Survivor winner Hatch denied new trial
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Richard Hatch, who was convicted of tax evasion after winning a $1 million prize on the CBS reality show "Survivor," was denied a new trial in Providence, R.I.
Hatch and his lawyer Michael Minns claim in an appeal filed Dec. 7 that one of the producers of "Survivor" told him that he would not be liable for the taxes if he won the jackpot. Federal prosecutors filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals on Jan. 5 arguing that Hatch and his lawyers had several opportunities to mention this during his trial, but never did, the Providence Journal reported Saturday.
Prosecutors claim that while Hatch was on the witness stand, Minns refused to ask Hatch any questions related to Hatch's conversations with producers unless such questions were put in context. Prosecutors also argued that Hatch's conversations with the CBS producer were not grounds for a new trial.
Hatch was convicted in January 2006 and is currently serving a 51-month sentence at a minimum-security facility in West Virginia, the Journal reported.
'Family Guy' back in production? Sweet!
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The staff of the U.S. animated series "Family Guy" is back and working on new episodes despite rumors of a possible cancellation by the Fox network.
The writers returned to work last Tuesday after a two-month hiatus that followed a contract dispute between series creator/producer/lead actor Seth MacFarlane and 20th Century Fox TV. While a deal has not been finalized, MacFarlane is expected to receive a lucrative offer, Zap2it.com reported Saturday. Industry insiders suspected that the series was finished when production halted in October.
"Family Guy" has already returned once from cancellation by the network after viewers petitioned Fox to bring the series back.
The writers are now working on the sixth season of the series. MacFarlane will also produce the upcoming series "The Winner" for FOX, Zap2it.com reported.
Celeb cop Erik Estrada shouts at victim
MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Celebrity cop Erik Estrada was involved in a shouting match with a stabbing victim during the taping of CBS' "Armed & Famous" in Muncie, Ind., a report says.
Estrada, an actor undergoing police training as part of the new reality series, exchanged angry words with Randall Sims, 53, who said he did not want to appear on camera when police arrived at his home, the Muncie Star-Press reported.
Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle and "Armed & Famous" producer Tom Forman lauded Estrada for not escalating the confrontation to physical violence.
Police went to the Sims home on a domestic disturbance call.
Sims was reportedly intoxicated and two witnesses told police he was physically abusing his girlfriend before she stabbed him, the Star-Press reported.
Tiffani Thiessen joins 'What About Brian'
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Tiffani Thiessen, best known for "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Saved by the Bell," will join the cast of the ABC drama "What About Brian."
Thiessen will play the sexy and seductive Natasha Dylan on the series, Zap2it.com reported Saturday. Thiessen will be a regular on the series, and ABC suggests that her character will get involved in the lives of all the main characters. ABC described the character of Natasha Dylan as a "manipulative and shrewd businesswoman who loves playing mind games," similar to the character Thiessen played on "90210." Thiessen will play the one-time intern and current boss of Dave, who is played by Rick Gomez on the series.
Thiessen is the latest of several attractive female additions to the cast, which include Rachelle Lefevre and Krista Allen and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestants Stacy Keibler and Jessica Szohr, Zap2it.com reported.
Theissen's other TV appearances include recurring roles on "Good Morning, Miami" and "Two Guys and a Girl."
