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Anna Nicole surgery tape saga

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the release of a 1994 videotape documenting a breast augmentation surgery for Anna Nicole Smith (pictured).

Superior Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff granted the order on Friday at the request of Smith's former attorney and executor of her will, Howard K. Stern. The injunction prevents the sale, distribution or dissemination of the videotape.

In court documents, first obtained by CelebTV.com, Stern accused Gerald Wayne Johnson, the Texas doctor who performed the surgery, of sending a tape showing the procedure to Thomas Riccio, a Los Angeles-based memorabilia dealer. Stern claims the surgery was taped without the former model's consent. Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in Florida in February at the age of 39.

Timberlake, Beyonce fight for pop crown

Justin Timberlake (pictured) and Beyonce lead the pop parade of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards with seven nods apiece, it was announced Tuesday.

Beyonce's Irreplaceable was nominated for video of the year, as was Timberlake's ambitiously cinematic What Goes Around ... Comes Around, which co-starred Scarlett Johansson. Also competing in the category are Amy Winehouse's Rehab, Kanye West's Stronger, Rihanna's Umbrella (featuring Jay-Z) and Justice's D.A.N.C.E.

Timberlake was also nominated for male artist of the year and "most earth shattering collaboration" for pairing with Timbaland for Sexy Back. Beyonce was nominated for female artist of the year and for her collaboration with Shakira on Beautiful Liar.

The 24th annual VMAs will be handed out during a live two-hour show on September 9 in Las Vegas at the Palms Hotel and Casino. Only eight categories will be awarded on the broadcast.

The honeymoon is over for Greek Wedding team

Alleging big, fat accounting problems, the creative team behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding is suing the independent production company behind the 2002 low-budget comedy phenomenon.

Plaintiffs in the suit, filed late Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, include business entities controlled by Nia Vardalos, who wrote the screenplay and starred in the film, and those of producers Tom Hanks, Rita Hanks and Gary Goetzman.

Collectively, the creative team has shared in profits rising into the tens of millions, but it claims that a lack of transparency in accounting by film co-financier Gold Circle Films has left the plaintiffs uncertain of how much they are owed. Gold Circle is backed by billionaire Gateway Inc. co-founder Norm Waitt Jr.

The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a full accounting of film profits under court supervision. In addition to Gold Circle, the suit names as defendants related entities Big Wedding Prods. and Vortex Pictures.

The plaintiffs claim Gold Circle reports gross receipts of the film - produced on a budget of $5 million - total $287 million, even though media reports indicate a tally closer to $400 million. The defendants have failed to provide an audit requested to clarify the matter, the plaintiffs said.

'Toni Braxton's checks bounce'

Toni Braxton (pictured) has been sued by a wardrobe and costume designer who alleges the Grammy-winning singer wrote him a bad check and still owes him $15,000 for work on a Las Vegas show.

Anthony Franco filed the lawsuit Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming the sultry R&B singer had agreed to pay him $35,000 to design the entire wardrobe for the Toni Braxton: Revealed show. Franco says he received a check, but it was returned for insufficient funds.

He alleges Braxton and co-defendant Liberty Entertainment Inc. put a stop-payment on the check.

Franco claims he was eventually paid $20,000, leaving an outstanding balance of $15,000.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/09/2007 page18)