Judge reduces charge against Scott Stapp to misdemeanor

Boca Raton, Fla. – A charge against former Creed frontman Scott Stapp stemming from an apparent confrontation with his wife was reduced to a misdemeanor Monday.

Stapp had been charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony after he was arrested at his home Sunday. No one was injured, Palm Beach County sheriff’s officials said.

Judge Cory J. Ciklin reduced the charge “because the allegation is that Stapp threw a bottle of Orangina at his wife, at her head, and missed and the bottle broke,” sheriff’s spokesman Paul Miller said.

“Based on the circumstances, the defense attorney argued that was not a deadly weapon,” Miller said.

Stapp attorney Robert Gershman said, “The facts against him are weak. The judge saw that.”

The 33-year-old singer was back at his studio in his home, Gershman said.

He will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing, Miller said.

Stapp and Jaclyn Nesheiwat, Miss New York USA 2004, were married in Miami in February 2006. They have a baby daughter, Milan Hayat Stapp.

Actor Lane Garrison pleads guilty in fatal crash

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Former “Prison Break” actor Lane Garrison pleaded guilty Monday to vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving in a crash last year that killed a teenage passenger.

Garrison, 26, faces up to six years and eight months in prison when he is sentenced in August. He remains free on $100,000 bail.

He was driving a 2001 Land Rover on Dec. 2 when he lost control and rammed a tree. The crash killed Vahagn Setian, 17, a Beverly Hills High School student. Two other passengers, both 15-year-old girls, survived.

Garrison had a blood-alcohol content of .20 percent, more than twice the legal limit for driving, and was under the influence of cocaine, according to police.

He pleaded guilty in Los Angeles County Superior Court to one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, one count of driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher and a misdemeanor of providing alcohol to a minor.

Judge Elden Fox earlier ordered Garrison not to drive a vehicle, drink alcohol, go to bars or contact witnesses or victims of the fatal crash.

The actor’s attorney, Harland Braun, said earlier that Garrison was “going to accept responsibility for his conduct. The only question is what is that level of responsibility?”

‘Apprentice’ over, Trump says

NBC left “The Apprentice” off of its 2007-08 schedule last week, and now it appears Donald Trump is moving on as well.

In a statement released Friday to Reuters, Trump says he is “moving on from ‘The Apprentice’ to a major new TV venture,” which would seem to indicate the show’s sixth season, which ended in April, would be its last.

When the network announced its lineup for next season at last week’s upfronts, “The Apprentice” was conspicuous by its absence. At the time, NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly said the issue was one of finding a place on the schedule.

“Donald still wants to do the show, executive producer Burnett still wants to do the show; we just couldn’t find the right spot for it,” Reilly said. “We’re going to regroup after everyone announces their schedule, look at everything in context and then make a decision about it.”

Reilly said that NBC and the show’s producers had until June 1 to strike a deal to bring the series back. With his statement, however, Trump has walked away from the show.

More presenters announced for MTV Movie Awards

Los Angeles – Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Lindsay Lohan and Robin Williams are among the stars set to present “golden popcorn” trophies at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

Other famous faces expected at the June 3 ceremony include Jessica Biel, Mandy Moore, Bruce Willis and John Krasinski, MTV announced Monday.

They will join previously announced presenters Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Alba, John Travolta and Shia LaBeouf. Sarah Silverman will host the show, which is to feature performances by Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Jay-Z.

Among the films vying for top honors are “300,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “Blades of Glory,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”

Fans can vote for their favorites online and by text message. The 2007 MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.

‘Barbershop’ actor, dancer Carl Wright, 75, dies

Los Angeles – Carl Wright, an actor who appeared in films such as “Barbershop” and “Soul Food,” has died at age 75.

The performer, who began his career as a tap dancer and comedian, died of cancer Saturday at his home.

Wright was born in Orlando, Fla., and began his showbiz career traveling around the world as a tap dancer and for a time performed as The Three-Leggers with a one-legged partner.

During his career, he also worked as a comedian, emcee and songwriter.

He began his movie career later in life, appearing in “Soul Food,” “Big Momma’s House,” “Just Visiting,” the two “Barbershop” films and “The Cookout.”

Wright is survived by his wife, Shirley, three daughters and a grandchild.