newsmakers

newsmakers

Wahlberg wants to meet reputed mob boss

BOSTON

Mark Wahlberg says he’s considering a jailhouse meeting with James “Whitey” Bulger, but a victim’s relative is criticizing the actor’s interest in the reputed former mob boss.

Wahlberg told Boston’s WAAF-FM radio Friday that Bulger has reached out and speculated Bulger wants to give him rights to his story.

Bulger is accused of participating in 19 murders. He was caught last year after 16 years on the run. Steven Davis’ sister, Deborah Davis, allegedly was strangled by Bulger. Davis tells the Boston Herald that Bulger ruined his family and shouldn’t be glamorized.

Wahlberg says he feels for loved ones of Bulger’s victims but that the story has tremendous potential.

A Massachusetts legislator has proposed a bill to allow only Bulger’s victims to profit from his story.

Lopez, Anthony promote new project

PASADENA, Calif.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were together again Saturday — at least to promote their new project.

The stars, who announced last summer they were ending their marriage after seven years, appeared on a stage Saturday to talk briefly about a new music series they are doing together. “Q’Viva! The Chosen” premieres on Univision on Jan. 28.

Anthony reached down to offer his hand and help Lopez climb three stairs to the stage and later admired the four spark- ling rings on her left hand. They sat side by side on director’s chairs.

The two stars, along with Jamie King, travel throughout North and South America to search for artists who will come to the United States and participate in a live show of Latin music and entertainment. It airs in 12 weekly episodes in the U.S. and on Spanish-language stations across Latin America. An English-language version is planned later for Fox.

Anthony and Lopez were working this week to judge some of the contestants, Univision said.

“It was like any time that we work together,” said Lopez, who wore a tight, blue-leather minidress for the morning news conference. “We have a great time working together.”

ABC ditches ‘Work It’

PASADENA, Calif.

ABC’s “Work It” is off duty.

The network said Saturday that the sitcom about two men who dress as women to look for work is off the schedule after only two episodes aired.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation had protested the series, saying it mocked the transgender community.

“Work It” attracted little interest from viewers. The Nielsen company said the second episode Tuesday was seen by fewer than 5 million people.

GLAAD’s Herndon Graddick said Saturday that it was an outdated show. But he said it started a dialogue about discrimination faced by trans-gender people.

UK deports fan of Kate Bush’s

LONDON

British police say a man was arrested close to the home of singer Kate Bush, amid media reports a fan broke into her home in England and attempted to propose marriage.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed Saturday that a 32-year-old man was detained Dec. 26 and later deported, after a report of damaged property at Bush’s home in Devon, southwestern England.

The Daily Mail newspaper reported that the man was Frank Tufaro, from New York, who had flown to Britain with a $4,500 Tiffany engagement ring.

It quoted him as saying he was inside Bush’s house “for about eight minutes before I realized I had to leave.”

The newspaper said the singer was not at home at the time of the incident.

Police said the detained man was deported by the U.K. Border Agency.

Associated Press