Court to decide if Polanski will be released on bail

Court to decide if Polanski will be released on bail

BELLINZONA, Switzerland — Swiss officials say a court will decide in two or three weeks whether to release film director Roman Polanski on bail pending a decision on his extradition to the United States. Mascia Gregori Al-Barafi, a spokeswoman for the Swiss Criminal Court, said Tuesday that an announcement will be made after the ruling. The court turned down an earlier bail appeal by Polanski, citing the risk of flight and insufficient guarantees.

The 76-year-old director was arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award from a film festival. Authorities in Los Angeles want him extradited for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Experts say Polanski’s detention could last several more months as authorities mull his extradition.

‘Remote Control’ host Ken Ober dies at 52

LOS ANGELES — Ken Ober, who hosted the 1980s MTV game show “Remote Control” and helped produce the shows “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” has died. He was 52. His agent, Lee Kernis, says Ober was found dead Sunday in his Santa Monica home. Kernis says Ober complained of headaches and flulike symptoms Saturday night, but the cause of his death wasn’t clear.

Ober hosted five seasons of “Remote Control” beginning in 1987. Contestants in lounge chairs were asked pop-culture questions from categories such as “Dead or Canadian?” The show featured early appearances by comedians Adam Sandler, Denis Leary and Colin Quinn. Ober, who was born Ken Oberding in Massachusetts, is survived by his parents and a brother.

‘Blair Witch’ town has new signs: Don’t steal them

BURKITTSVILLE, Md. — The small Maryland town where “The Blair Witch Project” was set has some new welcome signs. Please don’t steal them.

The new signs have little resemblance to the older-style black-and-white signs with cursive script shown briefly in the hit 1999 horror film. Souvenir seekers repeatedly stole those. The new sign is blue with white letters and red stars. It notes that the town of fewer than 200 people was established in 1824 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mayor Debby Burgoyne tells The Frederick News-Post she hopes thieves won’t be interested in the newer-looking signs. Most of the movie was filmed in a state park about 25 miles away.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Brenda Vaccaro is 70. Actress Linda Evans is 67. Comedian Kevin Nealon is 56. Actor Oscar Nunez (“The Office”) is 51. Singer Kim Wilde is 49. Actor Owen Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums” ) is 41. Actor Mike Epps is 39. Actress Chloe Sevigny is 35. Rapper Fabolous is 30.