Jackson ‘This Is It’ film gets 2-week limited run

Los Angeles — A Michael Jackson film built around rehearsal footage left behind after his death will be released in a limited two-week theatrical engagement worldwide.

Distributor Sony announced Thursday that the release date for “Michael Jackson: This Is It” has been moved up to Oct. 28, two days earlier than previously announced. Tickets go on sale Sept. 27.

The studio also announced longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega is directing “This Is It,” which offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Jackson preparing for a series of London shows he was rehearsing when he died June 25.

Ortega had been working with Jackson on the “This Is It” concert tour, which had been planned as a colossal 50-show engagement at London’s O2 Arena. His other credits include the “High School Musical” movies and an upcoming remake of “Footloose.”

ACLU says ‘Survivor’ Hatch’s jailing unfair

Providence, R.I. — The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday said it was appalled that “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch was returned to prison for granting two unauthorized TV interviews.

Hatch had been serving out the end of his tax evasion prison term on home confinement, but was jailed Tuesday after giving several interviews — to NBC’s “Today” show, NBC affiliate WJAR-TV and the NBC-owned “Access Hollywood.” His lawyer said the Bureau of Prisons told her Hatch was jailed because the agency had authorized only the “Today” interview, not the other two.

“It’s appalling to think that he has been sent to jail merely for speaking to the media about his own court case,” said Steven Brown of the ACLU’s Rhode Island chapter.

Brown said the First Amendment guarantees Hatch’s right to speak. Even if interviews can be restricted for safety reasons inside a prison’s walls, that shouldn’t be a concern once a person is living in a private home, Brown said.

All prisoners, including those on home confinement, must adhere to Bureau of Prisons policy on media interviews, said Traci Billingsley, a bureau spokeswoman. Those on home confinement who don’t follow the rules can be put back in prison.

Officials probe Spector’s prison safety concerns

Los Angeles — Authorities said Thursday that Phil Spector does not fear for his safety in prison despite a letter that he recently wrote to a friend saying he felt in danger and wanted to be moved to a “better” facility.

“We interviewed Mr. Spector today,” said Lt. Stephen Smith, spokesman for the Corcoran, Calif., prison where Spector is held. “Mr. Spector states he does not fear for his safety at our institution. He said he hopes he can stay here at our institution.”

Terry Thornton, spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections, said an Associated Press story about a letter Spector wrote fretting over his safety was brought to the attention of prison officials, who looked into it.

“We have a legal obligation to house all inmates safely,” she said.

Spector, a legendary music producer, is serving 19 years to life for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who was found shot through the mouth at Spector’s Alhambra mansion in February 2003.

In an Aug. 10 letter to a friend, Spector complained about being in a prison that houses “gangsters and Manson types” and said he was eating in his cell to avoid exposure to dangerous inmates. He said he was trying to get to “a better prison.”

Oprah fesses up to pie-buying spree

Barnstable, Mass. — Oprah Winfrey is fessing up to her love of a Massachusetts pie company’s creations.

A spokeswoman for her production company initially denied that Winfrey had purchased a pile of pies from the Centerville Pie Co. while on Cape Cod for Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s funeral last week. But on Wednesday, the talk show mogul called the Cape Cod Times to say, yes, “the pie-gate escapade actually did happen.”

Pie company owner Kristin Broadley says she delivered a chicken pot pie to Winfrey’s traveling party last week, then followed with two more orders. Broadley says she delivered a total of 20 pies, including chicken, custard and banana cream, to Winfrey’s crew.

Broadley says a mention of the pies on a radio show hosted by Winfrey’s friend Gayle King has sparked a flood of orders.

Porn makers asked to mandate condoms

Los Angeles — An AIDS advocacy group filed complaints Thursday with state officials against 16 production companies that show unprotected sex in porn movies.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed the action with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, alleging the practice amounts to unsafe behavior in a California workplace.

“We will not stop until there is a policy of requiring condoms to be used in porn,” foundation president Michael Weinstein said.

By law, U.S. adult film actors must prove they have tested negative for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases within 30 days of going to work on a film.

CalOSHA spokesman Dean Fryer said the regulatory agency requires workers in any industry where there is a “possibility of transmission of fluids,” including health care and adult films, to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

“The employers of porn actors are required to provide a safe and healthy work environment,” Fryer said.

Many people in the multibillion-dollar industry oppose the use of condoms in the films. Hustler publisher Larry Flynt told The Associated Press, “people who enjoy viewing adult films do not want to see people using condoms.”

“While it might provide some additional protection, the sales are not going to be there to make the effort worthwhile for the actors and actresses,” he said.