HOLLYWOOD - Star Jones ties the knot in a lavish ceremony
ABC's The View co-host Star Jones married banker Al Reynolds in a star-studded ceremony in New York on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, hundreds of celebrities, friends and family of the couple packed St. Bartholomew's Church to watch 42-year-old Star Jones exchange wedding vows with Reynolds. Jones wore a designer strapless dress with a 27-foot train that required seven people to carry it. Her The View co-host Barbara Walters attended the ceremony that included celebrities like Spike Lee, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and Vivica A. Fox. A performance by Patti LaBelle was also included in the wedding ceremony. "I smiled a lot," said Walters. "I was happy for her. She had the biggest smile I'd ever seen." The ceremony lasted until 8 p.m. before moving to the Wardolf-Astoria Hotel for the reception.
Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard dies unexpectedly
One of the founding members in the rap group Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard, 35, collapsed and died in New York on Saturday, Reuters reports. Investigators are not certain why the former rapper died so suddenly. Ol' Dirty Bastard, whose real name is Russell Jones, reported having chest pains during his visit to a recording studio, but paramedics were unable to save him. Although ODB has a history of drug abuse, a spokesperson said that the rapper was clean at the time of his death. After serving three years in a New York City jail for drug offenses and probation violation, Jones was released in 2003. According to Blender magazine, Jones also fathered 13 children.
Diaz and Timberlake sued for assault and battery
Two photographers who claim they were attacked and taunted by the couple outside a ritzy Los Angeles hotel are suing actress Cameron Diaz and pop star boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, the AP reports. Saul Lazo and Jose Gonzalez filed the lawsuit against the power couple on Friday, claiming that they suffered emotional distress and physical harm. Lazo claims that Diaz ran at him, hitting his neck, tripping him, and stealing his camera. Timberlake then allegedly screamed at the bleeding photographer saying, "What ... are you going to do, man? I know you are not going to do anything." Claiming that they were just trying to do their job, Lazo and Gonzalez say that they were standing 10-feet away from the couple when they were ambushed by the Charlie's Angels star outside the Chateau Marmont hotel on Nov. 6.
Jury selection still underway in Blake murder trial
With jury selection continuing today in case against actor Robert Blake, defense attorneys for Robert Blake say that they are looking for jurors who love a good mystery and like to investigate conspiracy theories, the AP reports. Prosecutors against the defendant say that they are looking for conservative people with common sense who can also make quick decisions. With more than 700 potential jurors already dismissed for financial or moral reasons, about 100 jurors remain in the prospective pool. The 71-year-old former Baretta star is being accused of killing his wife outside a restaurant on May 4, 2001. Blake has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, two counts of solicitation of murder and a special circumstance of lying in wait.
Celebrity couple, Lohan and Valderrama, split
Actress Lindsay Lohan and That 70's Show actor Wilmer Valderrama have ended their relationship, the AP reports. Valderrama's publicist, Heidi Slan said, "They have broken up, but are still friends." Lohan's publicist, Leslie Sloane Zelnik was quoted saying, "I can confirm that they have amicably split, but the two remain close friends and supportive of each other's busy careers." The Mean Girls star and Valderrama became a couple just after her 18th birthday in July and Lohan recently guest starred with Valderrama on his show. Lohan, who was hospitalized on October for extreme fever and headaches, also starred in Freaky Friday and is currently filming the upcoming Herbie: Fully Loaded.
More self-destructing DVDs to reach homes
Movie producers are hoping to create buzz around disposable DVDs by releasing the Christmas-themed movie Noel on Amazon.com. The emotional holiday tale starring Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams was shown at this year's Toronto Film Festival, but did not create as much interest as expected. Atlanta-based Convex group then bought distribution rights to the movie, and plans to release it in a few dozen theatres. After a short release, the movie can be seen on cable television, then the DVD will be available on sale at Amazon.com at $4.99 per unit. Once opened, each DVD can only "live" up to 60 hours, after which the player's laser will be unable to read the movie. The concept of disposable DVDs has been available for a while, but the potential for wasted plastic to add to already overflowing landfills is a problem.