Entertainment News, Celebrity News Online

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Filmmaker Roman Polanski has asked a Los Angeles judge to sentence him in Absentia.

The multi-award winning director is currently under house arrest at his Swiss chalet and is fighting extradition to the United States.

Polanski, who fled the U.S. in 1978 before his sentence for having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old was handed down, signed a request letter to Judge Peter Espinoza, asking him to pronounce judgment against him in his absence.

But prosecutors are opposed to the request. They challenged that Polanski should show up in California and not continue to fight the case from the “comfort of his Swiss chalet in the Alps.”

The judge accepted the letter, but he said he wanted to hear more arguments from both sides on why Polanski should or should not be allowed to be sentenced in absentia.

A hearing date has been set for January 22.

The 76-year-old “Rosemary’s Baby” director was arrested in Switzerland in September on a decades-old U.S. warrant.

Polanski remains under house arrest while awaiting possible extradition to the U.S.

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Newcomer Ke$ha spends her third week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with her single “Tik Tok.” On the strength of radio airplay and moving nearly another 400,000 digital singles, Ke$ha holds back Lady Gaga from peak position as she moves up to #2 this week with “Bad Romance.” Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” which sold over 300,000 singles this the week, moves past the 2 million mark in digital single sales.

Iyaz’s “Replay” moves down a spot to #3 this week, while Jay-Z and Alicia Keys climb up a spot to #4 with their former #1 “Empire State of Mind.” Owl City’s “Fireflies” is down a spot to #5 this week. David Guetta and Akon climb up to #6 from last week with “Sexy B—-.”

The rest of the top 10 sees holdovers from the New Year’s end-of-the-year surges thanks to countdowns. Jay Sean’s “Down” is at #7 for another week. It moves past the 3 million mark in digital single sales this week. Jason DeRulo’s former #1 “Whatcha Say” is at #8 this week, down from a climb to #6 last week.

Rounding out the top 10 are the Black Eyed Peas, who jump to #9 from #14 last week with “I Gotta Feeling.” Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” drops down to the #10 this week.

Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 For the Week Ending January 16th, 2010:

1. “Tik Tok,” Ke$ha
2. “Bad Romance,” Lady GaGa
3. “Replay,” Iyaz
4. “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
5. “Fireflies,” Owl City
6. “Sexy B****,” David Guetta feat. Akon
7. “Down,” Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne
8. “Whatcha Say,” Jason DeRulo
9. “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
10. “Party in the U.S.A.,” Miley Cyrus

Jay Leno will be returning to the 11:30pm late night talk show spot currently occupied by Conan O’Brien, according to unconfirmed reports.

TMZ claims that Jay Leno’s 10:00 PM show will go on hiatus February 1, with Leno taking back his 11:30p.m. time slot after the Winter Olympics. The report notes though that the future of Conan is unclear: he may be dumped or moved to a midnight slot.

Earlier reports from other sites claimed that Leno was being dumped altogether following poor ratings for his 10p.m. show, rumors that NBC has denied.

A report from the Wall Street Journal noted sources within the network saying that NBC Universal is re-evaluating the future of “The Jay Leno Show,” adding some weight to the reports that changes are coming in one form or another.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart spent New Year’s Eve, December 31, at a cheap party which charged just $4.8 entry.

The ‘Twilight Saga’ actors, who have constantly denied they are in a relationship, were seen mingling with 130 guests and enjoying cheap drinks at just $1.6 each at the Winter Gardens bar in Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, which is just off the south coast of England.

A party goer said, “Robert and Kristen were totally normal. They acted like regular people and blended in with the regulars.”

A local resident said he couldn’t believe the celebrities had chosen to come to such a small party.

He said, “I cannot believe there were celebrities right here at Winter Gardens! Maybe we’ll be put back on the map!”

The resort town of Ventnor is a favourite among other British celebrities, including supermodel Kate Moss, comic Russell Brand, socialite Peaches Geldof and singer Amy Winehouse, because of the privacy it offers.

Local resident Sally Perry told People magazine, “Well-known artists and musicians have found that they can live normal lives in Ventnor, away from the media glare. So others tend to follow suit by choosing our lovely town for their special getaways.”

Jennifer Lopez refused to have IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) when she was trying for a baby.

The singer-and-actress was desperate to have children with husband Marc Anthony and although the couple were trying to get pregnant for a long time, Jennifer didn’t want to seek medical help.

The 40-year-old beauty, who eventually gave birth to twins Max and Emme in February 2008, told America’s Elle magazine, “When it comes to family and relationships, I’m quite traditional. Just because of the way I was raised. And I also believe in God and I have a lot of faith in that, so I just felt like you don’t mess with things like that. And I guess deep down I really felt like either this is not going to happen for me or it is. You know what I mean? And if it is, it will. And if it’s not, it’s not going to.”

Jennifer, who married Marc in 2004, recently revealed how she has to work hard at her marriage.

The ‘Love Don’t Cost A Thing’ singer, who has been married twice before said, “What people don’t talk about, which is interesting to me, is how you have to put as much work into your relationships as you do into anything else. We put so much into our careers… but there’s also a lot of work that goes into making a successful partnership and marriage. It’s not easy.”

Mariah Carey reportedly had Paris Hilton sacked from a music video.

The ‘Obsessed’ singer was allegedly furious the hotel heiress had been asked to join her for an appearance in a music video for Prince Azim of Brunei, so she demanded he chose between the two of them.

Mariah reportedly said, “It’s either me or her. I won’t do it with her. I’m a bigger name.”

The 40-year-old pop star is now due to appear in 27-year-old Azim’s upcoming solo single alone.

The billionaire playboy, who is the son of the Sultan of Brunei, had originally wanted to improve the track’s chances of success by having both beauties join him for the video.

But after Mariah made her demands, he had no choice but to ditch Paris, 28.

Azim has since promised to fly the diva and 14 members of her entourage over to London from New York by private jet.

The pop diva has been friends with the prince, who is fourth in line to the throne, for several years.

In 2006, he gave her a $5.7 million necklace and matching ring after flying to see her in his private jet.

David Hasselhoff has quit ‘America’s Got Talent’.

The former ‘Baywatch’ actor, who was hospitalized a number of times in 2009, claimed to be working on an as-yet-unknown TV show.

The 57-year-old actor said, “I am proud that I was part of making ‘America’s Got Talent’ the number one rated show for the past four summers.

“It’s been a rewarding experience and now I’m thrilled to be able to follow my dream to do my own TV show, which will be announced very shortly.”

Hasselhoff leaves a gap on the judging panel of the reality TV show alongside Brits Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan. No names have yet been suggested as a replacement.

A statement from the programme’s broadcasters, NBC, said, “David’s been an integral part of ‘America’s Got Talent’ and we are sad to see him go.”

In October, it was suggested that the actor was signing up for a new TV programme with US TV network A + E.

Hasselhoff’s daughter Hayley wrote on her twitter blog, “The Hasselhoffs signed the deal with A + E… Get ready for it.”

When comedian Artie Lange was hospitalized last week, his reps were quiet on why.

But Page Six quotes “a law-enforcement source” who says Lange’s hospitalization was due to a very violent suicide attempt. The source says the comedian suffered six hesitation wounds and three “very deep plunges” in an attempt to stab himself. Surgeons were able to save Lange, thankfully, despite severe bleeding. Another source, this time one “close to Lange’s management team,” confirmed the suicide by stabbing attempt and added that Lange’s mother found him when she entered his apartment to bring him food.

Colleague and friend Howard Stern spoke kindly of Lange on this morning’s show, reminding listeners and fellow show staff not to harsh on the comedian too much:

“We all have our demons,” Stern said on-air this week, referring to Lange’s past battles with addiction. “Artie has given this show tremendous moments of great comedy. He’s a tremendous contributor. He is a good man. Don’t forget how great he is.”

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Paris Hilton wants to get married this year.

The hotel heiress has revealed she can see herself tying the knot to boyfriend Doug Reinhardt over the next twelve months because their “amazing” relationship has curbed her partying ways.

She said, “I wouldn’t rule out a wedding in 2010. With how amazing everything is going between us, I see a very bright and happy future.

“He’s taught me how real love can feel. Doug’s taught me how to grow up and become more domestic, as in not going out as much as I used to.”

Paris, who reconciled with Doug in August following a brief split, is not the only one who is smitten.

The ‘Hills’ star Doug can’t wait to get the blonde socialite down the aisle and thinks she would make a “perfect” wife.

He added to Life and Style magazine, “Paris is the most beautiful girl in the world. I am so in love with her – I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. She is gorgeous, smart, funny and kind. My family loves her, and she would make the perfect wife.”

Russell Brand and Katy Perry are set to marry within months.

The couple, who have been dating since September and got engaged over New Year, have shocked friends by revealing their wedding plans are already well underway and have asked pals to keep dates free for the nuptials.

Russell, 34, has reportedly already asked his manager, Nik Linnen, to be his best man and told him to start preparing a speech.

A source told The Sun newspaper, “Russell caught everyone off guard with the engagement. They’ve decided they won’t be messing about and have already made plans for the big day.”

Katy’s strictly religious father Keith Hudson has also given former his blessing to the couple’s wedding plans, saying he is “happy” with the news.

Further details of Russell’s meticulously planned romantic proposal on New Year’s Eve, December 31, n the Indian city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, have also been revealed.

First the comedian prepared by taking Katy, 25, to one of the city’s ancient forts, where he bought her a $955 traditional Indian dress to wear, before they headed back to the luxurious Taj Rambagh palace hotel, where he had further surprises in store

As source at the hotel explained, “He had organized a special dining experience. We set a table in a garden with candles everywhere. They arrived in a horse and carriage with a glass of champagne and we served them dinner.

“At midnight they enjoyed fireworks while sitting on an elephant, which Mr. Brand specially requested. Then they were taken to the Mughal Garden – which was decorated by flowers and candlelight.

“Mr. Brand had given his butler the diamond ring to hide among the flowers. Miss Perry found it, he proposed, and she immediately said ‘Yes’.

“After that they requested 45 minutes’ privacy. They looked like they were beautifully in love.”

The couple were in India for a Christmas holiday, a present from Russell to Katy, and they have since moved on to Thailand to celebrate their engagement.