UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Spears to stay in hospital 72 hours

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Britney Spears is undergoing a 72-hour mental evaluation at a Los Angeles hospital after refusing to give her son back to her ex-husband at the end of a visit.

People.com quoted a source who said Spears' court-appointed child monitor called police Thursday evening after the troubled pop star allegedly locked herself in a room with 1-year-old Jayden and refused to relinquish him to the assistant of his father, Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline.

"(The monitor) had already put (Spears' 2-year-old son) Preston in the car when Britney locked herself in a room with Jayden," the source said. "The cops came and got through the door and tied her down to a gurney."

Police said Spears appeared to be "under the influence of an unknown substance" at the time of the incident. They determined the children were supposed to be with Federline, who has physical custody of the toddlers.

Spears was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where the source told People.com the singer will be on a minimum of a 72-hour lock-down for mental evaluation.

Preston was taken to the hospital by Federline's assistant, while Jayden was transported with the monitor by ambulance.

The children reportedly were not treated for any injuries and Federline took the boys home early Friday morning.

People.com's source predicted Spears' children won't be back with her "for a long time."

Poll: Optimism waning in WGA strike

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A new poll found most Variety subscribers believe the Writers Guild of America strike is justified but won't culminate in a good deal for the writers.

The WGA has been on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since Nov. 5.

Talks broke off last month and no new negotiating sessions have been scheduled.

The online survey of 616 Variety subscribers was conducted Dec. 26-31 by Frank N. Magid Associates.

The number of overall respondents who agreed the strike was necessary increased 3 percent from a similar November poll to 64 percent, the entertainment industry trade paper said.

The survey suggested WGA members remain overwhelmingly in support of the strike, with 86 percent saying the strike was necessary.

However, only 9 percent of all the poll participants said they think the strike will be resolved in the writers' favor, while 57 percent said it will probably end in the conglomerates' favor.

Only 10 percent of WGA respondents said they believed the strike will end in the writers' favor.

A similar poll conducted in November found 22 percent of respondents who are WGA members thought the work stoppage would get them a fair deal.

Guitarist Stills recovering from surgery

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. guitarist Stephen Stills underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer in Los Angeles Thursday, his wife said.

"Stephen's procedure went remarkably well and he couldn't be better. He will be home by noon (Friday) and the pain will be minimal," Stills' wife, Kristen, said in a statement.

The recording artist is scheduled to attend the Sundance Film Festival in Utah for the Jan. 25 world premiere of "CSNY / Deja vu," a feature film Bernard Shakey shot during Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 2006 "Freedom of Speech" tour.

Stephen Stills is also scheduled to begin a North American solo tour this spring in support of his recently released "Just Roll Tape" album on Rhino Records.

Stills is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two times on the same night. He was recognized for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Buffalo Springfield.

'Low' tops singles chart for a second week

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Flo Rida's "Low" is No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart for a second consecutive week, Billboard.com reported.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 is Alicia Keys' "No One," followed by

Timbaland's "Apologize," featuring OneRepublic at No. 3, Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss," featuring T-Pain at No. 4 and Soulja Boy's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Fergie's "Clumsy" at No. 6, Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" at No. 7, Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer" at No. 8, Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" at No. 9 and Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo" at No. 10.