Kevin Clash, former Elmo puppeteer, sees sex-abuse lawsuit tossed

The Associated Press Posted: Jun 20, 2014 4:24 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 20, 2014 4:24 PM ET

A judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed the last of five sex-abuse lawsuits filed against the Emmy-winning puppeteer who voiced the Sesame Street character Elmo.

The ruling doesn't weigh the merits of Sheldon Stephens' claims against actor Kevin Clash. It says he filed suit too late.

The 25-year-old Stephens has publicly accused Clash of luring him into a sexual relationship when he was underage.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner says Stephens failed to sue by age 19 under laws in New York, where their meetings took place.

The 53-year-old Clash resigned from Sesame Street amid the accusations. Defence lawyer Michael Berger says he can now move on with his life.

Stephens' lawyer, Jeff Herman, says Thursday's ruling shows that abuse victims in New York need more time to file suit.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tatiana Maslany, Orange is the New Black win TV Awards

Tatiana Maslany, Breaking Bad and Orange is the New Black were among the winners at the Critics' Choice Television Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Thursday evening.

Regina-born Maslany, star of sci-fi TV hit Orphan Black, picked up her second consecutive trophy for best actress in a drama, beating out stiff competitors such as Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife).

Netflix's prison-set comedy-drama Orange is the New Black was one of the evening's big winners, taking three honours: best comedy series, best supporting actress in a comedy (a tie for Kate Mulgrew) and best guest performer in a comedy (for actress Uzo Aduba).

The new FX series Fargo, the Calgary-shot series inspired by the Joel and Ethan Coen film, also earned a trio of trophies, including best miniseries and honours for actors Billy Bob Thornton (actor in a movie or miniseries) and Allison Tolman (supporting actress in a movie or miniseries).

Though concluded, AMC's Breaking Bad scored several notable wins as well, with the TV critics group honouring the gritty show as best drama series and crowning co-star Aaron Paul best supporting actor in a drama.

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey added another trophy to his mantle, with a best actor in a drama series win for his dark turn in HBO's True Detective.

Stage and screen star Allison Janney was one the evening's multiple winners. Her sassy role in the sitcom Mom led to a tie with Orange Is the New Black's Mulgrew for best supporting actress in a comedy, while she also picked up another prize (guest performer in a drama) for Showtime's Masters of Sex.

Other prize-winners included:

• Actress in a comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep.
• Actor in a comedy: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory.
• Best TV movie: The Normal Heart.
• Actress in a movie or miniseries: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven.
• Animated series: Archer.
• Reality series: Shark Tank.
• Supporting actor in a comedy: Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
• Supporting actor in a movie or miniseries: Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart
• Supporting actress in a drama: Bellamy Young, Scandal.
• Talk show: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Critics' Choice Television Awards is administered by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tracy Morgan moved from hospital to rehab centre

Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan has been moved from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility as he recovers from a serious auto accident in New Jersey, his spokesman said Friday.

The former star of 30 Rock is showing signs of improvement, but has a long road to full recovery, spokesman Lewis Kay said in an email. Morgan suffered a broken leg and broken ribs in the June 7 accident.

Kay didn't identify the rehab facility where Morgan is staying, saying only that it is in New Jersey.

Morgan's limousine van was hit from behind by a Wal-Mart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. Morgan's friend James McNair, 62, of Peekskill, New York, was killed and Morgan and two other men were seriously injured.

On Thursday, a report by U.S. federal transportation safety investigators said the truck driver was speeding before he slammed into the limousine van on a stretch of the turnpike where the speed limit was lowered to 45 mph due to construction.

The report also raised anew questions about driver Kevin Roper's work hours and whether they were in conflict with federal safety guidelines.

The 35-year-old Roper, of Jonesboro, Ga, has pleaded not guilty to one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.

Roper had been on the job about 13 1/2 hours at the time of the crash, the report concluded. U.S. federal rules permit truck drivers to work up to 14 hours a day, with a maximum of 11 hours behind the wheel.

Had Roper continued to his eventual destination in Perth Amboy, he would have been pushing the 14-hour limit if he drove at the speed limit. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman didn't comment Thursday on Roper's hours or his itinerary.

Messages left Thursday at several phone numbers listed for Roper's attorney were not immediately returned.

Morgan's assistant, Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Conn., has been upgraded from serious to fair condition, according to Kay. Hospital officials said this week that comedian Ardie Fuqua, of Jersey City, remains in critical condition.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Star Wars sequels enlist director Rian Johnson

Rian Johnson is the latest sci-fi filmmaker to join the ever-expanding Star Wars universe.

The ambitious filmmaker behind time-travelling hitman tale Looper, conman caper The Brothers Bloom and teen indie noir Brick is slated to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII, according to reports in movie industry publications Deadline, Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Johnson, whose resumé includes directing episodes of acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, is also reportedly in talks to write a treatment for Star Wars: Episode IX, the third upcoming sequel planned for the epic space franchise.

Johnson, whose Looper opened the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, is just the latest rising sci-fi director enlisted for the sprawling slate of new Star Wars films, which will include official instalments to the main storyline as well as stand-alone spin-offs about related characters scheduled to be released in between.

Godzilla's Gareth Edwards and Josh Trank, who helmed Chronicle, were also recently tapped to direct Star Wars projects.

J.J. Abrams, who successfully rebooted the Star Trek film franchise, is currently at work on Star Wars: Episode VII in London. Set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, the first new instalment will mix series newcomers such as Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis and Lupita Nyong'o with actors from the classic films, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford.

Ford recently suffered an injury on set and is expected to take eight weeks to recover from a broken leg, with shooting to continue at the famed Pinewood Studios in the meantime.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tatiana Maslany, Orange is the New Black win TV Awards

Tatiana Maslany, Breaking Bad and Orange is the New Black were among the winners at the Critics' Choice Television Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Thursday evening.

Regina-born Maslany, star of sci-fi TV hit Orphan Black, picked up her second consecutive trophy for best actress in a drama, beating out stiff competitors such as Robin Wright (House of Cards) and Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife).

Netflix's prison-set comedy-drama Orange is the New Black was one of the evening's big winners, taking three honours: best comedy series, best supporting actress in a comedy (a tie for Kate Mulgrew) and best guest performer in a comedy (for actress Uzo Aduba).

The new FX series Fargo, the Calgary-shot series inspired by the Joel and Ethan Coen film, also earned a trio of trophies, including best miniseries and honours for actors Billy Bob Thornton (actor in a movie or miniseries) and Allison Tolman (supporting actress in a movie or miniseries).

Though concluded, AMC's Breaking Bad scored several notable wins as well, with the TV critics group honouring the gritty show as best drama series and crowning co-star Aaron Paul best supporting actor in a drama.

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey added another trophy to his mantle, with a best actor in a drama series win for his dark turn in HBO's True Detective.

Stage and screen star Allison Janney was one the evening's multiple winners. Her sassy role in the sitcom Mom led to a tie with Orange Is the New Black's Mulgrew for best supporting actress in a comedy, while she also picked up another prize (guest performer in a drama) for Showtime's Masters of Sex.

Other prize-winners included:

• Actress in a comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep.
• Actor in a comedy: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory.
• Best TV movie: The Normal Heart.
• Actress in a movie or miniseries: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven.
• Animated series: Archer.
• Reality series: Shark Tank.
• Supporting actor in a comedy: Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
• Supporting actor in a movie or miniseries: Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart
• Supporting actress in a drama: Bellamy Young, Scandal.
• Talk show: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Critics' Choice Television Awards is administered by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tracy Morgan moved from hospital to rehab centre

Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan has been moved from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility as he recovers from a serious auto accident in New Jersey, his spokesman said Friday.

The former star of 30 Rock is showing signs of improvement, but has a long road to full recovery, spokesman Lewis Kay said in an email. Morgan suffered a broken leg and broken ribs in the June 7 accident.

Kay didn't identify the rehab facility where Morgan is staying, saying only that it is in New Jersey.

Morgan's limousine van was hit from behind by a Wal-Mart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. Morgan's friend James McNair, 62, of Peekskill, New York, was killed and Morgan and two other men were seriously injured.

On Thursday, a report by U.S. federal transportation safety investigators said the truck driver was speeding before he slammed into the limousine van on a stretch of the turnpike where the speed limit was lowered to 45 mph due to construction.

The report also raised anew questions about driver Kevin Roper's work hours and whether they were in conflict with federal safety guidelines.

The 35-year-old Roper, of Jonesboro, Ga, has pleaded not guilty to one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.

Roper had been on the job about 13 1/2 hours at the time of the crash, the report concluded. U.S. federal rules permit truck drivers to work up to 14 hours a day, with a maximum of 11 hours behind the wheel.

Had Roper continued to his eventual destination in Perth Amboy, he would have been pushing the 14-hour limit if he drove at the speed limit. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman didn't comment Thursday on Roper's hours or his itinerary.

Messages left Thursday at several phone numbers listed for Roper's attorney were not immediately returned.

Morgan's assistant, Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Conn., has been upgraded from serious to fair condition, according to Kay. Hospital officials said this week that comedian Ardie Fuqua, of Jersey City, remains in critical condition.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kevin Clash, former Elmo puppeteer, sees sex-abuse lawsuit tossed

New

The Associated Press Posted: Jun 20, 2014 4:24 PM ET Last Updated: Jun 20, 2014 4:24 PM ET

A judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed the last of five sex-abuse lawsuits filed against the Emmy-winning puppeteer who voiced the Sesame Street character Elmo.

The ruling doesn't weigh the merits of Sheldon Stephens' claims against actor Kevin Clash. It says he filed suit too late.

The 25-year-old Stephens has publicly accused Clash of luring him into a sexual relationship when he was underage.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner says Stephens failed to sue by age 19 under laws in New York, where their meetings took place.

The 53-year-old Clash resigned from Sesame Street amid the accusations. Defence lawyer Michael Berger says he can now move on with his life.

Stephens' lawyer, Jeff Herman, says Thursday's ruling shows that abuse victims in New York need more time to file suit.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Star Wars sequels enlist director Rian Johnson

Rian Johnson is the latest sci-fi filmmaker to join the ever-expanding Star Wars universe.

The ambitious filmmaker behind time-travelling hitman tale Looper, conman caper The Brothers Bloom and teen indie noir Brick is slated to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII, according to reports in movie industry publications Deadline, Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Johnson, whose resumé includes directing episodes of acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, is also reportedly in talks to write a treatment for Star Wars: Episode IX, the third upcoming sequel planned for the epic space franchise.

Johnson, whose Looper opened the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, is just the latest rising sci-fi director enlisted for the sprawling slate of new Star Wars films, which will include official instalments to the main storyline as well as stand-alone spin-offs about related characters scheduled to be released in between.

Godzilla's Gareth Edwards and Josh Trank, who helmed Chronicle, were also recently tapped to direct Star Wars projects.

J.J. Abrams, who successfully rebooted the Star Trek film franchise, is currently at work on Star Wars: Episode VII in London. Set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, the first new instalment will mix series newcomers such as Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis and Lupita Nyong'o with actors from the classic films, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford.

Ford recently suffered an injury on set and is expected to take eight weeks to recover from a broken leg, with shooting to continue at the famed Pinewood Studios in the meantime.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chinese artists reach out to Filipino students through art

Two Chinese artists demonstrated the art of ink painting to Filipino students today, in an exhibit aimed at bringing contemporary Chinese art to the Philippine audience.

About 20 students participated in the workshop by Chinese painters Chen Lyusheng and Sun Jiangtao who specialize in Southern School painting, a style typically seen in southern China which focuses on landscape and nature.

Students were taught the basics of calligraphy and Chinese art, focusing on proper brush strokes and various techniques of putting ink on paper, along with a lecture on how ink painting has developed.

Chen said the workshop aims to bring the people of both countries closer.

"Chinese arts and culture make up an important part of world culture. I think everyone in the world can appreciate the results of Chinese creativity. Of course, China and the Philippines have a long-standing relationship, there are a lot of Chinese people here in the Philippines, a lot of Chinese descendants," he said.

The workshop was part of a painting exhibit initiated by the Philippine and Chinese Culture ministries, with the aim to promote a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and promote ties between the two countries amid political tension in the region.

"Politics may be the troublemaker, but art and culture is the peacemaker,"said Mary Anne Luis, director of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

'We're spreading Chinese arts and culture ... to bring the two countries' people together,' says artist Chen Lyusheng. (Reuters)

​

"So we hope that through this activity we would be able to strengthen our relationship with China and give this message that we are still friends in spite of all these political differences that we have."

The relationship between the Philippines and China has soured in recent months due to the rising tensions over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

China claims 90 per cent of the South China Sea, believed to have huge oil and gas deposits and which is rich in fishery resources.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims over some of the territory, where about $5 trillion of ship-borne trade passes every year.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen Elizabeth to visit Game of Thrones set

Though it's unknown if they're Thronie superfans themselves, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will drop by the Game of Thrones set in Belfast next week.

"‎As part of the visit to Northern Ireland The Queen and The Duke will tour the @GameOfThrones set in the Titanic quarter #Belfast," according to the official Twitter account of the British monarchy.   

As part of a three-day tour, the royal couple will visit the studios where Game of Thrones is partially filmed.

The hit HBO drama, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, concluded its fourth season last weekend with a record-setting finale that drew more than seven million viewers in North America alone.

The sprawling, mystical epic charts a massive and violent battle for survival and power in the fictional realm of Westeros.

Since its debut in 2011, Game of Thrones has become one of the largest TV productions in Europe, with Ireland, Iceland, Croatia, Morocco and Malta among the locations where the show has filmed during the past four seasons.

The series is credited with having creating thousands of production-related jobs and injecting millions into local economies.

As part of a busy schedule of appearances, members of the Royal Family have occasionally incorporated TV show set visits into their itineraries, including dropping in on productions such as:

• Doctor Who.
• Coronation Street.
• EastEnders.

22.19 | 0 komentar | Read More