Jackass Star Steve-O Hit With Coke Charge, Hospitalized

Police: Speed may have been a factor in crash

(AP) - It wasn’t the crazy Jackass stunts that killed him, but rather a fiery car crash after a night of drinking with friends . Jackass cast member Ryan Dunn and an unidentified passenger riding in his 2007 Porsche died after the car left the roadway and burst into flames around 3am in West Goshen Township, Penn., police said. Speed may have been a factor. The 34-year-old appeared on MTV shows Jackass and Viva La Bam and the three Jackass big-screen adaptations. More»

Gabriel Ben-Meir was shot dead in apparent robbery

(NEWSER) - A man and a woman have been busted in the shotgun murder of MTV producer Gabriel Ben-Meir, 30, outside his Los Angeles home earlier this week. Another man killed a week earlier has also been linked to the pair. Ben-Meir's wallet was missing when police examined his body, raising speculation that his killing was linked to a series of shotgun robberies, sources have told ABC News . Jabaar Vincent Thomas, 26, and Destiny Young, 29, are being held without bail, and will likely be charged with murder today. Ben-Meir coordinated music for MTV programs, including Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd. More»

(NEWSER) - The California man who murdered his ex-wife and eight members of her family on Christmas Eve while dressed as Santa Claus had cocaine in his system, the Los Angeles Times reports. The coroner’s office said the cocaine was present in trace amounts and was only a contributing factor to Bruce Jeffrey Pardo’s rampage. After committing the murders and setting the house where they took place ablaze, Pardo took his own life. More»

Julianne's back; Jewel, Denise Richards, and 3 felons will compete

(NEWSER) - Dancing With the Stars is introducing a few new twists this season, including one couple competing against each other and another working together, USA Today reports. Returning pro Julianne Hough will partner with her real-life boyfriend—country singer Chuck Wicks—while singer Jewel will dance against rodeo-riding husband Ty Murray. Other high-profile competitors include Denise Richards, comedian David Alan Grier, and Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. More»

MTV, Paris Hilton, the Oscars among franchises needing a makeover

(NEWSER) - Like Wall Street and Detroit, Hollywood is sinking under stagnant numbers and outdated business plans. The Los Angeles Times runs down some Tinseltown properties in need of a bailout.

• MTV: The once counter-culture juggernaut should take a hint and develop edgy new dramas a la Gossip Girl.
• Law and Order: Old, tired, and indistinguishable, the show needs to consolidate.