Small, private funeral for Brittany Murphy
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actress Brittany Murphy will be laid to rest at a small, private funeral on Christmas Eve, while a larger memorial service may be held early next year. Family spokesman Alex Ben Block said the Thursday funeral for the "Clueless" and Girl, Interrupted" actress will be by invitation-only at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.
'American Idol' returns Jan. 12 for 9th season
NEW YORK (AP) — "American Idol" will return next month with a two-night, four-hour premiere featuring auditions in Boston and Atlanta, the Fox network says. The Boston auditions will air Jan. 12 and the Atlanta auditions will air Jan. 13, the network announced Wednesday. Auditions for the ninth season of the popular singing competition will also be held in Chicago; Orlando, Fla.; Dallas; Los Angeles and Denver.
Singer Feliciano protests 'Feliz Navidad' parody
NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy winner Jose Feliciano is outraged that the theme from his holiday song "Feliz Navidad" was used for a musical spoof about undocumented immigrants. Feliciano released a statement Wednesday saying that he was "revolted beyond words" and that the song was created to be a bridge between cultures and "never as a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate."
Sarandon, Robbins split after 23 years together
LOS ANGELES (AP) — One of Hollywood's most enduring couples has separated. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, partners for 23 years and parents of two sons, split up over the summer, publicist Teal Cannady said in a statement Wednesday. She did not elaborate.
NJ lawmakers ask MTV to cancel 'Jersey Shore'
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — MTV is getting more pressure to cancel its "Jersey Shore" reality show. The latest criticism comes from the New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus, which says the show promotes derogatory ethnic stereotypes and is "wildly offensive."
Michael Moore, Jeff Garlin announce MI comedy fest
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Filmmaker Michael Moore started a summer film festival five years ago in his adopted hometown of Traverse City, Mich. Now he's teaming with Emmy winner Jeff Garlin to organize a mid-winter comedic counterpart. The inaugural Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival will be held Feb. 19-21. It will feature star performers, along with talented up-and-comers. The lineup will be revealed next month.
Brother: Simon Cowell to leave 'Idol' next year
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Simon Cowell's brother says the next season of "American Idol" will be the judge's last. Tony Cowell said in his weekly podcast, "The Cowell Factor," that a statement was being prepared that would certify that the acerbic British judge was leaving the popular Fox signing competition at the end of 2010. Simon Cowell will concentrate on bringing his popular U.K. talent show "The X Factor" to the U.S. next year, his brother said on the Saturday podcast, which has since been removed.
Billy Ray Cyrus writes song for Hallmark movie
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Billy Ray Cyrus has been preparing his whole life for the role of Daniel Burton in the Hallmark Channel movie "Christmas in Canaan." "I started digging through like old boxes of stuff and finding old Polaroids of my dad from 1964," the 48-year-old country singer said. "I thought, if I can become my dad — if I can be Ronald Ray Cyrus in 1964 — then that's this guy. Just go be your dad."
Documentary on Jackson doctor planned
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Michael Jackson's embattled personal physician returned to work last month, cameras were rolling. Miranda Sevcik (SEHV'sik), a spokeswoman for Dr. Conrad Murray, confirms that a British documentary crew chronicled his first day back at a Houston clinic for the poor. Murray returned to the clinic Nov. 23 and was greeted by several patients and his pastor.
Latin Grammy winner freed from Mexican jail
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Latin Grammy winner Ramon Ayala was released from jail for health reasons Wednesday, but authorities said he remains under investigation for alleged ties to a drug cartel. Ayala, a Texas-based norteno singer, was arrested Dec. 11 when troops raided a lavish party hosted by the Beltran Leyva cartel outside the central mountain town of Tepoztlan. His lawyer has said Ayala and his band, the Bravos del Norte, were hired to play at the party and did not know his clients were drug traffickers.
