Comedian Patrice O'Neal dead at 41
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. comedian Patrice O'Neal has died weeks after suffering a stroke, "Opie and Anthony" co-host Gregg Hughes confirmed Tuesday. He was 41.
TMZ said O'Neal died Monday, but the celebrity news Web site did not report any other details regarding the cause or location of his death.
"Yes it's true that our pal Patrice O'Neal has passed away. The funniest and best thinker I've ever known PERIOD," Hughes, known as Opie on the radio, said via Twitter Tuesday.
O'Neal was a frequent guest on the "Opie and Anthony" show.
He also performed at the "Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen" in September and guest starred on TV's "Chappelle Show," "The Office" and "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn."
Murray sentenced to four years in prison
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Conrad Murray, the Texas cardiologist convicted of causing the death of pop star Michael Jackson, was sentenced in Los Angeles Tuesday to four years in prison.
The sentence was the maximum allowed.
The singer's personal physician was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter this month in the pop star's 2009 death.
Murray was convicted of causing Jackson's death by giving him anesthesia and sedatives to help him sleep at home, then leaving the room and failing to come to his aid when he was in distress.
The cardiologist also has been criticized for not having emergency equipment on hand or keeping records of his treatment of the recording artist.
"He has absolutely no sense of remorse and absolutely no sense of fault," E! News quoted Los Angeles Superior County Judge Michael Pastor as saying when he announced sentence. "And he's dangerous. There are those who believe Dr. Murray is a saint. There are those who believe Dr. Murray is the devil. He is neither. He is a human being."
Jackson's mother Katherine told CNN Monday she thought Murray should receive the maximum prison sentence under the law, even though he likely didn't mean for her son to die.
"I don't believe that he intended for Michael to die," Katherine Jackson told CNN. "He was just taking a chance."
Katherine Jackson and two of her children, recording artists LaToya and Jermaine, were in the courtroom for the sentencing.
Murray declined to speak at the hearing.
'Artist,' 'Shelter' earn 5 Spirit nods apiece
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- "The Artist" and "Take Shelter" were each nominated for five Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles Tuesday.
The films, which were made by American producers for less than $20 million, will compete with "50-50," "Beginners," "The Descendants" and "Drive" for the top prize of Best Feature.
Nominated in the Best Male Lead category are Demian Bichir for "A Better Life," Jean Dujardin for "The Artist," Ryan Gosling for "Drive," Woody Harrelson for "Rampart" and Michael Shannon for "Take Shelter."
The nominees in the Best Female Lead race are Lauren Ambrose for "Think of Me," Rachael Harris for "Natural Selection," Adepero Oduye for "Pariah," Elizabeth Olsen for "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and Michelle Williams for "My Week with Marilyn."
The nominees for Best Supporting Male are Albert Brooks for "Drive," John Hawkes for "Martha Marcy May Marlene," Christopher Plummer for "Beginners," John C. Reilly for "Cedar Rapids" and Corey Stoll for "Midnight in Paris."
Up for the Best Supporting Female honor are Jessica Chastain for "Take Shelter," Anjelica Huston for "50/50," Janet McTeer for "Albert Nobbs," Harmony Santana for "Gun Hill Road" and Shailene Woodley for "The Descendants."
Vying for the Best Director statuette are Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist," Mike Mills for "Beginners," Jeff Nichols for "Take Shelter," Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Nicolas Winding for "Refn Drive."
Nominated for the Best Screenplay trophy are Joseph Cedar's "Footnote," Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist," Tom McCarthy's "Win Win," Mike Mills' "Beginners" and Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash's "The Descendants."
Winners of the Spirit Awards will be announced Feb. 25 at a ceremony in Santa Monica.
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Pentatonix wins Season 3 of 'Sing-Off'
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Pentatonix has been declared the winner of Season 3 of the American all-vocal singing competition series "The Sing-Off."
The group, which is comprised of Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola, won a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000.
Pentatonix took the top prize after 10 weeks of competition.
Serving as the NBC show's celebrity judges were Sara Bareilles, Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman. Nick Lachey is the series' host.
