'Jimmy Kimmel Live' to tribute Uncle Frank
HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- ABC TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will devote a show to Frank Potenza, Kimmel's uncle who was featured on the show for nine years until his death last month.
Tuesday night's show will highlight "Uncle Frank" comedy pieces and interviews with celebrity personalities such as Tom Cruise, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The tribute show will also include an appearance by Potenza's friend, comedian Don Rickles.
Potenza, who died Aug. 23 at age 77, was a Korean War veteran who later served on the New York City police force for 20 years until moving to Las Vegas to work as a security guard. He joined "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in 2003.
"During his nine year run on-air, 'Uncle Frank' contributed many great moments to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.' He was beloved by his co-workers and considered an Uncle to all," the show said in a release at the time of Potenza's death.
Steven Seagal mulls defamation lawsuit
PHOENIX, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Steven Seagal says he is considering a lawsuit against a suspect who claimed the actor killed his puppy while working as a special sheriff's deputy in Phoenix.
Seagal and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio publicly denied the allegations this week, and Seagal told reporters he had contacted an attorney about filing a defamation-of-character lawsuit in response.
"I've been called a lot of things in my career, some of them not so kind," Seagal said.
"To be labeled an animal abuser is beyond the pale and that is simply a role I will not accept."
Jesus Llovera has said Seagal shot his dog while part of a law-enforcement team that served a warrant at his home this spring to break up an alleged cockfighting ring.
Seagal said Llovera and his Phoenix attorney were looking for headlines and a quick payoff, KTAR-TV in Phoenix reported.
Arpaio said in a written statement this week no shots were fired in the raid and no animals were injured. He said Llovero had past ties to drug dealers and had provided no hard evidence that a dog had been harmed.
Murray seeks Michael Jackson trial delay
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Michael Jackson's personal physician has filed another motion in Los Angeles court seeking a delay in his upcoming manslaughter trial.
Attorneys for Dr. Conrad Murray asked that the trial be delayed while they appeal their request to sequester the jury away from what they expect to be a flood of media coverage that could sway the verdict, CNN reported.
The original request was denied by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor last month. Murray's legal team said in Friday's petition Pastor underestimated the extent of the media's interest in the case.
The defense team wants the trial delayed until it can appeal Pastor's decision.
CNN said the defense became alarmed at the level of coverage given the Florida murder trial of Casey Anthony.
"Because of the international notoriety of Mr. Jackson, it would be impossible for a juror to browse any news source on television or the Internet without seeing a boldly printed headline discussing the trial," the attorneys said in the documents filed Friday.
Opening statements in the case begin Sept. 27. Murray has pleaded innocent to charges he overdosed Jackson two years ago with a powerful anesthetic to help him sleep.
Baumbach working on 'Corrections' TV movie
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. filmmaker Noah Baumbach is working to bring Jonathan Franzen's novel "The Corrections" to the small screen, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.
Sources close to the project told the entertainment industry trade newspaper Baumbach and Franzen will write and executive produce the movie, with Baumbach expected to direct it.
Scott Rudin is attached as an executive producer, the report said.
Baumbach's writing and directing film credits include "Kicking and Screaming, "The Squid and the Whale," "Margot at the Wedding" and "Greenberg."
Franzen made headlines a decade ago when Oprah Winfrey selected "Corrections" for her book club, and then canceled Franzen's scheduled appearance on her show after he said in interviews he was afraid the distinction of being a Winfrey pick might scare away male readers.
He later apologized for his remarks and Winfrey chose his novel "Freedom" for a book-club discussion last year.
