Names and faces

LITTLE ROCK — A Los Angeles judge Wednesday appointed the son of Tito Jackson to serve as temporary guardian of Michael Jackson’s children in the absence of the family matriarch and in the midst of a feud over the pop superstar’s estate. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff temporarily suspended Katherine Jackson as the children’s guardian because she is in Arizona and hadn’t spoken with them in several days. He appointed Tito Joe “ TJ”Jackson to serve as temporary guardian with the ability to control the hilltop home where the children live and to take on other supervision duties. Beckloff said there was no evidence that Katherine Jackson had done anything wrong but instead it appeared she was being prevented from fulfilling her role as guardian through the “intentional acts of third parties.” He didn’t elaborate. He also said the children - Prince, Paris and Blanket - cannot be taken outside California without court approval. The developments came after days of turmoil within the Jackson family that included a relative reporting Katherine Jackson missing, before she was found to be safe with other family members in Arizona, and an altercation between relatives Monday. Jermaine Jackson has said his mother was following doctor’s orders to cut off communications with the children, who range in age from 10 to 15. He didn’t provide further details. Katherine Jackson’s lawyer, Perry Sanders Jr., said she had high blood pressure before she left for Arizona. His co-counsel, Sandra Ribera, expressed concern that Katherine Jackson may have been held against her will. She said one of the singer’s children told her that a conversation with the 82-year-old woman Tuesday seemed to be monitored and influenced by others in the room. In addition to concerns about the safety of Jackson’s children, some of Michael Jackson’s siblings have recently called on the executorsof his estate to resign.

Comedy Central’s late-night duo is sticking around for at least a few more years. The network announced Wednesday that Jon Stewart has extended his contract to host The Daily Show through the middle of 2015. Stephen Colbert also signed an extensionthat takes him through the end of 2014 as host of The Colbert Report. Last week, each show was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Colbert has hosted The Colbert Report since 2005. Stewart has presided at The Daily Show since 1999. Both are also producers and writers of their shows.