Friday, September 18, 2009

Rape accusation 'traumatizing,' former suspect says


Four young men falsely accused of raping an 18-year-old student at Hofstra University were trying to return their lives to normal Friday after an ordeal that two of them described as traumatic. I'm glad they found out that the story was bogus but I still question why the police were so quick to parade these boys pictures out over the news stations so fast. Was it because they were 5 minority boys? One could only guess but I still find myself asking if that would have been the case if it were anyone else?

Did collection calls contribute to Floridian's death?

Florida law firm Morgan and Morgan filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit alleging that a company's collection calls were so frequent and harassing that they contributed to a person's death because they increased Stanley McLeod's blood pressure and stress levels. I surely hope that they win this case because what collectors do at times to get money due is really pathetic.

News Anchor Gives Graphic Advice Regarding Chickens

Fox 5 New York's Ernie Anastos tells weatherman Nick Gregory that it "takes a tough man to make a tender forecast," a tame, if random, reference to an old Purdue commercial.

Then, apropos of nothing, Anastos issues a strange instruction to Gregory with regard to the (apparently off-camera) chicken.

"Keep f---ing that chicken," says the veteran anchor. For proof, here's the clip from last night. Hang in there 'til the end to hear Ernie's reaction to the "working moms" segment they're teasing. And don't miss the look on his co-anchors face, it's priceless!

Michael Jackson's Mom Receiving $86K Monthly from King of Pop's Estate


Michael Jackson's mother and the singer's three children are being well taken care of, financially speaking. Court documents released Thursday in Los Angeles show that Katherine Jackson is receiving $86,804 per month from her son's estate to support herself and her three grandchildren. A judge approved the payments last month.

The documents state that Katherine, 79, had been financially dependent on her son during his life, and that for years, Michael had paid for all her living expenses at the Jackson family's Encino, Calif., home.

Lawyers for the singer's estate also estimated his total assets exceeds $500 million, and that future business agreements bearing Michael Jackson's name could generate "tens of millions of dollars."

Katherine Jackson has been named permanent guardian of the three grandchildren. All four are primary beneficiaries under the singer's will, including some unnamed charities.

Paula Impersonates 'Idol' Rival Ellen


Ever since Ellen DeGeneres took Paula Abdul's vacant judging seat on 'American Idol,' the ousted Abdul has kept mum for the most part. On the VH1 'Divas' stage, however, she let it all hang out, sporting a token Ellen pantsuit and dancing it up just like the talk show host in a hysterical impression that was all in good fun.



During the skit, Abdul danced her way thru the crowd and up onto the stage, eventually plopping herself into a seat that was designed to look like a faux 'Ellen' set. She then made a joke saying she knowsSimon Cowell the best, so if DeGeneres had any questions she should call Paula.

She ended the skit with a wish of luck to Ellen, who will start her 'Idol' tenure when the show returns in January.

In another sure-to-be-talked-about 'Divas' moment for Abdul, balance was not her friend as she almost fell down during her opening number.