Nic Cage -- Targeted By IRS Over Extravagant Gifts

Nic Cage might be the GREATEST GIFT GIVER of all time -- because according to the IRS, the actor gifted roughly $1.8 mil to people between 2004 and 2009 ... problem is, he forgot to pay the taxes.  a federal tax lien filed against Cage in L.A. County -- which shows the actor is on the hook for $624,934.64 in unpaid gift taxes. Federal Tax laws require the gift giver to pay a 35% tax on all large gifts.


Sean and Scarlett Move in Together
The recently divorced Scarlett Johansson is moving in with Sean Penn in Malibu after just three months of dating. She is denying pregnancy rumors. Scarlett, 26, recently split with husband Ryan Reynolds; Penn, 50, finalized his divorce with Robin Wright in August.


LeBron Mother Sued
The Fountainbleu Hotel valet that was allegedly slapped by LeBron James' mother, Gloria James, is suing the woman for $15,000 due to his loss of the "capacity for enjoyment of life".  According to the document here are the items in "damages" that he claims to have suffered. ...pain, emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life. On top of that he needs cash for medical care and lost earnings.


Michelle Williams and Spike Jonze
It looks like Michelle Williams and Spike Jonze may be getting back together again.  The two split back in 2009, but it's now being reported that Jonze reached out to Williams in an attempt to win her back. "They are making a tentative go of their relationship again" says a friend, "but Michelle is nervous. Spike broke her heart the first time around." Spike has reportedly promised that he's a changed man who is ready for commitment, but Michelle wants him to prove himself before she can trust him again.



Update on Jackson Trial
Evidently Michael Jackson didn't stand a chance of getting the attention of his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, on the day of his death because Murray was juggling three women! According to the docs, Dr. Murray was on the phone with a cocktail waitress minutes before the 911 call was made. Prosecutors say the call proves Murray was paying attention to his girlfriend, and not MJ, during the critical period before Michael's death. Prosecutors also say Murray had communications with 2 other women on the day Michael died, one of whom is a stripper at Spearmint Rhino Gentleman's Club in Las Vegas.  A third woman, Bridgette Morgan, also called Murray on June 25, to ask about a plane ticket he said he was purchasing for her so she could fly out to see him.

Mickey Rourke calls his movie with Megan Fox 'terrible'

In an interview with New York magazine during a post-premiere party for "Scream 4" this week, Mickey pronounced "Passion Play," his forthcoming movie with Megan Fox and Bill Murray, "terrible."  "But, you know, in your career and all the movies you make, you're going to make dozens of terrible ones," he explained of the flick, which will get a blink-and-you'll-miss-it theatrical run early next month before heading to DVD. Rourke also made sure he wasn't misquoted on a compliment he gave to Fox last year, when he called her "probably the best young actress I've ever worked with."When the reporter asked him about declaring the pouty-lipped starlet "one of the best actresses of all time," Rourke was quick with a correction.

"That I worked with," he reiterated.

ABC president on soaps' cancellations: 'The strongest will survive'

ABC's president of daytime says the cancellation of "One Life to Live" and "All My Children" doesn't foreshadow the death of all soaps. "It's like any other genre on TV, the strongest will survive," Brian Frons said. "Right now we're down to the last few that are still strong and viable and economically sound." I think the soap operas that are strong, "The Young and the Restless" on CBS and "General Hospital" on ABC still have a good place in the hearts. ABC will replace the soaps, both more than four decades old, with the new lifestyle shows "The Chew" and "The Revolution." The cancellations leave just four soaps on the air, including ABC's "General Hospital."

Sally Field in Spielberg Film
Actress, Sally Field, 64, will play Mary Todd Lincoln in the Stephen Spielberg film, "Lincoln" base on the book, "Team of Rivals". Field will star opposite Daniel Day-Lewis, 53, who has already been cast in the title role. The film concentrates on President Lincoln and the clashes between him and the officers in his cabinet. The movie is slated for a 2012 release.
TV NEWS
Julia Ormond has been tapped for a season-long arc on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She will play the only major new character that will be introduced in the crime drama's 10th and final season on USA Network.

Rihanna confirms that she was asked to be a judge on American X Factor but had to say no because of her grueling tour schedule.  Rihanna, 23 said she would have loved to be a judge on the show but she's taking her tour on the road for the rest of the year. Cheryl Cole, 27 and L.A Reid are already confirmed to be joining Simon Cowell as a judge. One mroe judge is yet to be announced.


William Shatner, 80, is planning to release a new album called, "Searching for Major Tom." The album consists of songs all having to deal with the theme of space.  Unlike his other album where he just spoke the songs, this time he's enlisted some big time help. Bootsy Collins lends a hand on Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science." Brad Paisley sings along on Steve Miller's "Space Cowboy," Peter Frampton sits in on "Spirit in the Sky," and even Toots of Toots and the Maytals is adding his vocals to The Police's "Walking on the Moon."

Season 7 American Idol winner, David Cook will return to the Fox stage on April 21st where he will premiere his new single "The Last Goodbye."

The reality show features celebrities who swap places with strangers who share the same name. The pilot episode stars David Hasselhoff, who travels to Lake Jackson, Texas town (population: 27,614) to meet and trade lives with an electrical technician and landscaper. "They may have the same names but their lives couldn't be more different," says Jennifer Bresnan, CBS evp of alternative programming.  "Walking in each other's shoes and experiencing their home life, work and other activities reveals moments of humor, laughter and unexpected emotion."  

Verizon Wireless is changing its famous cell phone commercials and the guy who asked "Can You Hear Me Now?" is out of a job.  Actor, Paul Marcarelli says he was informed of the change via email last September. Marcarelli landed the role of Test Man nine years ago and since then has recorded between 20-40 commercials each year...in addition to numerous live events.  The line has caused him both pain and pleasure.  He mentions that how, at his grandmother's funeral, a family friend whispered "Can you hear me now?" as her body was being lowered into the ground. Marcarelli, who is gay, also says that kids used to drive past his home in Guilford, Connecticut, at night, yelling, "Can you hear me now?" and spewing gay slurs.  Paul says he wants to get into films next.


Charlie Sheen told a Boston radio station that not only is he in talks with CBS to return to "Two and a Half Men," but that the chances of him coming back to the show are "85 percent."  However, Warner Brothers, who produces the show says that what Charlie says is pure fiction, that there have been no discussions between the two.




From dancing queen to Playboy bunny--Karina Smirnoff didn't hold anything back for her new Playboy spread. “As a dancer I’ve always embraced my body. I’m thrilled to show off my strong, toned physique in the pages of Playboy and celebrate my sexiness,” says Smirnoff. "Dancing With The Stars" competitor, Ralph Macchio says he will not look at his partner, Karina Smirnoff's nude Playboy photos. "I haven't seen it and I won't," said the 49-year-old actor, "I respect her and we have a great partnership. We're just focusing on what we need to do for the show."