• ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Last Update on March 10, 2010 03:10 EST

"AMERICAN IDOL" - THE GIRLS

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The page could be turning on Paige. The judges weren't impressed by Paige Miles' version of "Smile" on "American Idol" last night. Randy Jackson says it didn't work and Simon Cowell says this could be the end of the road for Paige. But judges feel Didi Benami is back in the competition. Crystal Bowersox also got high marks, as usual. So did Siobhan Magnus. Tonight, it's the eight remaining guys' turn.

DAVID LETTERMAN - THANKS

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Letterman is thanking authorities for their efforts in prosecuting the former CBS producer who tried to shake him down. During his show last night, Letterman said he was "full of anxiety and nervous and worried" when he first went to prosecutors. But he says they handled the case professionally and skillfully. As his way of showing his appreciation, Letterman mentioned several prosecutors by name. He also thanked the NYPD on the air.

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DAVID LETTERMAN SUSPECT PLEADS

NEW YORK (AP) -- That former TV producer accused of trying to shake down David Letterman has pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny. It's part of a plea deal. Robert "Joe" Halderman admitted in court he tried to get $2 million from Letterman by threatening to destroy Letterman's reputation by revealing his workplace affairs. It was information he got from the diary of his former girlfriend. The plea deal by Halderman spares him a potential 15 years in prison had he been convicted. Halderman gets a six-month jail sentence and has to do 1,000 hours of community service. The plea deal is good for Letterman, as well because it means he won't have to put his private life on display.

CHARLIE SHEEN - COULD BE BACK ON SET TUESDAY

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Charlie Sheen is expected back on the set of "Two and a Half Men" next Tuesday. The work-week starts Monday on the show, with what's called a "table read," where the actors sit around a table and read the new script for the week. But, Sheen's publicist tells Variety Sheen will miss the table read, because of a court date in Aspen, Colorado for his domestic abuse case. Production on "Two and a Half Men" stopped February 23 when Sheen checked himself into rehab.

FARRAH FAWCETT - DELIBERATELY LEFT OUT OF OSCARS "IN MEMORIAM"

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Not having Farrah Fawcett as part of Sunday's In Memoriam at the Oscars was not an oversight. She was left out on purpose. Although Fawcett made movies, the executive director of the motion picture academy says she was better known as a TV star. That's also why Gene Barry was left off. He says the reason Michael Jackson was included is because of his recent movie, "This is It." Bruce Davis says "think of all the blogging we would have gotten if we had left him out!" As for leaving out Fawcett and Barry, he says "there's nothing you can say to people, particularly to family members, within a day or two of the show that helps at all. They tend to be surprised and hurt, and we understand that and we're sorry for it."

"SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND" STAR HAS CANCER

NEW YORK (AP) -- The star of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has a new adversary. It's cancer. Andy Whitfield was just diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He's starting treatment immediately. The Starz network says the cancer was discovered during a routine checkup as Whitfield, who's 38, was preparing to begin shooting the second season. Production is being postponed while Whitfield undergoes his treatment. According to the network, doctors say the cancer was found in its early stages and is "very treatable." "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is filmed in New Zealand.

"ALICE IN WONDERLAND" - MIA WASIKOWSKA

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The actress who stars in "Alice in Wonderland" has a bit of Alice in her and she thinks many people do in their teenage years. Mia Wasikowska says it's a common problem among teens to feel "uncomfortable in your skin" and not to know "who you are." She says Alice has "this awkwardness about her that a lot of people go through." She says she did, too before she hit 20.

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"PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" SEQUEL - ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

LONDON (AP) -- You don't need to refresh your memory about "Phantom of the Opera" if you've going to see the sequel, "Love Never Dies." Andrew Lloyd Webber says "Love Never Dies" "doesn't have any reference to the old 'Phantom of the Opera' other than the four characters."' He says he "deliberately didn't use anything very much from the old show in the score" so it could stand alone. "Love Never Dies" premiered last night in London. It'll arrive on Broadway in November.

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