‘Housewives’ stars plead not guilty
Husband-and-wife stars of the “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” pleaded not guilty in federal court in Newark, N.J., on Wednesday to a host of financial fraud charges that allegedly stretch back to 2001.
Teresa and Guiseppe “Joe” Giudice made their pleas in U.S. District Court after passing through a gantlet of news media outside the courthouse.
Two weeks ago, before their initial court appearance, a brief tussle had broken out between the couple and a horde of reporters and photographers. On Wednesday, marshals set up metal barriers to form a walkway into the building.
The Giudices were charged last month in a 39-count indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
U.S. District Judge Esther Salas set a trial date of Oct. 8.
Skerritt readies for Broadway debut
Tom Skerritt will make his Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of John Grisham’s legal thriller “A Time to Kill.”
Skerritt joins a star-studded cast that includes Sebastian Arcelus, Chike Johnson, Patrick Page, Tonya Pinkins, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Douglas Thompson and Ashley Williams. Opening night is set for Oct. 20.
Skerritt won an Emmy Award on the CBS drama series “Picket Fences” and his films include “Steel Magnolias,” “Top Gun” and “Contact.”
His other TV credits include “Brothers & Sisters,” “Leverage” and “Cheers.” He has appeared onstage in Los Angeles and Seattle productions of the play “Love Letters” and as the Stage Manager in the Intiman Theatre production of “Our Town.”
McCartney to perform at iHeartRadio
Paul McCartney will perform at the iHeartRadio music festival in Las Vegas next month.
Clear Channel said Wednesday that the former Beatle will perform on the second night of the two-day festival, which kicks off Sept. 20. He joins a list of top performers, including Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Drake.
Ryan Seacrest will host the event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The birthday bunch
Actress Rose Marie is 90. Actor Mike Connors is 88. Game show host Jim Lange is 81. Actress Pat Priest is 77. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 69. Rock singer-musician Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) is 65. Britain’s Princess Anne is 63. Actress Tess Harper is 63. Actor Larry Mathews is 58. Actress Debra Messing is 45. Actor Ben Affleck is 41. Rock singer Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 24. Actress Jennifer Lawrence is 23.