Angelina On the Cover of OK!

Angelina Jolie is, indeed, pregnant according to OK! Magazine.

Angelina Jolie's loose, flowing Hermes gown piqued curiosity and media speculation at the SAG Awards. And now OK! has confirmed through a source close to Angelina Jolie that she is expecting. "Angie has wanted a second biological baby for some time now ... And the minute she's pregnant, she was glows. She's the type that doesn't want to scream it to everyone but has the quiet, expectant mother glow. Her smile says she's the luckiest woman in the world."

Reports have circulated that Angelina intends on selling the story of her pregnancy to a tabloid magazine, and giving the money to charity.

Rihanna's Got Milk

Rihanna is the new face of the "Got Milk" ads

The sexy songstress is asking everyone to "shut up and drink."

Quote of the Day

"We both want children ... And we both can't wait, and we practice a lot! But nothing yet. I'll let you know." - Eva Longoria Parker talks about her maternal instinct and her bedroom behavior on Good Morning America.

*Image: Splash

Britney Hospitalized Again

Britney Spears was placed under psychiatric hold earlier this month ...

Britney Spears was hospitalized again early this morning and is currently under psychiatric hold. A source told People magazine that she was escorted by police. Spears was brought to UCLA Medical Center for a 72-hour lock-down and evaluation. Pal Sam Lufti told People "She went willingly. It was like something in her heart was telling her she should go. She knew something was wrong."

A source says that Britney was hospitalized because she was "driving around her neighboorhood like a mad-woman ... Britney has been prescribed medication which she retuses to take." Reports that Spears attempted suicide have been rebuffed by Lutfi and friend Alli Sims.

*Splash News

2008 SAG Awards

With major award shows being cancelled left and right celebs are pulling out all the stops when it comes to any red carpet moment.

Angelina Jolie in Hermes and Brad Pitt in Tom Ford

Ellen Page in Zac Posen

Eva Longoria in Naeem Khan

Glenn Close and her unbelievable upper body in Giorgio Armani

and...

Kate Hudson in Balmain

[Source]

Heath's "Secret Struggles" Revealed in US Weekly

The new US Weekly's cover story features quotes from a "close" source/pal/confidant close to Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams. According to the article, Williams was heartbroken throughout their three year relationship by her boyfriend's abuse of alcohol and drugs, including heroine, cocaine, and unidentified pills.

The article also claims that Williams took Ledger to Promises Treatment Center in California in early 2006, but that he refused to enter, and swore he would change and clean up his act.

Two separate sources also told US Weekly that after their split, Williams insisted that Ledger be drug-tested before his visitations with their 2-year-old daughter Matilda.

Jake Mourns

Jake Gyllenhaal is having a very difficult time dealing with the death of his colleague and best-friend Heath Ledger. Gyllenhaal and Ledger became close pals on the set of their film Brokeback Mountain. Gyllenhaal is also godfather to Ledger's 2-year-old daughter with Michelle Williams, Matilda.

Gyllenhaal has taken time off from the set of his movie Brothers. A source on set says, "He [Gyllenhaal] was there, but he wasn't with us. It was obviously a major trauma ... These guys were very close."

"Crisis" in Painkiller Jane

Glenn sent a video clip from Sci-Fi's Painkiller Jane to me.


scifi_painkillerjane.wmv

In this scene, Tate Donovan's character has written down the character 易 on a piece of paper, then proceeds to claim it is 危機, "crisis".

"Here, it is Chinese. Wei ji. The top part is danger & bottom is opportunity. Two characters, one word "crisis"..."

Many non-Chinese speakers have used this misleading "danger+opportunity=crisis" reference in their speech, including Condoleezza Rice. My good friend Mark Swofford at Pinyin.info has posted an essay by Victor H. Mair about this misperception.

Kate Hudson Says Matthew McConaughey Will Be an Incredible Father

Kate Hudson says that her Fool's Gold co-star Matthew McConaughey will be a great father. "I think because people see Matthew always out doing something whether out dancing in a bar or being on the beach or taking a hike with some crazy bandana on, I think that, like anything they take their image and what they want somebody else to be and then they just run with that," Hudson tells reporters. "Matthew happens to be one of the most loving people I know and his family is important to him."

*WireImage

One Last Look at Sundance

As Sundance wrapped up yesterday, and the celebs began to vacate Park City, here are a few pictures to remember the film festival of '08.


Paris Hilton jams on the drums at the Velvet Relvolver convert, where she played host for the evening at the 944 magazine party at TAO Park City. Hilton also thanked everyone for coming while her hit single, "Stars are Blind" was played by DJ Vice.


Paris was also seen at the Turning Leaf Lounge where a private dinner was held for her, where she invited friends to join her to discuss her new movie, The Hottie and the Nottie. Describing it as a "cute love story," the movie was not at the festival.


Also in attendance was actress and singer Taryn Manning and DJ and record producer Steve Aoki. All the guests enjoyed Turning Leaf wine during the party.


Showing up once again at Sundance, Paris and Nicky Hilton joined together and enjoyed the MySpace Nights at TAO party. With two nights of invite-only concerts, Maroon 5 and 50 Cent both performed, as well as DJ Samantha Ronson who provided music.


Cute couple Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian enjoyed the events at Sundance as they attended the MySpace Nights at TAO party. Newly pregnant Jessica Alba and fiance Cash Warren were another couple also in attendance as they cuddled and enjoyed the performance by 50 Cent.

*Photo Credit: Steve Browernick/Red Eye Productions

- Erin Dustin

Jennifer Lopez in Labor?

Posts are popping up around the web that Ms. Jennifer Lopez is, indeed, in labor! J. Lo was spotted at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island. Stay tuned.

Gwen Stefani Is Pregnant!

Gorgeous Gwen Stefani has announced that she and her husband Gavin Rossdale are expecting their second child! The 38-year-old singer-turned designer and Rossdale are parents to 1-year-old Kingston Rossdale.

*Photo: Splash

Great Tom Cruise Interview from Japan

Here is a great video of an interview of Tom Cruise conducted by some Japanese students.




A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Tom Hanks Auctions
Off Solar Powered Radios for Rural Africa

Check out this great site for more information on Tom's Ebay charity event. 100% f the final sale price will support The Freeplay Foundation.

Lisa

SAG Awards are tonight

Due to the Writers strike in Hollywood it looks like the Screen Actors' Guild awards may be the highlight of this awards season. The big entertainment shows are planning major coverage and the TBS/TNT execs are probably rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of sky-high rating!


The show is on at 8/7 Central but online coverage at the TBS website starts at 6:15/5:15c (what the heck time is that on the East Coast?). Anyway, there are plenty of celebrities there including Tom Cruise and John Travolta so it should be a blast.

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Kinoki Detox Foot Pads

I have received several emails about Kinoki detoxifying foot pads.



Both Alan and I had a good laugh about the bizarre marketing tactic used by this company. Wired is calling this "the most appalling medical scam since magnetic immortality devices."

The three characters 木樹液 literally means "wood/tree sap". There is nothing traditionally Japanese about the product or the name. Our suspicion is that the manufacturer just picked a
Japanese-sounding name to peddle their schlock product to gullible Americans with a little bit of "Oriental mystique", and then afterward decided to slap the characters 木樹液 onto the TV ad as a sort of decoration.

Matter of fact, Kinoki is a direct rip-off from a brand of Japanese shoe inserts called 竹樹液, or "bamboo sap". They are only used to remove excess sweat from one's feet, therefore to eliminate foot odor. There is absolutely no claim of detoxifying heavy metal from one's body.

In my opinion, the people behind Kinoki detox foot pads should commit seppuku for misleading consumers.


Update: August 18, 2008 - NPR did a story today about this.

The newest craze in consumer health is adhesive pads filled with "detox" herbs that supposedly suck toxins out of the bottom of our feet while we sleep.

An analysis at a California laboratory shows no significant difference between used and unused pads.

Celebrities say "Enough is enough"

The right to believe as you see fit is one of the rights we have in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Attack one man's right to believe as he decides and you attack the right of all.

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Britney's deposition going slow

Britney Spears's deposition is "slow going," and could drag on for multiple sessions, concedes Kevin Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan. Asked if the deposition could last five or more sessions, Kaplan replied, "It wouldn't surprise me." The attorney added, "There are many areas that I have not yet explored." Spears, 26, has been cross examined for a total of one hour over two sessions. (She has been late to both.) As of the second session Monday, Kaplan said he'd only completed "two percent" of his questioning, which Spears must answer while under oath. Spears's first session lasted a mere 14 minutes, and occurred just hours before her infamous Jan. 3 meltdown. The lawyer, who could not reveal specifics, is likely grilling the pop star about past drug and alcohol use, her failure to follow court orders, and anything else that pertains to her parenting. (The questioning lays the groundwork for the Spears-Federline custody trial scheduled for April.) On Thursday, Kaplan also began deposing Spears confidante Sam Lutfi, who had evaded the sit-down for months.

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Jessica fights for her man

Jessica Simpson is fighting mad over a recent OK! magazine article claiming she was dumped by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. TMZ.com first reported that Simpson's lawyers had fired off a strongly-worded letter demanding a retraction for an article which claims Romo broke up with the singer because she was high-maintenance. The letter referred to the article as a "smear campaign." Her lawyers insist: "Mr Romo and Ms Simpson have not broken off their romantic relationship." A rep for Simpson confirms that the singer's lawyer sent a letter to OK! but had no additional comment. A source close to Simpson says, "Jess and Tony did not break up. OK!'s story was full of lies."
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Charlize to be honored by Harvard

Oscars are one thing, but Charlize Theron and Christopher Walken will soon have something equally golden for their mantles: Hasty Pudding pots. The annual Harvard trophies, awarded to those who've made a "lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment," are dispensed by the university's Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe. The ceremony traditionally involves a parade and male students dressed as women. The recipients last year were Ben Stiller and Scarlett Johansson, preceded in 2006 by Halle Berrry and Richard Gere. This year, Monster Oscar winner Theron, 32, gets her Pudding pot (as the prize is called) Feb. 7; Walken, 64, whose Oscar was for The Deer Hunter and who last year was married to John Travolta (in Hairspray), gets his Feb. 15. Not to be outdone, Harvard Lampoon's "Hastiest Pudding of the Lampoon Award" is being given out on Feb. 6, to Paris Hilton, reports the Associated Press.

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Amy Winehouse in rehab

Amy Winehouse has gone to rehab. The singer, 24, entered a drug rehabilitation facility, her record company said Thursday. “Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors," Universal Music Group said in a statement. "She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction." Earlier this week, a video surfaced of the singer apparently using a crack pipe. "Yes, I am worried about her, but this picture doesn't show anything we didn't already know before," her father Mitch told reporters of the footage. Police are still deciding whether any charges should be brought against Winehouse over the video.
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Miami Hip-Hop Event (and new reality show too).

Tomorrow, January 26, Fast food franchise Hip Hop Grub Spot™, Rick Ross Charities, Inc and San Francisco 49er Frank Gore will host a star-studded red carpet grand opening from 1 to 10 p.m. at Hip Hop Grub Spot™, 20356 NW 2^ND Avenue in Miami Gardens. Red Carpet arrivals will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This Grand Opening is dedicated to the late Albert Moss "DJ Uncle Al", for his commitment to Miami Hip Hop as a tool to inspire the youth for positive social change.

Hip Hop Grub Spot™ celebrates youth entrepreneurship and global business leadership through initiatives executed by Rick Ross Charities, Inc, San Francisco 49er Frank Gore's Scholarship Foundation, Save the Arts Youth Foundation, and Portrait of Empowerment, Inc. The event will be hosted by teen Hip Hop sensation Lil Briana. Guests include: Rick Ross (Slip N'Slide/Def Jam); Cool N' Dre (Epidemic Records); Brisco (Poe Boy Music Group/Cash Money Records); Flo Rida (Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records); Smitty (Jive Records) Close Range; DJ EFX; Sony Epic R&B sensation, Casely, Hip Hop dancer and teen pop star Montana Tucker; Raekwon and members of the Wu-Tang Clan; Duo Live, Mr. Wise (I Love NY 2); WEDR 99 Jamz Radio personalities, K. Foxx; Supa Cindy; Donald Boroian (Chairman and Founder of Francorp- world's leader in franchising); NFL Super agent, Drew Rosenhaus; San Francisco 49er and Pro Bowl Running Back, Frank Gore and all of his NFL friends including, Chad Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals); Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins); Santanna Moss (Washington Redskins); Rosco Parrish (Buffalo Bills); Andre Johnson, (Houston Texans); Samari Rolle (Baltimore Ravens); Sinorice Moss (New York Giants); Antwan Barnes (Baltimore Ravens); Willis Mcgahee (Baltimore Ravens); Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) along with many other celebrities, entertainment industry professionals and professional athletes.

Through partnerships with Florida A&M NAA Investment Committee, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Johnson and Wales University, PepsiCo and Rainforest Films, Hip Hop Grub Spot's mission is to stop the violence in surrounding communities, educate and improve the quality of life of today's youth by providing a safe and entertaining environment with an emphasis on quality and service while education students in the community about global business leadership, youth entrepreneurship, investment opportunities and venture philanthropy.

Note: This event will also mark day one of production for the reality show: "America's Next Hip Hop Fashionista," created by Hip Hop Grub Spot™ and HCHA Couture, to be aired on cable television networks in the fall of 2008. Potential contestants for this reality show are asked to visit www.youtube.com/hiphopgrubspot , upload their video detailing why they should be "America's Next Hip Hop Fashionista," for consideration to participate in the reality series.

More weird Britney behavior

Britney Spears is no stranger to odd antics, but her behavior on January 7 was particularly bizarre. The “scantily clad” pop star showed up at a Beverly Hills elementary school, saying she was there to pick up someone else’s kids. (She lost custody of her own sons January 4 after being rushed to the hospital. She blew off a custody hearing yesterday.) The singer parked her car outside the school just before 3 p.m. and spent 10 minutes smoking cigarettes and talking to herself while she waited for classes to let out. “She was just rambling and confused,” says the witness, who approached Spears to ask if she was OK. “She said, ‘I’m here to pick up my kids.’ But then she changed her story and said, ‘They aren’t my kids; I have a new attorney, and I came to pick them up for her.’” Adds the witness, “All I could think was, Who in their right mind would let her pick up their kids?” As children began to leave for the day, the star, 26, caused a commotion — “It became the talk of the school. Some of the kids were freaked out,” says a school source. She was directed to a more secure entrance around back. But before getting into her car and driving off (without any children), she chatted up the female witness: “She said, ‘You’re so nice. You should give me your number. I don’t have very many friends.’"

source

Behind the split

Tracey Edmonds broke up with Eddie Murphy right before they were about to make their Bora Bora wedding legal because Murphy became bossy and physically intimidating, and insisted his mother accompany them on their honeymoon. "That was kind of the last straw," said a friend of the beautiful bride. "She was happy to sign a prenup - she has her own money. She was very accommodating. But then it was like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Eddie became very controlling and they got into a huge fight. He started screaming at her and grabbed her. She was scared." The friend added, "She was even willing to change her name to Tracey Murphy, and all the wedding invites and place cards had her labeled as such." A rep for Edmonds declined to comment, while a rep for Murphy said, "We won't comment any further on this." Last week, Murphy said, "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forgo having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further . . . we have decided to remain friends." We doubt there's much friendship left.

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Tom Cruise to host at the SAG Awards

I just heard that Tom Cruise is also going to be hosting at the SAG Awards. Apparently it is going to be a star-studded event, I guess to make up for the problems with the Golden Globes due to the writers' strike and the possible problems the Oscars might face.

Anyway, the event should be a blast.

John Travolta is a presenter at the SAG Awards

It has just been announced that John Travolta will be one of the presenters at the Screen Actors Guild awards. Luckily the current Hollywood writers strike doesn't affect the SAG awards so this event will be broadcast live on TNT and TBS.

Other presenters at the SAG Awards include the gorgeous Kate Beckinsale (my heart just skipped several beats :) ) and Russell Crowe. It should be fun!

John got a Golden Globe nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for Hairspray and he won the "Best Supporting Actor" for Hairspray from the Hollywood Film Festival. The movie has won several awards including People's Choice Award for "Favorite Song From a Soundtrack" for the song "You Can't Stop the Beat" and "Best Acting Ensemble" from the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Way to go John! You can see more news about John here: John Travolta News.

Russell Crowe, Kate Beckinsale and John Travolta among SAG Awards presenters

Statement from Heath's family

Heath Ledger's father Kim has spoken out following the shocking death of the 28-year-old actor Tuesday in New York. According to a statement from the family:

Heath's family confirms the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda. He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30 p.m. U.S. time. We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him. He was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many. Please now respect our families need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.

Celebrity Nation won't be writing anything further about Ledger's death out of respect for his life and his family's privacy.

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Oscar noms

And the nominations are:

Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Director
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Jason Reitman, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

Best Original Screenplay
Diablo Cody, Juno
Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Ratatouille (written by Brad Bird; story by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird)
Tamara Jenkins, The Savages

Best Adapted Screenplay
Christopher Hampton, Atonement
Sarah Polley, Away from Her
Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

For the complete list, check out People.com

Britney update

Britney Spears and adviser Sam Lutfi arrived at the offices of Kevin Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, at approximately 10:45 a.m. When they left around 1 p.m., Spears looked very upset and walked quickly to her car before speeding off. As part of the deposition in her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Federline, Spears had to respond to concerns about her ability to serve as a mother to her two sons. When Spears arrived, she parked her Mercedes directly out front of Kaplan's office. She was wearing a short-sleeved off-the-shoulder light purple top, dark jeans, and tan boots. She was heard speaking in a British accent. TMZ has learned Britney Spears' lawyers will go to court tomorrow and ask Commissioner Scott Gordon to allow Spears "monitored visitation in a therapeutic setting." Spears's family and professionals in her life have been planning a "creative way" to get Britney mental help.

source, source

Britney's weekend

With pup London in hand, Britney Spears headed to the Millennium Dance Complex in North Hollywood on Sunday night to work on a new routine, owner Robert Baker said. "She is working on the choreography for her song 'Hot as Ice,'" Baker said, "She rehearsed an amazing routine with a chair." The intense dance session wrapped up a characteristically bizarre weekend, during which Spears invited two photographers back to her home for some late-night champagne. "She was very sweet," said one of the photographers, adding that Spears pal Sam Lutfi claimed to have "filed a restraining order" against Adnan Ghalib. Ghalib, the paparazzo who has been by Spears's near-constant companion in recent weeks, shot back, "I am only now becoming aware of what is being said. I hope to be back home in Los Angeles soon and to be in contact with Miss Spears." (The L.A. police and sheriff's departments both said no emergency protective order had been issued.) Spears, 26 – who also dropped by PetCo Sunday afternoon, picking up a birdcage and some dog food – spent nearly three hours working on her moves at Millennium. She emerged at 9:30 p.m. in a white top and Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, chatting with paparazzi and requesting the presence of Filipe, one of the photographers who had been at her home earlier. "Britney was in an upbeat mood," Baker said, adding that despite the impressive workout, the singer still seemed slightly scatterbrained. "I let her use my personal copy of Blackout. She forgot her own CD."

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Kiefer's a free man

Kiefer Sutherland has been released from jail after serving 48 days on a drunken driving charge, according to a police official. The 41-year-old actor reportedly walked out of jail at 12:05 a.m. Monday, hours earlier than had been expected. Officer John said, "(Kiefer) looked like he was glad to be out," and that the actor was wearing a shirt and jeans when he left the facility. Sutherland - the star of Fox television's drama, "24" - has spent his sentence cleaning sheets, pillowcases and blankets on laundry duty, Balian told The Associated Press on Friday. He was granted a request to serve his time in suburban Glendale's city jail rather than in the overcrowded downtown Los Angeles County jail. The trade-off was that he could not shave any time off his sentence for good behaviour or early release because of overcrowding. The actor must also serve five years probation and complete an 18-month alcohol education program and attend weekly therapy sessions for six months.

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Mr. Big welcomes son

Sex and the City star Chris Noth and his girlfriend, actress Tara Wilson, have welcomed a baby boy, his rep confirms. Orion Christopher Noth was born Friday and weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz. "I am happy to confirm that Chris Noth and Tara Wilson are the proud parents of a happy and healthy baby boy," his rep tells Us. "Chris and Tara are thrilled and all are doing well." The couple (who co-own the café Once Upon a Tea Cup in Windsor, Ontario) announced the news in November.

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Adrienne Shelly

Waitress -- No this isn't a movie review, but if it were I would tell you that I absolutely adored the movie Waitress, starring Keri Russell and Adrienne Shelly, who also wrote the film. I rented it the other day after hearing several people tell me how good it was.

When I rent a DVD, I always look at the extras that come with it. So, while I was looking for the gag reel (my fave extra), I found information on the Adrienne Shelly Foundation.

It was there that I learned about the tragic ending to Shelly's life. on November 1, 2006, she ws found hanging by a bedsheet by her husband. At first it appeared to be a suicide. Later, it was determined that she was murdered by her downstairs neighbor.

After her death, her husband Andy Ostroy founded the Adrienne Shelly Foundation because as Andy writes on the webpage, "To continue Adrienne’s dream, I started this foundation with the goal of helping women achieve their own filmmaking dreams. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this important mission with your generous contribution. And if you like what we’re doing, please forward our link to your friends, family and associates who might be interested in supporting us as well."

When I decided to write about celebrity-do-gooders, it wasn't just to report on the Bonos and Brad Pitts and Angelina Jolies of the world. It was to let you know that many faces in Hollywood -- in front of and behind the camera -- are doing what they can to help change the world. Many people, like Andy, were personally affected by a tragedy, illness or circumstance that prompted them to make a change.

Until next time,
Lisa

Tom Cruise Business Partner Speaks Out

Paula Wagner is the co-owner and CEO of United Artists and has been Tom Cruise's business partner for 14 years. Here is her take on the Andrew Morton Biography of Tom Cruise: Statement From Paula Wagner Regarding Tom Cruise.

Suri watches American Idol

Perhaps Suri Cruise will be an entertainer after all. Not only is the 21-month-old a fan of the Spice Girls, she also digs American Idol. Mom Katie Holmes — who is getting panned by critics for her latest comedy Mad Money — revealed the scoop on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM show this morning. When Seacrest said he could hook the Cruise clan up with some tickets, the soft-spoken Holmes said, “I would be very grateful.” Holmes, who made several TV appearances this week, gushed (some more) about Tom Cruise. “I married the biggest movie star in the world,” she said. Holmes said she wants to have another baby, but “not in the immediate future. Long term, of course.” For now she has her hands full with Suri, who is “is growing and talking more. I am constantly surprised and challenged.” Holmes also talked about her friends, the Beckhams. She called Victoria “very sexy.” When asked about her thoughts on David’s good looks, she laughed and said, “He’s such a … nice man. He’s very good at what he does!”

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Gwyneth's ailment

Gwyneth Paltrow was taken to New York's Mount Sinai Hospital Monday for "a little gastrointestinal situation," her pal chef Mario Batali confirmed. "It's now been straightened out," he said at the grand opening of The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas Thursday. "She's [doing] great." In three weeks, he said they're going to Majorca, Spain, and then Valencia, Spain, to shoot a PBS cooking show, set to air in October. The news of Paltrow's hospitalization broke on Monday. "She was slumped over in a wheelchair pushed by [husband] Chris Martin," an eyewitness told Us. "She looked not well." On Tuesday, her rep issued a statement, saying, "She is at home and OK."

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Clooney named UN messenger of peace

George Clooney is being honored for his humanitarian work. The actor, who is also an advocate for refugees in Darfur, has been named a United Nations "messenger of peace," it was announced Friday. The actor is being "recognized for focusing public attention on crucial international political and social issues," according to U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas. Clooney, 46, joins Michael Douglas and musician Yo-Yo Ma as previous celebrity U.N. honorees. Clooney and friend Don Cheadle were given the Peace Summit Award by a group of Nobel Laureates Dec. 13 for their work for Darfur. With Cheadle and Brad Pitt, Clooney has raised money for refugees through the "Not On Our Watch" charity and helped draw attention to the crisis in Darfur in western Sudan.
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Britney to host party; media prepare obit

Britney Spears will host a party, The Scandinavian Style Mansion, at a private residence in Beverly Hills on Feb. 16. Spears last hosted the event – at which Scandinavian brands are showcased – on Dec. 1. At that party, she was presented with a birthday cake and bumped into her one-time BFF Paris Hilton. "Britney has said 'yes,' to hosting it," said Claus Hjelmbak, the Danish businessman who founded the event. "I am beyond excited because the experience she gave everyone in December was amazing. She absolutely made my event." Hjelmbak, who was at Spears's side when she and Sam Lutfi went on an early morning shopping spree Jan. 17 at Kitson in L.A., said of the outing: "I know people will say it's weird she was shopping at 2 a.m., but [Kitson] said you guys can always come when you want. I just called the owner and said can we come over and they said 'sure.'" Hjelmbak also has kind words for Lutfi, saying, "He's the most down-to-earth, easy-going guy. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body." As for Adnan Ghalib, he said, "I don't know him." As for online reports claiming Spears has multiple personalities, Hjelmbak, who first met Britney in 2006, says, "I have only seen one person and that's the Britney I first met and seen every time. She's a very sweet person."

The Associated Press began preparing Spears’ obituary within the past month. "We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it’s easily one of the biggest stories in a long time," AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington says. "I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now," Washington adds. "Of course, we would never wish any type of misfortune on anybody and hope that we would never have to use it until 50 years from now…but if something were to happen, we would have to be prepared." Washington also says the AP has a "pretty extensive obituary operation," and that staffers are "constantly adding people."

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Katie's acting panned by critics

Kate Holmes is getting harsh reactions from critics in her first return to the big screen since wedding Tom Cruise and welcoming daughter Suri. “And the cinematic comeback of the year award goes to…somebody other than Katie Holmes,” says a New York Post critic, who calls her new heist comedy Mad Money, co-starring Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton, “the most cringe-making return since Love Boat: The Next Wave. “Holmes, with Alice Cooper hair and crazy Jim Carrey eyes, looks terrible and acts worse, unless this movie is unintentionally a lobotomy documentary,” the reviewer writes. “Whatever could have happened to her in the last couple of years to zap the talent out of her like this?” The New York Times says Holmes is “the movie’s weakest link.” Variety adds that throughout the film “Holmes is awkwardly upsetting the balance” between Latifah and Keaton.“Their heist is only the pretext for jinks that range from medium high (as played out by Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton) to painfully low (as perpetrated by Katie Holmes, who pops her eyes, scrunches her nose and shakes her booty in lieu of acting),” writes the Wall Street Journal. Holmes, who seems to have changed a lot since her early days based on her talk show appearances this week, also recently got flak for some questionable style moves in NYC.

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Lily Allen suffers miscarriage

Lily Allen has had a miscarriage, a source close to the British singer told Reuters on Friday. The 22-year-old, nominated for a Grammy award for best alternative music album, was expecting her first child with Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons. The story was first reported in the Sun tabloid, which said the couple had recently returned from holiday. "They are in a state of shock," the paper quoted an unnamed source as saying. "Lily's entire outlook on life changed after she found out she was pregnant," it added, referring to Allen's reputation as a wild child. "She was looking forward to being a mum and starting a family with Ed. "They are surrounded by friends, and family are offering support. It is a really difficult time for them." Allen scored a big hit with her debut album "Alright, Still..." and plans a follow-up record later this year. She first burst on to the scene with chart-topping single "Smile" in the summer of 2006.

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Lindsay headed to the morgue

Lindsay Lohan is entering the next phase of her sentence for misdemeanor drunk driving – and the good news is, she'll be prepared if she's ever up for a role on CSI. After fulfilling several requirements set by her DUI plea agreement – including rehab, community service and 84 minutes spent in jail – Lohan will next have to spend some time in a morgue, her lawyer, Blair Berk, told a judge Thursday at a hearing in a Los Angeles court, the Associated Press reports. In an effort to illustrate the potentially fatal consequences of drinking and driving, she's set to spend two, 4-hour days in a morgue. After that, she'll spend two days working in an emergency room. The actress, 21, reached a plea agreement in August based on charges from two separate DUI incidents, one in May in Beverly Hills and one in July in Santa Monica. Lohan did not attend Thursday's hearing, which was held to gauge her progress in meeting the terms of her deal. Morgue duty will certainly be a comedown from Lohan's usual world of red carpets and events. On Wednesday, she stole the show at the Hollywood premiere for Cloverfield, where she shone in a black Hervé Léger cocktail dress – and stuck to Red Bull and water.

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Tony Randall and
Jack Klugman

I am a huge fan of The Odd Couple (remember the sitcom starring Jack Klugman as messy Oscar and Tony Randall as neat Felix) and as a matter of fact, while I write this blog, I have the DVD playing on the TV next to me and I can watch it all day long. Years ago, I had a brief encounter with Tony Randall. He had visited Philip Morris, where I use to work years ago, regarding a partnership on a project that he was working on. I met him, he was very gracious and I got (and still have) his autograph. I was thrilled when I was searching the Internet one night and found that Jack Klugman had self-published a book called Tony and Me: a story of friendship.

In this book, Jack talks about the love that Tony Randall had for the theater and how hard he worked to create the National Actors Theater in 1991. Randall and Klugman would often give up their own salaries when they did performances of The Odd Couple on tour to donate the proceeds to the Theater, and Randall would donate millions of his own money so that this Theater could exist. Read more about it here. According to the website for the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund, Randall distributed 40,000 free tickets for students to see the productions at his theatre and sent teaching artists into the schools to prepare the children for their experiences. He also spent many hours volunteering himself for organizations. The site explains that, "The kids were always Tony's favorite audiences and The Tony Randall Theatrical Fund is pleased to announce the formation of the Tony's For Kid's Grants for educating public school children in the arts."

I love Broadway musicals and I love the theater and The Odd Couple is one of those shows for me that will never end...I was like a little kid when I found out it was on DVD. I'm glad for one brief moment I got to meet Tony Randall and ask for his autograph. If I knew then the kind of work he did and how much of his own income and time he dedicated to the cause, I would've said, "Thank you for all that you do." Jack Klugman wrote a book that really shows you the type of friendship they both had and the fact they would do anything for each other.

Today, Tony's dedication to the theater lives on with grants and scholarships and more. PLEASE go to this site and read more about it and see if there's anything you can do to help -- Tony Randall Theatrical Fund.

Jared Rushton

Jared Rushton is a former child star best known for his acting roles in the movies Big and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.Rushton was born on March 3, 1974 in Provo, Utah. He broke into mainstream acting as an adolescent, appearing in episodes of the popular TV shows Tales from the Darkside and Cagney & Lacey in 1986. One year later, in 1987, he appeared in the major motion picture, Overboard, as one

Tom, Katie and Suri at the Toy Store

You often see stories of problems in celebrity marriages, so it's great to see one that is going along so well. Here is a story of a visit to the Toy Store by the Cruise family: Katie & Suri's Toy Store Shopping Spree.

I know what Katie means when she says "Tom and I were playing with a lot of the toys ourselves. It's fun for adults. You get carried away." Yup, when my kids were young it was a great excuse to play with toys and to watch Disney movies :)

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Chris Martin in photog scuffle

In a video captured by TMZ.com, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin can be seen attacking a photographer. In the video Martin and wife Gwyneth Paltrow are seen leaving a hospital. After the photographer snaps a couple shots, Martin jumps on the man, pushes him to the ground and tries to make off with his camera, all while yelling, “Have some respect!” At this point the photographer gets up and struggles to get his equipment back. Martin tries to make an escape in his SUV, but the cameraman can be heard threatening to break the vehicle’s door if the equipment is not returned. There’s no official word on why the famous couple were at the hospital.

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Four paparazzi arrested

Four photographers were arrested for reckless driving after a late night car chase of pop star Britney Spears on the outskirts of Los Angeles, police said on Thursday. Los Angeles police spokeswoman Sara Faden said the four were among a group of paparazzi seen driving at high speed in the Mission Hills area of the city around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday on the trail of the troubled singer. "Britney Spears was part of the group, but was not driving recklessly," Faden said. She said four men were booked for reckless driving and each ordered to put up $5,000 bail. According to TMZ.com, Spears told police that one of the cars, which she could not identify, may have tried to run her off the road. Spears, 26, has been trailed by paparazzi day and night for several months as her personal and professional life has fallen apart following her divorce from Kevin Federline and bitter battles over the custody of her two children.
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Kiefer to be released next week

Kiefer Sutherland will be released Monday, most likely in the early morning, according to L.A.'s Glendale Police. He began serving a 48-day sentence in L.A.'s Glendale City Jail on December 5 for his second DUI conviction and for violating probation. Entertainment Tonight first reported the story While in jail, he celebrated Christmas, his 41st birthday and was on laundry duty. He had no visitors during his stay, Glendale Police Department Public Information Officer Agent John S. Balian says, but "there is still a lot of fan mail that comes in."

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Scarlett to visit troops

Scarlett Johansson is going to entertain the troops in the Persian Gulf, the USO has announced. The Match Point actress and director-to-be, 23, plans to tour the region for five days as part of a USO/Army Morale Welfare Recreation entertainment tour, says the organization. While there, she will visit numerous military installations, greet fans, sign autographs and interact with members of the U.S. armed forces. "This USO tour to the Gulf region truly means a lot. I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived," says Johansson – who gets a large supply of fan letters from the military and wanted to do more than just answer them on paper. "It's one thing to reply to a letter or extend your thanks to service members in a speech, but it's another thing to visit them and spend time with those that do so much for us back home," she adds in a statement released by the USO. The USO, which began boosting U.S. troop morale during World War II, has, in 66 years, produced 58 tours and staged 328 special events for men and women in uniform, including performances, autograph sessions, hospital visits and movie screenings, the group says in a press release announcing Johansson's involvement.

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