Case won't weigh on alleged Mel audio
LOS ANGELES, July 27 (UPI) -- Audio leaked on the Web purportedly of heated fights between Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend aren't the focus of a police probe of the Hollywood actor.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating Oksana Grigorieva's allegations that Gibson assaulted her and put their infant daughter in danger.
Several salacious audio clips have hit the Internet in recent weeks with a voice sounding like Gibson's making menacing and racist comments to Grigorieva.
Gibson has not commented on the content of the clips other than to say his former girlfriend tried to extort money from him in exchange for keeping conversations between them quiet.
Law-enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times the police investigation into Gibson's alleged abusive behavior is concentrating on physical evidence, witness testimony and text messages, not the unsubstantiated audio clips.
"We are the caboose in a celebrity scandal," one law enforcement official told the Times. "But our job isn't to speculate or deal in rumors, but to get the bottom of whether a crime occurred."
Pacino's 'Merchant' moving to Broadway
NEW YORK, July 27 (UPI) -- Al Pacino is to reprise his role of Shylock in William Shakespeare's stage comedy "The Merchant of Venice" on Broadway this October, producers said Monday.
The famous film star played the part in a 2004 big-screen version of the Bard's classic, as well as in this summer's Shakespeare in the Park limited run at The Public Theatre.
Playbill.com said Monday the play is to transfer to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre beginning Oct. 19 and ending Jan. 9.
Pacino is the only cast member announced to reprise his performance. Additional casting is expected to be announced shortly, the Web site said.
TV star Hugh Laurie recording music album
LONDON, July 27 (UPI) -- British actor and self-taught musician Hugh Laurie is working on a blues album to be recorded this summer and released later this year, the BBC said Monday.
Laurie, 51, is the star of the U.S. medical drama "House."
He told the British broadcaster he was "drunk with excitement" after signing the deal with Warner Music Entertainment, which allows him to work with well-known producer Joe Henry.
"I know the history of actors making music is a checkered one, but I promise no one will get hurt," Laurie said. "I am particularly thrilled to be working with Joe Henry, who has produced some of my favorite records of all time, and I can't wait to get started."
Henry has produced albums for Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann and Bettye LaVette, among others.
Stars line up for OWN documentaries
LOS ANGELES, July 27 (UPI) -- The Oprah Winfrey Network is producing original documentaries with Hollywood stars Julia Roberts, Forest Whitaker and Goldie Hawn, network executives say.
OWN also said it is working on 2-hour films with Gabriel Byrne and Mariel Hemingway.
Documentary topics the stars will explore during their collaboration with OWN include redemption in the U.S. prison system, the quest for happiness, homelessness, and depression and suicide.
The films will be presented as part of OWN's monthly documentary film club, along with the original acquisitions "Life 2.0" and "Sons of Perdition."
The documentary club will spotlight these films and the previously announced "Family Affair," focusing on cinematic documentaries that encourage emerging creative voices to bring their stories to a mainstream television audience on OWN, the network said Monday.
"All of these documentaries fundamentally explore human interaction, relationships and emotions," Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer of OWN, said in a statement. "We're excited to provide viewers with new perspectives and new ways of looking at core themes that shape and affect their lives."
