LA Coroner States Heavy D Died Of Natural Causes

First Launched: December 27, 2011 6:53 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium La, Calif. -- Caption Heavy D attends T.I.s AKOO Clothing First Annual A King Of Yourself Brunch within the Mansion, Atlanta, Georgia, on October 2, 2011The La coroners office states Jamaican-born rapper Heavy D died of natural causes. The self-introduced overweight lover of stylish hop, who increased being among raps top hit makers with a mixture of humor and positivity, flattened outdoors his Beverly Slopes home on November. 8. The 44 year-old rapper, whose real title was Dwight Errington, died later inside a hospital. Coroners office representative Craig Harvey mentioned Tuesday that weight together with a transcontinental jet flight were adding factors. The reason behind dying was lung embolism and deep leg vein thrombosis. More youthful crowd had arteriosclerotic heart disease. Heavy D increased being one of the genres most integral stars inside the late eighties and the 19 nineties. His hit The Overweight Fanatics in your home carried out up his hefty frame. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SAG P&H Trustees address accusations

An analysis into accusations of misconduct and financial problems in the Screen Stars Guild -- Producers Pension and Health Plans finds the accusations are mainly groundless. Inside a letter to organize participants published Thursday around the plans' site, the program trustees -- made up of SAG and industry reps -- asserted that "a comprehensive and independent analysis" finds no validity towards the accusations by fired plan professional Craig E. Simmons."In line with the outcomes of the analysis, we are able to guarantee the fiscal integrity from the SAG-PPHP remains seem as well as your benefits feel at ease,Inch the letter stated. "In plain British, your Type Of Pension is protected your wellbeing Plan's safe."Simmons has filed a complaint with the us government saying he was ended for serving as a whistleblower about alleged embezzlement in the fund. The board of trustees from the plans, operated individually from SAG, refused the accusations in September and maintained outdoors counsel to examine the problem. Simmons alleged inside a complaint filed using the U.S. Department at work he was fired in March by leader Bruce Dow because of Simmons' refusal to mislead board trustees and government researchers about embezzlement through the plans' former chief information officer, Nader Karimi. Simmons also alleged within the complaint that Dow along with other executives had misused funds for private benefit. "The independent investigator discovered that the majority of Mr. Simmons' accusations are false, including his claims that Mr. Dow is anti-gay, he triggered the intends to incorrectly pay health expenses for his wife, he triggered Plan employees to operate on his home and perform personal chores for him, he marketed employees who have been unqualified which he instructed staff to mislead U.S. Department at work auditors. These bits of information presented through the independent investigator were examined by PriceWaterhouseCoopers' forensic auditors."The trustees also addressed embezzlement of $two million inside a situation hat is discovered 3 years ago."Regarding Mr. Simmons' claims of monetary mismanagement, even though it is accurate the Trustees discovered in 2008 that roughly $two million have been misappropriated with a then-Plan worker, the Plans looked into the problem immediately, engaging forensic auditors and a lawyer,Inch the letter stated. "The problem was effectively resolved captured and substantially all the misapprorpriated funds were retrieved from your insurance provider. Plan assets weren't materially affected."The trustees also stated that they're evaluating whether remedial actions are needed. "The Trustees are devoted to undertaking our fiduciary and ethical obligations and therefore are now involved in a complete overview of the Plans' internal operational controls," the letter stated. "We've produced a unique subcommittee from the board using its own independent counsel to examine the Plans' guidelines and recommendations to make sure that they remain up-to-date with guidelines.Inch The SAG health plan covers about 40,000 participants and it has assets in excess of $2 billion, as the retirement plan pays pensions for an believed 9,000 receivers. The plans introduced in October that, because of tough economic occasions along with a drop in TV earnings, they'd been instructed to tighten qualifications needs and benefits, together with warning people that further cuts might be coming.Thursday's letter in the Trustees didn't identify the investigator, saying the person was "highly regarded as" and "independent." The letter was published 11 days after several SAG people happen to be circulating instructions that questions the probe. Hundreds of people have since signed a web-based petition.The letter in the people identifies the investigator as Nancy Solomon. The letter claims that Solomon is really a friend of SAG national professional director David Whitened which the 2 formerly had labored together in the lawyer of O'Melveny & Myers. "Because of these close associations, we've serious concerns that Ms. Solomon's objectivity and research might have been jeopardized, inducing the cherry-picking of others to interview while looking over other people who might not have been as encouraging of Mr. Dow," it stated.The letter also takes problem using the Trustees because of not revealing the insurance coverage settlement earlier and claims that Trustees hadn't addressed Simmons' accusations. "Your fiduciary responsibility would be to safeguard this fund which, in the end, may be the members' money," it stated. "We're feeling you haven't correctly addressed these wrongs nor are you currently forthright in interacting around.Inch Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

VIDEO: Spartacus Promises to "Repay With Blood" in Season 2

Spartacus: Vengeance Spartacus is back, and when the bloody action series returns, the storied hero is fighting harder than ever for his freedom. "Spread word to all the slaves," Spartacus, now played by Liam McIntyre, says in the trailer, "that even the mighty republic bleeds when struck." And just like the first season of the Starz series - and its prequel - there's plenty of violence. Check out photos from Spartacus Watch the trailer: Spartacus: Vengeance premieres Friday, Jan. 27 at 10/9c on Starz.

Alexandre Aja Develops Horns

Pointing adaptation of Joe Hill's novelSince his crazy Gallic breakout Switchblade Romance, he's been by pointing out Hollywood horror remakes: The Hillsides Have Eyes, Mirrors, Piranha (he being speaking to Vital about Pet Sematary for some time). But Alexandre Aja has become finally set to interrupt that cycle, since he's signed onto direct Horns, in line with the novel by Joe Hill.A dark fantasy about jealousy, murder, treehouses, rebirth by fire, and also the Moving Gemstones, Horns involves Ig Perrish, who awakens one morning having a terrible hangover, and also the titular protruburances growing from his mind. Hate when that occurs. Younger crowd finds that individuals are all of a sudden compelled to open up to him their innermost ideas and secrets, which he is able to influence their behavior, as lengthy as he's nudging them towards actions they truly desire. Which proves helpful in unravelling the mystery all around the violent dying of his fractious girlfriend Merrin, that Ig themself is really a prime suspect.It was released this past year, and immediately clicked up by Mandalay Pictures along with a keen-as-mustard Shia LaBeouf. There is no reference to LaBeouf in THR's story today, that is odd, because when Empire spoke to Hill lately, he was pretty obvious concerning the actor's participation."Shia will play Ig," Hill told us, "and i believe he's an excellent fit for that part.He is able to play that type of innocent Jimmy Stewart sweetness, however i also feel it would be really fun to determine him using the shaved mind and also the horns travelling inside a blue dress. I believe he really wants to make that transformation. People haven't seen him make a move such as this. It's almost a metaphor for his whole professional outlook: he's performed a lot of clean-cut nice men he wants individuals to observe that he could possibly be the demon if he needs to be. It is not as unusual as it was once to have an actor to become attached at this kind of initial phase of development. I believe lots of stars have began to get this done: looking towards about something and searching at how they may put a package together."The script continues to be compiled by Keith Bunin (TV's In Treatment), and Mandalay's Trina Schulman and Peter Guber are creating. Hill assists as executive producer, but sounds as though he's pleased to remain hands-off. "I'm going to be as involved because they want me to become, and that i will not be underfoot when they do not want me underfoot," he told us. "I have done my version from the story, and that i had a few suggestions which i thought might streamline a movie. But in the finish during the day I have done my version and also the movie needs to be different things. Films fail either once they treat the origin material as though it does not matter, or once they become too reverential towards the source material. You need to look for a middle path in which a film can breathe and become its very own deal." Shooting is planned to begin early in the year or early summer time of the coming year, after which it Aja will go back to his pet project, the manga space pirates adventure Cobra.Mandalay can also be developing Hill's short story Twittering In The Circus From The Dead, using the Apparition's director Todd Lincoln subsequently behind the cameras. "He's done lots of short films which are type of upsetting and strange," Hill enthuses. "He's exciting he's a realy awesome guy. He's type of like if Wes Anderson made the decision to create horror films."

New Director Jennifer Aniston On The First Time She Referred to as Action

First Launched: December 9, 2011 2:53 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Jennifer Aniston involves The Land Of Blood stream And Honey La Premiere on December 8, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Angelina Jolies feature film directorial debut, Inside the Land of Blood stream and Honey, is positioned striking theaters later this month and despite the fact that stunning actress has starred in dozen of films, she confesses she was apprehensive about while using directorial reins the first time. I used to be very shy, Angelina told Access Hollywood of the first time she referred to as Action on set, within the films premiere in La on Thursday. Somebody shot it, but I believe that it like (quietly) Action and nobody could hear me. So everybody kind of mentioned, Youre gonna need to suck up and fare best than that. With the finish, I used to be properly saying it, but in the beginning, I used to be whispering, she added. When filming found some close, mother of six had found her voice. I did so scream, Thats a wrap, she told Access. With this time, everybody grew to become this cast originates from multiple sides in the conflict, multiple regions of the place, to obtain together was this kind of beautiful factor, to find out them make pals. Whenever we wrapped, it absolutely was very emotional. Though moving the completely new territory of pointing was daunting, Angelina who also composed the script for your drama mentioned she hasnt removed walking behind the lens again afterwards. I've no clue, she told Access, when asked for if she's expects to direct again afterwards. Its just started those havent arrived at notice, so Im still somewhat gun-shy from this all. I used to be compelled with the story, she ongoing. If theres a thing that I'm compelled to see which personally i think Ill execute a good job, then Ill do my best, and possibly I really could do this again. Inside the Land of Blood stream and Honey is slated striking theaters on December 23. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ratings Rat Race: Hawaii, Charlie Brown & Country Awards Up; You Deserve It Dives

Against mostly atypical competition, CBS’ regular Monday lineup dominated every half-hour in its return to originals last night after a week of repeats. ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, a huge draw among total viewers, sucks out (mostly older) audiences from the competition. As they didn’t face Dancing with originals for the first time this season, CBS’ comedies boosted their viewership. How I Met Your Mother (4.5/12 in adults 18-49, 11.7 million total viewers) was up a tenth in the demo vs. two weeks ago and drew its largest audience with a regularly scheduled episode in almost three years. (since January 12, 2009). Rookie 2 Broke Girls (4.6/11, 12.8 million) was flat in 18-49 and logged its largest audience since the premiere, which followed the Ashton Kutcher debut on Two And A Half Men. Speaking of Men (5.0/12, 15 million), it was down two tenths in 18-49 from its last original, while Mike & Molly (4.2/10, 12.8 million) was even. Men ranked as the top program of the night in 18-49 and total viewers, as did CBS as a network. The net’s wins were solidified by Hawaii Five-0‘s 3.0/8 in 18-49, up 7%, and 10.8 million total viewers. In the 10 PM hour, the CBS procedural easily topped ABC’s Castle (2.0/5, 8 million), which was down 13% from its last original two weeks ago to hit a season low. Castle was hurt by its underwhelming lead-in, new game show You Deserve It (1.0/2), which continued its rapid ratings descent, down 29% from last week. ABC’s best ratings came from the holiday specials in the 8 PM hour: A Charlie Brown Christmas (2.8/8, 9.1 million) was up 8% from last year’s telecast in 18-49, while Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2.2/6, 7 million) was even with its premiere last year. Fox pre-empted its Monday dramas for the 2nd AnnualAmerican Country Awards (2.0/5, 7.4 million), which was up 33% from last year’s telecast in 18-49 and 23% in total viewers. Fox finished second for the night behind CBS in 18-49 and total viewers. NBC had another Monday to forget with a The Sing-Off holiday special (1.1/3) and Rock Center With Brian Williams (0.9/2), which continued its big ratings swings, down 18% from last week to tie its series low. NBC (1.0/3) finished a distant fifth in 18-49 behind its English counterparts and Univision (1.5/4). The CW’s Gossip Girl (0.6/1) matched the series low from last week, and Hart Of Dixie (0.8/2) slipped a tenth.

Haigh: Scribe is having a great 'Weekend'

Andrew HaighBritish filmmaker Andrew Haigh began his career as an assistant editor on films like "Black Hawk Down," but he soon came to realize he'd rather be telling his own stories than piecing together someone else's.After honing his writer- director skills on a handful of shorts, Haigh tackled his feature-length debut in 2009 with "Greek Pete," a film that blurs the line between fact and fiction to tell the tale of a male prostitute in London. That same year, the film played at the San Francisco Intl. LGBT Film Festival.This year, Haigh returned with his sophomore feature "Weekend," a story about two men who meet, get to know each other, and fall in love.In March, "Weekend" premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival; in June, it opened the BAM Cinemafest in Gotham; and just last month it celebrated its U.K. premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. For Haigh, 2011 was the year that everything clicked."I was sitting in a cafe in Manhattan having breakfast and reading the 'Weekend' review by A.O. Scott in the NY Times," he recalls. "It was a pretty cool moment. I felt I could finally call myself a filmmaker, and I had waited a long time to feel that way."While both of his first two features focus on gay characters, Haigh hopes audiences will concentrate more on the universal messages of life, love and relationships that shine through in his work, and less on the labels that may come with them."People are always desperate to label others," he says, "and the same goes for films. But 'Weekend' is more than just about being gay, and I'm pleased that most people seem to agree with me."Haigh is working on a film adaptation of a short story, as well as an original screenplay set in Los Angeles.TEN SCREENWRITERS TO WATCH 2011:Josh Applebaum & Andrew Nemec | Jay Baruchel & Jesse Chabot | Justin Britt-Gibson | Neil Cross | Andrew Haigh | Kurt Johnstad | Lauryn Kahn | Paula Pell | Jon Spaihts | Brian Yorkey Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com