Entertainment

Keanu Reeves signs up for 'Bebop' flick

Los Angeles -- U.S. actor Keanu Reeves has signed on to star in a live-action movie based on the Japanese anime TV series, "Cowboy Bebop," Variety.com reported.

The project will reunite Reeves with Twentieth Century Fox, the studio that made his recent sci-fi flick, "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

In "Bebop," Reeves will play Spike Spiegel, one of a group of bounty hunters traveling through space in 2071 on their spaceship named "Bebop," the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Reeves previously starred in the "Matrix" and "Bill and Ted" movies.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.

K. Osbourne charged in slapping

London -- Singer and TV personality Kelly Osbourne was arrested for allegedly slapping a gossip columnist in a London nightclub last summer, People.com reported Monday.

Kelly Osbourne, 24, is the daughter of aging rocker Ozzy Osbourne and reality TV star Sharon Osbourne.

People.com said Kelly was arrested this month by appointment for common assault and released on bail while the investigation continues. She is to appear again at a London police station in March.

Writer Zoe Griffin claims Osbourne smacked her in the cheek at Punk nightclub because she apparently didn't like an unflattering article Griffin penned about Osbourne's model boyfriend, Luke Worrall. Griffin reportedly wrote about her alleged run-in with Osbourne in a piece that ran in The Mirror in August.

Cho to co-star in new Lifetime comedy

Los Angeles -- Lifetime Television has announced it is picking up "Drop Dead Diva," a new comedic drama series co-starring Margaret Cho.

"Drop Dead Diva" tells the story of a shallow model-in-training who dies in an accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, thoughtful and plus-size attorney, played by newcomer Brooke Elliott, the network said in a news release. Cho plays her assistant.

"Drop Dead Diva" is produced by Sony Pictures Television and is to premiere on Lifetime in this summer.

"I couldn't be more excited about 'Drop Dead Diva,'" JoAnn Alfano, executive vice president of Lifetime Networks, said in a statement. "It's the type of show that truly enhances the Lifetime brand -- the duality of emotionally compelling drama with an equal balance of humor. In 2008, we introduced some terrific new programming to the network, and 'Drop Dead Diva' is the perfect complement to our schedule."

Winslet working on BAFTA speech

London -- British actress Kate Winslet says she is working on a BAFTA speech so she will appear calm and composed if she snags an award at the upcoming event.

After her surprise double win at the recent Golden Globes ceremony left her clearly emotional, Winslet said she wants to be prepared if she wins an Orange British Academy Film Award or BAFTA, which is known as the British Oscar, next month.

As with the Globes, Winslet has been nominated for her work in both "Revolutionary Road" and "The Reader."

"Well, clearly, I should prepare a speech because I didn't think that was going to happen at the Golden Globes," The Daily Telegraph quoted Winslet as saying at the London premiere of "Revolutionary Road. "Some people apparently haven't been very nice about it, but luckily I've been in America where they've said very nice things. I'm just so excited to be included this year, I mean, I really am. It's been a remarkable two years, I think, for films in general and there's some absolutely stunning performances out there so to be up there with those heavyweights is really amazing."

Winehouse says divorce not an option

London -- Troubled British soul singer Amy Winehouse says she still loves her husband Blake Fielder-Civil and doesn't want him to move ahead with his planned divorce.

Fielder-Civil, who is in jail for assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice, recently filed for divorce from Winehouse after she was photographed frolicking in St. Lucia with rugby player Josh Bowman.

"I still love my Blake. I won't let him divorce me. He's still in jail, but the moment he comes out I'll be there waiting for him," Winehouse told The Sun newspaper. "I love him because he's just like me. Blake is the male version of me. We're perfect for each other. I don't want to go back home to England. I want to wait for Blake here."

She said she was simply "having some fun" with Bowman and emphasized she "wants Blake and nobody else."

'Lost in Space' actor Bob May dead at 69

Los Angeles -- Bob May's agent says the television actor has died of congestive heart failure at Lancaster Community Hospital in California. He was 69.

May died Sunday morning after being admitted to the hospital Friday, his longtime friend and representative Patricia Arthur told TMZ.

The New York-born actor, best known for his portrayal of The Robot in the series "Lost in Space," suffered a stroke in November shortly after a fire destroyed his Los Angeles-area home.

Arthur has requested May's fans observe a moment of silence "as one of science fiction's greatest has passed. Family and friends will miss him dearly."

May, the grandson of vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, worked as an actor, stage performer, stuntman, director and public speaker throughout his career, Wikipedia.org noted.

'Beast' producers want Swayze back

Los Angeles -- The producers of Patrick Swayze's new U.S. television drama "The Beast" say they hope the actor will be healthy enough to return for a second season.

Swayze shot the first season of the show while being treated for pancreatic cancer. Shortly before the series was to premiere, the actor was hospitalized for pneumonia for a week. He reportedly left the hospital last Friday and is now home taking it easy for a while.

"He's doing good," producer Bill Rotko told the celebrity gossip Web site These Boots Are Made for Stalking last week. "He's a tough (expletive). We're hoping he'll be back for a second season!"

Producer Vincent Angell added: "He's great. He sounds great. He is proud of what he's done."

Copyright 2009 by United Press

Anne Heche pregnant with 2nd son

Los Angeles -- Anne Heche's publicist has confirmed the pregnant U.S. actress is expecting a son with her former "Men in Trees" co-star James Tupper.

The baby will be the first for Heche and her boyfriend, whom she met in 2006 on the set of the now-defunct series "Men in Trees" when both were still married to other people, Usmagazine.com reported Sunday.

Heche also has a 6-year-old son named Homer with her ex-husband, Coley Laffoon.

Before marrying Laffoon, Heche had high-profile romances with comedians Steve Martin and Ellen DeGeneres.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.

Cindy McCain wanted to compete on 'DWTS'

New York -- Defeated Republican U.S. presidential nominee John McCain has quashed his wife Cindy's dreams of competing on "Dancing with the Stars," a source says.

"Just before Thanksgiving, Cindy McCain started talks with producers to appear as a dancer on the show. She wanted to do it very badly," the insider told the New York Post.

However, the source added, the Arizona senator this week "put the kibosh on" the plan.

The Post said representatives for neither the dance competition series nor McCain returned its calls.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.

Boy George sentenced to 15 months in jail

London -- British pop star Boy George was sentenced Friday to 15 months in prison for holding a Norwegian male escort against his will in a London apartment.

The 47-year-old former Culture Club frontman, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was convicted of false imprisonment last month for jumping on, dragging across the floor and handcuffing to a wall 29-year-old Audun Carlsen. O'Dowd reportedly had an accomplice for the beginning of the 2007 altercation, but he left after Carlsen was manacled and has not yet been identified.

Carlsen was eventually able to free himself and ran out of the apartment in his underwear with the chain-wielding, cocaine-crazed O'Dowd chasing after him, the court heard.

The incident reportedly occurred after O'Dowd accused Carlsen of stealing sexy photos O'Dowd had taken of him from O'Dowd's laptop computer during a prior meeting.

Bynes and Reinhardt break up

Los Angeles -- Amanda Bynes's publicist says the U.S. actress and her baseball player beau Doug Reinhardt have ended their romance.

The couple reportedly started dating late last year.

"I can confirm that Amanda broke up with Doug," Melissa Raubvogel, the 22-year-old actress' representative, told People magazine exclusively.

Bynes is known for her roles in the films "Hairspray" and "What a Girl Wants," and for her work on the TV series "What I Like About You" and "The Amanda Show."

"She ended it. She had had enough," a source close to the actress told Usmagazine.com. "Her friends didn't trust him. Everyone thought he was using her for celebrity. He was not good, and she was over it. It was definitely her who ended it."

NBC’s “The Office,” “30 Rock,” back for another season

Los Angeles, January 16: NBC announced today that their three popular shows “The Office,” “30 Rock,” and “The Biggest Loser” will all be returning for another season. The future of their new and old shows was also revealed.