Seriously? OMG! WTF?

RAPE suspect Ben Freeman’s career was in ruins last night after he was forced to quit Emmerdale until he can clear his name. The 26-year-old actor, who plays Scott Windsor, will be written out of the ITV1 soap until bosses learn the outcome of his Barbados court case. He has also pulled out of celebrity talent contest Soapstar Superstar, due to start filming next month. The decision to put his career on hold came after Emmerdale chiefs summoned him to crisis talks yesterday. The actor, who is accused of raping a 16-year-old British holidaymaker on the Caribbean island a fortnight ago, looked stern as he arrived for the summit at Yorkshire TV’s studios in Leeds. He spent 90 minutes in the meeting with the soap’s producers and lawyers. And it was revealed last night that he had asked for a "leave of absence" from the show so he can concentrate on clearing his name. TV insiders said he would have been suspended unless he’d offered to stand down. He has also been warned he faces the sack if found guilty. A soap spokesman said: "Ben Freeman has asked for a leave of absence from Emmerdale to enable him to fight the legal proceedings. "We agree it would be best to rest his character from the show until the matter is resolved. At Ben’s request he will stand down from all other engagements, including Soapstar Superstar." The actor could face a life sentence after being charged with raping the teenager at the £150-a-night Almond Beach Village complex in St Peter. He had arrived at the 32-acre family resort with his dad and sister four days earlier. His alleged victim, who cannot be named, was staying at the same complex. She has since returned to her home in Cheshire. Freeman, who plays a womanising mechanic in the soap, appeared in court on the island last week. The case was adjourned until March when he will return to Barbados for a hearing at which a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to send him for trial. A trial could take up to nine months to be heard. Freeman was only allowed to return to Britain after making a £25,000 bail payment to the court. Last night a telly insider said: "His career is on the line. If he is found not guilty – and he maintains he’s innocent – then it may be possible he will return to the show. "But if he is convicted his contract at Emmerdale will be terminated."

Daily Snack 

I hope this turns out to be false. I find it interesting if he was an actor in the USA he would continue to work as is, but in the UK he is forced to quit. I kind of agree more with the UK way of handaling things. I know I should be all innocent until proven guilty, but sometimes remaining in the public eye tips the scale towards being innocent, don’t you think? 

"High Fidelity" won’t be making music on Broadway much longer. The $10 million musical based on Nick Hornby’s novel and the 2000 film about a slacker record-store owner will close Sunday after 14 performances and 18 previews. The stage version, which has music by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Amanda Green and a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, opened Dec. 7 to mostly negative reviews. It has done meager business at the Imperial Theatre, one of Broadway’s larger houses, since beginning previews there Nov. 20. Last week it grossed only $282,734, playing to 45 percent capacity.

AP 

I don’t know I thought it was an ok movie, who really thought it would be a great musical?

 

Canuck teen skein "Degrassi: The Next Generation" has been sold into syndication Stateside. Anchored by Tribune Broadcasting, skein will launch in 60% of U.S. households in the fall of 2007. Other station groups that will be airing "Degrassi" are Belo, Clear Channel, Granite, Gray, Hubbard, Pegasus Groups and the CW PLUS stations. "Degrassi: The Next Generation" is a dramatic half-hour that tackles issues such as pregnancy and homosexuality frankly and in a non-patronizing manner. Now in its sixth season, "Degrassi: The Next Generation" first aired on CTV in 2001. Its storyline and some of the characters originated in "Degrassi Junior High," (1987) and "The Kids of Degrassi Street" (1982). Previously "Degrassi: The Next Generation" was available in the U.S. only on digital cabler N. The series has a huge and loyal international fan base, including director Kevin Smith ("Clerks"), who has guest-starred on the show. "Degrassi" airs in more than 150 countries.

Variety

For those of you who don’t have The N and missed the show, catch up on it on your local station! It is one of the best shows ever no matter how old you are! 

The 20-year-old starlet is taking pole-dancing classes for her role as a stripper in her upcoming drama I Know Who Killed Me. (In fact, that’s Linds leaving class yesterday in L.A., in the photo at right.) Despite the risqué role, an insider tells me L.L. will not be going completely topless. "No nudity," my source says. "She is going to be wearing pasties."

Planet Gossip 

She has no problem showing us her vajayjay in public, but has a problem showing her boobs in a movie? Interesting

No Regis? No problem. Fox is looking to one of its own to host its New Year’s Eve special this year, tapping So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley. With American Idol host Ryan Seacrest hosting ABC’s Times Square special, Fox last year brought in Regis Philbin for a one-night gig. But this year, Deeley will emcee the special, which airs live from New York City from 11 pm -12:30 am on Sunday night, December 31. In addition to Fox’s Dance show and an extensive resume from the United Kingdom, Deeley has also recently done stints for NBC’s Tonight Show and ABC’s Good Morning America.

Broadcasting & Cable 

I wonder how many people they asked before they settled on her. Seriously what is up with Fox having so many problems finding hosts for their shows.

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