Michael Jackson tells his side in suit over alleged debt

Santa Monica, Calif. – In videotaped testimony shown to a jury Friday, Michael Jackson professed little memory of major financial transactions involving a former associate who claims the pop star owes him $1.6 million.

Jackson, who was interviewed twice in London by F. Marc Schaffel’s attorney, said he did remember at least one occasion when Schaffel delivered money to him on the set of a music video.

He said it arrived in a fast-food bag and they called it “french fries,” which became their slang for money.

But Jackson said he thought any money Schaffel gave him came from Jackson’s own funds.

“I would never ask him for his money,” Jackson responded. “That’s ridiculous. I would never.”

Schaffel’s lawsuit originally claimed Jackson owed him $3.8 million for unpaid loans, royalties and other debts, but he has reduced the claim to $1.6 million.

Jackson’s videotaped deposition was shown to the jury because the singer will not appear at the trial.

Jackson said he remembered Schaffel working on the production of his charity record “What More Can I Give” but didn’t expect to pay him, thinking that his efforts were a charitable donation.

When he found out in late 2001 that Schaffel had a background in producing gay adult movies, Jackson said, he decided to fire Schaffel but didn’t do it personally because he didn’t want to embarrass him.

When asked how Schaffel wound up back in his employment in 2003 when he produced two TV specials that aired on Fox, Jackson said: “I didn’t directly rehire Marc Schaffel. It was somebody in the organization who obviously did.”

Jackson also said he couldn’t remember giving Schaffel instructions for such chores as paying Marlon Brando $1 million to appear at Madison Square Garden for a show Jackson was doing in September 2001.

“Did you want to pay Marlon Brando $1 million for appearing at your Madison Square Garden concert?” attorney Howard King asked.

“It wasn’t so much for the appearance as it was for the fact that he said he really needed it, and I wanted to help a friend,” Jackson said.

When King pressed Jackson about whether Schaffel loaned him $1 million dollars, he again cited a lack of memory but suggested he would not have taken such an amount if it wasn’t his.

“Nobody just gives me money,” he said. “That’s not right, and I work for what I get. Don’t make like I’m begging from anybody. I have pride.”

Portuguese-born designer opts for uniqueness

Paris – Portuguese-born designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista has been gathering accolades since he won top prize at the prestigious Hyeres fashion festival four years ago, but the 31-year-old is too busy to feel the weight of the couture mantle.

“Each season, you’re so concentrated on the new collection and its delivery that it’s only afterwards that you get the feedback.”

Baptista’s precise, quasi-architectural approach to tailoring has won him glowing reviews, in addition to precious financial backing from luxury conglomerate LVMH and other institutions.

His autumn-winter collection, unveiled in Paris this week, featured none of the in-your-face opulence that characterizes most couture shows.

“I’m not working in the tradition of couture as something linked to luxury, status symbols or wealth,” he explained. “What really interests me is the construction and the allure of an outfit.”

Chinese film director wants Olympics to show off country

Hong Kong – There’s more to Chinese culture than lanterns and opera, says film director Zhang Yimou – and he plans to prove it at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Zhang, chief director for the opening and closing ceremonies, says he hopes to use lesser-known Chinese elements.

“There are just too many well-known Chinese elements, such as lanterns, kites and Peking operas. There are also many aspects of Chinese culture that few people know,” he says in an interview published Friday in the China Daily newspaper.

“For instance, I saw many different kinds of performances when I went to Yunnan (province) to collect folk arts. They are absolutely new to people outside,” he is quoted as saying.

Zhang says the ceremonies will show international solidarity as well as Chinese characteristics, and that Hollywood director Steven Spielberg – one of a team of international consultants – wants to be more than just an adviser.

Senator helps with release of producer jailed in Dubai

Salt Lake City – U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator’s office confirmed Saturday.

In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin’s attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin’s behalf.

A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.

On Tuesday, a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.

Beyond saying Hatch has “good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai,” his office gave The Associated Press no specifics about Hatch’s dealings with the Dubai government.

Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz.

Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin’s release, The New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.