AFI Award Winners

The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the official selections of AFI Awards 2011, lists of the 10 best movies and TV shows. As usual, the selections are unranked, eclectic and open to debate. Winners include: 

AFI Movies Of The Year 
“Bridesmaids” 
“The Descendants” 
“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” 
“The Help” 
“Hugo” 
“J. Edgar” 
“Midnight In Paris” 
“Moneyball” 
“The Tree Of Life” 
“War Horse” 

AFI TV Programs Of The Year 
“Breaking Bad” 
“Boardwalk Empire” 
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” 
“Game Of Thrones” 
“The Good Wife” 
“Homeland” 
“Justified” 
“Louie” 
“Modern Family” 
“Parks And Recreation” 

AFI Special Awards 
“The Artist” 
“The Harry Potter Series”

Playboy Advances Lohan Issue Due To Leaked Photos

Playboy magazine is advancing the newsstand date for its upcoming issue with nude pictures of actress Lindsay Lohan in part due to photos that were leaked online, Hugh Hefner said on Friday. The Playboy founder tweeted that the issue will now go on sale late this week, which roughly coincides with the December 15th airdate for Lohan’s planned interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Lohan recently posed for the pictures that will be featured in the magazine’s January/February issue. Last week, a picture snapped of the cover featuring Lohan was leaked online, and on Friday, nude pictures of the actress also landed on the web. The pictures are very similar to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic centerfold photograph used in 1953’s first Playboy issue. 

Movie Audiences Shrink Below Post-9/11 Level

Hollywood’s holidays are off to a bad start. Fewer people went to the movies the last two weekends than during the box-office hush that followed the September 11 attacks 10 years ago. Domestic revenues tumbled to a 2011 low of about $77 million this weekend, when the star-filled, holiday-themed romance “New Year’s Eve” debuted at No. 1 with a weak $13.7 million, according to studio estimates yesterday. It’s the worst weekend in more than three years, since the weekend after Labor Day in 2008, when revenues amounted to $67.6 million, according to Hollywood.com. 

‘Smallville Star’ Sam Jones Goes To Prison

Actor Sam Jones will spend the holidays behind bars after checking into a federal prison following his drug conviction. The former “Smallville” star was sentenced to serve 366 days in prison in June after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell more than 10,000 Oxycodone painkiller pills as part of a major Los Angeles drug ring. Jones checked into a correctional facility in Lompoc, California, last week to begin his punishment. 

Chuck Lorre Goes Ape With Holiday Card

Chuck Lorre pokes fun at former “Two And A Half Men” star Charlie Sheen in a holiday card that doesn’t overtly mention the actor. Lorre, producer of “Men,” sent out a card showing himself being pounded on by a large gorilla. While Lorre, whose well-publicized troubles with Sheen dominated entertainment headlines for weeks in 2011, doesn’t mention the Sheen situation directly, he writes of the gorilla-pounding: “Oddly enough, not my worst day this year.” Lorre is also known for the sometimes pointed messages he writes in vanity cards shown after episodes of his show. 

Hulk Hogan Sues Ex-Wife For Defamation

Hulk Hogan is suing his ex-wife, Linda Bollea. The wrestling star filed an 18-page lawsuit last week in Clearwater, Florida, claiming she lied and defamed him in her new book, “Wrestling the Hulk - My Life Against the Ropes.” In the book, she writes that Hulk repeatedly physically abused her and had homosexual encounters. Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) says the claims have harmed his reputation and that she is trying to revive a “sagging career,” which ended with their 2009 divorce. He is demanding a jury trial and a halt to his ex-wife’s comments. The lawsuit comes two weeks after the terms of the couple’s confidential divorce settlement came to light in court filings. Documents show Linda Bollea received a more than 70% of the couple’s liquid assets in the settlement, including cars and millions from the couple’s bank and investment accounts. 

Paris Jackson Lines Up First Feature Film Role

Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, has landed her first feature film role. She’ll play the part of Lundon O’Malley in the fantasy film “Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys.” Paris, 13, joins a cast that includes Larry King, his wife Shawn King, “Love Boat” star Ted Lange and Joey Fatone. The film is based on author Dennis H. Christen’s novel of the same name. It’s about ancient sea wizardry that shifts people between species, with a dolphin becoming a human, a jellyfish turning into an evil fairy godmother and a teenage boy into a dragonfly. King featured the book on his show in 2009; 50% of the profit from the book’s sales raises money for U.S. schools. 

Lindsay Lohan’s Purse Stolen In Hawaii

Lindsay Lohan, who jetted to Hawaii last week for a little R&R with the permission of her probation officer, left her $5,000 Chanel bag in the car while attending a party in Laie. When she went to the leave the bash, her purse – reportedly containing her passport, probation paperwork giving her permission to be in the islands and a hefty amount of cash – was gone. TMZ later reported that the purse was returned, but $10,000 is cash was still missing. This marked the second time LiLo has experienced passport woes immediately prior to a court date. In May 2010, Lindsay was at the Cannes Film Festival when she claimed her passport had been stolen and was unable to return stateside in time for a court hearing. 

Alec Baldwin Spoofs Himself On ‘SNL’

Alec Baldwin went silent on Twitter last week following a run-in with an American Airlines flight attendant, but a well-timed appearance on “Saturday Night Live” said plenty. Baldwin appeared with Seth Meyers on “Weekend Update,” acting as the pilot of the plane which he was kicked off. Baldwin, as “Captain Steve Rogers,” issued an apology to Baldwin for the incident saying, “Mr. Baldwin is an American treasure, and I’m ashamed of the way he was treated.” Addressing details such as Baldwin slamming the restroom door on the flight in a fit of anger, Rogers empathized with Baldwin, saying the game “Words with Friends” can be frustrating, and in a plane bathroom who doesn’t want to make sure the door is securely shut? 

Pageant Contestant Not Guilty Of Girlfriend Murder

A former contestant on Fox’s “The Sexiest Bachelor in America” pageant has been acquitted in the killing of his girlfriend, a former adult film actress. After deliberating for two days, a Southern California jury found 47-year-old Brian Randone not guilty of the murder and torture of 31-year-old Felicia Lee, who was found dead September 11, 2009, in their apartment in Monrovia near Pasadena. Prosecutors argued that Randone had severely beaten and suffocated Lee, while his defense attorneys insisted she died of a drug overdose. Lee appeared in several adult films under the name Felicia Tang, and had bit roles in the mainstream movies “Rush Hour 2” and “The Fast and the Furious.” Randone was a losing contestant on “The Sexiest Bachelor in America,” a 2000 special on the Fox network. 

Judge Orders Man To Stay Away From Kirsten Dunst

A judge has granted Kirsten Dunst a temporary restraining order against a French man who has repeatedly written to the actress and traveled to Los Angeles at least five times to try to meet her. Jean Christophe Prudhon of Dijon, France, has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from the actress and to stop trying to contact her. In letters accompanying Dunst’s petition, Prudhon wrote that he sold his home in France so he could continue to travel to meet Dunst, who has not responded to any of his more than 50 letters. He wrote that he is in love with the actress and that he has repeatedly waited outside Dunst’s home to try to meet her and has been mistaken for a paparazzo. Dunst’s mother, Inez Dunst, wrote in a sworn declaration that she was alarmed by Prudhon’s appearance when he came to her door last week trying to meet the actress. The judge will consider whether to grant a three-year restraining order at a December 21st hearing. 

Andie MacDowell’s Daughter Named Miss Golden Globe

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has named its newest Miss Golden Globe. Rainey Qualley was introduced as the 2012 honoree at a news conference yesterday in West Hollywood. She’s the daughter of Golden Globe-nominated actress Andie MacDowell. Miss Golden Globe is traditionally the child of a celebrity who is invited to assist during the awards ceremony. Previous honorees include Rumer Willis, Laura Dern, Melanie Griffith and Joely Fisher. The 21-year-old Qualley is an aspiring actress and musician. Nominations for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards will be announced next week. The ceremony is slated for January 15th.

Octomom Scores 6-Figure Deal For New Web Show

Nadya “Octomom” Suleman has reportedly locked down a 6-figure deal with a production company to star in her own weekly Internet show dispensing parenting advice that will be featured on Ustream. According to TMZ, Suleman will stream the show live from her home every Sunday, talking about subjects like, “Parenting, fitness, diet, nutrition, shopping on a budget and all those crazy rumors.” The show is set to launch later this month.

Khloe Kardashian And Husband To Start Fertility Treatment

Khloe Kardashian is reportedly set to begin in vitro fertilization treatment with hopes to have a baby with her husband, NBA star Lamar Odom. While speaking with Us Weekly, a source close to the couple revealed that they have been frustrated with their inability to have children. “She is desperate for a baby with Lamar and will do whatever it takes,” the source said. “They have faith the IVF will work.” The news comes just after sister Kourtney revealed that she will soon become a mom for the second time.

Marg Helgenberger Bids Farewell To ‘CSI’

Marg Helgenberger said goodbye to her fellow “CSI” cast members and crew on Wednesday, when she wrapped her final episode for the crime show. Helgenberger joined the show in its first season in 2000 and, as one of the show’s original cast members, has since played forensics expert Catherine Willows. At the wrap of her 263rd and final episode, she told those on set, “I’ve been thinking a lot about this moment for a very long time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the time of my life.” Helgenberger will be replaced by Elisabeth Shue on the show. Her final episode will air in early 2012.

Duggar Suffers Miscarriage

An Arkansas woman who stars on the TLC reality show “19 Kids and Counting” has suffered a miscarriage after announcing she was expecting her 20th child. Jim Bob Duggar said he and his wife, Michelle, were told at a doctor’s appointment yesterday that she had miscarried. He says she is resting comfortably at home and asked for privacy. Michelle Duggar announced last month she was expecting her 20th child in April and had said she wasn’t worried, despite the premature birth of their youngest child two years ago. She said last month that she had made it through the first trimester safely.

NBC Clearing Roots Songs For Fallon

NBC is now checking the songs the Roots play on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” after the band performed an off-color song during Michele Bachmann’s show appearance last month. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots says now he’s “gotta clear a lot of the song choices” with the network. “It’s still a comedy show, so they promise not to step on my toes or that type of thing, but they definitely want to know the title of the song, the subject matter of the song, can it be seen as an insult?” he said yesterday. When the Republican presidential candidate appeared on the November 22nd show, the band played a snippet of a 1985 Fishbone song called “Lyin’ A** B**ch.” A day later the Minnesota congresswoman received a personal letter from NBC’s vice president for late night programming, Doug Vaughan; Fallon also apologized.

‘Man Up!’ Pulled From ABC’s Schedule

It looks like “Man Up!” has just gone down, as in down the tubes. ABC has pulled the three remaining new episodes from the December schedule. They’re being replaced by reruns of Tim Allen’s show, “Last Man Standing.” “Man Up!” was about guys trying to balance their manly sides with a dose of sensitivity. Teri Polo, Dan Fogler and Henry Simmons were some of the stars. An ABC spokeswoman says it’s her understanding that the show will not be back. But she says they “could choose to burn off remaining episodes at a later date.”

Miss America Judges

Mama Kardashian will be a judge at the upcoming Miss America pageant. Kris Jenner is on a panel of seven judges. Teri Polo is another judge. The pageant will air on ABC. Others on the judges’ panel are Mark Ballas of “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC’s lifestyle anchor Lara Spencer, the executive producer of “The Bachelor,” Mike Fleiss, “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” host Chris Powell and photographer Raul de Molina. Pageant finals are scheduled for January 14th at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Holland Taylor Says Sheen Was Great Until His Brain Exploded

Holland Taylor is blaming Charlie Sheen’s rush to get off drugs for the way he self-destructed in public. Taylor played Sheen’s mother on “Two and a Half Men.” Taylor says Sheen “obviously had some sort of brief psychotic break” when he quit drugs cold turkey. She notes doctors say that’s a very dangerous thing to do. Taylor says Sheen “cut it off and he had an explosion in his brain.” Taylor says Ashton Kutcher has replaced Sheen seamlessly and everyone in the cast loves him. Taylor is in Washington, where she’ll open in her one-woman show about former Texas Governor Ann Richards next week at the Kennedy Center.

Jeff Probst Gets Hitched

Jeff Probst and Lisa Ann Russell married Monday in front of family and friends in an intimate ceremony at a private Los Angeles residence. This is the second marriage for both. Russell, 40, shares custody of two children with “Franklin & Bash” actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who got engaged to advertising executive Catriona McGinn this summer. Probst, 50, will preside over the finale of “Survivor: South Pacific” on CBS December 18th. His self-titled talk show will debut in the fall of 2012.

Gable’s Grandson Faces Jail Over Laser Incident

Clark Gable’s grandson has pleaded guilty to pointing a laser at an occupied L.A.P.D. helicopter. Clark James Gable, 23, is expected to serve 10 days behind bars and 200 hours of hard labor when he’s sentenced January 12th. Gable was arrested for pointing a laser at police from a car as they hovered over an event in Hollywood on July 11th, temporarily blinding the pilot. He took a plea deal yesterday in a bid to have a felony charge of discharge of a laser and one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury dropped.

‘X-Factor’ Shocker

On last night’s results show on the “X-Factor,” two contestants had to belt out a third tune (the previous two were performed Wednesday night) to stay alive, and one of those went home. But it wasn’t the one most viewers would have expected, and not before a couple of star performances. Lenny Kravitz opened the show and Mary J. Blige also performed. Between those two performances, two top vote-getters made it through: Josh Krajcik, the final over-30 singer, and Chris Rene, who sang an original number Wednesday night. The nervous three waiting in the wings to hear results were Melanie Amaro, Rachel Crow and Marcus Canty. Melanie was the last voted through, leaving Rachel and Marcus to perform for the judges’ approval. After they all had their say, Nicole Scherzinger said she couldn’t make up her mind – Marcus or Rachel. Host Steve Jones reminded her she had to make a choice, and only a tie would send it to deadlock. So she tearfully and reluctantly voted to send Rachel home. That meant the act that got the lowest number of votes from America was eliminated. And that act was Rachel. Upon hearing the news, Rachel collapsed in tears. The final four enter the semifinal round Wednesday night on Fox.

Lindsay Lohan To Debut Playboy Pics On ‘Ellen’

Lindsay Lohan will debut her nude Playboy pictures on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The troubled actress – who appears naked in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired spread in the men’s magazine’s January and February issue – has chosen Ellen’s show over all other media outlets to get the first sneak peek of the shoot. A rep for Playboy magazine – which reportedly paid the 25-year-old $1 million for the pictures – said, “Lindsay has agreed to do one media interview during the on-sale period of her issue, and has chosen ‘Ellen.’ Lindsay will not be doing any additional interviews to promote her pictorial.” Hugh Hefner recently said the pictures of Lindsay are a “classic tribute” to Marilyn Monroe.

Oops! ‘MythBusters’ Cannonball Goes Through House

A “MythBusters” experiment went awry yesterday, sending a cannonball blasting through a California home, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials said a projectile from an Alameda County firing range in Dublin missed its intended target and hit a home nearby, going through one wall and exiting through another. The Sheriff’s Office said it was a cannonball fired by a “MythBusters” crew that “took a few unfortunate bounces.” It was not known what the experiment entailed. No one was injured. Authorities were still investigating the incident. It was unclear where the cannonball came to rest.

Stars Line Up For ‘Jersey Shore Shark Attack’ Flick

Tony Sirico, Paul Sorvino, Jack Scalia, William Atherton and Joey Fatone are set to star in the TV movie “Jersey Shore Shark Attack,” Syfy said. The cast of the small-screen thriller will also include “Jersey Shore” reality TV personality Vinny Guadagnino. It will debut on the cable network next summer. The movie also stars Jeremy Luke as The Complication, Melissa Molinaro as Nooki, Joey Russo as Donnie, Daniel Booko as Balzac, Audi Resendez as B.J., and Alex Mauriello as J-Moni. The movie is about how rare swarms of sharks converge on the Jersey Shore during the July 4th weekend because of illegal underwater drilling. “Now the angry sharks are on a rampage, devouring residents and leaving it up to the locals to try and save the day,” Syfy said.

Oprah To Be A Guest On ‘Dr. Oz’

Oprah Winfrey has taped an interview in New York for “The Dr. Oz Show,” starring Dr. Mehmet Oz, a frequent guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Winfrey helped establish Oz as a popular television personality, and then became a producer on his show when it began in 2009. Oprah will appear on today’s edition of “The Dr. Oz Show.”

Terrence Howard Denies Threatening To Kill Wife

Terrence Howard’s estranged wife Michelle Ghent has filed a restraining order alleging abuse. Terrence and Michelle married in a secret wedding in January 2010 but the marriage was short lived. In February 2011, Michelle filed for divorce. According to documents obtained by TMZ, Michelle states Terrence began physically abusing her just seven days after their wedding. She also claims he threatened to kill her. Howard claims Michelle is doing this for the fame and has been threatening to “release private materials to 3rd parties for her own personal financial gain” unless he paid her money. Howard also filed legal papers, adamantly denying that he ever threatened Michelle and claims she has been threatening to “release private materials to 3rd parties for her own personal financial gain” unless he paid her money. Sources say the material includes a video of Howard singing naked in the shower.

Shaun White’s X-Rated Photos

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White is facing his own scandal now that X-rated photos of him doing unsavory deeds in 2009 have surfaced. At least two photos have been leaked, and in them, The Flying Tomato is pictured in a naked romp with an unidentified blond woman – in one, both are clothed; in the other, they are not. According to TMZ, the racy shots were taken at a hotel party shortly before White went on to score a gold medal at the 2009 Winter X-Games for Superpipe.

Larry King Wants Deep Freeze Death

Larry King has revealed that he hopes to be cryogenically preserved after his death. Larry broke the news to a table of Hollywood A-listers during the network’s recent “CNN Presents: A Larry King Special: Dinner with the Kings” event. While speaking with guests including Russell Brand, Seth MacFarlane, Tyra Banks and Conan O’Brien, King revealed, “I want to be frozen on the hope that they’ll find whatever I died of and bring me back.”

Angelina Jolie Sued Over ‘Land Of Blood And Honey’

Angelina Jolie has been slapped with a lawsuit over the storyline to her upcoming directorial debut “In the Land of Blood and Honey.” The film chronicles the myriad sexual abuse scandals that took place in Bosnia in the 1990’s, and now author James Braddock is claiming that much of Jolie’s film is taken from his book. Braddock has filed suit in the state of Illinois claiming that his book “The Soul Shattering” likely served as the inspiration for Jolie’s film. Braddock also claims that he had previously met with a producer named Edin Sarkic about an adaptation of the film. Sarkic later worked to get Jolie’s permission to shoot the film in Sarajevo.

‘Dexter’ Co-Stars Divorce Final

A judge has finalized an uncontested divorce between Michael C. Hall and his “Dexter” co-star Jennifer Carpenter. Court records show Superior Court Judge John Sandoz finalized the divorce on Friday in Los Angeles. Carpenter filed for divorce nearly a year ago, citing irreconcilable differences. Hall and Carpenter married in December 2008. Hall plays Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who targets other murderers on the hit Showtime series, which is now in its sixth season. Carpenter plays Hall’s sister, a Miami police detective who is often on the trail of her brother’s victims, but does not know he is a killer.

Alec Baldwin Kicked Off Plane For Playing Games

Alec Baldwin was booted from an American Airlines flight yesterday for playing games. “Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving,” the actor tweeted after the incident. The “30 Rock” star added a hashtag saying it was “no wonder” the airline recently declared bankruptcy. “But, oddly, 30 Rock plays in-flight on American,” he said in a later tweet, this time promoting the airline United with the hashtag “#theresalwaysunited.” It all started when a flight staffer scolded Baldwin for playing the Scrabble-like game on his iPad while the airplane was parked at the gate. The actor later got up from his seat and demanded the attendant’s name so he could file a complaint – and the conflict escalated. “Alec loves Words with Friends so much that he was willing to leave a plane for it,” his spokesman said in a statement. Baldwin was rebooked on another American flight. The airline used its corporate Twitter feed to promise it was “looking into” the matter and request that Baldwin send a private message with his contact information.

Karina Smirnoff Calls Off Engagement

Karina Smirnoff and her pro baseball player fiancé Brad Penny are calling off their engagement of more than a year. “They’re just different people,” a source tells E! of the pair, who began dating in October 2009 after meeting through former “DWTS” contestant Chuck Lidell. Although the ballroom beauty was wearing her engagement ring as recently as Saturday in Las Vegas, there have been signs of potential problems.  During her run to the “Dancing” championship with partner J.R. Martinez, she never referred to Penny nor was he spotted in the audience.

Kate Major Found

Kate Major has been found, but it turns out she was never really missing. Michael Lohan’s ex-girlfriend was taken from rehab to a nearby hospital in Florida Saturday night after suffering a seizure. When the rehab facility called to check on her hours later, the hospital had no record of her. Kate’s rep and family reported her missing but it was a false alarm because Major was in the hospital after all – under a false name for privacy reasons.

Accused Trebek Burglar Won’t Face 3-Strikes

The woman accused of burglarizing “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek’s hotel room in San Francisco this summer won’t face a “three strikes” charge that could have sent her to prison for 25 years to life. District Attorney George Gascon doesn’t think the nature of 56-year-old Lucinda Moyers’ prior offenses calls for a three-strikes prosecution. Records show Moyers has been convicted of four burglaries since 1990. Authorities say she broke into Trebek’s room at a downtown San Francisco hotel on July 26th and stole a bracelet, purse and wallet with $661 in cash. Trebek said he tore his Achilles tendon as he tried to chase Moyers. Moyers will still be charged with first-degree burglary and could get 30 years if convicted.

Jodie Foster’s Father On Trial

Jodie Foster’s 89-year-old father, Lucius Fisher Foster, says his trial for an alleged housing scam is going “lousy,” but he remains hopeful. The real-estate broker is facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly bilking more than two dozen investors out of $130,000 in Los Angeles. He has been charged with 25 counts of grand theft and 10 counts of contracting without a license. Foster, who divorced Jodie’s mother before she was born, told “Inside Edition” he did not steal investors’ money and blamed the bad economy for the charges against him.

Brinkley To Pay IRS Immediately

Christie Brinkley vows she’ll repay the $531,000 she owes in back taxes. The New York Daily news recently reported the IRS has filed a tax lien against the supermodel. Brinkley said in a statement that the lien was a “result of an error” and pledges it will be paid in full by tomorrow. Brinkley added that she regrets not paying more attention to her accounting. She says she’s been focused on her parents, who are dealing with “serious health issues.” Brinkley is 57 and has been in the modeling business since she was 17.

39th Annie Award Nominations Announced

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has announced nominations for its 39th Annual Annie Awards, recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. The Annie Awards cover 28 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short Subjects and Outstanding Individual Achievements. The slate of nominations for Best Animated Features this year include: “A Cat in Paris,” “Arthur Christmas,” “Arrugas,” “Cars 2,” “Chico & Rita,” “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Puss In Boots,” “Rango,” “Rio” and “The Adventures of Tintin.” The 2011 Annie Awards winners will be announced February 4th. For a complete list of nominations, visit www.annieawards.org.

Rita Hayworth’s Grandson Found Dead

A grandson of the late screen actress Rita Hayworth has been found dead in an apparent suicide in New York City. Police say 25-year-old Andrew Embiricos was discovered in his Manhattan apartment Sunday night with a bag over his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No crime is suspected. A spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office says the cause of his death is pending autopsy results. Embiricos was the son of Hayworth’s daughter Yasmin Aga Khan, a philanthropist known for publicizing the plight of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Hayworth, who rose to fame in the 1940s and ‘50s in movies such as “Cover Girl” and “Gilda,” died in 1987 of Alzheimer’s disease at age 68.

Model Loses Hand In Mishap

Fashion model and blogger Lauren Scruggs lost her left hand when she walked too close to an airplane propeller in Texas. Scruggs, 23, suffered severe head and shoulder injuries as well when her hand was severed in Saturday’s mishap at a private airport in McKinney. She had climbed out of a two-seat plane after a flight to look at Christmas lights. A family rep posted a statement yesterday on the website Caring Bridge, saying Scruggs was recovering from multiple surgeries. “Lauren’s surgery went very well this morning,” the message said. “She is now resting in ICU with the family. She is able to open her right eye to see while her left eye is still bandaged. Please continue to pray for the vision of her left eye, as we will not know the status of her sight for some time.” Scruggs had worked in the wardrobe department of the TV show “Gossip Girl” and runs the fashion blog LOLO.

Rosie Engaged

Rosie O’Donnell told the audience at yesterday’s taping of “The Rosie Show” in Chicago she is engaged to Michelle Rounds after less than a year of dating. O’Donnell broke the news to her fans during a commercial break, not on the air. Her publicist later confirmed the engagement. No other details regarding when or how O’Donnell proposed were immediately available. O’Donnell, 49, met the 40-year-old IT headhunter in a Starbucks coffee shop this year. O’Donnell has four children from her previous marriage to Kelli Carpenter. Three of the kids were adopted and one daughter was conceived through artificial insemination with Carpenter giving birth to her.

Bo Derek, Raquel Welch Headed To ‘CSI: Miami’

Bo Derek and Raquel Welch have been booked as guest stars on episodes of “CSI: Miami” to air this winter, CBS announced. Derek will play the owner of a horse stable where a murder occurs. Welch will guest star in a different episode as the powerful matriarch of a Miami crime family Police Lt. Horatio Caine has been tracking during the show’s 10th season. David Caruso plays Caine on the cop drama. Derek will also appear as herself on an episode of “Chuck.”

Early Monroe Photos Sell For Over $300K At Auction

Copyrights and images from Marilyn Monroe’s first photo shoot sold for $352,000 at an auction that also included items from Lady Gaga and John Lennon. Julien’s Auctions said the Monroe photos – taken in 1946 when she was still Norma Jeane Dougherty – were the highlight of the Beverly Hills auction known as “Icons & Idols.” The photos come with negatives and the rare right to sell and distribute them. A judge in September ruled they must be auctioned to settle debts of photographer Joseph Jasgur. A Lady Gaga dress sold for $31,250, and the prop gun used in her video for “Born This Way” went for $7,680. A 1969 caricature John Lennon drew of himself and Yoko Ono went for $90,000.

Rancic To Have Double Mastectomy

Six weeks after revealing she has breast cancer, “E! News” host Giuliana Rancic says she’ll have a double mastectomy. The 37-year-old made the announcement yesterday on NBC’s “Today” show. “It was not an easy decision but it was the best decision for me,” she said. She plans to have the surgery next week and said she hopes to recover by New Year’s Eve, when she and husband Bill Rancic are planning to be in Times Square.

‘Laugh-In’ Regular Alan Sues Dies

Alan Sues, the actor best known as a flamboyantly campy regular on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” in the late 1960s and early ‘70s, has died. He was 85. Sues died Thursday night while watching television at his home in West Hollywood, said Michael Gregg Michaud, a longtime friend. “He had been in failing health the last couple of years, but it was nothing you could put your finger on; just old age,” said Michaud. “Mentally, he was funny and ‘on’ as usual. He was a delightfully funny man, with a wonderful career that spanned six decades.”

Soap Star Sues Chiropractor Over Scientology Rejection

“Young and the Restless” star Michael Fairman has filed a lawsuit against a Scientologist chiropractor, claiming she refused to see him and his family after he was excommunicated from the Church. Fairman claims he was a prominent member of the Church, but became disenchanted with the way it was running things. Fairman says Church leaders got fed up with him earlier this year, branded him and his wife “suppressive persons” and blacklisted the family from all things Scientology. After Fairman was ousted, the actor claims he received a letter from the family chiropractor – an active Scientologist – informing him she would no longer treat the Fairman family. Fairman also claims she refused to hand over a copy of the family’s medical records.

New Jimmy Fallon Album Out This Summer

Jimmy Fallon says his new album of comedy songs will be out in the summer. Fallon announced he has signed a record deal with Warner Music Records for a compilation of tunes in the same vein as the songs he has been performing on his “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” show on NBC. Fallon has sung duets on his show with stars including Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake and Bruce Springsteen. The upcoming CD will include numbers never heard before and others that “became instant classics after performances by Jimmy and his guests.”

Dr. Drew Turns Octomom Into Online Mom

Nadya “Octomom” Suleman has gotten herself and her 14 kids online with the help of Dr. Drew. Time Warner has hooked up the Suleman home as Dr. Drew pledged to do last month as part of an overall “life improvement” package. Also in the package was a year of child-care services and housekeeping as well as an online personal trainer, which requires the internet service. The ultimate goal is to get the single-mom positioned to get a job and moving forward.

Johnny Depp Bodyguards Accused Of Tackling Disabled Woman

A police report has been filed against Johnny Depp by a disabled woman who claims she was roughed up by his bodyguards at a Los Angeles concert. The woman claimed she was wrestled to the ground by Depp’s security entourage when she apparently strayed too close during a recent Iggy Pop concert at the Palladium. The report filed by Robyn Ecker, 52, claims she had to go to a hospital to be checked out after the incident. TMZ said Ecker has an assistant who confirmed her boss and her group had been drinking while celebrating her husband’s birthday. Sources said Ecker appeared intoxicated when she made the report. There was no immediate comment on the matter from Depp’s reps and no indication the complaint would result in criminal charges.

Celebrities Fill White House For Kennedy Center Honors

The White House was full of celebrities yesterday when President Barack Obama played host to this year’s five Kennedy Center honorees. Among the entertainers spotted attending the East Room reception were John Lithgow, Robert De Niro, Andre Previn, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Matthew Broderick, Sara Jessica Parker, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Tucci, Christine Baranski, Michelle Lee, Itzhak Perlman and Florence Henderson. The Kennedy family was represented by Vicki Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith and Caroline Kennedy. Obama called this year’s honorees – singer-actress Barbara Cook, singer Neil Diamond, cellist Yo Yo Ma, jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep – “five giants from the world of the arts” being honored for “a lifetime of greatness.” He joked Ma is at the White House so often, “We need to give him a room.” CBS will broadcast the show on December 27th.

Former Miss USA Arrested On DUI Charges

Former Miss USA Rima Fakih is facing drunken driving charges after a weekend arrest in Highland Park, Michigan. She tweeted on Saturday: “Let’s clear things up now. ... I’m NOT in Michigan and I’m NOT in jail! Wrong Fakih.” But the post has since been removed, and her attorney Doraid Elder confirmed the arrest yesterday. Elder had few details of the arrest but said Fakih’s record “has not a single blemish,” adding that the beauty queen is “very saddened and very apologetic for the situation that she’s in right now.” In 2010, Fakih became the first Miss Michigan to win the Miss USA title since 1993 and the first Arab American ever to win the pageant. She competed for Miss Universe later that year but lost.

Demi Lovato Returns To Treatment Center To Help Others

Demi Lovato has returned to the treatment center where she spent the holidays last year in order to share her story of recovery with current patients. Lovato took a three-month break from the limelight at the end of 2010 to seek help and counseling for a series of emotional issues, which had led to an eating disorder and self-harming.  Now on the road to recovery, Lovato returned to Timberline Knolls in Illinois to meet the women and girls struggling with their own issues. In a series of tweets on yesterday she wrote, “Wow what an inspiring day... Many tears were shed and many memories were brought back at Timberline Knolls today. She also urged fans to “say a prayer for all of those struggling with eating disorders, self harm, mood disorders, and substance abuse.”

Abdul, Scherzinger Receive Death Threats

Drew Ryniewicz fans are not pleased. After “X-Factor” hosts Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger voted off Drew on this past Thursday’s show, fans have made threats against both of them.  Sources add that Simon Cowell gave both of the women the cold shoulder after the show because he was upset with their decision. But the tweets and Facebook messages were worse, filled with profanity and threats.

Kate Major Missing

Michael Lohan’s ex-girlfriend Kate Major has reportedly gone MIA after wandering off from a hospital in Florida. According to her rep, Major was transferred from rehab in Boca Raton to a nearby hospital after suffering a seizure. The rep explained, “She was being treated in the hospital and somehow walked out of the hospital with no one noticing. We don’t know if she’s okay or if she has had another seizure. But she is missing and has only the clothes on her back, no money, no credit cards, no phone. We are very worried about her.” Major, who recently filed restraining orders against Lohan, had voluntarily checked herself into rehab for alcohol abuse in November after an alleged drunken plane fight a few weeks prior.

Brooke Mueller Arrested

Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife Brooke Mueller has been arrested on suspicion of assault and cocaine possession. Mueller, who has two sons with Sheen, was detained in Aspen, Colorado, on Friday night after the police were called to investigate a nightclub scuffle. During a routine walk-through of the Belly Up nightclub, police learned that Mueller had been involved in an altercation and left the club. Police caught up with Mueller and arrested her at a nearby bar. She was placed under arrest and charged with third degree assault, a misdemeanor, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, a felony. She was released from jail Saturday morning after posting $11,000 bail and is set to appear in court on December 19th.

Roger Ebert Announces ‘At The Movies’ Hiatus

Roger Ebert has announced that his film review program “Ebert Presents: At the Movies” will go on hiatus starting at the end of the year. The show launched on January 21st, but now the renowned critic says it will come to end if they don’t get a major cash infusion. Ebert and his wife and co-producer Chaz have already funded the show to the tune of $25,000 but in his Chicago Sun-Times blog, Ebert says the hiatus is a last resort.

Christie Brinkley Owes The Tax Man

Records show Christie Brinkley owes $531,000 in back taxes and the IRS has filed a lien against her. The tax lien was filed November 21st on a mansion in Bridgehampton on New York’s Long Island, where she lives. A spokeswoman for Brinkley says the star was surprised to hear the lien had been filed and that the supermodel has ‘instructed her team to resolve the matter immediately.”

Utah Home Inspired By Disney Movie ‘Up’ Sold

Two self-described Disney “fanatics” have purchased a house in Utah modeled after the colorful home featured in the animated movie “Up.” Discovering the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Herriman, Utah, was a dream come true for Clinton and Lynette Hamblin of Petaluma, California. The couple had been looking for a house with some of the same flourishes as the one in the movie, such as a multi-colored exterior or a blue kitchen with retro appliances. They initially looked in California until they saw news reports about the house in Utah that included every possible detail from the movie and was even officially recognized as the “Up” house by Disney. Even more surprising was the $400,000 price tag, which was less than homes they looked at in California. The Hamblins plan to move into the home after closing January 4th, which happens to be Lynette Hamblin’s birthday.

Tom Cruise Visits Taj Mahal

Tom Cruise says his visit to India follows a lifelong desire to see the country. He said while touring the iconic, white-marble Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra that he is “very excited” about being in the country for a fan screening of his latest action-thriller, “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” days ahead of its world premiere on Wednesday. Cruise joined Bollywood star Anil Kapoor for the red-carpet screening yesterday in Mumbai. The film sees Cruise reprise his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt, while Kapoor plays an Indian business tycoon.

J.R. Martinez Honored

“Dancing With The Stars” champ J.R. Martinez was honored Friday night with the Unsung Hero Award at philanthropist Lois Pope’s Lady in Red Ball in Palm Beach. The Unsung Hero Award saluted Martinez, who was guest of honor at the annual ball, for “overcoming devastating injuries to make a full life for himself and in so doing bring the plight of America’s three million living disabled veterans into our country’s consciousness.” Martinez suffered severe burns over 40% of his body when his U.S. Army vehicle hit a land mine in Iraq in 2003. After a three-year recovery, he began working as a motivational speaker and actor, appearing on “All my Children.” A fan favorite, Martinez and his “DWTS” partner, Karina Smirnoff,” won the competition on November 23rd.

American Giving Awards

Miley Cyrus and Jackie Evancho will be presenting at the 2011 American Giving Awards next week. “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson, J.R. Martinez and Gabrielle Union will also be presenters, and Jackie will be performing her hit song, “Angel.” Rodney Atkins will perform his new hit “Take a Back Road.” Hosted by Bob Costas, the American Giving Awards are the first-ever televised celebrity tribute to community heroes, offering five charities an opportunity to share in $2 million in Chase grants. Now through December 8th, Facebook fans of Chase Community Giving and Chase online customers will determine how much each charity will receive by voting for their favorite featured charity online. The winning charity will receive a $1 million grant from Chase, while the runner-up will be granted $500,000, and a third organization will receive a $250,000 grant. Two organizations will be given $125,000 grants. The charity receiving the $1 million grand prize will be revealed during the televised broadcast. The AGAs will air Saturday, December 10th, on NBC.

Flavor Flav, Gary Busey Set For ‘Wife Swap’

Gary Busey, rapper Flavor Flav and rocker Dee Snider are set to star in the reality series “Celebrity Wife Swap,” ABC said. Also set to trade spouses for a week are Evangelical pastor Ted Haggard, former child stars Tracey Gold and Tina Youthers, singer Carnie Wilson, wrestler Mick Foley, actor-model Antonio Sabato Jr., and comedienne Niecy Nash. The series is scheduled to premiere next month.

Joel Osteen Nabs Reality Show

The pastor of America’s largest congregation could soon be starring in his own reality TV show. The Rev. Joel Osteen says he’s signed an agreement to work with producer Mark Burnett to develop a reality show that features him taking mission trips with members of Houston’s Lakewood Church. The program would also feature Osteen’s wife, Victoria. Burnett is executive producer of “Survivor.” He and his wife, actress Roma Downey, have attended Lakewood Church and become friends with the Osteens. Joel Osteen said a typical show would feature him and several hundred church members boarding a plane and flying somewhere to help people in need. Lakewood Church attracts more than 40,000 worshippers to its weekly services in a former sports arena.

Trey Parker, Matt Stone Named mtvU’s Men Of The Year

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are mtvU’s Men of the Year. MTV’s college network honored Parker and Stone for their 15 seasons of “South Park.” mtvU says they have “fearlessly pushed boundaries by taking shots at everyone from liberals and conservatives to the ultra-religious.” They even recently spoofed the Penn State scandal.

CBS Gives ‘Early Show’ New Name

CBS Gives ‘Early Show’ New Name
CBS says its new morning program will be called “CBS This Morning” when it debuts next month. Anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, the program will replace the low-rated “The Early Show” starting January 9th. John Miller will join the broadcast as senior correspondent, while Rebecca Jarvis will serve as business and economics correspondent, and Jeff Glor will be a special correspondent. “The Early Show” had been the name of CBS’s very early morning program since 1999.

Seth McFarlane, Betty White Up For Grammys

The guy who does the voice of Stewie on “Family Guy” is up for a Grammy for a standards album. Seth McFarlane’s debut album, “Music is Better Than Words,” is up for Traditional Pop Vocal Album. McFarlane is also up for Best Song Written for Visual Media, for co-writing “Christmastime is Killing Us” for “Family Guy.” Zooey Deschanel is also up for that award for writing “So Long” from “Winnie the Pooh.” Betty White could win her first Grammy. She’s up for Best Spoken Word Album for “If You Ask Me.” Her competition includes Tina Fey for “Bossypants” and Val Kilmer for “The Mark of Zorro.” John Larroquette and Daniel Radcliffe could win their first Grammys, for Musical Theater Album for “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.”

Clark Gable’s Secret Daughter Dies

Judy Lewis, the secret daughter of Clark Gable and Loretta Young, has died. Lewis died Friday in the Philadelphia suburb of Gladwyne. She was 76. Lewis was conceived while Young was unwed and Gable was married to his second wife, Maria Langham. The two were filming “The Call of the Wild.” Their affair resulted in a secret pregnancy and a hush-hush birth. The actress left her love child at an orphanage for 19 months, returning only then to adopt her. Young kept her daughter in the dark about her family history. Judy was eventually raised by her mother and Young’s husband, Tom Lewis, whose last name she took. Lewis never did have a relationship with her biological father, although when she was 15 Gable visited her without telling her why. It took 31 years for her to learn the truth, which her mother told her privately but would not admit to publicly. Young eventually did admit that Lewis was her daughter with Gable in her authorized biography, “Forever Young,” published after her death in 2000. Lewis first followed an acting career, with roles in “General Hospital,” but left the theatrical world to become a therapist.

Daniel Craig Blasts Kardashians

Daniel Craig is blasting the Kardashians, calling them “(expletive) idiots” in an interview with GQ. Craig criticizes them for showing their lives on TV and then complaining when they try to get some of their privacy back. He says “we’ve been in your living room. We were at your birth. You filmed it for us and showed us the placenta and now you want some privacy?” Craig says it infuriates him when he sees how much money the Kardashians make. He says “you see that and you think, ‘what, you mean all I have to do is behave like an idiot on television and then you’ll pay me millions?’” Not only do they make millions, the Kardashians are on Barbara Walters’ list of the most fascinating people of 2011.

Action Comics 1 Sells For $2.16 Million At Auction

A rare and pristine copy of the first issue of Action Comics, famed for the first appearance of Superman, set a record Wednesday for the most money paid for a single comic book: $2.16 million. The issue, graded at 9.0, was auctioned online at www.comicconnect.com. The seller was Nicolas Cage, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cage turned a super-sized profit – he bought the 1938 Man of Steel original 14 years ago for roughly $150,000. The buyer has remained anonymous. The issue was published in 1938 and cost just 10 cents.