Entertainment briefs

Stern fails to win $300M payday in suit
Howard Stern’s hopes for a $300 million payday from Sirius XM Radio were dashed by a judge. His show’s Twitter feed said the shock jock was “really bummed” by the decision and plans to appeal.

Stern sued last March, arguing that he was entitled to a huge stock-based bonus in his contract because the number of Sirius subscribers exceeded the company’s internal forecasts.

But his initial job contract was signed in October 2004, well before Sirius acquired XM in July 2008.

New York state court Judge Barbara Kapnick ruled Monday that Stern couldn’t count XM’s nearly 10 million subscribers in calculating his bonus, saying that the language of his contract was clear and unambiguous.

Kapnick dismissed Stern’s lawsuit “with prejudice,” which means he can’t bring another case based on the same set of facts.

Stern already has received a $75 million stock bonus for exceeding the 2006 subscriber estimate by more than 2 million subscribers. He also was paid $25 million when Sirius combined with XM, in order to enable Stern’s show to be broadcast to XM listeners as well.

Stern’s agent Don Buchwald, who stood to gain $30 million from a favorable ruling, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Kline, Streep to play ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Kevin Kline will play Romeo opposite Meryl Streep’s Juliet for a one-night-only staged reading of Shakespeare’s play in Central Park.

The Public Theater said Tuesday that Streep and Kline will combine on June 18 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Shakespeare in the Park series. Daniel Sullivan will direct.

To make that night even more giddy, Al Pacino will be honored for his body of work with the Public, which includes his playing Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” in 2010.

Jones postpones shows due to health
George Jones needs more time to recover from a recent upper respiratory infection.

The 80-year-old country music singer is postponing his upcoming shows on Friday and Saturday in Minnesota and South Dakota.

A statement from Jones’ publicist, Kirt Webster, said doctors have advised Jones to continue resting at his Tennessee home for another week. The shows will be rescheduled.

The Country Music Hall of Fame member is known for dozens of classic hits, including “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “White Lightning.”

Wire reports