Tomei's not on board for Alaska Theater Cruise

Tomei's not on boardfor Alaska Theater Cruise
LOS ANGELES -- Marisa Tomei wants it known that she is not a geezer. She did not, repeat, "did not," sign on to join something called an Alaska Theater Cruise in the company of a large group of geriatric performers, despite what it says in an ad that recently appeared in the New Yorker.
Oscar-winner Tomei, who is on the cusp of 40 and is on the big screen as Jude Law's love interest in "Alfie," was not pleased to see her name listed as a performing participant on the cruise next spring aboard the Radisson Mariner, along with Patricia Neal, 78; Ed Asner, 74; Gena Rowlands, 74; Cliff Robertson, 81; Eartha Kitt, 77; Lee Roy Reams, 62; and Jerry Orbach, 69.
Tomei's career has had its ups and downs since she took home a supporting-actress statuette for "My Cousin Vinny" in 1992, in accordance with the well-known Curse of the Supporting Actress Oscar. But Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer said Tomei's career is in swell shape and furthermore a deal for her to head north to Alaska was never finalized. Singer murmured something about possible legal action.
The Theater Guild, which runs the cruise, pays actors "a reasonable amount" in addition to the free trip, to mingle with and perform for passengers, the majority of whom are retirees, said Guild president Philip Langner.
Reynolds files lawsuitagainst longtime girlfriend
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Actor Burt Reynolds, apparently taking a cue from Fox pundit Bill O'Reilly, has launched a pre-emptive lawsuit against a woman he claims is trying to extort millions of dollars from him in return for her silence.
Reynolds, 68, sued Pamela Seals, 48, his girlfriend of 10 years, in the 15th District Circuit Court in Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday, claiming Seals had threatened to accuse him falsely of domestic violence, including screaming at her and stomping on her toes. She also planned to announce he abused prescription drugs, Reynolds said.
Reynolds is described in the suit as a "nationally and internationally known public figure" while Sears is listed in the complaint as a woman who "had little or no formal education and was working as a barmaid/manager" at a Tampa restaurant when they met.
Seals said she wishes Reynolds well and that she's done everything in her power to keep the case out of the public eye. "I'm really not out trying to hurt him," she said.
Reynolds and Seals met at Malio's, a Tampa, Fla., steakhouse Reynolds frequented. Shirley Iavarone, who is married to Malio's owner, said Seals first worked as a cocktail waitress and later a bar manager. She said the allegations against Seals sound out of character.
"She was very friendly with a bubbly personality," Iavarone said. "A real pleasant country girl from Tampa."
Judge sides with Brokawover hunters on land
LIVINGSTON, Mont. -- A judge has ruled in favor of "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw in his attempt to keep an outfitter from bringing more big-game hunters on land bordering the newsman's ranch.
Judge Randall Spaulding ordered the Montana Board of Outfitters to revoke David Nelson's additional permits to guide big-game hunting trips on the land near Brokaw's Montana ranch.
"We're very happy with the decision," Brokaw told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We want to reiterate that this is not about trying to stop all hunting by any means. ... Our concern is about the safety of an out-of-state outfitter bringing hunters to an area they were likely not familiar with."
The Board of Outfitters in September granted Nelson 10 additional big-game hunting permits on 2,700 acres owned by Brokaw's neighbor.
Brokaw sought a judge's order to prevent the increased hunting, citing the danger posed by high-powered rifles.
Today's birthdays
Sportscaster Charlie Jones is 74. Baseball executive Whitey Herzog is 73. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., is 68. Actor Charlie Robinson ("Night Court") is 59. Movie director Bille August is 56. Actor Robert David Hall ("CSI") is 56. Actor Lou Ferrigno is 52. Rock musician Dee Plakas (L7) is 44. Rapper Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) is 35. Rapper Scarface (Geto Boys) is 35. Blues singer Susan Tedeschi is 34. R & amp;B singer Nick Lachey (98 Degrees) is 31. R & amp;B Sisqo (Dru Hill) is 26.