UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Chavez, Morales attend NY film premiere

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales attended the U.S. premiere of Oliver Stone's film "South of the Border" in New York.

The two Latin American leaders appear in the documentary and took part in a question-and-answer session after it screened Wednesday night at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater on the eve of the New York Film Festival.

Chavez and Morales were in New York this week attending sessions at the United Nations General Assembly.

The movie premiere's Q&A session was moderated by Richard Pena, program director of the festival and the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Also attending the sold-out event were Stone, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Courtney Love, Doug Liman and "Wall Street 2" co-stars Shia LaBeouf and Carey Mulligan.

"South of the Border" had its world premiere this month at the 66th Venice International Film Festival.

"It's a highlight to be in my hometown to greet Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, both of whom have been, in my opinion, unfairly demonized by the U.S. media. Their graciousness is a signal to us to reach across borders," Stone said in a statement.

Gray, Hamilton booted from 'Dancing'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Singer Macy Gray and actor Ashley Hamilton were the first two contestants eliminated from Season 9 of the U.S. competition series "Dancing with the Stars."

Wednesday night's results show also featured a tribute to "Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze, who died of cancer last week.

Professional dancers Chelsie Hightower and Dmitry Chaplin performed to "She's Like the Wind," which Swayze had sung for the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack, E! News said.

Real-life husband and wife dancers Jonathan Roberts and Anna Trebunskaya then waltzed to "Unchained Melody," a song used in an iconic scene in Swayze's romantic drama, "Ghost." Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke wrapped up the medley by dancing to "Time of My Life," which appears at the end of "Dirty Dancing" when Swayze's character Johnny utters the unforgettable line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Francis makes plea deal in tax case

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Girls Gone Wild Chief Executive Officer Joe Francis says he has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanors and pay back U.S. taxes of $249,705.

Francis said the plea deal will end his long-running criminal tax case with the U.S. government.

He said he made the agreement Wednesday before Judge James Otero in Los Angeles.

"I am grateful that Judge Otero accepted my plea today," Francis said in a statement. "I'm very pleased, if the judge accepts our agreement with the government, all felony tax charges will be dismissed and I will not spend any more time in jail. I look forward to the complete resolution of this matter on Nov. 6. Demand for the Girls Gone Wild brand has grown tremendously in the past 12 years and we have a lot of work to do to accommodate that demand. I'm happy to finally be able to redirect my attention to the business at hand, which is to provide quality entertainment for our millions of fans around the world."

'Feeling' remains No. 1 on the U.S. chart

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The Black Eyes Peas's "I Gotta Feeling" is No. 1 on the U.S. record chart for a 13th week, Billboard.com reported Thursday.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 is Jay-Z's "Run This Town," featuring Kanye West and Rihanna, followed by Jay Sean's "Down" at No. 3, Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" at No. 4 and Jay-Z and Alicia Keys's "Empire State of Mind" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." at No. 6, Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" at No. 7, Drake's "Forever," featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem, at No. 8, Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" at No. 9 and Jason DeRulo's "Whatcha Say" at No. 10.