Chicago native Bill Murray's acting career has soared to great heights over the years, but now he's coming back to Earth. Murray will parachute out of a plane during the 50th Chicago Air and Water Show next month. The "Chicago Sun-Times" reports he'll do a tandem jump with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights onto North Avenue Beach on Friday, August 15th. Murray is hoping to call attention to the USO of Illinois and the work it does overseas.
Shannen Doherty is returning to her old TV stomping grounds. The "Beverly Hills 90210" bad girl has signed on to co-star in the new CW network spin-off based on her old "90210" series. At the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills over the weekend, Doherty's rep told "People," that the actress is "looking forward to returning to 90210." Her co-stars appear to be looking forward to her return also. Tori Spelling who also starred in the former Fox series says Doherty's addition to the cast is, quote, "probably the best news fans could ever get," adding, quote, "All the girls on the show will be pysched."
Jessica Simpson says that with her debut country album she wants to give fans a little more insight into who she is. So far she seems to be having a tough time getting her message across. The "Kenosha News" says Jessica was greeted with a mix of cheers and jeers from audience members at Country Thunder in Randall, Wisconsin, where she opened for Sara Evans Saturday night. The paper quoted one audience member who said Simpson didn't belong at the event, while another said Simpson was quote, "not good enough to be here."
Barry Manilow's rep is denying reports that the singer is ill. The "New York Daily News" says questions regarding Manilow's health stem from photos taken earlier this month, in which he seems to have suddenly lost a significant amount of weight. Manilow's spokeswoman says the performer is, quote, "absolutely not" sick. She also dismisses a story in "The Globe" that claims the six-foot-tall entertainer's weight had dropped to just 100-pounds. The rep admits that Manilow is lean, calling him "pretty trim," but references the Olsen twins in noting, quote, "Even Mary Kate and Ashley weigh more than 100 pounds." She adds that Manilow, who'll resume his "Music and Passion" engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton on August 27th, is working on his next album and putting together a new stage show.
Pop trio the Jonas Brothers will have a role at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. MTV News reports the Brothers will perform during the 25th annual award show in September. They called the honor an awesome opportunity saying, quote, "we have grown up watching all the amazing and iconic performances on the VMAs. It is an honor to be a part of something so incredible." In other congratulatory news for the boys, "People" reports Joe Jonas graduated from high school on Thursday. The 18-year-old took correspondence courses while touring and expressed his relief after turning in his last assignment. He said, quote, "I haven't heard from the school yet. But I'm officially done with the work." He added that he played a concert to celebrate.
In her first public outing since losing full custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline, Britney Spears showed up at a Los Angeles fundraiser Saturday. "People Magazine" reports Spears attended Jenny McCarthy's Generation Rescue fundraiser which is dedicated to researching autism. The 26-year-old sipped on wine and appeared to be in good spirits despite her recent custody battle. An onlooker said that while Spears kept much to herself and her assistant, she seemed, quote, "really happy" and seemed genuinely interested in the autism presentations. Jim Carrey, Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller also attended the event at the McCarthy's home.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are reportedly set to become parents once again. Usmagazine.com says Garner's former "Alias" co-star Victor Garber let the news slip recently. Garber, who played Garner's father on the former ABC spy series, says the actress is pregnant with her second child with husband Ben Affleck. Another unnamed source says Garner is five months along in her pregnancy. The 36-year-old has been spotted wearing loose-fitting tops of late, fueling speculation about pregnancy. Garner and Affleck already have a two-year-old daughter named Violet.
Pink's former beau Carey Hart is not yet ready to move onto a new relationship. "People" reports, despite the couple's split in February, Hart admits he misses his ex. The two were married in 2006 but their relationship was reported to be on the rocks by the end of 2007. Hart says the two are still close and they talk all the time to try and keep in touch. He added, quote, "it's a tough situation to be in but I love her to death." Shortly after announcing their divorce, Pink wrote on her website that she and Hart still love each other but they need some space to concentrate on their individual lives.
"The Dark Knight" is shattering box office records at the movies. The highly-anticipated film, starring Christian Bale as comic book hero Batman and Heath Ledger as the diabolical Joker, pulled in 155-point-three-million-dollars in its first weekend in theaters to set a new record for a film opening. Much of the focus on the film has been on Ledger's critically praised portrayal of the Joker -- one of the actor's last film roles before his untimely death in January. "Dark Knight's" opening weekend numbers eclipsed the record previously held by "Spider-Man 3," which opened with 151-point-one-million-dollars last year. The movie also smashed "Spider-Man 3's" single-day box office record, taking in 66-point-four-million on its opening day. Coming in a distant second place at the weekend box office was the ABBA-music inspired movie "Mamma Mia!" starring Meryl Streep. The movie version of the celebrated stage production opened at number two with 27-point-six-million. "Hancock," starring Will Smith as a troubled superhero, was third with 14-million in ticket sales. "Journey to the Center of the Earth" placed fourth with just under 12-million-dollars, and last week's number-one film, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," dropped to fifth place with ten-million-dollars.
Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon are getting adjusted to a new life outside of a French hospital as the children of world famous parents. Vivienne and Knox are the newborn twins of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. On Friday, Jolie managed to slip unnoticed past reporters and photographers who waiting outside of the Nice [[ Nees ]] hospital where she gave birth to the twins on July 12th. The hospital noted on its website that both Jolie and her babies are doing very well. Vivienne and Knox are going home to four older brothers and sisters. Jolie and Pitt also have three adopted children -- Maddox, Zahara and Pax -- and one biological daughter named Shiloh. Currently residing in France, the pair have reportedly sold picture rights for their newborn twins which they plan to donate to a charity. The price for the baby pictures are said to be worth between ten and 20 Million-dollars.
There will be no wedding bells for Salma Hayek and French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. A rep for the actress tells "USA Today" that the couple has called off their 16-month engagement. Hayek and Pinault welcomed their daughter Valentina Paloma into the world last September. The two became an item after meeting in Venice in May 2006. They announced their engagement in March 2007.
The Chicago Sun Times reports that Jake Gyllenhaal has begun shopping for a wedding ring for Reese Witherspoon.
Tom Cruise, in an effort to revive his dying career, is in talks to do Top Gun 2. A Hollywood insider says, "The idea is to pick up the story of Maverick 20 years after the first movie. He is still at Top Gun school as an instructor but this time the roles are reversed and it is he who has to deal with a cocky new female pilot. Whether the movie ever gets off the ground all depends on Tom and if he wants to play Maverick again because it would be hard to get someone else to play him."
Sarah Jessica Parker spent some of her weekend trying to convince everyone she still has her trademark mole. A source says, "The fact is Sarah still has her mole, it was just covered up with makeup. Sarah has no problem with it and has no plans to remove it. In fact Matthew Broderick would be furious if she did. He loves that little spot. He says it gives her character."
InTouch Weekly reports Jack Wagner wants to marry Heather Locklear. A source says, “Jack wants to marry Heather as soon as her issues are under control. He’s already spoken to her therapists. Her extended treatment plan is being worked out now. Heather says that Jack is the best thing in her life next to her daughter."
Ben Stiller says his father, Jerry, tried to potty train their dog by using suppositories. "It's probably the most politically incorrect training method in history. "The suppositories were supposed to stimulate the dog to go to the bathroom. My dad had to administer them - on the street... Jesus, now that I think of it, it's crazy. I can't imagine having to do it. God, that's a horrible image."
American Idol Randy Jackson is coming out with a new diet book called The No-Nonsense Guide to Getting Fit, Eating Better, and Living Longer. A source says, "Having tried every diet, every gym, even bypass surgery, Randy now has this figured out so that followers can even eat down-home Southern favorites. I mean, in terms of body mass he's no Keira Knightley, but the guy seems passionate and persuasive, like he knows what he's talking about."
Rihanna was recently spotted at Fred Segal dropping $15,000 on 7 pieces of rare jewelry.
Former Christian singer Katy Perry says Amy Winehouse needs prayer. "Some people make their lives about who they're dating or what they're wearing, but I want to keep it about the music. When it comes to Amy - the only thing that girl needs is prayer. She seems to be in a life or death situation."
Mariah Carey says Nick Cannon has learned to deal with her tardiness. "I always run at least half an hour late. I am such a bad timekeeper. I don't know how I always manage to do it but I do. I try my best but it doesn't bother me that I can't keep time. Nick has been trying to keep me in check."
DMX was arrested AGAIN on Saturday for giving a false name and Social Security number to a hospital to get out of paying of paying a bill. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that when DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in April, he used the name "Troy Jones" and failed to pay a $7,500 bill. "He's back in jail again. I don't know why judges keep letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he gets out on bond. I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty for his offense."
Justin Timberlake says he wet his pants when he met Michael Jordan. "When I was young... I wanted to be Michael Jordan. It was weird, I heard (Gary Wright song) Dreamweaver in my head when he walked in the room. He was like, 'Hey man, my kids and I, we're big fans of your music,' and I was like, `That's cool...' Up until the point where he walked away and I realised I had peed a little."
David Cook says he has 'two must-haves" for the Idol tour. "My guitar and a can of Lysol. I don't trust Michael Johns and that mustache of his!"
NOW reports Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban wanted her adopted kids at her bedside when she gave birth. A source says, "The bottom line is that while Nicole really wanted them there, she didn’t push for Isabella and Connor to be at the bedside because Tom Cruise wasn’t happy about it. It’s particularly hurtful because the two kids were at the bedside when Tom’s child Suri by Katie Holmes was born two years ago. Nicole’s putting on a brave face about it all, but she knows that Tom has complicated feelings about the birth because they didn’t have biological kids together and she miscarried shortly after their separation."
Eddie Murphy is working on a new movie already. The movie is called “A Thousand Words,” and Eddie plays a literary agent who finds that he only has 1,000 words left to say and then he’ll die. Eddie says, “Its like nothing I;ve ever done before. Its not a kids movie, a family movie. It’s a really funny, smart picture. The whole second half of the picture, my character can’t talk.” The director is Brian Robbins.
Desperate Housewives has an end date. Creator Marc Cherry says he plans to end the show after its seventh season (season 5 starts in September). He says “I plan to get out while people still like us.”
Khloe Kardashain is home free. She began serving her 30-day prison sentence on Friday for DUI probation violation and finished serving it 173 minutes later.
