The Insider: Contributed by Callie

Did Matt Lauer Cross the Line?

Callie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:02:34 GMT

If she's so over it, and wants to move on.. why does she have to keep mentioning his name on her show, also having her tattoo removed on the air! Its obvious she's jealous of his new wife and its eating her up... She's a drama queen and a liar.. Why does she say she needs to change her image, yet lie on the beach topless, slide down a stripper pole and swear like a truck driver.... she''s a hasbeen and knows it!!

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Mindy McCready Goes to E.R, Enters Rehab

Callie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:12:04 GMT

After a trip to the emergency room in Tennessee, country singer Mindy McCready entered rehab for undisclosed reasons, her rep tells PEOPLE. "Mindy McCready did receive emergency care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center," says her rep. "Other issues made it prudent for her to seek longer-term and broader-based treatment.” The Nashville hospital confirms the 32-year-old McCready was admitted July 16. The singer, who in April admitted she had a long-term relationship with Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens, has also entered rehab, the rep says. "To her credit, she has entered into an extended-care facility where she will receive the care needed," says her rep. "And for the moment we ask that everyone respect her privacy." McCready was jailed in 2007 after violating probation on a 2004 drug arrest. In a recent YouTube video she issued a message to fans: "I miss you guys so much and I can't wait to see you."

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Hef On The Spread

Callie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:26:58 GMT

I'm sorry, no matter how old Hugh Hefner is getting, gotta love him.. He's living every man's dream! New-media man Dave Navarro scores couch time with Hugh Hefner on the season-four opener of Spread TV. Navarro describes his weekly "internet T.V. talk show" as an uncensored forum that focuses on "the arts and human condition." During their interview, Dave tells Hef about his human condition at certain Playboy Mansion parties and recalls his initial meeting with the Playboy founder. Hef seizes the opportunity to talk up his forthcoming tell-all biography and to reveal which actor may be adopting the iconic pipe and pajamas to play him in Universal's 2009 biopic, Playboy. The consummate host, Hef leaves Dave in the care of Playmate Alison Waite who gives the rocker a tour of the grounds after the interview. Hef's episode airs Thursday July 17, 11PM ET on Mania TV

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Ali Lohan: Lindsay 'Loves' My New Single

Callie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:20:28 GMT

Please read on and give your opinion on Ali may be hiring "back up dancers"... PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE! Ali Lohan's new single "All The Way Around" has emerged as a hit on iTunes, maintaining a steady spot on the iTunes Top 100 since its debut July 14. Just as important to the 14-year-old is a vote of confidence from her singer sister Lindsay Lohan, and her deejay gal pal Samantha Ronson. "Lindsay loves it," Ali told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. "It was nervewracking to hear from her because she's so hugely successful, so I was like 'No, don't listen to it!' I ran out of the room when she listened to it. She's really proud of me." As for Ronson, "She likes it a lot," says Lohan, adding that "it would be really cool" for Ronson to play a remix version of the tune at one her deejaying gigs. Lohan's next single will be called "Close That Door," which the singer-actress says "is about closing the door to the past, and all the negativity you went through in the past." Lohan, who's currently recording additional tracks for her upcoming album, also says she's "looking at back-up dancers" for an upcoming video and tour. In fact, if her E! series Living Lohan, also starring her manager-mom Dina, continues for a second season, it will likely focus on Lohan going on tour. "If anything, it'll be me on the tour bus. I’m not sure yet." Also on the horizon: Lohan may head to China and Italy this fall to film the movie Troll. " I got the role, but I'm still thinking about it," she said.

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Larry Harmon, longtime Bozo the Clown, dead at 83

Callie — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:27:55 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Larry Harmon, who appeared as Bozo the Clown for decades and licensed the name to other Bozos around the world, has died at age 83. Harmon died Thursday at his home of congestive heart failure, his longtime publicist, Jerry Digney, told The Associated Press. Although not the first person to play Bozo, Harmon took on the famous clown's persona and, as an entrepreneur, he licensed the character to others, particularly TV stations. Those stations then recruited their own Bozos for local shows. Harmon met his alter ego after answering a casting call to make personal appearances as a clown to promote records. He got the job and eventually bought the rights to Bozo. Along the way, he embellished Bozo's distinctive look: the orange-tufted hair, the bulbous nose, the outlandish red, white and blue costume.

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Rachael Ray employee claims anorexia bias

Callie — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:25:26 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) -- A former accountant for Rachael Ray's TV cooking show has filed a $1 million lawsuit saying he was forced out of his job because he has an eating disorder. Aaron Ferguson says in papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court that he has suffered from anorexia for about six years. He says his supervisor repeatedly exhibited "hostile behavior" and made "vile," discriminatory and hurtful comments. The comments included, "Anorexics are sick in the head," and, "Anorexics should not be able to work," his court papers say. Ferguson's lawyer, William H. Kaiser, said Thursday, "The things that were said in front of my client were hurtful, and once they knew he had a problem with it they should have stopped." Ferguson says he repeatedly complained about his supervisor's use, in his presence, of discriminatory language regarding anorexics but their superiors did nothing that improved his situation. Ferguson said he began working in July 2007 for CBS Television Distributions Inc., a CBS Corp. unit and the producer and owner of the "Rachael Ray" show. After he complained about his treatment, he says, he was forced out in October 2007. Kaiser said the firing was retaliation: "He was punished for complaining." The lawsuit, filed late Wednesday, names CBS Corp., CBSTD Inc. and three employees of the show as defendants. Ray is not named as a defendant. A CBS spokesman referred calls to show spokeswoman Lauren Nowell, who said she could not comment on pending litigation.

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Michael Lohan takes DNA test.

Callie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:13:16 GMT

Michael Lohan took a DNA test yesterday to find out if he's the father of a Montana teen reported to be the star's secret half-sister - but if he is, he won't force his famous brood to welcome her to the family. PHOTO GALLERY: Lohan Family Album "It was a swab, a paternity test," Michael Lohan told The Post yesterday, just as the first pictures of his alleged 13-year-old love child, Ashley, were made public. Brunette Ashley has Michael's eyes - and the same trademark sprinkle of freckles across her nose as Lindsay. Michael Lohan last week admitted he had a fling with Ashley's mom, 44-year-old Montana massage therapist Kristi Kaufmann, in 1995, when he was separated from Lindsay's mom, Dina. But he still doubts Kaufmann's claims that the girl is his. "If the test is found to be negative she's gonna be sued for libel and defamation," he said. Michael Lohan said he didn't know Ashley existed until Kaufmann - whom he first met in 1982 in Houston, Texas - contacted him while he was serving prison time in 2005 for DUI and other charges. "She contacted me and said she had a paternity test with her ex-husband and it was negative and she believed the child was mine," said Lohan. "She said I was the only one she was with but I find that hard to believe," he added. "She was with a number of men after me and was going through a second divorce right now." Lohan, who said he expects the test results back in two weeks, is furious that Kaufmann went to the media with her allegations. "Even if the test is positive, I have nothing to say to her because of the way she handled this," he said. "How can someone say I have another child when no testing has been done?" Lohan asked. "Why did she wait so long? Is it because she wants money? Or is it because she wants to claim that Ashley is my children's sister?" Lohan said Kaufmann's claims that she wants Ashley to meet Lindsay, as well as Michael's younger daughter, reality show star Ali, 14, struck him as odd. "She said she wants her daughter to have a relationship with my kids - especially Lindsay and Ali - and that's pretty sick," Lohan said. "I will never force my children to meet with Ashley." He also said that he "doesn't plan on discussing" his DNA test with his children until after the results are in. Lohan said he has asked his lawyer to send Kaufmann a letter asking her to stop discussing the situation publicly. Last week, Kaufmann said Ashley is "angry" that Michael has refused to acknowledge her. She also claims Lohan sent Ashley a picture of himself from prison - signing it "Love Daddy" - and called her on her 13th birthday earlier this month.

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Spencer Pratt refers to Mary-Kate Olsen as a Troll!

Callie — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:06:55 GMT

Spencer Pratt, one half of “The Hills” most famous supercouple Heidi and Spencer, branded Mary-Kate Olsen a “troll,” after she called him out for having a bad temper during an appearance on Thursday’s “Late Show With David Letterman.” Olsen stopped by Letterman’s show last night and during the interview to promote her indie film, “The Wackness,” the former “Full House” star mentioned she and Pratt went to the same high school. “He used to play on the soccer team for my high school and he does not have a good temper,” Olsen said of “The Hills” reality TV star’s high school days. “He walked out of a few games. He would walk off the field.” After hearing he had been referenced by Olsen, Pratt quickly fired off his retort to Us Weekly with a backhanded compliment for the actress “I know I’ve made it in Hollywood when a famous troll is talking about me on Letterman,” he said. Spencer may have been annoyed by her comments, but said all is well. “I forgive her though,” he said. “She’s had to go through life as the less cute twin, which must be tough.”

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Exclusive! Britney & K-Fed's Secret Meeting

Callie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:37:50 GMT

Despite their differences over the last year, Britney Spears and her ex-hubby Kevin Federline have one thing in common — they'd both like to avoid going to trial this summer over the custody of their two young sons Sean Preston and Jayden James. On Thursday, the pop singer, her father Jamie Spears and K-Fed managed to sneak away to a secret location where they and their attorneys began to try and hammer out an out-of-court custody deal ordered by commissioner Scott Gordon. However, the all-day meeting (rumored to have been at a 5-star hotel) ultimately resulted in nothing. Both Brit and K-Fed refused to give an inch beyond the current custody status: K-Fed has temporary physical custody and Britney has visitation, which now inlcudes one overnight visit per week. The long, drawn-out conference seemed to take its toll on the recovering pop star. An eyewitness tells OK! that following the meeting, Brit went directly back to her Studio City home at The Summit and then headed to the Ritz Carlton Hotel where she promptly booked a massage and sauna session. Looks like the August trial date is still on — for now!

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Cyd Charisse is gone, but not forgotten

Callie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:28:30 GMT

Cyd Charisse, the leggy beauty whose balletic grace made her a memorable partner for Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in classic MGM musicals like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Band Wagon” and “Brigadoon,” died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. She believed to be 86. Her death, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, was apparently caused by a heart attack, said her agent, Scott Stander. Ms. Charisse came of age in a sparkling era of Hollywood musicals, and though she had some dramatic film roles, it was in musicals that she achieved her lasting renown. That fame later helped power a successful song-and-dance partnership with her husband, Tony Martin, in nightclubs and on television. In his 1959 memoir, “Steps in Time,” Astaire called Ms. Charisse “beautiful dynamite.” She was a striking presence on film: slender and graceful with jet black hair. She stood 5 feet 6, but in high heels and full-length stockings — a familiar costume for her — she seemed even taller. She made her film debut in 1943 under the name Lily Norwood in “Something to Shout About,” with Don Ameche and Janet Blair, and then spent almost a decade performing in small roles and sometimes anonymously before she got her big break. That came with “Singin’ in the Rain,” released in 1952. Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, the film established her as one of Hollywood’s most glamorous and seductive talents. Set during the dawn of talking pictures, “Singin’ in the Rain” starred Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen. Ms. Charisse appeared in only one of the movie’s many indelible dance sequences, but one was enough. During the “Broadway Melody Ballet,” opposite Kelly, she was both sultry vamp and diaphanous dream girl. Ms. Charisse made her belated Broadway debut in 1992 in “Grand Hotel,” when she replaced Liliane Montevecchi in the leading role of a famous but aging ballerina in 1920s Berlin. “I think that in all my dancing I play a role,” she told The Times that year. “To me, that’s what dancing is about. It’s not just steps.” This is what Hollywood and Entertainment was all about!!

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Christina "Excited" About Rock the Vote PSA with Son

Callie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:02:52 GMT

Knowing full well her 5-month-old son Max will be subjected to an exorbitant amount of press through his life, Christina Aguilera decided to take matters into her own hands and expose him on her own terms -- in a Rock the Vote PSA. The Grammy-winning songstress recently filmed a PSA with her little guy in an effort to encourage the youth of America to vote in the upcoming presidential election. "Being that I am someone that is in the limelight, I just figured he is going to be, time and time again, probably, subjected to, you know, the press, in one shape or another and in a way, where I'm really not going to have much control over," Christina said on Larry King Live Wednesday night. "And so what a great way to sort of subject him in such a positive way and in such a great time in history to do something as positive as getting people to vote and getting people to care about their country and get excited about this change." "Extra excited" about involving her family in this historic presidential campaign, Christina, who's married to music executive Jordan Bratman, hardly hesitated to say "yes" when Rock the Vote approached her with the idea. "In particular, for me, being a new mother, you know, it was really important for me to get involved and get excited about this election in particular, being such one of change and new development for our country and for the future of my son," the 27-year-old said. The ad, which will air this summer, features Christina cradling an American flag-swaddled Max while cooing a lullaby version of "America the Beautiful" to him. Toning down her normal vocal acrobatics was, of course, necessary. "Since I'm holding my son, I'm not going to, you know, belt in his face or anything like that," she said. "But it was really, really nice to bring it down to a really intimate moment between me and my son and kind of symbolizing what this song means in the sense that it's passing it on to the next generation. It's trying to contribute in a way to make the future better for my son."

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