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Aneurysm kills 'School Pride' producer

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Emmy Award-winning producer Denise Cramsey has died of a brain aneurysm, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment agency, Los Angeles, said. She was 41.

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Cramsey died Tuesday from a brain aneurysm suffered that morning, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"NBC is deeply saddened to hear of the loss of 'School Pride' Executive Producer Denise Cramsey," the broadcaster said in a statement. "Denise was not only a friend and colleague, she was a respected producer and passionate about her craft. Our condolences go out to her family during this time."

Her fiance, a brother and her best friend were with her when she died, her agency said. The name and location of the hospital were not revealed.

"Continuing the spirit of charity and kindness that embodied Denise, her organs will be donated," William Morris said.

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Cramsey won Emmy awards for producing ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "True Beauty," and TLC's "Trading Spaces."


Actor charged in mom sword slaying

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Unemployed actor Michael Brea has been charged with murder for allegedly killing his mother with a ceremonial sword, New York police say.

Brea, 31, is accused of repeatedly stabbing his mother, Yannick, with a 3-foot-long sword in his family's Brooklyn apartment early Tuesday.

Relatives and friends told the New York Post they believe Brea, who also is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, suffered a breakdown brought on by a failed acting career and financial troubles.

"Michael had many money problems and couldn't pay his bills," his longtime friend Sylvan Benoit told the newspaper Wednesday. "I think this happened because of stress over money."

Brea's neighbor, Clinton Clare, agreed with that assessment.

"His mother was supporting him, and he had to use his father's car to get around," said Clare.

Brea, who had roles on TV's "Ugly Betty" and in the film "Step Up 3D," remains under psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue Hospital, the Post said.


Billy Joel has hip-replacement surgery

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Billy Joel's publicist confirmed Wednesday the U.S. rock 'n' roll icon has undergone double hip replacement surgery.

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People.com said the 61-year-old musician had the operation last week to correct a congenital ailment.

"Billy Joel is doing extremely well following bilateral hip replacement," Joel's spokeswoman Claire Mercuri told the Web site.

The report did not say when Joel is expected to take the stage again.


Cookie Monster wants to host 'SNL'

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Cookie Monster, the hairy blue monster from the U.S. children's TV program "Sesame Street," says in a new video he wants to be a host on "Saturday Night Live."

Cookie's audition clip for the long-running sketch comedy series shows the public television puppet telling jokes in a monologue, reading the fake news and lampooning pop-culture personalities such as Lady Gaga. He also urges viewers to join his Facebook campaign to get "SNL's" producers to book him as a guest host.

As of Wednesday night, the video had been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube.

A message beneath the video reads: "Cookie Monster wants to host 'Saturday Night Live' and he needs your help! Click here to join the Facebook group and help Cookie Monster be the next host! http://bit.ly/CookieSNL"

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