Polanski hearing

Polanski hearing

LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors and attorneys for Roman Polanski faced intense questioning Thursday by three appeals-court justices during a hearing that could decide the fate of the fugitive director’s long- delayed sex case.

Polanski’s attorney Chad Hummel said during his opening statement that the California 2nd District Court of Appeal panel has the authority to dismiss the case in the interest of justice. The justices, however, quizzed Hummel about what facts were before a lower court judge when Polanski argued for the dismissal of the case earlier this year.

The appeals court in Los Angeles is being asked to decide if it should order a Superior Court judge to consider dismissing the case without Polanski’s attendance in court.

Cuomo heads to ‘20/20’

NEW YORK — ABC says Chris Cuomo is leaving “Good Morning America” to co-host the newsmagazine “20/20.” The move paves the way for the announcement — expected imminently — that George Stephanopoulos will join the morning show.

Cuomo has been the newsreader on “Good Morning America.” His last day will be today, the same day as co-host Diane Sawyer, who is replacing the retiring Charles Gibson on “World News.” Cuomo had been considered the main competition to Stephanopoulos for Sawyer’s old job. His move to the evening will pair him with co-host Elizabeth Vargas.

Brawl disrupts ‘Wicked’

CLEVELAND — Actors in the Broadway smash “Wicked” didn’t let screaming and swearing in the audience ruin their performance in Ohio. The show’s tour manager, Steve Quinn, says a drunken brawl broke out Tuesday night at a performance in Cleveland. He says understudy Kaye Clark, who was playing the green witch named Elphaba was on stage during one of the show’s quietest moments when the scuffle started.

Clark broke into the song “I’m Not That Girl” and kept on singing even as police handcuffed and removed a screaming woman. The audience gave Clark a standing ovation. Police say a rowdy audience member was charged with felonious assault for attacking an officer.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Rita Moreno is 78. Singer David Gates of Bread is 69. Actress Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) is 67. Singer Brenda Lee is 65. Actress Teri Garr is 62. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 55. Bassist Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue is 51. Actor Gary Dourdan (“C.S.I.”) is 43. Actress-comedian Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”) is 42. Rapper-actor Mos Def is 36.