Red Sox Chair TOM WERNER, an exec producer of "ROSEANNE," said that he is "supportive of ABC's decision" to cancel the sitcom after ROSEANNE BARR posted a "racist tweet" targeting one of PRESIDENT OBAMA's former White House Advisors, VALERIE JARRETT. Werner said, "Our goal was to promote constructive discussion about the issues that divide us. ... I hope the good work done is not totally eclipsed by these abhorrent and offensive comments, and that Roseanne seeks the help she so clearly needs" (WEEI.com, 5/29).
Sharapova was sporting Nike apparel during her appearance and spoke Russian in one sceneMARIA SHARAPOVA
NAMES: Sunday night’s episode of “BILLIONS” on Showtime featured lead character Bobby Axelrod, portrayed by DAMIAN LEWIS, playing tennis at a private N.Y. facility with MARIA SHARAPOVA, who was sporting Nike gear and a Head bag with her initials on it. Sharapova speaks Russian in the scene to a character played by JOHN MALKOVICH, who set up the match. Later in the show, during a scene at Axelrod’s firm, there is a gift of Sugarpova candy -- Sharapova’s signature line -- in his office (THE DAILY)....USL Real Monarchs coach MARK BRIGGS has been "suspended after being charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of domestic violence." The team's parent club, Real Salt Lake, also placed Briggs on "administrative leave while the club investigates the allegations" (SLTRIB.com, 5/29)....Watkins Glen Int'l President MICHAEL PRINTUP, who has served in the position since '09, is the "latest contender to announce his run for Chemung County Legislature" in New York (MYTWINTIERS.com, 5/29)....J.J. WATT received an honorary doctorate degree from the Baylor College of Medicine and addressed the school's graduates during a commencement ceremony last night in Houston (USATODAY.com, 5/29)....Maple Leafs LW ZACH HYMAN recently published his third children's book, titled "THE MAGICIAN'S SECRET" (CP, 5/29)....Musician JACK WHITE attended the Nationals-Orioles game at Camden Yards on Monday while wearing a "Warstic" T-shirt, representing a bat company he co-owns with Angels 2B IAN KINSLER (BALTIMORESUN.com, 5/28)....Sources said KENDALL JENNER is dating 76ers G BEN SIMMONS (NYPOST.com, 5/29)....Author JOHN FEINSTEIN tweeted he “had a stent put into my heart Friday” (TWITTER.com, 5/29).
IN MEMORY: Former Boston College women's basketball player CLARE DROESCH “died at her home in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., on May 11” at the age of 36. Droesch was a ’16 inductee to the Boston College Varsity Club HOF. After being “diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer” in December ’11, Droesch “kept right on coaching basketball” at Christ the King High School in N.Y. She coached her “final games in a wheelchair” (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/30).
