When you're Ja Rule the judge will rule
When you're Ja Rulethe judge will rule
TORONTO -- Two legal notes in Ja Rule's life. The rapper has pleaded innocent to assault charges in a Toronto court, his lawyer said Monday. The charge stems from a June 5 fight at La Rouge nightclub, where an 18-year-old was stabbed in the back. The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, was not present at court. The judge set an Oct. 6 pretrial date.
In slightly less serious case of litigiosity, the Miami Herald reports that Jeanette Varella is suing MTV for showing clips of her house on its show "Cribs" without her permission. Why would this happen? Well, Mr. Rule used to rent Ms. Varella's eight-bedroom mansion on Star Island (near downtown Miami), which was featured on "Cribs" -- which showcases the homes of the rich and famous.
The idiocy factor is heightened by the fact that the 28-year-old rapper doesn't even live there: He rented the waterfront house for only a few days in 2001, during which he held a mondo party attended by 600 revelers. To add injury to insult, Rule is also named in Varella's lawsuit for mucking up the house. "After the party, there were numerous syringes and condom wrappers strewn about the mansion," the suit says.
Baldwin brotherboldly backs Bush
NEW YORK -- The Baldwin acting brood, famous for being really good-looking and really loyal to New York, are also famed as having fierce Democratic convictions. But there's always an exception to the rule. That'd be Alec's younger B-list actor bro, Stephen Baldwin, who tells the New York Post that he'll be at the Republican convention to back President Bush.
"I'm there to support the man I believe has the most faith," Baldwin told the tab. "That's who I'm voting for. ... I believe the next president should be a guy who is being led by God."
Baldwin explained that he was recently inspired by his wife, Kennya, to become a Christian.
'Frasier' star, wifewelcome baby boy
LOS ANGELES -- "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer and his wife, former Playboy model Camille Donatacci, are the parents of a boy, born to a surrogate mother.
Jude Gordon Grammer weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. He was born Saturday in Sacramento, Grammer publicist Stan Rosenfield said Monday. The infant is now in Los Angeles with his parents, who married seven years ago.
"They are happy and healthy," Rosenfield said.
The couple's daughter, Mason Olivia, was born to a surrogate mother in October 2001.
Grammer, 49, won three Emmy Awards for his role as Dr. Frasier Crane on the popular NBC comedy series.
Trekkies pay tributeto good old 'Scotty'
LOS ANGELES -- Hundreds of "Star Trek" fans showed up to see James Doohan as he appeared at one last convention before retiring from public life.
The 84-year-old actor, who played "Scotty" on the '60s TV series, decided to retire after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several months ago. He blew kisses to a crowd of Trekkie faithful gathered at the finale of a two-day tribute held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
Doohan, who played the USS Enterprise's affable chief engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott of "Beam me up, Scotty" fame, has won the good will of fans who say he always took time to sign autographs and talk trivia.
"We're just very proud to honor dad with this star," said his son Chris Doohan. "A lot of 'Star Trek' fans helped us out with this."
Doohan, who also has Parkinson's disease and diabetes, mingled with fans at the convention and spoke at a news conference between Scotty impersonation contests and a panel discussion titled, "The Influence of Scotty on Society."
Today's birthdays
Former Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird is 82. Former Texas Governor Ann Richards is 71. Comedian-actress Lily Tomlin is 65. Actor Don Stroud is 61. Singer Archie Bell is 60. Singer Barry Gibb is 58. Singer Gloria Estefan is 47. Former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers is 43. Jazz musician Boney James is 43. Country singer-songwriter Charlie Robison is 40. Rap DJ Spigg Nice (Lost Boyz) is 34.