Jackson trial watchers wonder whether pop star will take stand

Santa Maria, Calif. — Michael Jackson has sat silently in court for nine weeks, betraying little reaction as prosecutors laid out their child molestation and conspiracy case against him.

Now, with the defense case about to begin, trial watchers wonder if the pop star can resist the temptation to step into the witness stand spotlight and tell the story as he sees it.

Conventional legal wisdom is that defendants should not take the stand in criminal trials, but lead defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr. has a history of putting his clients on the stand to speak for themselves.

Jackson also has a history of unpredictability, said Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, who has attended the trial.

“His words have gotten him in trouble before,” she said. “If he had never talked about sleeping with boys in his bed, he wouldn’t be in court now.”

In opening statements, Mesereau told jurors twice that they would hear from Jackson on specific issues but did not say that Jackson would testify.

Levenson suggests the defense may be planning to present Jackson’s side by using outtakes from the famous “Living With Michael Jackson” video, in which Jackson appeared with the boy who now accuses him of molestation and said he allowed children to sleep in his bed but in a nonsexual context.

This past week, Jackson’s personal videographer, Hamid Moslehi, testified that he had a camera running at the same time that Martin Bashir had his “Living” documentary crew at work. Moslehi suggested the Bashir video was edited to portray Jackson in a bad light and said footage not used in the broadcast could clarify what Jackson said.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville refused to let Mesereau show the outtakes during his cross-examination, but said he expected the issue would be raised again during the defense case.

Jackson is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003, giving him alcohol and conspiring to hold the boy’s family captive to get them to rebut the Bashir documentary.

Before the defense case starts, the prosecution has promised two more days of testimony today and Tuesday from unspecified witnesses.

Director hopes to expand movie debut options

Los Angeles — We know he can direct. Now Steven Soderbergh wants to change the movie industry itself.

The Oscar-winning director has formed a partnership with 2929 Entertainment to direct six films that would debut simultaneously in movie theaters and on DVD, pay-per-view cable and satellite television.

Soderbergh will have creative control over the films, which will be produced in high-definition format through 2929’s HDNet Films.

The first film, “Bubble,” a murder mystery set in a small Ohio town, is currently in production. Soderbergh’s credits include “Traffic” and “Erin Brockovich.”

Oprah Winfrey in ‘hair heaven’

Denver — Oprah Winfrey admits she sees a hairdresser every day, a situation she considers “hair heaven.”

Speaking Saturday on her “Live Your Best Life” inspirational tour, she warned white fans not to ask their black friends about hair issues because they couldn’t possibly understand.

“Don’t go into it because there ain’t no telling. It’s a strong cultural thing. We’re all alike in our veins, except for our hair,” Winfrey said.

Winfrey, who drew 5,000 to the Denver Convention Center, advised fans to work hard at being themselves.

“If you are not speaking your own truth, you will never be able to be all you are meant to be. You cannot be pretending to be somebody else,” she said.

Her key advice to beleaguered job seekers? Find a way to do what you love and get paid for it.

PETA calls Jennifer Lopez ‘Monster-in-fur’ at premiere

Los Angeles — J.Lo’s latest critics include the PETA crowd.

Dozens of protesters representing People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals greeted Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of her new movie “Monster-in-Law” with signs declaring her the “monster-in-fur” for her Sweetface fashion collection.

The protesters, who included some people dressed in animal suits, complained that they have asked several times that Lopez eliminate fur from her clothing line but have been ignored.

Asked what she thought of the protesters, Lopez replied: “I don’t.”

Utah teenager tapped as one of ’50 Most Beautiful People’

Salt Lake City — Elizabeth Smart, the Utah teenager who was abducted nearly three years ago, has won a more upbeat recognition, being named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”

“It’s a nice thing to have happen to her at this time,” said Ed Smart, Elizabeth’s father. “She was, of course, surprised.”

The annual “Beautiful People” issue, which hit newsstands Friday, is usually filled exclusively with entertainment stars, but this year they are joined by the 17-year-old blonde.

Elizabeth was abducted from her bedroom in June 2002. Nine months later, she was found on a street with a couple who were charged with kidnapping her. The legal case against Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee is still pending.