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CNN Live At Daybreak

The Celebrities Who Got in Trouble This Year

Aired December 30, 2003 - 05:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Michael Jackson is changing spokesmen. But the reason behind the change is anything but cut and dried. Stuart Backerman says he resigned over so-called "strategic differences." But Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, says Backerman was fired for holding this news conference during the December 20 party at the Neverland Ranch.
Michael Jackson isn't the only celebrity who had a rough year.

CNN's Andy Culpepper takes this look at the others who made headlines both in and out of court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Over the last 12 months, Winona Judd, Glen Campbell and Robert Conrad were cited for DUI, as was singer Scott Weiland, who was ordered by a judge in October to undergo rehab after his second arrest this year.

Radio talk show guru Rush Limbaugh went to rehab after disclosing a long time addiction to prescription painkillers. Courtney Love pleaded not guilty to two felony drug counts, including possession of prescription painkillers.

Tom Sizemore was convicted of physically abusing his former girlfriend, one time Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. The actor was sentenced to six months in jail, but the judge could reduce the time of Sizemore's rehab stint proves positive.

Atlanta-based singer Bobby Brown was in and out of headlines all year for DUI probation violations. This month he was charged with beating his wife, Whitney Houston.

Rap mogul "Suge" Knight went back to prison after his own probation problems, with two violations this year alone. Also headed to prison, 65-year-old comic Tommy Chong, after pleading guilty to selling marijuana paraphernalia on the Internet.

Rock star Pete Townsend was arrested then cleared of child porn charges in May. R. Kelly was not so lucky. The Florida-based singer was arrested and charged with 12 counts of possessing child pornography. Kelly went on to pen a song for Michael Jackson's recent CD before the king of pop traded his moon walk for a perp walk. Jackson was arrested last month in Santa Barbara and charged with child molestation.

In March, Robert Blake finally got out on bail, but the actor still faces murder charges in the shooting of his wife. In November, music impresario Phil Spector was formally charged with the February shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.

And 2003 was not a good year for Martha Stewart. The lifestyles maven was charged with securities fraud in June. Stewart is sure to make next year's list, too. Her trial is slated to begin in January.

Andy Culpepper, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 30, 2003 - 05:21   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Michael Jackson is changing spokesmen. But the reason behind the change is anything but cut and dried. Stuart Backerman says he resigned over so-called "strategic differences." But Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, says Backerman was fired for holding this news conference during the December 20 party at the Neverland Ranch.
Michael Jackson isn't the only celebrity who had a rough year.

CNN's Andy Culpepper takes this look at the others who made headlines both in and out of court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Over the last 12 months, Winona Judd, Glen Campbell and Robert Conrad were cited for DUI, as was singer Scott Weiland, who was ordered by a judge in October to undergo rehab after his second arrest this year.

Radio talk show guru Rush Limbaugh went to rehab after disclosing a long time addiction to prescription painkillers. Courtney Love pleaded not guilty to two felony drug counts, including possession of prescription painkillers.

Tom Sizemore was convicted of physically abusing his former girlfriend, one time Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. The actor was sentenced to six months in jail, but the judge could reduce the time of Sizemore's rehab stint proves positive.

Atlanta-based singer Bobby Brown was in and out of headlines all year for DUI probation violations. This month he was charged with beating his wife, Whitney Houston.

Rap mogul "Suge" Knight went back to prison after his own probation problems, with two violations this year alone. Also headed to prison, 65-year-old comic Tommy Chong, after pleading guilty to selling marijuana paraphernalia on the Internet.

Rock star Pete Townsend was arrested then cleared of child porn charges in May. R. Kelly was not so lucky. The Florida-based singer was arrested and charged with 12 counts of possessing child pornography. Kelly went on to pen a song for Michael Jackson's recent CD before the king of pop traded his moon walk for a perp walk. Jackson was arrested last month in Santa Barbara and charged with child molestation.

In March, Robert Blake finally got out on bail, but the actor still faces murder charges in the shooting of his wife. In November, music impresario Phil Spector was formally charged with the February shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson.

And 2003 was not a good year for Martha Stewart. The lifestyles maven was charged with securities fraud in June. Stewart is sure to make next year's list, too. Her trial is slated to begin in January.

Andy Culpepper, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com