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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 10 december 2016
Hollywood legend

Kirk Douglas turns 100

In this Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, file photo, Kirk Douglas poses for a
portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif. Douglas turned 100 on Friday, Dec.
9, 2016.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kirk Douglas is officially a centenar- In this Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 file photo, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a “USA
Thank You” tour event in Cincinnati.
ian. Associated Press
The legendary actor turned 100 Friday. Douglas is prob-
ably best known for playing the title role in Stanley Ku- Trump’s ties to ‘Apprentice’
brick’s 1960 film, “Spartacus.” He was nominated for a
best actor Oscar three times in the 1950s and received
an honorary Academy Award in 1996. raises conflict issues for NBC
His son, actor Michael Douglas, paid an early birthday
tribute to his father at an October event for the Motion
Picture and Television Fund, calling him an icon, a leg- DAVID BAUDER involvement in “Celebrity network.
end and “a true movie star from an era when movie stars AP Television Writer Apprentice” is not clear. “How do you remain un-
were looked upon as our version of royalty.” NEW YORK (AP) — Donald An “executive producer” biased?” she asked. “The
Kirk Douglas was also presented with cake and a rendi- Trump’s continued stake in credit is among the most onus is on NBC to say, ‘we
tion of “Happy Birthday” at the event.q television’s “Celebrity Ap- amorphous in Hollywood, can’t do this.’”
prentice” adds to questions and can encompass a People want to believe in
about potential conflicts person with full backstage an independent news divi-
Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney between his personal and control over a show, to sion not affected by busi-
donate to wildfire fund public responsibilities, while someone given a vanity ti- ness ties, said Aly Colon, an
raising new ones about tle who doesn’t actually do expert in journalist ethics
NBC. anything. Trump is known at Washington & Lee Uni-
If it continues, journalists at to have a financial stake versity who once worked
NBC News will be cover- in the show, but how much in NBC’s standards depart-
ing a president for a cor- is unclear; Conway said ment. He said he’s sure the
poration whose entertain- it’s “doubtful” that Trump issues are being considered
mentdivision retains ties to will be taking money from at NBC.
the man. The reality show, the show, but added she “A lot of people find it diffi-
which returns to NBC’s hasn’t talked to him about cult to believe there is a wall
schedule on Jan. 2 with it. between news and enter-
Arnold Schwarzenegger NBC News declined com- tainment,” Colon said.
replacing Trump as host, in- ment Friday on how long The liberal watchdog Me-
cludes the president-elect the division had known dia Matters for America
as one of its executive pro- about Trump’s production on Friday launched a pe-
ducers. credit, revealed in a story tition drive calling on NBC
Trump spokeswoman Kel- by Variety on Thursday. to cut ties with Trump, say-
In this April 3, 2016, file photo, Kenny Chesney performs at the lyanne Conway said Fri- Trump’s name is not includ- ing reporters are put in an
4th Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival in Las Vegas. day on CNN that Trump’s ed among the four people untenable spot and that
Associated Press ties to the reality show are listed as executive produc- no amount of disclosure is
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Artists and organizations in Music being reviewed by experts ers of the show on the net- enough when a network is
City are stepping up to help their neighbors after dev- looking into the president- work’s web site. financially invested in the
astating wildfires damaged about 2,500 buildings and elect’s business ties. She “It’s just so mind-boggling president.
caused 14 deaths in the Gatlinburg area. compared Trump’s contin- on so many levels,” said While the show, retitled
Country star Kenny Chesney and the Country Music As- ued interest in the enter- Marcy McGinnis, a former “New Celebrity Appren-
sociation announced Friday they are collectively donat- tainment industry to Presi- CBS News executive who tice,” is identified with NBC,
ing $500,000 to the Dolly Parton Foundation My People dent Barack Obama’s off- taught journalism at Stony Trump’s financial involve-
Fund, which was created to provide $1,000 each month hours golfing. Brook University. “It is a ment is with the produc-
to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by “Presidents have a right clear conflict of interest to tion company MGM. Vet-
the wildfires. to do things in their spare me that a company that eran reality show producer
Also, the Academy of Country Music announced that time, in their leisure time, has a news division is cov- Mark Burnett, who created
pop star Taylor Swift has joined the country music organi- and nobody objects to ering the president of the the show, is president of
zation to collectively donate $200,000 to the My People that,” she said. United States who has an MGM Television and Digital
Fund.q The full nature of Trump’s interest in a show on that Group.q