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REPORT: SOURCES SAY JENNIFER LOPEZ IS CLOSE TO AN "IDOL" DEAL
If the rumors are true, it looks like Jennifer Lopez isn't out of the running to join the judges' panel on "American Idol." TMZ.com cites sources close to the negotiations who are shooting down reports that Lopez is no longer in consideration for the FOX series due to excessive demands. Insiders say a deal with the 40-year-old pop star-slash-actress is imminent unless an unforeseen complication arises. In the wake of the departure of judges Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres following "Idol's" ninth season, reports have linked a variety of celebrities to the talent competition as possible replacements. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is reportedly on board for the show. Other names linked with "Idol" in recent months have included rocker Bret Michaels and pop star Jessica Simpson. FOX executives have yet to confirm any of the rumors. "American Idol" will debut its tenth season on January 12th, 2011.
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"JERRY'S KIDS" TO TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN IN LABOR DAY MDA TELETHON
Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis is rounding up some of his famous friends once again for his annual Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Starting Sunday, September 5th at 9:00 pm Eastern, this year's telethon will originate from the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas and conclude on Labor Day Monday, September 6th at 6:30 pm Eastern. Lewis, who is also MDA's National Chairman, will headline the show. "Biggest Loser" host Alison Sweeney and TV personalities Nancy O'Dell and Jann Carl will assist in co-hosting the 21-and-a-half-hour event. Look for appearances from cast members from the Emmy winning Fox series "Glee," as well as performances from artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Enrique Iglesias, David Archuleta, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando, Charo, Taylor Dane and others.
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More than 170 TV and cable stations will broadcast the telethon which will also be streamed on the Internet at www.mda.org. Social media followers can also get a look behind the scenes of the telethon via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. An end-of-summer tradition that began in the mid-1950s in New York City, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is now in its 45th year. Last year's event raised more than 60-million-dollars in pledges and contributions for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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FORMER ATLANTA MAYOR: T.I. ARRESTED FOR "DRIVING WHILE BLACK"
T.I. is receiving support from a prominent member of his hometown following his arrest in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Former Atlanta Mayor Andy Young tells the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" that he believes the color of "Tip's" skin played a part in his arrest. Young remarks, quote, "I don't know why they should have been stopped...When a black man is stopped and not speeding...you call that driving while black." Andy Young officiated T.I.'s wedding to Tameka "Tiny" Cottle back in July. He also counseled the emcee after he pleaded guilty to federal gun charges. T.I. and Tiny were stopped on Wednesday night for allegedly making an illegal U-turn. Police smelled marijuana in the car and, according to TMZ.com, they subsequently found a "small amount" of ecstasy. T.I. and Tiny were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and released on ten-thousand dollars bail.
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T.I. is currently on probation after serving a jail sentence for weapons charges. His attorney, Don Samuel, says "it's almost certain" T.I. will appear before a court in Atlanta to answer for this week's arrest. He tells the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," quote, "Without knowing all the facts, it's premature to speculate what the court is likely to do." T.I. is currently in theaters with his new action flick "Takers." The film was number one at last weekend's box office.
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PARIS HILTON WILL PAY FOR "PLEDGE THIS!"
Paris Hilton's legal woes continue to worsen. E! News is reporting that a judge in Miami, Florida has ruled that the celebrity heiress owes money to the film distributor behind her 2006 straight-to-DVD comedy "Pledge This!" Worldwide Entertainment Group alleged that Hilton received one-million dollars to promote the film, but failed to give interviews with publications in the U.K. and Russia. They claim Hilton's inability to live up to her end of the bargain cost them eight-point-three-million dollars. U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno doesn't agree with Worldwide's figure, estimating that Hilton owes them about 160-thousand dollars. Moreno says he would like to further review the Hollywood socialite's contract before finalizing the amount Hilton will pay.
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Paris Hilton and her boyfriend, former nightclub manager Cy Waits, were stopped by police last Friday while driving on the Las Vegas strip. She was found to be in possession of cocaine, and has been charged with a felony count of possession of a controlled substance. Waits was charged with DUI, and has since been relieved of his duties as the head of nightclub operations for the Wynn and Encore properties. Hilton has also been banned from the Wynn.
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SINGER RICKY MARTIN SENDS BEST WISHES TO MICHAEL DOUGLAS ON TWITTER
Latin pop star Ricky Martin is sending his best wishes to ailing actor Michael Douglas via Twitter. In a Wednesday posting, Martin wrote, "Great vibes and positive thoughts to Michael Douglas and his family." The "Basic Instinct" actor revealed on Tuesday night's episode of CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" that he is battling stage four throat cancer. His doctors have given him an 80-percent chance of recovering. Michael Douglas has a new movie coming out called "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." The movie also stars Shia LeBeouf, Charlie Sheen and Josh Brolin. It arrives in theaters on September 24th.
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TONY BLAIR SAYS BONO COULD RUN A COUNTRY
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair thinks that Bono has what it takes to run a country. Spinner.com cites excerpts from Blair's new memoir in which he writes that the U2 rocker would have been a better choice to succeed him than Gordon Brown. In the book, titled "A Journey," the former PM says Bono, quote, "could have been a president or prime minister standing on his head. He had an absolutely natural gift for politicking, was great with people, very smart and an inspirational speaker...motivated by an abundant desire to keep on improving, never really content or relaxed."
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Bono has expressed his admiration for Blair over the years, too. In 2007, immediately preceding Blair's exit from office, Bono told NME.com, quote, "What I admire the most about Tony Blair is that despite all accusations of a slick PR machine, spin doctoring and the like, he has almost all of the time exposed himself to bad press and outcry for doing the things he believed in."
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MAN SENTENCED OVER LETTERMAN BLACKMAIL RELEASED
The former television producer who tried to blackmail late-night talk-show host David Letterman is out of jail. According to the New York City Department of Corrections, Robert "Joe" Halderman was freed this morning. Halderman served four months of his six-month sentence. The 52-year-old former TV executive admitted earlier this year that he had tried to extort two-million dollars from Letterman by saying he would release information about the late-night funnyman's office affairs if he didn't pay up. The incident led Letterman to admit on his show that he had engaged in sexual relationships with some of his female staff members.
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PAULA PATTON SIGNS ON TO NEXT "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE"
Paula Patton will be sharing the big screen with Tom Cruise next year. Deadline.com is reporting that the actress has signed on to star in the next "Mission Impossible" film. Patton, who co-starred in this year's "Just Wright" with Queen Latifah, will reportedly play a young operative that works with Cruise's "Ethan Hunt" character. Patton joins a cast that already includes "Hurt Locker" star Jeremy Renner, as well as Ving Rhames and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The next installment in the "Mission Impossible" franchise is expected in theaters on December 16, 2011.
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In addition to "Just Wright," Paula Patton's film credits include the films "Precious: Based On the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," "Deja Vu," "Hitch" and "Idlewild."
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"IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY'S" MCELHENNEY, OLSON WELCOME BABY
Two of the stars of FX's hit comedy series "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" are now parents. "People" magazine is reporting that Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson welcomed their first child into the world earlier this week. Axel Lee McElhenney was born at the couple's California home on Wednesday afternoon. Olson went into labor Tuesday night while the couple was attending a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite having to miss part of the contest, Olson says she still loves her little bundle of joy. She jokes, quote, "As soon as Ryan Howard hit a three-run home run, we felt comfortable leaving to go have our baby. We love him like crazy, even though he made us miss the second half of the game."
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Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson play the characters Mac and Deandra on "Philadelphia." McElhenney is also the creator of the series. The couple tied the knot in September 2008 during a ceremony in Malibu. The sixth season of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" debuts September 16th on FX.
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"MAD MEN'S" RICH SOMMER WELCOMES A BABY BOY
The "Mad Men" family has recently expanded. Rich Sommer -- who plays Harry Crane, "the TV guy" at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce on the AMC series -- is the new father of a baby boy. People.com reports that Sommer and his wife, Virginia, welcomed their second child, Patrick Ryan Sommer, on Tuesday. Patrick weighed in at seven pounds, nine ounces upon his arrival in Los Angeles. The couple also has a daughter, two-and-a-half year-old Beatrice. In a statement, Sommer said, quote, "We are loving hanging with our happy, healthy baby boy, and appreciate our family and friends joining us in celebrating this exciting time." "Mad Men's" fourth season is currently airing on AMC on Sunday nights.
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"PIANO MAN" LOWERS THE PRICE OF HIS HAMPTONS HOME
America's "Piano Man" is dropping the price on the Hamptons beach home that he's selling. Newsday.com reports that Billy Joel is offering a two-point-six-million-dollar "discount" on his property in Sagaponack, New York. The house was once owned by "Jaws" star Roy Scheider and features a deluxe kitchen and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Joel originally offered the luxury home for sale in 2009 for 22-point-five-million dollars. It's now being offered at 19-point-nine-million.
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