We know a little bit more today about Neil Patrick Harris' role in the "Smurfs" movie. He'll play, quote, "an expectant father who has his life turned upside down upon meeting" the Smurfs. On Twitter yesterday, Neil said, quote, "I'll do my smurfiest to represent well. Why? Smurfs are rad."
Lead Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is confirming that a new lineup of her group will soon be revealed. The singer, who was just added to the lineup on the new season of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," also tells MTV.com that she's working on new music. Scherzinger says, quote, "I've been in the studio working on music non-stop. We're going to have another Pussycat Dolls album...but that's going to be late this year." She doesn't say exactly where the music she is currently working on will end up though. The singer leaves things up in the air saying her new songs could go to either a solo record or the Dolls. Watch Scherzinger make her "Dancing With The Stars" debut with partner Derek Hough on ABC later this month. The season premiere airs on Monday, March 22nd.
Rap icon Snoop Dogg is now allowed back in the United Kingdom. AllHipHop.com is reporting that the emcee was granted permission to enter the country on Monday. Last Friday, lawyers for the "Dogg Father" successfully argued to the U.K. Asylum and Immigration Tribunal that Snoop was not a threat. They noted the rap star's charity work and new family friendly image, as well as his appearance on shows like "The View" and "One Life To Live." Snoop's troubles in the UK began in 2006 when the rapper and his entourage got into a fight inside of London's HeathrowAirport. Snoop tried to return to the country in 2007, but authorities denied him entry citing his previous arrests on drugs and weapons charges. The ban was lifted in 2008, but a judge eventually reversed the ruling and put the ban back in place. On March 23rd, Snoop Dogg will drop a re-release of his last album, "Malice N Wonderland." "More Malice: Deluxe Album & Movie" will include all the tracks featured on "Malice N' Wonderland," as well as seven new cuts. The movie portion of the release will feature appearances from Jamie Foxx, Xzibit, Denyce Lawton and DJ Quik.
Janet Jackson is in Chicago for "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The news that Jackson would appear on the show with director Tyler Perry was posted at JanetJackson.com last month. The two are promoting their film, "Why Did I Get Married Too." While there's still no word on when Janet's "Oprah" episode will air, fans are one step closer to seeing Jackson on the small screen. A Thursday tweet by Janet's web team reads, quote, "Janet is heading to Chicago to appear on @Oprah. She is looking forward to seeing her Chicago fans again." "Why Did I Get Married Too" hits theaters on April 2nd.
Whitney Houston's daughter is now 17-years-old. Bobbi Kristina celebrated her birthday in Australia with her mom, who is currently on her "Nothing But Love" tour there. People.com reports that Houston surprised Bobbi Kristina by bringing her on stage at her Wednesday night show in the city of Adelaide. She sang one of her daughter's favorite songs, "Who Would Imagine A King," and rolled out a birthday cake. Houston then broke into "Happy Birthday" and blew out her daughter's candles with her. The singer also took Bobbi Kristina out on a boat cruise around SydneyHarbor earlier in the week with her friends. A source says, quote, "That was the pre-birthday celebration. The cake at the concert was a complete surprise to Krissy. She had no idea!" Bobbi Kristina's actual birthday is March 4th. Her father is singer Bobby Brown.
Michael Jackson's ex-wife isn't above hanging out with his fans at the singer's burial place. TMZ.com reports Debbie Rowe was seen crying Wednesday, along with the King of Pop's fans outside the mausoleum where his body rests. A group of Jackson's fans apparently meet on the third day of each month at his resting place at the ForestLawnMemorial Park in Glendale, California. They bring cards, gifts, and flowers to place outside the mausoleum. Rowe showed up as the monthly meeting was in progress and joined right in, hugging fans while crying. She was also photographed posing with a t-shirt that read, "Justice 4 MJ."
Tongues are wagging about the latest woman Tiger Woods reportedly spent the night with -- his wife, Elin. According to TMZ.com, Mrs. Woods and the couple's children reportedly joined Tiger Wednesday afternoon at the family's Isleworth mansion in Florida for an overnight stay. There was even a sign that the arrangement could last a while. After Elin brought the kids to the home where Tiger has been staying by himself for some time, a large truck pulled up out front. Workers were spotted carrying items into the mansion. RadarOnline.com reports that the couple was seen spending time together in the backyard on Wednesday afternoon. Sources say it was there that Tiger and Elin were spotted getting cozy, sharing actual hugs. Tiger was seen kissing her on the cheek three times. Elin is believed to have been living in a rented house just a mile from the Isleworth property for the last few months. She moved out of the couple's home after Woods admitted to being unfaithful.
A man accused of stalking TV and radio personality Dr. Drew Pinsky is in police custody on 150-thousand-dollars bail. Pasadena police arrested 33-year-old Charles Pearson on Wednesday and charged him with felony stalking. Police picked Pearson up at PierceCollege in Woodland Hills, California after he posted his location online. The hefty bail and felony charge come after Pearson allegedly threatened to kill the doctor's children and make his wife eat them. He allegedly posted his threats on the Internet before showing up at one of the doctor's radio station affiliates to make accusations about him. According to TMZ.com, Pearson filed a lawsuit against Pinsky last month in Los Angeles Superior Court. In the lawsuit, he alleges that the VH1 "Celebrity Rehab" doctor "performed illegal surgery" and committed acts of medical malpractice, auction tampering, and implant tampering. Pearson's lawsuit also claims Pinsky is a KKK member and that he "used LAPD to intimidate/harass." Pearson's ex-girlfriend Sandra Obagi has a restraining order against him until 2012. She claims he once threatened her.
Hollywood's biggest night takes center stage this weekend with the presentation of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are sharing hosting duties for the star-studded ceremony celebrating the best films of 2009. All eyes are on two films on opposite ends of the budget spectrum -- James Cameron's blockbuster hit "Avatar" and the low budget Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker," directed by Cameron's ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. Both films are nominated for nine awards a piece, including Best Picture and Best Director. Ten films are up for Best Motion Picture this year. The other contenders include "The Blind Side," "District 9," "An Education," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" "A Serious Man," "Up," and "Up In The Air." Nominees for Best Actor include Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart,'' George Clooney for "Up in the Air,'' Colin Firth in "A Single Man,'' Morgan Freeman for "Invictus'' and Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker.'' The Best Actress category includes Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side," Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia," Helen Mirren in "The Last Station,'' Carey Mulligan for ''An Education,'' and Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious.'' The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be presented this Sunday, March 7th. ABC will televise the ceremony live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood starting at 7:00 pm.
The films "Precious" and "The Last Station" are leading the nominees for tonight's 25th Annual Independent Spirit Awards. Both films have five nominations each, including best feature. "Precious," a film about an abused and impoverished young woman stars newcomer Gabourey Sidibe who is also nominated in the category for best lead actress. The film is also nominated for six Academy Awards this Sunday. "The Last Station," a drama about the final year in the life of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, stars Oscar winner Helen Mirren who is also nominated for best lead actress at tonight's awards. The Independent Spirit Awards are the leading honors for movies made outside of Hollywood's major film studios. The presentation of the 25th Annual Independent Spirit Awards will air tonight on the Independent Film Channel at 7:00 pm.
Comedic-actor Martin Short has reportedly checked into the hospital. RadarOnline.com reports that the 59-year-old comedian was seen checking into Cedars-Sinai Hospital Thursday morning with several pieces of luggage in hand. Short was headed to the hospital's eighth floor. He was rumored to be participating in Sunday's 82nd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony in a musical opening number, but actor Neil Patrick Harris recently shot down those rumors on his Twitter feed, saying Short would not be joining him "to open the Oscars." Harris dismissed the reports as "misinformation."
Sarah Palin's reportedly talking to "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett about an Alaska-based docudrama. "Entertainment Weekly" reports that the former Alaska governor and one-time Republican vice presidential nominee wants a "'Planet-Earth' type look" at the biggest state in the union. Palin was seen leaving the ABC studios in Los Angeles yesterday with Burnett. She also met with Mike Darnell at Fox Studios, the producer credited with launching "American Idol" and "When Animals Attack!" Palin's apparently been making the rounds in Hollywood, and reportedly visited CBS too and will meet with NBC Universal today. She also appeared on "The Tonight Show" Wednesday.
You can't keep a good "Cart-man" down. Deadline.com reports that "SouthPark" is gearing up for its 200th episode. The raunchy animated series will air episode 200 next month and is asking supporters to upload notes of congratulations to its website www.SouthPark200.com. The site goes live next Wednesday, March 10th. "South Park 200" welcomes photos, animation, and even haikus in honor of the milestone. "SouthPark" will launch its 14th season on Comedy Central on March 17th at 10 p.m. Eastern. Episode number-200 will air on April 14th.
Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman has signed on for a new project with HBO. "The Los Angeles Times" reports that the actor is slated to star in the drama "Luck." "Ali" director Michael Mann is assembling the project with producer David Milch, well-known for his work on HBO's "Deadwood." Hoffman acts alongside Dennis Farina in the drama about a con at a horse track. In the show, Hoffman plays an ex-con and Farina is his chauffeur-turned-co-conspirator. "Luck" starring Dustin Hoffman is scheduled to premiere on HBO in 2011.
"Amazing Race" season 15 winners Cheyne Whitney and Meghan Rickey are tying the knot. People.com reports that the two reality show competitors got engaged on Sunday in San Diego. Whitney and Rickey were dating when they pocketed a cool one-million dollars for hustling across the globe on the CBS show. Regarding the engagement, Whitney said, quote, "Other than 'what are you going to do with the one-million?' the question that comes up the most is, 'when are you guys going to get married?'" Whitney adds, quote, "And I've been planning this since the Race ended, so I've been like, 'I'm working on it! I'm working on it!''
The catch phrase "Book 'em, Danno" is about to get another run on TV. Scott Caan is joining the cast of the updated "Hawaii Five-O" according to HollywoodReporter.com. The actor will play Danny "Danno" Williams, a Baltimore cop who transfers to Hawaii following a difficult divorce so he can be closer to his young daughter. On the CBS drama, "Danno" reports to Steve McGarrett, the character immortalized by Jack Lord in the late 1960s original. Alex O'Laughlin plays McGarrett in the updated "Five-Oh." Also in the cast for the crime drama set in Paradise is "Lost" actor Daniel Dae Kim, who will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly.
The Go-Go's, The Bangles, and Suzanne Vega are among the latest performers to sign on for the upcoming Lilith Fair tour. Other artists to join the lineup to this summer's traveling festival include Anya Marina, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lee Richards, Courtyard Hounds, and Martina McBride. They're adding to a bill that also includes Sheryl Crow, Metric, Tegan & Sara, Beth Orton, Cat Power, and The Gossip; as well as Heart, Sugarland, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, LaRoux, Lights, Meaghan Smith, The Submarines, and Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan, among others. Dates and venues for the tour, which is making a comeback after an eleven-year hiatus, will be announced shortly.
Madonna once sang about suffering fools "so gladly." She didn't seem to have that mindset while taping a guest spot for an upcoming episode of NBC's "The Marriage Ref." The Material Girl was on the reality show alongside fellow celebrity judges Ricky Gervais and "Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Larry David. When David said he was "uncomfortable," Madonna wasted no time putting him in his place. Jerry Seinfeld is the executive producer of "The Marriage Ref." The one-hour show presents taped segments of couples' ongoing marital spats and then asks celebrity judges to weigh in on which spouse is the "winner." "The Marriage Ref" airs on Thursday nights at 9:00 p.m. on NBC.
