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Screenwriter Avary in full-time custody

OJAI, Calif., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. screenwriter Roger Avary, serving time for vehicular manslaughter, is in full-time custody after reports he was in a work furlough program, officials say.

The Los Angeles Times said Friday Avary reportedly posted on the social networking service Twitter this week he was serving his sentence for a January 2008 fatal car crash in a work furlough program instead of jail.

Avary, 44, was sentenced in September to a year in jail after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter after being charged in a crash in Ojai, Calif., that claimed the life of a passenger.

Following the reports of Twitter postings by Avary, Ventura County Sheriff spokesman Ross Bonfiglio confirmed Friday that Avary was put in full-time custody as of Thanksgiving Day for unspecified security issues.

Patrick Neil, a Ventura County probation department division manager, would not offer specifics for why Avary was removed from the furlough program.

Bonfiglio told the Times Avary, who helped write screenplays for "Pulp Fiction" and "The Rules of Attraction," had previously avoided jail time because he posted bail after his arrest.

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Records show Rhames owes taxes

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Ving Rhames, known for roles in movies like "Pulp Fiction," owes nearly a half-million dollars in taxes, TMZ.com reported exclusively.

The celebrity news Web site said Saturday Los Angeles County Superior Court records indicate the 50-year-old actor and his wife Deborah allegedly owe $491,588 in taxes dating back to 2007.

According to TMZ.com, Internal Revenue Service officials filed liens against Rhames for the past-due tax payments.

Rhames' other film credits include "Mission: Impossible," "Dawn of the Dead," "Idlewild" and "Surrogates."

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Singer Keys debuts new jewelry line

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. singer-actress Alicia Keys said she is expressing her "entrepreneurial visions" through a new jewelry line from her company AK Worldwide.

MyFoxNY.com reported Wednesday Keys's new Barber's Daughters jewelry line includes necklaces, rings and watches featuring inspirational inscriptions from the "As I Am" singer.

"AK Worldwide was launched so I would have a home, that I'd be able to express all of my entrepreneurial visions," Alicia said of her new endeavor. "So not only through music, through film, but through things like my jewelry line, the Barber's Daughters."

Keys, 28, said the jewelry, created with longtime jewelry designer Gisele Theriault, is meant to inspire those who wear it.

"There is a business that I'm in, that I've always been in, and that's the business of inspiration," the "Smokin' Aces" actress said. "During these times we all need as much uplifting as we can possibly get, and I definitely want to do my part to be a part of that."

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Philbin to host syndicated 'Millionaire'

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. TV personality Regis Philbin will be showing up on TV screens this coming week even though he's scheduled for hip replacement surgery.

Philbin, 78, announced Monday he would have the surgery next week. But he has already taped a week's worth as a guest host for the syndicated version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday Philbin, who is host of ABC's prime time version of the game show, will replace Meredith Vieira as host of the syndicated version for episodes that will air Monday through Friday.

Philbin announced his upcoming operation Monday on "Live with Regis and Kelly."

The episodes of the weekday editions of "Millionaire" mark the first time Philbin hosted the syndicated weekday series, the Hollywood Reporter said.