Pleasant Morning Buzz

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz May Induce Labor, Says Jessica

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST

Jessica Simpson told Ellen DeGeneres that Ashlee Simpson may need to induce labor soon.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is so eager to finally give birth that she may induce labor, her sister Jessica Simpson says. "They're going to have to. It's already developing really quick," Jessica said Monday at a taping of the The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Ashlee -- described by husband Pete Wentz more than two weeks ago as due at any moment -- has already tried other ways to begin labor. "Different foot massages and stuff," Jessica told DeGeneres in the show airing Wednesday. "I don't know. I think she's really just jumping around trying everything right now."

Goodness gracious...we hope she's being careful with the jumping thing. We look forward to seeing new pics of baby Wentz.

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Robert Downey Jr. is Entertainer of the Year

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST

Entertainment Weekly has named Robert Downey, Jr. as its Entertainer of the Year. With the Iron Man franchise on fire, Downey is at the center of a superhero goldmine. Tropic Thunder was hilarious and now Downey will be Sherlock Holmes in the film being directed by Guy Ritchie.

It's a testament to Iron Man's success that Holmes is not being played by somebody like Daniel Radcliffe or Shia LaBeouf or even Michael Cera (although Jonah Hill would have made a pretty good Watson). When director Guy Ritchie first came aboard, right after finishing RocknRolla, he was thinking of a much younger Holmes. "Guy wanted to do more of an origin story, which would have made me age-inappropriate," says Downey. But Iron Man's box office demonstrated with inescapable Holmesian logic that a middle-aged movie star could indeed fill theater seats. Well, this middle-aged one anyway.

Not that there won't be plenty of other reasons to see Sherlock Holmes when it opens in November 2009 ? Jude Law's turn as Dr. Watson, Rachel McAdams as Holmes' feisty love interest ? but Downey will undoubtedly be the main draw for most moviegoers. It's an even safer bet that they'll line up for Iron Man 2, which the actor starts shooting this March for an April 2010 release. After that, he'll play Stark again, this time in The Avengers, a synergistic superhero ensemble project Marvel Comics has in the pipeline for summer 2011. At one point, Downey was even thinking of squeezing in a memoir ? "I banged out a couple of things, which I found cathartic" ? but ultimately he decided not to go there, or anywhere else that might be deemed self-indulgent. "Beware the passion project," he says, talking about the peculiar movies stars often make when they get a little clout. "It's so predictable: 'Now that I have a hit, I can tell that story about the transsexual horse whisperer!'"

A transsexual horse whisperer? Heh. But even that would be a better movie than one starring Shia LaBoeuf as a young Sherlock Holmes. Perish the thought.

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Angelina Jolie Says She Plans to Fade Away From Acting

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST

Angelina Jolie tells the BBC that she's ready to give up acting to be a grandmother. Yes, that's what she said.

"I don't plan to keep acting very long. I'm ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day. I'm not so worried that I want to keep this pace up and try to be something and be a celebrity.

"I like being home a lot. First and foremost, I have a lot of children, and I need to make sure they're growing right and they've got us there for them.... I don't think I'll ever say I'm never, ever gonna work because maybe there's that interesting project where I feel creative."

"I don't plan to keep acting very long, I'm ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day...So maybe it will be once a year and then maybe it will be once every three years, and then just naturally -- I like being home a lot these days."

She didn't say she was quitting with a Joaquin Phoenix like pronouncement. In fact she made it clear that she'd keep acting if a role interested her. Angelina is 34 and has six kids.

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The Obamas Hunt for a New Puppy

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST

President-Elect Obama's victory night speech sent dog lovers into a frenzy when he announced that his daughters Sasha and Malia would be getting the puppy he promised them. The national debate has begun: what kind of dog should the Obamas get? Sasha is allergic so a less-allergenic breed on the wish list. But Michelle Obama wants a rescue dog. Here are some of the options:

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Barack Obama Visits the Oval Office

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

The Obamas visited the White House today. Michelle Obama met with Laura Bush, who showed Michelle around the presidential residence, including the bedrooms that would work for Malia and Sasha Obama. Meanwhile, Barack met with President Bush in the Oval Office. They had a private meeting. Wonder what they talked about?

If Barack Obama comes out of the meeting with more grey hair, it's because Bush told him what's really going on with all the alien sightings over the past few years. Heh.

(Photo: White House photo by Eric Draper)

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Barney Bites Reporter

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST

The nation's First Dog Barney bit Reuters reporter Jon Decker on his finger. Barney's bite was captured by another reporter at the scene. Maybe Barney heard the news he has to move and doesn't want to leave. Who can blame him? Jon Decker is said to be doing fine following the bite on his finger from little Barney.

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Laura Bush Reaches Out to Michelle Obama

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST

First Lady Laura Bush telephoned Michelle Obama to personally invite her to the White House to discuss the transition.

First Lady Laura Bush invited Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to the White House in the coming weeks to get a feel for their new abode. Obama accepted, and a trip will be scheduled soon.

In a telephone conversation this afternoon, Bush congratulated Obama and the two discussed life as a president's wife, according an account provided by the Obama campaign. Obama thanked Bush for her offer of help through the transition.

In interviews during the campaign, Obama has cited Bush as a role model for how she has handled a potentially perilous job with grace and a sense of purpose. Bush came to Obama's defense at a crucial moment, while she was being lambasted for the comment, "For the first time in my adult life, I'm proud of my country."

In an interview on "Good Morning America," Bush said, "I think she probably meant 'I'm more proud'" and warned Obama, "you have to be very careful in what you say" on the campaign trail. "That's one of the things you learn and that's one of the really difficult parts both of running for president and for being the spouse of the president, and that is everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued," Bush said in the interview.

It was a gracious gesture by the First Lady. In fact, both President Bush and Mrs. Bush seem to be going out of their way to be welcoming to the Obamas, which is a good thing. We can't ever recall an outgoing president making such a public effort. It's good for the country. We think Michelle Obama will make a great First Lady. And the fashion designers are bubbling over with excitement.

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Jury Rules for Keanu in Civil Case

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST

Keanu Reeves has been exonerated of any wrongdoing in a civil suit in which a paparazzo claims Reeves hit him with his Porsche. The jury trial in Los Angeles wrapped up on Friday. The jury deliberated for one hour before rendering a not guilty verdict. Keanu took the stand and testified during the trial.

Alison Silva was seeking payment for medical bills and lost wages, claiming the actor hit him with his Porsche in March 2007 while the paparazzo was shooting photos in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Jurors had to wade through conflicting accounts of the incident. Silva said Reeves hit him with his bumper while trying to drive away, knocking him to the ground and causing an injury to his left wrist that will never heal. Reeves insisted he never made contact and the photographer tripped himself up.

The photographer was asking for quite a bit of money, saying he couldn't use his hand anymore. Keanu's lawyers put up video of him climbing a fence with his "injured" hand to get a shot of Britney Spears, and that apparently was the end of the case.

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Oprah Has Trouble With Electronic Voting Machine

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST

Oprah Winfrey went early to vote and had a bit of trouble with the electronic voting machine: it didn't record her presidential vote. She says you really need to double check your ballot if your precinct uses electronic voting machines. Take a look:

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Michael Jackson Won't Tour With Family

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST

The Jackson Five are planning on making a comeback but Michael Jackson won't be a part of it. Michael says his "brothers and sisters have his full love and support" but he does not have plans to tour with them. Michael is also busy working on a solo project instead. Janet Jackson will be the opening act on the tour and it should still be a big draw even without the King of Pop says ITN in the clip below.

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Duct Tape Halloween Contest Winner

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:14:00 EST

Picture above is the winning costume in this year's Duck brand duct tape "Stick or Treat" Halloween Costume Contest challenged. Josh Keen, 17, of Colorado Springs, Colo., won with his "Scarlet Macaw" costume. The costume incorporated more than 600 feathers and required eight different colors of duct tape. You can see the other winners here. The "Queen of Hearts" entry in second place is pretty good as well.

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World's Biggest Beach Ball

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST

Carnival Cruise Lines in Dallas, Texas set the Guiness World Record for the world's largest beach balls. The beach balls are 36 feet in diameter and over than three stories tall. Here's a video of the enormous beach balls from CBS.

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Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Found Dead

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

Jennifer Hudson's seven year old nephew, Julian King, was found dead in an abandoned SUV. That means Jennifer has lost her mother, her brother and her nephew all in a few days.

The Oscar-winning actress and singer, who grew up in the Windy City, journeyed to the coroner's office, where the body of little Julian King lay on a gurney covered with a white sheet. "Yes, that is him," Hudson said quietly when she saw the boy's face on a video screen, said Sean Howard, a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office.

For Hudson, whose mother and brother were found slain Friday, it brought the devastating death toll in her family to three. Still, she did not buckle under the grief: "She was just brilliant and strong," Howard said. "Her last words to me were, 'Just tell the general public once again to respect my family's privacy.'"

We just cannot imagine what she must be going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

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David Beckham Moving to Italy

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

David Beckham discusses his upcoming move to Milan, Italy. It's just a temporary move -- he'll be loaned to the Italian team. Beckham says the American soccer season is too short for him and says he doesn't do well when he has that much time off.

Posted in ____

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Madonna Taking Kabbalah Anger Management Classes

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

Madonna is reportedly taking Kabbalah anger management classes to diffuse her fury at Guy Ritchie over the divorce.

A source said: "Madonna is very angry with Guy - about his cold treatment of her in the marriage, nasty details of their marriage that have leaked out, and money he is demanding.

"She's furious that he feels entitled to get a lot of cash, while she's the one working her ass off on tour. She is getting help from a Kabbalah counsellor who is helping her try to put aside her anger, so they can settle the divorce as quickly as possible for the sake of the children. The counsellor is telling her she will meet her soulmate, but first has to calm her anger."

A friend added: "Madonna feels that Guy is being a gold-digger, and she is furious that he feels entitled to a lot of money from her. She feels he didn't contribute as much as her during the marriage so shouldn't expect to take so much away. She has turned to Kabbalah to soothe her rage, and is getting intense counselling on the road and at the Kabbalah Center in New York."

Madonna was seen leaving the Center during a break from her tour. Kabbalah offers relationship advice. It reads: "Difficulties and disagreements are without exception opportunities for us to become that right person."

Given Madonna's public statements about Guy (calling him emotionally retarded during a live concert) and her immature actions (dressing Guy's son in a New York Yankees t-shirt to remind Guy she's having an affair with A-Rod), it's probably a good thing that she's taking anger management classes. Really, at the age of 50 she should know better than to act so childishly in public when there are children involved.

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Raffaello Follieri Headed to Prison

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:00:00 EST

Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri is headed to prison for four and a half years. That's a long time to be in prison.

Despite his appeal for leniency, Anne Hathaway's Italian ex-boyfriend was sentenced to four and a half years in prison Thursday for bilking investors of $2.4 million by posing as an attache for the Vatican in order to snatch up unused Roman Catholic Church property on the cheap.

On Sept. 10, Follieri, 30, pleaded guilty to eight counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of the deal, the disgraced businessman, whom prosecutors called a "sophisticated scam artist," also agreed to forfeit all the money he "made," as well as 12 watches and nine pieces of jewelry purchased with shadily obtained sums.

And considering he had been facing up to 265 years in prison if he had been convicted of weightier charges, he also waived his right to appeal any prison sentence shorter than five years and three months. Another hearing is set for Dec. 12, when he'll learn where, and under what security conditions, he gets to serve the bulk of that time. U.S. District Court Judge John Koeltl also ordered that Follieri be under court supervision for three years upon his release and then deported back to Italy after completing his sentence.

"I have dishonored my family name and embarrassed the church I love," Follieri, speaking in Italian, said in a statement through an interpreter in the Manhattan courtroom. "What I did was wrong and there is no point in making excuses...I will never be able to wash away the shame. I hope that someday those hurt by my actions will forgive me."

What a nightmare for Anne. One day your cute Italian boyfriend is giving you jewelry, clothing and expensive trips and the next day the boyfriend in jail for fraud and the cops have taken back all the gifts he gave you.

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Halle Berry Buys Quebec Home

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST

Is Halle Berry moving to Canada to make her baby daddy happy? Halle and Gabriel Aubry just purchased a million dollar home in Quebec.

A small town in the Laurentians just got a little more beautiful. Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry and her Montreal partner, model Gabriel Aubry, have bought a house in St. Hippolyte, Que. The million-dollar home, which the Hollywood star and her boyfriend reportedly bought several weeks ago, sits on 63 acres of land overlooking Molson Lake.

Aubry, who is the father of Berry's daughter, grew up near Montreal and his parents still live in the suburb of Laval. "It feels great, Aubry said. "Anything we can do in our own hometown is always a good feeling."

This seems awfully rustic for Halle. Still, it sounds like a great place to raise kids.

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Madonna Divorce Getting Ugly

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST

The Madonna Guy Ritchie divorce is getting really ugly. Madonna's people gave Perez Hilton an exclusive report on how awful Guy Ritchie is, branding him a gold-digger.

When Guy Ritchie was first introduced to Madonna, by Sting & Trudie Styler, he had a very rich girlfriend by the name of Rebecca Green. Guy had a reputation of being a golddigger and he definitely lived up to that when he dumped his girlfriend of four years, Rebecca, for the much much richer Madonna. "For his entire marriage to M, Guy lived like a king," one of our many close Madonna sources tell us. "He never spent a dime of his own money for their lifestyle or the children."

*****

In fact, sources tell us, Guy insisted that Madonna purchase a 1,200 hundred acre estate for him, fund million dollar holidays and fly him around on private jets to accommodate his fear of flying. "Madonna finally got fed up with him never being around and being used and filed for a divorce," an impeccable source tells us. "Guy has threatened to go after half of M's hard-earned money, claiming that the law is on his side. He doesn't care that the world thinks of him as Heather Mills. He doesn't care that he has his own money and doesn't need hers. He feels he is entitled to half of her empire." Madonna's friends and associate tell us, "She is devastated."

Guy continues to live in the London house Madonna bought, ordering the staff around while she is on tour and pretending that he is the good, simple, family man only interested in his children and the countryside.

"Guy Ritchie is a fake and a phoney," says one of Madonna's confidants, clearly hurt by the way Ritchie has treated her. "He is not a macho man. Not an English lad. Not a gentleman. Not spiritual. He's just a money-hungry gold digger that doesn't want to earn his way."

Earlier this week the British tabloids were full of stories about how Madonna slept covered in thick moisturizing cream and a plastic bag to stave off aging, how she exercises four hours a day and that she won't allow any dairy, sausages, cheese, salt, sugar, television or newspapers in her house. The reports said that Guy was worried the kids were all going to get eating disorders because treats were so forbidden.

We know she's an obsessive dieter -- she always has been. The part that puzzles us is the ban on television and newspapers. Where do the Ritchies get their news? The Internet? By osmosis?

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