‘Idol’ winner thanks friends on new CD
Kris Allen, winner of the eighth season of “American Idol,” didn’t stay in a fancy hotel or rent an apartment in Los Angeles when he recorded his second album. Instead, he crashed on his friends’ couch.
“It’s a better feeling to come from the studio where I’ve been working and diving into music all day to get away from that and just be myself,” Allen said in a recent interview.
To thank his friends for their hospitality, the album is titled, “Thank You Camellia,” the name of the avenue where they live.
Fox: Obama video maker to keep job
The Fox News Channel producer credited with a four-minute video criticizing President Barack Obama is keeping his job – although he lost a chance to move to CNN.
Fox’s executive vice president for programming, Bill Shine, said Friday that Chris White “will remain employed with Fox News.” White was credited with the video that aired Wednesday on “Fox & Friends,” a segment that was later disavowed by Fox management.
At the time, White had been discussing leaving Fox for CNN. But the day after the video aired, CNN said it would not be hiring him.
Media critics, even some conservative ones, suggested Fox had gone too far by airing an advocacy video during what is supposed to be a news program.
Bus driver drops lawsuit against Fox
A private bus driver in Ohio who claimed she was punched by Matthew Fox has withdrawn her lawsuit against the actor.
Heather Bormann sued the former star of TV’s “Lost” in November, seeking $75,000 in damages. Fox countersued, claiming the Cleveland woman assaulted and slandered him. Court records show both suits were dropped Thursday.
Bormann had alleged Fox struck her in the breast, groin, arm and legs after she stopped him from boarding a chartered party bus on Aug. 28, 2011, in Cleveland. She said she hit him in self-defense. Fox was in town making a movie and wasn’t charged.
Bormann’s former attorney said the woman could not afford to continue the case.
The birthday bunch
Actor Milo O’Shea is 87. Actress-singer Sally Kellerman is 75. Singer William Guest (Gladys Knight & The Pips) is 71. Actor Jerry Mathers is 64. Comedian Dana Carvey is 57. Rock singer Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) is 52. Rapper B-Real ( Cypress Hill) is 42. Actor-comedian Wayne Brady is 40. Actress Nikki Cox is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Irish Grinstead (702) is 32. Rock musician Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes) is 32. Country singer Dan Cahoon (Marshall Dyllon) is 29. Actress Brittany Curran is 22.