Entertainment News Summary

Mel Gibson's drunken driving conviction erased

Mel Gibson's criminal record was cleared on Tuesday when a California judge expunged his drunken driving conviction from a 2006 arrest that led to accusations of anti-Semitism over the actor's comments to a policeman. Gibson, the Oscar-winning actor and director of "Braveheart," fulfilled his court-ordered obligation to attend meetings for recovering alcoholics and perform public service work as part of his conviction for driving under the influence.

Elizabeth Taylor in hospital for heart surgery

Actress Elizabeth Taylor said Tuesday she was going into a hospital for heart surgery and asked for prayers. Taylor, 77, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure five years ago and also has endured severe back problems and a benign brain tumor operation. She made the announcement on her Twitter page, saying she wanted to break the news herself before the media found out.

Tom DeLay expected to quit "Dancing"- reports

Tom DeLay -- the former Republican congressman turned TV celebrity -- is expected to quit popular program "Dancing With The Stars" on Tuesday night, according to media reports. People magazine said DeLay will withdraw on Tuesday night's result show due to stress fractures in both of his feet.

Letterman sex-blackmail saga earns ratings bonanza

The David Letterman extortion affair and sex scandal is proving a late night ratings bonanza for TV network CBS. Some 5.7 million people tuned in on Monday to hear Letterman apologize to his wife and staff for his on-air revelations last week about his sexual affairs and an alleged blackmail plot.

Madonna wins damages in UK over wedding pics

Madonna won substantial damages from a British paper on Tuesday for breaching her privacy and infringement of copyright by publishing "purloined" photos of her 2000 wedding to film director Guy Ritchie. The singer, who has just completed her "Sticky & Sweet" year-long world tour, was not at London's High Court for the settlement of her action against the publishers of the Mail Sunday tabloid.

Playboy names president, will keep print magazine

Playboy Enterprises Inc on Tuesday named an 11-year veteran of the adult entertainment company as president, while its chief executive vowed to keep printing its namesake magazine. Alex Vaickus will serve as the company's president, a new position, and will oversee all of its businesses including print, television and digital media, Playboy said in a statement.

Swiss reject Polanski appeal over arrest

Swiss authorities rejected an appeal on Tuesday to release from jail Roman Polanski, the film director arrested last month after fleeing the United States in 1978 to avoid sentencing in an underage sex case. Authorities also urged a Swiss court dealing with his extradition warrant to reject another appeal by Polanski's lawyers to have him freed and to refuse any request to release the 76-year-old Oscar-winning film director on bail.

Record labels sue Guns N' Roses for copying songs

Two independent record labels sued U.S. rock band Guns N' Roses for $1 million, claiming the group used portions of two songs by a German musician on their last album "Chinese Democracy." Guns N' Roses and Universal Music Group's Interscope-Geffen A&M label were sued by British label Independiente and the U.S. arm of Domino Recording Company, who own the licensing rights to songs by German electronic musician Ulrich Schnauss.