecutive years.

"I want to thank all of our wonderful fans for their support," said Weiner. "I also want to thank AMC and Lionsgate for agreeing to support the artistic freedom of myself, the cast and the crew so that we can continue to make the show exactly as we have from the beginning. I'm excited to get started on the next chapter of our story."

"AMC's original programming began with a mission to create bold storytelling of the highest quality, and 'Mad Men' was the perfect expression of that commitment. We've been proud to support this show from the day we read Matt's ground-breaking pilot script and have loved building it with Matt and Lionsgate into the cultural phenomenon it has become," said Collier. "For everyone involved in the show and its passionate fans, we are thrilled to announce that the series will continue on AMC under the exceptional vision of Matt Weiner."

"We are proud to continue our successful relationships with AMC and the brilliantly talented Matt Weiner, whose vision has created one of the most distinguished series on television," said Beggs. "We also appreciate the passion and patience of 'Mad Men' fans around the world who have been awaiting this good news, and we believe they will be rewarded with many more seasons of this extraordinary and groundbreaking series."

Mad Men's award-winning ensemble cast includes: Golden Globe-winner Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Jared Harris, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Robert Morse and Kiernan Shipka.

FINALLY, KRISTEN STEWART MAKES A DECISION IN A TWILIGHT FLICK.

SAUCY FLY GIRL GETS ENGAGED ON REGIS!

MILEY CYRUS PROPERLY TRASHES STUPID FRIDAY VIDEO.

OSCAR WINNER JAMIE FOXX TO HOST PRIVATE PARTY FOR MICHEAL JORDAN AND BIG TIME CELEBS.
From PR Newswire.

LAS VEGAS-- Superstar entertainer Jamie Foxx will give an intimate, private performance at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter during the 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), Friday, April 1 . Foxx will perform at the MJCI Celebration, an annual gala for the tournament's celebrities and invited guests.

The GRAMMY ® Award-winning artist will sing hits throughout the evening, including hits from his new CD "Best Night of My Life," following performances by comedian Kevin Hart and Jabbawockeez, who rose to fame as champions of MTV's "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew." Foxx's performance will mark a night of celebration following two days of the MJCI Celebrity-Amateur golf tournament and lead into the weekend's celebrity-only tournament.

Marking its Las Vegas debut, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational will be held at Shadow Creek, one of the country's most exclusive golf courses, which will open its doors to the public for the first time. Proceeds from the charitable tournament will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation and Cats Care, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' charity arm. Since its inception in 2001, MJCI has raised more than $5 million for charity.

Celebrities scheduled to attend include Michael Jordan, Marcus Allen, Anthony Anderson, Gabriel Aubry, Brian Baumgartner, Jerome Bettis, Drew Brees, Brandi Chastain, Chris Chelios, Larry David, Richard Dent, Shannon Elizabeth, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey, Jr., Bill Guthridge, Penny Hardaway, Dennis Haysbert, Brett Hull, Toni Kukoc, Spike Lee, Mario Lemieux, Paul O'Neill, Mike Piazza, Maury Povich, Salli Richardson, Stuart Scott, Bruce Smith, John Smoltz, Alan Thicke and more.

The Celebrity-Amateur tournament, which pairs one celebrity with four amateur participants, will take place Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1. The MJCI two-person, 36-hole scramble format tournament, including only competing celebrities, will take place Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3.

Tickets for the tournament may be purchased at ARIA's Viva ELVIS box office, online at www.arialasvegas.com or www.MJCIgolf.com. Prices are as follows:

Daily General Admission Pass
$25/Thursday and Friday

Daily General Admission Pass
$50/Saturday and Sunday

Weekly General Admission Pass
$100/Thursday-Sunday

Daily VIP Pass
$100/Thursday-Sunday

Weekly VIP Pass
$300/Thursday-Sunday





VIP spectators will enjoy an unparalleled view of the course from the M life VIP Hospitality complex, an open-air venue featuring a "VIP Party Deck" overlooking the par-5, 18th hole.

Discounted tickets are available for military service members with valid identification, and Senior Citizens 65 years of age or older with valid ID; both groups will receive 25 percent off a daily or weekly general admission ticket. Additionally, the tournament has created a special "Bring the Kids for Free" general admission ticket offer, which provides access to Shadow Creek for youth 16 years of age and younger