AP - A man has been charged with trying to extort $1.5 million from Oprah Winfrey by threatening to release recorded telephone conversations he claimed would hurt her reputation, according to the FBI and published reports.
Kenneth Branagh will direct Michael Caine and Jude Law in the remake of classic movie Sleuth. Caine, who played Milo Tindle in the 1972 thriller will play co-star Laurence Olivier's part in the remake - adapted from Anthony Shaffer's play by Haryold Pinter - while Law will take on Caine's original role.


Hilary Swank needed stitches while shooting new movie P.S., I Love You when she was hit by a co-star's suspenders. The Oscar winner was acting opposite movie husband Gerard Butler in the film when his braces snapped and hit Swank in the forehead.


AP - Comedian Chevy Chase depicted the late Gerald Ford as a bumbling and accident-prone president 30 years ago on "Saturday Night Live," but he says the two shared a more serious link.
Reuters - An Atlanta man has been charged with trying to extort $1.5 million from Oprah Winfrey over tapes of telephone calls between him and a Winfrey employee that he said would embarrass the popular U.S. talk show host, according to court documents and media reports on Saturday.
The O.C. star Rachel Bilson has found something to smile about after the break-up of her romance to co-star Adam Brody and the cancellation of her TV show - she has been named Hollywood's best-dressed star.


Bebe Neuwirth returned to Broadway's "Chicago" on New Year's Eve with a new hip. The actress, who turned 48 on the same day, had her "strange" hip replaced last May and her recovery went so well she decided it was time to return to the musical, for which she earned a 1997 Tony Award.


Tycoon-turned-media mogul Donald Trump is considering allowing troubled Miss USA to pose scantily-clad in men's magazine Playboy less than a month after he insisted the party-loving beauty queen ditch her wild ways. Trump, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, announced he would allow Tara Conner to complete her reign if she signed up for a rehabilitation stint and curbed her wild ways after she hit the headlines for hard partying in New York's bars.


Beyonce Knowles publicists are playing down reports the singer/actress is distraught after discovering she has been disqualified from the Oscars' Best Song category, insisting the star always knew she'd miss out on a nod. Academy Awards rules stipulate only three people can be officially nominated for each Best Song - and judges are forced to pick the trio who contributed most to the tune.


Rocker Courtney Love has a new look for the New Year after reportedly undergoing rhinoplasty and lip surgery during a pre-Christmas trip to France. Sources claim the star visited a surgeon in Paris, who specializes in fixing cosmetic disasters.


Lost star Matthew Fox is determined to make sure 2007 is the year he finally quits smoking - because he's sick of hiding his bad habit from his kids. The actor, who plays hunky castaway Jack Shephard on the hit TV drama, admits he's been battling to give up for years but stress always drives him back to his nicotine addiction.


Arnold Schwarzenegger pals Tom Arnold and Rob Lowe were among the dignitaries, politicians and celebrities who celebrated the start of the former actor's second term as California Governor in Sacramento yesterday. Guitarist Jose Feliciano and stage musical icon Jennifer Holliday - the star of the original Dreamgirls - performed anthems and tributes to the star at his inaugural address, while Donna Summer and Paul Anka were among the celebrities on show at a lavish dinner last night.


Jessica Alba fueled reports she and longtime boyfriend Cash Warren are engaged by flaunting a ring on her wedding finger as the couple rang in 2007 in Miami, Florida.


Reuters - U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey took an AIDS test on Saturday at her new $40 million South African school for disadvantaged girls, hoping to set an example to pupils in one of the world's most infected nations.
Kate Winslet has never turned to plastic surgery because her director husband SAM MENDES won’t let her.The British actress admits to being tempted by the surgeon’s knife but she’s holding back for the sake of her marriage. She reveals, "I am intrigued by surgery but Sam would leave me if I did anything like that."Movie
Actor James McAvoy almost broke his neck after blacking out shooting a torture scene for new movie THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND.The 27-year-old gave such an intense performance during the scene crew members mistook his pain as acting.The actor recalls, "I imagined myself in so much pain that I couldn’t physically breathe - and therefore
British actress Ashley Jensen received an unusual welcome from Los Angeles she was mistaken for a prostitute during her second week in the Californian city.The EXTRAS star found it hard to adapt to the LA trend of driving everywhere when she arrived to film hit US TV series UGLY BETTY, but she soon discovered the
ANGELINA JOLIE was looking for a father to her children before she met Brad Pitt and she’s so impressed with his parenting skills she now wants a huge family with him.The actress has lavished praise on her partner, insisting he’s a caring humanitarian and a fantastic dad to the couple’s adopted son MADDOX, five, and
Top Beverly Hills plastic surgeon ROBERT REY has urged Britney Spears to take better care of herself after claiming shocking new pictures of the pop star suggest she’s aged 15 years in just two.The surgeon, who fronts US reality TV show DR 90210, was stunned by new photos of Spears, which prompted America’s top daily
British model/actress Elizabeth Hurley and her businessman fiance ARUN NAYAR are flying guests to India for an extravagant five-day wedding celebration according to newspaper reports.The couple are planning to get married in an English ceremony on 3rd March (07) before heading to India - Nayar’s birthplace - two days later to continue their £450,000 ($870,000)
The 90-minute season six premiere of The Apprentice kicks off Sunday, Jan. 7, on NBC. In a compelling social experiment of haves and have nots, contestants this season will have to earn the right to live like Donald Trump


"I wanna do a zombie movie. I like zombies." Kevin Bacon on his plans to play a member of the living dead in an upcoming horror movie.

"You can't just phone Madonna. You have to write to her, then she calls you back." Staying in touch with his pop superstar pal is hard for actor Rupert Everett.


Britney Spears spent the last two years on marriage and motherhood, but the newly single pop star wants fans to know she's on the brink of a big career comeback.

"I look forward to coming back this year bigger and better than ever, and to also reaching out to my fans on a more personal level," she says in a message posted yesterday on her Web site.

"I've been working so hard on this new album and I can't wait for you all to hear it and to go on tour again!" says Spears, 25, who put her musical career on hold two years ago to marry Kevin Federline and have sons Sean Preston, 1, and Jayden James, 3 months.

Spears acknowledges some of her fans have been disappointed by reports that the once squeaky-clean Mousketeer has been hitting the club scene - sometimes sans underpants - with party girls Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Her manager has denied reports that Spears passed out during a New Year's Eve celebration at a Las Vegas club.

Brit admits in her letter to fans that she's been "far from perfect," but she insists the media "has had a lot of fun exaggerating my every move."

"But trust me, I get it," she says, adding that "I am now more mature and feel like I am finally 'free.'"

Meanwhile, Spears and her Fed-ex have reached a temporary agreement on custody of their young sons.

The estranged couple will share custody through January, according to court papers filed yesterday. First, the singer will take the tots with her to Miami for a week, and then Federline will be able to visit the boys at Spears' home from noon to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The agreement says Spears will use her "best efforts to ensure that no third party visiting the home" interferes with Federline's time with the children.
The daughter of legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach has committed suicide at her Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles home on Thursday (04JAN07) night. NIKKI BACHARACH, the daughter of Bacharach and actress ANGIE DICKINSON, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome following her premature birth in 1966.A statement read, "She quietly and peacefully committed suicide to escape the ravages to
Guitarist JASON BECKER is auctioning two of his amplifiers to raise money for his treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).The rocker, who preformed with David Lee ROTH, was diagnosed with the disease in 1989, and given just five years to live.He has beaten the odds to survive 17 years, but has no mobility
DAMON ALBARN has blasted former PULP frontman Jarvis Cocker branding his antics during MICHAEL JACKSON’s performance at the 1996 Brit Awards "disturbing". Jackson was performing EARTH SONG at the awards ceremony surrounded by worshipping children when the COMMON PEOPLE hitmaker famously invaded the stage to protest against his "Christ-like" poses - but Albarn thinks he
Former CHiPs star Erik Estrada has been told to calm down by a Police Chief after he launched into a foul mouthed tiade at a man on new US reality show ARMED & FAMOUS.The 57-year-old actor was reprimanded by Police Chief JOE WINKLE on the show, which follows five celebrities as they train to become
Actor JAMES McAVOY pities Keira Knightley and ORLANDO BLOOM for becoming major Hollywood stars at such a young age.The 27-year-old’s performance in this year’s (07) THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND has been touted as Oscar worthy, but he’s glad he didn’t land such an important role earlier as he wouldn’t have been able to cope
Former FRASIER star Bebe Neuwirth returned to Broadway’s CHICAGO on New Year’s Eve (31DEC06) with a new hip.The actress, who turned 48 on the same day, had her "strange" hip replaced last May (06) and her recovery went so well she decided it was time to return to the musical, for which she earned a
Former DALLAS star LINDA GRAY’s upcoming Broadway show TERMS OF ENDEARMENT has been scrapped due to scheduling conflicts.The actress was set to play AURORA GREENWAY, the part made famous on the big screen by Shirley MacLaine in the production, which was to debut in Houston, Texas before transferring to New York in May (07).Movie &
Tycoon-turned-media mogul Donald Trump is considering allowing troubled MISS USA to pose scantily-clad in men’s magazine Playboy less than a month after he insisted the party-loving beauty queen ditch her wild ways.Trump, the owner of the Miss USA pageant, announced he would allow TARA CONNER to complete her reign if she signed up for a
Actress Hilary Swank needed stitches while shooting new movie P.S., I LOVE YOU when she was hit by a co-star’s suspenders.The Oscar winner was acting opposite movie husband GERARD BUTLER in the film when his braces snapped and hit Swank in the forehead.She says, "It came undone and flung across the room and hit me
Jessica Alba fuelled reports she and longtime boyfriend CASH WARREN are engaged by flaunting a ring on her wedding finger as the couple rang in 2007 in Miami, Florida.The loved-up pair enjoyed a two-minute-long kiss when the clock struck midnight at a DKNY Jeans New Year’s Eve party at Casa Casuarina on Sunday (31DEC06).Alba’s publicists
CLIVE OWEN’s new movie CHILDREN OF MEN has joined the Oscars race after leading the pack at the influential Austin Film Critics Association Awards.The movie missed out the Best Film prize, which went to 9/11 dramatisation UNITED 93, but it was named among the 10 best films of 2006, and claimed three major honours Alfonso Cuaron
Double Oscar winner Hilary Swank is set to become the first Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee of 2007 when she unveils her new star on Monday (08JAN07).The actress’ pavement accolade will be the Walk of Fame’s 2,325th star, and it will be placed right in front of landmark cinema Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.Movie & Entertainment News
LOST star Matthew Fox is determined to make sure 2007 is the year he finally quits smoking - because he’s sick of hiding his bad habit from his kids.The actor, who plays hunky castaway JACK SHEPHARD on the hit TV drama, admits he’s been battling to give up for years but stress always drives him
THE O.C. star Rachel Bilson has found something to smile about after the break-up of her romance to co-star ADAM BRODY and the cancellation of her TV show - she has been named Hollywood’s best-dressed star.The sexy actress beat LINDSAY LOHAN, former The O.C. co-star MISCHA BARTON and KATE HUDSON to land on top of
LATEST: BEYONCE KNOWLES’ publicists are playing down reports the singer/actress is distraught after discovering she has been disqualified from the Oscars’ Best Song category, insisting the star always knew she’d miss out on a nod.Academy Awards rules stipulate only three people can be officially nominated for each Best Song - and judges are forced to
BRITNEY SPEARS and Kevin Federline have agreed to share custody of their sons JAYDEN JAMES and SEAN PRESTON for the remainder of January (07).Spears has agreed to let her estranged husband have physical custody of the boys every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon at her home.Under the arrangement, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court,
BRITNEY SPEARS’ rumoured new boyfriend JR ROTEM will be playing producer to rap’s heaviest hitters after landing deals to work on new albums by DR DRE and 50 CENT.The record maker admits working on Dre’s comeback album DETOX is tough because the rap legend is "a perfectionist" but he’s thrilled to discover 50 Cent is
KENNETH BRANAGH will direct MICHAEL CAINE and Jude Law in the remake of classic movie SLEUTH.Caine, who played MILO TINDLE in the 1972 thriller will play co-star LAURENCE OLIVIER’s part in the remake - adapted from ANTHONY SHAFFER’s play by HAROLD PINTER - while Law will take on Caine’s original role.It’s the first time Law,
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER’s pals TOM ARNOLD and Rob Lowe were among the dignitaries, politicians and celebrities who celebrated the start of the former actor’s second term as California Governor in Sacramento yesterday (05JAN07).Guitarist JOSE FELICIANO and stage musical icon JENNIFER HOLLIDAY - the star of the original DREAMGIRLS - performed anthems and tributes to the TERMINATOR
Rocker Courtney Love has a new look for the New Year after reportedly undergoing rhinoplasty and lip surgery during a pre-Christmas (06) trip to France.Sources claim the former HOLE star visited a surgeon in Paris, who specialises in fixing cosmetic disasters.A friend of Love, who has sported collagen-pumped lips for years, tells America’s Us Weekly
JAMES BROWN’s angry widow has blasted the soul legend’s children for allegedly digging up her husband’s body after burying him without including her.TOMI RAE HYNIE has fallen out with Brown’s kids as they challenge the validity of her marriage to their father and the parentage of her five-year-old son James Brown II. But Hynie, who
Elvis Presley can still lick them all when it comes to his post office popularity - the late rocker’s stamp remains the US Postal Service’s most-collected stamp.Americans have saved 124.1 million stamps from the 1993 Elvis Presley release - almost 40 million more than a collection called the Wonders of America, which comes in second.A
AP - Marilyn Manson marriage is over. The glitzy goth rocker's wife of just over a year, model and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, is seeking a divorce.
Cedric the Entertainer
Elle Macpherson
AP - Marilyn Manson marriage is over. The glitzy goth rocker's wife of just over a year, model and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, is seeking a divorce.
Filed under: Life Style, Hot Bodies Hollywood is all about getting your face to stand out in a crowd, but for some celebs it's their backside that's making headlines. Check out the best celebrity asses around. ALERT!! TOMORROW CHECK OUT HOLLYWOOD'S BAD ASSES.And if you're like TMZ and...
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Beauty Hot dudes need beauty products too.Cameras caught an unglam Mario Lopez walking to Lee's Beauty Supply in Burbank ... maybe he needed a new headband to replace the one he was wearing. Lopez wasn't too thrilled about being filmed, telling cameras,...
Filed under: The Z List Who needs "The Twilight Zone" when you've got The Zone? In our dimension of substance and shadow, a pop tart can turn into a bumpkin at the stroke of midnight, a billionaire can brawl with a lesbian, and celebs of all shapes and sizes can -- at any...
Filed under: TV, Music, Mary-Kate/Ashley Olsen, I Just Gotta Know! We know about Joel Madden but what's up with the rest of Good Charlotte? --DavidYes, David, we do know the latest on Joel Madden love life, but as far as his professional life is concerned, he and the band have been hard at work preparing for...
AP - Former "CHiPs" star Erik Estrada got into an expletive-laced shouting match with a man who called him Emilio Estevez amid the filming of a reality television series.
Von Teese, whose real name is Heather Sweet, cites irreconcilable differences for the split in papers filed Dec. 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Reuters - The only child of pop songwriter Burt Bacharach and actress Angie Dickinson has committed suicide after a lifetime struggling with a form of autism, a spokeswoman for the former couple said on Friday.
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have agreed to share custody of their two young children this month. But first the pop star will take them with her to Miami for a week.

According to papers filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, Spears is permitted to have one-year-old Sean Preston Federline and four-month-old Jayden James Federline with her in Florida through next Thursday.

After that, Federline will be allowed to visit the children at Spears' home from noon to four p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The stipulated agreement that the estranged couple signed yesterday says Spears will use her "best efforts to ensure that no third party visiting the home" interferes with Federline's time with the children.

They have not worked out any custody arrangements beyond Jan. 31st.
Filed under: Lindsay Lohan Less than a day after surgeons removed her appendix, Lindsay Lohan was already yelling and running around on her way out of the hospital. She's one heckuva healer.TMZ has obtained exclusive video of Lohan exiting Century Park Hospital in Los Angeles,...
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Nick Lachey, Celebrity Checkout While in town from NYC to visit boyfriend Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo hit L.A.'s paparazzi superhighway, aka Robertson Blvd., to do a little pre-weekend damage on Friday. A girl needs something to wear to Hyde!Minnillo, without El Lachey, browsed...
Fritzo declined to give details. In a story on its Web site, People magazine reported that Kattan, 36, proposed to Tutt at her grandparents' home in Gainesville, Texas.
"Don't take life so seriously. Don't take fashion too seriously. Don't take the movie industry too seriously. Don't take love and your relationship so ... heavy all the time."
AP - Former "CHiPs" star Erik Estrada got into an expletive-laced shouting match with a man who called him Emilio Estevez amid the filming of a reality television series.