ESPN and Hank Williams Jr. part ways on "MNF" (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – ESPN and country music artist Hank Williams Jr. have parted ways, both parties announced on Thursday, following controversial comments in which Williams compared President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler on Monday.

ESPN said in a statement that Williams' song "All My Rowdy Friends," which has been the opening theme song for ESPN and ABC's "Monday Night Football" for about 20 years, will no longer used as the opener for the show.

"We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr," ESPN said. "We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of 'Monday Night Football' has always been about the games and that will continue."

But Grammy-winning Williams, 62, indicating that he had made the decision to end his partnership with ESPN.

"After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It's been a great run," Williams said in a statement on his official website.

The final rift came after the sports network pulled the song from the opener of "Monday Night Football" on Monday after Williams said in a Fox News Channel appearance that Obama's pairing with Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner in a June golf summit was "like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu."

ESPN swiftly replaced the "All My Rowdy Friends" theme with the national anthem on Monday.

Williams later acknowledged that his analogy was "extreme" and apologized if he had offended anyone, but added that the thought of opposing politicians "high fiven on a golf course while so many families are struggling to get by simply made me boil over and make a dumb statement."

There was no word on Thursday on what the replacement theme song for ESPN's "Monday Night Football" will be.

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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Williams escapes with fine for umpire abuse (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Serena Williams escaped with a $2,000 fine on Monday when tennis officials ruled that her verbal abuse of an umpire during Sunday's U.S. Open final was not a major offense.

The American was investigated by the Grand Slam Committee after she unleashed a torrent of abuse against Eva Asderaki, the Greek umpire who oversaw her shock loss to Australia's Sam Stosur.

Williams, who was on the last day of a two-year probation over an ugly incident at the 2009 U.S. Open, could have faced a more severe penalty, including a hefty fine and a possible suspension, but officials took a lenient line.

U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) tournament director Brian Earley fined Williams $2,000 and the Grand Slam Committee Director agreed that was a sufficient penalty.

"This fine is consistent with similar offenses at Grand Slam events," the USTA said in a statement.

"After independently reviewing the incident which served as the basis for the code violation, and taking into account the level of fine imposed by the U.S. Open referee, the Grand Slam Committee Director has determined that Ms. Williams' conduct, while verbally abusive, does not rise to the level of a major offense under the Grand Slam Code of Conduct."

Williams was investigated by officials after she was issued with a code violation for arguing with the umpire during her loss to Stosur.

The American lost her composure when she was docked a point for screaming "Come on!" just as Stosur was about to try and return a shot. She was then given a code violation after yelling at the umpire.

"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control," Williams told the umpire.

"You're out of control. You are unattractive inside.

"Code violation for this? I expressed myself, we're in America last time I checked. Don't look at me. Don't look my way."

Williams later said her comments were made in the heat of the moment and she had no reason to apologize but officials said they were taking a closer at the incident because Williams remained under probation for her foul-mouthed rant in 2009 during a semi-final loss to eventual champion Kim Clijsters.

She was fined $82,500 and warned that the fine would be doubled and she could be suspended from other grand slams if she committed another "major offense" in the next two years.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

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Wendy Williams lands Charlie Sheen interview (Reuters)

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – Charlie Sheen will hit up one of the handful of shows he missed in his springtime media barrage when he appears on "The Wendy Williams Show" next Monday, the same day his roast airs on Comedy Central.

The outspoken Williams and catchphrase-prone Sheen should have plenty to discuss, including the roast he taped over the weekend. Sheen said at the event that his roasters couldn't hurt him, adding, "Even I can't hurt me."

"I am beyond excited and I can not wait to talk to Charlie," said Williams. "He's easily the hottest topic of the year and I'm thrilled that fans of 'The Wendy Williams Show' will be the first to see and hear everything that's going on in his life, in his own words."

Sheen's appearances seem certain to steal some of the spotlight from his former show, "Two and a Half Men," which returns Monday with Ashton Kutcher in his place.

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Katt Williams clarifies apology on Mexican rant (Reuters)

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) – Comedian Katt Williams defended remarks he made to a Mexican member of his audience last week that were perceived as xenophobic, telling CNN on Saturday that while he apologizes to anyone who perceived them as hateful to the Mexican-American community, he would not apologize for the comments he made on stage.

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant," Williams said.

Williams stressed that as a comedian he cannot apologize for a performance, drawing a sharp line between what is said on stage and his true feelings.

He added "that's for the Tracy Morgans of the world," in reference to Morgan apologizing for anti-gay remarks he made during a stand-up show in Nashville.

Williams had initially apologized -- or so everyone thought. Instead, Williams said that was an apology written by his publicist, and not his own.

The controversy began when a video was posted online of Williams yelling at an audience member who Williams claims incited the argument by insulting the United States.

Williams soon said to the man, "No, this ain't Mexico. It used to be Mexico and now it's Phoenix."

At various points in the outburst, Williams began chants of "USA! USA! USA!," which some activists perceived as insulting, but Williams defended as patriotism.

"I don't think I need to apologize for being pro-American," Williams said.

These were but a few in a series of comments that activists took offense to, including, "Do you remember when white people used to say 'Go back to Africa,' and we'd have to tell them we don't want to? So if you love Mexico, (expletive), get the (expletive) over there!"

But Williams was quick to express his appreciation of his Mexican fans, noting that they were a key part of his success.

"I couldn't be anti-Mexican. My Mexican fan base is largely responsible or me even existing," Williams said. "Between them and the black community, it's really all I have."

This incident is the latest in a string of public controversies for the comedian.

Just last week he was kicked out of a Young Jeezy concert for his role a brawl, and in June he was arrested for threatening a potential witness after a bizarre stand-off with a tractor driver.

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Michelle Williams in "Marilyn" film gets NY debut (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "My Week with Marilyn," starring Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams as 1950s sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, will see its world premiere at the New York Film Festival in October, organizers said on Thursday.

Directed by Simon Curtis, the film is based on a week that British writer Colin Clark worked as an assistant with Monroe while she was filming "The Prince and the Showgirl" in the United Kingdom in the early summer of 1956.

That film featured Monroe working opposite Sir Laurence Oliver and was shot when Monroe was on a honeymoon with her husband, playwright Arthur Miller. When he left England, Clark was assigned to introduce Monroe to British life.

"My Week with Marilyn" is based on a diary Clark kept, excerpts of which were published in two books in 1995 and 2000. Along with Williams, the movie also stars Kenneth Branagh as Olivier, Dougray Scott as Miller and Dame Judi Dench.

"After seeing Marilyn Monroe so often portrayed in films as a caricature, it is a pleasure to see this complex personality and unique on-screen presence portrayed so well by such a talented actress as Michelle Williams," said Richard Pena, program director for The Film Society of Lincoln Center, which backs the festival.

The film, which will look to compete in Hollywood's Oscar race this upcoming season, will get its New York Film Festival premiere on October 9 and be released in theaters on November 4.

Williams has been nominated twice for Oscars for her work in "Brokeback Mountain" and "Blue Valentine," but she has never won the world's top film honor.

The New York Film Festival, which takes place September30 through October 16, will also feature a special screening of the digitally-restored version of William Wyler's "Ben-Hur." It also will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan's Nikkatsu Films with screenings of many of that studios films, including Kon Ickhkawaa's "The Burmese Harp" and Masahiro Makinoa's "Singing Love Birds."

(Reporting and writing by Carly Mayberry; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Robin Williams, Brendan Fraser join Discovery's 'Curiosity' (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Robin Williams, Samuel L. Jackson and Brendan Fraser have signed on as hosts for Discovery Channel's upcoming series "Curiosity," the cable outlet announced at the Television Critics Assn. press tour on Friday.

The series, which premieres August 7 at 8 p.m., will explore various mysteries. Williams will delve into the topic of how drugs work; "The Mummy" actor Fraser will ponder what lies beneath the ground in Egypt; and Jackson will reflect on how the world might end.

The series will also feature "Avatar" actress Michelle Rodriguez exploring whether the human race is ready for an alien invasion, and "Secretary" star Maggie Gyllenhaal diving into the topic of why sex is so fun.

"Curiosity" was created by John Hendricks, founder and chairman of Discovery Communications.

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Michelle Williams offered good witch role in 'Oz' (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Disney may have found the final piece of its triumvirate of witches for its "Oz" movie: Michelle Williams.

Williams has been offered the role of Glinda, the good witch, in "Oz: The Great and Powerful," Disney's prequel-ish take on The Wizard of Oz tale that stars James Franco and Mila Kunis and is being directed by Sam Raimi.

Kunis is on board as Theadora, a witch who falls for Franco. Rachel Weisz is in talk to play sister Evanora, the evil witch who wants to rule the land and tries to seduce Theadora to the dark side; Weisz's dealmaking is complicated due to her having an offer to star opposite Jeremy Renner in Universal's new "Bourne" movie, and shooting schedules would overlap.

If a deal makes for Williams, she would play a powerful witch who teams up with Franco to defeat Evanora (and maybe Theadora, but we're not revealing spoilers).

"Oz" centers on Franco as a snake oil salesman who finds himself dealing with real magic when his balloon carries him into a fabled land and he runs into genuine witches.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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Pharrell Williams joins new Karmaloop TV network (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Rapper-producer Pharrell Williams is expanding his focus to include a new TV network aimed at the online generation.

Karmaloop TV said Monday that Williams has been named creative director for the network scheduled to launch later this year. Karmaloop will feature original productions along with movies that have shaped the 18-to-34-year-olds who grew up with the Internet.

The Grammy-winning Williams, who has created hits for Jay-Z, Britney Spears and other stars, will have a significant equity position in Karmaloop TV, according to the company.

In a statement, Karmaloop CEO Greg Selkoe said Williams will help create a brand that will get "cutting-edge youth culture" excited about TV, as MTV did in the 1980s.

Williams, frontman for the rap-rock trio N.E.R.D. and half of the production duo The Neptunes, said the "progressive youth culture" is underserved by what's available in the marketplace.

Karmaloop TV is an outgrowth of Karmaloop, a 10-year-old website that sells streetwear brands from around the world, and online KarmaloopTV. Katie McEnroe, former president of the AMC cable channel, is head of Karmaloop TV.

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Wills & Grace: Meet Prince William's Expressive Goddaughter, Grace Van Cutsem

Believe it or not, it looks like Prince William's Goddaughter, Grace Van Cutsem, is serving some up serious competition for his new bride, Kate Middleton.

The 3-year-old flower girl couldn't hide her emotions as the new couple was celebrating by thunderous crowds at Buckingham Palace earlier Friday and onlookers couldn't keep their eyes off her pint size pout. Just tall enough to peek over the balcony at legions of screaming supporters, Van Cutsem was forced to cover her ears as her Godfather and new wife shared a kiss. Gracey brought out the earmuffs one more time when Royal airplanes buzzed overhead in tribute.

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