Las Vegas police have questioned former football star O.J. Simpson and named him a suspect in an armed robbery at a casino hotel room. Simpson said he went to the room to recover sports memorabilia that belonged to him but denied breaking in, according to The Associated Press. The armed robbery was reported Thursday night at the Palace Station Casino, Las Vegas Metro Police Capt. James Dillon said at a press conference Friday afternoon. He said that the robbery victim said that Simpson was involved but emphasized that no weapons had been recovered and that the investigation was in its infancy. Dillon said Simpson, who was questioned and released, had been cooperating with the investigation.

David Cook, a lawyer for the family of Ron Goldman, who was murdered with Nicole Brown Simpson, told ABC News that a sports memorabilia dealer contacted him Friday to say that he had been robbed by Simpson and several other people. Alfred Beardsley, the memorabilia dealer, said that guns were drawn during the incident at the Palace Station hotel room and said Simpson took his property, possibly including the suit Simpson wore when he was acquitted of killing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, according to Cook. Beardsley didn't return a phone message seeking comment. He gave a similar description of the incident to the Web site TMZ.com.

Simpson, who is not in police custody, told The Associated Press he went to the hotel room to try to recover his property but denied breaking into the room. Las Vegas police spokesman Jose Montoya told ABC News that Simpson told detectives that he believed some of the sports paraphernalia in the hotel room belonged to him Simpson told The Associated Press that he was conducting a "sting operation" to collect his belongings at the Palace Station casino. An auction house owner called Simpson several weeks ago to say some collectors "have a lot of your stuff and they don't want anyone to know they are selling it," according to The Associated Press account. The owner set up a meeting with collectors, saying he had a private buyer interested in purchasing Simpson's items. "It's stolen stuff that's mine. Nobody was roughed up," Simpson told the AP.

Simpson told The Associated Press he was accompanied by several men he met at a wedding cocktail party, and they took the collectibles, including his Hall of Fame certificate and a picture of the running back with J. Edgar Hoover. Simpson said he wasn't sure where the items were taken. A spokeswoman for the Las Vegas district attorney said the office had not yet reviewed the police reports or made a decision on whether Simpson would be arrested or charged.

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Chris Crocker Begs Media to Leave Britney Alone

Here is Chris Crocker's impassioned defense of Britney's VMA performance. This is the hottest video on YouTube now -- it's gotten over 2 million views. Chris was interviewed by every major media outlet about his video in which he cries and passionately begs us to "Leave Britney Alone!"

And if you must know more about Leave Britney Alone Guy, here's his interview with Salon, in which he discusses his love for Britney, the threats he's getting from homophobes and his feud with Perez Hilton over Perez's unkind coverage of Britney's troubles.



Posted on September 12, 2007
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The Reasons For Britney's VMA Disaster

Page Six has more scoop on all the reasons why Britney's VMA performance went so poorly.

On Saturday, the day before the VMAs, Spears was scheduled to arrive at rehearsal at around 1 p.m. Our spy said, "She didn't even get to Las Vegas until 4:30 p.m. It was ridiculous . . . The production people at MTV were freaking out . . . Nobody can tell Britney what to do anymore. No one can control her. She is a mess."

To make matters worse, when she arrived in Vegas, Spears didn't go straight to rehearsals. "She went to her hotel room and ordered a bunch of food and some frozen margaritas," the spy said. "She came down, like, an hour later with a frozen margarita in her hand." When Spears preformed on Sunday, she stumbled a couple times and couldn't remember the words she was lip-syncing. She covered her mouth at one point but by the end of the song had simply given up any pretense of singing.

"The dance number was spectacular - without her," said our spy at rehearsal. "When the stand-in was rehearsing with the dancers, in the hours they were all waiting for her, it was amazing. Then Britney showed up and refused to do anything. The dancers were supposed to lift and twirl her in the air a few times, and that just wasn't going to happen. The more complicated dance moves had to be erased because she couldn't do them." Meanwhile, Spears was agitated because she didn't like the outfit MTV had selected for her. "MTV wanted her to wear a corset outfit. It would have looked great and covered a lot of things up, but she hated it and didn't think it was sexy enough."

Instead, Spears changed into a spangly bra-and-underwear outfit she'd brought with her that emphasized her weight gain over the last year. MTV execs weren't the only ones worried about Spears' impending debacle. Another spy said, "The dancers were texting pals, asking them to pray for them. They were worried."

Her dancers were asking friends to pray for them that Britney wouldn't ruin their big break??? What a Showgirls moment! But it gets better...or worse, really. After the performance, Britney was seen crying hysterically, and was then photographed getting out of a car sans underpants. What is her problem with undergarments? She was in the car with her brother. All we can say is, ewwwwwwwww.

Posted on September 11, 2007
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Britney Disappoints At VMAs

The VMAs were absolutely painful to watch from beginning to end. We really hated the ADHD Format -- cutting from the insanely-laid out main stage room to the various hotel room parties. The show zigged and zagged and generally nearly gave us vertigo. The clang of the slot machines that pinged and zinged continually like a bad Greek chorus behind some of the commentators were annoying. The whole thing gave us a headache.

Britney's opening was lackluster. It wasn't an absolute bomb, despite what some people are saying. A total bomb is if she had fallen off the stage, passed out or run off the stage in tears. None of that happened. She looked better than she's looked in quite awhile, although perhaps a black diamante bra and panties wasn't the best choice. Her face looked pretty, although that first shot -- a close-up of her hair extensions in the back -- was not flattering. Not nice, MTV crew.

Britney looked really nervous and nearly fell twice at the beginning of the routine and we think those stupid stiletto boots were to blame. A close up shot of her right heel seems to show it's nearly broken off, so perhaps she was just trying to get through the routine without falling. The old Britney would have stripped off those boots seductively and continued the number in bare feet. But this wasn't the old Britney, not by a long shot. She wasn't energetic at all and didn't seem to know all the steps to the routine. Her lip synching was off. We hear rumors that this was the not-much-rehearsed B number -- the Criss Angel illusion routine got cut by either MTV or The Palms. Her backup dancers were amazing, by the way. They really gave it their all. The song was good, the choreography was good and the set design worked. But Britney needed another week of 6 hour a day rehearsals to really nail it.

US Weekly says Britney knew the performance was a pale imitation of her past ones and that she was "crying badly [backstage]. She's devastated. She was really nervous and knows she screwed up." What was so heartbreaking about the performance is that there were flashes of the old Britney who could really dance and ignite a crowd with her enthusiasm. Dancers are athletes, and Britney isn't in fighting form. Reportedly, she hadn't eaten in three days but went out every night drinking. If so, that's a huge problem. Maybe this will be the wake-up call she needs to get some help and get her career back on track. Because second chances like getting to open the VMAs don't come very often.

Oh, yeah. Sarah Silverman is not funny at all: it's time to drop her from awards shows completely. She was a total disaster. Where were the actual jokes? Calling a performer's two little boys "adorable mistakes"? Announcing that Britney at 25 has already accomplished everything she's ever will for the rest of her life? Those aren't jokes, they're just vicious comments. And as for that last number -- where a blond Nelly Furtado did that awful medley with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland -- now that was painful to watch.

You can see Britney's performance here.

Posted on September 10, 2007
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Britney to Launch Comback at MTV Video Awards

Yes, it's true. Britney Spears really will open the MTV Video Music Awards tomorrow night. Criss Angel is supposed to help provide some dramatic illusions and the song she'll be performing is "Gimme More." Here's the official release from MTV:

After weeks of mind-blowing media speculation, MTV confirms today that Britney Spears will be opening the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Celebrating her long awaited comeback to her fans, Spears will be performing LIVE her new song "Gimme More" from her highly anticipated new album due on November 13th. The star studded awards show will air live Sunday, September 9th at 9PM Live ET/Tape delayed PT.

Immediately following Spears' performance, fans who want more of the superstar can download two ringtones available exclusively through MTV Mobile for two days prior to any other service. The tones -- one for "Gimme More" and the other featuring the much discussed "It's Britney, B****" catch phrase from "Gimme More's" intro -- are available for fans who text "Gimme" or "Brit" to 33633. MTV Mobile also will carry a live simulcast of the show, a first ever for an awards show.

*****

The star-packed event will also feature one night only performances by Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Rihanna, Common, Nelly Furtado, Gym Class Heroes, Akon and Soulja Boy, T-Pain, Cee-Lo, Daniel Merriweather, Lil' Wayne, Alicia Keys, T.I., Adam Levine, Mastadon, and Serj from System of A Down. Diddy, Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Kid Rock, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Pamela Anderson, the cast of Entourage, Shia Labeouf, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Rosario Dawson and Eve are set to present at the "2007 MTV Video Music Awards." In addition, Justin Timberlake with Timbaland are set to host a Fantasy Suite party, while critically acclaimed producer, artist and DJ Mark Ronson will rock the party in The Pearl with help from his turntables, horn section and surprise guests. This year, Timbaland will also find himself working overtime as the official Maestro of the VMAs, responsible for creating several show-stopping and unexpected artist collaborations.

So MTV is counting on Britney actually showing up and performing. We wish her well and will be tuned in to see what happens. But we're a wee bit nervous that the whole thing will be a disaster.

Posted on September 8, 2007
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Britney's Troubles Multiply

There have been so many celebrity trainwrecks this summer it's really hard to choose who's leading the pack. But with Lindsay in rehab, we think Britney is in the lead for the starring role. The SPCA got wind of the rumor that Britney's new puppy had its leg broken and no one treated it. Well, that turned out not to be true. The dog did get injured, but a vet gave the wee one a tiny splint and he is ok.

The president of the Los Angeles chapter of the SPCA tells TMZ the dog did fracture his leg -- but does have a cast. The incident occurred when someone (no word on who) stepped on the dog's leg (arf!) while walking into a closet. Accidents happen, y'all!

The SPCA also tells us the incident had nothing to do with her kids, as some have reported, and that the case is now "resolved."

So the SPCA is off her back. But the custody battle with KFed is heating up with Kfed's attorney subpoenaing everyone in Britney's life. Her former manager is hiding out so he won't be served. And now Britney is being investigated for possible child abuse.

TMZ has learned Britney Spears is being investigated for possible child abuse. An unscheduled hearing was held today at L.A. County Superior Court. Present -- Britney's lawyer, Dennis Wasser, K-Fed's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, and a lawyer from the Los Angeles County Counsel who is assigned to the dependency court. We do not know the specifics of the allegations but we're told the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services is conducting an active investigation. A hearing in the custody case has been scheduled for Sept. 4, which will be a follow up to today's appearance.

It's possible that KFed is the source of the complaint filed with the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services and it may have to do with what the children are eating and those stories that Britney took the toddlers to a dentist and wanted him to whiten their teeth (he refused). It's such a shame that Britney has cut her mom out of her life. Because if anyone needs some good motherly advice right now, it's Britney Spears.

Posted on August 27, 2007
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Bill Murray and the Runaway Golf Cart

Bill Murray was stopped by police in Stockholm, Sweden for driving a golf cart and smelling like alcohol. Murray refused to take a breathalyzer test but a blood test was taken.

Bill Murray could face a drunken driving charge after cruising through downtown Stockholm in a golf cart and refusing to take a breath test, citing U.S. law. Police officers spotted the "Caddyshack" star early Monday in the slow-moving vehicle and noticed he smelled of alcohol when they pulled him over, said Detective-Inspector Christer Holmlund of the Stockholm police. "He refused to blow in the (breath test) instrument, citing American legislation," Holmlund told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "So we applied the old method _ a blood test. It will take 14 days before the results are in." Murray, who had been at a golf tournament in Sweden, signed a document admitting that he was driving under the influence, and agreed to let a police officer plead guilty for him if the case goes to court, Holmlund said.

"Then he was let go. My guess is he went back to America," Holmlund said. He said the 56-year-old actor-comedian would only be charged if tests show his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit, which is quite low in Sweden. A very high alcohol level could lead to a prison sentence, but Holmlund said fines were more likely. "There were no obvious signs, like when someone is really tipsy," he said.

So, let's get this straight. Bill Murray gets loaded then careens through the streets of Stockhom in a golf cart, in some kind of homage to his Caddyshack days? Makes perfect sense to us. Many's the time we've gone on a bender, using a slow-moving golf cart as our preferred means of transpo. What could be more natural?

Posted on August 22, 2007
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Nicole Kidman Talks Invasion Injuries

Nicole Kidman confirmed that she actually broke several ribs during the filming of The Invasion. But, ever the trooper, she just kept going. No checking into a hospital for "exhaustion" from partying the night before, no refusing to come out of her trailer. She just taped up her ribs and went back to work.

Nicole Kidman, who stars in the upcoming SF thriller film The Invasion, told SCI FI Wire that she broke her ribs in a January car accident on the movie's set, which was captured on amateur video and posted on TMZ.com, but that the injury didn't prevent her from completing the movie. "I broke some ribs, so that was pretty painful (even though I seem to have a high degree of tolerance), and they took a while to heal," Kidman said in an e-mail interview from Australia on Aug. 13.

Kidman was taken to a hospital after the Jaguar she was driving crashed early Jan. 25 during shooting in downtown Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported. The Jaguar was being towed by a camera rig that skidded while taking a corner and caused Kidman's car to hit a pole on West Sixth Street, police said. She returned to work almost immediately. "I managed to just forge ahead and try not to think about it, once I got back on the set," Kidman said.

The Invasion, which is a remake of The Invasion of the Body-Snatchers, also stars Daniel Craig. It opens in wide release on August 17th. Nicole and Daniel Craig are also starring together in the much-anticipated film version of The Golden Compass, which we can't wait to see.

Posted on August 13, 2007
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The Dangers of the Catwalk

This video demonstrates the very real hazards that top runway models face everyday. They bravely wear six inch platform heels and strut down slippery runways all in the name of fashion. We are honored and moved by their bravery.



Posted on August 10, 2007
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Lindsay's Surreal Elle Interview

Elle magazine has really outdone itself with its September issue which features Lindsay Lohan on the cover. Now that's she's facing two DUI charges and possibly other legal problems, her statements in the interview have a surreal feel to them. Here are some highlights:

On her reputation for drunk driving: "I wouldn't violate ... I'm much more responsible than that. I would not do that."

On her rehab stay at Wonderland: "I was growing up and going out a lot, and I needed to have a balance. I was glad I went, because I needed to get away from everyone and I didn't know how to do that. And I learned a lot there. A bunch of my friends - I was with them last night - they're in AA for, like, years."

On slimy now ex-boyfriend Calum Best: "I like him. He's me in male form. We're very similar. Stubborn, rebellious, very smart, coy, a little bit narcissistic - I think all actors have a little bit of that, and so they should. We'll be kidding around, like the other day when we were in the Bahamas ... I was walking by some mirror. And he caught me looking in the mirror and he goes, 'I caught that!' I was like, 'Damn, I look good!'"

On the media frenzy she creates: "I feel like the asshole, the idiot, because I feel like I'm distracting from the other things that are important, like global warming and that kind of stuff. I genuinely mean that. And I don't know what to do."

On avoiding fame: "I hate it, like, when these people say, 'Well, why do you go to the Ivy if you don't want ...' Seriously, I like their food! I can't go to a restaurant? I know I'm going to get pictures taken. I'm fine with it. And I'm going to go have their food. People give you shit for it: 'Don't go on Robertson!' What, I can't drive down the street?"

On her pantyless photos: "It was once, and it was when I was in Venice. And I was rushing through the room, threw the Prada dress on. And that's what happened. And I didn't even see the picture. I don't look at that shit - that's gross. If I wear a dress I have underwear on."

On sleep troubles: "I have really bad insomnia. My whole life. I get nervous at night going to bed, and being awake alone really freaks me out."

On her longing for an Oscar: "I just want to be nominated for an award for all the work I've done. It's so funny - people forget that I played two characters in Parent Trap when I was twelve years old."

The girl is clearly delusional. No one goes to the Ivy for food. She does look good, though. Too bad she stole Louis Vuitton clothing from the photo shoot, dooming her chances of representing the French fashion house.

Posted on August 8, 2007
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Britney Walks Out On Allure Interview

Britney has done it again. She walked out on a comeback cover shoot and interview that was supposed to help her make her comeback. She showed up for the cover shoot, but ditched four interview attempts. Linda Wells, the editor of Allure, explained what happened.

I thought we could present the profile as her comeback," Linda writes in the magazine's opening letter from the editor. "Britney showed up for Allure's cover shoot on time and ready to work. She was entirely unselfconscious: She took off her wig and then stripped down to the waist, for no apparent reason, before sitting for hair and makeup."

Linda adds that Britney was "agreeable and cooperative," but "that was the last we saw of her ... she missed four appointments for an interview." She goes on to say that "Britney has long lost her role-model status ... Spears still commands our attention, perhaps even more so now than before her life imploded."

She is featured as a cover piece on "the nature of celebrity 2007."

This is so pathetic. Clearly, Britney is mentally unstable and needs professional help. But she's over 21 and no one can make her change. What a tragedy.

Posted on August 6, 2007
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Elton John Wants the Internets Shut Down

Elton John is no fan of the Internets. That pesky series of tubes is apparently ruining music; therefore Sir Elton wants it shut down. Yes, that's right. He wants the Interweb to be closed for business.

Pop legend Sir Elton John wants the internet CLOSED DOWN. Never one to keep his opinions to himself, the Rocket Man has waded into cyberspace with all guns blazing. He claims it is destroying good music, saying: "The internet has stopped people from going out and being with each other, creating stuff. Instead they sit at home and make their own records, which is sometimes OK but it doesn't bode well for long-term artistic vision.

"It's just a means to an end. We're talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that's not going to happen with people blogging on the internet. I mean, get out there - communicate."

"Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet. Let's get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging. "I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span. There's too much technology available. I'm sure, as far as music goes, it would be much more interesting than it is today."

Multi-millionaire Elton, who turned 60 earlier this year, has admitted in the past that he is a bit behind the times. The Grammy award-winner was once quoted as saying: "I am the biggest technophobe of all time. I don't have a mobile phone or an iPod or anything. I am such a Luddite when it comes to making music. All I can do is write at the piano." Sales of Elton's last album The Captain & The Kid were disappointing - it barely shifted 100,000 copies. And in the past Sir Elt has opposed illegal downloading of his music from the net.

Someone should get on this immediately. Because it should be fairly easy to disrupt those tubes. After all, who wants the freedom to compose their own music at home using cool new software and other technology? Not us.

Posted on August 1, 2007
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Spice Girls Add More Concert Dates



A new promotional photo of the Spice Girls has been released and our beloved Victoria is clearly at the top of her game - and the photo! Everyone but Victoria looks airbrushed to death, but they look fabulous. Well, except for Geri Halliwell: the expression on her face is a bit odd.

Three million fans have already registered on their website, TheSpiceGirls.com, to be eligible for tickets. So far the group will play Las Vegas, Los Angeles, China, South Africa, German, Spain, London, Canada and another location to be determined by fans voting on the website.

Posted on July 27, 2007
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TomKat Gets Down on the Dance Floor

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes boogied down on the dance floor at the Welcome to L.A. party thrown for David and Victoria Beckham. US Weekly has the scoop -- and the shocking photos.

Bump 'N' Grind! Break dancing! Butt-slapping! Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and their pals had few inhibitions at the July 22 "Welcome to America" party the couple threw for Victoria and David Beckham in L.A.

As guests like Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Eva Longoria and Brooke Shields mingled, Jim Carrey pretended to spank girlfriend Jenny McCarthy as they boogied-and Will Smith rapped and did splits on the dance floor.

In the new issue of US Weekly, readers will learn that Tom danced along when the DJ played "Old Time Rock & Roll." That's right, Tom reenacted the famous scene from Risky Business, even getting on the floor and kicking his legs in the air. Now that sounds like a party!

Posted on July 25, 2007
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Lindsay Lohan Arrested for Second DUI

Lindsay Lohan was arrested early this morning for her second DUI. According to TMZ, she was in her car chasing her second assistant who Lindsay had just fired. The people she was chasing called 911 to report Lindsay's behavior. She was arrested. She had coke in her pocket and was drunk to boot. It's not looking good for Lindsay from a legal standpoint.

Law enforcement now says Lohan was stopped after cops got a call of a vehicle being chased by another vehicle. The chasing vehicle was being driven by Lohan. Lohan was driving a white Denali. She was chasing a Cadillac Escalade.

She was initially suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. A field sobriety test was conducted and she was subsequently arrested for DUI. At the station, a search of her person was conducted, and cocaine was found in her pants pocket. A breath test was conducted and her blood alcohol was between .12 and .13.

Lindsay made bail and is out of jail. Reports say she's now at the Betty Ford Clinic for a serious rehab. Betty Ford is no joke: it's no Promises. It's a lockdown facility. Inmates share a room and don't have any perks, such as spa services. She could face jail time of up to five years, because of all the charges, including the possession charge. We think she's going to be treated pretty harshly because of the scrutiny the Sheriff's department got during the Paris Hilton saga. Perez Hilton is posting continuing updates on Lindsay's sad situation, as is TMZ.

Update: The Insider is reporting that Lindsay is still in L.A., but hasn't gone to rehab. Perhaps she's hard at work lining up a fun evening. What she really needs is a) serious rehab and b) the best attorneys money can buy.

Posted on July 24, 2007
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Tammy Faye Bakker Messner Dies at 65

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner died this past Friday at the age of 65. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1996 and seemed to win her battle with cancer. But it came back and spread; she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004. Her cancer was inoperable and she lost weight until she weighed only 65 pounds (she was 4' 11"). Her final interview was on Larry King Live last Thursday. In the interview she showed her indomitable spirit and her love for others.

Joe Spotts, her longtime manager, told The Washington Post last night that she had been cremated and buried in a "remote location."

He said she wanted to do the interview "because she knew the end was near and wanted to talk to the people and be with the people one more time." She "held on just for that," he said.

In the interview, she told King that "I talk to God every day. And I say, 'God, my life is in your hands and I trust you with me.' "

She was really funny on The Surreal Life, in which she lived in a house with Vanilla Ice, Erik Estrada, Ron Jeremy and various other random celebrities. She was especially loved by the gay community, being one of the only evangelical leaders who embraced gays and fought for gay civil rights. She once said that listening to Jerry Falwell talk made her head hurt, although she said she forgave him for hurting her after the PTL scandal. Farewell, Tammy Faye -- you will be missed!

Posted on July 23, 2007