News on ailing Ben Heppner, injured Emilio Navaira

March 26, 2008

Doctor is 'still afraid' for Emilio

Even if he survives a horrific head injury suffered in a bus crash, Grammy-winning Tejano singer Emilio Navaira faces a long recovery and an uncertain future, his doctors say.

Navaira, 45, known to his fans simply as Emilio, was behind the wheel of his tour bus before dawn Sunday after a weekend show when it slammed into an interchange barrier on a Houston-area freeway, propelling him through the windshield.

Dr. Alex Valadka, director of neurotrauma services at Memorial Hermann- Texas Medical Center and vice chair of neurosciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, on Tuesday described Navaira as stable but added, "We're still afraid something adverse could happen."

From the Associated Press

'Jezebel James' gets quick hook

Fox's "The Return of Jezebel James" will in fact not return.

The network has canceled the low-rated comedy from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino after two airings. The series, which starred Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose as sisters, had its final broadcast Friday and will be replaced by repeats of "Bones."

-- Greg Braxton

Pumpkins sue record label

The Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records, saying the record label has illegally used their name and music in pro- motional deals that hurt the band's credibility with fans.

In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in L.A. Superior Court on Monday, the rockers said they have "worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public" and that Virgin's use of the band in a "Pepsi Stuff" promotion with Amazon.com and Pepsi Co. threatens their reputation for "artistic integrity."

A spokesman for Virgin Records could not be reached for comment.

From the Associated Press

Jackman plans comic book

Hugh Jackman, who plays the mutant Wolverine in the "X-Men" action movies, is pairing with Virgin Comics to create a comic book series called "Nowhere Man," Virgin said Tuesday.

The series, a futuristic science-fiction odyssey set in an era when men have traded their privacy for safety and security, will be written by Jackman and Marc Guggenheim, who wrote Marvel comics' "Wolverine" series and "Amazing Spider-Man."

Jackman said the hope is that "Nowhere Man" will be popular enough to later become a movie.

From Reuters

Final chance for Heppner, Voigt

At this rate, Ben Heppner and Deborah Voigt may never sing "Tristan und Isolde" together.

After missing the first four performances of the highly anticipated revival at New York City's Metropolitan Opera, Heppner planned to return Tuesday night.

But Voigt woke up Tuesday with a fever and nausea, spokesman Albert Imperato said. She was to be replaced by understudy Janice Baird.

Heppner and Voigt, two of the world's leading Wagnerian singers, have never sung the opera together and have one more chance: Friday night.

From the Associated Press

Method Fest lineup is set

"Then She Found Me," which stars Oscar winner Helen Hunt and also marks the actress' feature film directorial debut, will be one of 25 movies screening at the city of Calabasas' 10th annual Method Fest Independent Film Festival, which runs Thursday through April 3.

Also in the lineup are "The Stone Angel" with Ellen Burstyn, "The Visitor" with Richard Jenkins, "The Cake Eaters" with Bruce Dern and "Familiar Strangers" with Shawn Hatosy.

Screenings are at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre at the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Woodland Hills and the Carlson Family Theatre at Viewpoint School in Calabasas. Additional information is at www.methodfest.com.

From a Times staff writer