ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.
MOVIES & TELEVISION
Closing the Marriage Chapter
A judge granted actress Jane Fonda’s divorce from CNN founder Ted Turner on Tuesday, bringing their marriage to a quiet end. “I feel sadness,” the 63-year-old former fitness guru said in a statement. “We shared 10 years together, and I will always care for him. Now it’s time to move on, and I wish him well.” Turner said that he wished her “all the very best” and that they would remain close friends. As for settlement details, Fonda’s spokesman would say only that “all issues are resolved.” Turner, 62, and Fonda married in December 1991 and announced their separation in January 2000. It was the third marriage for both.
Yup, DeGeneres Is Emmy Host
Ellen DeGeneres will host the 53rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards, airing Sept. 16 on CBS. DeGeneres, who co-hosted the 1994 Emmys and won a writing Emmy for her former ABC series “Ellen,” has a new sitcom premiering on CBS this fall. Emmy nominees will be announced July 12.
RADIO
KROQ Named One of Nation’s Best
Los Angeles rock radio station KROQ-FM (106.7) is among the six nationwide nominees for radio station of the year in a competition sponsored by the trade publication Radio & Records. Among the other local picks, Roy Laughlin of the Clear Channel station group (including KIIS-FM) was nominated for general manager of the year; KIIS-FM (102.7) was nominated for best pop station; KPWR-FM (105.9) for best rhythmic station; KROQ for best alternative station; and KTWV-FM (94.7) for best smooth jazz station. Meanwhile, L.A. radio performers Kevin & Bean (KROQ), Rick Dees (KIIS), Steve Harvey (KKBT), Big Boy (KPWR), Jamie White & Danny Bonaduce (KYSR), Karen Sharp (KOST), Brian Bierne (KRTH), Ted Stryker (KROQ) and Frankie Ross (KJLH) were all nominated as personalities of the year in their respective format categories. Winners will be announced during Radio & Records’ June 14-16 convention at the Century Plaza Hotel. Scheduled convention speakers include former President Bill Clinton, the Rev. Al Sharpton, talk show host Larry King and songwriter-producer David Foster.
THE ARTS
Economy Cripples Female Orchestra
The Women’s Philharmonic, a 20-year-old San Francisco organization that splits its resources between performing and advocating for women composers and musicians, has canceled its 2001-02 subscription series because of what its board president called a “cash-flow crunch.” “We just got slammed by what’s happening in the economy,” President Leyna Bernstein told the San Francisco Chronicle, noting that the group has been hit by both rising concert costs and a sharp decline in donations. Bernstein said the group’s advocacy efforts would continue while organizers try to figure out a way to continue the concert series. Financial pressures have forced the orchestra to cancel performances before, in 1995 and 1996.
Angels Continue Their ‘Flights’
“A Community of Angels”--the citywide public art project that recently placed a flock of 6-foot-tall fiberglass angels decorated by local artists on L.A. streets in the name of charity--auctioned off 60 angels last week at the Music Center in downtown L.A., raising more than $350,000. Now the remaining 120 angels will be sold off via E-Bay to benefit youth programs. Beginning June 1, “flights” of five to 10 angels will appear on the auction Web site each week. Meanwhile, about 20 “specialty” angels will be sold starting at $3,500 each at 735 S. Figueroa, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Updates on the sales will be posted online at https://www.acommunityofangels.com.
POP / ROCK
Aguilera Battles Over Early Tapes
Singer Christina Aguilera has sued two music companies, her former producers and others in an attempt to block the commercial release of demo tapes she made several years ago. A 13-song album, “Just Be Free,” is to be released June 5, and distributors have already accepted tens of thousands of orders at $10 each, according to the suit. Aguilera maintains the recordings were made solely to introduce the singer to record companies and alleges that her name, likeness and photograph have been used without her consent. Aguilera’s suit is in response to one filed against her last week by Platinum Recording Group and JFB Music, which contend they own rights to the recordings and should be allowed to release the album.
QUICK TAKES
Singer-actress Courtney Love suffered a miscarriage last week while shooting an action film, “24 Hours,” in Vancouver, Canada, her publicist said. The father of the baby was not revealed, and the spokeswoman said it was “very early in the pregnancy.” Love has an 8-year-old daughter, Frances Bean, from her marriage to the late Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain. . . . Universal Studios Hollywood has put together a 20-minute, interactive live stage show based on DreamWorks’ hit animated comedy “Shrek.” “ ‘Shrek’ Live!” will be performed on weekends through June 16, and daily from June 17 through Labor Day. . . . L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan has proclaimed today “ ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ Day” in honor of tonight’s conclusion of the UPN series.
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