newsmakers

newsmakers

Hines Ward briefly held in Calif. mix-up

LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles police said Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Hines Ward briefly was detained at gunpoint in a mix-up over a reported stolen car but has been released.

Sgt. Maria Morrison said Ward and a female friend were stopped in her car about 1:30 a.m. Thursday in North Hollywood because the woman had reported it stolen.

Morrison said Ward was taken from the car at gunpoint and handcuffed until the woman proved the car was hers. The sergeant said the driver reported the vehicle stolen April 19 after forgetting where she had parked it. She later found it but never canceled the report.

Police said Ward was cooperative. The woman’s name wasn’t released, but she isn’t Wards’ partner on “Dancing With the Stars.”

‘Hillbillies’ actress sues Barbie maker

NEW ORLEANS

The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the hit television series “The Beverly Hillbillies” is suing toy manufacturer Mattel Inc., claiming the company used her name and likeness for a Barbie doll without her authorization.

The federal suit filed Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La., says packaging for the “Elly May” Barbie doll features a photo of Donna Douglas portraying the character. Douglas says she never endorsed the doll or gave Mattel permission to use her name to promote its sale before the toy maker introduced the doll in December 2010.

From 1962 to 1971, Douglas appeared in all 274 episodes of the CBS comedy show about a poor family that moved to Beverly Hills after striking oil on their land.

Cheryl Cole named ‘X Factor’ judge

NEW YORK

The Fox network says British pop superstar Cheryl Cole will be seated at the judge’s panel for “The X Factor.”

Cole will join Grammy-winning music producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Simon Cowell on the much-anticipated singing contest debuting this fall on Fox, the network announced Thursday.

The series is based on Cowell’s hit British show, where Cole has been a judge in the past.

Previously, Paula Abdul, who teamed with Cowell on Fox’s “American Idol,” had been mentioned as a possible fourth “X Factor” judge.

Associated Press