People talk 7/10/03

Videotape could clear Knight of assaultLOS ANGELES -- A security videotape shows Marion "Suge" Knight didn't punch a parking attendant outside a Hollywood nightclub, the rap impresario's attorney said.

Attorney Rose Kogeman said the tape and the unidentified victim refute accounts by police and state parole officials that the 37-year-old founder of Death Row Records punched the attendant in the face from behind last month. The label is now known as Tha Row.

Police said Knight apparently was unhappy about where his car had been parked outside the White Lotus Club. He could face up to a year behind bars if prison officials determine he violated his parole terms.

Kogeman said her office presented the videotape to parole officials.

She also said the alleged victim says Knight didn't assault him.

"He could see Mr. Knight in front of him when the guy punched him from the back. The video does show a guy walking up behind the valet," Kogeman told the Los Angeles Times for Wednesday's editions.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman declined to respond to the claim.

Former stripper sues over Anderson's show

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A former stripper is demanding an end to the new cable television show "Stripperella," an animated series featuring Pamela Anderson as the voice of a stripper who moonlights as a superhero.

Janet Clover filed the lawsuit Monday against Anderson and comic book legend Stan Lee, who created "Stripperella" as well as "Spider-Man" and "The Hulk." Also named as defendants are Viacom TV Networks doing business as TNN.

Clover, 37, claims she's Stripperella's "true creator," according to the lawsuit filed in Daytona Beach circuit court.

Clover, an unemployed Palm Coast resident who identifies herself in the lawsuit as "Sensual Entertainer's Home Studio Founder," said she wrote and filed the lawsuit without the advice or assistance of an attorney.

"This office challenges Lee to produce proof of his creative work, as true authorship belongs to Tanga's Jazz", she wrote, referring to an adult club in Tampa where she claims she asked Lee about the concept of "Stripperella" a year ago during a private dance session.

"Evidence to support is available upon request," she wrote.

Viacom officials in New York referred comment to media spokesman Robert Pini in Los Angeles, who didn't return several phone messages.

Anderson's agent, Hedda Moye of Los Angeles, declined to comment.

"I'm just trying to get this off TV because it's not his idea," Clover told The Daytona Beach News-Journal. "She was supposed to be a nurse, which is what I'm studying for. I can't remember much about Mr. Lee, little bits and pieces come back. You know, I meet a lot of men."

Former 'Adam-12' star up against Gilbert

LOS ANGELES -- Kent McCord said he'll run against Melissa Gilbert for president of the Screen Actors Guild in upcoming elections.

The current SAG treasurer and former star of early 1970s cop show "Adam-12" opposed Gilbert's push for a reorganization of the 70-year-old actors union and unification with its rival. The unification plan failed in a vote.

McCord said he'll team with Esai Morales of "NYPD Blue," who will run for the newly merged position of secretary-treasurer.

Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie," was elected in 2001 and is running for a second term as president alongside James Cromwell, an Oscar nominee for "Babe."

Other candidates have until July 24 to submit nominating petitions. Ballots will be mailed to members Aug. 26 and are due Sept. 23.

-- From wire reports