UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

'Swamp People' cast member arrested in La.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Nicholas Payne, a cast member of the History channel's reality show "Swamp People," is in jail after allegedly assaulting a Louisiana police officer.

Payne, 26, was arrested Sept. 23 after he allegedly was part of a "disturbance" at a private home in St. Tammany Parish, and attacked with his "hands/fist/feet" one of the officers who responded to the scene, TMZ reported Monday.

The TV personality was arrested for disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and felony battery of a police officer.

Bail was set at $10,000 and Payne was to remain behind bars until he posts it. He is due in court next month, TMZ said.

"Nicholas has not been part of the show since filming concluded last season ... and we have no additional comment," a History representative told the entertainment news Web site.

Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio break up

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Representatives for Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio confirmed Tuesday the Hollywood couple has broken up after five months of dating.

The publicists told UsMagazine.com Lively, 24, and DiCaprio, 36, "remain friends" despite the split.

No reason was given for the breakup.

The stars were first photographed together aboard director Steven Spielberg's yacht in Monte Carlo during the Cannes Film Festival last May, then were spotted in Italy, Australia, California and New York throughout the summer, UsMagazine.com noted.

Lively is a cast member of TV's "Gossip Girl."

DiCaprio's film credits include "William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet," "Titanic," "Gangs of New York," "The Departed" and "Shutter Island."

Martha Stewart laughs off daughter's book

NEW YORK, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Lifestyle expert Martha Stewart says she thinks her daughter Alexis' new book "Whateverland: Learning to Live Here" is "irreverent," but also "hilarious."

The elder Stewart said on Tuesday's edition of "The Martha Stewart Show" on Hallmark Channel that she read an advanced copy of "Whateverland" more than a month ago and loved it, even though her daughter jokes about how hard it was growing up with a mother who is a perfectionist.

"I didn't know that it was even coming. I had heard about a book, but it's all about growing up. And fabulous pictures, by the way. And it is hilarious and it is enlightening and it's full of funny stories. It's not an autobiography. Let's get that straight right now. It touches on everything -- food, fashion, cleaning, organizing and me. It's irreverent and it's lots of fun," Martha Stewart said.

"I must have instilled in her some good habits," she later said of her daughter. "She's tall, beautiful, gorgeous and mother of baby Jude and that's all that counts. The book is out [in] late October wherever books are sold. I encourage you to buy it, read and make it a best seller."

Stewart further suggested she has a good sense of humor about herself by revealing her daughter's "Whatever, Martha" TV show was her idea.

"You know making fun of good things is a good idea," Stewart said.

Steve-O to host 'Killer Karaoke'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Cable network truTV says it has ordered an Americanized version of the British competition series "Sing If You Can."

Steve-O is to serve as host of the U.S. show, which will be called "Killer Karaoke." The reality TV personality is best known for his work on "Jackass" and "Dancing with the Stars."

"'Killer Karaoke' will challenge contestants to break out in song in the midst of extreme, hilarious and sometimes skin-crawling situations," truTV said in a news release Monday.

The network said it has ordered eight episodes of the series from Zodiak USA, producer of the network's popular "Hardcore Pawn," "All Worked Up" and "Lizard Lick Towing." "Killer Karaoke" is to premiere early next year.

"'Killer Karaoke' is a music competition show as only truTV would do it -- hilarious, outrageous and wild," Marc Juris, executive vice president and general manager of truTV, said in a statement.

"I'm in love with the concept of this show and overjoyed to be a part of it," added Steve-O. "I cannot wait to get started."