Quick Takes: Scrubbed ‘King’s Speech’ gets PG-13 rating

Just two days before the 83rd Academy Awards, the Motion Picture Assn. of America said Friday it has assigned a PG-13 rating to an alternative version of “The King’s Speech” in which, a source said, the profanity that earned it an R rating has been muted out.

The MPAA said it also has waived a rule that requires the distributor to fully withdraw the original version of the film from theaters for 90 days before replacing it with an alternative.

“The King’s Speech,” which is nominated for 12 Academy Awards, has already grossed $106 million domestically. The new version should assist the film in gaining an even wider audience.

—Nicole Sperling

Parker leaves Spitzer’s arena

After only four months, Kathleen Parker is leaving her post as the co-anchor of “Parker Spitzer,” CNN said Friday.

Starting Monday, the show will take on an ensemble format featuring “several newsmakers, guests and contributors” joining the sole remaining host, Eliot Spitzer, each night. It will operate under a new title, “In the Arena.”

CNN said that Parker will continue to appear on CNN “occasionally to provide her insights and commentary.”

“Parker Spitzer” was the first big step in CNN’s plan to revitalize its prime-time ratings. But after premiering in October, it struggled with low ratings.

—Melissa Maerz

‘Nightline’ exec moves to ‘GMA’

ABC News has put the executive in charge of “Nightline” at the helm of “Good Morning America.”

The network said Friday that James Goldston is the new senior executive producer of the morning show. He is replacing Jim Murphy, who is leaving to become executive producer of Anderson Cooper’s new syndicated talk show, which debuts in the fall.

Goldston’s top deputy, Jeanmarie Condon, will take over as “Nightline” executive producer.

—Associated Press

Judge tosses suit against Seinfeld

A New York City judge has thrown out a lawsuit in which a cookbook author accused Jerry Seinfeld of hurting her reputation by mocking her on television.

The judge said it was clear the comedian was joking when he called author Missy Chase Lapine a “wacko” on “Late Show With David Letterman” in 2007.

In a ruling filed Friday, Justice Marcy Friedman said Seinfeld also has a constitutional right to express his opinion.

The suit stemmed from a legal battle in which Lapine accused Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, of stealing her idea for a book on how to get children to eat healthy. Seinfeld ridiculed the lawsuit on Letterman, saying Lapine was accusing his wife of “vegetable plagiarism.”

A federal court tossed out the copyright suit last year.

Lapine’s lawyer, Howard Miller, said he and his client were evaluating the opinion and would decide later whether to appeal. He had no other comment.

Seinfeld’s attorney, Orin Snyder, called the decision “a complete victory for Jerry, and also a victory for the 1st Amendment and the right of comedians to tell jokes.”

—Associated Press

Dior suspends John Galliano

Christian Dior suspended its star fashion designer John Galliano on Friday pending an inquiry into accusations that he hurled racist remarks at a couple in a Paris bar.

About a week before Galliano was due to present Dior’s collection in Paris, police were called to a bar in the city’s trendy Marais district on Thursday evening where they found the designer doling out a drunken torrent of abuse to a couple, a police source said.

Galliano’s lawyer, Stephane Zerbib, said two complaints had been filed with police against his client for making racist or anti-Semitic comments — a crime in France — but he said Galliano “firmly and formally” denied doing so.

—Reuters

Barnum museum needs millions

A Connecticut museum celebrating flamboyant showman P.T. Barnum will need to raise up to $17 million to renovate and repair its historic building damaged by a tornado last June.

Officials said Friday that repairs will cost $6 million or $7 million. But overhauling exhibition space and fixing other areas in the Bridgeport building are expected to raise the cost to between $15 million and $17 million.

—Associated Press

Finally

Wedding bells: Kelsey Grammer, who was divorced from his third wife, Camille, on Feb. 10, tied the knot again Friday, marrying Kayte Walsh in New York.