Could little Angelo be any more adorable? We're finally getting a close-up look at Adele and her beau Simon Konecki's 8-month-old son's cute little face. The 25-year-old Grammy winner stepped out with Angelo this morning in NYC for a trip to the Central Park Zoo. Accompanied by five pals, Adele was snapped holding Angelo in one arm while kids played around the mother-son duo.


Aaron Hernandez Being Investigated for Two More Murders
Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, who has been charged with a murder and cut from the team, is also being investigated in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed two men. Hernandez spent the night in jail after authorities led him from his North Attleboro, Mass., home on Wednesday and then charged him in the murder of Odin Lloyd, whose body was found in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez's house.  police are also looking into his possible involvement in a July 15, 2012, early-morning ambush of a car in Boston that left the driver and one of the passengers dead of gunshot wounds. A third man was injured. ABC says Hernandez was spotted earlier that night involved in an altercation at a nightclub.

Serena Williams vs. Andy Murray: New battle of the sexes?

As Wimbledon rolls on, tennis star Andy Murray has challenged Serena Williams to a match, and she seems willing to accept. Inspired by a suggestion that came via Twitter, Murray -- currently ranked No. 2 in the world -- made the offer official in an online column for the BBC: "I have been challenged by someone on Twitter to taking on Serena Williams," Murray wrote. "I'd be up for it, why not? "I've never hit with her but she's obviously an incredible player and I think people would be interested to see the men play against the women to see how the styles match up. It's happened in the past with Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova. How about Las Vegas as a venue?" Murray was referring to a 1992 showdown in which Connors defeated Navratilova in Vegas. That event was promoted as a revival of two famed "Battle of the Sexes" showdowns between Bobby Riggs and female opponents Margaret Court and Billie Jean King. Riggs handily defeated Court, but lost to King in straight sets. Williams' response to Murray's challenge? "That would be fun. I doubt I'd win a point, but that would be fun," she told reporters in the UK. Williams previously faced off against a male opponent when she took on Karsten Braasch at the Australian Open in 1988. The 16-year-old Williams lost 6-1. "I was really young," she acknowledged. "I'm a lot more experienced now."


Lauryn Hill Partially Responds To Racism Accusations
With less than two weeks until her 3-month prison term begins on July 8th, Lauryn Hill has taken to Tumblr to address some of the accusations about her. From taxes to racism, she covers all territories. "The concept of reverse racism is flawed, if not absolutely ridiculous," Hill says at the opening of her Tumblr manifesto. While Hill has been taken to task in the past for her stance on racial issues, her most recent backlash has arrived from the release of her track "Neurotic Society." In the song she alludes to the notion that homosexuality has caused the fall of society. Not a good look, Lauryn. But back to the lecture at hand. She continues on in her piece titled "MLH On Racism" to hit race issues from a spiritual angle, stating that "Spirituality and morality were replaced by capitalism, and with it a conscious shift of focus toward the exploitation of the vulnerable." With capitalism clearly comes the desire to acquire capital, which is where her IRS issues arguably come into play. Here is her take on that: I shuddered during sentencing when I kept hearing the term ‘make the IRS whole’… make the IRS whole, knowing that I got into these very circumstances having to deal with the very energies of inequity and resistance that created and perpetuated these savage inequalities. The entire time, I thought, who has made black people whole?! Who has made recompense for stealing, imposing, lying, murdering, criminalizing the traumatized, taking them against their wills, destroying their homes, dividing their communities, ‘trying’ to steal their destinies, their time, stagnating their development, I could go on and on. Has America, or any of the nations of the world guilty of these atrocities, ever made black people or Africa whole or do they continue to sit on them, control them, manipulate them, cage them, rob them, brutalize them, subject them to rules that don’t apply to all? Use language, veiled coercion, and psychological torment like invisible fences to keep them locked into a pattern of limitation and therefore control by others. You have to remain  focused to cease from rage.

Terminator' reboot opening June 26, 2015: First in a new trilogy
"The Terminator" will be back in theaters in 2015. Paramount Pictures has announced a reboot of the beloved sci-fi franchise will open June 26, 2015. Arnold Schwarzenegger has already confirmed he will return in the title role, but the film is expected to launch a brand new standalone trilogy rather than continue where 2009's semi-disastrous "Terminator: Salvation" left off. Paramount will distribute and is financing the project in a partnership with Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures and David Ellison's Skydance Productions.  Laeta Kalorgridis ("Avatar," "Shutter Island") and Patrick Lussier ("Drive Angry") are attached to write the screenplay. "Terminator" co-creator James Cameron is not involved in any official capacity, although he will regain rights to the franchise in 2019 -- which could complicate bringing a full trilogy to fruition.

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Gets Aug. 1, 2014 Release
After taking its time finding a director to helm the ship, Universal and Focus are charging full-speed ahead and giving their adaptation of “Fifty Shades of Grey” an Aug. 1, 2014 release date. This news comes a week after the two studios named Sam Taylor-Johnson as the pic’s director after a long and thorough search. Universal and Focus also stalled in finding other elements of their adaptation of the popular E.L. James series, including lining up a writer and producers. Those jobs eventually went to Kelly Marcel and Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti respectively.
 It must have been a gleeful moment for Renee Puente, whose boyfriend Matthew Morrison popped the question on Thursday. The Glee star, 34, has been dating Puente, 26 and a model, since 2011. The news of their engagement was reportedly announced at the White Tie and Tiara Ball in London by the event's hosts – and Morrison pals – Elton John and David Furnish. Coldplay's Chris Martin joined John to serenade the newly engaged couple with a duet of "Your Song."

Kat Von D, Deadmau5 Break Up: Deejay Responds to Cheating Rumors
Deadmau5 spoke out about the breakup on his Facebook page. "Kat and I split in November and I moved back home to Toronto. During this time, while we were broken up, I did have relations with another woman," he wrote. "Following that, Kat and I reconciled and I acknowledged being intimate with another person while we were estranged." "We did move past those issues, and I proposed to Kat in mid-December," he continued. "At the end of June, it was clear that the relationship was not working and we mutually ended the engagement. I was not, at any point, unfaithful to Kat during our time together."

Prosecutors say NFL star Aaron Hernandez 'orchestrated execution,' concealed evidence
Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez drove his friend to a remote spot in an industrial park in the dead of night and — still fuming from a fight at a nightclub three nights earlier — "orchestrated his execution," prosecutors alleged in a Massachusetts court Wednesday. Hernandez pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and five firearms charges, including possessing a large-capacity firearm, more than a week after the body of Odin Lloyd, 27, was found near his Massachusetts home. A judge ordered him held without bail. Hernandez "drove the victim to the remote spot, and he then orchestrated his execution. That's what it was," First Assistant District Attorney William McCauley said in Attleboro District Court. "As (Lloyd) tried to turn, he was shot in the back, and the defendant and his confederates stood over him and delivered the two fatal shots," McCauley said, adding: "He orchestrated the crime from the beginning and took steps to conceal and destroy evidence." After getting into the car, Lloyd allegedly texted a family member, asking, "Did you see who I am with," prosecutors said. He then texted that it was Hernandez and followed it up with "Just so you know" in another text message, the prosecutors alleged during the arraignment.Later that morning, between 3:23 a.m. and 3:27 a.m., employees who were working the overnight shift at the industrial park where Lloyd's body would later be found reported hearing gunshots, authorities said. It's not clear who investigators believe fired the shots. Lloyd's bullet-punctured body was found by a jogger June 17 in an industrial park a mile from Hernandez's North Attleborough home. The death was ruled a homicide. Less than two hours after the arrest, the Patriots announced they were releasing Hernandez. "A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We realize that law enforcement investigations into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do," a statement from the team read. The Patriots drafted Hernandez in 2010. Last summer, the team gave Hernandez a five-year contractworth $40 million, including a signing bonus of $12.5 million. Hernandez lives with his fiancée and their infant.
 Is Tony Parker ready to wed again? Maybe, according to Twitter. During a live chat on the social media site on Wednesday, June 26, the 31-year-old basketball player hinted that he and girlfriend Axelle Francine may have gotten engaged. Responding to a fan's question about his favorite thing to do to unwind after a game, Parker tweeted, "Spend time with my fiance [sic]. #TissotTimeOut." (Tissot is a Swiss watchmaker; Parker is one of the brand's ambassadors, along with NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, and was doing the Q&A in connection with the company.) Parker and Francine have been together for two years.

I.am suing you – Pharrell Williams feels the wrath of Will.i.am

will.i.am is taking legal action against Pharrell for his use of the "I am" phrase. In court documents the rapper/producer claims he owns the copyright to the two words and states that Pharrell's logo for his creative brand "i am OTHER" looks "confusingly similar" to will.i.am's "I AM" logo. The "i am OTHER" brand was created by Williams as a "creative venture and way of life," he writes on his site, with brands such as Billionaire Boys Club & ICECREAM and Brooklyn Machine Works as part of the company. In will.i.am's opposition document, he claims that "the registration of the mark... is likely to dilute the I AM mark and the WILL.I.AM mark." Williams was "disappointed that Will, a fellow artist, would file a case against me," he said in a statement following the lawsuit. He continued, "I am someone who likes to talk things out and, in fact, I attempted to do just that on many occasions. I am surprised in how this is being handled and I am confident that Will's trademark claims will ultimately be found to be as meritless and ridiculous as I do."

 

NeNe Leakes' second wedding to Gregg Leakes was twice as nice as their first! Real Housewives of Atlanta star and her ex-husband tied the knot again on Saturday, June 22.  The nuptials were filmed for NeNe's upcoming spinoff, I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding, premiering this fall on Bravo. The Atlanta ceremony was a star-studded affair, with current and former costars Kim Zolciak, Phaedra Parks, Portia Stewart, Kandi Burruss and Lisa Wu in attendance. Several other Real Housewives personalities -- including Orange County's Gretchen Rossi and fiance Slade Smiley, plus Miami's Marysol Patton -- turned up for the event. Former Real Housewives of New York City star Jill Zarin also attended with her husband, Bobby, as did Millionaire Matchmaker's Patti Stanger.

Annie
Cameron Diaz has boarded Columbia Pictures' upcoming musical adaptation Annie. Sandra Bullock was previously up for the role, but lost interest. The film will be set in a modern day environment and centers on an orphan named Annie (Quvenzhané Wallis), who is confined to an orphanage run by a cruel supervisor named Agatha Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). She is sent to Oliver Warbucks' (Jamie Foxx) home for a short time and convinces the wealthy industrialist to help her find her parents. Along the way, Miss Hannigan, her evil brother, Rooster, and a female partner scheme up a plan to impersonate her family and gain the rewards.

Wal-Mart, Home Depot end relationships with Paula Deen

Wal-Mart has moved to sever ties with Paula Deen, the fourth company to do so after a week of scandal that’s knocked the queen of Southern comfort off her throne. Home Depot followed suit shortly after. "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed,” Wal-Mart spokesperson Danit Marquardt said on Wednesday. “We will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements." Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for Home Depot confirmed to NBC News that the company will stop carrying Paula Deen-branded items under their kitchen and cookware category as a result of the scandal. The Food Network, Smithfield Foods and Caesars Entertainment also terminated their partnerships with Deen, who appeared in her first live interview on TODAY Wednesday to discuss the controversy over her use of racial slurs. Target, Sears and QVC all said they were evaluating their relationships with Deen late last week. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has carried a variety of Paula Deen-branded products including cookware and health and wellness products for several years.
 Kat Von D has a history of sharing her relationship milestones on social media. Remember her infamous 2011 Facebook post about soon-to-be-ex-fiancé Jesse James that began, "Today I encountered the 19th girl to add to the list of people Jesse cheated on me with during this last year"? Kat Von D and deadmau5 got engaged on Twitter, so it’s only appropriate that things also ended via the micro-blogging site. So, something tells us that her plans to become Mrs. Deadmau5 during an underwater-themed ceremony on Aug. 10 may have hit a snag. "Cheating on your loved one is the most hurtful thing one could do," the tattoo artist, 31, tweeted on Wednesday. "I hate to have to admit, that this relationship is indeed over." When a follower cautioned, "Don't take him back no matter what. Ur worth more than that," she responded, "Never."

 TV NEWS

If you have A) yet to fire them up on your PC, B) can’t figure out how to feed a $5 bill into your Mac to pay for Hulu Plus or C) simply need to see Melissa Archer on a bigger screen, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN cable network will be encoring the first 40 episodes of The Online Network’s All My Children and One Life to Live relaunches. OWN’s 10-week summertime “second window” for the serials kicks off Monday, July 15, with AMC airing at 1 pm ET, and OLTL following at 3 pm. The half-hour episodes will air Monday through Thursday of each week.

 
When Elementary goes across the pond for its Season 2 premiere, we’ll meet at least one member of Holmes’ estranged family. Welsh actor Rhys Ifans, known to The Amazing Spider-Man fans as Dr. Curt Connors (aka The Lizard), has taken on the recurring role of Sherlock’s sibling Mycroft.

 
Brace yourselves. "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" are coming back. MTV will re-air its once successful reality series and equally popular spin-off as a part of the network's "RetroMTVBrunch" slate beginning July 8. As an added bonus, MTV will air a never-before-seen, alternate ending to "The Hills," the network announced. Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" aired from 2004 to 2006, and "The Hills" aired from 2006 to 2010, launching the (mostly C-level) careers of stars Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, Brody Jenner, Heidi Montag and Whitney Port. MTV's "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" marathons begin Monday, July 8 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on MTV before moving to 8 a.m. ET/PT the following day. "The Hills" alternate ending airs Friday, Aug. 9, at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.


Fox is hereby the fourth broadcaster to let loose with their premiere dates for the fall season, leading with The X Factor‘s two-night, three-hour Season 3 premiere. On tap for midseason: American Idol, The Following and the new series Rake, Gang Related, Surviving Jack, Us & Them and Murder Police. The summer series 24: Live Another Day premieres in May 2014.

Wednesday, Sept. 11
8 pm The X Factor (season premiere Part 1)
9 pm MasterChef (season finale)
Thursday, Sept. 12
8 pm The X Factor (season premiere Part 2, two hours)
Monday, Sept. 16
8 pm Bones
9 pm SLEEPY HOLLOW (new series)
Tuesday, Sept. 17
8 pm DADS (new series)
8:30 pm BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (new series)
9 pm New Girl
9:30 pm The Mindy Project
Wednesday, Sept. 18
8 pm The X Factor (two hours)
Thursday, Sept. 19
9 pm Glee
Friday, Sept. 27
8 pm MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (new series)
9 pm SLEEPY HOLLOW encores
Sunday, Sept. 29
8 pm The Simpsons
8:30 pm Bob’s Burgers
9 pm Family Guy
9:30 pm American Dad
Monday, Nov. 4
8 pm ALMOST HUMAN (new series)
Friday, Nov. 8
8 pm Bones (new time slot premiere)
9 pm Raising Hope
9:30 pm ENLISTED (new series)

New England Patriots star tight end Aaron Hernandez was taken out of his home in handcuffs on Wednesday morning, more than a week after a body was found near his home in Massachusetts.The body of Odin Llyod, 27, was found June 17 about one mile away from the tight end's North Attleborough home. The death was ruled a homicide; Hernandez, who signed a five-year contract with the Patriots last year, has not been named as a suspect in the case. Lloyd has been described as a semi-professional football player with unspecified ties to Hernandez.
 Something old, something new ... and definitely something blue! George Lucas's gorgeous bride Mellody Hobson chose the hue for her flowers, and in their wedding photo, the newlyweds are beaming at each other above the bouquet's pop of color. Their nuptials Saturday were a star-studded event with 200 guests including Samuel L. Jackson, Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart and Tyler Perry. Lucas, 69, and his new wife, 44, got engaged in January, after dating since 2006.

Suspect in rapper's Lil Snupe's death surrenders
Police in north Louisiana say a 36-year-old man accused of killing the 18-year-old rapper known as Lil Snupe has turned himself in to authorities. Winnfield Police Chief Johnnie Ray Carpenter said in a news release that Tony Holden turned himself in Tuesday morning. He was booked into the city jail on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. No bond has been set. It was not immediately known whether Holden had an attorney. Police say Holden shot the rapper, whose real name is Addarren Ross, last Thursday after an argument broke out during a video game at a friend's apartment. Ross, of Jonesboro, had been shot twice in the chest. Ross had recently signed a recording deal with the Meek Mill's Dream Chasers label.

Report: Pippen was spit on by fan
New details have emerged regarding the weekend altercation between former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen and an autograph-seeker that left the man hospitalized with a head injury. The unidentified victim was inside a restaurant, Nobu Malibu in Malibu, Calif., taking photos as Pippen dined with his family Sunday evening, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Patrick Davoren said. When Pippen went outside to the parking lot, the man continued taking pictures and sought the Hall of Famer's autograph, Davoren said. An argument ensued that led to the violence, investigators said.  Pippen may have been provoked by the alleged victim. According to the source in the report, it was the fan who started the fight. The source said the fan spit on Pippen and called him a racial slur. Pippen was also holding his 4-year-old daughter at the time, the source told the Daily News. The source went on to add that, “When Scottie left, this guy had no injuries. Scottie is very upset about the way this has been portrayed.” Pippen's lawyer, Mark Geragos, is considering a counter claim against the fan for assault and making a false police report, the source said. Several witnesses described the fan as intoxicated, sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said. Investigators were interviewing several witnesses on Monday to determine whether Pippen should be charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. The 47-year-old Pippen won six NBA titles with Michael Jordan and the Bulls, and in 1996 was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Pippen is a special adviser to the Bulls' president and chief operating officer. The team declined to comment Monday.
 With dozens of journalists tailing her every move, Academy Award-winner Halle Berry appeared at the California Capitol on Tuesday to testify for a bill that would limit the ability of paparazzi to photograph the children of celebrities and public figures. "My daughter doesn't want to go to school because she knows 'the men' are watching for her," the actor told the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. "They jump out of the bushes and from behind cars and who knows where else, besieging these children just to get a photo. Berry, who is pregnant, said she was speaking in favor of the anti-harassment bill by Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, as a "mother of a daughter and the baby boy in my belly. "If it passes, the quality of my life and my children's lives will be dramatically changed," she said.


Mariah Carey delays new album release
Mariah Carey has pushed back the release of her new album in order to perfect the project. "The Art of Letting Go" was set to hit shelves on July 23, but the pop star took to her Twitter account on Monday night to tell fans she is delaying the release. In a series of posts, she writes, "While making this album, I got so immersed in the creative process that I just don't feel I would be doing it justice to release it on 7/23. "I'd rather not exclude meaningful songs," she adds. "I want to give you this album as it's meant to be heard. When I'm ready, you'll be the first 2 know!"

Paula Deen: I would not have fired me
In an emotional interview, her first since she admitted having used racial epithets, Paula Deen tearfully told TODAY's Matt Lauer Wednesday that she is not a racist; that as a businesswoman, she does not think her firing from Food Network was the right decision, and that she was unsure whether the N-word was offensive to black people. When asked by Lauer whether she was a racist, Deen replied simply, "No." Then she added, "I believe that … every one of God’s creatures was created equal. I believe that everyone should be treated equal, that’s the way I was raised and that’s the way I live my life" When Lauer asked if Deen, who was let go from the Food Network Friday, believed her offense was a fireable one, Deen said it was not. "Would I have fired me? Knowing me? No," she said. "I am so very thankful for the partners I have who believe in me." The fallout from Deen’s admission that she’s used the N-word and had considered throwing a “plantation-style” wedding – which came to light during a legal deposition on May 17 and went public early last week – was fast and furious. By Friday, Food Network announced it was canceling Deen’s contract, after she failed to appear for a scheduled interview with Lauer and started posting a series of strange apology videos on YouTube. By Monday, Smithfield Foods terminated its partnership with her, and QVC, Sears and Target were all reevaluating their relationship with the Southern star, who raked in $17 million in 2012 through all her ventures and was the fourth highest paid chef last year, according to Forbes.


Child 44
Philip Seymour Hoffman has joined the cast of Daniel Espinosa's Stalinist-Russia set thriller "Child 44" at Summit Entertainment. Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Noomi Rapace, and Joel Kinnaman also star. Hardy plays a Soviet police officer investigating a child killer in a country where the official party line is that there is no crime.
 Holly Madison's engagement ring is an 18-carat, cushion-cut yellow diamond surrounded by pink and yellow diamond flowers.

'I Am Legend' Novelist Richard Matheson Dead

Richard Matheson, the author of sci-fi classics including "I Am Legend" and "The Shrinking Man," died in his Calabasas, Calif. home on Sunday. He was 87. His daughter, screenwriter Ali Matheson, shared the news on Facebook. "My beloved father passed away yesterday at home surrounded by the people and things he loved...he was funny, brilliant, loving, generous, kind, creative, and the most wonderful father ever," Matheson wrote. "I miss you and love you forever Pop and I know you are now happy and healthy in a beautiful place full of love and joy you always knew was there." While Matheson is primarily known for his many novels and short stories that have been adapted for film and television, he also had a prominent screenwriting career. He wrote 17 episodes of "The Twilight Zone," including one based on his own short story, "Steel," which was the inspiration for the 2011 Hugh Jackman movie, "Real Steel." Similarly, he adapted his short story "Button, Button" for a 1986 episode of the sci-fi series. "The Box," a 2009 Richard Kelly film, was based on the same story. Other TV writing credits include "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," "Lawman," "Night Stalker" and "Duel," a 1971 made-for-TV movie directed by Steven Spielberg. Films "Stir of Echoes," "What Dreams May Come," "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "The Legend of Hell House" and "Somewhere in Time" are all based on his novels. "I Am Legend," a 1954 novel about the last man on Earth after a vampire pandemic wipes out mankind, inspired the 2007 Will Smith film of the same name, as well as 1964's "The Last Man on Earth" and 1971's "The Omega Man," starring Charlton Heston. Matheson had four children with his wife, Ruth. Three of his children, Chris, Richard Christian and Ali, are also writers with a lengthy list of TV and film credits to their names.
 Their love is written in the stars! "Star Wars" creator George Lucas married businesswoman Mellody Hobson on Saturday. Lucas, 69, and Hobson, 44, announced their engagement in January 2013. Lucas and Hobson met at a business conference in 2006. Hobson, a Princeton University graduate who is also the head of a Chicago-based investment management firm, joked about their unlikely pairing during a January 2012 appearance on OWN's "Oprah's Next Chapter." "How else would a financial person and a movie person ever be at the same place at the same time?" she said with a laugh. This is the first marriage for Hobson and the second for Lucas, who was previously wed to film editor Marcia Griffin from 1969 to 1983. The exes adopted a daughter, Amanda, and Lucas adopted two more children, Katie and Jett, after their split. In addition to serving as chairman of the board of DreamWorks Animation, Hobson is also a money and personal finance contributor to ABC News. Lucas -- who also created the "Indiana Jones" franchise -- sold his television and film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd., to the Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion in October 2012.

'Kick-Ass' creator speaks out after Jim Carrey snubs film

The creator of the "Kick-Ass" movie franchise has hit back at Jim Carrey after the actor publicly withdrew his support for the film over its depiction of violence. The "Dumb & Dumber star" announced on Sunday he had experienced a change of heart about the upcoming release of "Kick-Ass 2," following the gun massacre at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. He tweeted, "I did Kickass (sic) a month b4 (before) Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence. My apologies to others involve (sic) with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart." Mark Millar, who wrote the "Kick-Ass" comic books and is a producer on the films, admits he is "baffled" by Carrey's statement as he insists the star knew all about the script's gory content when he signed up for the role. Millar also reveals Carrey was drawn to playing Colonel Stars and Stripes as the character is a vigilante who refuses to use a gun. "I'm baffled by this sudden announcement as nothing seen in this picture wasn't in the screenplay eighteen months ago. Yes, the body count is very high, but a movie called 'Kick-Ass 2' really has to do what it says on the tin," Millar wrote on his website. "Ironically, Jim's character in 'Kick-Ass 2' is a born-again Christian, and the big deal we made of the fact that he refuses to fire a gun is something he told us attracted him to the role in the first place. Ultimately, this is his decision, but I've never quite bought the notion that violence in fiction leads to violence in real life any more than Harry Potter casting a spell creates more Boy Wizards in real-life."

 Jodie Sweetin is on the verge of ending her third marriage. The former Full House star, 31, filed for legal separation from Morty Coyle, her husband of a little more than a year, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles. The actress cited irreconcilable differences. Sweetin is seeking custody of the pair's 2-year-old daughter Beatrix, as well as ownership of their 2000 Toyota Avalon. Sweetin, who was previously wed to Cody Herpin and Shaun Holguin, referred to then-fiancé Coyle as "wonderful and fantastic" in 2011. The actress and her ex – who got engaged on Sweetin's birthday in January 2011 – kept their marriage secret for a little more than a year saying, they decided to make it public on their first anniversary.

Holly Madison Is Engaged to Pasquale Rotella

Holly Madison is about to be the bride next door. Madison, 33, announced that her boyfriend Pasquale Rotella popped the question on her blog Monday. "I got engaged on Sunday!" the reality star wrote. "My fiancé was so wonderful in creating such a romantic night! He proposed to me at the top of the ferris wheel at EDC Las Vegas." She continued, "I was so happy that so many of our close friends were there to share the wonderful moment with us! We rode around the festival on the art cart until the sun came up! I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful or magical proposal!" The couple welcomed daughter Rainbow Aurora in March.

Paula Deen Loses Ham Endorsement Deal
Paula Deen's racial slur scandal is costing her an endorsement deal with Smithfield, the pork company that sold a ham with her name and face on it. "Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind," Smithfield says in a statement. "Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen. Smithfield is determined to be an ethical food industry leader and it is important that our values and those of our spokespeople are properly aligned." Deen's deal with Smithfield was announced in September 2006. This is the latest blow to Deen, who was dropped from the Food Network on Friday after 11 years as one of the channel's biggest stars. The business deals are falling under scrutiny following the uproar over her admitted use of the N-word in the past. "Smithfield was a key deal for her empire," Allen Salkin, author of the upcoming book From Scratch: Inside the Food Network, says. "In addition to paying her handsomely as an endorser, the ham company helped her charitable image by delivering truckloads of meat to food banks in her name." There is a lot more at stake than Deen's deal with Smithfield. Her deals with QVC, where she sells cookware, publisher Random House, Inc., which has a book by Deen coming out in October, diabetes drug makers Novo Nordisk and Sears Holdings have all said they're monitoring the situation.


TV NEWS
After being dropped by the Food Network amid controversy last Friday, Paula Deen is set once more to make an appearance on Today. Matt Lauer first announced the news during Monday’s show, insisting that Deen “told us she will be here” on Wednesday. Deen was previously scheduled to appear on NBC’s morning show on Friday. However, the Southern-fried chef abruptly canceled her appearance following the fallout from a recent deposition in which she admitted to using the N-word and expressed a desire to throw a southern-style wedding with black waiters acting as pre-Civil War-era “slaves.”


Downton Abbey is bracing for another American invasion. Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man) is joining the Masterpiece/PBS phenom’s Season 4 cast as Harold Levinson, the maverick, playboy brother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and uncle to Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith (Laura Carmichael).


Discovery’s coverage of Nik Wallenda‘s high-wire walk across a Grand Canyon chasm averaged 8.5 million total viewers on Sunday evening, with 13 million laying witness to the daredevil’s actual 22-minute trek.


Desperate Housewives vets Max and Charlie Carver have joined HBO’s buzzy drama pilot The Leftovers. Based on the 2011 novel of the same name, the prospective series — from Damon Lindelof (Lost) and Tom Perrotta (Election) – examines life on Earth after a Rapture-like event occurs. The twins, who will play laid-back teen brothers, co-star alongside the previously cast Justin Theroux (The District) and Liv Tyler (Armageddon).


The Season 6 finale of Mad Men on AMC, meanwhile, drew 2.7 million viewers — the show’s most-watched closer to date. (The Season 5 climax drew 2.6 million viewers).


For a second year running, The CW is launching its fall TV season in October, opening with Hart of Dixie and its relocated Beauty and the Beast, then finishing things up at the end of the month with its fashionable Friday combo of Carrie Bradshaw and Tyra Banks. On tap for late fall/midseason: The final, shortened season of Nikita plus the new dramas Star-Crossed and The 100.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 78 pm Hart of Dixie
9 pm Beauty and the Beast
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 98 pm Arrow
9 pm THE TOMORROW PEOPLE (new series)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 108 pm The Vampire Diaries
9 pm REIGN (new series)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 158 pm THE ORIGINALS (new series)
9 pm Supernatural
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 258 pm The Carrie Diaries
9 pm America’s Next Top Model: Guys and Girls

On NBC the fun officially begins Monday, Sept. 23 with the two-hour premiere of The Voice — which welcomes back Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green — at 8/7c. James Spader’s new crime drama The Blacklist follows The Voice‘s return at 10.
MONDAY, SEPT. 23
8 pm The Voice (two hours)
10 pm THE BLACKLIST (new series)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24
8 pm TBD
9 pm The Voice (Tuesday premiere)
10 pm Chicago Fire
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
8 pm Revolution
9 pm Law & Order: SVU (two hours)
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
8 pm Parks and Recreation (hour-long)
9 pm THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW (new series, double-episode premiere)
10 pm Parenthood
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
9 pm Dateline (two-hour premiere)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
10 pm IRONSIDE (new series)
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
8:30 pm WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (new series)
9 pm SEAN SAVES THE WORLD (new series)
9:30 pm The Michael J. Fox Show (regular time slot premiere)
TUESDAY, OCT. 8
8 pm The Biggest Loser
FRIDAY, OCT. 25
8 pm Dateline (regular time slot premiere)
9 pm Grimm
10 pm DRACULA (new series)

James Gandolfini funeral to be held Thursday
The funeral for James Gandolfini has been scheduled for Thursday in Manhattan, HBO confirmed Sunday on behalf of his family. The service will be held at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan at 10 a.m. The 51-year-old actor, who won three Emmys for his portrayal of crime boss Tony Soprano on The Sopranos, died of a heart attack Wednesday in Rome. Gandolfini’s remains are expected to be repatriated to the U.S. as early as Monday.
 Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes remarried her ex-husband Gregg Leakes at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta on Saturday, a rep for the reality star confirms. NeNe – who has also starred on The New Normal, Glee, Celebrity Apprentice and was recently a judge for Miss USA – and Gregg filed for divorce in 2011 after 14 years of marriage. But after season 4 of RHOA documented NeNe's attempts at dating, the pair reunited by season 5 when Gregg spent the season attempting to rekindle the romance.

Monsters University' scares up $82 million, 'World War Z' shatters expectations
Pixar earned its 14th No. 1 at the box office this weekend. Monsters graduated with $82 million from 4,004 theaters in its debut weekend, making it the second biggest Pixar opener of all time behind Toy Story 3, which bowed with $110.3 million in June 2010. In second place, the Brad Pitt vehicle World War Z went totally viral with an excellent $66 million debut from 3,607 theaters. World War Z became the biggest opening of Brad Pitt’s career, ahead of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which opened with $50.3 million in 2005.
1. Monsters University – $82 million
2. World War Z – $66 million
3. Man of Steel – $41.2 million
4. This Is the End – $13 million
5. Now You See Me – $7.9 million

Kelly Rutherford Files for Bankruptcy
Kelly Rutherford has filed for bankruptcy. The Gossip Girl actress's financial problems stem from the lengthy custody dispute involving her ex-husband Daniel Giersch. The bankruptcy petition, according to legal documents obtained, shows that Rutherford, 44, spent almost $1.5 million on legal fees as the divorce/custody battle played out in court, adding that she also owes $350,000 in income taxes for 2012 and has an American Express bill of $25,251.  Rutherford and Giersch filed for divorce in 2009 after just two years of marriage. In 2012, the custody battle over the couple's two children, Hermes, 6 and Helena, 4, intensified when it took an international turn. Giersch, a wealthy German entrepreneur who resides in Monaco, was barred from returning to the U.S. because of a revoked visa. With a 50/50 custody split, both Rutherford and Giersch shared parenting duties but because of Giersch's travel restrictions, the children are living with him. In September 2012, a judge ruled that Rutherford's schedule was flexible enough to travel back and forth to Monaco to visit her kids.
 Congratulations are in store for rocker Scott Weiland! The former frontman of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver wed photographer Jamie Wachtel, 35, on Saturday night at their Los Angeles home.

Future of Paula Deen's Deals Uncertain Amid Racial Slur Scandal
Another serving of drama may be coming for Paula Deen, who could lose more deals on the heels of her firing from the Food Network. A representative for the shopping network QVC, which sells her cookware, released a statement Sunday that expressed "concerns [over] the unfortunate Paula Deen situation," adding, "QVC does not tolerate discriminatory behavior." Following the celebrity chef's admission that she used a racial slur in the past, the network is "closely monitoring these events and the ongoing litigation," continues the representative's statement, "We are reviewing our business relationship with Ms. Deen, and in the meantime, we have no immediate plans to have her appear on QVC." Deen, 66, issued a statement less than 24 hours after the Food Network announced on Friday it was dropping the longtime star. "I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories," she said. "This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of y'all."  Deen also has a book, titled Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up, due to arrive in stores this October. Her publisher, Random House, Inc., has not cancelled her contract. However, a spokesman for Random House, whose imprints include Ballantine Books, says, "We are monitoring the situation closely."

James Gandolfini Autopsy Confirms Actor Died Of Heart Attack
An autopsy on James Gandolfini confirmed the “Sopranos” star died of a heart attack, with no evidence of substance abuse or foul play.  Michael Kobold told reporters that Gandolfini’s body has been released to a funeral director and that the family was working with the Italian government to speed up the bureaucratic red tape to get the body back to the United States soon. While the process can take up to 10 days, Kobold said the family was hoping to have the body repatriated by mid-week with a funeral planned in New York by Saturday at the latest. Gandolfini, 51, died Wednesday night after being discovered in a Rome hotel room by a family member.

 Country singer Jessie James has married Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker at an intimate ceremony in Colorado. The couple exchanged vows in front of family and friends at a church in Castle Rock, Colo., on Saturday, June 22, and the ceremony was followed bwith a reception at the Castle Cliff Estates. The couple met in 2011 and became engaged last year.

Jim Carrey denounces the violence in his new movie, 'Kick-Ass 2'
Jim Carrey is taking a stand, perhaps at the expense of his struggling career. The former A-lister took to Twitter on Sunday to distance himself from his forthcoming movie, "Kick-Ass 2." "I did Kick-Ass 2 a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence," he explained, referring to the Connecticut elementary school shooting that killed 20 children and six adults. "My apologies to others involve[d] with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart." Carrey plays Colonel Stars and Stripes in the R-rated sequel, in which he goes vigilante opposite original leads Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass) and Chloe Grace Moretz (Hit-Girl). In addition to wielding a baseball bat and siccing his canine sidekick on bad-guy testicles, the square-jawed, flat-topped colonel offers these words of wisdom in the trailer: "Try to have fun. Otherwise, what's the point?" No word on whether Carrey plans to donate his paycheck from the cartoonishly violent film to a fund for Sandy Hook victims (or Columbine, or any of the multitude of school shootings that occurred before he signed on to the movie). Meanwhile, the actor has agreed to make "Dumb and Dumber To," a project that coincidentally brings out our violent side. Carrey's public stance confuses comic book writer and "Kick-Ass" creator/exec-produce​r Mike Millar, who says he's "magnificent" in the flick. "Jim is a passionate advocate of gun control, and I respect both his politics and his opinion, but I'm baffled by this sudden announcement as nothing seen in this picture wasn't in the screenplay 18 months ago," Millar explains in a blog post. "Yes, the body count is very high, but a movie called 'Kick-Ass 2' really has to do what it says on the tin. A sequel to the picture that gave us HIT-GIRL was always going to have some blood on the floor, and this should have been no shock to a guy who enjoyed the first movie so much. … This is fiction, and like Tarantino and Peckinpah, Scorsese and Eastwood, John Boorman, Oliver Stone and Chan-Wook Park, 'Kick-Ass' avoids the usual bloodless body count of most big summer pictures and focuses instead of the CONSEQUENCES of violence."

'Independence Day 2' to Debut on July 3, 2015
“Independence Day 2” will hit theaters on July 3, 2015, Fox said Thursday. It was one of several movie date moves by the studio, which also set a July 31, 2015, for the release of “Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children,” its adaptation of author Ransom Riggs' childrens' bestseller. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” will now debut on July 18, 2014, rather than May 23 of that year.  “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” which had been set for July 18, is shifting to May 23.

Paris Jackson Is Headed for Additional Treatment
Paris Jackson is continuing to seek treatment.  A source close to the Jackson family says that Paris, 15, may be headed to a longer-term treatment center out of state after her stint in a psychiatric facility at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.  "Paris will be staying at least another week, and then she'll be going to a facility for additional care," says the source. The move comes after much discussion within the Jackson family about how best to care for Paris. The teen, who has a recent history of mental health issues that include cutting, was hospitalized on June 5 for taking pills and harming herself with a knife. "This has been so hard for Mrs. Jackson," says the source of grandmother Katherine, who has legal co-guardianship of Paris. "She keeps saying she's never had any experience of how to deal with someone in this situation."

'Sweetest comeback': Twinkies to hit shelves July 15
Hostess is betting on a sweet comeback for Twinkies when they return to shelves next month. The company that went bankrupt after an acrimonious fight with its unionized workers last year is back up and running under new owners and a leaner structure. It says it plans to have Twinkies and other snack cakes back on shelves starting July 15. Based on the outpouring of nostalgia sparked by its demise, Hostess is expecting a blockbuster return next month for Twinkies and other sugary treats, such as CupCakes and Donettes. The company says the cakes will taste the same but that the boxes will now bare the tag line "The Sweetest Comeback In The History Of Ever."

Kim Kardashian's Baby Name: Finally Revealed!

And we have a name. Five days after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West welcomed their baby girl, the new arrival's name has been revealed. But it's one that Kardashian previously said was not an option. The reality star and the rapper named their daughter North West, a source confirmed. Back in March, Kardashian, 32, denied rumors that her boyfriend, 36, wanted that name for their baby. Apparently, the new mom had a change of heart – or direction. The name news Thursday night, citing the birth certificate from Cedars-Sinai hospital.


Arrest warrant issued for Hernandez
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. The warrant is for obstruction of justice in connection with the murder investigation of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, who was found dead in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's North Attleboro, Mass., home Monday. State police are returning to the home of New England Patriots’ tight end Aaron Hernandez with a warrant based on evidence that "he destroyed his home security system.'' Citing an investigator and “other law enforcement sources,” the report states that the system, including video surveillance, was intentionally destroyed. It added that Hernandez’s attorneys had turned over a cell phone he used "in pieces.” The report further states that police are investigating information that a “team of house cleaners were hired on Monday to scrub his mansion.” Surveillance from Hernandez's neighborhood has been found that shows Hernandez with Odin Lloyd and two others only hours before Lloyd's body was found. The 23-year-old Patriots TE has retained a lawyer following a state police search of his North Attleborough, Mass., home, according to multiple reports. Boston reported that Hernandez was driving a car with three other men as passengers, including the 27-year-old later identified as the homicide victim, hours before the victim’s body was discovered near Hernandez's home. Hernandez tried to work out at Gillette Stadium on Thursday but was turned away by team staff.  Rachel Zoe‘s latest collaboration is on its way — she’s pregnant! The celebrity stylist turned fashion designer and her husband Rodger Berman are expecting their second child.

Robert Downey Jr. to return for 'Avengers' 2 and 3

The suspense is over: Robert Downey Jr. will return as Tony Stark/Iron Man in not just "The Avengers 2," but also "The Avengers 3." Marvel broke the news itself on its own website, adding that "The Avengers 2," once again written and directed by Joss Whedon, will begin production in March 2014 for release in May 2015. A release date has yet to be set for "The Avengers 3." The terms of Downey's contract -- for which negotiations were reportedly tense -- were not disclosed. For now it looks certain that we will not see a fourth "Iron Man" film in Marvel's Phase 3 slate of movies, which will take place between the next two "Avengers" movies. Marvel has yet to announce any of its Phase 3 projects except "Ant-Man," although more "Thor" and "Captain America" sequels are likely, as well as standalone movies starring the Hulk, Doctor Strange and possibly Black Panther.

Helena Bonham Carter cast as fairy godmother in Disney's 'Cinderella'

Helena Bonham Carter has just scored a fairytale role. The "Les Miserables" actress has been cast in Disney's upcoming live-action version of "Cinderella," playing the fairy godmother, Disney said. Bonham Carter joins a cast that includes "Wrath of the Titans" actress Lily James in the title role, Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother and "Game of Thrones" star Richard Madden as the Prince. Kenneth Branagh is directing the project, which evolved from a pitch that Disney bought from "The Devil Wears Prada" writer Aline Brosh McKenna. Alli Shearmur and Simon Kinberg are producing. Disney bought the pitch for the big-screen take on the classic folk tale from writer Aline Brosh McKenna, whose credits include "The Devil Wears Prada," in 2010.

 "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kenya Moore has been evicted from her Atlanta, Ga., home. On Tuesday, the former Miss USA officially lost her luxurious mansion when a Fulton County judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Moore's former landlord Conya Dillon. Dillon sued Moore for failing to pay the full rent payment in May, which went against the terms and conditions of the lease. Following the verdict, Dillon released a statement: "The decision to file this eviction notice regarding Ms. Moore was reached after pursuing every possible amicable way to settle this matter privately. I am grateful that the judicial system has brought finality to this eviction process and I look forward to regaining possession of my home." Moore, who reportedly paid $3,999 per month for the Atlanta house, has yet to comment.


TV NEWS
Maybe Sarah isn’t done with Hank yet? Ray Romano will reportedly reprise his role as the mopey photographer who stole Sarah’s (Lauren Graham) heart on Parenthood. Romano is expected to star in up to 14 episodes when the drama from Jason Katims returns to NBC on Thursdays at 10 this fall.


"Reliable Sources" host Howard Kurtz is leaving CNN for Fox News. The news comes just over a month after Kurtz apologized for his incorrect coverage of NBA player Jason Collins' coming out as gay. In a "Reliable Sources" mea culpa, he said his joking about Collins was "completely inappropriate" and apologized for errors, saying that as a reporter covering the media he should be held to a higher standard.

Actor James Gandolfini, best known for playing Tony Soprano on the Emmy-winning series The Sopranos, has passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 51. HBO said in a statement: “We’re all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us.” The actor was on vacation in Rome, Italy at the time, a statement from his managers added. The three-time Emmy winner, who most recently appeared in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Zero Dark Thirty, was set to star in upcoming HBO series Criminal Justice. The actor's son Michael, 13 reportedly found his father alive, but in distress in the bathroom of their hotel room in Italy. Gandolfini was taken to Policlinio Umberto hospital where he was later pronounced dead. In addition to his 13 year old son Michael, Gandolfini is survived by his wife, Deborah, his sister and 9-month-old daughter, Liliana.


Italian designers Dolce and Gabbana convicted of tax evasion
An Italian court on Wednesday sentenced Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to one year and eight months in prison for tax evasion. The pair's lawyer, Massimo Dinoia, said they planned to appeal, adding that the case is "groundless." The designers, known for their sexy styles favored by celebrities such as Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Katy Perry, have denied the charges. The case dates back to 2004, when two of the company's main brands were sold to Luxembourg-based holding company Gado. Prosecutors alleged that the sale was made to avoid declaring taxes on royalties deriving from the two brands' activities. Under Italian law, the pair wouldn't go to prison because sentences of less than three years are served with house arrest or community service. Moreover, the designers have the right to appeal the verdict twice, and Italian courts often take years to reach a final decision. Public prosecutor Laura Pedio dubbed the operation as a "sophisticated tax fraud" and originally asked for a two-year jail term for the duo. If the conviction is upheld, the pair would also need to pay a fine to Italy's tax agency for €500,000. Over the last five years, Italian tax authorities have ratcheted up pressure on tax evasion in an effort to claw back an estimated €120 billion a year in unpaid taxes, cracking down in particular on the use by Italian companies of offshore centers to avoid taxes. According to Italian tax authorities, the country lost about €17 billion in undeclared or under-declared income to offshore centers last year, compared with €11 billion for 2011, with Luxembourg the leading country used by Italian individuals and companies seeking to hide money abroad. Corporate tax rates in Luxembourg can be close to zero, while they are about 28% in Italy.  While Dolce & Gabbana has emerged as one of the most high-profile cases pursued by Italian tax authorities, Italian authorities have gone after other fashion groups in the past. In 1996, Giorgio Armani received a nine-month suspended sentence and was fined $64,000 for paying off tax authorities in exchange for favorable audits. Mr. Armani admitted to having paid the bribes. Late last year, prosecutors launched an investigation into whether the Marzotto family, a wealthy textile dynasty, and four managers dodged 65 million euros in Italian income taxes when it sold fashion house Valentino through a Luxembourg holding company in 2007. Earlier this year, the family paid the taxes that the state claimed it owed, but will face a criminal trial later this year.


Paula Deen: I Used the N-Word, but Don't Condone Racism
Celebrity cook Paula Deen said while being questioned in a discrimination lawsuit that she has used racial slurs in the past but insisted she and her family do not tolerate prejudice. The 66-year-old Food Network star and Savannah restaurant owner was peppered with questions about her racial attitudes in a May 17 deposition by a lawyer for Lisa Jackson, a former manager of Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House. Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, own the restaurant. Jackson sued them last year, saying she was sexually harassed and worked in a hostile environment rife with innuendo and racial slurs. According to a transcript of the deposition, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, an attorney for Jackson asked Deen if she has ever used the N-word. "Yes, of course," Deen replied, though she added: "It's been a very long time."  Asked to give an example, Deen recalled the time she worked as a bank teller in southwest Georgia in the 1980s and was held at gunpoint by a robber. The gunman was a black man, Deen told the attorney, and she thought she used the slur when talking about him after the holdup. "Probably in telling my husband," she said.  Deen said she may have also used the slur when recalling conversations between black employees at her restaurants, but she couldn't recall specifics.  "But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on," Deen said. "Things have changed since the '60s in the South. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do." The civil lawsuit was filed in March 2012 in Chatham County Superior Court and was transferred to federal court a few months later. Deen and Hiers have both denied the allegations made by Jackson, who is white.


E L James Reveals Director for Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

E L James, the author of the best selling franchise Fifty Shades of Grey, has remained tight-lipped about the upcoming film adaptation – until now.  On Wednesday, James, 50, revealed on Twitter that the movie had finally found its director.  "I'm delighted & thrilled to let you guys know that Sam Taylor-Johnson has agreed to direct the film of Fifty Shades of Grey," James Tweeted.  Taylor-Johnson, 46, – who is also professionally known as Sam Taylor-Wood – made her directorial debut in 2008 with Nowhere Boy, a film about John Lennon's childhood. Her relationship with that film's 23-year-old star, Aaron Johnson, made headlines when the couple tied the knot in 2012 despite a 23-year age difference. She also directed a short film called Daydream which starred Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders's ex-wife, Liberty Ross.  As far as who will play Shades's leading roles, Alex Pettyfer has reportedly shot an audition scene, while Emma Watson denied rumors she'd been cast as the stunning but impressionable Anatasia Steele.


Serena: 'Sorry for what was written'
Serena Williams says she's reaching out to the family of the victim in the Steubenville rape case after the tennis star was quoted in a Rolling Stone article saying "she shouldn't have put herself in that position." "I am currently reaching out to the girl's family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article," Williams said in a statement released through her agent Wednesday. "What was written -- what I supposedly said -- is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame." The comment was made in one paragraph of a lengthy story posted online Tuesday about Williams, a 16-time Grand Slam title winner who is ranked No. 1 heading into Wimbledon, which starts next week. Two players from the Steubenville, Ohio, high school football team were convicted in March of raping a drunken 16-year-old girl; one of the boys was ordered to serve an additional year for photographing the girl naked. The case gained widespread attention in part because of the callousness with which other students used social media to gossip about it. "What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened," Williams said in the statement. "For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved -- that of the rape victim and of the accused."


Rumored Kimye Baby Name 'Kaidence Donda West'

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have yet to confirm the claims they've named their daughter Kaidence Donda West, following a report that a nurse at the hospital where the baby was born last Saturday let the name slip.


Jamaican track star suspended

Veronica Campbell-Brown's agent insists one of the cornerstones of Jamaica's wide-ranging sprint success ''is not a cheat,'' even though the test results read differently. While her case is being decided, the three-time Olympic gold medalist will sit out and her country will try to make sense of one of its longest-held fears: a high-profile track star getting busted for doping. Campbell-Brown, or ''VCB'' as she's simply known in sprinting circles, tested positive for a banned diuretic at a meet in May and will serve a suspension while anti-doping officials rule on the positive drug test, island track officials announced Tuesday. After days of swirling rumors, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association said the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion at 200 meters was suspended from competition while a disciplinary panel reviews the case. They said the matter is being handled according to rules of track's international governing body, the IAAF. Campbell-Brown's manager, Claude Bryan, said the accusation came as a ''shock to her'' and the 31-year-old champion is determined to clear her name. ''Veronica is not a cheat, she has, via hard work and dedication, accomplished a record on the track which is absolutely remarkable,'' Bryan said in a statement.


TV NEWS
FX has ordered an untitled sitcom that would star Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence as Chicago lawyers. The cable net ordered 10 episodes of the sitcom from Bob Boyett (Family Matters, Full House) and Robert Horn (Living Single, Designing Women). The comedy is about the two lawyers who come from “vastly different backgrounds who unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives.  Brought together by fate and greed, they develop a partnership and friendship, forcing each other to find the balance between the ethical and the unscrupulous in both their professional and personal lives.” The pickup comes via a 10/90 deal, which means that should the series meets its designated ratings during its initial 10-episode run, FX will order an additional 90 episodes (a la Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management).


Deputy Leo is patrolling once more. As long suspected, New Girl star Max Greenfield will return for the Veronica Mars movie, the actor recently confirmed. Fans will remember Greenfield as the young P.I.’s one-time love interest and a member of the sheriff’s department. Greenfield joins a cast that already includes former series regulars Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino, Francis Capra and Ryan Hansen.


Hemlock Grove will continue to serve up scares. Netflix has ordered a second season of the original series from exec producer Eli Roth, the streaming service announced on Wednesday.


Pretty Little Liars is taking a (bigger) turn for the soapy. One Life to Live vet Kamar de los Reyes will guest-star on an upcoming installment of the ABC Family sudser. He’ll play a prolific swim coach known for sending his students to the Olympics.


Liv Tyler has booked her first TV gig. The Lord of the Rings actress has joined the cast of The Leftovers, an HBO drama pilot from Lost cocreator Damon Lindelof. Based on Tom Perrotta’s book, the project is set after the Rapture and tells the story of those folks who didn’t quite make the cut.

Journalist Michael Hastings dies at 33
Michael Hastings, the journalist best known for the 2010 Rolling Stone story that led to the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, died Tuesday in a car crash in Los Angeles, his employers at BuzzFeed and Rolling Stone announced. He was 33. "We are shocked and devastated by the news that Michael Hastings is gone," BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith said in a statement Tuesday evening. "Michael was a great, fearless journalist with an incredible instinct for the story, and a gift for finding ways to make his readers care about anything he covered from wars to politicians." Fellow reporters and others Hastings came across throughout his career took to Twitter to pay respects and remember the man known for his confident and fearless style. Three years ago, Hasting's work became the focal point of Washington when Rolling Stone published his piece "Runaway General," which featured McChrystal, then head of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, critiquing how President Obama and his administration were conducting the war. Days after the article was published McChrystal went to the White House to hand the president his resignation. Hastings also wrote two books, "The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan," which was based on his time with McChrystal and military leaders in Afghanistan, and "I Lost My Love in Baghdad: A Modern War Story," the story of how his then-fiance was killed by a car bombing while serving as an aide worker in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Elise.
   The husband of celebrity chef and author Nigella Lawson has accepted a police citation and admitted that he assaulted his wife after a public argument at a London restaurant on June 9. Charles Saatchi, 70, was interviewed by British police for five hours about the fight, where he was seen with his hands around Lawson's neck in a row he first downplayed as merely a couple's tiff. Photographers outside the restaurant captured the images of the confrontation, which were published this weekend to great public outcry. Saatchi received a formal police citation on Monday, called a caution, which means he admitted his actions. Had he not come clean, formal charges could have been brought. Saatchi, a wealthy art collector and global ad agency co-founder who married Lawson, now 53, in 2003, had first sought to downplay the exchange as a "playful tiff" and defended that while the photos showed his hands on Lawson's neck, he did not have her in a tight grip. He said the photos made the exchange look worse than it actually was. But he admitted to police that he had choked his wife in a fight at a Mayfair area restaurant. Lawson was seen crying on the street outside the restaurant after the incident. Lawson has not commented publicly on the incident. Her rep confirmed Monday that she had taken her children and left her home, although it was not known if the move would be permanent.

Nick Stahl Placed on Involuntary Psych Hold
Nick Stahl's troubles are far from over. The "Terminator 3" star, who made headlines all throughout last year after going missing in June, checking into rehab, and then running away again, is now reportedly in a psychiatric hospital. A pal took the troubled actor to an L.A. hospital around 3:30 a.m. early Tuesday, June 18, and later, Stahl was placed on a 5150 (or involuntary) hold shortly afterward. Further details about the circumstances surrounding the drastic hold have not yet been released. Earlier this month, the 33-year-old actor seemed to be in higher spirits following a lifelong struggle with drugs, alcohol and personal issues. Stahl's wife, Rose Murphy, was the first to initially call attention to Stahl's problems. In May 2012, after Stahl went missing, she filed a missing persons report, only to hear back from him several days later that he had checked himself into rehab.
 Meet Emerson Jay Swisher! Nick and JoAnna Garcia Swisher introduce their 4-week-old daughter in a sweet shot posted on their Twitter pages Tuesday.


Dave Chappelle to headline monthlong comedy tour
Dave Chappelle is making his most substantial return to stand-up comedy with a one-month tour for Funny or Die. The comedian will headline the Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival, which kicks off Aug. 23 in Austin, Texas. The 13-date, two-stage tour concludes Sept. 22 in Phoenix. The 39-year-old Chappelle has occasionally performed impromptu sets in comedy clubs, but has largely avoided comedy and public life since abruptly leaving his hit Comedy Central series, "Chappelle's Show," in 2005. Also on the bill are Flight of the Conchords, Hannibal Buress, Kristen Schaal and Al Madrigal.

Edward Furlong Charged with Assaulting Girlfriend
Actor Edward Furlong pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court to assaulting his girlfriend and threatening her if she called police.  Furlong, 35, who most recently appeared in The Green Hornet but is best known for Terminator 2, was being held on $100,000 bail in his latest scrape with the law. The actor faced two pending misdemeanor battery cases and was under a restraining order when he went to his girlfriend's home in West Hollywood on May 21 and allegedly assaulted her and damaged a laptop and photo gear, according to the L.A. District Attorney's Office.  Charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor, Furlong could be sentenced up to four years in prison, if convicted. A preliminary hearing was set for July 1.

Police Search NFL Star Aaron Hernandez's Home In Connection with Possible Homicide
State and local police spent hours at the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Tuesday night as another group of officers searched an industrial park about a mile away where a body was discovered the day before. Police at the scene and prosecutors would not comment on the actions while Sports Illustrated, citing an unidentified source, reported that Hernandez was not believed to be a suspect in what was being treated as a possible homicide. Police had spoken with Hernandez, the magazine said. No cause of death had been released for the body found about 5:30 p.m. Monday. Hernandez is represented by the Athletes First agency, which said it has no comment "on the Aaron Hernandez situation." The player's mother said by telephone from Connecticut on Tuesday she had no knowledge of a case involving him. In 38 games, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Hernandez has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns. He missed 10 games last season with an ankle injury and had shoulder surgery in April, but is expected to be ready for training camp. The Patriots have not said which shoulder was operated on.  Last summer, the Patriots gave Hernandez a five-year contract. It was worth $40 million, according to reports, and came just months after the team secured Gronkowski through 2019.

Katy Perry: Russell Brand Said He Was Divorcing Me Via Text
Katy Perry says Russell Brand was "a magical man" when they met four years ago, but the spell wore off shortly after their Indian wedding in October 2010. And it bottomed out when the actor sent her a text 14 months later informing her he planned to file for divorce. "He's a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him," Perry tells Vogue in a revealing cover interview for its July issue. "Let's just say I haven't heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011."  Perry, 28, says that Brand, 38, seemed to have difficulty accepting her role as a successful musician and businesswoman – even if that's what he thought he wanted.  "At first when I met him he wanted an equal, and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal and they're like, I can't handle the equalness," she says.  Perry moved on with musician John Mayer in 2012, and says their coupling was much more than a casual rebound relationship. Despite his lothario reputation, she says, Mayer is a great guy with a "tortured soul." "I was madly in love with him. I still am madly in love with him," says Perry, who was spotted out with Mayer earlier this month.  Adds the pop star, who is currently at work on her third album, "All I can say about that relationship is that he's got a beautiful mind. Beautiful mind, tortured soul. I do have to figure out why I am attracted to these broken birds."

Anger Management's Selma Blair Abruptly Exits in Midst of Show's 90-Episode Run
The doctor is out. Confirming recent rumblings, Anger Management producer Lionsgate has announced that Selma Blair‘s days as therapist Dr. Kate Wales have abruptly come to an end, just as the FX sitcom reaches the midway point in shooting its 90-episode second season. “Selma Blair will not be returning to Anger Management,” reads a brief statement from the studio, “and we wish her the very best.”  Blair openly complained about series lead/executive producer Charlie Sheen’s work ethic (or lack thereof). After Sheen got wind of the criticism, he allegedly fired the actress and refused to shoot if she showed up for work. Sheen fired Blair via text, and that she was not the only cast member — just the most vocal — to complain about his work habits. Her role will not be recast; instead, a new female character will fill the void as the show quickly revamps upcoming scripts to stay in production. Episode 25 of Anger Management‘s second season airs this Thursday at 9:30.