Obamas talk gifts on Christmas special

Chicago — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talked holiday gifts when Oprah Winfrey went to the White House to film a Christmas special.

In quotes released Wednesday by Harpo Productions, President Obama tells Winfrey that as a rule he gives “nicer stuff than I get.” Michelle Obama responds, “No way, I gave you good gifts last year.”

Winfrey’s special is to include a tour of White House holiday decorations and an appearance by Bo, the family’s dog.

Winfrey also says she asked the president to give himself a grade on the job he has done. Winfrey hasn’t revealed the grade Obama gave, but says it “might surprise you.”

“Christmas at the White House” airs at 9 p.m. CST Sunday on ABC.

Jackson brothers stay out of blame game

Beverly Hills, Calif. — Jackie, Marlon and Tito Jackson say they don’t want to point fingers about their brother Michael’s death.

Jackie Jackson cites the ongoing Los Angeles police homicide investigation, saying he wants to wait until it’s finished before commenting.

Tito Jackson also says it’s premature to say who did what because all the facts haven’t been gathered.

The brothers made the comments while promoting their new reality series on A&E Network, “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty,” which premieres Sunday.

Authorities have said their homicide investigation was focusing on Michael Jackson’s personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray, but no charges have been filed.

Through a spokeswoman, Murray maintains that he didn’t prescribe or administer anything to Jackson that should have killed him.

Brady, Bundchen

have baby boy

Foxborough, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bundchen have welcomed a baby boy.

Brady announced the birth Wednesday. He said the boy was born Tuesday and that he and Bundchen had not chosen a name. He called it “a wonderful experience in my life.”

“Everyone’s great,” Brady said. “I didn’t get much sleep.”

Brady also has a 2-year-old son, Jack, with actress Bridget Moynahan. Bundchen is a mother for the first time. The birth was first reported by People.com.

Brady and Bundchen were married in February in Los Angeles in a small ceremony. In April, they held another wedding ceremony in Costa Rica for friends and family.

Movie producer Tyler Perry’s mother dies

Atlanta — Willie Maxine Perry, who helped inspire the character Madea played by her movie producer son Tyler Perry, has died. She was 64.

Tyler Perry announced her Tuesday death on his Web site, where he thanked fans for their prayers. He did not say where his mother died or anything about the cause.

Perry’s publicist, Keleigh Thomas, would not give further details Wednesday afternoon.

Perry owes much of his popularity to his portrayal of Madea, a sharp-tongued, iron-willed Southern matriarch played by Perry in a padded suit and wig. She is the central character in films like “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail.”

In an October interview, Perry told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that the character is a celebration of strong black women who is based in part on his own mother.

D.A.: Lewd messages sent to singer’s mom

New York — An Indiana fitness trainer deluged Ashanti’s mother with crude text messages about the R&B star, peppering his comments with graphic photos and a picture of her family home, authorities said in a court case that could go to trial next week.

Devar Hurd, 31, sent the Grammy-winning singer’s mother and her husband dozens of messages to their cell phones before his July arrest, a detective said in papers filed in state court in Manhattan.

The messages gushed lewdly about Ashanti’s performances and jealously lamented her relationship with the rapper Nelly, the court papers said. They said one message included a photo of her mother’s home and asked about coming over to visit; another mentioned seeing her car when he went to a performance of “The Wiz.” Ashanti, 29, starred in an off-Broadway revival of the musical this summer.

Hurd has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $50,000 bond. His lawyer, Richard Verchick, declined to comment Wednesday.

Ex-girlfriend of Nicolas Cage sues for millions

Los Angeles — Nicolas Cage’s ex-girlfriend is suing the actor and his former business manager, claiming she is owed more than $13 million and a house the actor promised her.

Christina Fulton, who is the mother of Cage’s adult son, Weston, sued the Oscar-winner in Los Angeles on Tuesday. She claims Cage promised her a home in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood, but that she has now been ordered to leave the property.

Cage’s attorney, Marty Singer, called Fulton’s claims against the actor absurd and said Cage has given her far more than the $6,000 per month he was required to pay her under a court order.