Stay Away! Britney Spears Wins Again

The following italicized article is from www.nbclosangeles.com:

Britney Spears' ex-manager dropped his appeal of a judge's ruling that he must stay away from the singer until 2012, according to his appellate court attorney.

Osama "Sam" Lutfi instead will concentrate on his civil suit against the pop star and her parents, which is currently under a separate appeal, said attorney Joseph D. Schleimer.

In April 2009, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb directed Lutfi and attorney Jon Eardley to stay at least 100 yards from the pop star, her two young sons and her homes.

Bobb's ruling extended until April 28, 2012, a temporary order she issued against both men in January 2009. Bobb has since retired from the bench.

Lawyers for Lutfi filed papers shortly thereafter with the 2nd District Court of Appeal. They maintained during the hearings before Bobb that the three-year stay-away order was too harsh a measure and there was no evidence Lutfi had caused the pop star substantial emotional distress as alleged by lawyers for her father, Jamie Spears.

Jamie Spears and attorney Andrew Wallet share co-conservatorship powers over the 28-year-old singer's estate.

Spears' father maintained Lutfi and Eardley have tried to undermine the conservatorship established by Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz in early 2008 after the singer exhibited behavior that resulted in her hospitalization at UCLA Medical Center.

Lutfi sued Spears and her parents in February 2008, alleging he was defamed in passages of a book written by the singer's mother, Lynne Spears.

Lynne Spears is appealing a judge's ruling last August which denied her motion to have the case against her dismissed on grounds it infringed on her right to free speech.

In the appeal, Lynne Spears' lawyers maintain Lutfi is "libel-proof" because his reputation allegedly was already so low before her book was published that the contents could not have damaged his image further.

Source: NBC

Judge: It's a Spears Family Affair

The following italicized article is from www.nbclosangeles.com:

Libel claims against Britney Spears' mother will likely remain part of a lawsuit by the pop star's self-proclaimed ex-manager that also names the singer and her father, a judge said Thursday.

Osama "Sam" Lutfi alleges the pop star's mother, Lynne Spears, defamed him, the singer's father, Jamie Spears, assaulted him, and the performer still owes him money for management fees.

He claims that Jamie Spears punched him in the chest at the singer's home in January 2008, and that Lynne Spears' book, "Through the Storm, A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," contains false information, including that Lutfi admitted he threw away Britney's phone chargers and disabled her house phones in an attempt to isolate her from her family.

Lynne Spears notes in her court papers that some of the statements in her book recount -- often word for word -- what she said in a defamation-proof court declaration in favor of the issuance of a temporary restraining to protect her daughter against Lutfi.

Her attorney, Michael S. Adler, argued in court documents that the claims by Lutfi for libel and defamation should be dismissed because they interfered with her right to free speech. He also is asking the judge to throw out an allegation of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian rejected arguments that Lutfi was legally "libel-proof," a term referring to someone whose reputation has been irreparably stained by prior published statements.

"My opinion is that a prima facie case has been made in this circumstance," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian said after hearing a motion by Lynne Spears to dismiss all of Osama "Sam" Lutfi's allegations.

However, Sinanian said he was taking the motion under submission and expects to have a final ruling in a few days.

"I want to look at the papers again to make sure I've covered all my bases," Sinanian said.

Lutfi's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman, said after the hearing that he was encouraged by Sinanian's comments indicating he is leaning toward denying Lynne Spears' motion.

"I think there's no question we will prevail on this motion," Freedman said.

In a sworn declaration also filed with Lynne Spears' court papers, Chip MacGregor, her book agent, states that sales of "Through the Storm" have been disappointing. The poor sales may be attributable to the fact there was "little news in the book," according to her court papers.

The Lutfi suit was filed Feb. 3, four days after Britney Spears was granted a temporary restraining order against Lutfi, her 36-year-old former boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley, forbidding all three from having contact with her, her parents and her two young sons.

The order was later extended until 2012 against Ghalib first, then later until the same year against the other two men as well.

Lutfi has appealed the order.

Source: NBC

Jingle Belle: Britney Chosen by LA Live

It may be the worst kept secret in La-La Land: the identity of the "surprise celebrity superstar" tabbed for tree-lighting honors at the coming out celebration of the much anticipated "LA Live" entertainment complex across from Staples Center.

Three years into construction, the $2.5 billion dollar project is still far from complete. Its cineplex won't be ready before next year. And its still rising 54 story JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton Hotel/Condo Tower won't plump any pillows till 2010. But enough of the music-themed complex is now open that developer AEG scheduled a holiday kick-off event for 7pm tonight in LA Live's Nokia Plaza.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will attend, So will USC football coach Pete Carroll and Grammy winner Natalie Cole, along with the "surprise celebrity superstar," according to LA Live's announcement. But though LA Live staffers will not officially identify the SCS in advance, they are making no effort to quash the flood of leaks intended to pique media interest. All of those leaks pointing to the pop siren who just celebrated her 27th birthday, the release of her new album "Circus," and the announcement of her new stadium concert tour starting next March.

When NBC Los Angeles ran her name past LA Live Managing Director Lisa Herzlich, she smiled broadly and chuckled, "I can't say that."

But you can say it:: Britney Spears.

It's not hard to reconstruct the strategizing that led to LA Live's choice. In order to get maximum exposure for the kickoff, it wants a photographer and media magnet. Unlike say, a mayor or football coach, video of Britney lighting the tree will make it on all of the TV shows that cover show biz.. Not to mention the worldwide distribution of all those still photos of Britney with LA Live visible in the background.

And how better to promote Britney's 2009 Circus tour, which--conveniently enough--will be produced by AEG Live. Yes, the same AEG that is the developer of LA Live.

Picking Britney guarantees a two-fer!

Source: NBC

Britney’s Manager: ‘She’s In Full Control, Nobody Is Telling Her What To Do’

Britney Spears may have a permanent conservatorship in place, but her manager, Larry Rudolph, told Access Hollywoods' Billy Bush for “The Billy Bush Show” that she is the ringleader of the Brit circus.

Following a stunning performance on “Good Morning America” Tuesday and a star-studded lavish birthday bash later that night, not to mention a record release, there is no doubt that Britney is back – she even has “the eye of the tiger back,” according to her manager.

But is the Brit media frenzy too much too soon for a pop star who was hospitalized just 11 months ago? Not according to Larry.

“This has been a gradual process. It just didn’t happen over night,” Larry told Billy. “She’s in a great place. She is very happy with what she is doing. She’s being incredibly productive. She’s looking good and she’s feeling good.”

Despite her permanent conservatorship that placed dad Jamie Spears in control of Britney’s legal and financial decisions, Larry squashed any notion that people other than Britney are making her decisions.

“Nothing is happening that’s not at her request or her comfort level. She’s doing what she loves to do, and it’s making her very happy,” Larry continued. “She’s in full control, nobody is telling her what to do. If at any moment she said, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ That’s what would happen.”

But don’t expect the current Brit frenzy to fizzle anytime soon. Larry told Billy that Britney is planning to rehearse every day for two months straight in order to prepare for her tour, “The Circus starring Britney Spears” 2009, that kicks off in New Orleans on March 3, 2009.

“We are going to bring the circus to town,” Larry added. “It is [going to be] just amazing… this is going to be the best Britney show ever, by far. It’s going to be a don’t miss show.”

Source: NBC

Tina Fey Would Love To Have Brit On '30 Rock'

The following italicized article is from www.accesshollywood.com:

Tina Fey Would Welcome A Britney Guest Spot: With the success of her appearance on "How I Met Your Mother," Britney is the talk of the sitcom world. Tina Fey of "30 Rock" told Access Hollywood in a conference call with reporters that even though the hit NBC show tends to write guest spots with the actors already in mind, "We would love to work with Britney," Fey said when asked if Britney were to approach the show. "I’ve worked with her twice on 'Saturday Night Live' and she was very professional and nice." So what do you say Brit? You and Kenneth would make a great dynamic NBC page duo!

Source: Access Hollywood