Rodney Atkins Arrested for Domestic Assault
Country superstar Rodney Atkins was arrested in Tennessee for domestic assault after allegedly trying to smother his wife with a pillow. Rodney has since filed for divorce, and insists his wife made up the whole thing.  Rodney's wife Tammy Atkins called 911 at 7:47 AM on November 21 -- claiming the two had been arguing throughout the night in their home ... when Rodney turned violent. Tammy told police Rodney tried to smother her with a pillow ... and later grabbed her by the face and threw her down the hallway. According to cops, Tammy insisted the platinum-selling singer "had been drinking alcohol all night and was intoxicated." What's worse -- Tammy claims the entire assault took place in front of the couple's 10-year-old son. Rodney was hauled to a nearby jail -- where he was booked and released on $2,500 bail. But Rodney says his wife is straight up lying -- and his lawyer is calling the incident nothing more than an "unfortunate verbal dispute." Rodney's lawyer says, "When Mr. Atkins realized their child was in hearing range of the argument his first priority became getting out of the earshot of the child." The statement continues, "Mr. Atkins realized he would have no recourse but to file a complaint for divorce. He has exercised substantial parenting time with the parties son and he will continue to do so while the divorce is pending."

Janet Jackson puts new "face" on weight loss

It's no secret that Janet Jackson has battled weight issues her entire life, but what her fans may not know is that even when the singer is on tour, sweating every night, she still has problems staying slim. So Jackson joined the ranks of Nutrisystem users on Thursday to become the "new face" of the weight-loss program, promoting a new "SUCCESS" diet plan even as she uses it to help raise money to feed the world's hungry. The "Rhythm Nation" singer and member of the famous Jackson family, wrote fearlessly about self-image issues in her book, "True You," documenting a period in 2006 when she put on weight for a movie and ballooned to 180 lbs, only to become fodder for fat jokes in the tabloid press. But Jackson said it's not only working as an actress that can cause her to put on pounds. Rather, it is everyday life that gets her. And even after dancing and singing nearly every night on her "Number Ones," she still battles weight gain. "Your body gets used to different exercises, and I've been performing for so long that my body's just used to it. Actually, I have to work a little harder while doing a show," she told Reuters. Weight gain, she said "is something I've dealt with my entire life."  After Nutrisystem chief executive Joe Redling read the book, he approached Jackson about his weight-loss program and gave her some of Nutrisystem's pre-packaged foods to sample while on tour. Jackson said she was sold. "When I was in hair and makeup, we were all taste testing. Everybody was going crazy for it," she said.  Jackson joins a long list of celebrities, including Kirstie Alley and Jennifer Hudson, who have publicly battled weight loss and endorsed diet programs. Typically, the stars document how much they lose, but Jackson doesn't want to do that. "I'm going about this a different way by not putting a pound amount on it," she said. "It's about when I feel healthy, about when I feel good. That is how I want to be," she said.


Ashley Tisdale Splits With Scott Speer

The couple has ended their relationship of more than two years. Tisdale, 26, began dating music video director Speer, 29, in the spring of 2009, one month after she broke up with V Factory band member Jared Murillo. "They had been on and off for a while. They tried to work it out but realized their relationship ran its course."

 Yesterday, the “One Day” singer Matisyahu posted a photo on Twitter which showed him with a clean-shaven face. The photo was accompanied by a message: “At the break of day I look for you at sunrise When the tide comes in I lose my disguise.” The lines come from the song “Thunder,” which can be found on Matisyahu’s 2009 album, Light.

Howard Stern To Judge On 'America's Got Talent'

After months of speculation, Sirius satellite radio host Howard Stern confirmed on Thursday (December 15) that he will join the judging panel of one of his favorite reality TV shows, NBC's "America's Got Talent."  "I'm going to be Piers [Morgan] on steroids," Stern promised, in reference to former lead judge Piers Morgan. "It's going to be a no-nonsense judge ... I'm going to go there as a serious judge ... It's gonna be something else ... I am very excited." On his satellite show on Thursday, Stern was joined by his long-time agent, Don Buchwald, who made a rare on-air appearance to present the show's host with the official contracts for his new gig. Stern took great pleasure in joking about how he was going to be back with NBC, the company that famously fired him in 1985 for his lewd on-air behavior on his WNBC radio show.  "I am very happy for you because I know how much you love this show," said longtime sidekick Robin Quivers. "I will find the next superstar," Stern promised. He said he will start taping the first audition episodes in February.


Tami From Basketball Wives Sued

"Basketball Wives" star Tami Roman is being sued by her ex-manager ... who claims he helped make Tami rich and famous -- but she refuses to pay him for a job well done. Jerry Silverhardt filed the lawsuit Monday in L.A. County Superior Court -- claiming he was instrumental in securing Tami's "Basketball Wives" gig ... but instead of being grateful, she fired his ass. Jerry claims Tami paid him for Season Two -- but then left him out to dry after she ended their relationship in February ... refusing to pay for work she did on the recently completed Season 3. According to Jerry, Tami's oral contract with him is crystal clear ... she owes him 10% no matter what on all "Wives" paychecks for seasons 3 through 6 -- and she better pay up, stat.


TV NEWS


Aaron Sorkin’s new HBO series about the cable news biz is generating a pretty massive headline of its own: Two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda is joining the cast in a recurring role that is sure to have conspiracy theorists buzzing. The still-untitled hour-long drama — which is being unofficially referred to as Newsroom — is set behind the scenes at a fictional cable news network and centers on an anchor (Jeff Daniels), his new executive producer (Emily Mortimer), his newsroom staff (Alison Pill, John Gallagher, Jr., Olivia Munn, Dev Patel, Thomas Sadoski) and their boss (Law & Order‘s Sam Waterston). Fonda, in her first major television gig, will play Leona Lansing, the CEO of cable news network’s parent company. She’s a titan and her corporate concerns often conflict with the reporting of the news outlet she owns.


Finola Hughes is returning once more to General Hospital. The reappearance of international jet-setter Anna Devane is set to take place during February sweeps and will coincide with the exit of Kimberly McCullough, who plays Hughes’ onscreen daughter, Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake.


Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons will take a stab at guest co-hosting Live! with Kelly on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Also joining the Regis-less Kelly Ripa during the first week of the new year are hubby-of-the-host Mark Consuelos, Californication‘s David Duchovny and Parks and Recreation‘s Rob Lowe.


SAG Award Nominations


BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
The Help
Midnight in Paris
Left out: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Hugo, War Horse, and The Ides of March. As I mentioned yesterday, no film has won Best Picture without a SAG nomination in 15 years, which isn’t a great sign for Hugo, which has been surging lately.
 BEST ACTOR
Demián Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The DescendantsLeonardo DiCaprio, J. EdgarJean Dujardin, The ArtistBrad Pitt, Moneyball
 BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Left out: Charlize Theron, Young Adult; Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene. Glenn Close needed this nomination to stay in the race, and she got it.
 BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Armie Hammer, J. Edgar
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help
 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
LAURENCE FISHBURNE / Thurgood Marshall – “THURGOOD” (HBO)
PAUL GIAMATTI / Ben Bernanke – “TOO BIG TO FAIL” (HBO)
GREG KINNEAR / Jack Kennedy – “THE KENNEDYS” (REELZ CHANNEL)
GUY PEARCE / Monty Beragon – “MILDRED PIERCE“ (HBO)
JAMES WOODS / Richard Fuld – “TOO BIG TO FAIL” (HBO)


 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
DIANE LANE / Pat Loud – “CINEMA VERITE” (HBO)
MAGGIE SMITH / Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – “DOWNTON ABBEY” (PBS)
EMILY WATSON / Janet Leach – “APPROPRIATE ADULT” (Sundance Channel)
BETTY WHITE / Caroline Thomas – “HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE LOST VALENTINE” (CBS)
KATE WINSLET / Mildred Pierce – “MILDRED PIERCE” (HBO)
 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
PATRICK J. ADAMS / Mike Ross – “SUITS” (USA)
STEVE BUSCEMI / Enoch “Nucky” Thomson – “BOARDWALK EMPIRE” (HBO)
KYLE CHANDLER / Eric Taylor – “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS” (DirecTV)
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White – “BREAKING BAD” (AMC)
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “DEXTER” (Showtime)
 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
KATHY BATES / Harriet Korn – “HARRY’S LAW” (NBC)
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes  – “DAMAGES” (DirecTV)
JESSICA LANGE / Constance – “AMERICAN HORROR STORY” (FX)
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick – “THE GOOD WIFE” (CBS)
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dept. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson – “THE CLOSER” (TNT)
 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 ROCK” (NBC)
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy – “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott  – “THE OFFICE” (NBC)
JON CRYER / Alan Harper  – “TWO AND A HALF MEN” (CBS)
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker – “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
JULIE BOWEN / Claire Dunphy – “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton – “NURSE JACKIE” (Showtime)
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 ROCK” (NBC)
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett  – “MODERN FAMILY” (ABC)
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky – “HOT IN CLEVELAND” (TV Land)
 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)
BREAKING BAD (AMC)
DEXTER (Showtime)
GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 ROCK (NBC)
THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
GLEE (FOX)
MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
THE OFFICE (NBC)
 LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Screen Actors Guild Awards 48th Annual Life Achievement Award
MARY TYLER MOORE