Stage collapses at European music festival; several deaths already reported

Yet another stage collapse plagues the summer of 2011: A structure in Belgium collapsed at the Pukkelpop Music Festival in Hasselt (pictured at left), and authorities have already confirmed at least four deaths. Foo Fighters and 30 Seconds to Mars were among the headliners; Chicago indie rockers the Smith Westerns were set to perform next and lost all of their equipment, though they were not physically injured. Smith Westerns frontman Cullen Omori, who wasn’t yet aware of the deaths, took to Twitter to document the events as they unfold. “Stage collapsed max almost got crushed by the tress,” Omori tweeted about an hour ago from his smartphone. “I hope pukkelpop has insurance bc all our s–t is broke.” Soon after, Omori tweeted the following: “Praying no one got hurt Wtf" 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto on his own Twitter: “CRAZY STORM AT PUKKELPOP IN BELGIUM – NOT SURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON STAGE – STAY TUNED. SAFETY FIRST.”



Kat Von D and Jesse James: Engagement Is Back On

Kat Von D may no longer have her show, but she's back with her man. Even as TLC announced the cancellation of LA Ink, Von D and Jesse James – who had called off their engagement last month – posted on Twitter separate photos of themselves locked in embraces. James went a step further and added the caption, "para siempre" – Spanish for "forever." In an interview, James made it official. The engagement is back on, and Von D is once again wearing her ring "Sometimes you are only given one chance in life," he says. "It was up to me to open my eyes and see it. That girl is my chance. I will never stop fighting and striving to hold on to her. Showing her how special she is, and how much I love her."



Kat Von D Lashes Out at TLC over LA Ink Cancellation

TLC announced that it is canceling Kat Von D's tattoo shop series after four seasons (and a whole lot of real-time Jesse James drama). "TLC has decided that the current season of LA Ink will be its last," they said in a statement. "The network is proud of what the series has accomplished in its four seasons, following Kat Von D's journey as an artist from Miami to Los Angeles. The series finale will air September 15th at 10 p.m." Kat Von D herself had a different spin on the news, however. "In an effort to capitalize on my recent breakup, the network has decided to focus their energy on re-editing events that didn't happen while filming," she said. "I have no regrets and am very proud of the original footage. In my opinion, any attempt to compromise the honesty of that would be an insult to my fans and viewers." Von D adds, "As grateful as I am to have been a part of a show like LA Ink,  I'm ready to end this chapter and want to focus on other projects now."



TV NEWS

Jeez, how many celebrity family members does Andy Bernard have? 7th Heaven patriarch Stephen Collins and ET mom Dee Wallace will play the parents of Ed Helms’ and there’s another casting waiting in the wings: Singer Josh Groban will play Andy’s brother during an episode in the upcoming eighth season where his family comes to visit.



The Good Wife actor’s sometime costar and real-life BFF Parker Posey has been tapped to play the never-before-seen estranged wife of his campaign strategist character Eli Gold.



If you were one of the many who took actor/comedian Steve Harvey’s best-selling advice to Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the star will soon be sending some more pearls of wisdom your way soon via your television set. The author is developing a comedy-based talk show inspired by the 2009 book that will air in syndication through NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.



American Horror Story has added another big TV name to its ranks. Without a Trace alum Eric Close is joining the cast of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s upcoming FX thriller in a recurring role. The twisty Horror Story, which is slated to premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 5, boasts an all-star ensemble that includes Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge.



A familiar friend is making a play for newly-single Tom Scavo. The ABC soap has inked a deal with ex-Friends actress Jessica Hecht to join the cast in a recurring role.Hecht — fondly remembered as Susan, the lesbian spouse of Ross’ ex-wife Carol on the much-missed NBC sitcom — will play a love interest Doug Savant’s imminent divorcé.



OWN’s fall schedule is up, and it includes the previously announced debut of Rosie O’Donnell’s new talk show. The Rosie Show will be paired on weeknights with remixed repeats of Oprah Winfrey’s talk show that offer helpful life advice. ”With Rosie and Oprah holding down our weeknights, we have a great opportunity to seamlessly reach our core audience on weekends with these strong original and returning series,” OWN president Erik Logan said in a release. Here’s the lineup (second season premieres of Enough Already! with Peter Walsh, In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman, and Oprah’s Master Class have yet to be released):
MONDAY- FRIDAY (beginning Oct. 10)
7:00 p.m. The Rosie Show
8:00 p.m. Oprah’s Lifeclass
SATURDAY (beginning Oct. 15)
9:00 p.m. Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s
10:00 p.m. Don’t Tell the Bride
SUNDAY (beginning Oct. 16)
8:00 p.m. Ask Oprah’s All Stars
9:00 p.m. Our America with Lisa Ling
10:00 p.m. Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind

Online jihadist calls for David Letterman’s assassination

A website forum frequently utilized to spread Al-Qaeda dispatches has posted an assassination threat against David Letterman. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a private company that tracks extremist websites, a commenter called on Muslims to kill the CBS late-night host after taking offense at a joke made on the program. A poster calling himself Umar al-Basrawi wrote: “Is there not amongst you a Sayyid Nosair al-Masri (may Allah release him) to cut the tongue of this lowly Jew and shut it forever. Just as Sayyid (may Allah release him) did with the Jew Kahane.” Sayyid Nosair al-Masri was tried for the murder of Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1990. Letterman (who, by the way, is not Jewish) apparently mocked the death of accused terrorist leader Ilyas Kashmiri, who was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan in June.



MTV to Abercrombie: ‘Jersey Shore’ diss ‘a clever PR stunt’

MTV has fired back at Abercrombie & Fitch after the clothing company offered Jersey Shore‘s The Situation money to not wear it’s clothes. “It’s a clever PR stunt,” writes MTV’s Lisa Chudnofsky in a rebuttal posted on the network’s blog, “and we’d love to work with them on other ways they can leverage Jersey Shore to reach the largest youth audience on television.” She continues:  “Oh, Abercrombie, what kind of snowball hath y’all set in motion? We hate to add to the avalanche of publicity that A&F is currently eating up at the expense of our innocent reality TV icons (who declined to comment because they were too busy getting more famous) — mostly because that was the whole point of this shenanigan, wasn’t it? — but we’re all family here at MTV, and no one messes with our “Situation.” There are plenty of neon sweatpants in the sea of franchised fashion, so we encourage him to take the money. And donate it all to Ed Hardy.”



Actor Urinates on Plane

Oscar-nominated actor, Gérard Depardieu, had to go to the bathroom just as the
Air France flight from Paris to Dublin was about to take off on Tuesday.  Flight
attendants asked him to wait just 15 minutes until the plane was in the air.
Instead, Depardieu, 62, urinated right on the floor.  The plane was forced to
return to the terminal where the actor and his travel partners were kicked off
the plane.  No arrests were made.



Michael Kors Ties the Knot

The designer and Lance LePere tied the knot in Southampton, N.Y. The couple wed in a private ceremony on Dune Beach officiated by Southampton Mayor Mark Epley. "To marry someone as wonderful and special to me as Lance barefoot on a glorious beach is more than I could have dreamed of," Kors, 51, told WWD. Earlier this month, the Project Runway judge confirmed that he planned to marry LePere following the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. "Lance and I are very excited to finally be able to have the opportunity to marry in our home state after many years together," he said. The pair met in 1990, when LePere began working as an intern for Kors's company.



Mj Estate Sues Lords of London

The Michael Jackson estate is taking Lloyd's of London to court after they have
failed to pay out on the $17.5 million "This Is it" insurance policy. Lloyd's of London originally issued the policy to cover potential losses for MJ's 2009 "This Is It" concerts.  Earlier this year, the company asked an L.A. court to declare the policy null and void claiming MJ lied about his medical history and drug addiction. The estate isn't just settling for the original $17.5 million -- they also want punitive damages as well.



Amber Rose on Wiz Khalifa: 'We're Definitely Gonna Get Married and Have Babies'

Whether it's kisses on the red carpet or something as simple as pet names on Twitter, these two are in love. Amber Rose said "I want to be a mom really bad. I really want babies. I'll be 28 in October, and my maternal instinct is ready." When asked if Wiz will be the father she gushed, "Yeah, absolutely!" "We're definitely going to get married and have babies. Not right now, because we're still busy and we still want to enjoy each other first. We want to go on vacation, travel and just enjoy each other company, but he's definitely the one. We're definitely going to lay it down and get it done."



TV NEWS

Goran Visnjic has been cast in a four-episode arc on the upcoming 1960s-set airline drama. The actor, who played Dr. Luka Kovac for nearly a decade on the NBC hit, will portray a sexy Yugoslavian immigrant torn between his communist Eastern Bloc homeland and the potential freedoms and opportunities of the West.



George Clooney's ex-girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis has signed on to the upcoming 13th season of "Dancing With the Stars".  George and Elisabetta called it quits last June on their two-year romance. The official cast will be named on August 29th during an episode of "Bachelor Pad" Season 13 of DWTS will begin September 19th with a two-hour premiere.



CSI: Miami‘s 10th season premieres Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10/9c on CBS.



NBC’s The Playboy Club will channel its inner American Dreams by casting present-day musicians as performers of yesteryear. Colbie Caillat is the first popstar traveling back in time, performing the classic hit “It’s My Party” as famed singer Lesley Gore. Playboy Club launches Monday, Sept. 19 at 10 pm.



7th Heaven patriarch Stephen Collins is stopping by The Office. Collins (No Ordinary Family) tweeted earlier today that he’s doing a spot on the show, adding the cast is a “ridiculously fun & talented group, including @Rainnwilson who I worked w/in his 1st job in ’89 in the Park.” The actor will play Andy Bernard’s (Ed Helms) father on the show.



The Game‘s Pooch Hall is (temporarily) ditching the football field to play in Suits‘ cushy courtroom. Hall will guest star on an episode of USA Network’s just-renewed legal dramedy as Jimmy, a lawyer at Pearson Hardman who is trying to make his way to partner by any means necessary.



24 vet Carlos Bernard is bringing the bad to CSI: Miami this fall as a “spectacularly wealthy, season-long nemesis” for David Caruso’s Horatio Cane. Bernard’s yet-to-be-named character is described as “Donald Trump meets the Kennedy family,” a ruthless political patriarch using his clout to keep his serial-killer son out of trouble with the law.



30 Rock funnyman Chris Parnell has been added as a recurring player opposite former Saturday Night Live costar Ana Gasteyer on the promising new ABC comedy Suburgatory.

Taylor Armstrong 'Devastated' by Estranged Husband's Suicide

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has spoken out about the apparent suicide of her husband Russell on Monday night. "Taylor Armstrong is devastated by the tragic events that have unfolded," her rep says in a statement. "She requests privacy at this time so that she may comfort her young daughter" – 5-year-old Kennedy. The statement adds that Armstrong's "thoughts and prayers" are also with Russell’s 11- and 13-year-old sons from previous relationships. Russell was found dead in a friend's Los Angeles home, according to police. Taylor Armstrong, 40, had filed for divorce on July 15 from Russell, 47, citing physical and verbal abuse. The Armstrongs were being sued for $1.5 million by MyMedicalRecords.com. An insider said Russell Armstrong, an investment banker, had been "dealing with a lot of financial stress" at the time of his death. He was reportedly between $3-5 million in debt and recently listed his assets totalling $50k. His attorney, Ronald Richards, said "I feel bad because his credit cards weren't working. ... He had tremendous financial problems. ... As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave."



John Mellencamp makes divorce official

John Mellencamp is officially a free cougar. His divorce with estranged wife Elaine Irwin is now official. The couple had been married 18 years; they will share custody of their 17- and 16-year-old sons. The settlement agreement states that the couple negotiated “an amicable settlement of all issues involving property and maintenance rights, the custody and support of their children, and all other issues.” Since breaking up with Irwin, the singer has been dating Meg Ryan.



Kevin Federline Welcomes His Fifth Child

The former backup dancer and onetime rapper welcomed his fifth child, daughter Jordan Kay. This is the first child for girlfriend Victoria Prince. Federline, 33, and Prince, a former competitive volleyball player from Washington state, began dating toward the end of 2008. Jordan joins Federline's expanding brood, which already includes sons Jayden, 4½, and Preston, 5½, with ex-wife Britney Spears and son Kaleb, 7, and daughter Kori, 10, with ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson.



Neal McDonough Welcomes Fourth Child

Neal McDonough and his wife Ruvé welcomed their fourth child, daughter Clover Elizabeth. "Ruvé gave birth to a beauty! 8½ lbs. and 21 inches with thick dark hair like her gorgeous Mommy," the Captain America: The First Avenger star, 45, says. "Ruvé is recovering well – we are so blessed." Clover joins sisters London Jane, 19 months, Catherine Maggie, 4, and brother Morgan Patrick, 5½, who "went crazy" for their newest sister.



Burt Reynolds slapped with foreclosure lawsuit over Florida home

The "Smokey and the Bandit" star was hit with a foreclosure lawsuit in Florida's Martin County Circuit Court claims he's in arrears to the tune of $1.2 million on his Hobe Sound, Fla., home. The suit, which was filed on behalf of the Merrill Lynch Credit Corp., claims that Reynolds hasn't made a payment on the estate, dubbed "Valhalla," since September 2010. The suit asserts, "Plaintiff must be paid $1,193,808 in principal on the mortgage note and mortgage, together with interest from Aug. 1, 2010, and all costs ... and reasonable attorney's fees." The suit also says that BankAtlantic -- also named in the suit -- has a second, $750,000 mortgage on the home, which is valued at $2.4 million, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Reynolds and ex-wife Loni Anderson initially took out a $1.5 million mortgage on the home in 1994, with the understanding that the loan would be paid off by 2019. Reynolds put the 12,500-square-foot home on the market in 2009, asking for $8.9 million, but the depressed housing market made it difficult for him to sell the residence. The 75-year-old actor also maintains a home in Little Rock, Ark. Reynolds is currently filming the TV movie rom-com "Reel Love" with Shawn Roberts and LeAnn Rimes. The "Deliverance" star has a history of financial woes -- Reynolds filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the 1990s, following his divorce from Anderson and a string of bad career and investment decisions.



Shaq's ex-friend not credible; case dismissed

A judge formally dismissed charges against gang members accused of kidnapping a music producer who claimed to have a sex tape of NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar de Longoria took the action after a prosecutor said his office didn't want to proceed with the trial, citing problems with the credibility of the alleged victim. The defense immediately asked for a dismissal. Deputy Dist. Atty. Hoon Chun said there was “cause for concern” about Robert Ross’ testimony in court as well as conduct outside of court that led to the prosecution’s decision. “We do not have the necessary confidence in the credibility of Mr. Ross to proceed in this case,” Chun said, which was met with loud cheers from the audience and a chorus of “motion to dismiss” from seven defense attorneys. Seven Main Street Crips members were charged earlier this year with kidnapping, assault and robbery in the Feb. 10, 2008, incident. Ross alleged that on that night, armed gang members had taken him from West Hollywood to a home in the gang's neighborhood and robbed and beat him while demanding a videotape and mentioning O’Neal.



TV NEWS

Kate Gosselin’s reality show Kate Plus 8 is not being renewed by the network. TLC issued this statement: “TLC has decided not to renew another season of Kate Plus 8. By the end of this season Kate Plus 8 will have hit the 150 episode mark (including Jon & Kate Plus 8); an exceptional milestone. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future.”



Falcon Crest diva Morgan Fairchild will guest-star on Fox’s Bones this season as the “intelligent, impeccably dressed” CEO of a toy company that just so happens to be the site of a murder.



Queen Latifah is cooling on plans to compete on Dancing With the Stars. She says, "No truth to the rumors of me doing Dancing With The Stars. Love the show though so I'll be watching just like you!"



The Good Wife‘s streak of having prominent actors play guest judges on the show continues. This time, the CBS drama has tapped Harvey Fierstein for an appearance. The gravel-voiced actor best known for Torch Song Trilogy, Fierstein is playing a liberal, ex-hippie type who marches to a different drummer. He’ll preside over a case Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is working on with a sharp eye, but rather laid-back speech.



Childrens Hospital has been renewed for a fourth season, Adult Swim has ordered 14 episodes of the comedy, which was created by and stars Rob Corddry. The fourth season will premiere in 2012.



Nick Cannon is strutting his stuff all over the Peacock: The America’s Got Talent host has now signed on as a recurring cast member of the new NBC comedy Up All Night. Cannon will play Calvin, a spirited talk show emcee whose popularity irks co-host Ava (Maya Rudolph).  In addition, Jennifer Hall (Nip/Tuck, CSI: Miami) will recur as Missy, Ava’s unconfident assistant. Up All Night, which debuts Sept. 14, also stars Christina Applegate and Will Arnett.



Season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is set to premiere Friday, Sept. 16 at 8/7c on Cartoon Network.



The Talk is talking about the possibility of a few hosting changes for season 2: The CBS daytime chat show is considering not picking up options for Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete as it evaluates its creative direction. Meanwhile, the show has already renewed deals for Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, and Sharon Osbourne, who will be on hiatus for part of the fall to spend time with husband Ozzy Osbourne.



Alex Steele, who previously appeared on Seasons 1-5 of Teen Nick’s Degrassi as Craig Manning’s half-sister Angela, is returning to the titular school this season… as a completely different character! Steele will now play Tori, a spoiled pageant kid with a big attitude.

Sugarland, Sara Bareilles Express Grief Over Indiana Stage Collapse Tragedy

Country duo Sugarland has spoken out following Saturday’s stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis (where they were scheduled to perform) that took the lives of five and injured more than four dozen others. “We are all right after our stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair tonight. Many of our fans and friends in Indianapolis may not be,” the band said in a statement released on Sunday. “Please keep them in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever form of strength you are able to send. They need you. Thank you.” Sara Bareilles — who finished her opening act performance roughly 30 minutes prior to the stage collapse — also spoke out, comparing the tragedy to “a bad dream.” “The accident at the Indiana State fair felt like a bad dream. The weather changed in a matter of minutes and the stage collapsed in a matter of seconds,” the “Love Song” singer said in a statement. “We are shocked and saddened by this horribly tragic circumstance and we are all praying for those affected. The emergency response was incredibly speedy and the people of Indiana as well as the crews from the show were beyond brave and working hard to help each other. “My heart aches for the lives lost or injured as well as their families,” the statement continued. “We will do whatever we possibly can to help heal the hurt from this very sad day.”

‘Apes’ Win Again With $27.5M; ‘Help’ Does $25.5M

Rebellious apes have held off Southern maids for a narrow win at the weekend box office. “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” at $27.5 million, good enough for its second-straight No. 1 finish. The movie raised its 10-day total to $104.9 million. The “Planet of the Apes” prequel came in just ahead of “The Help,” a drama about Mississippi maids during the civil-rights movement that debuted at No. 2 with $25.5 million. “The Help” has taken in $35.4 million since opening Wednesday. Three other wide releases also opened: the horror tale “Final Destination 5” was No. 3 with $18.4 million; the action comedy “30 Minutes or Less” was No. 5 with $13 million; and “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” was No. 11 with $5.7 million.

 

It’s A Girl For Jessica Alba

It’s another girl for Jessica Alba and Cash Warren. The actress gave birth to the couple’s second daughter – Haven Garner Warren — on Saturday, Jessica announced on her personal Facebook page. “Hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Cash and I are so excited to announce the birth of our daughter, Haven Garner Warren. She was born on Saturday, weighed 7lbs, and was 19 inches long,” she posted on Sunday. Both mom and baby were “healthy and happy,” she added. Haven joins sister Honor Marie, 3.

Tina Fey Welcomes Daughter Penelope Athena

Tina Fey, already mom to 5-year-old Alice, has introduced a new addition to the family. The 30 Rock star welcomed a healthy baby girl, Penelope Athena Richmond, on Wednesday with her composer husband Jeffrey Richmond, 50, her rep confirmed.

Hilary Duff Is Pregnant

Hilary Duff and her husband, Mike Comrie, are celebrating more than their one-year anniversary this weekend — they have a baby on the way. “This weekend, Mike and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary… I can’t believe it has already been a year, time really flies when you’re having fun!” Hilary wrote on her Facebook page. “We also want to share the exciting news that…… BABY MAKES THREE!!! We are extremely happy and ready to start this new chapter of our lives,” she continued. “Thanks to everyone for the continued love and support throughout the years!” This will be the first child for pair, who married in Santa Barbara, Calif., last year after first meeting at an Idaho resort in 2007.

Heather Locklear Is Engaged

The Melrose Place alum, who turns 50 in September, is set to wed her longtime boyfriend, actor Jack Wagner, 51, her rep confirmed. The couple have been dating since early 2007. Locklear, who's recently been photographed with a diamond stunner on her finger, was previously married to rockers Tommy Lee (1986 to 1993) and Richie Sambora (1994 to 2006), whom she has one child with, Ava Elizabeth, 13.

Joy Behar Is Married

The View co-host Joy Behar is going to have plenty to talk about when the show returns next month.After dating for 29 years, the View co-host, 68, and beau Steve Janowitz have tied the knot."She was married in New York City last night in a private ceremony," a rep for the show says. "She will discuss it on Sept. 6 on The View when the show returns for the 15th season."Behar's wedding date, Aug. 11, also coincidentally marks the 14th anniversary of the ABC daytime show's debut in 1997.

Sherri Shepherd Is Married

Joy Behar isn't the only newlywed on The View. Co-host Sherri Shepherd and fiancé Lamar Sally tied the knot at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago, her hometown, on Saturday, her rep confirmed. Shepherd's eight bridesmaids included The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Niecy Nash and Community's Yvette Nicole Brown, and her 6-year-old son Jeffrey walked her down the aisle.

Brooke Burke and David Charvet Wed

After a five year engagement, two kids together and a hot and steamy relationship, Brooke Burke and David Charvet have officially tied the knot. The Dancing with the Stars co-host, 39, wed her actor beau, also 39, in St. Barts on Friday, her rep confirmed.

Tara Reid Gets Married in Greece

Tara Reid is having a vacation to remember. The American Pie actress married Danish businessman Michael Lilleund in Greece on Saturday, her rep, Jack Ketsoyan, confirmed. Reid, 35, Tweeted feverishly Saturday, and announced the happy news herself in a series of short messages. "Just got married in greece I love being a wife," she Tweeted Saturday evening. And it wasn't a long engagement: only hours earlier she wrote on Twitter: "I just got engaged!"  The actress, who recently wrapped filming American Reunion, met Lilleund in November in Saint-Tropez. Reid was previously engaged to Internet entrepreneur Michael Axtmann, but called it off in 2010.


TV NEWS

After protracted and tense negotiations with producer Sony Pictures TV, AMC has renewed Breaking Bad for a 16-episode final season. The final batch of episodes — to be shot next year — may air together or be separated into two separate cycles.


The thieves of Leverage have successfully made off with another season. TNT’s caper drama — which stars Timothy Hutton and Beth Riesgraf — has been renewed for a 15-episode fifth season, set to launch in summer 2012. Leverage is currently in the midst of a ratings-rich Season 4.


Despite opening its second season strongly this past March, The Hard Times of R.J. Berger are now over. MTV has canceled the high school-set series, which saw its Season 2 opener audience of 3.1 million total viewers shrink to less than a mil come its May finale.


Private Practice‘s newest man about town Benjamin Bratt will reappear on ABC’s Modern Family this fall as Manny’s MIA dad Javier.


Kellie Pickler is set to make her acting debut on 90210 this fall. The American Idol alum will play Sally, the country-singing cousin of local cowboy Austin (Justin Deeley). The role shouldn’t be much of a stretch for Pickler, who has had four songs on Billboard‘s Hot Country chart. In fact, she will perform one of those singles, “Tough,” during the episode.


Pro footballer Terrell Owens has nabbed a guest spot on the Sept. 14 season finale of USA Network’s Necessary Roughness — but he won’t be playing himself. Owens will touch down as All-Pro Safety/Cornerback Kevin “The Mine-field” Minnifield, star of an opposing football team and TK’s (played by Mehcad Brooks) lifelong rival.


NBC confirms that Saturday Night Live‘s 37th season will premiere on Sept. 24 with host Alec Baldwin and musical guest Radiohead.

The Help's Viola Davis Adopting a Baby

Viola Davis and her husband, actor Julius Tennon, are in the process of adopting a child, the couple says. Speaking from the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie, The Help, Davis, 45, confirmed: "Yes, we're about to adopt a baby."  Davis said she and Tennon are planning to adopt "domestically," but did not elaborate.  This will be the first child together for the couple, who have been married since 2003. Tennon has two children from previous relationships.



Mark-Paul Gosselaar Engaged to Catriona McGinn

The 37-year-old actor, whose divorce from wife of 14 years Lisa Ann Russell was finalized in May, proposed to advertising executive Catriona McGinn last week, his rep confirmed. The former "Saved by the Bell" star (who currently plays Peter Bash on TNT's "Franklin & Bash") has two children from his marriage to Russell: son Michael, 7, and daughter Ava, 5.



I, Alex Cross

"Scrubs" regular John C. McGinley has joined the cast of "I, Alex Cross", the Rob Cohen-directed film reboot of the character from the James Patterson novels which Tyler Perry will play. McGinley will play Chief of Police Richard Brookwell and boss of forensic psychologist Cross whom is tracking down a serial killer (Matthew Fox).



Ray Guy auctions off title rings

Former All-Pro punter Ray Guy, under orders from a bankruptcy judge, auctioned off three Super Bowl rings he won with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. Guy, 61, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, prompting the judge's order to auction off the championship rings. "I don't want to talk about it," Guy said last week. "I'm not trying to be hateful, but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do." The diamond-encrusted rings — tokens of the Raiders' Super Bowl victories in 1977, 1981 and 1984 — fetched $96,216 at a Los Angeles-based auction house. Guy was drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 1973 draft. The Georgia native was named to the Pro Bowl seven times in 14 NFL seasons, all as a member of the Raiders. He was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994.



Eddie Murphy set to voice ‘Hong Kong Phooey’

Eddie Murphy will voice the lead character, Penry, in Alcon Entertainment’s live-action/animated adaptation Hong Kong Phooey, which is based on the 1970s Hanna Barbera cartoon of the same name. The story follows “a mild-mannered dog named Penry [who] stumbles into a mystic ceremony and is accidentally granted mystic powers, including the ability to walk, talk, and do kung fu. Under the tutelage of his kung fu master, Penry dons a costume and becomes Hong Kong Phooey, and with the help of his trusting sidekick Spot the cat cleans up a rogues gallery of wacky criminals.” Murphy is no stranger to the world of voice acting. The actor voiced Donkey in all four Shrek movies, and he played the wise-cracking dragon, Mushu, in Disney’s Mulan. 



TV NEWS

Eureka fans, brace yourself for one more twist. You know the show was renewed for a sixth season, canceled, then had its final six episodes retracted. Now Syfy is adding one final hour to the show’s upcoming fifth season so writers can wrap things up. It seems production on season 5 is nearly finished, and episode 13 is one of the show’s characteristic cliffhangers.Producers needed an extra hour to give fans any kind of closure.



George Lopez's talk show "Lopez Tonight" will not be renewed for a third season, TBS announced. "TBS has reached the difficult decision not to order a third season of 'Lopez Tonight,'" the company said in a statement. "Thursday will be the final episode of the show. We are proud to have partnered with George Lopez, who is an immensely talented comedian and entertainer. TBS has valued its partnership with George and appreciates all of his work on behalf of the network, both on and off the air."



The creator of "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh, is getting a special Emmy Award in tribute to his just-canceled weekly show. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences board voted this week to give Walsh its Governors Award at the Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 10 in Los Angeles. The honor goes to a person or organization that makes a substantial impact or demonstrates an extraordinary use of television.



Lifetime has given the go-ahead to a series based on its 2010 movie "The Client List," which will star Jennifer Love Hewitt, the network announced. Hewitt will executive produce the series through her Fedora Films production company.



On Wednesday, LaMarcus Tinker of Friday Night Lights began his first day of shooting,Glee and he'll play the love interest of Mercedes.



Sebastian Roche, whose character Balthazar was last seen stabbed by Castiel in the Supernatural season finale, has been booked as a recurring guest star on the new season of The CW’s The Vampire Diaries. Roche will play “a very mysterious man who appears to be hunting vampires, most specifically Klaus."

Queen Latifah Seems to Have Come Out

In a recent interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine, she described the kind of women who tickle her pickle: “I just like ladies who have class. Period. And if it’s “T and A” you’re sellin’, that’s fine, as long as that’s what you’re selling. But you don’t have to show everything, you know? You can hold some back and just be yourself and let your personality shine and let your individuality show. To me, that’s sexier. A confident woman is a sexy woman, in my opinion.” Last month it was reported that Latifah and her longtime girlfriend, personal trainer Jeanette Jenkins (seen above in an embrace last year), recently separated amid a dispute over Latifah’s bad eating habits. But it seems now that Latifah is ready to find love again–and she has made it clear that sophisticated beauties with big personalities and a reserved sexual prowess should step to the front of the line.



Gavin DeGraw: 'I Don't Remember Much' from My Assault

In a new message to fans, DeGraw Tweeted Tuesday afternoon afternoon: "Honestly, I don't remember much. I only know I can recover from here." The singer, who has been discharged from the hospital, went on to thank his fans, but provided no further explanation. "Thank u all for your genuine concern," he wrote. "I love u guys." Around 4:00 a.m. Monday, DeGraw was walking through New York's East Village when "some kind of argument" broke out between him and a group of men he didn't know, according to a police source. He was later clipped by a taxi before someone called 911 and he was taken to the hospital and treated for a broken nose, concussion and facial lacerations. According to police sources, DeGraw's recollections are clouded by his head injuries and the possibility that he was also intoxicated at the time. Police are hoping to find witnesses and security camera footage to fill in the gaps.



Essence Atkins Is Pregnant

The Are We There Yet? star, 39, and husband Jaime Mendez expect their first child on Christmas Day, they confirmed. "Our gratitude is overwhelming to have found each other and adding a baby to our happy home is truly a dream come true," the couple says. "We are both elated and humbled by this amazing gift.” Atkins and Mendez, a sales/marketing executive and entrepreneur, met via Match.com and were married in Pasadena, Calif. in September 2008.



Bruce Willis Joining ‘G.I. Joe 2′ Cast As Original Joe?

According to the Heat Vision scoop, Bruce Willis is in negotiations with Paramount Pictures to play the role of General Joe Colton in G.I. Joe 2, the man who created the original team and earned the title name “G.I. Joe.” With leadership figure of The Rise of Cobra, Dennis Quaid, seemingly not returning for the sequel either, Willis could be that veteran starpower stepping in to fill the void. Quaid gone, along with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols was a tough pill to swallow for some, but this growing cast list should make up for it: Channing Tatum – Captain Duke Hauser, Ray Park – Snake Eyes, Byung-hun Lee – Storm Shadow, Dwayne Johnson – Roadblock, Adrianne Palicki – Lady Jaye, Ray Stevenson – Firefly, Joseph Mazzello – Mouse, RZA – Blind Master, D.J. Cotrona – Flint, Elodie Yung – Jinx. G.I. Joe 2 goes by the new title of G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation now releasing in theaters on June 29, 2012. Director Jon Chu promises that the sequel will be of a vastly different tone to that of its predecessor. Less “shine,” more dirt, and some real intense action and emotion for the characters.



Kim Fields joins ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’

Kim Fields, TV’s Tootie, will play a social worker who helps out a couple with an adoption. The Facts of Life and Living Single star has never acted in a movie, but she’s kept busy directing dozens of episodes of Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and House of Payne. The cast of the film, based on the best-selling pregnancy guidebook by Heidi Murkoff, also includes Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford, Rebel Wilson, Rodrigo Santoro, True Blood‘s Joe Manganiello, Chris Rock, and Rob Huebel. The Lionsgate release is planned for May 11, 2012.



Stacey Dash Fired?

The drama-filled season finale of “Single Ladies” aired last night, but it looks like there is even more drama behind the scenes. According to the rumor mill (tipped off by a tweet from journalist Jawn Murray), Stacey Dash — who plays one of the lead roles on the popular VH1show — was fired, and a search has been underway for her replacement. Right after the “Single Ladies” season finale aired Monday night, STacey Dash Dash tweeted the following, as if she’s still a part of the cast: WELL? Fantastic, right? Isn’t the writer brilliant? Can’t wait to see what Stacy Littlejohn has in mind for Season 2! 1 more hour here in LA “Single Ladies,” VH1’s first hour-long scripted series, was picked up for another season. Averaging at around 3 million viewers every Monday night, the show has proven to be a success so far. So all of these “Stacey Dash was fired” talks could, indeed, be a clever publicity stunt cooked up by the network’s publicity department.



TV NEWS

ESPN has hired Jerry Rice as an analyst. Rice will appear on NFL Live, SportsCenter and ESPN's Audibles show, which will air weekly this fall on Thursday nights.  Rice is scheduled to start at ESPN on Sept. 15 and will be based on the West Coast. Rice is the NFL's all-time leader with 208 touchdowns, 1,549 receptions and 22,895 receiving yards. He was chosen by the NFL Network as the greatest player in league history.



Benjamin Bratt is coming to the staff of "Private Practice" when it returns this
fall. He will play the role of Jake Reilly, who is a cutting edge fertility doctor who mixes it up with Addison. Jake and Sam will meet independent of their relationships with Addison and hit it off. Eventually they figure out the woman they have in common. "When that gets revealed, it's pretty fun to watch." Brat says.



PBS has announced some of the celebrities who will be making guest appearances on Sesame Street this coming season.  Over three dozen celebrities have said yes to the program including Nicole Kidman and Robin Williams, Mark Ruffalo, Sofia Vergara and Seth Rogen; talk-show hosts Craig Ferguson and George Lopez; and musicians Jay Sean and Bruno Mars. "Sesame Street" begins its 42nd season on PBS on September 26th.



In the latest classic TV title getting considered for a reboot, CBS and Sony are developing a script for remake of the classic sitcom Bewitched.



Strapping young actor Nick Zano (Cougar Town, Melrose Place) has landed a recurring guest role on this fall’s CBS promising fall comedy 2 Broke Girls. He’ll play a “brilliant street artist” who goes by the name “Jpeg,” and works part time at a neighborhood Williamsburg bar, “when he isn’t running across rooftops or hanging from buildings doing his art.” 2 Broke Girls, which stars Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs as mismatched co-workers (the former blue collar, the latter blue blood), will debut on CBS on Monday, Sept. 19, at 8:30 pm.

Gavin DeGraw hospitalized after assault in

Gavin DeGraw is being treated at a New York City hospital after an assault, according to a statement by his publicist. The 34-year-old singer, whose hits include “I Don’t Want to Be” and “Chariot,” was rushed to the hospital and is “under observation,” the publicist said. DeGraw is currently touring with Maroon 5 and Train.



‘The Wire’s ‘Snoop’ pleads guilty

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, the Baltimore woman who played an assassin in the HBO drama, The Wire, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge to distribute heroin. Pearson had initially maintained her innocence after being arrested in a police drug sweep in March. Her attorney said that she changed her plea so as not to have to deal with the charges; she was sentenced to three years of supervised probation.



Kenny Ortega set to direct ‘Dirty Dancing’ remake

If the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” makes you want to twirl across a dance floor, and you know where the line “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” comes from, this news is bound to stir up all kinds of emotions in you: Kenny Ortega has signed on to direct a big-screen remake of the 1987 hit Dirty Dancing. Ortega served as the choreographer on the original film, which starred Jennifer Grey as a wealthy 1960s teen who falls in love with a dance instructor (Patrick Swayze) while spending the summer at a Catskills resort. Ortega — who most recently directed the documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It – said in a statement, “The opportunity to direct Dirty Dancing is like returning home for me…. Patrick Swayze set the bar for men dancing in the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him. I believe everywhere you look there is evidence that the talent is out there and I can’t wait to begin the process of discovering the next breakout triple-threats.” 



TV NEWS

It looks like the Van der Woodsen clan will be down one member on Gossip Girl this fall. Connor Paolo’s time as Serena’s kid brother Eric has come to an end. The actor — who is a series regular on the new ABC drama Revenge — can’t even imagine a scenario in which he’d return. Asked if he would go back to Gossip Girl should Revenge get canceled, Paolo shakes his head. “I’m done,” he says. “You should never go back in life. Only forward.”



Court is back in session for former Law & Order “mothership” ADA Michael Cutter over on NBC’s SVU. L&O original flavor actor Linus Roache is set to reprise his role as the aforementioned cutthroat attorney in the 13th season premiere of the legal drama (airing Wednesday, Sept. 21). Cutter is now Bureau Chief of the DA’s office, a position that just so happens to oversee Special Victims Unit cases.



"America's Next Top Model" is bringing back 14 girls from past seasons for an allstars Cycle 17. The women of the all-star cast are: Shannon Stewart (Cycle 1), Camille McDonald (Cycle 2), Brittany Brower (Cycle 4), Lisa D'Amato (Cycle 5), Bre Scullark (Cycle 5), Bianca Golden (Cycle 9), Dominique Reighard (Cycle 10), Isis King (Cycle 11), Sheena Sakai (Cycle 11), Allison Harvard (Cycle 12), Laura Kirkpatrick (Cycle 13), Angelea Preston (Cycle 14), Kayla Ferrel (Cycle 15) and Alexandria Everett (Cycle 16).  Guest judges this cycle include: Nicki Minaj;  Kathy Griffin;  LaToya Jackson; Ashlee Simpson; Tyson Beckford; and Kristin Cavallari. "America's Next Top Mode" Cycle 17 premieres Wednesday, September 14th at 9pm on the CW.



Flavor Flav and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider will appear on an as-yet-unscheduled episode of Celebrity Wife Swap. Snider has four children with his wife of nearly 30 years, Suzette. Flav proposed to his current wife Liz on a 2008 reunion episode of "Flavor of Love".