Nicholson Does Kelly

On his way to shoot a scene for the Martin Scorsese-helmed mob drama The Departed, which costars Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson taps in to his inner Gene Kelly.

Posted by Lawren at 07:14 AM | Comments (3)

Shields Blasts Back at Cruise

Actress Brooke Shields has lambasted former pal Tom Cruise for criticizing her "misguided" use of drugs to combat her post-natal depression.

Cruise - who claims to have helped people fight drug addictions through his controversial Scientology religion - recently attacked the Suddenly Susan star for becoming dependant on Paxil, following the birth of her daughter Rowan.

But Shields is disgusted by the Top Gun star's "dangerous" comments and took a swipe at his Scientology beliefs, by saying she wouldn't take advice from someone who devotes his life to creatures from outer space.

She fumes, "His comments are dangerous. He should stick to saving the world from aliens."

--Right on, Brooke.

Posted by Lawren at 07:11 AM | Comments (2)

Goin' To the Slammer

Teenage actress Lindsay Lohan's father was sentenced Friday to up to four years in prison on guilty pleas to a variety of crimes, including driving while impaired and attempted assault, a prosecutor said.

Michael Lohan was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years for a series of incidents stretching over a year, Nassau County prosecutor Joy Watson said. The latest occurred in February, when he was charged with drunk driving after running his car into a utility pole on Long Island.

The attempted assault charge — to which Lohan pleaded guilty in December — stemmed from an attack on his brother-in-law with a shoe at a party last May.

--Since it appears he may not be seeing Lindsay for awhile, perhaps he should purchase the new Lindsay Lohan doll to keep him company. The "My Scene Goes Hollywood" Lindsay Lohan doll is ready to hit the red carpet with a full movie premiere outfit, faux fur-trimmed coat, director's chair, velvet-style rope,and lots of fun movie-themed accessories.

Posted by Lawren at 07:08 AM | Comments (1)

WTF?

James Spader has developed a closer working relationship with Boston Legal co-star William Shatner - after sleeping with him.

The two actors have just filmed a scene, in which they sleep together, for the upcoming season of the legal drama series - and Spader reveals that he and his castmate have struck up a close friendship after the pseudo-romantic interlude.

He says, "(It's a) very graphic, explicit, loving scene. Bill and I (are) spooning, wrapped around each other in bed. "After we finished the scene, he sort of was dealing with me in a very different way than he had before... and he spoke in a different tone, a sort of closer tone - pillow talk. "He mentioned that how interesting it was that it's rare that, except with the person that you're having sex with or a parent, you're never really that close to someone or that intimate, where you're that close, where you really get to smell their smells. "We were doing a scene when we were right in there for a while."

And Spader admits his castmate has a very distinctive odor. He explains, "You can tell a lot about a person by that first impression, that first smell. He had a very sort of, a strangely very attractive sort of pungent sort of gamey, sort of a venison or a lamb sausage... and a little bit of rosemary with a touch of ranch dressing."

--Um, what is he talking about????

Posted by Lawren at 07:03 AM | Comments (10)

Don't Mess With 50 Cent

Burglars would do well to keep away from 50 Cent.

After his fellow rapper The Game claimed he keeps an AK47 rifle in the house, 50 Cent said: "He does that to make people think he's a gangster but he's not. I don't say things like that because law enforcement might be reading, but I'm well protected."

And New Yorker 50 Cent reckons his security are so loyal they'd finish any antagonists off on his behalf. Asked in this month's FHM who'd win a mass brawl between him, his mentor Eminem and The Game, he bragged: "Me. Of course I would win. And if I lost, people would come back afterwards and shoot them."

Posted by Lawren at 06:59 AM | Comments (0)

Stone the Stoner

Famed director Oliver Stone was arrested Friday night on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard for drug possession and DWI.

After spending the night in jail, he was released Saturday morning after posting $15,000 bail. This isn't the first drug related offense for the director. In 1999, he was ordered into rehab for a similar charge.

Posted by Lawren at 06:55 AM | Comments (2)

Stewart Suffers Chest Pains

Former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Patrick Stewart was rushed to the hospital yesterday after suffering chronic chest pains while shooting a new science fiction TV show.

The 64-year-old halted filming of British miniseries Eleventh Hour and asked a crew member to take him to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, after suffering a heart scare. But doctors gave him an electrocardiogram and concluded his heart was healthy, so he returned to the set three hours later.

A spokeswoman for production company Granada TV says, "Patrick is absolutely fine and is back on set working." An insider adds, "Patrick has been working very hard in recent weeks, because the filming schedule is really tight. The director suggested he go for a check-up just in case."

--Best wishes to him. He's an amazing actor. If you haven't seen him do Shakespeare, you should try to catch it on PBS sometime.

Posted by Lawren at 06:51 AM | Comments (3)

Wedding Date Set for Sir Elton

Sir Elton John has finally set a date to wed David Furnish. The star is looking to tie the knot with his 42-year-old partner on December 21.

Elton, 57, said yesterday: “The first date we can get married is the 21st. “We are definitely going to do it and we’re not going to do it in secret.”

The pair have been together for 11 years and will probably get hitched at Elton’s country home in Windsor, Berks.

Posted by Lawren at 06:48 AM | Comments (0)

RIP

Oscar-nominated actor Eddie Albert, who starred in the hit '60s sitcom "Green Acres," died Thursday from complications from pneumonia at his home in Pacific Palisades. He was 99.

Apart from his acting roles, Albert was an environmental activist, World War II hero and an inventor. He was nominated for an Oscar for his roles in the movies 'Roman Holiday' and 'The Heartbreak Kid.'

Posted by Lawren at 06:44 AM | Comments (1)

Slater Needed a Pick-Me-Up

Christian Slater tried to score drugs Monday night — but this time, he wanted prescription pharmaceuticals.

Slater approached another customer in the men's room at Brother Jimmy's BBQ on Third Avenue. "I was at the urinal," our dumbstruck spy said. "Christian Slater is next to me and starts talking. He says he's met this girl at the bar, he was hitting on her and he thought he could take her home. Then he asks me if I have any Cialis" — a longer-lasting version of Viagra.

When the spy said he wasn't carrying any erectile dysfunction cure, Slater added, "It's the good stuff!" A rep for Slater said, "He was just joking around."

UPDATE: Christian Slater arrested in the wee hours Tuesday and charged with groping a woman on a Manhattan street, police said.

--What is up with this guy??

Posted by Lawren at 07:50 AM | Comments (6)

Hiltons Show Gay Pride

Paris and Kathy Hilton have been named grand marshals for the 35th Annual Los Angeles Gay Pride celebrations to be held in West Hollywood, festival organizers announced last week.

“They are a very public mother and daughter team, and they know what it’s like to be different, or what it’s like when people don’t understand who they are,” said Rodney Scott, board president of Christopher Street West, parade and festival organizer. “We are so thrilled and excited to have them as our grand marshals.”

Posted by Lawren at 07:47 AM | Comments (3)

Sweet 16 for Mariah

Mariah Carey is celebrating her Sweet Sixteenth. The diva notched her 16th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart this week with the ballad "We Belong Together," off the album "The Emancipation of Mimi," which has sold more than 2 million copies after less than two months on the charts.

Only the Beatles and Elvis Presley, who had 20 and 18 No. 1 singles respectively, have had more chart-toppers.

"I don't know that it's actually sunken in yet," Carey told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Posted by Lawren at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)

Clumsy Alba

Jessica Alba is so clumsy she recently shut her head in her boyfriend's car door.

The star admits she's has a long history of injuring herself, and when she was out with her beau Cash Warren, she unfortunately continued the tradition. She says, "It's not unnatural for me to feel nerdy. I do goofy things all the time. I trip, I knock things over." "The other day, I bashed myself in the head with a door. I was in my boyfriend's car and I closed the door with my head still sticking out.

"I wasn't used to his car, so I closed the door on my head. I am not a coordinated person; I just play coordinated people."

Posted by Lawren at 07:40 AM | Comments (1)

Bad Ratings for "Chaotic"

Britney Spears has been warned her new reality TV show faces the axe unless it attracts more viewers.

But pregnant Britney, who is expecting her first child later this year, is said to be so distraught by the news, she is now undergoing counselling sessions to come to terms with her waning popularity.

A source is quoted by Britain's Daily Star newspaper as saying: "The worst thing is that the viewing figures are so low, she's upset that her fans don't seem to care anymore. "It's painful for her that her fans have stopped listening to what she has to say."

--Maybe if she didn't act like such a complete moron, things might be different.

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (6)

Get a Grip, Gwyn

Holistic goddess and actress Gwyneth Paltrow hates watching herself in movies because she is convinced she can't act.

The Sun reports that the Oscar winner's hang up goes so deep that she runs from the theater or switches television channels rather than catching herself onscreen. "It just makes me freak out and think how terrible I am and how awful my voice sounds," Paltrow told NBC News.

The new mom and partner of Coldplay front man Chris Martin claims the condition worsens when she appears alongside actors she admires. "I remember doing The Talented Mr Ripley, and Matt Damon really needed to see what he was doing, " Paltrow explained. "He was so good in that film that it made me wish I didn't repulse myself so much, because maybe I could be learning what he's learning."

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

Rude Reese?

Reese Witherspoon has been blasted by one of Hollywood's top directors, as one of the rudest women in the industry.

He revealed: "She's a dick, I was at a party and my friend Joey said, 'Hey Reese - I just wanted to say congratulations, I think you'll do really great with the part', and Reese just gave her this dead-eyed look and was like 'Whatever?' What a douche-bag!".

He added in an interview with Britain's Maxim magazine: "At this point she wasn't even Reese Witherspoon that everybody mistakenly knows and loves. To have that kind of attitude back then - I guess she was meant for stardom.".

Posted by Lawren at 07:30 AM | Comments (3)

Will Anyone Hire Shannon?

Setting a new personal record, Shannen Doherty has been fired from a TV series before the first episode aired.

Just last week UPN had her onstage at its upfront presentation to advertisers, plugging her new sitcom Love, Inc., about an unloved dating service executive. But she was sacked Wednesday, even before she'd had time to slug or scream at anybody on the set.

TVGuide.com reported that preview audiences -- much like everybody who worked with Doherty on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed -- didn't like her.

Posted by Lawren at 07:27 AM | Comments (2)

Becks Flirting With Shakira?

First it was Beyonce and J.Lo, now David Beckham has been snapped cosying up to yet another sexy singer - Shakira

The Latino star dropped in on Becks and the other Real Madrid players at the Bernabeu stadium as she promoted her new album, Fijacion Oral Vol 1.

Posted by Lawren at 07:20 AM | Comments (1)

U2 Says No

Irish rock band U2 have turned down an offer to license their 1987 hit song “Where the Streets Have No Name” for use in a television ad. U2 front man Bono was quoted as saying, “We almost did. We sat down. I know from my work in Africa what £12.5 million could buy. It was very hard to walk away from £12.5 million”.

The forty-five year old singer, whose philanthropic activities have garnered him two Noble Peace prize nominations, went on to say, “So we thought, we’ll give the money away. But if we tell people we’re giving the money away, it sounds pompous”. In the end the band agreed not to accept the offer because “Where the Streets Have No Name” was a song they did not want associated with a commercial.

Last year U2 was featured in Apple’s iPod television spots playing their hit single “Vertigo”. The band received heavy criticism for the venture even though they did not accept any payment from Apple. U2 is about to wrap up the U.S. leg of their “Vertigo” tour and will soon be heading to Europe.

Posted by Lawren at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)

Style and Sound

Beginning on June 8, designer Marc Ecko, who is also a Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) board member, is partnering with leaders in fashion and entertainment to introduce “Style & Sound,” a fundraising initiative for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). The online charity auction, to be held in conjunction with eBay Live Auctions, will feature custom iPod cases created by celebrity partnerships, including Carolina Herrera with Renée Zellweger, Marc Ecko with Jamie Foxx, Luca Luca’s Luca Orlandi with Mischa Barton, and Judith Leiber with Katie Holmes.

Some designers have taken the extra step to personalize their products even more. Donna Karan’s case, fashioned out of hammered brass, features a playlist with music from 20 years of her fashion shows, and Sean Combs will create his own playlist under his P.Diddy name. In addition, Nanette Lepore’s design features a brightly beaded and belted case, while Vivienne Tam’s is brocade, trimmed in fur. Each case will contain a 40GB iPod, courtesy of Apple Computers, and a playlist created by each designer’s celebrity partner.

The auction will conclude at a June 22 gala fundraising event to be hosted by Ecko and Herrera, co-chairs of this philanthropic venture. Absentee bids may be logged in, and a catalog viewed, at www.ebayliveauctions.com. Bidders can also participate in the live auction via the Internet. All proceeds will benefit FTBC. Since its inception in 1994, FTBC has raised more than $40 million for various breast cancer organizations across 13 countries.

Posted by Lawren at 07:13 AM | Comments (1)

Xzibit's New Shoe Line

Hip-hop star Xzibit has announced plans to launch his own shoe line.

The Pimp My Ride host has signed a two-year endorsement deal with athletic footwear manufacturer Dada, reports Allhiphop.com. Xzibit, real name Alvin Joyner, says in a statement, "Dada has always been competitive and respected and I'm excited to design and promote a shoe that represents both of us so well."

Dr. Dre and Jessica Simpson are among the long list of celebrities who have been spotted sporting Dada footwear.

Posted by Lawren at 07:09 AM | Comments (4)

Baby News

Sitcom star Kevin James and musician Travis Barker are both planning additions to their respective families.

The King of Queens comedian James, 40, and his wife, Steffiana De La Cruz, 30, a model, are expecting their first child this fall. "We have a little baby on the way, and we're very excited," James, who tied the knot with his bride last June.

Also expecting are Blink-182 drummer Barker, 29, and his wife, actress Shanna Moakler, 30. They will welcome their second child in December. "Hopefully it will be Christmas Eve. I'm hoping for a girl," says Barker.

The couple, who star in the MTV reality show Meet the Barkers, have a 1-year-old son, Landon. Moakler also has a 6-year-old daughter, Atiana, with her ex-fiance Oscar De La Hoya.

Posted by Lawren at 07:05 AM | Comments (0)

Classtime

According to the New York Times, one way to think of a person's place in society is in terms of four factors: education, income, occupation and wealth.

Click here to see where you fall.

Posted by Lawren at 07:03 AM | Comments (0)

Ring's Still On

No, she's not telling the press to shove it. Look closer, and you'll see it's Jessica's way of slamming reports that she and Nick are divorcing.

Posted by Lawren at 08:01 AM | Comments (3)

Idol Talk

Congrats to Carrie Underwood for winning last night's "American Idol."

Truthfully, I was never sold on her, and I think she has no stage presence. Don't get me wrong, I love the small town girl makes it big story, but I think the people with the best voices (Constantine and Vonzell) got prematurely booted.

I've always said that she reminds me of Trisha Yearwood. I can't decide if it's her looks, the way she sounds at times, or her mannerisms (or a combination of those) that makes me feel that way. Coincidentally, Miss Trisha got engaged to Garth Brooks yesterday.

Two weeks after Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger got hitched at a surprise wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Garth Brooks stole the show Wednesday night when, in front of 7,000 fans, he popped the question to fellow country music star Trisha Yearwood. Her response? She said yes – and the crowd went wild.

The occasion was the "Legends in Bronze" event at Buck Owens's Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, Calif., where 10 larger-than-life bronze statues honoring Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, George Jones and George Strait were unveiled, the Associated Press reports.

After Brooks's likeness was presented, the triple-platinum artist got down on one knee and proposed. According to Brooks spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer, this will be the second marriage for the 43-year-old Brooks, who has three daughters (ages 13, 11 and 9), and the third for Yearwood, 40, who was named the Country Music Awards female vocalist of the year in 1997 and 1998.

Posted by Lawren at 07:56 AM | Comments (2)

Not a Far Stretch for Rosie

Rosie O’Donnell hasn’t been doing many acting gigs lately, but she’ll appear on Showtime’s “Queer as Folk” for three episodes.

O’Donnell, long a fan of the gay-themed drama, called the show’s producers to request a role on the show, the cable channel said Tuesday. Her first episode will air Sunday (10 p.m. ET).

The former talk-show host plays an abused woman who works at the local diner and falls for her mentor, played by Sharon Gless.

--What? Rosie is going to play a lesbian? That'll be tough for her.

Posted by Lawren at 07:50 AM | Comments (2)

Sopranos to End?

David Chase, who created "The Sopranos" television series, said the mobster drama on Time Warner Inc.'s HBO cable channel may end after its sixth season, which is in production and set to air next spring.

"We probably shouldn't do a seventh," Chase said at a breakfast organized by Syracuse University's Newhouse School in New York. Chase, 59, said he has known for years how he wanted to end the story and had "a great time" working on the final episodes.

"The Sopranos," starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as his wife, Carmela, since 1999 has lured viewers willing to pay to see the show to HBO. HBO, which isn't restricted by broadcast rules against indecency and doesn't air commercials, has also drawn subscribers with programs such as "Sex and the City" and "Six Feet Under."

The sixth season of "The Sopranos" "is going to be about money, materialism, buying stuff, consumerism," Chase said. "The U.S. is a great country, but everything is up for sale." The comments were not Chase's first on ending the series. In July 2002, he said the fifth season would be the last. Asked today whether a seventh season is possible with the sixth written, he said he wouldn't have to change "anything major."

Chase's comments indicate he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a seventh season, said Shari Anne Brill, director of programming at media buying agency Carat USA in New York.

--Reruns of Season 4 begin June 5, on HBO. I can't wait until the new season starts.

Posted by Lawren at 07:45 AM | Comments (4)

Hot Rod To Be A Daddy Again

They don't call him Hot Rod for nothing.

Veteran rocker Rod Stewart is to be a father for the seventh time at the age of 60, it has been reported. His 34-year-old fiancee Penny Lancaster is pregnant with her first child, claims the Daily Mirror. The paper says the couple had kept the news secret but have now started to tell friends and family.

It quotes a friend as saying: "They are so thrilled. They love each other very much and a baby will make their life complete." The friend adds: "Rod might be getting on a bit but he's not the only old man to have a child and Penny has never made a secret of the fact that she would like kids."

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)

Tupac's Mom Opens Center

Afeni Shakur was in a cocaine haze in 1990 when she heard that her son's rap career was taking off. "I was in the heyday of using," she says. "Someone told me that Tupac was on 'The Arsenio Hall Show,' and I thought they were lying."

That's when Afeni realized cocaine was ruining her life. She had lost track of her son - a tough feat considering that all eyes were about to be on Tupac. Afeni kicked her habit, and by the time Tupac was killed in 1996 at the height of his fame, they had rekindled their relationship. Now Afeni's life is consumed with keeping Tupac's legacy alive - and her latest effort is the June 11 grand opening of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts.

The $4 million project is focused on helping at-risk youth. It revolves around a six-acre campus in the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain that includes an art gallery, rehearsal area, offices, gift shop and a "peace garden." There are plans to add a museum, community meeting space and classrooms. A bronze statue of Tupac will be unveiled in one of the peace garden's fountains in September.

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (0)

Crue Sues

Motley Crue has sued NBC for banning the group after lead singer Vince Neil used an expletive during a live broadcast of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

The federal lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, accuses the network of violating the band's free-speech rights and hurting its record sales by barring it from NBC shows to placate the Federal Communications Commission. The suit seeks a court order lifting the ban as well as unspecified damages. Neil used the f-word during the live New Year's Eve broadcast as he yelled a greeting to bandmate Tommy Lee shortly after midnight.

Though carried live on the East Coast, the remark was excised in other time zones. Neil was unaware his statement was aired live, according to the lawsuit. The FCC said it received complaints about the broadcast.

Posted by Lawren at 07:36 AM | Comments (1)

How to Make a Hollywood Marriage Work

When their acting schedules keep them apart, Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe rely on the phone to keep their seven-year marriage intact.

Lowe recently visited Swank in Bulgaria, where she's filming "The Black Dahlia" with Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett. Then Lowe accompanied the two-time Oscar winner to Japan for the premiere of "Million Dollar Baby."

"When one of us travels, we talk on the phone three-to-four times a day, no matter the time difference," he said. "We never go more than two weeks without seeing each other. My heart can't stand being away from her for too long."

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

RIP

Ismail Merchant, the man behind classic films like the E.M. Forster adaptation 'A Room with a View,' passed away Wednesday at the age of 68.

The India-born filmmaker, producer and partner in an Academy Award-winning production company, Merchant Ivory, died in London with family by his side, according to a spokesperson. He had reportedly been battling illness for some time and was said to have undergone an operation for stomach ulcers recently.

Among some of the well-known films on Merchant's impressive repertoire are 'Howards End,' 'The Remains of the Day' and more modern films like 'Le Divorce.'

--"Howards End" and "Remains of the Day" were excellent. I liked "Le Divorce," but I didn't think it was up to his caliber.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (0)

Eva's Next Gig

Eva Longoria — milking her man-eating "Desperate Housewives" image to the max — has taped a spot for Sirius Satellite Radio where she huskily pants: "Some women have to guess what a man wants, but I know what a man really wants, something that will keep a smile on his face for a really long time — over 120 channels, enough to satisfy any man."

And in other Eva news...

She made her feelings known to the world, but now Eva Longoria has finally admitted defeat. She says she has lost out in the race to bag movie hunk Brad Pitt. Eva caused a sensation just weeks after he had split with wife Jennifer Aniston by brazenly wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "I'll have your baby, Brad".

But she will just have to try and get her claws into someone else after conceding: "I think we have to accept that he's with Angelina Jolie now."

Posted by Lawren at 07:26 AM | Comments (2)

Timberlake to Be Jack's Man

Justin Timberlake is reportedly set to go gay for his next role - with a guest spot on hit sitcom Will & Grace.

Sources say the 'N Sync frontman, who has displayed his comedy skills a number of times on long-running sketch show Saturday Night Live, is planning to play the "bad boy" boyfriend of Sean Hayes' character Jack.

Us Weekly reports that Timberlake has signed up for a three episode run on the show when it returns for its eighth and final season in the autumn. Bosses of the show will only confirm that they have "some great guest stars" lined up for appearances.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (2)

Mayo Clinic Designs Underwear

Who is the latest up and coming underwear designer? The Mayo Clinic

Scientists at the Mayo Clinic learn your secrets if you have been one of the select few to wear a set of underwear with racy-looking cutouts at the crotch and backside, and pockets holding position and motion sensors dangling a half dozen tangled wires.

In January, the scientists here who designed the underwear reported a striking difference in activity levels between lean people and overweight ones. Their study, published in Science, did not involve deliberate exercise, but it measured - with the help of the sensors - how much people moved about naturally and spontaneously.

The heavier ones tended to sit, while the lean ones were more restless and spent two more hours a day on their feet - standing, pacing around and fidgeting. The difference translated into 350 calories a day, enough for the heavy people to take off 30 to 40 pounds a year, if they would get moving.

The researchers believe the tendency to sit still or move around is biological and inborn, governed by genetically determined levels of brain chemicals. And that tendency influences weight - not the other way around, the researchers say.

Posted by Lawren at 07:19 AM | Comments (1)

When Politics and Stars Collide

When politics and stars collide:

Whoopi Goldberg is still mad at the Democrats.

Goldberg, who was renounced last summer after making a lame double entendre about George W. Bush at a John Kerry fund-raiser, told Air America's "Politically Correct" host David Bender: "My party abandoned me. There's no other way to say it: they put their tails between their legs and they ran. I've closed my eyes to the party. I haven't turned my back on them, but I no longer feel comfortable saying that I feel like I'm represented by them. Until people can stand up for what's right in the face of whatever is flying at you, nothing is going to change."

And on the Republican front:

Porn star Mary Carey is set to spice up the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Salute to Freedom" dinner with President Bush next month.

The former fringe candidate for California governor and star of "Lesbian Big Boob Bangeroo 2" and "Thumpin' Melons" will be the guest of her boss, Kick Ass Pictures president Mark Kulkis, an honorary chairman of the NRCC's Business Advisory Council. The prurient pair will also attend a lunch with top Bush advisor Karl Rove, who Carey hopes will give her tips on her planned run for California lieutenant governor next year.

Posted by Lawren at 08:03 AM | Comments (4)

Kevin Makes Brit Workout

We all know that Britney Spears is eating for two, so she is usually spotted emerging from Starbucks with a super-sweet caramel coffee concoction or eating burgers and fries.

And so it was when the 24-year-old turned up on the set of her little sister Jamie Lynn's new TV show Zoey 101 - sucking on another mega mocha.

She arrived on set ahead of husband Kevin Federline, who turned up later with a brand new pair of trainers and soon had his pregnant wife power-walking around the set.

--I can hear it now: "Stay in shape or else! You saw what happened to Shar."

On another note...Click here to play BirthMatch3000: Fetus Spears v. Fetus Garner.

Posted by Lawren at 07:59 AM | Comments (2)

Bono's Bloated

Bono's looking, um, well-fed:

Posted by Lawren at 07:54 AM | Comments (1)

Dating Your Way to the Top

Dating Tom Cruise is starting to pay off for Katie Holmes, if internet reports are to be believed - she's set to steal a Mission: Impossible 3 role from Lindsay Lohan.

According to website Ananova.Com, Holmes has become the hot favorite to replace Scarlett Johansson as Cruise's love interest in the action movie sequel.

Holmes and Lohan aren't the only girls in contention for the two parts left vacant by Johansson and Carrie Anne Moss' departure from the project - Keri Russell (start the campaigning, Iceman) and Elisha Cuthbert are also reportedly in the running.

Posted by Lawren at 07:50 AM | Comments (4)

Anna's New Gig

Tennis babe Anna Kournikova has landed a new job as Elle magazine's new fitness guru. The Russian-born stunner is thrilled with her new job, because it gives her a fresh incentive to find new work-outs to help her stay lean and trim.

In her inaugural column, which appears in the June issue of Elle, Kournikova admits she has struggled to stay in shape since announcing a hiatus from tennis to correct back and foot problems.

She writes, "As I've shifted from an intense training schedule to a more moderate pace... I'm suddenly facing the real issues of a nonprofessional athlete - which means worrying about how often I should hit the gym and what I need to incorporate into my diet and figuring out what fitness and food combination works best for me. "Finally I can risk some new activities (such as rock climbing and Yogalates) without fearing that I'll get hurt and be sidelined, and report back on how rigorous and fun they really are.

"When I was playing competitively, I never really thought much about my body. As long as I could slam my serve at a Williams sister (venus or Serena), I didn't worry about what I ate or if I needed to log StairMaster time because I wasn't exercising."

Posted by Lawren at 07:45 AM | Comments (4)

Zellweger Gets Walk of Fame Star

Academy Award-winning actress Renee Zellweger recalled her first trip to Hollywood nearly two decades ago as a tourist as she received her own shiny star Tuesday on the Walk of Fame.

"I used two rolls of film on just on these stars alone, and I was so excited to be here, and I had my fingers crossed really tightly that one day I could participate in some small way in this medium that I love so much," said the 36-year-old actress said of the 1988 trip with friends.

"But I got to tell you that I never ever imagined a day like this or that I would be invited to be part of this legacy."

Posted by Lawren at 07:42 AM | Comments (0)

Angelina and Jen NOT Friends

The Star reports that Jennifer Aniston recently rebuffed Angelina Jolie's attempt to extend an olive branch to her in wake of recent reports and photos that show Jolie and Pitt together. According to a source, the former Friends actress was anything but friendly when Jolie left a message for her.

"Jen says that Angelina called and left her a voicemail message saying everything isn't what it seems and that if Jen would call her back, she'd fill her in on the truth," said the tattler. "Jen was shocked! She said she wasn't sure how Angelina got her number, though she suspects Brad may have passed it onto her. It made her pretty angry; she said her space had been violated. I think it's driven an even bigger wedge between her and Brad."

The source added that Aniston is no softy. "Jennifer can hold a grudge with the best of them," said the source. "She already had no use for Angelina, and she's livid to think Brad might have had something to do with her calling. The first thing she plans to do is change her numbers so she doesn't get another message like that!"

--Can you blame her?

Posted by Lawren at 07:39 AM | Comments (4)

Ashanti's Original Career Plan

R+b star Ashanti has a drastically different career planned if her chart success ever ends - a coroner.

The singer, 24, was considering studying forensic science at college before Murder Inc record boss Irv Gotti catapulted her to fame in 2002 when she duetted with labelmate JA Rule on Always On Time.

Ashanti enthuses, "I wanted to major in business management and minor in forensic science. "I watched Court Tv, I watched Autopsy, I watched Forensic Files, all of that. I was fascinated by it.

"If you can cut someone's stomach open and see the peas and they haven't digested and that can tell you what time they died, I'm amazed by that."

Posted by Lawren at 07:35 AM | Comments (2)

He's So Over It

Hayden Christensen is set to quit acting to become an architect.

He told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Maybe the new 'Star Wars' will be my last movie. "I don't find Hollywood interesting, so I'm thinking about studying architecture instead."

The actor, who plays Anakin Skywalker in the hit sci-fi series, claims that he's had enough of making movies because the industry demands too much from its stars. He has been romantically linked with his 'Star Wars' co-star Natalie Portman, also slammed other young actors who are prepared to sell themselves to Hollywood in order to make their career successful.

Posted by Lawren at 07:32 AM | Comments (3)

Teri Hatcher To Pose for Playboy?

Teri Hatcher has admitted that she would consider taking it off for Playboy.

Chatting to talk show host Jay Leno, Teri revealed that she hadn't heard the rumor that the Desperate Housewives girls had already turned down an offer by the mag.

"I didn't hear that offer, because if I had, I'd be in Playboy!" she told Jay. "I mean, really, everyone has a price and $10 million is mine. So I've put it out there."

"(My cleavage) you get for free. I mean, it's not much further..."

--We'll see if Playboy is willing to pay up...

Posted by Lawren at 07:30 AM | Comments (5)

Benicio To the Rescue

Benicio Del Toro came to the rescue of Penelope Cruz and her mother after they got stuck in an elevator at the Cannes Film Festival in France, reports IMDB.com.

The Oscar-winning actor saved the Spanish beauty and her mother Encarna from being stranded after the elevator shut down at the Majestic Hotel, where Cruz was attending the film festival to promote the drama Chromophobia.

"It was a very scary experience," said a source. "The lift stopped and no one knew what had happened. Penelope was pretty calm, but her mother is claustrophobic and really started panicking. Benicio managed to get them both out of the lift single-handedly, even though they were stuck between two floors. He has amazing upper-body strength and lifted Penelope out of the top of the lift like she was a doll."

Del Toro added: "It was pretty hairy, but I only did what any other man would do. I was glad to be able to help out."

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (1)

Sad

Thurl Ravenscroft, who provided the rumbling "They're Grrrrreeeat!" for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger ads and voiced a host of Disney characters, has died. He was 91.

Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters. For more than 50 years, Ravenscroft was the affable voice behind Tony the Tiger, TV's popular cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.

"I'm the only man in the world that has made a career with one word: Grrrrreeeat!" Ravenscroft told the Orange County Register in 1996. "When Kellogg's brought up the idea of the tiger, they sent me a caricature of Tony to see if I could create something for them. After messing around for some time I came up with the `Grrrrreeeat!' roar, and that's how it's been since then."

He also narrated the summertime Pageant of the Masters at Laguna Beach for 20 years and lent his voice to characters on thrill rides at Disneyland, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Haunted Mansion.

Posted by Lawren at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)

Cruise, Get Control

Get ahold of yourself, Tom:

Tom Cruise is ready to take his relationship with Katie Holmes to the next level, pals say.

One source notes that Cruise — who went public with his relationship with the "Batman Begins" cutie after just two weeks and has been publicly swooning over her ever since — is "talking marriage." The A-list star tells friends, "it's happening," and wants to tie the knot with Holmes.

Strangely, however, he can't seem to remember how they met. Sources say that at last week's "Oprah" taping, Cruise hesitated and stammered when the question was posed to him — not once, but twice. Then he went overboard, dropping to his knees to confess his love for Holmes to Oprah before bringing her out for a surprise appearance.

And in other Tom news:

Tom did take some time out of his busy schedule gushing over Katie Holmes to blast Brooke Shields for taking Paxil. The New York Daily News reports that Scientology evangelist Cruise told Access Hollywood that Shields was misguided when she took the anti-depressant to fight postpartum depression after giving birth.

It has been 25 years since Cruise played minor actor to Brooke Shields star in teen romance Endless Love, but the tables have turned, at least according to Cruise. "Here is a woman, and I care about Brooke Shields because I think she is an incredibly talented woman," said Cruise who preaches the Church of Scientology's disapproval of all mind-altering drugs. "You look at, where has her career gone?"

Shields, for her part, is currently starring in the London production of Chicago and has recently released Down Came the Rain, a new book about her battle with depression. Yet, Cruise appears to believe that vitamins may somehow help her career.

"These drugs are dangerous. I have actually helped people come off," Cruise explained. "When you talk about postpartum, you can take people today, women, and what you do is you use vitamins. There is a hormonal thing that is going on, scientifically, you can prove that. But when you talk about emotional, chemical imbalances in people, there is no science behind that. You can use vitamins to help a woman through those things."

Posted by Lawren at 08:11 AM | Comments (11)

Tara To Paint the World Red on E!

Wild On! is back, and Tara Reid has signed on as host. The travel series will debut its new season in August, E! Entertainment Television said Friday.

E! sees Reid as "the only girl who truly knows how to paint the town (or in this case, the world) red."

Reid, star of Van Wilder, Josie and the Pussycats and the American Pie movies, will take viewers along "as she skips to the front of the line and straight past the bouncer at the wildest parties in the world," E! said in a statement.

"You might think you know her from the myriad magazines highlighting her Hollywood high life, but you are about to experience the real Tara," the statement said. "We're no longer the fly on the wall, this time we are on the dance floor, at the bar and even in the penthouses, as we follow the only girl who truly knows how to paint the town (or in this case, the world!) red."

Posted by Lawren at 08:07 AM | Comments (2)

What's Up With Nicole?

Who are you trying to kid, Nicole? Like you drink regular Coke.

Even Papa Lionel admitted that she's not eating.

Posted by Lawren at 08:05 AM | Comments (4)

Buh Bye

Pop star Kelly Osbourne is turning her back on her adopted home of Los Angeles to live in her birth town of London.

Kelly has lived in Los Angeles since she was 13 and says Britain appeals to her because the people are less fake and the men are more relaxed when it comes to dating. She explains, "I'm moving back at the end of the year. I've rented a house and we'll buy it soon. "LA's a fantasy dream world. It's so fake, though. People think the streets are paved with gold, but they're actually paved with s**t and with s**tty people.

"There's so much drama with American guys. If you kiss them once, they think you're in a relationship. It's not like how to pull (seduce) someone here. Americans are all very high drama."

--Hey Kelly. Don't let the door hit you in the, well, you know.

Posted by Lawren at 08:01 AM | Comments (3)

Naomi's New Man

Naomi Watts is finally over her ex, Heath Ledger. The blond Aussie showed up at the U2 show at the Garden Saturday night with her new man, Liev Schreiber.

"They are definitely together," our spy said. Watts, Schreiber and Watts' pal Nicole Kidman went backstage after the show to greet the band, where Kidman was "hit on" by Sean Combs "all night," the source laughed — "to no avail." Kidman is dating Steven Bing.

Posted by Lawren at 07:59 AM | Comments (2)

The Jennings Freight Train's A-Comin'

More than pride may be at stake when "Jeopardy!" ace Ken Jennings takes on two challengers in the game show's $2 million challenge that airs this week.

Comedy Central said Monday it has signed Jennings to be the central figure in a new game show the channel is developing with Michael Davies, the producer behind "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

That goes along with the upcoming board game "Can You Beat Ken?" and the "Quizzology" CD trivia game that he's behind. Oh, and the book Jennings is writing that's due out next year.

Posted by Lawren at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

Shakira to Lend Star Power

Columbian pop star Shakira is set to give Spain's Olympic Games bid a boost next month when she performs as part of Madrid's campaign to bring the sporting spectacular to the capital.

The singer will perform three new songs at the Puerta de Alcala square party for the 2012 Olympics on June 5th.

Posted by Lawren at 07:51 AM | Comments (1)

Paltrow's New Job

The ink is barely dry on Estée Lauder’s deal with Tom Ford, and now the beauty giant has acquired another A-list celebrity: Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Oscar-winning actress, whose next film, Proof, is due out later this year, has entered into a multi-year contract with Estée Lauder. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Paltrow will now represent the brand’s fragrances and select makeup collections in global advertising campaigns, joining an illustrious group of women, including Liya Kebede, Carolyn Murphy, and Elizabeth Hurley. The first campaign that will feature Paltrow debuts this holiday season as both a print and television ad celebrating the 10th anniversary of the company’s global fragrance, Pleasures.

“Gwyneth Paltrow is perfect for Estée Lauder. She is one of the most important actresses of our time, and she is smart, interesting, and a fashion icon,” said Estée Lauder global brand president, John Demsey, in a statement. “As one of the most recognized women in the world, we are delighted to have her first campaign be for Estée Lauder Pleasures.”

Posted by Lawren at 07:49 AM | Comments (0)

Stars Invest in Beauty Line

Jay-Z and Will Smith are among a host of investors in an unlikely business venture - an all-natural beauty line.

On Tuesday, Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z, Interscope record company chairman Jimmy Iovine, music mogul Steve Stoute, Tommy Mottola and his wife Thalia attended a press conference in New York to announce their collective $10 million investment in Carol's Daughter.

The investment will fund a Carol's Daughter flagship store in New York City's Harlem, due to open in the autumn, as well as nine more stores in American cities including Atlanta, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Pinkett Smith, already a fan of the products, will become the face of the company in an upcoming advertising campaign.

The company was founded by Lisa Price, who left her job and started the all-natural line of bath and beauty products with just $100 to her name. It has since seen profits of $2 million, with Halle Berry and Pinkett Smith counted among its loyal customers.

Posted by Lawren at 07:46 AM | Comments (0)

Kiss of Death

Ellen DeGeneres is convinced new girlfriend Portia de Rossi is 'the one' after several broken relationships.

The chat show host, who won a handful of daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, ended her four-year relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedisen to be with De Rossi in December.

DeGeneres gushes to Allure magazine, "I pray that Portia and I are together the rest of our lives. "I never thought my life would have turned out this way. To have money. Or to have a gorgeous girlfriend. I just feel so lucky with everything in my life right now."

--Now if that's not the kiss of death...

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)

Another "Top" List to Argue Over

The movie critics for Time magazine, Richard Schickel and Richard Corliss, have compiled an unranked list of the 100 greatest films. It was posted Sunday on www.Time.com. Included are traditionally acclaimed flicks like "Lawrence of Arabia," "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane," as well as more atypical choices like "Finding Nemo," "Star Wars" and the 2002 Brazilian gang story, "City of God."

"100 lists are fun to discuss, fun to argue over," Schickel told The Associated Press. "I don't think anybody should say, `That's it, that's the final 100! No disputing this for the rest of eternity!' You know, stuff changes. Life changes. You change."

That perspective is even more difficult for contemporary movies, says the critic who has also produced many documentaries and led the acclaimed reconstruction of Samuel Fuller's 1980 war pic, "The Big Red One." Recent films on the list include Pedro Almodovar's "Talk to Her," the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and, of course, "Pulp Fiction."

Schickel acknowledges some regret for a few older reviews of his - like not trumpeting "Bonnie and Clyde" more or failing to immediately recognize "Chinatown" as "close to a perfect movie." Though it was before Schickel's time, the original 1942 review of "Casablanca," for example, read, "Nothing short of an invasion could add much to `Casablanca.'" "If you're involved with movies, they are a living organism in your memory," Schickel says. "It's like some creature in a sci-fi movie that keeps shape-shifting."

The most popular director turned out to be Martin Scorsese, who has three films on the list. Scorsese's frequent actor of choice, Robert De Niro, leads actors with five.

In Monday's issue of the magazine, the two critics also name the best film from each decade since Time began: "Metropolis" (1927), "Dodsworth" (1936), "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Ikiru" (1952), "Persona" (1966), "Chinatown" (1974), "Decalogue" (1988), "Pulp Fiction" (1994) and "Talk to Her" (2002).

Get the complete list here.

--Finding Nemo over North By Northwest? PLEASE.

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (1)

New Type of Mall

A new shopping complex in Ohio will try to combine the convenience of online stores with the hands-on experience of browsing at a mall.

Sometime near the end of 2006, the complex, called Epicenter, is scheduled to open in Columbus at the Polaris Fashion Place. The nucleus of Epicenter will consist of two parts - the Buypod, a hand-held electronic device, and electronic kiosks located throughout the mall.

Under the concept, customers will enter the mall and register their credit card information, which will then be put into their Buypods. As customers browse merchandise, they can use their Buypod - which, as the name suggests, looks something like an Apple iPod - to scan the labels of items they want to buy.

Although a small number of items will available to take home, most orders will be sent directly to the warehouse, where they will be filled and shipped. The electronic kiosks will print receipts and can be used to cancel orders, if needed.

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (1)

Brit's Poolside Morning Sickness

Britney Spears' morning sickness is reaching new levels - after she was seen vomiting in a swanky hotel pool.

The five-months pregnant singer was swimming and talking to fellow guests at California's plush Ritz Carlton Hotel when she suddenly felt unwell. Not being able to make the bathroom in time, she was forced to be sick at the side of the pool.

According to eyewitnesses, the embarrassed singer then fled to her hotel room, leaving pool attendants to mop up.

A fellow guest revealed: "She did apologize and she is pregnant so it couldn't be helped."

Posted by Lawren at 07:57 AM | Comments (2)

"I'll Tell You What I Want..."

You thought you'd never see them again, but you were wrong. Now it is decided that the Spice Girls are to make a comeback. The girls are going to head out on a world tour with all the original members, including Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell.

Scary Spice, Melanie Brown, gave the news to GMTV. In addition to the tour, Spice Girls are to release a ‘Best of' album. The tour is also said to ensure the girls a large paycheck.

--Um, not sure what I think about this.

Posted by Lawren at 07:52 AM | Comments (2)

Paris Says...

"I have good karma...I am a good person, so God made things happen for me."

--Paris Hilton in Us Weekly.

Posted by Lawren at 07:49 AM | Comments (12)

Housewives Finale

How awesome was the Housewives finale last night? We now know all about the secrets Mary-Alice "died to protect."

Posted by Lawren at 07:47 AM | Comments (5)

Top Restaurants Boycott Snow Crabs

Mario Batali's seafood restaurant Esca, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen's favorite restaurant Butter, tourist haunt Tavern on the Green, and thriving Whole Foods Market are among the dozens of Manhattan eateries that have joined the boycott of Canadian snow crabs.

The Humane Society is spearheading the boycott aimed at Canadian government-subsidized seal hunts in Newfoundland. Environmental activist and Humane Society consultant Danny Seo explains, "The reason we are calling for a snow crab boycott is that most seal clubbers are actually snow crabbers, too. Snow crabs are a $3 billion export for Canada, and seal pelts are only about $12 million. We feel we can stop them from clubbing seals because they want to make more money with the crabs."

While selling seal pelts is illegal in the United States, their luxurious coats are used in couture creations by Louis Vuitton, Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana for sale in Europe. "Most people in America think the seal hunt is over, but it's not," Seo said.

Posted by Lawren at 07:44 AM | Comments (1)

One Small Step for Becks

David Beckham dreams of becoming a space man when he quits soccer.

The England captain admitted his fascination with space travel and said his ambition was to do a “Neil Armstrong” and go to the Moon. Becks, 30, told a Spanish radio station: “It would be great to have the opportunity to go to the Moon when I retire. It would be a real experience.

“A lot of players go into coaching — but I’ve already decided it is not for me.”

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (1)

Cannes Wrapup

Belgian movie L'Enfant beat 20 other films to win the coveted Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Saturday.

L'Enfant was directed by brothers Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne and follows a young couple struggling to survive in France's urban jungle. This year's festival marked the second time the Dardenne brothers have picked up the prestigious Palme D'Or - they previously won it in 1999 for Rosetta.

Elsewhere, Tommy Lee Jones won the Best Actor award for his role as Pete Perkins in western The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada, which he also directed. Jones' film also won Best Screenplay for its writer Guillermo Arriaga. Israeli Hanna Laslo picked up the Best Actress prize for her role in Free Zone, about a borderless Middle East. She dedicated her award to her mother, who died in the Holocaust.

American director Jim Jarmusch won the Grand Prix award for his film Broken Flowers, which stars Bill Murray, Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange. Chinese filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai won the Special Jury Prize for Shanghai Dreams. Michael Haneke won the Best Director award for French film Hidden, while Best Short Film went to Wayfarers by Ukraine moviemaker Igor Strembitskyy.

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (1)

Beatty for Governor?

Warren Beatty says he isn't ruling out running for governor of California, and thinks he could do a better job than Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"I don't think anyone should ever rule public service out," Beatty said. "It's a way of saying, 'Take me out of the mix and don't listen to me any more.'."

The actor made the remark after giving a commencement address to graduates of University of California Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. Beatty, who has been involved in politics for years, played a senator in the 1998 movie "Bulworth" and entertained the idea of running for the presidency six years ago.

Beatty, 68, said he has "a real soft spot for actors even if they are right wing," and has always liked Schwarzenegger. But the former action star is a politician who should "rise to the higher level of that calling," Beatty said, and not denigrate fellow politicians by mocking them as "girlie men," as the governor did of Democratic lawmakers last summer. "Can't we accept that devotion to the building of the body politic is more complex and a little more sensitive than devotion to body building?" Beatty asked.

Schwarzenegger deputy press secretary Vince Sollitto said of the criticism: "I'm sure it's nothing personal. Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."

Posted by Lawren at 07:35 AM | Comments (3)

Words to Live By

"Rescue Me" star Denis Leary didn't give a typical graduation speech at the Emerson College ceremony where he copped an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, reports the Boston Herald.

"I didn't prepare a bunch of stuff to say to you guys because I know you want to get out of here and get drunk," the 1979 grad and former writing instructor said. In his expletive-laden speech, Leary man aged to avoid most of the clichés that mar such occasions, especially that old "these- are-the-best-days-of-your-lives" chestnut. "That's bull [bleep]," Leary said.

"These are not the best days of your lives," he told the grads, adding that the students will leave school, get married, have kids, stop having sex, get colonoscopies and go through menopause. Lastly, Leary thanked Emerson for his Ph.D. degree "because I'm going to hold it over every one who works for me."

Posted by Lawren at 07:32 AM | Comments (4)

Friends--the Movie?

Could it be that we haven't seen the last of Central Perk and those six New Yorkers who call themselves Friends? There's chat that they may reunite for one last project .

According to the Sunday Express, the six stars of the hit TV series are in negotiations to get together again to make a movie. It seems that our penchant for watching repeats of the show has prompted movie bosses to believe there is still plenty of mileage in the characters - even though the series ended in 2004 after a ten year run.

The paper quotes an insider as saying: "Although the cast have gone their different ways, none of them has quite repeated the success they had with Friends. "And while Friends may be over as a television entity there are many who have believed for some time that people had not quite had enough of them just yet. "David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston are the first to make positive noises regarding the film and it is thought once they are on board the others will follow suit."

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (3)

Brainless Quiz Time

Not sure how they gathered all this from my answers to a few questions about animals, but...

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you.

You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you can get or discard anytime. You're feeling self centered.

Posted by Lawren at 07:24 AM | Comments (1)

Ghostly TV

What kind of shows to expect on TV next season? Anything dealing with the supernatural.

CBS is introducing a two-hour block on Friday nights, with Jennifer Love Hewitt talking to dead people in one, and the government massing against an alien invasion in another. ABC's "Invasion" takes another form: The aliens inhabit dead bodies. NBC's new "Fathom" is about a terrifying new form of life found in the ocean's depths. The WB's "Supernatural" traces two young, good-looking brothers who fight evil ghosts.

As always, the glut comes from network executives seeing what's been successful lately and trying to duplicate it. In this case, it's NBC's "Medium," the USA Network's "The 4400" and especially ABC's "Lost," with that malevolent monster out there somewhere.

--Looks like I won't be watching much TV next season.

--Thanks for the tip, Brian.

Posted by Lawren at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)

Harper Lee

Harper Lee, who has been dodging publicity for decades since she published her only book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," made a rare step into the limelight to be honored by the Los Angeles Public Library.

Lee, 79, stopped giving interviews a few years after she won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1960 coming-of-age book exploring racial prejudice in the South. She has turned down most request for appearances. But she couldn't refuse an invitation from Veronique Peck, the widow of actor Gregory Peck, who won an Oscar for his starring role as lawyer Atticus Finch in the 1962 film version of the book and became a lifelong friend with Lee.

"Mockingbird" co-star Brock Peters, who played the black man falsely accused of rape in the film, presented the award to Lee.

Posted by Lawren at 07:17 AM | Comments (1)

How Do You Say "Giddyup" in French?

No, no, no Mary-Kate and Ashley. You CLEARLY misheard your publicist. It's not Cheyenne, it's CANNES.

Posted by Lawren at 08:00 AM | Comments (14)

Spiritual Spears

Britney Spears is so devoted to her spirituality, she's devoting a whole room in her new mansion to prayer and meditation.

The singer, who was raised a Baptist and was recently introduced to the teachings of the Kabbalah by pal Madonna, is currently overseeing construction work on the Malibu, California, home she shares with her husband Kevin Federline. And Spears is making sure that her spiritual - and baby's - needs are provided for when her home is complete.

She writes on her website: "My mom and I are going to start talking about ideas this week for the baby's room. She is so gifted in decorating and interior design and I'm grateful to have her help. "I've also been thinking of different ideas for the prayer and meditation room. Everything is going so well lately - it literally brings me to my knees."

--Because spending money gets you closer to God, right?

Posted by Lawren at 07:57 AM | Comments (3)

Odd Pairing

In one of the most unusual summer-tour pairings in recent memory, the Ozzfest Web site announced Monday night that there will be one final act added to this year's second-stage lineup: actress Jada Pinkett Smith's rock group, Wicked Wisdom.

The addition of the Christian-leaning rock-and-soul hybrid to a summer touring package that boasts ferocious metal merchants like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Shadows Fall, Mudvayne, In Flames and the Black Dahlia Murder is unexpected, to say the least.

Posted by Lawren at 07:54 AM | Comments (1)

Not Wasting Any Time

Tom Cruise is smitten with the charms of Katie Holmes. "I love this woman," Cruise says in an interview to air Monday on "Access Hollywood." "She's magnificent."

When asked why he appears to be less inhibited about showing his affection for Holmes in public than in his past relationships, Cruise tells "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Billy Bush: "I am so happy and I am not going to pretend or hide it or be shy. This woman is magnificent."

Posted by Lawren at 07:52 AM | Comments (6)

Nothing to Wear

Naomi Campbell's public relations company, N.C. Connect, threw a lunch at the VIP Club in Cannes, where the annual film festival is in full swing, as a benefit for the Nelson Mandela Children's Foundation. Campbell is Mandela's honorary granddaughter. More than 50 well-heeled guests arrived, ready to eat and ready to bid on jewelry, vacations and luxury merchandise that had been donated for the live auction. But they didn't get to do either.

After waiting two hours with nothing but bread, water and champagne, such grumpy guests as male supermodel Tyson Beckford, publisher Massimo Gargia, Denise Rich, Marta Marzotto (whose family owns the Valentino fashion house), Fawaz Gruosi (owner of de Grisogono jewelers) and his wife, Caroline Scheufele (whose family owns Chopard), left lunchless. "The tables were set for lunch, but the management was waiting for Naomi before they'd serve it," said one source.

In one of the most inventive explanations ever devised, the dusky diva's publicist, Rob Shuter, informed Page Six via BlackBerry: "Naomi's stylist disappeared with all her clothes. Naomi has only her underwear. She sat on a boat waiting for two hours for new clothes to arrive. In the end, she borrowed a dress from a girlfriend."

Campbell was said to be staying on the yacht of her old boyfriend, Formula One racing mogul Flavio Briatore, the play- boy who fathered Heidi Klum's first child.

Posted by Lawren at 07:50 AM | Comments (0)

Silverstone to Wed?

Could silver-screen sweetheart Alicia Silverstone and her longtime love, Chris Jarecki, have wedding bells in their near future?

A pal close to the couple says that the duo will head down the aisle sometime this summer. They've apparently been ordering up vegan cuisine fit for a reception, including a vegan wedding cake. "It's one healthy wedding," a source reveals.

A dog lover and owner of many, Silverstone is even said to be considering a dress designed by fellow animal rights activist Stella McCartney.

Posted by Lawren at 07:46 AM | Comments (0)

WTF?

At at least one store in the United States and throughout Germany, Wal-Mart stores are hosting weekly singles nights, where shoppers looking for romance tie a red ribbon to their carts as they browse for laundry detergent, loofahs and, yes, love.

And Home Depot stores have become such a well-known place for single women on the prowl for handy men that it's become a running joke on radio talk shows.

Shoppers agree that the new hot spot for finding love is the local megamart. "A few years ago, when my friend was going through her divorce, I said to her: 'If you want to meet guys, I don't recommend a bar. But I do frequent Home Depot,'" Lawrence, N.Y., relationship expert Debbie Mandel said. "And then before you knew it, people would come over and talk to you. You're looking at tiles, they're looking at tiles; you're looking at silicon, they're looking at silicon; you learn the best way to grout and put tile down, and when we went over to the garden center, there were a lot of men working.

--Ummmm....

Posted by Lawren at 07:43 AM | Comments (2)

Depp Inspired by Manson?

People.com reports that Johnny Depp may have taken his latest inspiration from shock-rocker and political activist Marilyn Manson. Depp, who most recent role was Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has been known to model characters based on real life people. For Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp channeled Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards for his Oscar-nominated portrayal of pirate Jack Sparrow.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory director Tim Burton wouldn't reveal the details Depp's Method acting, but he told People.com: "He will certainly be eccentric, yes."

Posted by Lawren at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)

Too Far For J.Lo

Jennifer Lopez has hit out at TV shows that makeover members of the public to look like her.

One of the latest trends of reality shows takes fans of celebrities and gives them cosmetic surgery and style makeovers so they resemble their heroes.

But J.Lo finds the phenomenon creepy. She says, "I saw one recently and thought, 'Get your own look.'"

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

Clinton on His Memoir

Bill Clinton says, "It's too long!" (No, not THAT...)

In the paperback edition of "My Life," former President Clinton acknowledges that his memoir may have been too long, recounts some friendly faces from his book tour and some odder ones sighted under the influence of anesthesia as he underwent heart surgery last September.

"At first I saw a series of dark faces, like death masks, flying toward me and being crushed," writes Clinton, whose book comes out May 31 in both trade and mass market paperback. "Then I saw circles of light with the faces of Hillary, Chelsea, and others I cared about flying toward me, then away into a bright, sun-like source."

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (1)

Porn Class

Students at the University of Iowa are lining up for what promises to be a stimulating educational experience.

Upper-level communication studies course "Critical Pornography Studies" will focus on the role of pornography in pop culture, according to Jay Clarkson, the graduate student spearheading the class. Students will tackle topics like the history of obscenity, attempts to legislate pornography, the feminist debate over porn, and porn's prevalence in the media and U.S. culture.

Clarkson stressed the class is more about research than pornography itself — so don't look for any XXX-rated videos, ahem, popping up in the course. "We will not be viewing X-rated materials in class, nor will the assignments require that students purchase pornographic materials." Students looking for an easy A or a cheap thrill need not apply, he said. "The course is going to be quite difficult. There will be a lot of reading involved, and students will be required to deal with a very diverse set of perspectives."

Clarkson said the speaker's opposition to discussing porn in a public forum is one of the main reasons the course is so important. "I really wish he had contacted me to find out about the course or even read the course description more carefully," he said. "Pornography exists, and merely dismissing it won't make it go away. It is important, in my opinion, to encourage students to think about [something in a way] that is both critical and informed. Isn't that what college is for?"

--The article goes on to say that there is a waiting list. Go figure!

Posted by Lawren at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)

Paltrow's Depression

After Gwyneth Paltrow's father, Bruce, died in October 2002 following a recurrence of throat cancer, the actress battled clinical depression and fought through feelings of guilt at not having done enough for him during his illness, according to a revealing interview published in the May 17 edition of London's Evening Standard.

Speaking openly about her dad's death, Paltrow, 32, told the newspaper that "I was in so much denial for so much of his illness. The thought of life without my father was totally unfathomable to me."

What eventually got her through the grief was the birth of her daughter Apple. "She's been very healing for us – for myself, my brother, my mother," said Paltrow. "For me, the greatest joy before I gave birth to her was the idea that she would be one-quarter my father."

"I'm not as stringent as I was in the past," said Paltrow, who used to adhere to a strict macrobiotic diet. "Now I'll have cheese once in a while or white flour, but I still believe in whole grains and no sugar." That openness extends beyond just eating. "I am much better at living in the moment," she told the Evening Standard. "I found myself worrying so much less about what I haven't done. Life is here, in this moment, now."

--Her idea of living for the moment is letting loose and eating cheese once in awhile?

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

Simpson To Wear Bikini in New Video

Jessica Simpson is remaking an older classic, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'." Simpson's version is a duet with her "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star Willie Nelson and will be the first single from the movie's soundtrack.

According to insiders, the video will open with Simpson working as a waitress at the Boar's Nest, where she accidentally incites a bar fight. Inspired by "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and other musicals, the choreographed chaos happens around her, but never touches her or Willie Nelson, who sits at the bar. Eventually, a group of girls in Daisy Duke shorts enter and turn the brawl into a hoedown.

Meanwhile, footage of Simpson in a bikini, washing the General Lee, will be intercut with the bar scene.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (1)

Usher's a Possibility for Dreamgirls

R&B star Usher has confirmed he is in negotiations to star in a new movie version of the musical Dreamgirls - just days after his mother denied any association with the project.

If he signs, Usher is expected to play choreographer CC White, alongside Beyonce Knowles and Jamie Foxx - Eddie Murphy is also being mooted to play James 'Thunder' Early, a fictional cross between James Brown and Marvin Gaye.

Posted by Lawren at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)

Paris Is a Pigeon Lover

Paris Hilton faces a $95 fine after feeding pigeons on the streets of London - because Mayor Ken Livingstone has banned the activity.

The hotel heiress arrived in the British capital on Monday to promote her own brand of perfume, and wiled away her spare time throwing pieces of bread to the famished birds in Trafalgar Square. She says, "I'd live here if it had Los Angeles weather. I just love feeding the pigeons in Trafalgar Square; I could do that forever. I even prefer it to going shopping."

However, The Simple Life star has prompted Livingstone's spokesman to warn her of the financial penalty attached to her illegal act of kindness.

He says, "There's a bylaw that makes it illegal for any person to either feed any bird or distribute any feeding stuffs for birds unless approved by the Mayor of London."

--Can't say I enjoyed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square so much. Pigeons are dirty and the whole place smelled funny.

Posted by Lawren at 08:11 AM | Comments (9)

Salma's Stunning

Salma is stunning at Cannes:

Posted by Lawren at 08:08 AM | Comments (0)

Faux Beyonce

A woman claiming to be Beyoncé has been calling publicists' offices to request free products.

A bogus Beyoncé nearly scored shoes from Holly Dunlap's HollyWould line this week, after personally calling Dunlap's store to rave about the heels worn by "my friend Halle Berry." The ruse almost worked until Dunlap discovered that the real Beyoncé was in Dubai, not Houston, as her fake claimed.

The bogus Beyoncé also scheduled meetings at The Four Seasons with clueless fashion flacks but canceled at the last minute.

Posted by Lawren at 08:07 AM | Comments (2)

Sandler's Hands

Adam Sandler wrote "Hi to everyone" and left his handprints and prints of his shoes in cement at the fabled Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. The ceremony Tuesday coincided with the upcoming release of his latest film, "The Longest Yard," set to open May 27.

"Today's one of the first times when I'm just sitting back and doing what my father told me and enjoying the moment and enjoying the fact that this is a terrific feeling," the 38-year-old actor-comedian told an audience that included Jack Nicholson, Rob Schneider and Kathy Bates.

Sandler said that when he told his family he was pursuing an acting career, his relatives told him that he would follow in the footsteps of some big stars. "I didn't become any of those people," said Sandler, a former cast member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." "But today I can officially say I am now the legendary Adam Sandler."

Posted by Lawren at 08:03 AM | Comments (0)

Gwyneth Doesn't Want Apple to Be a Freak

Not that naming your baby Apple has anything to do with it, but Gwyneth Paltrow seems to be overly concerned about her baby becoming a "freak." Contactmusic.com reports that Paltrow is working to make sure she does not become overbearing with her child's eating habits.

"Right now Apple is young and I control what she eats. It's all very healthy," Paltrow said. "But she's her own person and I will respect who she is. If she doesn't want to be vegetarian or she wants to eat hydrogenated oils and fairy cakes at birthday parties, that's fine."

The health-conscious mom adds, "I'm not going to be a controlling over-protective hippy. We live in the world we do. I don't want her to be a freak."

Posted by Lawren at 07:56 AM | Comments (3)

Gwen's Design Frenzy

Gwen's on a designing rampage:

The singer, who launched her higher-end L.A.M.B. fashion collection last year, is expanding her empire with the more affordable Harajuku Lovers line.

"I love designing because there's so much less pressure than writing songs. But it fulfills the same kind of passion in me," says Stefani, who released her solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in November. Stefani is fascinated with Japanese youth culture and street style, and harajuku ("super-cute") girls played a big part in the promotional blitz for her album.

The first Harajuku item out? The HP Photosmart Harajuku Lovers digital camera, which went on sale Monday for $249.99 at HP.com. "Everyone has a camera as an accessory," Stefani says. "I thought it might be cute to have a camera that will go with your outfit. It will match the underwear I'm making."

She's referring to the underclothes, as well as stationery, hats, baby clothes, T-shirts, cell phone charms and handbags, that are all part of Harajuku Lovers and will be sold at Urban Outfitters and Hello Kitty stores starting June 15. And then there's Stefani's line of L.A.M.B. shoes, on sale in August. And her first Fashion Week show this September in New York.

Doesn't she ever get tired? "I'm stupid," Stefani says with a laugh. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Posted by Lawren at 07:53 AM | Comments (0)

Kelly Worried About Superskinny Stars

Kelly Osbourne is growing more and more shocked by Hollywood's need to be super skinny after one teenage star's weightloss made her feel sick. Outspoken Osbourne is refusing to name names, but she can't hide her feelings about her famous friends' desperate efforts to stay thin.

She says, "Take a look at some of the young actresses who are really popular now. They've responded to the pressure to always look good by whittling themselves down so extremely that looking fat - from even the worst angle - is pretty near impossible." "Sure, they're beautiful in photographs, but when you see them in person, they look hungry and miserable.

"It's so disturbing because some of these girls are my friends, and they're starving themselves... There's one in particular I think of often." "I saw her last summer and I remember thinking, 'You're so beautiful, you're at the most perfect weight.' "Then I ran into her in the winter and she literally looked near death. I was like, 'What are you doing to yourself? You're 18-years-old.'"

Posted by Lawren at 07:49 AM | Comments (6)

Creative Juices Flowing at the Holiday Inn

Rapper Juvenile made most of his upcoming album in a Holiday Inn hotel room. Strangely enough, Juve used the New Orleans hotel suite as his album muse, according to his publicist.

Claiming the space was both secluded and organic, he and his comrades set up shop all around the room — including the bathroom — to record their creative energy.

Reality Check will be the MC's first project following his departure from his original label, Cash Money Records. Discovering that he wasn't getting what he thought was his proper share, the father of "Back That Azz Up" called it quits. Now he seems comfortable with his new home at Atlantic Records, which also distributes the rapper's UTP Records.

Juve grabbed collaborations with Ludacris, 8Ball, Fat Joe, Brian McKnight and up-and-comer Trey Songz for Reality Check. "Animal" will be the first single from the album, which is slated to drop August 23.

--Waiting for MP&S's resident hip-hop expert to weigh in on this one...

Posted by Lawren at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)

Some Proposal

Kenny Chesney's proposal to Renee Zellweger apparently was no "candlelight dinner and bent knee" affair. In fact, Chesney says there was no proposal.

"She wouldn't let me, really. She just told me to name a town and place and she'd be there," the 37-year-old country singer told reporters Tuesday after the 40th Academy of Country Music Awards show.

Asked what it's like being married, Chesney replied: "To be honest with you, it's not all that different. I'm just not searching anymore."

--I'm just not feeling the love on this one.

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (4)

Nelly to do PSA

Hip-hop star Nelly is set to warn the American public about the dangers of underage drinking in a new TV campaign.

The rapper tells parents that their children are their biggest fans in the ad, which will debut this evening. In the Anheuser-Busch-sponsored 30-second spot, Nelly admits that some of the parents watching him may not recognize him as a hip-hop icon, so he pretends to be a chef, a boxer and a golfer, reports MTV News.

He says in a statement, "Underage drinking is a serious issue, and working with parents to address the problem is the responsible thing to do." "It's very important for parents to talk with their children about everything, and underage drinking prevention is definitely one of those things you need to jump on early."

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)

Up Next For Depp

One of Johnny Depp's next big projects will have the famous actor reprising a role he gained acclaim for in the 1998 hit Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

According to Daily Variety, Depp will once again play journalist Hunter S. Thompson in an upcoming movie called The Rum Diary. Based on Thompson's very first novel, which journals his career and personal escapades in 1950s Puerto Rico.

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (3)

RIP

Frank Gorshin, the impressionist with 100 faces best known for his Emmy-nominated role as the Riddler on the "Batman" TV series, has died. He was 72.

Gorshin's wife of 48 years, Christina, was at his side when he died Tuesday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, his agent and longtime friend, Fred Wostbrock, said Wednesday. "He put up a valiant fight with lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia," Mrs. Gorshin said in a statement.

Despite dozens of TV and movie credits, Gorshin will be forever remembered for his role as the Riddler, Adam West's villainous foil in the question mark-pocked green suit and bowler hat on "Batman" from 1966 to '69.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (1)

Klum's Midas Touch

A gold replica of Heidi Klum's right leg worth more than £10,000 is to be auctioned off for charity on eBay.

The model of the 31-year-old's leg was created as part of a promotion for electronics company Braun. The company has also insured Heidi's legs for £1.2 million making them the most valuable legs in the world.

Appearing in public for the first time since she wed British singer Seal last week, the pregnant model said she had to "half sit and half stand for hours on end" while artist Christoph Blume gave her the Midas touch. Signing the base of the foot "with love, Heidi Klum" and drawing a small love heart on the ankle, she added: "He was able to cheat a bit in order to make the toes on my right leg straight."

Klum, who wore a black mini and black stilettos, said: "Every woman has perfect legs if she looks after them." She recommended women "wear short skirts and shorts" in summer.

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (4)

New Man for Eva Longoria?

The New York Daily News reports that Eva Longoria's latest conquest is Star Wars hunk Hayden Christensen.

According to the item, Longoria was spotted in full manhunt mode in the South of France during the party for Episode III - Revenge of the Sith at the Cannes Film Festival. "She was hitting on Hayden, big-time. They basically spent the whole night talking and caressing each other in a dark corner with security all around them," said a spywitness of Longoria and Christensen. "They were being discreet, but she was holding his hand, and they left at the same time, around 3:30 a.m."

Although Longoria and Christensen, 24, were careful to avoid the paparazzi, said the tattler, "I'm pretty sure they hooked up."

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (9)

Ellen Opens Up

Comic and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has a not-so funny tale to tell. The New York Daily News reports that DeGeneres has publicly discussed the molestation she says she endured at the hands of her stepfather thirty years ago.

The report, which cites an interview DeGeneres gave to Allure magazine, tells her account of the molestation that allegedly occurred when the comic was 17. Her mother's breast cancer and mastectomy reportedly gave her stepfather, Betty DeGeneres' third husband, an "excuse" to "examine" the younger DeGeneres. The unnamed stepfather told her he thought he'd felt a lump in her mother's other breast "but he [didn't] want to alarm [Betty], so he [needed] to feel mine to make sure," explained DeGeneres. "He made me lie down because he said he felt hers while she was lying down," DeGeneres recalled. "It escalated into other things....He tried to break down the door to my bedroom....I had to kick a window out and escape and sleep in a hospital all night long."

DeGeneres has had her share of pain as an adult also. DeGeneres confessed to interviewer Kevin Sessums that she wept for days when former girlfriend Anne Heche dumped her after four years to marry Coley Laffoon. "Anne broke my heart into a million pieces," DeGeneres said. "When Anne left, I'd wake up in the morning, and my eyes would just immediately fill up with tears, and I would start convulsively crying. I'd watch the sun come up and then go down and I'd literally be in the same place on the floor. I've never spoken to her since she left." DeGeneres explained that she thought she saw Heche one day. "There would have been a point where that would have made me so nervous," DeGeneres confessed. "But I realized I felt nothing, and feeling nothing about her was great."

As for her recent break-up and hook-up with new girlfriend Portia de Rossi, 15 years her junior, DeGeneres is thinking positive. "I pray that Portia and I are together the rest of our lives," she said.

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (1)

Headin' North?

The ultimate good ol' boy might be moving north of the Mason Dixon line for the first time.

Spies say Renée Zellweger has asked her hubby of two weeks, Kenny Chesney , to move to Connecticut. Chesney, who has a house in Nashville and spends most of his time on a boat in St. Barts, is said to have agreed. Zellweger, who has houses in L.A. and East Hampton and a pad in Manhattan, loves the Northeast.

Posted by Lawren at 07:16 AM | Comments (3)

Out of Your League

While Lindsay Lohan has her share of press, it apparently isn't the kind she'd like it to be. The teen queen told Los Angeles Times that she wants to appear "wholesome."

"I always want to be perceived as normal and wholesome, because it's relatable," said Lohan. "I hope people think I'm wholesome. It's hard after what you read in the magazines, that I'm dating every guy who's like my father's age. But that's not me."

While other younger actresses like Keira Knightly, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman are getting roles in Oscar-nominated films, Lohan is left with work on movies like Herbie: Fully Loaded, which opens June 22. Lohan, whose been in the news more often for her relationship to Wilmer Valderrama and her weight than for her acting feats, expressed frustration over why she's not taken as seriously as Knightley and Johansson, who are only two years older.

"It's hard for me to have to watch that," says Lohan. "I work just as hard as those people and sometimes [the media] make it seem that they're more mature because their fan base is more mature and my fan base is younger ... so they're writing about me going out all the time. It's easy to over-publicize me."

HOWEVER...her luck might be getting a little better...

Lindsay Lohan may be starring in "Mission Impossible 3" with Tom Cruise. Lohan told KIIS FM radio in L.A. Monday she's going to China soon to film a big movie, adding, " 'Mission Impossible 3.' Shhhh. You're the first ones I've told."

Sadly, she may have spoken too soon. Lohan's rep said the Hollywood hellcat has not been officially offered the role, but has only "read for the part." Elisha Cuthbert is also up for the role, which Scarlett Johansson turned down

(Watch out Katie if Lindsay is on the scene...)

Posted by Lawren at 07:15 AM | Comments (1)

One More Crappy Celeb Clothes Line

That '70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama has become the latest celebrity to announce plans to launch a clothing line.

The 25-year-old actor, ex-boyfriend of Lindsay Lohan and Mandy Moore, has kept himself busy with a range of projects recently - including a new comedy show and voicing an animated series - and now he's ready to move into the world of fashion.

He says, "I'm a workaholic. I went through a time in my life when I was having fun with my success, enjoying it very much." "Then I thought, 'You know what? Let's do the homework and out the hours in and really make things happen.' "For the last two and a half years, I've been getting ready, and now I'm at the point I'm announcing all the things I've been working on. It's an exciting year."

Posted by Lawren at 07:10 AM | Comments (1)

I Just Might HurlyBurly

Actress Elizabeth Berkley will join the cast of Off-Broadway's Hurlyburly May 9 to replace the departing Catherine Kellner who left for "personal reasons" on April 26. Kellner played her final performance April 26 and understudy Diana Ruppe took on the role of Bonnie in her absence.

Berkley appeared in the recent Broadway revival of Sly Fox and starred opposite Eddie Izzard in the 1999 West End production of Lenny. She is perhaps best known for her role on television's "Saved by the Bell" and film turns in "Showgirls," "Roger Dodger," "Any Given Sunday" and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion."

--I just might hurlyburly myself...

Posted by Lawren at 07:07 AM | Comments (2)

World Trump Center?

Donald Trump, escalating his war against the "empty skeleton" Freedom Tower, will offer his own design for a rebuilt 111-story "World Trade Center" at Ground Zero at a press conference tomorrow.

"We have a beautiful model that has been built, a very big model," Trump told The Post yesterday. "We took the original World Trade Center design, brought it into the modern age, made it more beautiful than ever before, made it one story taller, made it higher lined, and took out the architectural weaknesses that were there. "We also strengthened the building internally so that what happened on 9/11 could never happen again," Trump added.

--Just what I pictured for the site. Some gawdy building, splattered with gold, with Trump's name all over it.

Posted by Lawren at 07:02 AM | Comments (1)

Neil Young to Rap?

Hours before Neil Young was due to deliver his next album to his label, he took a bow in Beverly Hills for his diverse body of work on Monday, and jokingly threatened to venture into rap.

Young, 59, was honored with the Founders Award by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), which decreed that his "musical legacy will continue to rock the free world and enrich generations to come."

The tribute took place during the performing rights group's 22nd annual pop music awards, which honored the writers and copyright owners of the most performed songs of 2004. Perhaps because many of ASCAP's top 50 songs were from the urban genre -- headed by hip-hop duo OutKast's song of the year, "Hey Ya!" -- Young declared his love for rap music.

"Most things I soak up, and it comes out here and there, so keep your eyes peeled," he said to laughter among the black-tie audience at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "Anyway, I guess my mission now is to boldly go where no hippie has ever gone before."

Posted by Lawren at 07:00 AM | Comments (3)

Ditch Your Friends

Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth were barred from attending a Cannes party this weekend - for having too big an entourage.

Kevin reportedly told the guard: "I'm going to count to ten. By the time I reach zero you'll let me in.". But the doorman refused, saying the pair had too many friends with them.

Colin was then heard replying: "You'll be hearing about this in the press." .
The pair were later spotted enjoying a quiet drink at the nearby Hotel Martinez where Colin was quoted by the International Herald Tribune newspaper as saying: "It's probably a good thing for some thick-necked bouncer to remind you that presenting at Cannes doesn't mean you are better than a useless idiot. He's probably right".

Posted by Lawren at 06:55 AM | Comments (2)

She's Baaaack

Whitney Houston will return to the studio in ten days under mentor Clive Davis's supervision.

Davis told Access Hollywood that Whitney, 41, has left rehabilitation and will now complete the album she began earlier with the veteran music mogul.

Whitney entered a drug rehabilitation center in March. She was also hospitalized in March of 2004.

Posted by Lawren at 06:52 AM | Comments (0)

Love's Movie Comeback

Courtney Love is not one for flying under the radar, but five years after its creation, a film starring the rocker is quietly coming to television.

"Julie Johnson," a domestic drama starring Lili Taylor ("Six Feet Under," "Say Anything...") as the title character and Love ("The People vs. Larry Flynt," "Man on the Moon") as her best friend, was filmed in the spring of 2000 in and around New York. Lensed and co-written by Bob Gosse ("Niagara, Niagara"), "Julie Johnson," based on the play by Wendy Hammond, made its official debut at Sundance in 2001.

Love went on to win the Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film award at Los Angeles' Outfest for her role, and the flick took the Jury Prize for Best Feature - Lesbian at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, but "Julie Johnson" has never been given a theatrical release. It makes its small-screen premiere on the gay cable channel Here! on June 3.

Posted by Lawren at 06:49 AM | Comments (0)

Lexicon Dictionary Additions

The editors of Merriam-Webster dictionaries got more than 3,000 entries when, in a lighthearted moment, they asked visitors to their Web site to submit their favorite words that aren't in the dictionary.

"It was a lot of fun," Arthur Bicknell, a spokesman for the Springfield-based dictionary publisher, said Monday. "We weren't expecting so many. They only had two weeks."

Some of the proposed words even gained multiple submissions so the editors came up with an unofficial Top 10 list. First place went to "ginormous" -- bigger than gigantic and bigger than enormous -- followed by "confuzzled" for confused and puzzled simultaneously, and "whoot," an exclamation of joy. A "lingweenie" -- a person incapable of making up new words -- placed 10th.

--Anyone who knows me knows I use "ginormous" daily.

Posted by Lawren at 06:48 AM | Comments (4)

What Has She Done To Herself?

Does anyone else think Lindsay Lohan looks like Lita Ford in this pic?

"Kiss me once! Kiss me twice! Come on pretty baby, kiss me deadly!"

Posted by Lawren at 08:01 AM | Comments (8)

Mariah's Makeover

Mariah Carey, who is regularly mocked for her got-it-flaunt-it fashion sense, is getting a style makeover from her new best friend — Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley.

Pals of Carey's are hoping Talley can do what he did for Melania Trump and turn her into a style icon, possibly landing her on the cover of Vogue, as Melania was when she married Donald Trump.

Talley escorted Carey to Karl Lagerfeld's dinner at Matsuri last week, took her to Oprah Winfrey's celebration of African-American legends over the weekend near Santa Barbara, and hung out with the songbird yesterday in L.A. According to Carey's rep and pal Marvet Britto: "I introduced them two months ago because Mariah needed guidance. She has an incredible sense of style — but then she went out in outfits like cutoff shorts and tank tops. It was her old team of people telling her to wear that.

"Mariah always said she would love Andre's guidance and wisdom, and when I called him to help her, he was thrilled and said, 'I would be honored!' "

Posted by Lawren at 07:59 AM | Comments (0)

BritNews

Here's your (mostly) daily Britney post in honor of Iceman:

Brit is still traumatized by her break-up from Justin Timberlake, because she thought they would spend the rest of their lives together. The pop pair split three years ago this month and Spears has since married Kevin Federline, and is expecting his child.

But she is still haunted by the traumatic separation, which was played out for months through the pages of newspapers and celebrity magazines.

She tells gossip site The Scoop, "The most painful thing I have ever experienced was that break-up." "We were together so long and I had this vision. You think you're going to spend the rest of your life together."

But she maintains she is blissfully happy with Federline, who she describes as, "The sexiest man alive. No one knows the half of what he can do. He's brilliant."

--And, you KNOW you don't want to miss the premiere of her train wreck of a show, "Chaotic." It's TONIGHT!

Posted by Lawren at 07:53 AM | Comments (5)

Now THAT'S Bling

Bringing "bling" to a whole new level:

Researchers have developed a new technique for making very large diamonds of high quality that could soon boost optics technology and gaudily adorn fingers of the wealthy with sparkling rocks up to an inch wide.

Using a process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD), several groups have figured out how to make diamonds. But growing them over 3 carats has proved challenging. A carat is a unit of weight for gems.

"Our fabrication of 10-carat, half-inch, CVD diamonds is a major breakthrough," said Russell Hemley of the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory. The size is about five times what commercial diamond manufacturers can make using standard processes, Hemley and his colleagues said today. In theory, the technique should be able to make diamonds an inch big, or roughly 300 carats.

The famed Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats.

--Thanks for the tip, Brian.

Posted by Lawren at 07:46 AM | Comments (5)

Holy Water?

Pop siblings Hilary and Haylie Duff have signed up as unofficial spokesmodels for a new water product after discovering it's great for their skin.

Scott Vincent Borba launched his Borba Water at the Sundance Film Festival in January and many stars already use the nutrient-enhanced H2O, but the Duff sisters are using it religiously.

Hilary will drink Borba Water when she tours America this summer after discovering the liquid, which features moisturising elements and a secret age-defying formula has helped clear up her spotty skin.

Borba claims his "reverse-osmosis water" is so powerful that just two bottles equals the hydrating qualities for skin as eight bottles of normal spring water.

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (1)

Nike Changes Things Up

Nike is changing its strategy on women's apparel.

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (1)

Because We All Need a Stuffed Tinkerbell

Fans of socialite-turned-movie star Paris Hilton can soon pick up their own toy version of her lapdog companion Tinkerbell - and this one won't run away from home.

The hotel heiress, who famously launched a search for her beloved pooch last year after it went missing in Beverly Hills, California, has signed a new deal with toymakers Gund to license plush-toy designs of Tinkerbell.

It's not the only new moneymaking venture for the sassy socialite, who is currently promoting her new perfume in Europe, she also recently signed a deal to develop and market Paris Hilton watches.

--Nothing surprises me anymore.

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

Sharon's Still Turning Heads

In Cannes to promote Basic Instinct 2, Sharon Stone, the woman who became famous for uncrossing her legs, was more interested in talking about her life as a single mother since adopting her second child.

She already has a four-year-old son, Roan, whom she adopted with ex-husband Phil Bronstein, but last week she announced she had adopted another child, and named him - wait for it - Laird Vonne Stone.

Arriving at the press conference 45 minutes late, Sharon swept into the Nikki Club in the Carlton Hotel, declaring: "I don't want to talk about my private life." But in the same breath she said: "I couldn't imagine that life could get better after having the experience of being a mother to Roan. "But the only thing better than one is two." Wearing a skin-tight black dress the tanned 47-year-old flirted outrageously with her movie co-star, British actor David Morrissey before explaining how she arrived at the name for her new son.

"Vonne was my aunt's name and is my second name," she said, without explaining where she'd cobbled up "Laird". She then went on to urge every other unattached woman to adopt a child. "Laird coming into my life has been the best time of my life," she said. "I've had more support, love and kindness than I've had at any other time. "I can do it, and it shows a single woman can do it all."

Sharon then described Morrissey whom she romps with in the Basic Instinct sequel. "He's very handsome and if you have seen his work, you know he's an exquisite actor. I really enjoyed working with him because he's so funny and talented and sexy."

Posted by Lawren at 07:30 AM | Comments (1)

Words of Wisdom From Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper on Michael Jackson:

"He can't possibly go to any jail that exists right now. My idea was that they build him a fantasy jail like Captain Hook's ship because he's so into this Peter Pan thing." Cooper also reckons Jacko should tone down his wacko court garb. "He goes into court with red lipstick on, and I'm going, 'You're fighting for your life here, son, come on.'"

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (5)

Roll Models

Roll Models:

Next week, designers Nicole Miller, Heatherette, Miguel Pena, and Lloyd Klein collaborate with wheelchair-bound women to discuss the first-ever wheelchair fashion show. Sponsored by Discovery Through Design and the MUSE organization, the meeting will plan for Rolling With Style, a February ’06 benefit featuring designer wheelchairs and wheelchair-friendly fashion by New York designers.

Discovery Through Design is an organization rewarding the accomplishments of wheelchair-bound women. Founded by four women with spinal injuries, the group aids women with paralysis and other debilitating injuries by promoting creativity and increased quality of life—including cuter wheelchairs.

Posted by Lawren at 07:23 AM | Comments (0)

Sad News for Minogue

Australian pop star Kylie Minogue has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo immediate treatment, her management team said. Her tour of Australia was postponed following the announcement.

A statement from Minogue's management said the 36-year-old's diagnosis was confirmed this week during a visit to the southern Australian city of Melbourne.

"Whilst at home in Melbourne with her family this week prior to her Australian Showgirl Tour, Kylie was diagnosed with early breast cancer," the statement said.

In the statement, Minogue said: "I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australian audiences, and am sorry to have to disappoint my fans. Nevertheless, hopefully all will work out fine and I'll be back with you all again soon."

Posted by Lawren at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)

Girl Dates

First, I brought you the rules of the man date.

Now, here is the strict, unspoken protcol of girl dates.

Posted by Lawren at 07:15 AM | Comments (0)

Jake and Lindsay?

Has Jake Gyllenhaal, who was last seen tongue-wrestling with "Maria Full of Grace" actress Catalina Sandino Moreno at Bungalow 8, moved on?

Spies swear up and down that the "Donnie Darko" star has been hanging out with Hollywood Lindsay Lohan every chance he gets. The pair were spotted huddled together at the L.A. clubs Vine Street Lounge and Mood on two consecutive nights.

Posted by Lawren at 07:54 AM | Comments (2)

Yikes!

Oh, Natalie. I hope the new buzz cut is for a part.

Posted by Lawren at 07:51 AM | Comments (1)

Gellar to Play a Porn Star

Hollywood beauty Sarah Michelle Gellar is shedding her wholesome image to play a porn star in Richard Kelly's new movie Southland Tales.

The actress will star alongside wrestler-turned actor The Rock in the film, which is set in Los Angeles in 2008.

The storyline weaves together the lives of an action star stricken with amnesia, an adult film star developing her own reality television show and a policeman who holds the key to a vast conspiracy - all taking place during a three-day heat-wave and culminating in a huge Fourth of July celebration.

Posted by Lawren at 07:48 AM | Comments (1)

Quotable

Britney says:

"I don't look in the mirror and say, 'Oh, I'm the most beautiful girl in the world. Look at me.' I see my imperfections, I see my flaws, I just don't care."

"I walk out of my house in my pyjamas, with no make-up on and I just don't care because that's how I feel more comfortable. If you want me to wear a fancy dress to go to Starbucks, then you are completely wrong. After I got married I was one of those people who let themselves go a little bit.

"I think I'll always have a weight problem. I love junk food and occasionally will still splurge, but normally I just eat sensibly."

Posted by Lawren at 07:45 AM | Comments (4)

Who's the Curviest of them All?

Beyonce Knowles has beaten Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez in a new magazine poll to find Hollywood's curviest lady.

The Destiny's Child singer tops the In Touch list to find The Best Curves in Hollywood.

The top 10 is:

1. Beyonce Knowles
2. Penelope Cruz
3. Jennifer Lopez
4. Pamela Anderson
5. Tyra Banks
6. Halle Berry
7. Scarlett Johansson
8. Nicolette Sheridan
9. Debra Messing
10. Kate Winslet

--Where's Salma?

Posted by Lawren at 07:42 AM | Comments (4)

Timing Is Everything

Angelina Jolie has revealed she bedded a suitor who propositioned while she was married to Billy Bob Thornton.

The actress, who is rumored to be dating newly single Brad Pitt, tells style magazine Vanity Fair that she walked away from a dinner date with the Mystery Man after he attempted to woo her - while she was a married woman. But she has since had a secret rendezvous with her Mr-Right-at-the-wrong-time.

She says, "I met a man I never slept with. We had dinner once, and it ended up being, 'Look, I'm married. I can't sleep with you. I can't even finish dinner 'cause it's uncomfortable.' Three years later I called him and asked if he wanted to be lovers, and it was one of these phone calls of just, you know, a single mom sleeping with a baby and just, I'll call a man up and ask if he wants to be my lover. We spent a few dinners kind of discussing the details of how this was going to happen. It was actually fascinating. I even think with that man it took about two months until he looked at me and said, 'Oh, you're really serious, you're OK with this, you're really fine to just have a lover.'"

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (3)

She Wishes Him Well

Jennifer Lopez wants former fiance Ben Affleck to "find happiness" like she has, following their split last year.

Lopez and Affleck were due to marry in September 2003, but the wedding was cancelled at the last minute and they split for good the following January.

Lopez married Latin singer Marc Anthony just five months later and she celebrates her first wedding anniversary next month. In a new interview, the star insists she hopes Affleck finds the same happiness she has.

Posted by Lawren at 07:36 AM | Comments (1)

Cruise and Holmes Do Mexico

Tom Cruise took new girlfriend Katie Holmes on a romantic holiday to Mexico, and brought along his children, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Cruise's ex-wife Nicole Kidman was forced to spend Mother's Day without 12-year-old Isabella and 10-year-old Connor.

However, Cruise's attempts to impress Dawson's Creek star Holmes ran into difficulty when he didn't get the suite that he wanted. Cruise apparently wanted another guest at the £3,200-per-night villa to move, and the hotel even offered $1000 to the guest, who refused to change.

Fortunately, the pair still managed to have a good time; they were spotted scuba diving and on romantic walks down the beach.

--Props to the guest for refusing to change.

Posted by Lawren at 07:33 AM | Comments (1)

Reading is SO Overrated

According to GQ magazine, Pamela Anderson has revealed that Paris Hilton refuses to read restaurant menus for herself.

According to The Sun online Anderson told GQ magazine: "She's funny. Last time I met her we were in a restaurant together - she slammed the menu down and screamed: 'I hate reading! Someone tell me what's on the menu!'"

Anderson added, "I mean, I'm blonde but c'mon."

Posted by Lawren at 07:29 AM | Comments (4)

50 Escapes Jail

A plea deal in 50 Cent's latest legal rap looks set to keep the rapper out of jail - as long as he behaves himself.

The In Da Club hitmaker was charged with assault and battery after allegedly trampling two women and punching a third during a concert last year, and has accepted a court-imposed deal to stay a free man. Prosecutors in Springfield, Massachusetts have told 50, real name Curtis Jackson, that the charges against him will be dropped in two years time if he stays drug free and follows other orders between now and then.

The incident occurred during a surprise concert at Springfield's Hippodrome club last May, in which Jackson allegedly jumped into a crowd after someone threw or squirted water at him. The three women were left injured by his rash act.

It shouldn't be difficult for 50 to uphold his part in the plea deal - he claimed in an interview last month that he never takes drugs after seeing what they did to former clients when he was a Queens, New York drug dealer.

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (2)

Kabbalah More Important than Cannes

Madonna chooses Kabbalah over Cannes:

Madonna was offered a spot on the prestigious Cannes Film Festival jury, but turned it down because she would have missed two Kabbalah meetings back in London, reports ThisIsLondon.com.

Her religious obligations represented a no-Cannes-do scenario, as the singer would have had to make two trips from the South of France back to London during the festival panel's busiest periods. Madonna has turned down other social engagements in the past because of conflict with her commitment to Kabbalah.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (3)

QuizTime

Brainless Quiz Time:

Your Birthdate: October 12

Being born on the 12th day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving - but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

Posted by Lawren at 07:19 AM | Comments (0)

Happy Birthday, Sin City

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite places: Las Vegas.

Posted by Lawren at 07:16 AM | Comments (0)

Letting Her Wild Side Shine

Tara Reid is finally embracing her reputation as one of Hollywood's hardest-partying hotties. The buxom barfly is very close to signing a deal to become the next host of the E! channel's popular "Wild On!" travel show, following the bikini-clad likes of Cindy Taylor, Brooke Burke and Jules Asner.

In two weeks, Reid flies to Romania, where she will star in a horror movie called "Incubus." After that, the plan is for her to party her way through Europe for the rest of the summer, trailed by an E! camera crew.

--Love that she can be sarcastic with her shirts.

Posted by Lawren at 07:57 AM | Comments (5)

BritNews

I know some of you think I over post on Britney, but I couldn't resist on this one. The story has Hoosier ties!

An Indiana songwriter is suing singer Britney Spears for copyright infringement, claiming he wrote the song "Sometimes" 15 years ago.

An attorney for Steve Wallace of Anderson filed a complaint May 5 in federal court against Spears, her album promoter, Sony/BMG Music Publishing Inc., and recording and publishing companies affiliated with the singer. The complaint acknowledges Wallace did not formally copyright his song until 2003. A few weeks after writing the song in 1990, he executed what's commonly known as a "poor man's" copyright: He placed his work in a sealed envelope and obtained a postmark. He shopped the song around to publishers in 1994 and submitted it to a lyric contest in Pennsylvania in 1997.

Wallace also submitted as an exhibit a copy of what he claims is an e-mail from Spears in which she wrote: "I now know for a fact that you wrote sometimes. But there's nothing I can do about it. That's all I can say about it." It's not clear from the copy when Spears allegedly wrote the e-mail.

Spears, 23, obtained a U.S. copyright for "Sometimes" on January 22, 1999. It appeared on her 1999 debut album, "... Baby One More Time" and on last year's "Greatest Hits: My Prerogative."

The lyrics of the song sung by Spears are nearly identical to those written by Wallace, a side-by-side comparison submitted as evidence shows.

--Oh, and in other Brit news, she's preparing for a new addition to her home. No, not the arrival of her kid, but a new septic tank. How's THAT for pertinent news?!?!?!

Posted by Lawren at 07:52 AM | Comments (1)

Mena Divorcing

Mena Suvari has filed for divorce from cinematographer Robert Brinkmann, her husband of five years.

The statement said Suvari is claiming irreconcilable differences as the basis for her divorce petition, filed Tuesday.

Brinkmann, 43, and Suvari, 26, eloped in March 2000 just after the actress had turned 21.

Posted by Lawren at 07:48 AM | Comments (0)

Robin Sues Fake Robin

Robin Williams is suing an impersonator who's been passing himself off as the Oscar-winning funnyman.

Williams filed suit in a Minnesota federal court against lookalike Michael Clayton and his agent, Michael Pool, claiming the shady duo has been scamming charities around the country by pretending to be the real deal.

"Celebrity Justice" reports the tricky twosome recently duped organizers of a fire department benefit in a small Missouri town and netted $45,000 in the hoax. The real "Mrs. Doubtfire" star is seeking an injunction against the pair to prevent them from further tarnishing his good name.

Posted by Lawren at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)

Brandon Walsh to Marry Again

It seems former "Beverly Hills, 90210" heartthrob Jason Priestley (aka Brandon Walsh) is a soon-to-be-married man.

Sources told ET that he and his fiancée, makeup artist Naomi Lowde, are set to tie the knot within the next few days. The two lovebirds were recently spotted jetting off to the Bahamas, where the nuptials are expected to take place. Priestley was briefly married once before to makeup artist Ashlee Petersen, before dating Lowde for several years. He proposed to Lowde last spring.

--Anyone see a trend here?

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)

Designer Coke Bottles

Following the success of its collaboration with Matthew Williamson, Coca-Cola has turned to a crop of new designers to design a series of limited-edition bottles benefiting the Terence Higgins Trust, England’s leading HIV/AIDS charity.

Such illustrious fashion players as Manolo Blahnik, Damon Dash, Jonathan Saunders, and Bay Garnett, as well as sports stars and television personalities like the Scissor Sisters and Trevor Nelson, are some of the participants who have flexed their creative muscle, each designing a bottle to be sold in Harvey Nichols stores beginning in June.

Coca-Cola asked each designer to create “what brings them sunshine.” Blahnik said he was inspired by the joy of “designing something that made him smile,” while the London-based fashion duo Gharani Strok conjured up “seeing their children smile.”

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (1)

Reebok's New Face

Christina Ricci has been named as the new face of sportswear giant Reebok.

The actress will join her male counterpart John Leguizamo on billboard advertisements across America, which will also feature a host of the nation's top sporting heroes.

--Does anyone else think both of these people seem like random choices?

Posted by Lawren at 07:35 AM | Comments (4)

GWB's Niece Stalked

Lauren Bush, the covergirl niece of President Bush, was allegedly stalked by a Boston man who sent her threatening e-mails and flew to Princeton, N.J., before he was arrested last Friday by the Secret Service as he was closing in on her.

Police sources say Lucas M. Schloming, who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999 with a B.S. in economics, was apprehended on the Princeton campus after asking people where he could find Lauren, who is a junior at the university.

"Someone was smart enough to wonder what he was up to and alerted Princeton security, who called the police," said a friend of Bush's. It allegedly started with e-mails. "He was obsessed," said the friend. "He said he loved her and wanted to be with her. But the e-mails were getting more and more strange, and one was threatening."

Bush showed the threatening e-mail to the Secret Service, which dispatched agents to pay a visit to Schloming in Boston, where he lives with his parents.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (1)

Miller Not Quite Big Enough

Sienna Miller has been ditched from upcoming movie Factory Girl in which she had been set to play 1960s wild child Edie Sedgwick.

The shock decision is a devastating blow to Jude Law's 23-year-old girlfriend - who couldn't wait to begin work on what would have been her first leading role. But movie bosses decided they needed a "bigger name" to portray the drug- addled society darling - who was a muse of legendary pop artist Andy Warhol and rocker Bob Dylan.

A source tells British tabloid the Daily Mirror, "Of course she's bitterly disappointed. Who wouldn't be? It's set to be a really shocking film but she was up for it, even the possibility of graphic sex scenes. She wanted to prove to people she's not just a boho fashion icon but a credible actress. Sienna's in rehearsals for As You Like It - she'll bounce back. She is the woman of the moment so she's not short of offers."

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (1)

I Got Your Back

Teen pop idol Aaron Carter is following in the footsteps of J.Lo and Britney Spears, by embarking on a romance with one of his back-up dancers.

The "I Love Candy" singer, who has dated Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan in the past, has been with brunette Britney for several months, and he admits he's deeply in love.

He says, "(I tell her I love her) every day."

--How does this clown date cute girls?

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (3)

Maternal Instinct

Sharon Stone, 47, has adopted a baby boy, born to "unknown and unrelated parents in Texas" on Saturday and named Laird Vonne Stone by the actress, Stone's publicist, Cindi Berger, said in a statement, adding "Mommy and her boys are over the moon." The Basic Instinct actress has a 4-year-old son, Roan.

--Can't say I'm sold on the name.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (0)

The Cut

Introducing The Cut, a 1-hour reality drama hosted by Tommy Hilfiger, and no doubt influenced by the success of Bravo’s Project Runway.

As with PR, The Cut searches for America’s next great designer through a series of fashion and business challenges. Like the Project Runway cast, the Cutters will live together in a Manhattan residence and mug for camera crews for the next 16 weeks.

But while Project Runway offered a cash prize and an apprenticeship with Banana Republic, The Cut looks to aim higher. Its grand prize reward? The chance to design a whole collection under the Tommy Hilfiger label.

Posted by Lawren at 07:18 AM | Comments (0)

Merci Beaucoup

Much thanks to Iceman for guest blogging for me. Nice job!

Posted by Lawren at 07:16 AM | Comments (1)

Another Strange Pairing

Holla! Iceman here, back at ya. Keeping in line with the guest blogging trend of awkward Hollywood couples, I figured we should toss this one out there as well . . . though it just makes their marriage official. I think the actual shock effect of this couple is gone, though it still makes me raise an eyebrow.

Singer Seal and supermodel Heidi Klum were married Tuesday on a beach in Mexico, Klum's representative confirmed to The Associated Press. There were no details Wednesday.

In January, Klum said on her Web site that she and Seal were engaged. Two months later, the couple announced that Klum was pregnant. "There is nothing that gives us greater happiness than the realization of our dream," the statement said.

Klum, 31, and Seal, 42, began dating last year, shortly after her breakup with Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore, who is the father of her daughter, Leni, born last May. Klum, who is a Victoria's Secret model and has appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine's swimsuit issue, separated from her husband of five years, celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino, in November 2002.

Iceman's Inklings: At least this one gives hope to all the less attractive guys out there . . . that . . . are . . . rich and can sing.

Posted by Lawren at 01:10 PM | Comments (5)

The Iceman Cometh

Greetings, faithful followers of MP&S! It's the Iceman here, serving as guest blogger while your fearless leader is off serenading the suits on Capitol Hill, hopefully not becoming the next Monica . . . Since I know Miss Mills is just dying for this story to hit the printer on her beloved site, here goes nothing:

Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger and country music star Kenny Chesney were married Monday in a small ceremony on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ceremony took place in front of close friends and family, Los Angeles-based publicist Nanci Ryder said in a statement. The bride wore a Carolina Herrera dress, she added.

The couple met at the Concert of Hope tsunami relief benefit Jan. 15, where Chesney was singing and Zellweger was answering telephones, the syndicated TV show "The Insider" reported.

Zellweger appeared at a recent Chesney concert in Jacksonsville, Fla., presenting him with a margarita and a kiss on stage, Country Weekly magazine reported.

Iceman's Inklings: So much for her scary rocker phase. So they met in mid-January. It's now early May. Umm . . . I give it 8-10 months, tops. This is just an awkward pairing that doesn't make sense to me. Am I the only one that continually asks what happened to the cute blonde aspiring actress that nobody's really heard of from "Jerry MaGuire"?? She needs to at least go back to the blonde hair and eat something!

Posted by Lawren at 07:02 PM | Comments (8)

DayBreak

Hi gang:

I'm going to be taking a few days off from blogging. I'll be back Friday.

Don't fret: there will be some guest blogging while I'm off.

:) Lawren

Posted by Lawren at 06:35 AM | Comments (2)

Jen and Ben Expecting

Not that there was any doubt, but E! is officially reporting that Jennifer Garner is preggers.

Despite having a baby on board, Garner is still keeping to her schedule this summer. Her next big-screen project, Columbia Pictures' romantic drama Catch and Release, begins its two-month shoot next week in Vancouver. The film costars Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant and marks the directorial debut of Erin Brockovich screenwriter Susannah Grant.

But Garner's November due date could prove tricky for the Alias brain trust. While ABC's spy thriller is wrapped for the season (the finale airs May 25), the show has been picked up for the fall and is slated to resume production in July. Now, producers must decide how to deal with Garner's pregnancy, either by incorporating it into the show (remember, Sydney's eggs were harvested last season) or just try to hide it. Then again, considering the show's sky-high slinky outfit-to-episode ratio, a burgeoning belly would be hard to conceal. Further complicating matters, Garner performs most of her own stunts.

Posted by Lawren at 07:55 AM | Comments (4)

Quit Whining

Briitney Spears' ex-husband Jason Alexander has expressed his hurt at the pop beauty's marriage to Kevin Federline.

Alexander, a childhood friend of Spears, walked down the aisle with the singer in an impromptu Las Vegas ceremony in January 2004 - only for the star to file for an annulment just 55 hours later. But Alexander admits he was particularly hurt when he learned that Spears has walked down the aisle with Federline in September, just months after his own brief union with her ended.

He tells In Touch Weekly, "People break up and you go on your own way but you don't go, 'I love you, baby, and I can't wait to see you,' and then one day you call and the phone's cut off and then she's dating and married to someone else." "Why is it so right with him and not me? Everybody thinks it's a joke - it's been hard."

"Her life went back to normal and mine didn't. It got all messed up. I've thought about her. I loved her and from what she told me, I thought she felt the same way. Then all of a sudden, this person just disappears. It's hard when I see her face on Tv."

"I'm bitter and I'm mad, but I don't hold it against her. She's Britney."

--You gotta feel sorry for the dude, but he needs to quit whining.

Posted by Lawren at 07:50 AM | Comments (2)

Female Heros?

Martha Stewart did not garner one single vote in an online poll by Child magazine on "Who is your No. 1 female hero?"

Just in time for Mother's Day, "your mom" scored a whopping 53.7 percent of the vote, while Hillary Rodham Clinton nabbed 9.9 percent; Kelly Ripa, 8 percent; Angelina Jolie, 6.2 percent; and Madonna, 1.2 percent. When asked to write in their favorite female hero, Laura Bush, Oprah, the Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, Condoleezza Rice and Gloria Steinem were mentioned.

Posted by Lawren at 07:47 AM | Comments (1)

Not on the Guest List

Christina Aguilera is refusing to invite Britney Spears to her wedding - in retaliation for being snubbed when her pop rival married Kevin Federline.

The singer doesn't want one-time pal Spears to be present when she marries fiance Jordan Bratman because she is still angry after being left off the guest list for the singer's nuptials last September.

Aguilera says, "There's no way she's getting an invite to my wedding. She snubbed me so I'm going to snub her too."

Posted by Lawren at 07:43 AM | Comments (4)

Becks to Tell All?

David Beckham will reveal all about his alleged affair with former assistant Rebecca Loos in an upcoming British TV interview.

Bosses at the BBC are hoping the show will have a similar impact to Martin Bashir's revealing insight into late British royal Princess Diana in 1995 -when she confessed to having an affair.

Posted by Lawren at 07:40 AM | Comments (1)

Gotti's Teen Bling

Victoria Gotti lavished her spiky-haired son John Agnello with $30,000 worth of diamonds for his prom/18th birthday the other day.

The star of "Growing Up Gotti" went to Avianne & Company's showroom and picked up an "iced-out" watch with three rows of diamonds, diamond cufflinks and a diamond sapphire stickpin. Of course, being Victoria Gotti, she didn't pay full retail. An Avianne rep says she spent "about $20,000" for the baubles.

Agnello wore them with a custom-made three-piece suit fashioned by rapper/designer Damon Dash.

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (7)

Jake's New Woman?

Jake Gyllenhaal has been romantically linked to Oscar-nominated actress Catalina Sandino Moreno.

The Day After Tomorrow star, 24, was spotted "full-on making out" with the Colombian Maria Full Of Grace beauty, 24, at trendy New York night club Bungalow 8. Gyllenhaal officially split from long-term love Kirsten Dunst in June, even though the handsome pair have been spotted together on various occasions since.

Posted by Lawren at 07:33 AM | Comments (1)

Daddy Bo

American Idol rocker Bo Bice's girlfriend, Caroline Fisher, is pregnant with his child.

"We're very excited!" Bo's grandmother, Madge Schofield, said in an exclusive interview.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (4)

U.N. Trip for Jolie

Hollywood star and U.N. goodwill envoy Angelina Jolie asked on Saturday for increased international help to repatriate more than 3 million Afghans living in Pakistan.

"Their children still need to go to school, they need some health care. We cannot let funding completely drop for them," said Jolie, the goodwill ambassador of the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, at the end of her four-day trip to Pakistan.

Jolie met President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as she visited the country to draw attention to the plight of refugees.

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (1)

No Boss at 'Bucks

Bruce Springsteen, it seems, is too hot for Starbucks.

The chain is backing away from a proposed deal to sell the Boss' new Devils & Dust album at the coffee chain. advertisement

Newsweek reports that Starbucks execs were planning to distribute Devils & Dust until they heard "Reno," one of 12tracks on the album. The song, which features steamy lyrics about kinky sex with a prostitute, threw cold water on the deal.

Posted by Lawren at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

"Macbeth" Casting

Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly ('A Beautiful Mind') is getting set to take on a classic as she teams up with Philip Seymour Hoffman ('Almost Famous,' 'Along Came Polly') in a new, big-screen adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' according to Daily Variety.

The pair is expected to begin filming the tragic epic later this year.

Posted by Lawren at 07:22 AM | Comments (1)

DMB to Do Webcast

The Dave Matthews Band is celebrating the release of their latest album, "Stand Up," by performing a concert that will be broadcast live on the Web by AOL.

The group will perform at the club Roseland on Monday night for their latest album's Tuesday release.

"We are excited about going back to play Roseland," Matthews said in a statement. "One of the best things about it is that our fans all over the world can check it out on AOL Music."

Posted by Lawren at 07:19 AM | Comments (3)

Sci-Fi Hall of Fame

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and author Philip K. Dick were among the luminaries of the science fiction world inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on Friday for their contribution to the medium of fact, fiction and fantasy.

The induction ceremony, which also honored stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen and artist Chesley Bonestell, was the first for the year-old Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, a pet project of Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen.

Spielberg, known for science fiction films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Jurassic Park," said he was humbled to join the group.

--"E.T" was so great.

Posted by Lawren at 07:16 AM | Comments (0)

Win a Date With Carmen Electra

Time is ticking, boys:

New TAG body spray is giving guys an opportunity that they could have only fantasized about before now -- a “dream date” with Carmen Electra. Guys ages 15-20 are eligible for this chance of a lifetime. However, please note that if you are under 18 years old, someone will need to bid on your behalf because bidding on eBay is restricted to U.S. residents over the age of 18.

The “dream date” will take place in Los Angeles. The prize package includes travel and hotel accommodations for two (2) people. This unique experience has a reserve price of $500, and 100 percent of the bid payment will go to The National Prostate Cancer Coalition.

--Click here to view the Ebay auction and bid!

Posted by Lawren at 07:59 AM | Comments (4)

Brit Likes Eating for Two

Britney's newest "letter of truth" to her fans:

Dear Fans,
I think Arizona has to be one of the most healing places on Earth. Kevin and I were there for two peaceful and relaxing weeks. Our house was on the top of a mountain and was absolutely breathtaking. I lived at the spa and gym. Being in the desert does something to my soul. Every time I go there I have the most amazing experiences. My dad and my cousin, Laura Lynne, came to visit us for a few days. We saw Ashton Kutcher's new movie, "A lot Like Love", which was adorable. We also ate at some amazing restaurants in Scottsdale. Eating for two is so much fun; I get to eat lots and lots!

My and Kevin's new UPN series is coming out soon. May 17th to be exact! Doing a documentary series seemed like the last thing I would do. Having our series be compared to all the "reality shows" on television right now and putting ourselves out there seemed crazy, but that is exactly when I realized I should do it. The craziest things I've ever done have always been for the best. The incentive behind me doing this series wasn't for my career. So much happened last year much too fast and I really wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to reflect on all of it. It's like my own therapy. I hope you guys enjoy our little project! We are having so much fun putting it all together.
Well, I have to call my mom now. It's her 50th Birthday today!!! It's time to party, Mom. I love you so much!!

Love always,
Britney

(Picture from Miu at A Socialite's Life)

Posted by Lawren at 07:55 AM | Comments (4)

Getting His Attention

Chad Michael Murray gets hit with an ultra-personal love note from a female admirer Tuesday in Toronto. The newlywed actor, in Canada promoting his film House of Wax, tossed the brassiere, containing the enamored fan's name and phone number, back into the crowd.

Posted by Lawren at 07:53 AM | Comments (2)

Xtina Gives Love to Mickey

Christina Aguilera has gone back to her mousey roots - by helping Mickey Mouse and pals celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.

The singer, who started her career as a Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club, was joined by supermodel Tyra Banks and Desperate Houswife Teri Hatcher at the celebrations.

--No Brit or Justin to be seen though.

Posted by Lawren at 07:47 AM | Comments (0)

Close Call

Sean Combs' plane was struck by lightning Wednesday night.

The rap-mogul-turned- fashionista was in a chartered jet heading to DNR's CEO Summit at the Four Seasons in Miami when a thunderbolt blasted the plane. No one was hurt, but the pilot had to make an emergency landing in Palm Beach.

Combs was able to get to the event in time to give the opening night speech about building his Sean John brand. He even managed to arrive in style in a silver Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Posted by Lawren at 07:43 AM | Comments (3)

Poor Jen

Jennifer Aniston is allegedly chain-smoking to deal with the stress of her marriage break-down.

A source said: "Normally she smokes one or two cigarettes a day.

"Now she's chain-smoking, biting her fingernails and displaying all the signs of someone wrestling with inner torment

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (3)

Breakup

Pamela Anderson has ended her five-month romance with movie hunk Stephen Dorff, according to pals.

The former Baywatch star separated from the 31-year-old actor at the end of last month because she felt the relationship didn't have a future, reports British newspaper The Sun. But insiders insist the pair are still good friends, so a reconciliation is still possible.

A close pal says, "Pam and Stephen had a great time together, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere. There was no big argument, it just fizzled out naturally. They're still on friendly terms. But Pam's priorities are always her two sons Brandon and Dylan and she's got her hands full looking after them."

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (1)

Hot List

Who are the young stars of film, TV and music? Teen People's list of the "25 Hottest Stars Under 25" includes Alicia Keys, Ciara, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Jesse McCartney and Justin Timberlake.

Other stars making the eighth annual installment of the list: Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Jake Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Lindsay Lohan, Natalie Portman, Destiny's Child, rapper T.I. and the cast of Fox's "The O.C." - minus Benjamin McKenzie, who is 26.

Posted by Lawren at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

Not the Fans she was Expecting

Madonna was shocked at a recent signing appearance to promote her children's books - because the crowd was almost entirely made up of gay men.

The singer expected to see a host of young children with their parents queuing up to have their The Adventures of Abdi copy signed - but only spotted one youngster during the whole session.

She moans, "It was all gay men apart from one woman with her child. I was so shocked."

Posted by Lawren at 07:33 AM | Comments (1)

Posh Wants a Comeback

Victoria Beckham is desperate to give her singing career another go despite flopping badly as a solo artist.

According to the Daily Mail, friends says the mom-of-three wants to reform the Spice Girls next year for their 10th anniversary - or front a new band of her own.

A source close to manager Simon Fuller told the paper: "She wants to be famous for something other than being David Beckham's wife."

Posted by Lawren at 07:30 AM | Comments (3)

Threats From the Milk Bar

New mom Julia Roberts threatened to shower Robin Williams with her own breast milk at a charity fundraiser.

After the comic actor pointed at her breasts and loudly asked, 'Got milk?', the screen beauty retorted: "You better watch out - I have twins and if I start lactating you're in big trouble!"

Posted by Lawren at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)

Talk Time for Megan

It looks as if "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally will stay in the NBC Universal family after the end of the acclaimed NBC sitcom, moving from primetime to daytime as host of her own talk show. Sources said the Emmy-winning actress is in final negotiations with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to host a show aimed for 2006.

The lucrative pact, said to be in the mid-seven figures, will accommodate Mullally's commitment to "Will & Grace," which was recently picked up for an eighth and probably final season.

In case the comedy returns for a ninth season in fall 2006, Mullally is expected to do both the talk show and the sitcom, which is produced by corporate sibling NBC Universal TV Studio.

Posted by Lawren at 07:24 AM | Comments (1)

T-Off

The best women's white T-shirts--from expensive to Hanes.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (3)

Could Have Been a Catfight

Hollywood's favorite fashion plate, Nicole Kidman, was upstaged at a dinner for Karl Lagerfeld by skanky-chic icon Mariah Carey.

It happened when Kidman's driver tried to slip an attendant $20 to park in front of the Maritime Hotel, but was told the space was reserved for Carey, who eventually arrived in a Maybach with Vogue's Andre Leon Talley.

A spy spotted Kidman tottering down the street in high heels to the hotel's Matsuri restaurant the other night, where she nibbled sushi with Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Clive Owen, Miuccia Prada and Allegra Versace.

Posted by Lawren at 07:51 AM | Comments (3)

Goldie's Mumblings

Goldie Hawn stirred up a controversy on TV yesterday when she argued with sex expert Sue Johanson about unfaithful men. The actress told the hosts of The View that she understood why men cheated - because it was "biologically correct in the species."

Hawn explained, "I think that a lot of people cheat, they don't tell that they're cheating. I think that there's a great promise to believe you can be with one person only for the rest of your life."

Goldie revealed she never asks about her partner of 22 years, Kurt Russell's infidelities. She added, "It's just the way I try and keep myself feeling happy because otherwise we're going to be feeling miserable all the time because women's relationships with other men, and the way they get turned on, is quite different. It's much more personal, it's more sensitive. Frankly, how would you like it, as women, to have testosterone running through your body every day; walking out and having to deal with this every day when they don't have control."

--Ummm...what?

Posted by Lawren at 07:48 AM | Comments (5)

Justify Your Love

I so need to read this book:

TV rots your brain. Video games squash your social skills. You're better off with a bong load than you are e-mailing your friends. Pay too much attention to the experts, and pretty much all your guilty pleasures (The O.C., cold pizza, lying in bed all weekend) will lead to your demise.

In steps Steven Johnson. His new book, Everything Bad Is Good for You, justifies pop culture fanaticism in a major way. Johnson claims that any activity that encourages "thinking behavior" — whether it's following complicated plotlines, repeatedly making decisions under the gun, or gorging on online news (late-breaking celeb pregnancies included) — creates a more intelligent society. You might be sitting still, but you're a participant, not a potato (as some might have called you).

Supposedly once you've read it, you'll have comebacks galore for anyone who dares attack your reality television obsession, er, habit. It's tough to argue with the idea that your emotional IQ has been upped thanks to the human drama of American Idol.

Posted by Lawren at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)

Smokin' in the Girls' Room

Mary-Kate Olsen was so desperate for a cigarette, she broke New York City's smoking ban by lighting up in the ladies' toilet at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art's Costume Institute Gala on Monday night.

After enjoying dinner, the star preferred to spend her time smoking in the toilet rather than socializing with other guests including Nicole Kidman, Liam Neeson and Kevin Costner - much to the disgust of women needing to use the washroom, according to the New York Daily News.

A witness says, "Mary-Kate and Ashley (Olsen) get up in the middle of dinner and walk in, and Mary-Kate is saying she wants a cigarette. She then proceeds to smoke in the bathroom of the Metropolitan Museum! "Amanda Peet walked in while Mary-Kate was smoking and was clearly repulsed."

A Spokesperson for the museum was shocked to hear about guests smoking in the prestigious institution: "We don't allow smoking. It's unfortunate that we didn't spot it. There was no security in the bathrooms. I think that's something the museum will have to consider next year."

Posted by Lawren at 07:41 AM | Comments (2)

If You Give a Poop

Not a fan of Ryan Seacrest? REALLY not a fan of Ryan Seacrest? If so, go here.

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)

Montel Wants His Pot

Talk show host Montel Williams joined a group of medical marijuana advocates Wednesday in imploring Congress to allow him and other sick people to use the drug without fear of prosecution.

"This is really so simple it's ignorant," said Williams, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. He said legal drugs do not help the pain.

"I'm hurting right now. I'm hurting. Why? Because I knew I had to come to Washington, D.C., and I can't carry anything because I know I'd get busted," he said.

Williams spoke at a Capitol Hill news conference where a bipartisan group of lawmakers said decisions about medical marijuana should be left to the states.

Posted by Lawren at 07:35 AM | Comments (1)

New Beau For Renee?

New Beau for Renee?

Renee Zellweger has gone country, according to gossips in Florida, who spotted the actress kissing Kenny Chesney at one of the cowboy's recent shows.

Posted by Lawren at 07:33 AM | Comments (1)

Tubby Tobey

Jessica Alba and her pals were hanging out at the Coldplay concert at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas the other night when Toby Maguire, who looks a lot bigger than he did in "Spider-Man" or "Seabiscuit," approached.

The two exchanged pleasantries. But after the lardy leading man left, Alba said to one girlfriend, "He's [bleep]ing huge!" — sending both of them into hysterical laughter.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (1)

Sick

Um, we're all slaves for beauty, but this is disgusting.

Posted by Lawren at 07:29 AM | Comments (5)

Clooney Apologizes

Actor George Clooney has written a grovelling letter to 300 residents of the Italian village he calls home.

Neighbors in Laglio - dubbed Clooneyville since the heart-throb moved there - have grown increasingly fed up with the disruption his presence has brought. And they feared they would lose the town's only public beach after Clooney snapped it up to add to his bulging property and land portfolio.

But he has been quick to assure them the beach will remain for everyone's use - and has vowed to clean it up and accept honorary Italian citizenship to prove his love for the town.

In an open letter he wrote: "I think of Laglio as the most beautiful town in the world. The people, my neighbors, are the kindest and warmest. "I have never and would never try to take the beach away... but the story got out there and seems to have stuck. "Allow me to prove that I am worthy of an honorary citizenship. Let me fix up the beach ..."

Posted by Lawren at 07:27 AM | Comments (2)

Fallon's Back

Jimmy Fallon will return as host of the MTV Movie Awards.

"I'm kinda bummed because I thought I had a shot at being named Pope ... but this is cool, too," Fallon said Wednesday in a statement to The Associated Press. He hosted the 2001 MTV Movie Awards and the 2002 Video Music Awards. The 14th annual awards ceremony will be taped June 4 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The show will air June 9.

"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "Mean Girls" top the nominees, with four each. Nominations for "Mean Girls" include best female performance for Lindsay Lohan. "Anchorman" star Will Ferrell is nominated for best comedic performance. Up for best movie are "Kill Bill: Vol. 2," "The Incredibles," "Spider-Man 2," "Ray" and "Napoleon Dynamite."

MTV has added two new categories this year: best frightened performance and best video game based on a movie, which join a slate of categories such as best fight, best kiss and best action sequence.

Posted by Lawren at 07:24 AM | Comments (1)

What a Feeling!

Actress Jennifer Beals is going from The L Word to the "p" word: She's pregnant.

A rep for Beals confirmed to People that the 41-year-old actress is expecting her first child in November.

The father is her husband of seven years, Canadian entrepreneur Ken Dixon, who has two children from a previous marriage.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (1)

This Face is Made for Botox

First boots, now Botox:

Nancy Sinatra has confessed Botox is her "best friend".

She confessed: "I want to get my neck done because necks and hands really age one more than anything else. "Botox is my best friend. I kind of like crows feet though and I have never minded laughter lines"

The 65-year-old star also said its hard living up to the Sinatra name and was furious when her father's fourth wife, Barbara, tried to get Frank to adopt her son, Bobby. She confessed in an interview with Britain's Weekend magazine: "The whole history is disgusting about money, but for heaven's sake don't give him the name'

Posted by Lawren at 07:20 AM | Comments (1)

Hungry Like a Wolf

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made so much noise during an animalistic sex session at their Kenyan love nest that security rushed to their room, Star magazine claims.

The magazine quotes an insider at the luxury Alfajari Villas beach resort as saying the couple's loud lovemaking "sounded like a wounded animal, like someone being killed!" According to Star, "worried guards grabbed their weapons," rushed to Pitt and Jolie's suite and "hammered furiously on the door with their clubs."

Suddenly, the screams stopped, and Pitt's voice was heard from inside the $2,000-a-night villa. "Everything is cool guys," he supposedly said. "You can leave — we're OK."

Star reports it found an entry in the Alfajari's "disturbance log" at 2 a.m. on April 20.

Posted by Lawren at 08:06 AM | Comments (9)

Oprah Drops a Bomb?

Speculation and rumors that Oprah Winfrey has a child flew yesterday after she dropped a bomb in a tease for an upcoming show. The talk-show queen shocked her legions of fans by saying that on Monday she would reveal a "deep, dark family secret" about her and longtime beau Stedman Graham.

"Stedman and I have a daughter," Oprah confessed in the clip. "She has issues, and I think it's my fault."

Fans have long hoped Oprah and Stedman, a motivational speaker and author, would have a child together in the belief they'd make perfect parents. There was speculation a couple of years ago in British tabloids that they were shopping for a surrogate mom, but the reports did not appear to pan out.

And Oprah watchers say no mom scenarios are likely for the megastar, who hasn't been out of the public eye long enough to go through a pregnancy with no one knowing. And while the couple maintains supersecrecy about their private lives, it's also unlikely they became adoptive or foster parents on the q.t., watchers say.

Unless the whole thing is a publicity stunt, the suspicion is Oprah was talking about Stedman's daughter from a previous marriage, Wendy, 30.

Neither Oprah nor Stedman could be reached for comment.

Oprah, 51, and Stedman, 54, have been together forever and nearly tied the knot in the '90s. A wedding day was set for Sept. 8, 1993, but Oprah postponed it because her autobiography was due out. Oprah has said she and Stedman have never talked marriage again.

In the promo, Oprah doesn't specify what "issues" her "daughter" has, but she does say "only one man can help." Could it be Dr. Phil, the TV shrink whose career took off when Oprah began touting him? If you're dying to find out, tune in on May 9.

--Seriously. How could she have possibly had a child and no one know?

Posted by Lawren at 08:01 AM | Comments (4)

What a Group

Jai Rodriguez, Mandy Moore, Liza Minnelli and Brittany Murphy celebrate at the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Hollywood on Saturday. Rodriguez brought home the best reality series prize to his Queer Eye for the Straight Guy collaborators, while Minnelli was honored with a Vanguard award.

Posted by Lawren at 07:58 AM | Comments (2)

Tara and Tommy?

A match made in heaven:

Tommy Lee and Tara Reid have found each other.

After hooking up in Las Vegas, and traveling with the Motley Crue-man to his show in Loveland, Colo., the tipsy actress looked very cozy at the Hudson Hotel sipping watermelon martinis with Lee after a busboy was dispatched to buy a watermelon.

Later at Butter, they were spotted near Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and "Girls Gone Wild" guru Joe Francis.

Posted by Lawren at 07:55 AM | Comments (5)

More Drugs for Danny

VH1 says it will press on with its reality show "Being Bonaduce" despite star Danny Bonaduce's most recent substance-abuse problems.

The former "Partridge Family" star checked into rehab last week and hasn't been hosting his L.A. morning radio show since. A VH1 spokesman said, "We'll continue to produce 'Being Bonaduce,' contrary to prior reports. Danny Bonaduce will be entering a 30-day alcohol treatment program, at which point production will slow down so that Danny and his family can work through their issues."

Posted by Lawren at 07:52 AM | Comments (0)

Sin City

A $500-a-night prostitute and a webcam stripper have blown the lid off their wild nights of partying in Las Vegas with Kevin Federline--while his pregnant wife Britney Spears was left at home.

Hooker Daniele Coakley, 20, told The National Enquirer how she partied with Kevin and ended up passing out on a hotel bed after becoming sick on booze and the dance drug Ecstasy. And Vanessa Hulihan, 30, revealed that she spent nights talking to Kevin and had an intimate tryst with the married dancer in the bathroom of his suite.

Although neither beauty says they had sex with Kevin, their shocking claims are certain to stun Britney as she plans their life together with a new baby.

--Considering it's from The Enquirer, I'm doubting it, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it was true.

Posted by Lawren at 07:49 AM | Comments (2)

Miranda Speaks Out on Gay Marriage

Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon is joining the campaign calling for gay marriages to be made legal across America.

The 39-year-old, who shot to fame as lawyer Miranda Hobbs in the hit TV show, shocked fans last year when she openly stepped out with education expert Christine Marinoni, with whom she is enjoying a same sex relationship.

The mother of two says, "I feel like it's a civil rights issue."

Posted by Lawren at 07:46 AM | Comments (1)

More Legal Woes for Lil Kim

They say that when it rains, it pours. But for embattled hip-hop diva Lil' Kim, it's been monsoon season these last few months.

A lawsuit filed on April 28 in New York State Supreme Court by songwriters Anthony Jeffries and Vincent Hart claims the diminutive female rapper owes both men big for the creative contributions they made to her 2003 album, La Bella Mafia. According to court documents obtained by "Celebrity Justice," both Jeffries and Hart — who are seeking $100,000 in damages — say they were hired by Lil' Kim (born Kimberly Jones) to help her write the tracks "Hold It Now," "Can You Hear Me Now?" and "The Jump Off." The suit also charges that the duo were commissioned to provide vocals for the song "Tha Beehive."

According to the lawsuit, Jeffries and Hart were promised $15,000 each for their work, but Kim never made good on the agreement. The suit alleges that compensation was eventually offered in December 2002 in the form of jewelry valued at $10,000. But court documents claim that not even seven months later, Kim demanded that the pair return the jewels "under a threat of physical violence." Jeffries and Hart acquiesced.

In addition, the suit — for breach of contract, civil-rights violations and unjust enrichment — claims Jeffries and Hart made several in-store and promotional appearances with Kim to support the album. Again, they say they were never paid for their work. Furthermore, both men say their images appeared in Kim's retail videotapes and DVDs, but that they were never asked to sign consent forms authorizing the use of such imagery.

Posted by Lawren at 07:42 AM | Comments (0)

Lohan To Boost "Morale"

Teen star Lindsay Lohan is hoping to give US troops in Iraq a morale boost by visiting the war-torn country.

The actress, 18, will be touring Europe this summer to promote her latest film Herbie: Fully Loaded, and is planning to make a detour to the Middle Eastern nation.

Lohan's representative says, "She has mentioned traveling to Iraq. But nothing is definite yet."

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (7)

Brando's Stuff for Sale

For the right price, Marlon Brando's fans can now own a piece of the late legendary star's personal property. The estate of 'The Godfather' actor, who died last July at age 80, is auctioning off more than 250 of his possessions starting on June 30.

Among the coveted belongings are an authentic annotated script from 'The Godfather' as well as a letter sent to him by Martin Luther King, Jr. Bidders will also have the chance to own his Oscar nomination certificate for 'On the Waterfront,' and even some less Hollywood-oriented items like school yearbooks and a foosball table.

The entire collection can be viewed from June 7-10 at the Christie's auction house in Los Angeles and June 24-29 at Christie's New York.

Posted by Lawren at 07:26 AM | Comments (0)

Vocal Problems for Timberlake

Justin Timberlake will undergo surgery on his throat next week to remove nodules which threaten to destroy his singing career. Timberlake allegedly discovered the condition while recording his latest single "Signs" with rapper Snoop Dogg and immediately contacted doctors, who banned him from straining his voice until medics at a private Los Angeles hospital have dealt with the problem.

A close friend tells British newspaper The Sun, "Recently Justin's been in the studio again making 'Signs' with Snoop Dogg. That's when he realized there was a problem with his voice. "He saw a specialist and was diagnosed with nodules. The operation is fairly simple so he should be fine. But he will have to rest by talking very little and not singing.""

Timberlake joins a list of stars including Geri Halliwell, Rod Stewart, Dame Julie Andrews and Joss Stone who have had operations to remove throat nodules.

Posted by Lawren at 07:21 AM | Comments (0)

Garner Preggers?

Ben Affleck's fiance Jennifer Garner has sparked reports she's pregnant with his baby after she was photographed with a bulging stomach.

The couple met on the set of 2003 movie Daredevil and allegedly got engaged 11 days ago fueling rumors they are expecting a child. And celebrity experts insist it's unlikely Garner's swollen belly is a result of over- eating or lack of exercise, because she famously devotes herself to a gruelling health and fitness regime, reports British newspaper The Sun.

An insider says, "Jennifer was showing quite a big bump and she was walking very carefully. The bulge is out of proportion with the rest of her body, which is really toned. I'd say she's a few months gone."

Posted by Lawren at 08:02 AM | Comments (4)

Who's THIS Guy?

Desperate Housewives' Teri Hatcher and a mystery beau leave New York City hot spot Cain in the wee hours Friday. Her tattooed pal is reportedly a 30-year-old production assistant named Benjamin "Benjie" Bamps.

--Oh, Teri.

Posted by Lawren at 08:01 AM | Comments (8)

No Kind Words

Boy George Lashes Out at Madonna Again:

He branded Madonna a "cash register" and a "hypocrite" for supporting Kabbalah - a sect that calls homosexuality "a disease".

Now Boy George is at it again. He rants: "If Madonna were a drag queen she'd be called Ruth Less. I don't think the word 'warm' springs to mind with Madonna. 'Ice' is the word that springs to mind."

Posted by Lawren at 07:58 AM | Comments (3)

Oprah Says...

Oprah Winfrey admits she sees a hairdresser every day, a situation she considers "hair heaven." Speaking Saturday on her "Live Your Best Life" inspirational tour, she warned white fans not to ask their black friends about hair issues, because they couldn't possibly understand.

"Don't go into it, because there ain't no telling. It's a strong cultural thing. We're all alike in our veins, except for our hair," Winfrey said. Winfrey, who drew 5,000 to the Denver Convention Center, advised fans to work hard at being themselves.

"If you are not speaking your own truth, you will never be able to be all you are meant to be. You cannot be pretending to be somebody else," she said.

--When I lived in Chicago a few years ago, I used to get my hair cut by the guy who used to style some of her wigs. I totally thought she just got her hair done everyday, but he said most of the time on the show, she wore wigs that he'd do for her.

Posted by Lawren at 07:52 AM | Comments (5)

Maybe It Won't Get Funded

Mariah Carey is planning to turn her 1994 Merry Christmas album into a Broadway musical.

The 35-year-old singer is writing a story based around the songs plus two new songs she is planning to write, reports MTV.

Carey said: "I'm such a festive person, and I love Christmas. I'm so over the top with it that this is a bit much, but it's perfect for me. "I get a chance to live out my Christmastime fantasies vicariously through the show. I think it's going to be fun and something families can go to see."

--Good lord. I thought Broadway sunk to a new level by letting Suzanne Summers have her own show. Now this?

Posted by Lawren at 07:49 AM | Comments (2)

Timberlake To Be in Shrek 3

DreamWorks Animation announced at "Animation Now: Imagination Innovation Inspiration" at Lincoln Center yesterday that Justin Timberlake is joining Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas and real-life girlfriend Cameron Diaz in the voice cast for Shrek 3, opening May 18, 2007.

Timberlake will play a young King Arthur, or "Artie," King Harold's rebellious nephew who has no interest in being king, producer Aron Warner says. It's up to Shrek (Myers) to teach Artie how to act like royalty, Warner says.

You may remember that in Shrek 2, a poster of "Sir Justin" hangs in Fiona's girlhood bedroom. Warner revealed a few more details saying "there is a baby involved" and that "in teaching Artie to be king, Shrek has to overcome his deep-seated fear of being a father."

Posted by Lawren at 07:46 AM | Comments (1)

Oxford To Hear From Snoop

Snoop Dogg has agreed to speak to students at Oxford University — about smoking dope.

--God, I hope that's televised.

Posted by Lawren at 07:42 AM | Comments (2)

No More MSNBC

All-news cable channel MSNBC is changing its name, according to reports. The new channel will be called NBC News Channel, according to the Internet's Drudge Report — apparently losing its connection to software giant Microsoft.

The change has long been rumored to be in the works. Last March, it was reported that NBC and Microsoft (the "MS" part of MSNBC) were negotiating to sever their nine-year partnership for the channel.

"The new name is cleaner, less confusing . . . represents the programming," Drudge quoted an insider as saying.

Posted by Lawren at 07:40 AM | Comments (0)

She's "Over" It

Paris is done partying?

After years of being a ubiquitous presence on the global nightlife scene, dancing on tabletops and sauntering down red carpets from Australia to Los Angeles, Paris Hilton says she is eager to leave her Red Bull-fueled evenings behind and make the leap from globe-trotting sex kitten to savvy business titan.

"I'm glad I got the partying out of my system when I was young, because now I'm so over it and I can focus on my career," Ms. Hilton said one balmy afternoon late last week. "Now I'm trying to build an empire. I don't want to be known as this Hilton hotel girl my whole life. I want to make my own name."

Read the rest, here.

Posted by Lawren at 07:38 AM | Comments (5)

Angelina Dishes on Brad

For Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, happiness is a gun.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jolie says the two actors came to trust each other while taking gun training for the upcoming "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." In the movie, they play married assassins.

"You had to trust each other to cross under or over and only move when the other person moves, so the trust, when somebody's got a loaded gun at your back ... it made us trust each other quickly," Jolie said in the magazine, on newsstands May 10.

In the interview, Jolie denied the rumors that she had phone sex with Pitt and that she had said she was a shoulder for Pitt to cry on. "It's obviously been difficult with all this (bull) going on," the 29-year-old Jolie said. "I've been tied to everybody I ever worked with."

She also discussed her recent preference for having a lover, rather than a committed relationship. "I think women are much easier about having a lover than a man is, even," Jolie said.

Posted by Lawren at 07:35 AM | Comments (1)

The Bobby/Whitney Trainwreck

Editors at cable channel Bravo are going through hours of footage of Whitney Houston's husband, Bobby Brown, to decide what to use in their upcoming series, "Being Bobby Brown."

It was supposed to launch this spring, but was pushed back to summer when Whitney went for yet another stint in rehab. The show follows the hard-living couple through Atlanta, Miami, New York, Boston, L.A., London and the Bahamas as they attempt to start down a more righteous path.

But Post scribe Philip Recchia reports that when Brown was away from his superstar wife, he reverted to his old ways. At a club in his hometown of Boston, Brown was taped downing a bottle of champagne and telling the manager, "You'd better bring us another — 'cause I'm drinking this one all by myself." Later, a patron snapped a photo of Brown talking to a girl in her early 20s who'd snuck in. "Bobby was p - - - - d off, so my bouncers grabbed the guy's camera and erased the shot," the manager said. Another scene has Brown joining a bachelorette party in Harvard.

Posted by Lawren at 07:31 AM | Comments (2)

If I Could Be...

MartiniPundit tagged me, so I'm "it" to complete this meme:

The idea here is to select five items from this list:

If I could be a scientist…
If I could be a farmer…
If I could be a musician…
If I could be a doctor…
If I could be a painter…
If I could be a gardener…
If I could be a missionary…
If I could be a chef…
If I could be an architect…
If I could be a linguist…
If I could be a psychologist…
If I could be a librarian…
If I could be an athlete…
If I could be a lawyer…
If I could be an innkeeper…
If I could be a professor…
If I could be a writer…
If I could be a backup dancer…
If I could be a llama-rider…
If I could be a bonnie pirate…
If I could be a midget stripper…
If I could be a proctologist...

And answer away. And so I shall...

--If I could be a musician, my voice would be my instrument and I'd sing on Broadway.

--If could be a chef, I'd actually use my oven more than five times in a year.

--If I could be a backup dancer, I'd be Tina Turner's.

--If I could be an innkeeper, my inn would be the mecca of fine customer service, and I'd run the Hiltons into the ground.

--If I could be a midget stripper, my stage name would be ShorTease.

Posted by Lawren at 07:28 AM | Comments (0)

Kilmer Bashes Americans

Val Kilmer — in London to star onstage in "The Postman Always Rings Twice" — has been trashing Americans, saying they are ignorant and illiterate.

Asked how British audiences compared to American ones, Kilmer told London's the Sun, "They're smarter. They read books." Kilmer berates Broadway for becoming too "Vegas-like."

--Nice.

Posted by Lawren at 07:53 AM | Comments (9)

A Wedding in France?

Justin Timberlake is planning to marry Cameron Diaz in France on Saturday, writes British newspaper the News of the World.

Timberlake and Diaz, who have been dating for two years, will wed at the exclusive Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferrat in Nice, which they have reserved for the special occasion.

Details of the secret ceremony leaked because one of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's aides told the News Of The World the Osbournes wouldn't be able to attend daughter Kelly's gig in London on Saturday "because they'll be in Nice for JT's wedding".

An insider at the hotel tells the publication, "It is fully booked for a special event next weekend. They have booked the whole hotel." A source adds, "Justin and Cameron are used to living in the public eye but really wanted to be able to get married out of the spotlight. "They knew if they did it in LA it would turn into a media circus so they went abroad. "Only their closest friends and family have been told about the wedding for fear of it leaking out."

--I'm not sure I buy this one...

Posted by Lawren at 07:51 AM | Comments (1)

Ask Usher

Usher dishes out love/relationship advice:

In an interview, Usher dished about his romantic life a bit: "Every relationship I ever got into started off with 'You're the only one for me,' and then that male ego comes in."

He also offered some pearls of wisdom about traditional courtship: "Treat that woman like a lady; don't treat her like a ho just because the music says so.

"Women," he continued, "treat yourselves like ladies. Don't move like that just because the music says so."

--Wow. So profound.

Posted by Lawren at 07:47 AM | Comments (2)

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

Sienna Miller needs some super glue. Jude Law's fiancée ended up in tears after a night out clubbing when a $20,000 diamond fell out of her engagement ring.

Miller was partying with Law and pals at London's Groucho Club when, according to London's the Mirror, she cried out, "I think [the diamond] came off in a mitten — and the mitten is gone!" Her suffering abated when Law comforted her and sang karaoke to her — and presumably after he promised to replace the diamond.

Posted by Lawren at 07:44 AM | Comments (3)

Jess, Put Down the Gun

As if there weren't enough people out there that make me nervous that they know how to shoot a gun, here's one more:

Posted by Lawren at 07:43 AM | Comments (6)

Buddies

Bono and Microsoft magnate Bill Gates have developed such a close bond over their charity work, the U2 frontman stayed with the computer billionaire during a recent trip to Seattle, Washington.

The unlikely pals enjoyed dinner at Gates' home and chatted about their third world missions, following U2's Seattle concert, which was attended by the keyboard-tapping entrepreneur. Gates says, "I was one of 20,000 screaming fans."

The pair's shared belief in the importance of improving the quality of life for millions of impoverished men, women and children across the world has brought them close together. With an endowment of $28 billion, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world's biggest charitable organization, while Bono has played a major part in urging world leaders to offer debt relief to developing countries. Gates adds, "We're big believers that more needs to be done in developing countries. Let me tell you, Bono has had a huge impact."

Posted by Lawren at 07:40 AM | Comments (0)

What Might Have Been

Mariah Carey regrets the fact she never acted on rapper Tupac Shakur's fondness for her.

The pop superstar was well aware of the compliments Shakur paid her and still thinks he could have been the love of her life if she'd only acted on instinct and dumped her husband Tommy Mottola to be with the late rap icon.

Carey even has a photo of the rapper taking a bubble bath hanging up in her New York home. She says, "Everybody always told me that he liked my music and I was always complimented by that."

Carey admits her heart still flutters when she remembers her only encounter with Tupac at a post-Grammys party. She recalls, "He was driving by in this white Rolls Royce -this was when I was still with Tommy - and he just stops and I see him, and he's like, `Hey, Mariah.' "I just said hi and then had to go back in... It could have been perfect."

Posted by Lawren at 07:37 AM | Comments (3)

Desperate Times...

Rapper Lil' Kim has turned to her fans to help keep her out of jail.

The pint-sized pin-up was found guilty of perjury last month after lying about a shoot-out she was involved in at a New York radio station, and now faces a severe custodial sentence. But she's hoping letters from fans will help her win favour with the judge who will pass sentence on her.

Kim, has posted a note on her fan website, urging devotees to write to the authorities to plead her case for freedom. Her attorney Mel Sachs said, "She's most grateful that so many have shown such overwhelming support for her. "This judge is extraordinarily conscientious in sentencing and any of these letters will really give a picture of who Lil' Kim is. She's somebody who, from the heart, gives so much to so many."

Lil' Kim is also coaching her fans on what to write and what to avoid - urging fans not to criticise the judge or the justice system.

Posted by Lawren at 07:33 AM | Comments (5)

Just Friends?

Is romance blooming for Tara Reid and Jesse Metcalfe, the hunky gardener of Desperate Housewives?

The actors were holding hands at L.A. hot spot Prey on April 21. They met again April 23 at Silver Spoon's Dog & Baby Buffet, a merchandising fair and fund-raiser for animal-rescue efforts, two days later.

Posted by Lawren at 07:30 AM | Comments (6)

Quittin' Time?

Angelina Jolie may be set to leave the world of films.

She is said to have told friends the time is right to call it a day because she "doesn't need the money or the hassle".

The News Of The World says the 29-year-old is concerned about the effect the Hollywood lifestyle is having on her three-year-old son Maddox. A sources tells the paper: "She wants to do more work and spend time with her son so she'll at least take a long break."

Posted by Lawren at 07:29 AM | Comments (2)

Winners at Tribeca

"Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman won the best actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival Saturday for "Transamerica," in which she plays a preoperative transsexual woman on a cross-country road trip.

The Chinese feature film "Stolen Life" and the documentary "El Perro Negro: Stories From the Spanish Civil War" were among the other top winners. Also honored at the awards ceremony were the best new filmmakers: Alicia Scherson, who won for the narrative feature "Play," and Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary for the documentary "Favela Rising."

Director Li Shaohong's film "Stolen Life" ("Sheng Si Jie") follows a young woman who leaves home for college, only to be deceived by the man she falls in love with. "El Perro Negro," from Hungarian director Peter Forgacs, is about Catalan industrialists who tell their own history through home movies. The winners in the top four film categories each receive $25,000 prizes.

In the best-actor category, Cees Geel won for "Simon" from the Netherlands, about a gay man and a straight man who rekindle their friendship after many years.

Among the judges in Tribeca's fourth year were Sheryl Crow, Whoopi Goldberg and actor Michael Imperioli. More than 250 films were shown during the 13-day festival, which ends Sunday.

Posted by Lawren at 07:26 AM | Comments (0)

On and Off the Road Again

Willie Nelson's name is off the road again.

A state legislator had proposed naming a 49-mile stretch of Texas Highway 130 being built around Austin in honor of the Texas country music singer.

But two Republican senators, Steve Odgen of Bryan and Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio, said they didn't want Nelson's name on the road that crosses their districts, citing the musician's fondness for drinking and smoking, and active campaigning for Democratic candidates.

"It's frustrating, and sad in a way, but at this point, there is no reason to make this an unpleasant experience for anyone, especially Willie, so I'll take no further action on the bill," said state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, an Austin Democrat and the bill's author. Barrientos said he wanted to honor Nelson "for so much good music and so many good works."

Posted by Lawren at 07:23 AM | Comments (0)

Don't Mess With Imus

Don Imus didn't like being called "a cantankerous old fool" by MSNBC's Contessa Brewer on PAGE SIX. Brewer, a former news reader on Imus' show, also said the I-man doesn't know how to relate to "beautiful women."

"With that fat ass she's got, she wouldn't be one of 'em," Imus said on the air Friday. "That skank has to spend three hours with makeup in the morning ... Who's she kidding? . . . Plus, she's dumber than dirt ... Oh, my God, what a pig. But I was willing to cut her some slack and not say anything, you know, until - in fact, I didn't say anything . . . That's why they have those big double-doors there at MSNBC, you know, so they can get her fat ass in makeup."

Posted by Lawren at 07:20 AM | Comments (5)