Judi Dench diagnosed with degenerative eye condition
Dame Judi Dench is severely struggling with her vision, and says that she has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, which can cause loss of eyesight. The 77-year-old Academy Award-winning actress (Shakespeare in Love) said “I can’t read scripts anymore because of the trouble with my eyes. And so somebody comes in and reads them to me … The most distressing thing is in a restaurant in the evening I can’t see the person I’m having dinner with.” Dench is now shooting the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, reprising her role as M. Dame Judi Dench released a statement about her degenerative eye condition, downplaying reports that she will go blind. “In response to the numerous articles in the media concerning my eye condition — macular degeneration — I do not wish for this to be overblown … This condition is something that thousands and thousands of people all over the world are having to contend with. It’s something that I have learnt to cope with and adapt to — and it will not lead to blindness.”

Bobby Brown Explains Why He Left Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Bobby Brown left Whitney Houston’s funeral at Newark, N.J.’s New Hope Baptist Church shortly after the service began. In a statement put out by his representative, he explained, “My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston.  We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. “I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move,” he said.  “Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”



Chris Tucker Owes IRS $12 Million
Chris Tucker is up to his ears in debt as he owes the IRS $11.5 million in back taxes. One of his Florida homes was about to be taken away from him, but luckily, Chis was able to do negotiate a short sale just before the bank foreclosed on it. He owed $4.4 million on the home, but the bank accepted a $2 million bid, which was a major score for the homebuyer who snatched it up, considering the home was worth about $6 million. And in October, Chris sold his other Florida mansion for $1,050,000, still under the amount the home was worth. But, hey, there's good news! A Friday sequel is back on!
 Jessica Simpson is ready to pop.

Rihanna and Chris Brown release simultaneous remixes, guest on each others' new tracks

Most people blow out a few candles on their birthdays, but Rihanna, who turns 24 today, seems determined to start a full-on fire. In the wake of Chris Brown’s controversial return to the Grammy stage last week (many people — like Miranda Lambert — were uncomfortable that Brown, who pled guilty to felony assault after a fight with Rihanna the night before the 2009 Grammys, was welcomed back to the show and given two performance slots), the “We Found Love” singer has been playing awfully nice with her ex. Earlier today, Chris Brown tweeted, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBYN” (Rihanna’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty), to which she quickly replied “Thanks!” The small exchange was enough to launch a thousand blog posts asking whether Rihanna should be interacting so benevolently with her former beau, whom many feel has not demonstrated adequate or genuine remorse about his past iniquities. But a moment ago, Rihanna took the reconciliation (and thus the controversy) a step further when she tweeted out a remixed version of Chris Brown’s single “Turn Up The Music” that features her own vocals as well. She wrote, “Turn up the music remix #RihannaNavy #Teambreezy enjoy!!!”

Adam Lambert singing with Queen again for one show

He's not the new frontman, but it's certainly a start. Adam Lambert and Queen have announced that they will perform one show together this summer at the 2012 Sonisphere rock 'n roll festival in England. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor confirmed that Glambert will be the vocalist with for the band's headlining set during the second day of the festival, July 7 at Knebworth Park in Stevenage, which is north of London.
 Scott Porter is engaged! The Hart of Dixie actor and his girlfriend Kelsey Mayfield, who he's been dating for four years. Mayfield, who is currently a casting director on ABC's The Revolution, met Porter on the set of Friday Night Lights, where the actor played the role of Jason Street.


Nick Jonas and Delta Goodrem break up
Broadway's "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" star Nick Jonas has ended his relationship with Australian singer Delta Goodrem. Goodrem and Jonas hooked up last year after she ended her engagement to Brian McFadden. Jonas, eight years Goodrem's junior, is currently on Broadway opposite "Ugly Betty's" Michael Urie. "Nick and Delta have decided mutually to end their relationship," Goodrem's representatives said in a statement. "At this point in time, they are both focused on their careers as they go on different paths. They remain friends and wish each other the best for the future."

Glee Annual Summer Concert Tour Scrapped

The Glee machine is taking the summer off. The show’s cast will not be embarking on their traditional summer tour this year. To give Gleeks their concert fix, Glee producers are said to be considering a one-time benefit show at the Hollywood Bowl this fall.


TV NEWS
Chad Michael Murray is swinging back through One Tree Hill for one last episode this Wednesday at 8 p.m.


Stephen Colbert returned to The Colbert Report last night after a week away, listing some of the rumors he — “the hub around  which the Republic turns” — heard about his absence. They included that he was canceled by the FCC at the request of the Federal Election Commission because he was about to announce his candidacy and that his show was canceled because he offended the Catholic church when he compared the pope’s “hat” to a giant prophylactic.But then he added, “Oh, one more thing. Evidently, having 11 children makes you tough as nails,” a reference to his 91-year-old mother, Lorna Colbert, who is reportedly ill. (Colbert is the youngest of 11.)


Ugly Betty alumna Ana Ortiz is headed back to ABC with a starring role on Marc Cherry‘s latest sudser, Devious Maids. Ortiz has been tapped to play Marisol, a housekeeper with a secret: She’s actually a college-educated woman who is working in an upscale Beverly Hills neighborhood in hopes of uncovering the truth behind her son’s recent murder conviction.


Lindsay Lohan has made a date with Saturday Night Live. The actress/tabloid magnet will serve as host on March 3.


Lucy Lawless has joined Mad Men‘s Elisabeth Moss and Oscar winner Holly Hunter in BBC Worldwide’s upcoming seven-part miniseries Top of the Lake, which will air stateside on the Sundance Channel. Co-directed and co-written by Piano-helmer Jane Campion, the New Zealand-set Lake chronicles one detective’s (Moss) tireless search for a missing 12-year-old pregnant girl who just so happens to be the daughter of a local drug lord (Peter Mullan).


Taylor Kinney‘s career is heating up! The Vampire Diaries alum has scored a lead role in NBC’s Dick Wolf-produced firefighter pilot Chicago Fire. The hour-long drama follows the complex and heroic men and women of the Chicago Fire Department. Kinney will play adrenaline-junkie Squad Lieutenant Kelly Severide. He joins recently-cast Eamonn Walker, who co-stars as the captain.