SENTENCED: Tommy Chong, half of the pot-smoking duo known as Cheech & Chong, was sentenced to nine months in prison and fined $20,000 for selling drug paraphernalia over the Internet, report Reuters. "I have a drug problem with marijuana," Chong told the court. Chong reportedly began selling pipes and other paraphernalia in September 2001 through his Web sites www.chongglass.com and www.tommychong.com.
QUOTED: "This is not a movie set." -- Republican Sen. Trent Lott to Reuters about why George Clooney and his gang of actors from the HBO political drama "K Street" have been prohibited from filming at the Senate
CANCELED: Singer-songwriter Jewel has canceled several upcoming tour dates after the sudden death of bass player Terome "T-Bone" Hammond. The musician, 39, died after suffering a stroke. He played with Jewel for three years. "We are all just in shock and hurt," said Jewel in a statement released by her record label and obtained by the Associated Press.
CAST: Queen Latifah, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Chicago," has co-written a movie called "The Cookout" with Flavor Unit Films partner Shakim Compere, according to Reuters and the Hollywood Reporter. The film is about a basketball star who becomes the NBA's No. 1 draft pick and who celebrates by throwing a cookout in his mansion. It will star Quran Pender, Ja Rule, Eve, Jonathan Silverman, Tim Meadows, Farrah Fawcett and Danny Glover. Latifah will have a small part as a security guard.
