California Rumor

Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden could be going up against each other for coverage at the Oscars.

Holden, 38, has been signed up to present coverage from the red carpet at the Oscars next month for the US TV network CBS.

However, Morgan, 44, has been signed up to present the coverage for the network's rival, CBS, at the bash in LA on March 7.

Morgan revealed the news in the UK's Live magazine. He said: "Amanda bounced into work this morning like the cat that got the biggest amount of cream ever. 'I'm covering the Oscars!' she squealed."

Morgan added: "My BlackBerry buzzed. 'We'd like you to cover the Oscars red carpet for us, Piers,' I read. It was an executive from the Today show at NBC, the big rival to CBS."

Talk show host Sherri Shepherd said her Spanx pants were "about to give out" at the recent SAG Awards.

The 42-year-old recently shed 41 pounds and went down from a US size 16 to a US size 6.

She was talking at a SAG after-party, where she wore a fitted white dress, and she said to USmagazine.com: "My Spanx are about to give out!"

Talking about how to lose the weight, she previously said: "I do a lot of stairs, a lot of planks, a lot of squats, a lot of treadmill, a lot of screaming - and I do it four times a week."

X-Men star James Marsden has signed up to appear in new comedy I Hop opposite Russell Brand.

The 36-year-old actor, who played Cyclops in the X-Men film series, will star in the live-action/CG-animated flick with Brand, 34.

The story sees an unemployed man, played by Marsden, injure the Easter Bunny, who will be voiced by Brand, by accident and then look after him while he recovers.

The screenplay is being written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio and Brian Lynch and it is being produced by Christopher Meledandri and John Cohen from Illumination Entertainment and Universal.

It will be directed by Tim Hill, who was behind Alvin and the Chipmunks, which also featured live action and CG animation.

Actor Dennis Hopper has filed for divorce after nearly 14 years of marriage to wife Victoria.

Hopper, aged 73, cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the break-up in papers filed in Los Angeles.

The Easy Rider star, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, says he will provide spousal support to Victoria.

The couple have a six-year-old daughter called Galen and Hopper is requesting joint legal and physical custody.

The division of their property is yet to be determined.

Hopper lists this past Tuesday as the date of separation in the divorce papers.

He has been treated on a "special programme" following his cancer diagnosis in October.

James Franco is to star as a mountaineer in Danny Boyle's upcoming flick 127 Hours.

The 31-year-old actor, who is best known for his roles in the Spiderman movies as well as 2008 flick Milk, will be starring in the new movie as mountaineer Aron Ralston.

The movie is a true story about mountaineer Ralston, who ended up spending five days with his forearm trapped underneath a boulder while in the middle of a climb seven years ago.

He then used a blunt knife to amputate the arm before scaling a 65-foot wall and hiking until he came across a family who gave him food and water before being rescued by a helicopter.

Boyle will be directing the movie, which will be his first since Oscar-winning flick Slumdog Millionaire, and it will start shooting in Utah in March for a release at the end of the year.

TV hunk Patrick Dempsey has settled for a $500,000 loss on his Bel-Air home by selling it for almost $2.6 million.

The Grey's Anatomy star bought the four bedroom property in the exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood for $3.1 million in 2006 and had listed it at $3,595,000.

But after 10 months on the market, he has sold the house for $2,571,500, according to US property listings.

The gated house features a swimming pool and a treehouse.

Sharon Stone proved herself a cool mum when she took her young son to an LA basketball game.

The glamorous Stone was sans makeup in photos showing her chilling with Roan Bronstein, 9. The lad was down from San Francisco on a rare visit when Stone took him to see the Clippers.

Stone, who looked softer with shoulder-length hair, was caught up in the excitement of the Staples Centre game against the Boston Celtics.

In 2008, Stone lost joint custody of Roan, who she adopted with ex-husband Phil Bronstein, a former editor of the San Francisco Examiner. A judge ruled the boy would live with his dad, who was given sole physical custody until either he or Stone moved closer to the other.

Stone, who has two other adopted sons, was reportedly gutted over the loss. A Daily Mail source said: "Sharon has taken losing custody of her son very badly and has been erratically up and down over recent months. Friends are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare. Some days she will be on top of the world and at other times she will be struggling to cope and won't be able to go out."

Sharon Stone takes son Roan to basketball game

Former Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson has spoken out in support of gay rights, slamming US politicians for failing to allow same-sex marriages in the country.

Gay unions were made legal in California in August 2008, but the decision was overturned just six months later by state legislation, which ruled that future same-sex marriages would be illegal.

Supporters were dealt another blow earlier this month when the New York State Senate rejected a bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage.

The decision has left Manson, who is currently carving out an acting career in Hollywood, fuming.

She posted a message on her Facebook page that read: "So sad to read that the New York State Senate voted down the Gay Marriage Bill. It saddens and sickens me that modern government and society has learned nothing from history, but continue the vicious cycle of ignorance and intolerance...

"Shame on all those who judge others so harshly that they will rob them of their civil liberties. Shame on those who will attempt to strip others of their dignity and their right to walk among us as equals on this earth...”

She added: "Love is love is love is love. And it is rare and divine. So let all of us attempt to preserve it... in any manner we can. And by all of us, I really do mean all of us. Because Lord knows there's certainly not enough of it flowing around us in this life."

John Lennon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has gone missing. How did that happen? Did someone get a brilliant idea for a last minute Christmas gift while stumbling home from some bar? Currently, there’s just an empty outline of a star on Vine Street where the former Beatles singer’s star is located. Don’t panic just yet though as there is some speculation that the star may not have been stolen and was simply removed for Ringo Starr’s dedication that will take place in February. I hope that’s the case. I don’t think anyone can get away with stealing a brass star out of the asphalt anyway.

Los Angeles’ Crenshaw High School football team is undefeated this year and they are thanking none other than Snoop Dogg. 9 of the team’s current players had the chance to go through the rapper’s Youth Football League and the coaches are attributing their involvement to the high school team’s success. Coach Robert Garrett said “It is more of an advantage to have kids who played in the Snoop Dogg league. They also have the experience, the fundamentals and the attitude that guys who started from scratch don't have.” Senior wide receiver Geno Hall also praises Snoop’s league saying that being part of it “keeps me out of trouble, from hanging in places I shouldn't be. It's helped me to grow mentally.”

Susan Sarandon, who has just split with Tim Robbins, keeps her amazing body toned by pole dancing with her daughter Eva Amurri, 24.

Amurri, who is a strong likeness of her mother, is also an actress. Daughter taught mother after taking erotic dancing lessons to prepare for a role on the TV show Californication.

Sarandon, 63, said she jumped at the chance to learn pole dancing which she credited with keeping her feeling young. She said: "My kids are so funny, they bring me into the present. I go to concerts and I went and I learned how to pole dance with my daughter when she was doing Californication. It's very difficult and you have to be in very good shape. It's hard."

Sarandon and Robbins, 51, who never married, split after 23 years together. They have two sons and raised Amurri who is Sarandon's child with Franco Amurri.

Conrad Murray, the doctor at the centre of the Michael Jackson homicide probe, allowed a documentary crew to film him for a television special.

Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician at the time of his death and admitted he gave the pop star the strong sedative Propofol on the night he died, recently returned to work at his practice in Houston, Texas. The move drew harsh criticism from some. Others, notably his patients, were supportive.

Murray reportedly allowed UK filmmakers to record his first day back on the job on November 23 for a one-episode TV special, according to TMZ.

Media outlets captured the day in footage that surfaced to show a sober and elegantly attired Murray approaching his offices from the back of the building.

A spokesman for Murray, meanwhile, said the crew was "interested in the reaction of patients to his return".

The airing of the special will yield some payment for Murray, the spokesman said. But that will not be until the Jackson investigation is finalised, which could take two years.

The spokesman said Murray was holding onto the footage. He said: "Dr Murray is currently working 12-hour days, to pay off his [child support] debt."

Last week, Courtney Love lost legal control of her daughter Frances Bean Cobain due to a long period of unstable conduct. The legal guardians of Kurt Cobain’s spawn are now the late singer’s mother and his sister. The ordeal then led Courtney to publish some crazy rants on her blog and even bashing Frances online. What’s most disturbing regarding this situation is the fact that a judge has now issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Courtney from having any contact with Frances. Another hearing will take place in early January to make the restraining order permanent. I can’t begin to imagine what was going on to force Frances to leave and get that restraining order.

Michael Lohan has denied he was arrested this week for breach of a restraining order.

The beleaguered father of Lindsay claims a police mugshot of himself that surfaced was related to a visit he made to a police station to be "processed for court" - not to an arrest.

Michael was widely reported as having been taken into custody for a violation of a restraining order. It is claimed it was the order filed by his former girlfriend Erin Muller.

Other media reports mentioned one brought by his former wife, Dina, in 2005. It had also earlier been widely reported that Lindsay was thinking of taking out a restraining order against Michael after his release of her private phone messages and other family conversations.

Michael said: "I was never arrested over the weekend. Secondly, the original charge, that stated I threatened to kill Erin or myself, was proven false and was dropped."

Jon and Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8 are likely to finalise their divorce in the new year.

While the warring pair are said to have reached a recent truce, lawyer Mark Heller said their child custody and financial arrangements remain a work in progress.

Neither Jon, whose media coverage has quietened down, nor Kate is yet to sign off on the arrangements.

Jon and Kate were married for 10 years and amassed a small fortune by putting their family life on reality-TV. Things turned sour after revelations of Jon's infidelity and the pair have now split. Their off-screen life became the daily reality show as Jon and Kate Plus 8 went off the air and Jon blocked any further filming of his kids and entered a legal wrangle with network TLC.

Their divorce is pending in a Pennsylvania county. Heller said the pending arbiter decisions on the custody and finances will be final.

Plans for a sequel to John Travolta's 2007 flick Wild Hogs have reportedly been scrapped.

The movie, Wild Hogs 2: Bachelor Ride, was due to be filmed next summer by Touchstone Pictures with Walt Becker returning as a director.

However, since Rich Ross took the reins at Disney, the plans for the movie have been scrapped.

Actors John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H Macy were to reprise their roles as a group of bikers having a mid-life crisis.

The first movie's writer Brad Copeland had written the script for the sequel and writers were being hired.

Hugh Grant may be one of the most dashing stars in Hollywood, but his fingernails are a disgrace, according to Sarah Jessica Parker.

The actress says she was so appalled at Grant's nails that she gave him a weekly manicure on the set of their latest movie.

"For God's sake, I clipped his fingernails - isn't that giving?" said Parker.

"I thought that the least the globe deserved was a proper, presentable hand and if you look so good from here to here, your digits should look as good.

"He is one of the most dashing men in the world and I was shocked at the state of his fingernails.

"I am exquisitely skilled with the nail clipper."

Parker and Grant spent months together on the New Mexico set of Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Arnold "The Governator" Schwarzenegger is reportedly facing an unpaid tax bill of $100,000.

According to a report, documents filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court show that the actor, who is also California's governor, has fallen behind in payments over a two-year period.

Records show the Terminator star-turned politician, 62, failed to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $50,000 in 2004 and the same amount in 2005.

His reps have so far not commented on the matter.

Mel Gibson's privately funded Malibu church reportedly vets its attendees before they can kneel and pray.

A copy of an official document obtained from the star's security team, which is presented to worshippers of Gibson's Holy Family Chapel, reveals that worshippers must first fill in an application form if they want to attend a service at the church, according to RadarOnline.

The sign-up sheet reportedly states that the "application must be accepted by security in order to gain admittance" to the Agoura Hills church. The application notes that the church's services are "not open for negotiation by guests/attendees".

The document also states that permission to enter the church can be revoked at any time.

The church practises a traditionalist form of Catholicism and members were reported to be upset with the Braveheart star after he split from his wife, Robyn, earlier this year to be with his pregnant mistress Oksana Grigorieva.

Grigorieva gave birth to a baby girl at the end of October, making Gibson a father for the eighth time.

The doctor who is at the centre of the probe into Michael Jackson's homicide, Conrad Murray, is leading a sequestered life in Los Angeles as he awaits possible prosecution.

Murray, who detectives say admitted administering a powerful sedative and anaesthetic to the singer in his personal 24-7 care for several months, awaits potential charges from authorities in Los Angeles.

He was spotted stepping out of a hotel after a secret meeting with his attorney, the outspoken Ed Chernoff. Murray, in photos that surfaced, appeared worn and stressed. His clothing indicated he was keeping a low profile, with his head covered in baseball cap and sunglasses.

Meanwhile, a former patient, Jack Hammond, told News Of The World: "We used to speak regularly, but since Jackson's death I've not heard anything. He's suffering - he has no income and no business. I can't believe he had anything to do with it. He went out of his way to help patients."

Murray is expected to argue that Jackson, who died suddenly at 50, administered his own fatal dose of the propofol that killed him on June 25.

Hollywood funnyman Will Ferrell has revealed he wants to be a landlord of a traditional British pub.

The Bewitched actor - a big Chelsea FC fan - said he hopes to snap up a Chelsea boozer the next time he is in London.

The 42-year-old said: "All the Chelsea players would be welcome, but I wouldn't want a celebrity place - it would be an old-fashioned pub.

"I would be hands-on. I could get some great material off all the regulars. I am sure there would be a film in it."

Will said US bars try to copy UK pubs - but can't compete.

He added: "Overpriced fish and chips does not constitute a real British pub."

Al Pacino will be honoured by California's leading arthritis charity with the Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award.

Pacino will become the recipient of the award at the 22nd Commitment To A Cure Awards gala, to be held in Los Angeles this month. The benefit is put on by the southern Californian chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

"It is presented to individuals who exemplify the leadership, commitment and dedication to humanitarian causes that Ms Wyman herself demonstrated in the fight to find a cure for arthritis," said board chairman Mitchell A. Jacobs.

"Al Pacino has a history of charitable giving. We are very grateful for his support of the 46 million adults and children with arthritis, and are honoured that he will join us at the Commitment to a Cure Awards Gala."

Actress Wyman, who died at the age of 90 in 2007 having suffered arthritis for many years, was the first wife of late actor-turned-US president Ronald Reagan

US chat-show host Jay Leno's revamped primetime show is failing to draw viewers, leaving his future up in the air, according to reports.

Leno moved to NBC's primetime slot six weeks ago, but after a strong start viewing figures for his 10pm show have fallen sharply.

The show is reportedly pulling in 25 per cent fewer audience members than its preceding shows a year ago.

But an NBC spokesman said, "We believe in the combination of a bankable star like Jay Leno hosting an exciting, topical show five nights a week and are committed to continuing to engage with our affiliates in ways to make that relationship work."

Most of NBC's affiliates are said to back a long-term strategy for the show to play out over 52 weeks.

"Some of the significant dramas right now are going to run out of steam by December and be out until February,” said DJ Wilson, general manager at KGW in Portland, Oregon.

“There is a real opportunity for Leno to pop. We really agree that this is a marathon, not a sprint."

However, one manager, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that he is giving Leno until next year to improve ratings.

He said: "I give them through February. I don't think anybody is anxious to pull any triggers. Plan B is to give the 10pm hour back to the affiliates."

Terminator star and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ushered in a new law to restrain the activities of paparazzi in his state.

The law hits the financial rewards for celebrity snaps by enabling the filing of lawsuits against the publishers of images or recordings obtained by either illegal or violent means.

Jennifer Aniston, who settled for $550,000 in 2003 after a photographer scaled a three-metre wall to capture her sunbathing at her Malibu home, is a sponsor of the law.

According to Ron Williams of Talon Companies, a celeb bodyguard service: "The real aggressive ones will do anything to get a picture that they think will make them a lot of money."

Frank Griffin, co-founder of Bauer-Griffin, said the sums commanded by paparazzi are exaggerated, as is the level of misbehaviour. He said laws were already in place to prevent abusive behaviour and driving infractions. Shooting through bedroom windows for an exclusive photo died 15 years ago, he said. "Nobody will buy it now because you'd get sued."

The new law will apply only to images and recordings captured on California soil, although it could target out-of-state publishers.

It seems Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter keeps her family values in high respect as she has recently turned down an offer to pose in Playboy because he or her brother might have seen the pictures. Kelly Osbourne said the following on the matter: "It was the second time they have asked and respectfully I declined, as I don't feel it's the right thing for me. I know if I ever decided to do something like that I'd want it to be tasteful and done very beautifully. But still I turned it down - I wouldn't want my father or brother Jack to open up a magazine and see me naked!" This is all well and fine, but what about the painkiller incident... that wouldn’t reflect to well on the family values. But then again, given Ozzy Osbournes tumultuos history, it might very well be in the family.

British actress Kate Beckinsale has been named the “sexiest woman alive” by Esquire magazine.

The Underworld actress is described by the magazine as “beautiful, crisp, smart, tough”.

Beckinsale, 36, takes over the title from last year's winner, Hollywood beauty Halle Berry.

Beckinsale recently admitted that she will get a lot of stick from her family about winning the title.

"This whole notion of being named Sexiest Woman Alive is going to earn me quite a beating," she said.

"You can't have that title with four brothers. I'll get wedgies. Headlocks..."

Source: Splash News

Head over to Tokio Hotel's Myspace for an exclusive listen of their album Humanoid. The first single, "Automatic" is a metallic anthem with layered, buzzing guitars, stomping percussion, and a falsetto chorus made to be belted out by a stadium full of people while "World Behind My Wall" redefines the power ballad with depth, introspection, musical confidence and an irresistible sing-along chorus. The band tracked songs in Hamburg, Miami, and L.A. "Bill drove us all crazy, constantly coming in with things, even though the old songs weren’t finished yet," says Tom, who's fond of frequently ribbing his brother. "Apart from that, we just didn’t limit ourselves, and we used new instruments."

The album does not hit stores until tomorrow, but the band is streaming all 12 tracks from the standard version until midnight. Like what you hear? Preorder the sci-fi themed release on iTunes now.

Director Roman Polanski was visited in prison by the French consul general in Zurich, who said he is doing well.

"Mr Roman Polanski is being well treated. He thanks the many people who have shown support through the press and public opinion," Jean-Luc Faure-Tournaire said in a statement.

Polanski's arrest in Zurich is whipping up a storm of international diplomacy, with French politicians and artists calling for his release. He is wanted for a 1978 US arrest warrant over the rape of a 13-year-old girl. He pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor but left the US before sentencing.

He was also visited by Poland's ambassador to Switzerland Jaroslaw Starzyk and found to be in "good condition", according to Jolanta Chojecka of the Polish embassy in Bern.

A French citizen by birth, Polanski has met with his wife of 20 years, Emmanuelle Seigner. His former wife, Sharon Tate, was tragically murdered while pregnant by the Charles Manson cult.

CRASH LOVE will be released September 29 on DGC/Interscope. First single "Medicate," for which the band is currently shooting a video, is already available on iTunes both as a single download and as part of an 18-song CRASH LOVE deluxe edition featuring multiple bonus tracks both from the CRASH LOVE sessions and the AFI vaults.

AFI recently added another leg of dates to its first series of live shows in the U.S. since its July 7, 2007 Live Earth appearance. The tour commences October 2 in Minneapolis with additional dates running up through a November 22 appearance at Stubbs Amphitheater in Austin, TX.

Produced by Joe McGrath and Jacknife Lee, CRASH LOVE is AFI’s eighth album and arguably the band’s most focused, direct and ambitious effort to date. CRASH LOVE follows up two consecutive platinum AFI albums, 2006’s DECEMBERUNDERGROUND which entered the U.S. chart at #1 and 2003’s SING THE SORROW. AFI’s discography also includes the full lengths THE ART OF DROWNING (2000), BLACK SAILS IN THE SUNSET (1999), SHUT YOUR MOUTH & OPEN YOUR EYES (1997), VERY PROUD OF YA (1996) and ANSWER THAT AND STAY FASHIONABLE (1995).

AFI FALL 2009 U.S. DATES:

10/02/09 - Minneapolis, MN - Epic

10/04/09 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall

10/05/09 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s

10/07/09 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom

10/08/09 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights

10/10/09 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

10/11/09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Zoo

10/13/09 - Hartford, CT - The Webster

10/14/09 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel

10/16/09 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall

10/17/09 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

10/19/09 - Richmond, VA - The National

10/21/09 - Scranton, PA - Scranton Cultural Center

10/23/09 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion

10/25/09 - Boston, MA - House of Blues

11/03/09 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom

11/04/09 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant

Monster actress Charlize Theron is apparently a little shy.

The Hollywood star filmed a nude scene in her latest movie at dawn to avoid prying eyes - and camera lenses.

The scene for new movie, The Burning Plain, was shot in Portland, Oregon, and saw Theron standing naked while smoking a cigarette through an open window.

"We had to shoot at 6am before any of the photographers were up," revealed director Guillermo Arriaga.

"It was done in such secrecy that it wasn't even in the script.

"Only three people, including myself, knew it was going to happen."