Povich seeks dismissal of suit

Povich seeksdismissal of suit
NEW YORK -- Lawyers for television talk-show host Maury Povich have asked a court to dismiss a $100 million sex harassment lawsuit against him and members of his staff and to compel the producer who filed it to arbitrate the dispute.
Bianca Nardi, 28, of Fort Lee, N.J., complained in a lawsuit filed last month that some of her supervisors at "The Maury Povich Show" barraged her with sexual remarks and made her watch pornographic movies, wear revealing clothing and expose her body.
Her court papers say she had an unfairly heavy workload because she did tasks that were supposed to be done by another producer, who had an intimate relationship with Povich and often refused to do her own work -- without penalty.
Povich, whose show is produced by NBC Universal, is married to veteran television news anchor Connie Chung.
Elisabeth C. Yap, an NBC Universal lawyer, said in an affidavit dated Monday that Nardi's lawyer, Bruce Baron, was told in an April 14 letter that the producer's contract required her to arbitrate any claims arising out of any alleged discrimination or harassment.
Joe Schlosser, a spokesman for NBC Universal, said Thursday: "In response to the plaintiff's [Nardi's] complaint, we have filed a motion to dismiss the case and have asked the court to instead compel the plaintiff to arbitrate her claims as required by her contract."
DJ raises Halle's ire
LONDON -- What was meant to be a friendly chat to promote the new "X-Men" movie turned into a frosty discussion about race on a popular morning radio program, but the British Broadcasting Corp. defended its disc jockey.
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry appeared on Chris Moyles' Radio One breakfast show Thursday and clashed with her host after he impersonated what he described as a "big, fat, black guy."
"Are we having a racist moment here?" Berry, the first black actress to win an Academy Award for a lead role, asked Moyles after she took exception to his impersonation. Moyles, who is white, said he just couldn't do American accents.
Moyles made it clear on air that there was nothing racist in what he said, a BBC spokesman said Friday on condition of anonymity, in line with the corporation's policy.
The exchange began when Hugh Jackman, Berry's "X-Men: The Last Stand" co-star, jokingly suggested that Moyles might take the role of his body double if he ever landed the part of James Bond.
"I could definitely do that," Moyles said before adding, "Put your hands in the air!"
A somewhat puzzled Jackman replied, "Are you some kind of Brooklyn Bond?"
Moyles replied: "I'm a black American guy. A big, fat, black guy. Put your hands up in the air."
The interview continued, though the DJ later said Berry was "ratty" -- British slang for grouchy.
Today's birthdays
Actress Jeanne Bates ("Ben Casey") is 88. Actor David Groh is 65. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 65. Actor Richard Hatch is 61. Musician Bill Champlin (Chicago) is 59. Singer Leo Sayer is 58. Actress Carol Potter is 58. Comedian/radio talk show host Al Franken is 55. Actor Mr. T is 54. Music producer Stan Lynch is 51. Actor Judge Reinhold is 49. Actor-director Nick Cassavetes is 47. Actor Brent Briscoe is 45. Actress Lisa Edelstein is 38. Jazz musician Christian McBride is 34. Actress Fairuza Balk is 32. Rapper Havoc (Mobb Deep) is 32. Actress Ashlie Brillault is 19. Actor Scott Leavenworth is 16. Actress Sarah Ramos is 15.