Barry Becher, of Ginsu knives fame, dies at 71
Barry Becher, a marketing mastermind and infomercial pioneer best known for bringing Ginsu knives to the American public, has died. He was 71. Becher had been suffering from kidney cancer and died at a hospital of complications from surgery, his stepdaughter Stacy Paradise said. He had lived in Parkland. Though Becher brought many campaigns to the airwaves with his business partner Ed Valenti, they are forever linked with Ginsu, the ubiquitous knives shown slicing through tin cans and chipping a wood block. Millions were sold from the commercial's debut in 1978 into the early 1980s, with audiences mesmerized by images of an exotic-sounding knife that seemed able to cut through anything. The infomercial promised a 50-year guarantee and "much, much more." Becher was running two AAMCO franchises near Warwick, R.I., when he met Valenti, an account executive for a local television station who was handling the auto shops' advertising. They drove the same Datsun 240Z, had wives who were schoolmates, shared a passion for sales and became fast friends. They decided they wanted to find a product they could market through an extended TV commercial, the way some records were sold. Becher found a mohair-bristled paint pad that prevented splatter and cut work times. They were roundly rejected when they pitched the product to Madison Avenue firms and ultimately produced it themselves through a joint company initially run out of Becher's garage. Their first two-minute commercial was on the air, and the Miracle Painter was born. They sold more than a million units and repeated their winning formula with products others created. But the duo rechristened and popularized: Armourcote Cookware, the Miracle Slicer, Lusterware Silverware and Royal DuraSteel mixing bowls. Becher and Valenti eventually shifted their business to become mainly a media buying firm, PriMedia, but their legacy was sealed. They helped popularize the use of credit cards and 800-numbers for over-the-TV sales and their work is seen as a precursor to extended 30-minute infomercials and round-the-clock shopping channels, including Home Shopping Network.

Wade elects for surgery, health over Olympics

Miami guard Dwyane Wade is out of the London Games, and his Olympic career is over. Wade, who battled a left knee problem during the playoffs while helping the Heat to the title, called USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to tell them he would be dropping out of the games due to needing knee surgery. Wade, a 2004 bronze medalist and 2008 gold medalist, had first told FOX Sports Florida last January the London Olympics would be his last. “It wasn’t a surprise,’’ Colangelo said in a phone interview with FOX Sports Florida. “We knew it was 50-50 at best (Wade would play), especially with the circumstances regarding the injury. So it was not a surprise. As I told him, he’s making the right decision. He needs to take care of his career …. He needs to be right (with his knee). He wants to fully recover and be ready for the season.’’ Wade’s agent, Henry Thomas, told FOX Sports Florida his client’s surgery will be July 9 and will be performed by Heat team doctor Harlan Selesnick. Colangelo said Wade told him the recovery process will be four-to-six weeks. Thomas didn't disagree with that, but was told by Selesnick that’s an “optimistic’’ projection, and it’s possible recovery could be longer than six weeks. But Thomas has no doubt Wade would be ready for the start of training camp in late September.

 

Emily Robison Expecting Fourth Child

Emily Robison is expecting her fourth child, a rep for the musician confirms. “She’s excited!” the rep says, adding that the baby is due in early September. This will be the Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds singer’s first child with boyfriend Martin Strayer; Robison, 39, is also mom to twins Juliana Tex and Henry Benjamin, 7, and son Charles Augustus, 9½, with ex-husband Charlie Robison. Bandmates Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire are mothers as well; Maines has two sons while Maguire has three daughters.
 Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi may be pregnant and sober, but she still couldn't stay upright while going for a stroll in platform sandals on the Jersey shore. "She's fine. She slipped. I don't know if it was the shoe that was the issue or something on the sidewalk like a bump or something that she tripped over," a source said. "Sad thing was that the paparazzi all kept snapping their photos and no one went to help her. That's kind of sleazy. If you see any pregnant woman fall you should help them." Maybe just flats from now on? Not anytime soon, adds the source: "She's feeling good and she loves her footwear. Jessica Simpson wore heels almost to the end."


Lamar Odom returns to Clippers after three-team trade
Lamar Odom is headed back to Los Angeles for a second chance with the Clippers and Mo Williams will be reunited with the Utah Jazz. That person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a three-team deal between the Dallas Mavericks, Clippers and Jazz is contingent on Williams exercising his $8.5 million player option for next season. That person said that was expected to happen by Friday. Williams was drafted by the Jazz in 2003 and played 57 games as a rookie before going to Milwaukee, Cleveland and then the Clippers. The Jazz are in position to absorb Williams' salary without sending a player to Dallas by using a trade exception created last season when they dealt Mehmet Okur to New Jersey. Dallas faced a Friday deadline on a $2.4 million buyout of Odom's $8.2 million option for next season. Now the Mavericks instead will have an $8.2 million trade exception, similar to what they used to acquire Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers last December before the strike-shortened season.  Odom, drafted fourth overall by the Clippers in 1999, is coming off an underwhelming 50-game stint with Dallas that didn't even take him through the entire season. He was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for the Lakers for the 2010-11 season. The 32-year-old Odom has averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 879 career games.

No charges in leak of Rihanna beating photo, Los Angeles DA says

Two Los Angeles police officers won't face criminal charges alleging they leaked a photo of pop star Rihanna's bruised and beaten face after she was assaulted by singer Chris Brown, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. An internal report by prosecutors says that after a three-year investigation, they didn't have enough evidence to show celebrity news website TMZ paid the accused officers for the photo, and that became an obstacle in charging them. Officers Blanca Lopez and Rebecca Reyes may still get fired. They are slated to appear before disciplinary panels in August. Brown, who was Rihanna's boyfriend at the time, was arrested on suspicion of beating the Grammy winner on Feb. 8, 2009, leaving her bloody and bruised. Prosecutors allege the photo was leaked after a stack of photographs of Rihanna's injuries was left lying on a desk at the Wilshire police station and Reyes took a picture of the top photo with her phone. Prosecutors say Reyes later emailed the image from her LAPD email address to her personal email address. Reyes and Lopez were roommates at the time, and phone records showed that they made multiple phone calls to Fox Television and TMZ in February. But despite a search of Reyes' and Lopez's bank accounts, a money trail was not discovered tying the leak to them, prosecutors said.

 Although Depp, 49, and longtime love Vanessa Paradis announced their split June 19 after 14 years and two children together, the Dark Shadows actor has already moved on -- with his sexy Rum Diary costar Heard, 26. After meeting on the set of Rum Diary back in 2009, the duo didn't become romantic until the film's promotional tour in 2011, when Depp and French model-actress Paradis, 39, were already seriously estranged. "They started sleeping together during the press tour," a pal says of the bisexual actress, who recently called it quits with girlfriend Tasya van Ree.


Son Of The South
Rafe Spall ("Prometheus") has scored the lead role in the Spike Lee-produced, Barry Alexander Brown-directed indie drama "Son of the South". The story follows a white author who grew up in Alabama as the son of a minister and grandson of a KKK member, and who later joined the Civil Rights Movement.

Can a Song Save Your Life?
Cee Lo Green has joined the cast of John Carney's new film "Can a Song Save Your Life?" which begins filming on Monday in New York City. Green will play a successful hip hop star named Troublegum. Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Hailee Stanfied and Catherine Keener star.

Interns
JoAnna Garcia has joined the cast of Shawn Levy's new comedy "Interns". Garcia plays Vince Vaughn’s girlfriend in the film which shoots this Summer in Atlanta. Owen Wilson and Vaughn as two middle-aged guys who lose their jobs and have to start at the bottom in the new American workforce.

White Bird
Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants") has hopped on board Gregg Araki's "White Bird." The story follows a young woman whose mother disappears, turning her life upside down. Woodley is expected to shoot James Ponsoldt's "The Spectacular Now" first.

 The Castlemartyr Resort in east Cork was one popular spot last weekend. Former President Bill Clinton was staying in the picturesque spot for the annual Irish Funds conference, while Minneapolis couple Kelly Seamans and Patrick Howard were celebrating their wedding. Naturally, a chance meeting made for a great photo opp!

Nora Ephron, Writer-Director of Sleepless in Seattle, Dies at Age 71

Nora Ephron, one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood as the creative force behind such blockbusters as You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally, died on Tuesday at age 71. The three-time Oscar nominee "passed away June 26, 2012 at 7:40 pm at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center surrounded by her family. The cause of death was acute myeloid leukemia," her family said. A writer and director who was as comfortable with romantic comedies as she was with hard-hitting dramas with social themes, Ephron's films featured strong female roles that attracted such A-listers as Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Cher. She also wrote the screenplays for the drama Silkwood (starring Streep and Cher) about nuclear activist Karen Silkwood, but was best known – and reached the highest levels of success – with her lighter fare. Described both affectionately – and sometimes not – as "chick flicks," the wildly successful trio of Harry, Sleepless and Mail (co-written with sister Delia), had Ryan falling in love with Billy Crystal or Tom Hanks – and turned the actress into a mega-star. Ephron's last film was the time-shifting Julia Child foodie flick Julie & Julia and in 2008 she wrote a bestseller about aging called I Feel Bad About My Neck. At the time of her death she was married to her third husband, Goodfellas writer Nicholas Pileggi.
 Doris Singleton, a character actress and comedian best known as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s neighbor – and Lucy's frequent frenemy – Carolyn Appleby on I Love Lucy, has died, Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, confirmed. "A day of saying hasta luego to two great ladies, Nora Ephron and Doris Singleton," Arnaz wrote on her Facebook page. "May they both fly swiftly heavenward and enjoy a blissful rest for jobs well done down here. They were loved and appreciated and will be missed." In addition, she appeared on such shows as Adventures of Superman, Hogan's Heroes, My Three Sons, Hazel, The Munsters, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Fugitive, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby, M.D., Phyllis, Days of Our Lives and Dynasty. Singleton's husband of 61 years, comedy writer, director and producer Charles Isaacs, died in 2002. Singleton was 92.

 

Don Grady, My Three Sons Star, Dies at 68

Don Grady, who played the dimpled-chinned Robbie Douglas on the 1960-72 sitcom My Three Sons – and, at age 12, was a Mouseketeer on Walt Disney's original The Mickey Mouse Club – died Wednesday in Thousand Oaks, Calif., after a battle with cancer. He was 68. As the middle son (Tim Considine and Stanley Livingston played the other two), Grady helped keep the sitcom's evolving roster of characters going, though, by the final season, Robbie, by then a married man, was written out of the show – when he was sent to Peru to work on a bridge as a structural engineer. When that happened, "I needed to start to learn to grow up," Grady said. Only, like many child stars, he found the adjustment back to the real world difficult. A musical prodigy who played eight instruments before he hit his teens, Grady was able to make a successful career transition to composer, working in a music studio he set up in his Studio City, Calif., home. "Now it seems like I work a lot harder for less money," he said "but I'm doing what I really want to do." Grady is survived by his second wife Ginny, a former choreographer, and their two grown children, Joey and Tessa, as well as his mother, Mary and several siblings.
 Ann Curry will no longer co-host the Today show – effective immediately. "This is not easy to say," a choked-up Curry, 55, announced on Thursday's show, as her costars sat on the sofa next to her. She said Thursday would be her last day as a regular on the show, but "I will still be part of the Today show family, in a different role." She said she has been "given a fancy new title" and will roam the globe for NBC, reporting the news. With tears in her eyes, she expressed her gratitude and love for the viewers and the behind-the-scenes staff, and said, "To those of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I am sorry that could not carry the ball across the finish line – but, man, did I try." During a phone interview Wednesday, an emotional Curry told USA Today that in anticipation of her announcement, Thursday was "going to be a bit of a tough day. … I'm going to have to tell our viewers. That's what makes me more emotional than anything. I don't want to leave them. I love them. And I will really miss them." Curry's announcement comes after several days of news stories tracking the behind-the-scenes machinations of her departure. These have included unconfirmed reports that she will be succeeded by Savannah Guthrie, who currently is the show's legal analyst and 9 a.m. anchor. Curry assumed the co-anchor seat next to Matt Lauer, 54, slightly more than a year ago, when Meredith Vieira tended her resignation, for personal reasons. Since Vieira's departure, Today ratings have slipped, and recently have been either neck-and-neck or even trailing those of ABC rival Good Morning America.


About Last Night
Kevin Hart (Think Like a Man) will star in a reboot of the 1986 Brat Pack flick About Last Night, about a man and woman who turn a one night stand into a rocky relationship. Hart will play the role of the man’s best friend who isn’t too keen on his buddy’s new girlfriend, originally played by Jim Belushi. 

Rielle Hunter Says She and John Edwards 'Are No Longer a Couple'

Just a week after she said she was still dating John Edwards and the two were spotted getting cozy at their North Carolina beach house, Rielle Hunter says that they are no longer in a relationship (again). "We are a family, but as of the end of last week, John Edwards and I are no longer a couple," she said on Tuesday's Good Morning America, the same day her tell-all arrives in bookstores.
 Paula Deen knew it was time for a change. Nearly six months after announcing she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the Food Network star, 65, opened up her Savannah home – and fridge. "I do think differently now" about food, Deen says in this week's cover story. "I'm more aware." So instead of regular meals with her favorite trigger foods (so long, mashed potatoes), the Southern chef has developed a new-found love for Greek salads and baked fish. Her focus has paid off: So far, she's dropped 30 lbs. – and counting. "It took me a couple of years to get to this point," says Deen, who learned she had diabetes almost three years ago and faced harsh criticism when she finally announced her diagnosis in January. "If you make a few small changes, they can add up to big results."
 Jessica Simpson is clearly smitten with her 8-week-old baby girl, Maxwell Drew. The new mom, 31, took to cyberspace Tuesday with a new look at her daughter with fiancé Eric Johnson.

TV NEWS
"Dexter" executive producer Sara Colleton confirms that the Showtime drama is ending after Season 8, which will air in 2013, and that the showrunners know where the show is headed for its grand finale. "We wanted to end it this year, but the network convinced us that it would be best to do it in two years," says Colleton. "We have worked that out and know where it's going to end. Next year will definitely be the last year of 'Dexter.' Absolutely."

Syfy’s Face Off will premiere Season 3 in a new time slot — Tuesdays at 9/8c — starting Aug. 21.


The Good Wife continues to add some very good talent to its Season 4 ranks. On the heels of casting ER alum Maura Tierney, Broadway vet Kristin Chenoweth and British actor Marc Warren (as Kalinda’s ex) in recurring roles for its upcoming season, the acclaimed CBS drama has recruited two-time Tony Award winner/three-time Emmy nominee Nathan Lane to appear in multiple episodes. Lane will play a bean-counter assigned by the bank to trim the fat at Lockhart & Gardner, which in the season finale lost one of its biggest clients, and get the firm back to fiscal health. As such, he will find himself at odds with Will, Diane and others at the firm.


Dunder Mifflin will be seeing a lot less of paper pusher Ryan Howard, as B.J. Novak won’t be returning to The Office full-time for its upcoming ninth season. The actor — who has also served as a writer and producer on the NBC comedy since its 2005 debut — is no longer under contract with series producer Universal TV, and as such has opted not to stay on board as a series regular. Novak, however, is still scheduled to make recurring appearances in Season 9, and could possibly continue to write and direct episodes.


One Tree Hill/Hellcats alum Robbie Jones has booked a three-episode arc on USA Network’s Necessary Roughness, playing the  Hawks’ hot new star — a wide receiver who butts heads with Mehcad Brooks’ TK. Jones’ stint is slated to air during the second batch of Season 2, airing this winter.

  50 Cent was taken to a Queens hospital in the wee hours of this morning (June 26) after his SUV was rear-ended by a Mack truck. According to ThisIs50.com, ’Fif’s bullet-proof SUV was rear-ended by a Mack truck on the Long Island Expressway after the driver lost control of the massive vehicle, almost causing 50’s SUV to flip over in the process. The G-Unit general’s website posted the news of the accident and pictures of 50’s hospitalization at 3:00 a.m. this morning. 50 was put on a stretcher and taken to the nearest Queens hospital, where they ran tests on his neck and back. His driver had to be taken to the hospital as well.

Jason Lee Welcomes Son Sonny

Jason Lee and wife Ceren welcomed a son, Sonny Lee, on Saturday, June 16 in Los Angeles, arriving at 2:57 a.m., Sonny weighed in at 7 lbs., 6 oz. The couple are already parents to daughter  Casper, 3½, as well as son Pilot, 8½, from Lee’s prior relationship with Beth Riesgraf. Lee, 42 — who wed his wife in July 2008, and renewed his vows last November — most recently guest-starred on NBC’s Up All Night as Maya Rudolph‘s character Ava’s love interest Kevin.
 Still glowing from his first championship, LeBron was heading to the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove just before bride, Jamie Kolnick, was about to tie the knot with her soon-to-be husband Shaun. LeBron was at the Ritz to meet with a reporter from Sports Illustrated. Then came a moment that very few, if any, can claim; Lebron would take a pre-wedding photo with the newlyweds.

Chaka Khan battling diabetes

Soul legend Chaka Khan has been diagnosed with diabetes. The I’m Every Woman hitmaker, 59, learned she had the blood sugar condition last year and the health revelation was the kickstart she needed to inspire her to lose weight and take better care of herself. Khan also credits winning custody of her young granddaughter with making her more determined to slim down, and she managed to shed 60 pounds after embarking on a drastic weightloss program, which involved fasting and adopting a vegan diet. She tells lifestyle website Essence.com, “I had diabetes type two and high blood pressure. I adopted my 10-year-old granddaughter last year. I have to be there for her. “I knew I couldn’t go out like this so I just fasted for, like, a month, then I went vegan and went off meats and all dairy and anything with eyes. If I have a craving for a little baked fish or something I might eat it. But that’s about it. I’ve mostly been doing a lot of high-protein foods and a lot of vegetables and exercise… “I felt like I need to heal my body, so I would just fast and eat no meat, no dairy. I’ve never been a fan of meat, dairy and sugar. And when I developed diabetes last year I said, ‘Oh OK, I’m not going to be here long. A change is coming.’ So I started getting my mindset, then I started the fasting.” But Khan admits she’s not a fan of working out to keep the excess weight off her new slimmer frame: “I don’t like exercising at all. I guess if I had one (exercise) of choice it would be walking. I do not run and I’m losing, like, on average about five pounds a month. I’ve lost 60 pounds since October.” Khan was awarded permanent guardianship of her then-10 year old granddaughter in December after claiming her son and the kid’s mother were incapable of caring for the girl as a result of drug abuse.

 Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green have celebrated their biggest moments as a couple in Hawaii. It's where they got engaged and later tied the knot. Now, the tropical paradise has served as the backdrop for the official unveiling of the starlet's pregnant belly. While marking their second wedding anniversary over the weekend, the affectionate twosome posed for a series of lovey-dovey shots, all of which featured Megan's cutely growing midsection front and center, courtesy of her itsy-bitsy bikini. Until now, Fox, 26, has remained mum about rampant stork reports and has mostly tried to keep her belly covered up in loose-fitting clothing. Still, she's made no secret of her desire to procreate with Green, 38, who is already dad to 10-year-old son Kassius. "I want at least two," she told Cosmo in April. "Probably three kids. I've always been maternal." Brian agrees, saying in March, "She's an amazing stepmom. [My son] loves her. ... She's been in [his] life since he was 2. She's been amazing."

 

John Travolta Sued by Cruise Worker for Alleged Sex Attack

A former Royal Caribbean cruise room attendant accuses John Travolta in a federal lawsuit of stripping off a robe and pushing against him, then offering him $12,000 to keep quiet. Fabian Zanzi alleges the actor said, "Take me, I will take care of you, please," during a food delivery to his cabin in June 2009, according to the U.S. District Court lawsuit filed June 21 in Los Angeles. Zanzi, who first made these allegations to the Spanish-language news outlet 24 Horas, is seeking unspecified damages for assault and battery and emotional distress. This is the latest legal action against Travolta filed by a man alleging improper sexual conduct. Travolta's attorney has fiercely denied all the allegations. "This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims," says Travolta's lawyer, Marty Singer. "It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame." Singer says that Zanzi didn't mention any sexual contact in his handwritten report to Royal Caribbean. "That glaring omission speaks volumes," says Singer. Zanzi claims he reported the incident immediately to a supervisor but that he wasn't allowed "to write down any information regarding the nudity and/or sexual contact," according to the lawsuit. Zanzi was also "restrained" to a "segregated room" for five days until Travolta left the ship, according to the lawsuit. Singer calls this last claim a "dubious allegation" and notes that Zanzi continued to work for Royal Caribbean for years. The company says in a statement: "In June 2009, Mr. Zanzi was working as a Room Service Phone Operator onboard Enchantment of the Seas. Mr. Zanzi was not fired by Royal Caribbean, but rather resigned on May 18, 2011."


Curry in a hurry to leave 'Today' for $10M?

Here ​"Today," gone tomorrow. NBC is pulling the switch on morning host Ann Curry and will give her a $10 million payout to leave, which she plans to do sometime this week, according to reports. It's expected that the 55-year-old journalist, who signed a three-year contract with the network a year ago, will be replaced by Savannah Guthrie, a co-host of "Today's" third hour. Curry has been with NBC for 15 years but never really clicked on the venerable morning program. No word yet on what kind of sendoff, if any, is in the works.

 Zach Galifianakis is apparently about to be a bachelor no more! The Hangover star, 42, will marry his longtime love Quinn Lundberg, 29, on Aug. 11. There's no word on when Galifianakis got engaged to Quinn, who is vice president and co-founder of Growing Voices, a charity dedicated to giving back to the community. Galifianakis next appears with Will Ferrell and Jason Sudeikis in The Campaign, and the Hangover franchise will continue next year with its third installment, also starring Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms.

Dylan McDermott's Mother Was Murdered in 1967
Police in Connecticut have determined that Dylan McDermott's mother was murdered in 1967 and did not commit suicide. Dylan was only 5 when his mother, Diane, was shot in the head in Feb. 1967. Her death was ruled an accident at the time, but Waterbury, Conn., police reopened their investigation and concluded they now have enough evidence to file murder charges against John Sponza, who lived with Diane McDermott at the time. Sponza, who had ties to organized crime, was killed in 1972, however, and his body was found in the trunk of a car in a Massachusetts grocery store parking lot. the American Horror Story actor, 50, personally asked police to reopen their investigation. Police Superintendent Michael Gugliotti tolsai the actor had deeply personal reasons for doing so. "He said, 'In order for me to survive and to get where I am today, I needed to bury that moment in my life deep within myself,' " the paper reports. "He said it wasn't until recently 'that I've come to the point in my life where I'm able to begin to process all of this.' " At the time of Diane's death, Sponza was the only witness to the crime. According to reports, Dylan was standing outside the door of the apartment and heard a shot. Sponza reportedly told police at the time that Diane had committed suicide. But new evidence suggests that the gun found near Diane's body was too small a caliber to have been the weapon that killed her, and that the murder weapon had been pressed to the back of her head. Dylan McDermott has yet to comment about the investigation.

Kate Must Curtsy to Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie, Per Protocol

She may be married to a prince and could one day become Queen of England, but the Duchess of Cambridge apparently is still outranked when it come to having to curtsy to "blood princesses" in the royal family. As a result, should Kate happen to see husband Prince William's cousins – such as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, or Queen Elizabeth's daughter Princess Anne – she should show the proper mark of respect. The rule of protocol comes after the Queen reportedly underlined the order of precedence in the family by circulating a memo to the various branches of the royal family in Britain. But Kate will not have to curtsy to any of the princesses when she is with William, which, of course, is most of the time when she would be in the company of the royals. In practice, according to most royal observers, this really means that she will only be seen making the bow to the Queen and Prince Philip – to whom all the royals bow in reverence.
 What better way to celebrate one’s upcoming 40th birthday than to pose for Playboy? Love in the Wild host Jenny McCarthy decided it was the best present she could give herself.

 
Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus lands football scholarship offer from UCLA

When UCLA offered Cordell Broadus a scholarship, the Bruins were doing more than trying to attract a promising sophomore wide receiver and defensive back for Diamond Bar (Calif.) High. In essence, the program was staking a claim to territory in the L.A. pop culture spotlight, for one very clear reason: Cordell Broadus is Snoop Dogg's son.  UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr. recently offered a scholarship to Broadus, despite the fact that the rising sophomore has spent just one year in high school, and played on the Diamond Bar freshman squad during that campaign. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, the younger Broadus -- Snoop Dogg's legal name is Calvin Broadus -- has a body which could develop into that of a legitimate Division I prospect, but no one knows whether he'll continue to grow.  Of course, Broadus isn't the first son of a rapper to land with the Bruins. Justin Combs, the son of Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, signed to play at UCLA beginning in fall 2012 after an impressive prep career at Iona Prep in suburban New York City. Combs is expected to play at defensive back for the Bruins, so it's even possible (though highly unlikely) that the Bruins could use both the son of P-Diddy and Snoop Dogg in the same defensive backfield come fall 2015. Regardless of the younger Broadus' potential, it's hard not to feel that Mora Jr. may be offering him a scholarship at least in large part for PR benefits. Snoop Dogg officially claims to be a USC fan, so snapping up a commitment from his son could give the school requisite street cred and offer a certain buzz to a program which sorely needs just such a jolt of excitement.

TV NEWS
ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America,” premiering Tuesday, July 10 on PBS’s Frontline, takes viewers on a two-hour exploration of one of the country’s most urgent, most preventable health crises. Three years in the making, the documentary tells the story of how, from the earliest days, prejudice, silence and stigma allowed the virus to spread deep into the black community.


“Wait ’til your mother gets home” takes on a whole new dimension this Tuesday, when Jane By Design (ABC Family, 9/8c) gets a visit from the one person who could put a serious dent in the Quimby siblings’ happy arrangement: Their long-absent mom, played by Teri Hatcher in a four-episode guest arc.


In a move that fans of Criminal Minds‘ Dr. Reid will think is sheer genius, Matthew Gray Gubler has signed a new two-year deal that will keep him with the CBS crime procedural. Season 8 will be full of cast changes. Big Love‘s Jeanne Tripplehorn will join the drama as a series regular, filling the void left by departing cast member Paget Brewster, who chose not to return after her contract expired with the May finale. Tripplehorn’s new profiler will be introduced in the premiere.

Later this summer, TV One welcomes new reality series R&B Divas to its lineup beginning August 20 at 10p.  The series chronicles the lives of five R&B stars  Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah Carter, Syleena Johnson and Keke Wyatt.  The one-hour eight-episode series was filmed primarily in Atlanta with some production happening in Washington, D.C., New York and New Orleans.  Thinkfactory Media produces the series for TV One. 

Comedy Central has announced that the outspoken comedienne/nut farmer Roseanne Barr is going to get roasted this summer as the latest target of their (in-good-fun) celeb-bashing specials. “All I can say is good luck finding anything about me to make fun of,” Barr deadpanned in a statement Monday. “I mean, I’ve never made a mistake or offended anyone in my life!” The Roast of Roseanne will take place August 4 in Los Angeles, to air Sunday, August 12 at 10/9c.


New African-American television network, ASPiRE from Magic Johnson Enterprises reveals its first original series titled ABFF Independent. The show is a weekly two-hour program hosted by actor Omari Hardwick showcasing independent shorts, feature films and documentaries from emerging black artists.  ABFF Independent will premiere June 27, the network's launch date, with stacked episodes beginning at 8p.  The series will then air on Mondays at 8p with encore airings on Mondays at 11p as well as Saturdays at 2p, 8p and 11p and the following Monday at 2p. 


And just like that, Steve Carell has — for now — dashed the dreams of Michael Scott lovers everywhere. In a chat with the Los Angeles Times, The Office‘s original boss says that not only does he currently have no plans to return to the NBC comedy, but that he thinks any cameo would ultimately be a letdown.

 Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a "mild heart attack." Sent to Los Angeles's Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Saturday, "Trebek is in good spirits and is currently under observation and undergoing further testing," reads a statement from Sony Pictures Television. "He is expected to fully recover and be back at Jeopardy! when production begins taping in July for the new season, the show's 29th." Trebek, 71, who began hosting the trivia showdown in 1984, previously suffered a minor heart attack in December 2007. The game show veteran's contract was recently extended until 2014.

Rodman 'drunkenly barged into ex-wife's house, takes son for breakfast shots' in alleged attack

Dennis Rodman's ex-wife Michelle has obtained a temporary restraining order against the former NBA star. The move stems from a May incident when Rodman, "drunkenly barged into his ex-wife's house... early in the morning, attacked her, then insisted on taking her and their son out for breakfast ... where he slammed 4-6 Jägermeister shots." Michelle appeared in court this week, and, "took the stand, describing the events that took place -- claiming Dennis had shown up to Michelle's house wasted at 2:30 a.m., completely unannounced, and demanded to see his 11-year-old son." "Michelle said Dennis attacked her when she refused, shoving her onto a bed, then took off, only to return hours later, still intoxicated, asking to take their son to breakfast. Michelle obliged ... on the condition she came with [them]." The report goes on to say that, "At breakfast, Michelle said Dennis got even more wasted, ordering 4-6 shots of Jägermeister [in front of his son]," and that the former Detroit Piston also allegedly made comments about Michelle's boyfriend, yelling, "You're [bleeping] this white guy!" Michelle Rodman is further taking action today to make the restraining order permanent, The hearings over the permanent restraining order continue today, and Rodman's expected to take the stand. He's also due in another LA courtroom today, "to fight his $51,000-a-month child support payments." Rodman's agent Darren Prince recently said that the ex-player's drinking has "sabotaged" many career opportunities.  “We’ve had many discussions with TNT and others, and they all say the same thing — he’s too risky, because they don’t know if he’s going to show up drunk or not show up at all," Prince said.

 

'Brave' hits the bullseye with $66.7 million
For the third time this year, following strong openings from The Hunger Games and Snow White and the Huntsman,  a movie with a tough female protagonist topped the box office in a major way. Disney-Pixar’s Brave was right on target in its debut weekend, opening to $66.7 million — the fifth-best debut ever for a Pixar film, and a faster start than last year’s Cars 2, which opened with $66.1 million. Brave continued Pixar’s streak of number one debuts, as all 13 of the studio’s  releases have reached the peak position during their first weekend of wide release. In second place, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted dropped 41 percent to $20.2 million, giving DreamWorks’ $145 million animated sequel a $157.6 million total after three weekends. The 1-2 finish of Brave and Madagascar 3 marks just the third time in the past decade that two animated films have taken up the top two spots at the box office. Fox’s $69 million revisionist horror film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter earned a decidedly un-presidential $16.5 million in its debut frame.
1. Brave – $66.7 million
3. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – $20.2 million
2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – $16.5 million
4. Prometheus – $10.0 million
5. Snow White and the Huntsman – $8.0 million
 Eric Christian Olsen is officially off the market. The NCIS: Los Angeles star tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, actress Sarah Wright, 29, on Saturday near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "You hear people talk about cold feet, but there was never a moment of doubt with Sarah because no one makes me happier, no one makes me laugh more, and I can't imagine a better mother for our future children," Olsen, 35, said. The couple, who met in 2006, exchanged vows during an evening outdoor ceremony performed by Olsen’s father, Paul, on the grounds of the Wyoming barn the actor bought and remodeled with his father, his brother and Wright. Olsen proposed to Wright, who stars in the upcoming feature film 21 and Over, while on vacation last year in Punta Mita, Mexico. This is the first marriage for Olsen and the second for Wright.
 

James Marsden expecting baby No. 3?

James Marsden is reportedly going to be a dad for the third time. But this time he might have some baby mama drama. The "X-Men" actor and "30 Rock" guest star is expecting the child with model Rose Costa, 24, whom he dated briefly after his divorce from Lisa Linde last October. Costa is said to be four months pregnant. The actor's reps have not confirmed or denied anything yet. She and Marsden met last year when she moved to New York to pursue modeling. They are no longer dating. The 38-year-old actor has two children from his 11-year-marriage to Linde: Jack Holden, 11, and Mary James, 6.

WikiLeaks founder wants guarantee he won't be sent to US

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Monday called for diplomatic guarantees he will not be pursued by the United States for publishing secret documents if he goes to Sweden to face criminal allegations. The Australian, 40, said he is prepared to go to Sweden to face questioning over sex assault claims, but fears Stockholm will turn him over to the US where he could face espionage and conspiracy charges over revelations by WikiLeaks. "Ultimately it may be a matter of what guarantees the United Kingdom, the United States and Sweden are willing to provide," he told the Sydney Morning Herald from the Ecuador embassy in London, where he is seeking asylum. Assange believes Washington will pursue him after WikiLeaks published a cache of sensitive documents, including about the Afghan and Iraq wars, and thousands of diplomatic cables which have embarrassed governments worldwide. Assange has said he chose Ecuador's embassy instead of his home country's because he felt Canberra had done nothing to protect him, a charge the government has denied. Canberra has said it has limited capacity to help him because he is not in Australia and has not broken any Australian laws.

TV NEWS
D'Angelo will make his first televised performance appearance in 12 years at the BET Awards, the network announced. The long-absent R&B star has returned to the music world this year, playing a handful of European dates and appearing at Bonnaroo for a surprise set earlier this month. He's set to appear at the Essence Music Festival in July and Jay-Z's Made in America event in September. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on July 1.
 CBS’ The Good Wife has finally tapped an actor to play Kalinda’s scary-ass estranged husband, and it’s a surprising choice to say the least. Rather than stunt-cast the plum part, Good Wife creators Robert and Michelle King have awarded the recurring role to British actor Marc Warren. On The Good Wife, Warren will play Nick, Kalinda’s dangerous, master manipulator ex whom she ran away from pre-Lochkart Gardner, and whose return she was prepared for — lock, stock, and barrel — at the close of last month’s Season 3 finale. Nick and Kalinda are poised to reunite early into the show’s fourth season.


Peter Florrick has a secret weapon in his bid to become governor: Maura Tierney. CBS’ The Good Wife has tapped the ER vet to join the Season 4 cast in the recurring role of Maddie, a self-made billionaire who started her own Internet company and is the doyenne of Chicago Democratic politics. As such, Eli eagerly pursues her money and endorsement for Peter’s campaign.


The Lifetime channel says it's picking up a new series from the creator of "Desperate Housewives." The channel said it has ordered 13 episodes of "Devious Maids" from producer Marc Cherry. The series is about maids working for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills and counts "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria as an executive producer. The "Devious Maids" cast includes Ana Ortiz, Judy Reyes, Grant Show and Susan Lucci.

The Daytime Emmys showered "General Hospital" with five trophies, including best drama, while giving Regis Philbin a fond farewell as a departing talk-show host. The "Today" show won as best morning show and "Jeopardy!" was named best game show at the annual ceremony Saturday.

Jennifer Hudson, prepare to get "Smash"-ed. Singer-actress Hudson has signed on for a multiple-episode arc on the NBC musical drama "Smash" when it returns for its second season. Hudson will play the role of Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who affects the lives of Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (played by Megan Hilty). In addition to her stint on the upcoming second season of "Smash," Hudson also has two films, "Lullaby" and "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete," going into production this summer.

Nicollette Sheridan's ongoing legal battle hit a stumbling block on Friday, as a judge vacated the scheduled September retrial date and ordered both sides to enter settlement talks with a different judge. Judge Elizabeth Allen White of Los Angeles Superior Court vacated the retrial date after admitting to being confused by wording in a writ issued by the court of appeals, which put a temporary stay on the retrial.

One of the stars of the TV reality show "Swamp People" has been arrested in Florida on domestic violence charges. Noces Joseph LaFont Jr. — who is known as "Trapper Joe" on TV — was arrested Wednesday by Orange County Sheriff's deputies. LaFont was arguing with his girlfriend while staying at a hotel near Disney World and tried to burn her with a lit cigarette. The report also says he punched the woman with a closed fist.

Jessica Capshaw Welcomes Daughter Poppy James

Jessica Capshaw and Christopher Gavigan‘s delivery surprise is here — and it’s a girl!

The Grey’s Anatomy star, 35, gave birth to their third child, daughter Poppy James Gavigan, on Wednesday, June 20, her rep confirmed. Poppy joins elder siblings Eve Augusta, 20 months, and Luke Hudson, 4½. Capshaw and her husband, co-founder of The Honest Company, announced the pregnancy in January.

 

Tony Parker Sues for $20 Million for Night Club Brawl
NBA superstar Tony Parker -- who was injured when Drake and Chris Brown's posses squared off -- is suing the NYC nightclub for $20 million, claiming it should never have let Rihanna's exes in at the same time ... and Chris Brown as well as Drake could end up as defendants. The San Antonio Spurs star filed the lawsuit Thursday in NY State Supreme Court ... against W.i.P. Nightclub -- and in the suit he alleges the club's security was negligent for allowing the brawl to ever happen. Parker says he was hit by shards of glass and suffered lacerations to his cornea when bottles started flying in the fight last week. The lawsuit alleges club management, knowing there was "bad blood between Drake and Brown," was driven by the almighty buck and continued selling alcohol to the participants in the brawl, despite the fact that some were "visibly intoxicated." Parker's injury is a huge deal because it could affect his NBA career, and -- more immediately -- his performance in the Olympics with the French national basketball team. As for why he would sue for $20 MILLION? Parker is in the middle of a $50 million contract with the Spurs. As for whether Chris Brown or Drake will be added as defendants, Parker's lawyer, David Jaroslawicz, says he's waiting for the results of the police investigation.  He also wants to review the surveillance tape before making his decision.

Ann Curry says she feels hurt by negative criticism

With widespread reports circulating that NBC is planning to replace her as co-host of the "Today" show, Ann Curry is opening up about her critics and the ongoing ratings war with ABC rival "Good Morning America." Curry tells the August issue of Ladies' Home Journal -- on newsstands July 10 -- that losing to "GMA" in the ratings led to speculation about the "Today" show that has been stressful personally and professionally. "It's hard not to take it personally. You worry, am I not good enough? Am I not what people need? Am I asking the right questions?" Curry, who's been with "Today" since 1997 but was promoted about a year ago to replace Meredith Vieira as co-host with Matt Lauer, also reveals how difficult it is reading reports that she could be replaced. "When people say negative things or speculate, you can't help but feel hurt. I know NBC pays my salary, but I have never doubted who I work for. I think about the people who watch. They're the ones who matter to me. I want to feel I haven't dropped the ball when it comes to them." When asked if there is anything she would change about herself, she reflected on aspects of her personal life. "I don't always understand my worth. I think it's a chronic condition for women," she said. "I'm not talking about professionally. I'm talking about in our personal lives. We constantly punish ourselves with degrading thoughts when we look at ourselves in the mirror. We allow people to treat us poorly, we allow our husbands or boyfriends to get away with things or we have relationships with girlfriends or colleagues who don't treat us well. We don't defend ourselves as we would our own children." For her part, she says she has no intention of leaving the long-running NBC morning show. "I've been at 'Today' for 15 years and I'd love to make it to 20. I think eventually I want to become a teacher, like my father wanted to be, and hopefully positively influence the next generation."

Giovanni Ribisi Weds Model Agyness Deyn

It was barely publicized that Giovanni Ribisi and model Agyness Deyn were even dating in the first place – but their relationship was obviously quite serious. The actor, 37, who has a role in the upcoming movie Ted, wed the British model, 29, over the weekend in Los Angeles, Ribisi's rep confirms. This marriage is a first for Deyn, and a second for Ribisi, who split from former wife Mariah O'Brien in 2001. The exes have a child together, daughter Lucia. She and rocker Josh Hubbard (of the Paddingtons) split in 2008 after four years of dating.

Jerry Sandusky's Adopted Son: I'm a Victim, Too

Just hours after a jury began deliberating the fate of Jerry Sandusky, who is on trial for allegedly sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period, his adopted son Matt said he, too, was sexually abused by Sandusky. "During the trial, Matt Sandusky contacted us and requested our advice and assistance in arranging a meeting with prosecutors to disclose for the first time in this case that he is a victim of Jerry Sandusky's abuse," read a statement issued by Matt's attorneys, Andrew Shubin and Justine Andronici. "At Matt's request we immediately arranged a meeting between him and prosecutors and investigators," the statement continued. "This has been an extremely painful experience for Matt and he has asked us to convey his request that the media respect his privacy. There will be no further comment at this time." Sandusky, 68, is charged with 48 counts of sexual abuse and other offenses. He could face life in jail if convicted. The former Penn State defensive coordinator did not testify during his trial. Sandusky has five other grown children, none of whom appeared at the trial. During the trial in Bellefonte, Pa., eight victims testified. One victim, identified only as Victim 9, described being alone in the basement of Sandusky's home, where he was repeatedly raped and forced to perform oral sex. "There was no fighting against it," the recent high school graduate told the jury. "Sometimes [I'd] scream, sometimes tell him to get off me, but other than that, who was there? We were in the basement, no one could hear you down there." Sandusky has denied the charges against him.


TV NEWS
You haven't seen the last of Jessica Sanchez! The "American Idol" runner-up is in talks to play out a multi-episode arc in the fourth season of "Glee." Although there are no specifics available on what the FOX sitcom plans for Jessica's character, the 16-year-old singer would likely not be able to begin shooting until after fulfilling her obligations with the Idols Live summer tour. By that time, "Glee" would already be close to a quarter of the way through the new season.


Patrick Fischler is set to return to Californication next season — and with him comes an intoxicating twist. The Lost alum will reprise his role as Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor Gabriel, but here’s the kicker: Fischler’s character won’t be counseling Jason Beghe’s Richard this time around. Rather, we’re hearing he’ll sponsor a “major character” in Season 6.

 Part 1 of the NBC special "Justin Bieber: All Around the World" aired to lackluster ratings Wednesday night. NBC drew fifth place in ratings and fourth in total viewers with an average 0.9/3 and 3.6 million. "Justin Bieber: All Around the World" at 8 drew a 0.9/3 -- tying for the second-lowest-rated network program of the night, despite the abundance of repeats -- and 3.3 million total viewers.


A&E has renewed Duck Dynasty for a 26-episode second season, to bow in late 2012.


Will Sasso is bringing his MAD comedy skills to TBS’ new sitcom Sullivan & Son. From executive producers Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers), Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story) and Rob Long (Cheers), S&S centers on Steve, a successful attorney (played by comedian Steve Byrne) who gives up his swanky New York lifestyle to run his parents’ Pittsburgh pub.


In Drop Dead Diva news, Kim Kardashian’s con-artist character will return for Season 4′s penultimate installment. Nancy Grace will play herself in the same hour, while Cameron Mathison (All My Children) and Ashley Jones (The Bold and the Beautiful) will also guest-star.

 For more than 30 years, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening sketched the syndicated comic strip "Life in Hell," a longtime staple of alternative newsweeklies like LA Weekly and the Village Voice.


But, as the cartoon's revenue stream dried up in the wake of newspaper budget cuts, so too did Groening's ink. The final "Life in Hell" strip, the cartoonist's 1,669th, was published Friday. "I've had great fun, in a Sisyphean kind of way, but the time has come to let Binky and Sheba and bongo and Akbar and Jeff take some time off," Groening said in an email Wednesday.

 
  Troubled actor Nick Stahl has gone missing again after checking out of rehab against his doctor's advice. The "Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines" star first disappeared for more than a week last month but he re-emerged and was admitted to a rehab clinic. Stahl, who has battled a drug problem, walked out of the California center earlier this month and went to stay at a pal's house. However, his family and friends are once again searching for Stahl after he failed to return to his friend's home. He was last spotted last Thursday. a friend says "Now he's disappeared. We can't find him anywhere. He has not made contact with anyone. We are all just desperately looking for him." "Everyone just wants him to come home. It's a terrible situation. We are searching, but we've had no solid leads."

 Actress Ordered To Pay Gabriel Aubry $20,000 A Month
Having a child with ex-girlfriend Halle Berry turned out to be profitable for Gabriel Aubry. In April Aubry filed legal documents asking a judge to force Berry to give him $15,000 to $20,000 a month for a proper home, so that the couple's 4-year-old daughter, Nahla, would keep living in the surroundings to which she has become accustomed. The Canadian model also demanded a long list of other things from Berry, including money for Nahla's clothing, and funds so that he can take her home to Canada to visit his family. The former couple, who split in February 2010, have been in and out of court for months battling over custody of Nahla, and they are due back in court again for a judge to decide whether Halle can take Nahla and move to Paris. Berry is engaged to French actor Oliver Martinez, and she filed a request in family court for permission to move to France with Nahla, because she fears for her life. Richard Franco was convicted of stalking Berry, but is out of jail after serving only 193 days of his initial 386 day sentence, while Robert Hoskins, a man who allegedly threatened to slit Berry's throat, escaped from a mental institution in February. With both men running free, the actress wants to get as far away as possible.
 Wynonna Judd married Cactus Moser in a sunset wedding June 10 on her farm in Leiper's Fork, Tenn. For her third walk down the aisle, the country crooner, 48, donned a Houri Barahimi dress -- and no shoes! A drummer in Judd's band, The Big Noise, 55-year old Moser was cowboy chic in his tuxedo, which he accessorized with a vest, pocket watch and holster. "I felt a joy that hasn't been there before," Judd gushes to Us of the intimate bash -- where attendees included her kids from previous marriages Grace, 16, and Elijah, 17. (Her sister Ashley Judd and mom Naomi Judd were not on hand for the bash.) Dating since 2009, Judd and Moser announced their engagement last December.  Judd divorced her second husband, D.R. Roach after four years in 2007, and split from businessman Arch Kelly III -- with whom she has two children -- in 1998.

 

'Today' preparing to drop Ann Curry

An exit plan is in the works for a veteran of morning television. NBC is planning to replace Ann Curry, who replaced Meredith Vieira as the co-anchor of Today a year ago. Talks to replace Curry have been occurring in secret for weeks, while the news brass finds a new assignment for the veteran reporter. She has held several positions on Today for 14 years, most notably as its longtime news anchor. Some observers predicted that a different arrangement could be announced as early as next week. It is unknown whether Curry has accepted a deal yet. She is currently being represented by attorney Robert Barnett — who helped Christiane Amanpour negotiate her dual role at CNN and ABC News after leaving "This Week" — in the talks. Since ascending to the job last June, Curry has faced a constant barrage of negative press about the show's declining ratings and her chemistry with co-host Matt Lauer, which many felt was touched with more than a tinge of frost. The heat turned all the way up after "Good Morning America" beat "Today" in the ratings for the first week in sixteen years. Curry acknowledged the pressure she was facing at the time, while former host Meredith Vieira, whom she replaced, spoke out in her defense. Stepping down will not be easy for Curry, who spent fourteen years as the newsreader and pursued the top spot for years. She was a frontrunner for the job when Katie Couric left in 2006, but was passed over for Vieira instead. Today continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the race for viewers but Good Morning America is nipping at its heels with its very popular team of anchors that include Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos. This spring, it beat Today for several weeks. There was no word on who might replace Curry. Rumors within the industry have placed current co-host Savannah Guthrie as the favorite to succeed her. Guthrie has been on the show since Curry took the top slot, and was quickly chosen as the primary replacement whenever Curry was off.
 Rumours about the nature of their relationship have been swirling for some time, but it's being reported that things 'seem to be heating up' between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The Rum Diary co-stars are said to be so close that bisexual actress Heard, 26, has been a 'regular visitor' to the New Mexico set of The Lone Ranger where 49-year-old Depp is currently filming. And Johnny, who made an official announcement that he had split from partner of 14 years Vanessa Paradis on Tuesday, is even said to have bought Heard a horse so they can ride together, according to a report.

 

Vanessa Paradis to 'receive £100million pay-off' from ex-partner Johnny Depp

They famously never married during their 14 year relationship. But despite not making their romance official in the legal sense, it looks like Vanessa Paradis is set to receive one of the biggest pay-off between a non-married couple. Johnny Depp is said to be paying the French singer/actress £100million in a bid to keep the split as amicable as possible for the sake of their children. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star, 49, is reported to be worth at least £200million and has an extensive property portfolio. The couple have a mansion and apartment in Los Angeles and own the island of Little Hall's Pond Cay in the Bahamas.

TV NEWS
The Game has found a new player. Lauren London (90210) is joining the BET comedy’s sixth season as a series regular. The actress — whose credits also include Single Ladies and Madea’s Big Happy Family – will play Kiera, a former child star who is currently appearing in a Cosby Show-esque sitcom. Producers are also on the lookout for an actor to play an all-star running back. Back for the new season are Wendy Raquel Robinson, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez, Brandy Norwood and Barry A. Floyd.


"Unforgettable," the canceled procedural starring Poppy Montgomery and Dylan Walsh, may be recalled by CBS for a second season. The network is reportedly in talks to air 13 new episodes in summer 2013.


MTV will air every episode of "The Hills," selected episodes of "Daria" and the first two seasons of "Laguna Beach" on weekday mornings over the next six weeks. The 9-to-noon airings -- dubbed "Retro Mania" -- will feature guest stars hosting and providing commentary. Stephen Colletti will handle "Laguna Beach," while Audrina Patridge, Lo Bosworth, Stephanie Pratt and MTV's Layla Kayleigh will weigh in on "The Hills." Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer, hosts of the upcoming "Nikki & Sara Show," will provide "Daria" commentary.


Erstwhile Bones squintern Joel David Moore is set to spend a week with a few good Men at Work. In the installment titled “Super Milo,” Moore will portray Doug, a Full Steam Magazine editor who is thrust in the middle of the guys’ kooky competition to conduct an entire staff meeting using only popular song lyrics.

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is in the middle of NBA Finals -- but in case that wasn't enough pressure for the athlete, he's got some major drama going on in his home life as well. Dwyane's ex wife,  Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, was arrested over the weekend for trying to abduct their two children. Dwyane has had primary custody of their two sons, 10-year-old Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade and 5-year-old Zion Malachi Airamis Wade, since their split in 2010. Siohvaughn -- his high school sweetheart -- has visitation rights. The divorce has yet to be finalized, largely due to the ongoing custody battle. Now, an incident led to Siohvaughn being charged with "two counts of attempted child abduction, two counts of unlawful visitation interference and one count of resisting arrest." Dwyane is looking for the judge to suspend her visitation rights.


Chris Bosh's Baby Mama Applies for Food Stamps
It’s being reported Chris Bosh’s former live-in girlfriend, Allison Matthis, who eventually had his child is being forced to apply for food stamps because she was just laid off from her secretarial job. Matthis was recently let go by a construction company where she worked as secretary. As a result of being laid off, Matthis is turning to government assistance. Another result of Allison Matthis’ being laid off is her home is dangerously near foreclosure. Matthis says the amount of child support Bosh pays isn’t enough to cover the mortgage. Bosh pays Matthis $2,600 a month. However, Bosh makes $18 million a year and according to state regulations, someone making that much money should be paying in the ballpark of $30k a month. Currently Matthis hasn't formally requested an increase in child support.
 It's official: Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis have split after 14 years together. The couple "have amicably separated," Depp's publicist said in a statement. The two drifted into living separate lives after moving to Los Angeles from France. They haven't appeared together on a red carpet in a year. Depp, 49, and Paradis, 39, first got together in 1998. Their romance began that June, when Depp saw the French actress sitting with a group of friends at the bar of the Costes Hotel in Paris, where he was having dinner with colleagues. The couple have two children together: Lily-Rose, 13, and Jack, 9.

Molly Sims Welcomes Son

Molly Sims is a mom! The model and actress, 39, delivered her son on Tuesday, June 19. The baby boy is the first child for Sims and husband Scott Stuber, whom she wed last September.
  Ken Baumann, star of The Secret Life of the American Teenager, tied the knot with Superbad actress Aviva Farber on Saturday. The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Malibu. "They are very happy," the rep says. Baumann, 22, and Farber, 27, shared wedding pictures of their big day, showing the groom in a gray suit and the bride in a bohemian lace dress with a flowery headband in her hair.



Jim Carrey bows out of 'Dumb and Dumber To'
In April, Peter and Bobby Farrelly announced that "Dumb and Dumber" stars Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey had officially agreed to star in a sequel, to be titled "Dumb and Dumber To." On Tuesday, Carrey confirmed that he has moved on from the sequel and will no longer be a part of the film. "I would have thought 'Dumb and Dumber To' was a no-brainer, after all it's implied in the title," was all he offered by way of explanation. Sources report that Carrey grew frustrated with the suits at New Line and Warner Bros, who didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about the project.


Kristen Stewart bumps Angelina Jolie as highest-paid actress
Kristen Stewart, who shot to fame as Bella Swan in "The Twilight Saga" films and has a starring role in "Snow White and the Huntsman," jumped to the top of Forbes.com's annual list of highest-paid actresses. The 22-year-old earned an estimated $34.5 million from May 2011 to May 2012 and pushed Angelina Jolie into fourth place. Cameron Diaz, who had a surprise hit with "Bad Teacher," came in second with $34 million. Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock, who largely took a break from filming after 2009's "The Blind Side," came in third with $25 million. Jolie, who topped last year's list along with Sarah Jessica Parker, dropped to the fourth spot with earnings of $20 million while Charlize Theron, Stewart's co-star in "Snow White and the Huntsman" who also appears in "Prometheus," trailed at $18 million, and rounded out the top five places.



The Wolf of Wall Street
Jon Bernthal ("The Walking Dead") has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf Of Wall Street" which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. Bernthal will play a drug dealer and money launderer.


Paranoia
Amber Heard has been cast in Robert Luketic's long-gestating corporate espionage tale "Paranoia". Heard will play the female lead in the movie based on Joseph Finder's novel. Liam Hemsworth stars a young office worker who throws a lavish retirement party for a colleague with company funds, and ends up blackmailed into infiltrating a rival company's top secret project. Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman also star.


How to Train Your Dragon 2
Kit Harington ("Game of Thrones") will provide the voice of the film's still-unnamed villain in DreamWorks Animation's "How to Train Your Dragon 2". The sequel, set for release on June 20th 2014, will again feature the voice talents of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, TJ Miller and Kristen Wiig.


Love Punch
Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie have joined the cast of Joel Hopkins' romantic comedy "Love Punch". Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan also star. The story follows a divorced couple whose pension is stolen by an unscrupulous businessman and reunite to steal it back.


TV NEWS
Emilie de Ravin has been upgraded to series regular status on Once Upon a Time for Season 2. The Lost alum’s future with the fantastical ABC drama seemed solid given the events of the Season 1 finale, in which Belle was sprung from Storybrooke captivity to reunite with onetime flame Rumpelstiltskin and make him aware of Regina/the Evil Queen’s duplicitous act. De Ravin, whose ABC pilot Americana did not get picked up for the fall, appeared in a total of three Once Upon a Time episodes during the show’s freshman run.


NBC has announced that "Men of a Certain Age" star Ray Romano is taking a dramatic turn with a recurring role in "Parenthood's" fourth season. Romano, who will first appear in the season premiere episode, will play a photographer. According to NBC, the former photojournalist will befriend Sarah (Lauren Graham) and will further complicate her relationship with Mark (Jason Ritter), who proposed to her in the Season 3 finale.


Ex-Nikita evildoer Xander Berkeley has booked a recurring role in the upcoming third season of Syfy’s Being Human. The actor will play Brynn (Tracy Spiridakos) and Connor’s (Jon Cor) charismatic father, who is on a mission to unearth what happened to his children — and destroy all remaining vampires. In the meantime, he’ll develop a unique relationship with Kristen Hager’s Nora.

Supernatural's" devilish Marc Pellegrino is appearing this fall on NBC's "Grimm." He'll play Hank's (Russell Hornsby) high school buddy, a coyote-like creature whose daughter is missing.


 Recurring "NCIS" star Brian Dietzenwill will be a series regular when the long-running CBS procedural returns for its 10th season promoted. He plays Jimmy Palmer, the eager assistant of medical examiner "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum), who had a heart attack in last season's finale -- which also saw Jimmy's much-anticipated destination wedding to Bree thwarted by a bomb blast at NCIS headquarters.


Rupert Friend has scored the role of a series regular in the upcoming second season of Showtime terrorism drama "Homeland" which is currently shooting in North Carolina. Friend will play Peter Quinn, a button-down CIA analyst who oversees a critical operation. Lost's Zuleikha Robinson also has a key role as a Middle Eastern field journalist.