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Entertainment News: Short Cuts: News on Shaq, Eddie Griffin and Whoopi Goldberg

Posted Sept. 5, 2007 -- Five years of marriage and four children later, Shaquille O'Neal is calling it quits with his wife Shaunie.

The marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken," reads the petition, which was filed by O'Neal's lawyer in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Tuesday. It is not known who is representing Shaunie, according to The Miami Herald.

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The couple reportedly have a prenuptial agreement, according to the Herald, which also reports that should the court agree, a copy of the agreement "will be filed ... under seal." The agreement "contains extensive provisions providing for confidentiality and non-disclosure.

According to the petition, O'Neal also says that Shaunie has been "secretive about her assets ... particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either [her] name alone or in other entities" and requests that the court require Shaunie to give a "correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)" acquired during the marriage.

The Miami Heat center makes $20 million a year playing for the NBA, and nets even more through lucrative endorsement deals thought to be worth millions every year. The couple's home – on Miami Beach's exclusive Star Island – is up for sale for $32 million, according to the Associated Press.

Shaq married his then-longtime girlfriend Shaunie on Dec. 26, 2002. The couple have four children together: Shareef, 7, Amirah, 5, Shaqir, 4, and Me'Arah, 1. Shaq, 35, also has a daughter, Taahirah, from an earlier relationship and Shaunie, 32, has a son, Myles.

Shaq recommends that his wife be "primary residential custodian" of their children and asks for "liberal rights of visitation," the Herald reports.

Griffin Gets the Boot at BE Event

Eddie Griffin pulled a "Michael Richards" at a Black Enterprise event last weekend, and it didn't go over too well. Attendee Rev. Al Sharpton told TMZ.com that Griffin spewed the N-word so often during his routine that magazine owner Earl Graves was moved to throw the comic off the stage.

Why are some black leaders telling us to stop using the N-word?" Griffin said to the audience before his mike was abruptly cut off. Graves reportedly came to the stage and told Griffin his show was over. "We...will not allow our culture to go backwards...We will pay Mr. Griffin all that we owe him but will not allow him to finish the show if that's the way he's going to talk." The crowd gave Graves a standing ovation.

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Whoopi Defends Vick in Dogfighting Case

On her first day on the job, Whoopi Goldberg shocked her "View" buddies by defending Michael Vick's involvement in dogfighting.

You know from his background this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from," said Goldberg. "There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country.

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Co-host Joy Behar seemed shocked at Goldberg's statements. "How about dog torture and dog murdering," asked, shaking her head in disgust.

Unfortunately it's part of the thing," Goldberg replied. "You're a dog lover. For a lot of people dogs are sport," she added. Goldberg said it seemed to her that it took a while for Vick to realize that the charges against him were serious.

It seemed like a light went off in his head when he realized that this was something the entire country really didn't appreciated, didn't like," Goldberg said, referring to Vick's guilty plea. She said if the case had involved somebody from New York City her feelings would have been different. Goldberg pointed out that Vick was raised in the South.

This is part of his cultural upbringing," said Goldberg.

Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck said she was encouraged by the NFL suspending Vick indefinitely. But Goldberg continued to defend Vick saying "This is a kid who comes from a culture when this is not questioned.

Last month Vick entered a guilty plea in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. In his written plea, Vick admitted helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money for gambling on the fights. Vick will be sentenced on the dogfighting charges in December. The federal sentencing guideline projects a year to 18 months, but the judge can impose up to the five-year maximum.

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