Jennifer Hudson Testifies at Trial
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson broke down in tears Monday while testifying at the trial of the man accused of killing her mother, her brother and her 7-year-old nephew in a jealous rage four years ago.  Hudson was the first witness called after prosecutors and attorneys for William Balfour finished their opening statements. During her brief but emotional testimony, she told jurors her family didn't want her sister to marry Balfour, and she spoke about the last time she saw her family members. The singer and actress, who wore a subdued black dress and whose hair was wrapped in a bun, at first seemed composed as a prosecutor began asking her questions. But the testimony became increasingly difficult, and she began crying when talking about seeing her family the Sunday before the killings. During opening statements, prosecutor Veryl Gambino said Balfour began threatening to harm the family after moving out of Hudson's family home. Balfour's divorce from Julia Hudson was finalized last year. "Those were not idle threats. ... They were deadly warnings of what was to come," Gambino told the Cook County jury.


Megan Fox & Brian Austin Green Reportedly Expecting First Child
Rumors that Megan Fox is pregnant continue to persist, but they might not be rumors after all. Fox, 25, married Green, 38, in the summer of 2010. This is her first child, and his second -- he shares custody of his 10-year-old son, Kassius, with his ex Vanessa Marcil. The actress' most recent role was a young dancer who has no desire to have children in "Friends With Kids," which has meant repeated questions about Fox's own future as a parent. She most recently told Cosmopolitan magazine, "I want at least two, probably three [kids]. I've always been maternal."


Deion Says Pilar Attacked Him
Pilar Sanders has been arrested for domestic violence after allegedly attacking Deion Sanders in their Texas home. Pilar was booked for "assault family violence."  NFL Hall of Famer Deion claims his estranged wife, Pilar and her friend jumped him in his bedroom earlier today. Deion says two of his sons witnessed the alleged attack. Deion claims he didn't harm Pilar, and only "defended" himself until he was able to call police. Deion Sanders is involved in a divorce with his wife, Pilar, that has become nasty at times. Pilar has made some damaging accusations about her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Deion has shot back. But things got really bad between them recently if the following two tweets sent from Deion’s account on Monday afternoon are true: Pray for me and my kids now! They just witnessed their mother and a friend jump me in my room. She’s going to jail n I’m pressing charges! DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) April 23, 2012. I’m sad my boys witnessed this mess but I warned the police department here that she was gone try n harm me and my boys. DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) April 23, 2012.

Ryan Seacrest renews 'American Idol' deal

The American Idol host has renewed his deal with Fox for two more years. As expected, Ryan Seacrest has re-signed with the hit reality competition series. One report estimated that Seacrest will earn $15 million per year. While Idol on-air talent have come and gone, only Seacrest and judge Randy Jackson have been on the show since the beginning.
  Former ER star Noah Wyle has been arrested. The actor was pictured in handcuffs where he and more than 100 other people were arrested during a protest at Capitol Hill on Monday. Wylie and members of the group ADAPT were urging Congress not to cut Medicaid. The protesters were handcuffed in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building. ADAPT maintains that cuts in Medicaid would force elderly people and those with disabilities out of their homes and into nursing homes to get services they require.

Sinead O'Connor Forced to Cancel Tour Due to Bipolar Disorder

Between her bouts with depression and suicide attempts, Sinead O'Connor has tried to hop back on the horse several times over the past few months, but in an announcement made Monday, the singer reveals that for the rest of 2012, she's taking things slow, including canceling her upcoming tour. "With enormous regret I must announce that I have to cancel all touring for the year as I am very unwell due to bipolar disorder," the 45-year-old Irish singer penned on her blog. "As you all know I had a very serious breakdown between December and March and I had been advised by my doctor not to go on tour but didn't  want to 'fail' or let anyone down as the tour was already booked to  coincide with album release. So very stupidly I ignored his advice to my  great detriment, attempting to be stronger than I actually am." "I apologize sincerely for any difficulties this may cause. While touring will be cancelled I do hope and plan to appear at the Curtis Mayfield tribute in The Lincoln Centre in July," she continued.

Lindsay Lohan to play Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime biopic 'Liz and Dick'
In her first major leading role since the 2009 ABC Family movie Labor Pains, Lindsay Lohan has signed on to play the late Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime biopic Liz & Dick, the network announced today. Chronicling Taylor’s tumultuous romance with actor Richard Burton, the TV movie will be penned by Christopher Monger (Temple Grandin), and executive produced by Larry A. Thompson (Lucy & Desi).

Giuliana Rancic Is Expecting a Baby

Giuliana Rancic is one step closer to having the baby that she and husband Bill Rancic have always dreamed about. The E! News host and Fashion Police cohost, 37, whose road to motherhood has been made difficult by trouble getting pregnant, one miscarriage and a diagnosis of breast cancer, announced in person Monday on the Today show that she is expecting. "We are so thrilled that our prayers have been answered," Giuliana says. Adds Bill, 40, "We are absolutely ecstatic to be sharing this with everyone who has been following our journey." The child is due in late summer via a gestational surrogate, meaning that the Rancics will be the genetic parents. They know the sex of the child, "but we're seeing how long we can keep it secret," Giuliana said on Today.

Gibb Awake From Coma, Has Cancer
Bee Gees star Robin Gibb has colorectal cancer and remains in intensive care after waking from a coma, his doctor said. Dr. Andrew Thillainayagam said Gibb was being treated for advanced colorectal cancer and had caught pneumonia as he was weakened from grueling doses of chemotherapy and two operations.The 62-year-old singer fell into a coma last week after contracting the pneumonia. Thillainayagam said that three days ago he had warned Gibb's family that he may not wake up. Instead, Gibb is now fully conscious and able to speak.
 Carey Mulligan and Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford are married. The couple tied the knot on a farm in Somerset, England, in front of approximately 200 guests, including family and friends. Sienna Miller, Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Firth were among the guests. Mulligan, 26, and Mumford, 25, were childhood pen pals in London and reconnected as adults. The couple, who have been linked since 2011, became engaged in August. Mulligan, who is starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the upcoming Baz Luhrman version of The Great Gatsby, split from Shia LaBeouf in 2010. Mumford & Sons roots-rock album, "Sigh No More," was the sixth best-selling album of 2011.

Neil Diamond weds for a third time

Neil Diamond married for a third time when he exchanged vows with Katie Mcneil on Saturday. The 71-year-old singer walked down the the aisle with his co-manager, who, at 41 is 30 years his junior, at a private location in Los Angeles. Diamond announced the engagement via Twitter.com in September, and he vowed to tie the knot before he heads out on tour this summer. The veteran crooner was previously married to his high school sweetheart, teacher Jayne "Posey" Posner, but they split in 1969 after six years of marriage. He divorced his second wife, Marcia Murphey, in 1995, after 24 years of marriage. Diamond has two children from each marriage.

'Think Like a Man' halts the 'Hunger Games' train with $33 mil
It had to happen. After four weeks of dominance, The Hunger Games finally didn’t finish first at the box office. Instead, the relationship comedy Think Like a Man took the crown as it debuted to an impressive $33 million this weekend. Based on comedian Steve Harvey’s bestselling advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the PG-13 film performed much better than expected. In second was the PG-13 romance The Lucky One with $22.8 million. That’s a return to form for star Zac Efron, as the movie performed more like 17 Again ($23.7 million) than Charlie St. Cloud ($12.4 million). Chimpanzee, Disney’s fourth annual Earth Day nature documentary, captured a solid $10.2 million — enough for fourth place. That’s the biggest opening weekend among the four Disneynature pictures, beating Earth, Oceans, and last year’s African Cats.
1. Think Like a Man — $33.0 mil
2. The Lucky One — $22.8 mil
3. The Hunger Games — $14.5 mil
4. Chimpanzee — $10.2 mil
5. The Three Stooges — $9.2 mil
 "To everyone who keeps congratulating me on the birth of my baby girl...I'm still pregnant!! Don't believe what you read ladies and gents," the star wrote on Twitter Saturday morning.

Mase Tax Troubles: Rapper Reportedly Owes The IRS In Back Taxes

According to documents filed in Florida by the IRS, Ma$e owes a total of 124,774.85 in back taxes stemming from the years 2000, 2001 and 2004. Ma$e retired from the music business in 1999 after saying he got a "calling from God." After a turn with the ministry, Ma$e returned with an album in 2004.

 

Russell Crowe to star in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic 'Noah'

The Oscar-winning actor has signed on for the title role in Noah, director Darren Aronofsky’s film of the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark, Paramount and New Regency announced. The announcement also included a telling detail, noting that Aronofsky’s film — penned by the Black Swan director and Ari Handel (The Fountain), with a polish by John Logan (Gladiator) — will be a “close adaptation” of the well-known tale from the Book of Genesis. Paramount will release the film on March 28, 2014.

Rich Ross Out At Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross is out after 30 months in the office. After the failure of two high-profile Mars projects - last year's "Mars Needs Moms" and the more recent $200 million write-off "John Carter" - it was expected heads would roll over at the Mouse House. That Ross got the chop isn't really a surprise, especially since marketing head MT Carney's departure at the start of the year. Ross, who turned Disney Channel into a global powerhouse, was promoted to the role in October 2009 after succeeding the widely liked and respected Dick Cook who had held the position for seven years. At the time many wondered how a TV executive would handle running a major movie studio - badly it would seem as he kicked out several experienced division heads and gutted much of the marketing and publicity divisions. While last year's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" were big hits for the company last year, both were green lit under Cook's run. Ross famously was reluctant giving the green light on projects which has lead to an extremely anaemic upcoming schedule for the company aside from its animation division, Dreamworks titles, Marvel titles and the few tentpoles that have gone ahead like "The Lone Ranger," "Maleficent". No new name has been announced for the position thus far, though the likes of Stacey Snider, John Lasseter and Kevin Feige are currently being tossed about by speculators.

Jaden Smith is Nobody
Sony Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment are in early talks to acquire feature film rights to Allen Zadoff's young adult novel "Boy Nobody." The first in a planned trilogy, the young Bourne-esque story follows a brainwashed teenage assassin who starts to regain his emotions after being trained not to feel. The project will be developed as a starring vehicle for "The Karate Kid" star Jaden Smith.


TV NEWS
Fans of the Starz drama series Boss won’t have to wait much longer for the second season to begin, as Starz announced that Boss season 2 will premiere Friday, August 17. Boss centers around hard-boiled Chicago Mayor Thomas Kane (played by Grammer) who was recently diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder called DLB. To stay in office, Kane works carefully to conceal his disorder from everyone, including his closest advisors and his wife.  The controversial role of Mayor Kane won Grammer a Golden Globe and the actor also preforms double-duty on the political drama as an executive producer.


POTUS Barack Obama will drop by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on April 24.


Fox is turning Glee‘s third trip to Nationals into an all-night event. the network is combining the show’s 20th and 21st installments into one, two-hour episode on Tuesday, May 15. But it’s the first of those two hours — which finds New Directions planning for the annual competition — that is likely to generate the most watercooler chatter. That’s because in the midst of rehearsing their new routine, Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) suffers a mild head injury and begins to experience a different — yet oddly familiar — alternate reality.
 Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel are in the running towards becoming America’s Next Top Model has-beens. The show’s longtime mentors/judges were fired on Thursday as part of a major overhaul ahead of this fall’s 19th cycle.  ANTM host and exec producer Tyra Banks confirmed the dismissals on her Facebook page. “To my Nigel Barker, Miss J, and Mr Jay: Thank you for all of our years together on America’s Next Top Model,” she wrote. “Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us.” Added fellow EP Ken Mok in a statement: “Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander have been an integral part of the America’s Next Top Model brand and they helped turn this show into the household name it is today. They have been amazing assets to the show and will always be a part of the ‘Top Model’ family. We will continue to actively work with each of them on future projects.”


Add Amber Tamblyn‘s Martha Masters to the handful of familiar faces who will be on hand for the series finale of Fox’s House, airing May 21. Olivia Wilde is also confirmed to appear in the finale, titled “Everybody Dies” — as well as the episode before it — reprising her role of Thirteen.


Law & Order: SVU is inching closer to a renewal. Frontwoman Mariska Hargitay has signed a new deal to continue with the long-running procedural, should it be picked up for Season 14.


Tatyana Ali (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air) has joined the cast of BET’s upcoming comedy Second Generation Wayans, which is based on the members of the famous family. She’ll play “Damien’s” personal assistant.

 Dick Clark, the American Bandstand and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve host known for his perpetual youth, died Wednesday at age 82. Clark suffered a massive heart attack following a procedure  in Los Angeles. The former Philadelphia DJ started out on a local show called Bob Horn’s Bandstand, substituting for the titular host. He took over in 1956, beginning a career path that would make “America’s Oldest Teenager” a legend. In 1957, ABC picked the show up for a national run that kept the growing teen market entranced and cemented Clark’s status as a pop culture touchstone. He also presided over the game show The $10,000 Pyramid starting in 1973 — all the way up, through the years, to The $100,000 Pyramid from 1985-88. His production company was a force behind the American Music Awards, TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes, and NBC drama American Dreams, among other projects. In fact, he didn’t slow down until his stroke in 2004 — the only year since Rockin’ Eve began that he didn’t appear on the program. (Regis Philbin filled in that year.) He subsequently split on-screen duties with heir apparent Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest mourned the loss of his mentor. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel,” he said in a statement. Clark’s impact on the country was even noted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who released a statement about the remarkable host.“With American Bandstand, he introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our times.  He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer.  And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year.  But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel – as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was." Clark, twice divorced, had a son, Richard Augustus II, with first wife Barbara Mallery and two children, Duane and Cindy, with second wife Loretta Martin. He married Kari Wigton in 1977.

Summitt steps down as Tennessee coach

Pat Summitt is stepping aside as Tennessee's women's basketball coach and taking the title of ''head coach emeritus'' with long-time assistant Holly Warlick being promoted to replace the sport's winningest coach. Tennessee released a statement Wednesday announcing the move. The 59-year-old Summitt will report to the athletic director and help the women's program she guided to eight national titles. She says she supports Warlick, her assistant for 27 years and a three-time All-American playing for Summitt, as her replacement and wants to ensure the stability of the program. The move comes less than a year after her diagnosis with early onset dementia-Alzheimer's type. ''I've loved being the head coach at Tennessee for 38 years, but I recognize that the time has come to move into the future and to step into a new role,'' said Summitt. ''I want to help ensure the stability of the program going forward. I would like to emphasize that I fully intend to continue working as head coach emeritus, mentoring and teaching life skills to our players, and I will continue my active role as a spokesperson in the fight against Alzheimer's through the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund. Summitt revealed her diagnosis on Aug. 23 after a few months of coming to terms with dementia, which had caused her problems with memory loss both on and off the court during the previous season. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that destroys cognitive abilities over time.  With the blessing of University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, the Hall of Fame coach said she planned to continue coaching as long as possible and that she wanted to show the world that it was still possible to function, even in the face of dementia and Alzheimer's. She had been going about business as usual. During her time, Tennessee never failed to reach the NCAA tournament, never received a seed lower than No. 5 and reached 18 Final Fours. Her impact reaches beyond wins and losses. Every Lady Vol player who has completed her eligibility at Tennessee has graduated, and 74 former players, assistants, graduate assistants, team managers and directors of basketball operations are currently among the coaching ranks at every level of basketball.


'Catching Fire' director gig down to Francis Lawrence, Bennett Miller
Multiple reports have surfaced on the web today that filmmakers Francis Lawrence and Bennett Miller are the final two contenders for the director of The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire. The choice for the replacement of Hunger Games‘ Gary Ross — who bowed out of the Catching Fire gig last week, citing the tight production schedule — are pretty stark. Lawrence has extensive experience with visual effects-driven action sequences from his first two films, 2005′s supernatural thriller Constantine and 2007′s post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend — which shares a similarly bleak tone to Catching Fire. But his latest effort, the 2011 period drama Water for Elephants, fizzled at the box office, and landed mixed reviews for its handling of the star-crossed romance between Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. Many complained that the weakest part of Hunger Games was the romance between Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence, no relation), and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), and the romantic angle is far more front-and-center for Catching Fire. Miller, by contrast, has practically no first-hand experience with CG-effects-heavy action scenes, and Catching Fire features more exotic locations that would likely call for extensive green-screen and effects work. Miller does, however, have an Academy Award nomination to his name for his debut feature, the 2005 biopic Capote, and last year’s Moneyball won Miller wide acclaim. He could bring an actor-friendly pedigree to the franchise, and it would certainly be a high-profile boost to his career trajectory. Lionsgate reportedly may have their decision made by the end of this week. A rep for the studio declined to comment.


No More @Mrskutcher?

After slowly warming up to her old friend, Twitter, over the past few days, Demi Moore is apparently ready to shed the digital vestiges of a rocky 2011. "Time for a change, twitter name change... any suggestions?," she tweeted late Tuesday under her old handle, @MrsKutcher. She later thanked her followers for their suggestions and asked that they "keep them coming." Moore, who recently completed a stint in a treatment center following reports of substance abuse and eating disorder issues, split from Ashton Kutcher last fall. Looking healthier than she has in months, she made her first formal public appearance Tuesday with her friend, Amanda de Cadenet, at a launch party for the new show she's executive producing, "The Conversation."

New 'Desperate Housewives' trial set for Sept. 10

Former "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan's $5 million wrongful termination suit against Touchstone Television has a new trial date: Sept. 10. L.A. Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White set the date at a hearing Wednesday morning. She initially set June 4 as the date for the new trial, but Touchstone's attorneys said that was too soon. White also rejected Sheridan's claim of sanctions against the defense and denied Touchstone's request for a directed verdict for dismissal. White strongly urged the two sides to come to a settlement, and warned Touchstone's attorneys that "an 8-4 verdict is nothing to be overly confident about in terms of the case." She was referring to the original trial last month, at which White was forced to declare a mistrial, after the jury deadlocked 8-to-4 in Sheridan's favor after three days of deliberation.

Looks like Atlanta is down one Housewife: Sheree Whitfield says she's leaving the popular Bravo show because she's tired of all the drama. "After four solid seasons of helping Bravo build the show into its most successful Housewives franchise, I have decided to leave," the Real Housewives of Atlanta castmember says. Continues the reality star: "I want to be part of something that empowers and inspires women to not only be healthy, but to treat themselves with respect. I wish the rest of the women the best of luck." Whitfield, an original member of the cast, was a vocal combatant on the show, often getting into loud altercations with castmates such as NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak, whose wig she pulled in a dramatic season 2 fight. And in one memorable season 2 scene, she almost came to blows during a heated confrontation with a party planner. During season 4 of the show, which recently wrapped, she was locked in a battle for child support with her ex-husband, former NFL player Bob Whitfield. On Wednesday afternoon, Bravo confirmed the news of her departure, saying in a statement, "We have enjoyed working with Sheree as part of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. We wish her all the best in the future."

Khloe Kardashian Not Pregnant Despite Father-in-Law's Claims

Lamar Odom's father, Joe, may have told RumorFix.com his son and daughter-in-law Khloe Kardashian were expecting their first child, but a source close to the 27-year-old reality star says she's not pregnant. "I got a little news," Joe Odom told RumorFix Tuesday. "I'm about ready to have a grandchild!" Kardashian -- who wed NBA star Odom, 32, in 2009 after one month of dating -- has long been vocal about her desire to have a child and the struggles she's faced when trying to conceive.

 Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are expecting their first child together this fall, the actress’s rep confirmed. The True Blood costars met on the set of the hit HBO show and have been married since August 2010. Moyer has two children — Lilac, 10, and Billy, 12 — from a previous relationship. Paquin, 29, who won an Oscar for The Piano when she was just 11, will return as Sookie and Moyer, 42, will be back as Bill for True Blood‘s fifth season, premiering June 10.


Mystikal Ordered Back to Jail
Former No Limit rapper Mystikal -- the guy behind the 2000 hit "Shake Ya A$$" -- is going back to the pokey ... all because of a domestic violence arrest back in February. Mystikal was put on probation in 2010 after spending 6 years in a Louisiana prison for sexual battery and extortion. So when he was arrested for domestic abuse in February, the judge ruled it was a violation of his probation.  Now, Mystikal -- real name Michael Tyler -- has been ordered to spend 90 days in jail ... beginning on May 14.

Gun in Pic with Pippa Middleton Was Fake
Pippa Middleton made headlines Monday, and this time the paparazzi shots were not so flattering. Middleton, 28, the younger sister of Prince William's wife Kate, was in Paris for French aristocrat Arthur de Soultrait's party when she was photographed smiling in the passenger seat of an Audi convertible as the driver of the car aimed a handgun directly at the photographer. But the gun in question, it turns out, is a toy. Aymeric de Drouas, spokesman for a French clothing company owned by Soultrait, said the gun in a photo published by British newspaper The Sun was a toy being used in "a game" with paparazzi, who'd been trailing them throughout Middleton's visit. Paris police say they are not investigating and have no complaint.
 There’s another baby on the way for Melissa Joan Hart! The Melissa & Joey star, who turns 36 Wednesday, and husband Mark Wilkerson are expecting their third child, she confirms. The couple, who were married in 2003, are already parents to sons Braydon Hart, 4, and Mason Walter, 6. Melissa & Joey will premiere for the season May 30 at 8 p.m. on ABC Family.


Howard Stern fails to win $300 million in Sirius lawsuit
Howard Stern’s hopes for a $300 million payday from Sirius XM Radio Inc. have been dashed by a judge. His show’s Twitter feed said the shock jock was “really bummed” by the decision and plans to appeal. Stern sued last March, arguing that he was entitled to a huge stock-based bonus in his contract because the number of Sirius subscribers exceeded the company’s internal forecasts. But his initial job contract was signed in October 2004, well before Sirius acquired XM in July 2008. New York state court judge Barbara Kapnick ruled Monday that Stern couldn’t count XM’s nearly 10 million subscribers in calculating his bonus, saying that the language of his contract was clear and unambiguous. Kapnick dismissed Stern’s lawsuit “with prejudice,” which means he can’t bring another case based on the same set of facts. The court found the agreement unambiguous and that we had complied with all our obligations,” it said. Stern had already received a $75 million stock bonus for exceeding the 2006 subscriber estimate by more than 2 million subscribers. He was also paid $25 million when Sirius combined with XM, in order to enable Stern’s show to be broadcast to XM listeners as well. Sirius XM’s stock rose 7 cents, or 3.2 percent, to close Tuesday at $2.24. In December 2010, Stern signed a new 5-year contract, keeping him at Sirius XM through 2015.
 
There’s a baby on the way for April Hernandez-Castillo! The actress, 32, and her husband, producer Jose Castillo, will welcome their first child in September. Besides her lead role as Eva in the film Freedom Writers, Hernandez-Castillo also played Officer Cira Manzon on Dexter and recently guest-starred as Andrea Gutierrez on Person of Interest.


42
T.R. Knight has joined the cast of Brian Helgeland's Jackie Robinson biopic "42" at Legendary Pictures. Knight will play Harold Parrott, the Dodgers traveling secretary who has to deal with the repercussions of housing once Robinson joins the team. Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford also star.


Identity Thief
John Cho ("Star Trek") and Clark Duke ("Hot Tub Time Machine") have joined the cast of Seth Gordon's comedy "The Identity Thief" at Universal. The story centers on a family man (Jason Bateman) who gets a life-lesson in stepping up when his identity is stolen by a mess of a woman (Melissa McCarthy). Amanda Peet also stars. Cho will play a rising investment executive, Duke will play an Eagle Scout on a secret revenge mission to find the man who bilked him.


TV NEWS
Rapper Nas' Behind The Music airs Thursday, April 19th at 9p on VH-1.

Ryan Seacrest has been named host of Fox’s star-studded 25th Anniversary Special, airing Sunday, April 22.

Amy Acker just became a Person of Interest. The Angel alumna has booked a guest spot in the CBS drama’s first season finale (airing May 17). Acker will play a psychologist who is put under Reese’s protection when her “number” comes up on The Machine.


Christine Estabrook, who has been playing mom to Mad Men‘s Joan, will reprise her role as nosy neighbor Martha Huber in Desperate Housewives‘ May 13 series finale.


Real-life astronaut Mike Massimino is set to return to The Big Bang Theory for its Season 5 finale (airing May 10).


Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives, Revenge) and Dan Futterman (Judging Amy) have nabbed recurring roles in USA Network’s upcoming drama Political AnimalS. The six-episode series (starring Sigourney Weaver and James Wolk) centers on a fractured First Family in the midst of a political and personal crisis. Futterman joins as a journalist and love interest for Carla Gugino’s character, while Bart will play the new president’s Chief of Staff and a major foe for Weaver’s Elaine.


Eli Manning will host SNL May 5th w/ musical guest Rihanna.


The answer: Newsman Anderson Cooper and Chris Matthews, Lewis Black (The Daily Show), Dr. Mehmet Oz and NBA great/recent New Girl guest Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The question: “Who will be competing in Jeopardy!’s Power Players Week, airing May 14-18?”


Alec Baldwin has clarified a recent comment he made about “leaving NBC just in time,” saying that he expects his 30 Rock run to end after next season, at which time he anticipates the sitcom will sign off as well.


USA’s summer schedule kicks off Wednesday, June 6, with Season 4 of Royal Pains (at 9/8c) and Season 2 of Necessary Roughness (10 pm), starring Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne. The following week, on Thursday, June 14, Burn Notice returns for Season 6, leading into the second season of Suits (starring Gabriel Macht and SAG Award nominee Patrick J. Adams). Come Tuesday, July 10, White Collar serves up new Season 4 capers (kicking off with the matter of on-the-lam Neal), followed by Covert Affairs Season 3.

Robin Gibb in a Coma
Bee Gees tenor Robin Gibb is in a coma after contracting pneumonia. The 62-year-old singer's wife Dwina, brother Barry, 65, daughter Melissa, 37, and sons Spencer, 39, and Robin-John, 29, have remained at his bedside in a private hospital in Chelsea, West London. Earlier this week, due to his ailing health, Robin was forced to cancel an appearance at the premiere of Titanic Requiem, his new classical work to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking. In 2010, Robin had emergency surgery for a blocked bowel and then had an additional operation for a twisted bowel. In January 2012, Gibb opened up about his health struggles, telling The Daily Mail: "For more than 18 months, I had lived with an inflammation of the colon; then I was diagnosed with colon cancer, which spread to the liver. I have undergone chemotherapy, however, and the results -- to quote my doctor -- have been 'spectacular.' It's taken a toll, naturally, but the strange thing is that I've never felt seriously ill. I've mostly felt great." Robin's twin brother, Maurice, died in 2003 at the age of 53 due to complications from a twisted intestine. His younger brother, Andy, died in 1988 at age 30 of a heart ailment. The Bee Gees' soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever was one of the best-selling albums of the 1970s. They have won seven Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.


Ryan O'Neal Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
Ryan O'Neal, who successfully battled leukemia, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. "Recently I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer," O'Neal says in a statement released by his rep. "I am deeply grateful for the support of my friends and family during this time, and I urge everyone to get regular check-ups, as early detection is the best defense against this horrible disease that has afflicted so many." The Love Story actor, 70, was treated in the late 1990s for myelogenous leukemia, which causes the bone marrow to produce too many white blood cells. The latest diagnosis comes about three years after he lost his longtime love Farrah Fawcett, who died at age 62 of anal cancer. Ryan has a memoir about his life with Fawcett called Both of Us coming out May 1.
 "Yes, it's confirmed," Pitt's manager Cynthia Pett-Dante says. "It is a promise for the future and their kids are very happy. There’s no date set at this time." Jeweler Robert Procop designed Jolie's engagement ring in collaboration with Pitt. Jolie, 36, and Pitt, 48, have been together since 2005, and rumors that they planned to marry have circulated for years. The couple have six children together: Maddox, 10, Pax, 8, Zahara, 7, Shiloh, 5, and twins Knox and Viv, 3.


'Hunger Games' wins again with $21.5 million
For the fourth weekend in a row, The Hunger Games easily led the domestic box office, holding off three new wide releases from the top spot. The Farrelly brothers’ latest comedy, The Three Stooges, debuted in second place with an unexpectedly strong gross of $17.1 million. After three years on the shelf following MGM’s demise, Joss Whedon’s horror/comedy The Cabin in the Woods finally got its release, and over its debut weekend, the film scared up $14.9 million — a respectable result.
The Hunger Games – $21.5 million
2. The Three Stooges – $17.1 million
3. The Cabin in the Woods – $14.9 million
4. Titanic 3D – $11.6 million
5. American Reunion – $10.7 million

Courtney Love Apologizes to Daughter Frances Bean

Courtney Love is reaching out to her daughter Frances Bean Cobain – on Twitter. Love previously angered her daughter by claiming on the social media site that Kurt Cobain's former bandmate Dave Grohl "hit on" Frances Bean, but now Love says she regrets spreading the rumor, which was denied by both Grohl and Frances. "Bean, sorry I believed the gossip," Love tweeted early Saturday. "Mommy loves you." Frances angrily answered her mom's earlier accusations on Thursday saying, "While I'm generally silent on the affairs of my biological mother, her recent tirade has taken a gross turn. I have never been approached by Dave Grohl in more than a platonic way. I'm in a monogamous relationship and very happy." Grohl also said the claims were "offensive and absolutely untrue."
 It's a three-for-all! Dave Haywood – the last single member of Lady Antebellum – tied the knot Saturday night with Kelli Cashiola on a private farm outside of Nashville. The couple, who have been friends for nearly six years, publicly revealed their romance on Nov. 9 when Cashiola walked the CMA Red Carpet with him.
 

Celeb IRS Troubles- Robin Thicke and Paula Patton

According to tax officials, the celeb couple failed to pay up in 2009 and 2010. As of February this year, they owe $492,583.49 in back taxes. The news came just weeks after Thicke was busted for pot possession.
 Kelsey Grammer is so smitten with his wife of 14 months, Kayte Walsh, that he braved the tattoo needle for the first time on Saturday, getting her first name emblazoned on his waistline. With Walsh by his side, the Boss star, 57, looked over some designs at Chicago's Insight Studios and got the tattoo in blue ink, with letters about half an inch tall, says tattoo artist James Eastwood, who did the honors.

Morgan Freeman Not With Step Granddaughter
Morgan Freeman is adamant, he has NEVER had a romantic relationship with his 27-year-old step-granddaughter E'Dena Hines, and slams all of the reports to the contrary as "defamatory fabrications." Morgan just released a statement responding to recent reports that he and Hines have been dating for roughly 10 years and were planning to get married in the very near future. Freeman's rep says the actor remained silent for years because he didn't want to "dignify these stories by commenting" ... but now he feels compelled to speak out after the reports were picked up by various "mainstream media" outlets. In his statement, Freeman says, "The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers. What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well." E'Dena has also issued a statement:  "These stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also hurtful to me and my family." E’Dena is the granddaughter of Morgan’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. She and Morgan are not related by blood.
 It’s Sebella Rose Winter! Posing for the cover of Hola! Puerto Rico, actors Roselyn Sánchez and Eric Winter make their debut in their greatest roles yet: parents of their 3-month-old baby girl. Winter, 35 stars on GCB and Sanchez will star in ABC’s Devious Maids this fall.


Frances Bean Blasts Mom Courtney Love for 'Gross' Tweets
Frances Bean Cobain lashed out at her mother Courtney Love for claiming on Twitter than her late husband Kurt Cobain's bandmate Dave Grohl had "hit on" Frances and that "she was curious." "While I'm generally silent on the affairs of my biological mother, her recent tirade has taken a gross turn," says Frances. "I have never been approached by Dave Grohl in more than a platonic way. I'm in a monogamous relationship and very happy." Frances adds: "Twitter should ban my mother." Grohl, the Nirvana drummer who now leads the Foo Fighters, also criticized Cobain's widow, who had Tweeted that Grohl was "sexually obsessed" with Cobain. "Unfortunately Courtney is on another hateful Twitter rant," Grohl, the married father of two daughters, says through his rep. "These new accusations are upsetting, offensive and absolutely untrue." Frances, 19, is engaged to Isaiah Silva, frontman of the rock band the Rambles.

Jada Pinkett Smith Speaks Out Against 'Ridiculous' Rumors of Marital Trouble

Why us? That's what Jada Pinkett Smith has been wondering, after she and husband Will Smith became the latest star couple to be the subject to rumors of marital strife. Asked why the speculation won't go away, she tells French magazine Gala: "I have no idea! Every year, one celebrity couple is under the microscope. This year, unluckily, it's us! I almost want to say that we should have been expecting it." She adds: "Will and I know the truth. We're waiting peacefully for the storm to blow over." Jada, 40, acknowledges that she and Will, 43, spend lots of time apart. But it's always been that way, she adds. "These rumors are completely untrue," she says. "I travel a lot because of my work, just like Will does. ... But our lifestyle hasn't changed. Before we had the kids, we were already far away from each other quite often because of separate projects." Asked about the rumor that they no longer live under the same roof, she replies: "That's ridiculous. We've always lived together." Things aren't about to slow down, either. Will is currently filming the M. Night Shyamalan movie After Earth with Jaden, 13. And this summer, Jada will be hitting the road with Willow, 11, who is going on tour as a singer.

Michaels admits burning son with cigarette
The Melissa Etheridge split from Tammy Lynn Michaels jumped right to the top of the ugly scale, this after Michaels admits on her blog that she burned her son with a cigarette. Michaels says that the incident happened while she was outside smoking a cigarette and her son snuck up from behind her. She adds, "I alerted his other mother immediately, because/It's the right thing to do/No matter how embarrassing." Etheridge and Michaels are in the midst of a nasty custody battle over their twins. Michaels has reportedly asked for a significant bump in her $23,000 per month child support payments. She's also requesting that Etheridge pay her $120,000 legal bills. 


Hello, You Owe $1.1 Million
For most people a $1.1 million debt to the IRS is a REALLY BIG DEAL, but when you're Lionel Richie and worth an estimated $200 mil, it's probably just a nuisance. Richie owes the federal government $1,130,609.11 in unpaid income tax for 2010.
  Hilary Duff shared a very special photo with her Twitter followers on Thursday--a sweet, black and white portrait of her and husband Mike Comrie posing with their new son Luca Cruz.

 

 

Old Boy
"District 9" and "The A-Team" star Sharlto Copley has been offered the role of the villain opposite Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen in Spike Lee's "Old Boy". A remake of Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy", the story in this version focuses on a man imprisoned in a hotel room for over two decades with no understanding as to why. When he is suddenly released, he's told he has just four days to determine the reason for his imprisonment.

 

 

Captain Phillips
Max Martini has joined the cast of Paul Greengrass' "Captain Phillips" at Sony Pictures. The true story revolves around the skipper of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama who gave himself up as a hostage to Somali pirates to spare his crew. Martini will play the Navy Seal commander who coordinated the rescue. Tom Hanks stars as the title character while Scott Rudin, Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and Kevin Spacey are producing.

 

 

The Internship
First reported two months ago, it Is now confirmed - "Wedding Crashers" stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson will reunite on the Shawn Levy comedy "The Internship" at 20th Century Fox. Vaughn and Wilson portray two old school salesmen who to reinvent themselves by becoming interns at a major tech company.


Will.i.am Sued

Will.i.am is being sued by a company claiming  he has bailed on a deal he made to hock a clothing line. I.Am.Clothing (that's the company) claims will.i.am inked a deal in 2010, for the Black Eyed Pea's name to be used for marketing the threads.  The singer also agreed to help design and market the schmattas. The company believes will.i.am was obligated to lend his name to the line through 2016, but the singer's position is that the deal is already over and out.


TV NEWS
30 Rock‘s second live outing has just been upgraded from fun stunt to must-see TV, and here’s why: Community‘s Donald Glover has been recruited to appear in the April 26 episode playing the rather key role of, um, Tracy Jordan. Glover isn’t replacing Tracy Morgan. Rather, the Greendale 7 vet will play Tracy “as a younger man.”
 The Big Bang Theory has tapped acting vet Casey Sander (Grace Under Fire, Justified) to guest star as Bernadette’s (Melissa Rauch) blue-collar ex-cop dad. Sander first appears in the May 3 episode, “The Launch Acceleration,” which deals with the potentially catastrophic fallout of Howard’s delayed NASA mission. Basically, the new launch date conflicts with his wedding to Bernadette – putting their big day in jeopardy.

Marc Anthony Files for Divorce from Jennifer Lopez
Marc Anthony is making his split from Jennifer Lopez official. The musician, 43, filed for divorce on April 9 from the American Idol judge, 42, according to documents filed at Los Angeles Superior Court. The duo's separation date is listed as "to be determined," but they publicly announced their breakup in July. Citing irreconcilable differences, Anthony requests joint legal and physical custody of the couples' twins Max and Emme, 4. He is asking the court to deny her spousal support, should it be requested from Lopez.The exes, who wed in Beverly Hills in 2004, continue working together on their Latin music and dance competition series, Q'Viva! The Chosen.
 After welcoming their son Hawkins on Monday evening, Tony Romo and his wife Candice Crawford snuggle up to their baby boy — swaddled in the traditional hospital blanket and hat — for a sweet snapshot. The picture-perfect moment came after Crawford delivered the 8 lbs., 8 oz. newborn, who has already been named “a part of the Dallas Cowboy family” by a spokesperson from the team.

Chris Noth Marries Tara Wilson

Sex and the City heartthrob Chris Noth married his longtime fiancée, Tara Wilson, on April 6, his rep confirmed. The couple – engaged since 2009 and already parents to 4-year-old son Orion Christopher – wed on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Noth, 58, met Wilson when she worked at his New York City bar, the Cutting Room. The actor currently stars on The Good Wife.
 Talk show host Ricki Lake, 43, and her fiancé Christian Evans, 40, eloped on Sunday, tying the knot in a secret ceremony in southern California. After Lake's 2003 split from her first husband, Rob Sussman, (with whom she has two sons, Milo, 15, and Owen, 10), she wasn't sure she'd ever marry again. "I didn't think it would happen at this point in my life," says Lake. But meeting Evans changed everything. "We just clicked," she adds. "It just feels like he was the right one all along."

Britney Spears reaches $15M 'X Factor' agreement

Britney Spears has reached an agreement to serve as a judge on Simon Cowell's "The X Factor" -- and the payday is really something to sing about. The "Womanizer" singer will collect $15 million overall for the gig: approximately $13 million to judge music-industry aspirants alongside Cowell and record executive L.A. Reid, and the rest as a bonus for performing on the show. The deal has been agreed upon but has not yet been signed. Spears is still under a conservatorship following her mid-2000s breakdown, with her father, Jamie Spears, serving as her guardian.

Axl Rose: I'm not coming, so don't induct me

No surprise: Axl Rose isn't going to show up for a Guns N' Roses show. Big surprise: This time, he notified everyone in advance. Speculation has been rampant among fans whether Rose would show for Saturday's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland -- and was even more feverish about whether he'd deign to perform with his new bandmates, his old bandmates or both. The answer: Neither. Rose released an "open letter" Wednesday in which he not only declined to attend, he asked that his name be withdrawn and not inducted, even though he's the only one out there touring under the Guns N' Roses moniker anymore. Green Day is scheduled to induct the band - Rose included anyhow - in Saturday's ceremony.

TV NEWS
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Fox will reair the pilot of Married… With Children – which first debuted in April 1987 — on Sunday, April 22 at 7/6c. The special rebroadcast will be followed by an encore of The Simpsons‘ 500th episode. The Married cast is among the Fox fams to be reunited as part of the network’s anniversery fête airing April 22 at 8 pm.


Big-screen stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have been tapped to star in True Detective, a drama pilot currently being shopped around to cable networks. The project follows two detectives (McConaughey and Harrelson) whose lives collide during a decades-long hunt for a Louisiana-based serial killer. That story would run across an eight episode first season. Each subsequent season sees a complete refresh of the cast, setting and storyline.


Boss is set to kick off its sophomore season Friday, August 17 at 10 pm on Starz. Sanaa Lathan (Nip/Tuck) and Jonathan Groff (Glee) have been added to the cast, while hip-hop star T.I. is set to guest-star.


Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards clearly remain on good terms, as the capricious star has tapped his former wife to make a guest appearance in his upcoming FX comedy series, "Anger Management." Denise will play Lori, the new business partner of Charlie's onscreen ex, Jennifer (Shawnee Smith). "Anger Management" is set to debut on Thursday, June 28 at 9/8c with back-to-back episodes.


Fox is cutting Breaking In‘s second season short. The network announced late Wednesday that it was pulling the struggling Christian Slater comedy from its Tuesday night schedule for the remainder of the season.


New York Knick Carmelo Anthony guest-stars in this Sunday’s installment of Nurse Jackie, playing a pro-athlete in the addiction-battling character’s rehab group.


The Revolution will no longer be televised — as of July 9 — as ABC has elected to snuff the daytime self-improvement show. ABC’s last remaining soap opera General Hospital, which was at risk of being sent to the morgue upon the September 10 arrival of Katie Couric’s daytime talker, has a new lease on life and will thus live to celebrate 50 years on air come April 1, 2013. Filling the gap from The Revolution‘s end to Katie‘s debut will be GMA In the Afternoon, a companion show of sorts to ABC’s morning program.