Kermit the Frog and the rest of the muppets performed with Emily Maynard and her potential suitors in a charity variety show, benefitting Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.

RELATED: The Bachelorette Meets Potential Suitors

The group date featured the guys singing, dancing and telling jokes, which gave them all a little stage fright, but none more than Charlie. The 32-year-old from Massachusetts suffered a horrific accident some time ago after a 15-story fall left him in a coma. As a part of his recovery process, Charlie had to re-learn how to read and speak, which has led him to an intense insecurity about public speaking, as he's still not comfortable with the skill.

Emily was sympathetic to Charlie's plight, reassigning him from the stand-up comedy portion of the show to the talk-show part, where he faired well enough to make Emily proud.

Prior to the group date, Ryan was chosen for the first solo date of the season, which also managed to be the most low-key date in recent memory. Emily took Ryan back to her home, where the two baked cookies for Emily's daughter and her soccer team. Later the two had dinner at one of Emily's favorite restaurants where she admitted to Ryan that she didn't want to wind up as someone's prize. Ryan pointed out that this would be difficult as they're involved in a dating contest.

Still, Emily described their day together, saying, "This could not have been a more perfect first date for me."

PICS: Meet The Men of The Bachelorette

The second solo date went to Joe, who had a tough act to follow. Joe's date with Emily turned out to be the polar opposite from the first in almost every way. Their time together kicked off with a limo ride and a private flight to Emily's home state, West Virginia. Emily admitted that Joe comes off as a kind person, but he proved to be ill prepared for some of her basic questions. He responded vaguely when asked where he wanted to be in five years, deflecting the question back to Emily and insisting that he would go with whatever she wanted.

Joe was ultimately sent home, as Emily couldn't figure out where she or her daughter would fit into his life.

Aaron and Kyle also failed to receive a rose on Monday's episode and were sent packing.

Watch an all-new Bachelorette next Monday at 9/8c on ABC.

Related stories on ETonline.com:'DWTS' Finals Award Perfect Scores All Around

That was the mystery as "House" barreled to its conclusion Monday night. In a recent interview, series star Hugh Laurie had teased that House was coming to the edge of a precipice eight years in the making: "Is he gonna step forward or step back? Is it life or is it death?"

Viewers were rewarded with a satisfying answer in the one-hour finale. (Caution: Read no further if you want to preserve the surprise.)

The episode began with a typical example of House's bedside manner.

Patient: "I was in a car accident last month."

House: "I won a swimming trophy in high school. Your turn."

But this hospital encounter gave way to a House hallucination. He appeared to be in a bleak, abandoned factory loft with fire lashing around him and with that same patient, now dead, lying nearby. It was a typical example of "House" surrealism, as, intermittently through much of the hour, House debated whether to live or die while interrogated by characters from his past.

House's challenge as the episode began was how to stay out of jail. A prank he pulled on last week's episode threatened to put him in the slammer for a six-month sentence — a month longer than his best friend, Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), was expected to live with his terminal cancer. House was desperate to be with Wilson in those final weeks.

As everybody knows, House was a grumpy, brilliant diagnostician with a limp, a cane, buggy blue eyes and an addiction to painkillers. He was also a master manipulator. Could he hatch a successful scheme to stay free — like persuading Wilson to take the fall for his destructive prank?

"You do remember I'm dying, don't you?" Wilson responded incredulously.

"Which is why you'll never spend a day in jail," House declared. "I don't want to lose this time with you."

Wilson refused: "If I do this, I'm teaching you that your bad behavior will always be rewarded."

Meanwhile, on the finale, could House solve the puzzle of existence?

"Every patient I've had, 70 years from now, will all be as dead as Wilson," House grumbled in his hallucination. "Everybody dies. It's meaningless."

By then, House had dropped out of sight. Wilson and other colleagues at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital feared the worst: that the tormented House had killed himself.

Indeed, a fire raged at the real-life warehouse, where House, along with his patient, a heroin addict, had retreated to get high. House appeared to die in the raging inferno. His body was recovered and identified.

A funeral was held.

"He was a healer," said Wilson in a eulogy that quickly grew bitter: "House was an ass. ... He claimed to be on some heroic quest for the truth. But the truth is, he was a bitter jerk who liked making people miserable. And he proved that by dying selfishly, numbed by narcotics, without a thought of anyone."

But then Wilson was interrupted by a cellphone text message: "SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT."

Wilson found House sitting on a building stoop, alive and — by House's standards — well. He explained he had escaped from the back of the building, and traded dental records with the patient who had overdosed, whose body was recovered.

"I'm dead, Wilson," House told his shocked friend. "How do you want to spend your last five months?"

The two were last seen out in the countryside on their motorcycles.

"When the cancer starts getting really bad —" Wilson began, but House cut him off.

"Cancer's boring," House said and flashed a little grin. They rode off.

For House, boring had always been life's least tolerable state. The finale — the series' 177th episode — served well as a reminder: "House" seldom was.

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Online:

http://www.fox.com

———

Frazier Moore is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. He can be reached at fmoore(at)ap.org and at http://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier

The pop diva thrilled fans at her sold-out show Monday night, but some Christians in the Philippines have been protesting her concerts and accuse her of promoting immorality.

Authorities say her second gig Tuesday night be will allowed to proceed because they found no violations of the conditions of the special permit they issued for the first concert. Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto says Lady Gaga did not exhibit nudity or abuse religion.

Some Christian youths called for her concerts to be banned. Catholic Archbishop Ramon Arguelles warned that her fans are in danger of falling into the clutches of Satan.

The classical vocalist and her partner Mark Ballas earned 10s across the board from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli for both their Paso Doble and their freestyle dance later on in the evening.

William Levy and partner Cheryl Burke garnered rave reviews for their first performance of the night, a sexy cha-cha which Goodman called "as good of a cha-cha as I've seen in 14 seasons."

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The pair didn't fare quite as well during their freestyle, which Burke labeled "the most important dance of all season." Though they earned 10s from Inaba and Tonioli, Goodman deemed the routine "too predictable."

Donald Driver and his partner Peta Murgatroyd earned a 29/30 for their Argentine Tango, but more than made up for it with their freestyle--which earned Driver 10s from Inaba and Tonioli, as well as his first 10 of the season from Goodman.

PHOTOS: Remember when they were on DWTS?

Each pair will have one last chance to show off their moves during Tuesday night's results show before the Season 14 champion is chosen.

Tell Us: Who do you think deserves to take home the Mirror Ball trophy tomorrow?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Katherine Jenkins Earns Perfect 60/60 on Dancing With the Stars!

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli selected the first round of dances for the remaining pairs, assigning William Levy and Cheryl Burke with the Cha Cha Cha.

The twosome went on to set the bar impossibly high for the night with their hip-shaking starter, earning the couple a perfect 30 right off the bat. Len raved the piece was as "good as [he's] ever seen in fourteen seasons of Cha Cha Cha" before relinquishing his hard-won 10.

RELATED: 'DWTS' to Feature 'All-Star' Cast Next Season 

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas were next with their Paso Doble—A Spanish-inspired stunner that also hit a chord with the panel, earning a perfect thirty for the pair.

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd followed, performing a beyond-sexy Argentine Tango. Unfortunately, the couple was unable to continue the night's perfect score streak, losing favor with Len for a dance he deemed too "careful." In the end, Donald and Peta would score 29/30 for the routine.

A no-holds-barred freestyle round marked part two of Monday night's dances and William and Cheryl took the opportunity to debut a crowd-pleasing, hip-shaking, latin-inspired freestyle number that brought the crowd to their feet cheering.

VIDEO: Katherine Jenkins Gives Update on Her Back Injury

While the routine was an out-of-the park success with the audience, Len had his criticisms. "All you do is shake your butt," he complained. "I'm fed up with it." Carrie Ann disagreed, praising the two for "breaking ground" with their freestyle. All in all, William and Cheryl conclude night one of the finals with a combined score of 59/60.

Katherine and Mark were next, incorporating the classical singer's pipes into the top of their second routine, drawing rave reviews from the judges who dished out three more perfect 10s for a combined score of 60/60 for the night. "That was the dance of a champion, you are a champion," commended Carrie Ann. "You can do anything!

Last but not least, Donald and Peta took to the floor dressed in head-to-toe cowboy outfits, dancing a lively and unexpected country freestyle. Carrie Ann could hardly contain her excitement as she climbed atop the judges table to proclaim the dance her hands down "favorite" of the night. Bruno called the routine a "triumph" and Len rounded out the compliments, praising the performance as "fantastic." All three bestowed perfect scores upon the pair, their first ever of the competition. Donald and Peta finish with a combined score of 59/60.

VIDEO: Jenkins Shares Her Strategy For 'DWTS' Finals 

Who will advance to mirror ball greatness? Watch tomorrow's exciting season finale as all three perform their very last dance to a surprise song before the show crowns their brand-new champion.

Don't miss all the action tomorrow night on ABC.

Related stories on ETonline.com:Will Jenkins Show More Skin for 'DWTS' Finals?

Fellow finalists William Levy and Donald Driver finished one point behind the Welsh singer Monday. The actor and the Green Bay Packer each collected 59 points from the judges.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which contestant will claim the title and the mirrorball trophy on Tuesday's season finale, when each finalist will perform one last routine.

The other season 14 contestants — Martina Navratilova, Gavin DeGraw, Jack Wagner, Jaleel White, Sherri Shepherd, Melissa Gilbert, Roshon Fegan, Maria Menounos and Gladys Knight — were eliminated during previous episodes.

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Online:

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars

Brooke Mueller pleaded guilty in March to felony drug possession of four grams or less of cocaine. The charge stemmed from her arrest Dec. 3 after another woman reported being assaulted at a nightclub.

Mueller's spokesman confirms that terms of a sentence handed down Monday bar Mueller from drinking alcohol while she is on probation. She also must submit to random urine tests.

Sheen and Mueller divorced last year. Sheen was arrested on suspicion of assaulting her in 2009. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and completed his probation in 2010.

Apple Martin--who turned eight on May 14--hit Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" show at London's O2 Arena Saturday night (alongside mom Gwyneth Paltrow and brother Moses, 6) carrying a canvas tote bag and rocking a newly pink 'do.

PHOTOS: See how Apple Martin has grown

Once inside the show, mom Paltrow, 39, tweeted a picture of her two kids paying homage to their "Uncle Jay" by throwing up the Roc-A-Fella records symbol.

Paltrow and her husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, have spoken before about their close friendship with Jay-Z and Beyonce.

"Jay is one of the people I respect most in the world," the actress explained to Steve Stoute last November. "He's such an iconoclast in so many ways."

PHOTOS: Meet Blue Ivy!

More recently, Paltrow opened up about her BFFs' first child together, daughter Blue Ivy.

"She's going to be an entertainer," Paltrow assured Hollywood Life after the Oscars in February. "She just has this glow around her like her mother."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Apple Martin Dyes Her Hair Pink!

The director and co-writer's tale of first love, filled with recognizable adolescent angst and naive fumblings, feels at once deeply personal (and, indeed, it was inspired by a boyhood crush of his own) and universally relatable. Of course, it features the fetishistic obsession with production and costume design that is his trademark; nothing ever happens by accident in Anderson's films, which are frequently and accurately described as dollhouses or dioramas. Despite its rigid structure, which includes exact tracking shots from room to room or person to person, the look of the film is alive and inviting, the work of Anderson's usual director of photography Robert Yeoman.

If you love Wes Anderson, you'll love this: The best of what he can do is vibrantly on display. The screenplay, which he co-wrote with Roman Coppola, has resulted in his sweetest and most sincere live-action movie since the one that remains his best, 1998's "Rushmore" ("Fantastic Mr. Fox," from 2009, which he crafted through painstaking stop-motion animation, was also a real charmer).

But beneath all the mid-century nostalgia, the tightly framed shots of quirkily decorated rooms, lies an innocent and vulnerable beating heart. In his post-"Rushmore" films — especially "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" and "The Darjeeling Limited" — Anderson seemed too preoccupied with all the clutter, all the idiosyncratic doo-dads that defined his characters at the expense of character development itself. With "Moonrise Kingdom," he's recaptured that perfect balance of style and substance.

And, similar to "Rushmore," it has precocious, misunderstood young people at the center of its precise yet off-kilter world. Newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward star as Sam and Suzy, 12-year-old loners who find each other and run away together at the end of summer 1965. Sam, an orphan, flees his Boy Scout-style troupe of Khaki Scouts (Edward Norton plays their loyal leader); Suzy, the only daughter and eldest child of married lawyers who ignore each other (Anderson regular Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), feels neglected and has been acting out.

Trouble is, these two have nowhere to go — they live on the insular New England island of New Penzance, a rocky, rugged place with no paved roads and only one phone — and a storm of epic proportions is on its way. We know this because every once in a while, Bob Balaban pops up, bundled in weather-appropriate gear as the film's narrator who explains not only the history of this remote, beautiful place but also what's in store. This may sound like a cutesy, self-conscious narrative device, but Balaban is so unassuming (and informative to boot!) that you'll be happy to see him each time he arrives.

Still, Sam and Suzy have packed up all the items they think they need to start a new life together. This includes camping supplies (his) and plenty of books, a record player and a kitten (hers). Gilman and Hayward nicely underplay their emotions at first as two sad, socially awkward kids tenderly feeling each other out, but the way Anderson and Coppola unveil their backstories in time gives them unexpected complexity. These flashbacks are among the elements that infuse "Moonrise Kingdom" with both absurd humor and an engrossing fluidity; the letters Sam and Suzy wrote to each other over the year they planned their escape are filled with a breathless excitement, as if they can't wait for forever to start now.

There's still hope for them — that's what's thrilling. You almost long to protect these two once you get to know the adults who are scrambling around trying to find them, including Bruce Willis as the island's lonely sheriff and Tilda Swinton as the all-business social services worker known only as Social Services. The grown-ups don't provide much heft, especially toward the end, but maybe that was intentional to make the kids' relationship stand out that much more.

Longtime Anderson friend and collaborator Jason Schwartzman rounds out the excellent supporting cast as the fast-talking, highly efficient scout leader who helps Sam and Suzy with their plan; the performance will put a familiar smile on your face as it suggests who "Rushmore's" Max Fischer might have grown up to become.

"Moonrise Kingdom," a Focus Features release, is rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking. Running time: 94 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

———

Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions:

G — General audiences. All ages admitted.

PG — Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

PG-13 — Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.

R — Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NC-17 — No one under 17 admitted.

On the season finale of Saturday Night Live this past weekend, Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg updated viewers on their Sunday routines as of late with "Lazy Sunday 2," a sequel to 2005's hit digital short.

PHOTOS: Kristen Wiig's best moments on SNL

On the agenda for "Parns" and "Young Sandwich?" Eggs Benedict and mimosas at "a cute French place" (post-gym trip, of course), followed by a Sister Act matinee.

This time, however, the pair chose to skip the cupcakes.

PHOTOS: Stars' funniest SNL moments

"Don't mess with Magnolia, 'cause the line's too long," Samberg rapped.

"Plus it messes with my cleanse," Parnell interjected. "Now back to the song!"

Click to watch the hilarious video, and tell Us: what was your favorite skit from Saturday's SNL finale?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: LOL! Andy Samberg, Chris Parnell Do Brunch, Hit Broadway Show for Lazy Sunday 2

The pair are getting ready to welcome their second child together, the actor, 43, announced on Twitter Friday.

PHOTOS: Celeb moms on the go

"Just between the 10,149 of you and me, my wife and I are expecting our second child," Wolf joked to his followers. "We are expecting that because she's pregnant. Happy us."

Kelley Wolf, 35, appeared on "The Real World: New Orleans" on 2000, and on MTV's "The Challenge" in 2002. She and her former "Party of Five" star beau tied the knot in her hometown of Fayetteville, Ark., in 2004.

PHOTOS: Adorable A-list tots

Scott and Kelley are already parents to a son, Jackson, born in March 2009.

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The 38-year-old joined The Foo Fighters on stage at the Rockefeller Center Skating Rink. Sipping on a Coors Light and wearing tight jean shorts, Wiig and the band's Dave Grohl, 43, closed the set with a cover of "I Love Rock and Roll."

PHOTOS: Kristen Wiig's best moments on SNL

Before Wiig took the stage, however, the evening's host Mick Jagger, 68, performed "Miss You" with the band and Amy Poehler, 40, sang Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation."

Wiig joined Saturday Night Live in 2005, and became known for her spot-on impressions of celebrities like Kathie Lee Gifford, Kris Jenner and Bjork. She also created several popular characters, like Gilly, Target Lady and Mindy Grayson. During her seven seasons, Wiig earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

PHOTOS: Stars' funniest SNL moments

During Wiig's tender send-off, Arcade Fire played "She's a Rainbow" as her fellow cast members -- including Bill Hader, 33, Andy Samberg, 33, and Jason Sudeikis, 36 -- danced around her. Executive producer Lorne Michaels, 67, had the last dance, and Arcade Fire segued into "Ruby Tuesday."

Her Bridesmaids and Friends With Kids costar Jon Hamm, 41, and former Saturday Night Live cast members Poehler, Rachel Dratch, 46, and Chris Kattan, 41, also popped by to bid Wiig farewell.

In April, Wiig hinted about what Us Weekly had already confirmed: the seventh season would be her last.

"When I do leave, it's not because I'm sick of it and not because I see something better or anything like that," she explained on Here's the Thing With Alec Baldwin. "It's just that it's time. When I do leave, it will be the hardest thing. I mean, you know. You're there for a week and on Saturday night you're sad because you leave these people."

Wiig added: "This is my seventh year and that's my family. It's my heart. It's New York to me."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Inside Kristen Wiig's Final Saturday Night Live After Party!

Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer's daughter Avery attended her first prom Friday and it didn't go as smoothly as she'd hoped.

PHOTOS: Celebrity prom pictures

"I actually had a bit of a situation before the prom on Friday," Avery tells Us Weekly. "On Wednesday evening, my original prom date, who is my best guy friend at school, called me to tell me that he just found out he had a tennis states game at 5. This meant he would miss preprom for the photos and most of prom. I was freaking out!" 

Avery tried calling all her guy friends to find a last-minute date, but they all had sport commitments.

"This was the only time I wished boys were not athletic," she joked. Eventually, however, she found a date. "On Thursday night, I found out a friend of mine from school, Evan, did not have anyone to go with, so we decided to go together." she tells Us. "He did not have a suit or a tux, but it all worked out in the end. Talk about spontaneous!"

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But it was Avery's dad Mario who made her first prom really special. Mario kissed his only child on the forehead for an adorable photo before she headed to prom.

"The bond that I have with my father is very special," Avery, who had "major input" on the custom designed white dress she wore by Kimberly Towers, tells Us.

PHOTOS: Cattiest RHONYC moments

Of course, Ramona, was very proud of her daughter as well. "The pre-prom party where photos were taken were at a private estate and they had about 250 people!" the 55-year-old Bravo star shared.

She also tweeted Friday, "With Mario headed to Avery Singer pre prom party. Can't believe she's going to her first prom. No amount of photos will be enough!"

Ramona is returning for season five of The Real Housewives of New York City on Monday, June 4 on Bravo at 9 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Ramona Singer's Daughter Avery: See Her Pretty Prom Pic!

Wet, windy weather is causing big problems for the A-listers attending the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival this week.

THR reports that stormy conditions caused the roof of the Soixantieme Theatre--a building behind the legendary Palais des Festivals--to collapse, forcing several cancellations and postponements of screenings.

PHOTOS: Cannes film festival style

"I have never seen it this bad," an industry source told THR about the crazy conditions.

Celebs, including Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, braved the pouring rain to head down the red carpet during Sunday night's premiere of Michael Hankee's Amour.

PHOTOS: Cannes 2012 so far

Typically, Cannes festival attendees enjoy a balmy, Mediterranean climate during their visit--including 12 hours of sunshine a day and average high temperatures of 68.4 degrees. The gloomy, unseasonably cool conditions are expected to continue through Monday and Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Rainy Cannes Weather Causes Cancellations, Roof Collapse

Wet, windy weather is causing big problems for the A-listers attending the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival this week.

THR reports that stormy conditions caused the roof of the Soixantieme Theatre--a building behind the legendary Palais des Festivals--to collapse, forcing several cancellations and postponements of screenings.

PHOTOS: Cannes film festival style

"I have never seen it this bad," an industry source told THR about the crazy conditions.

Celebs, including Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson, braved the pouring rain to head down the red carpet during Sunday night's premiere of Michael Hankee's Amour.

PHOTOS: Cannes 2012 so far

Typically, Cannes festival attendees enjoy a balmy, Mediterranean climate during their visit--including 12 hours of sunshine a day and average high temperatures of 68.4 degrees. The gloomy, unseasonably cool conditions are expected to continue through Monday and Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Rainy Cannes Weather Cause Cancellations, Roof Collapse

RELATED: Schwarzenegger Admits Fathering a Child With Staffer

"We get along really well," Schwarzenegger told McLarty on the set of his upcoming film "The Tomb" (which also stars Sylvester Stallone and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson), which Summit Entertainment is releasing in 2013.

Schwarzenegger continued, saying, "We have a great time raising the kids together. ... The most important thing is that the kids are doing well, and Maria always has been an extraordinary mother and always has worked with the kids very closely. I was always more off working and being on location. ... Together we always were a good team in that."

In May 2011, Schwarzenegger issued a public statement, admitting to fathering a child with a household staffer. The couple announced their separation the same month.

RELATED: Maria Shriver on Arnold Schwarzenegger's Love Child

The proud father also commented on recent pictures of his son Patrick, calling him "a real stud." Schwarzenegger concluded that the 18-year-old must get his good looks from Shriver's side of the family.

Tune in to ET tonight to find out what Maria Shriver thought about her daughter interviewing first lady Michelle Obama.

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The 52-year-old estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was found dead of an apparent suicide last week at her home in Bedford, a hamlet north of New York City.

The event at the Standard Hotel in Manhattan on Monday night was private. The media were kept outside.

Her funeral was held on Saturday in Bedford. Mourners included actors Susan Sarandon, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Edward James Olmos, tennis great John McEnroe and musician Paul Shaffer.

She was buried at a cemetery in Centerville, Mass., several miles from the Kennedy seaside compound in Hyannisport.

For the first time in the history of their famed annual list of the sexiest stars, the editors of Maxim magazine have allowed their readers to name 2012's Hot 100.

Topping this year's list: None other than supermodel Bar Refaeli. "So happy and honored to be No. 1 on #Maximhot100! thank you @maximmag!" Leonardo DiCaprio's 26-year-old ex-girlfriend tweeted Monday after learning she took top honors. "This is very exciting!"

PHOTOS: Love lives of models

Settling into this year's second-place spot was 'Magic Mike' co-star Olivia Munn, who recently stripped down for a sexy new PETA ad campaign.

VIDEO: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer strip in 'Magic Mike' trailer

Rounding out this year's top five sexy stars were 'Friends With Benefits'' actress Mila Kunis (No. 3), pop star Katy Perry (No. 4) and Olivia Wilde (No. 5).

Also included on this year's list of the world's most beautiful women are Duchess Kate's little sis, Pippa Middleton (No. 81), buxom "Jersey Shore" babe Jenni "JWoww" Farley (No. 74) and "Can't Be Tamed" singer Miley Cyrus (No. 68).

PHOTOS: Pippa's sexy royal style

Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert received an overwhelming number of write-in votes to make the cut at No. 69. Also making the list were Megan Fox (No. 8), Blake Lively (No. 13), Lea Michele (No. 14), Kristen Stewart (No. 15), Charlize Theron (No. 16), Scarlett Johansson (No. 17) and WWE Divas Kelly Kelly (No. 38) and Layla El (No. 95).

For the full list of the 100 sexiest stars, visit Maxim.com.

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Some of Kristin Cavallari's old Hills pals--including Heidi Montag and Stephanie Pratt--came out of the woodwork for her West Hollywood baby shower this past weekend.

About thirty of Cavallari's loved ones attended the party, which took place at a private residence Saturday afternoon. Guests noshed on cupcakes, a three-tier sponge cake by Sweet Spils, and sipped cocktails. "It was like a fun party," a source told Us Weekly of the first-time mom's big day.

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The Hills star's former costars Pratt and Montag both showed up looking noticeably different from their MTV days. Montag, 25, who famously underwent ten plastic surgery procedures in one day back in 2010, flaunted her DDD implants in a tight pink tank-top. 26-year-old Pratt, for her part, showed off a slim frame and plumped-up lips. (Pratt's brother and Montag's husband Spencer Pratt also stopped by the celebration).

PHOTOS: Kristin's chic pregnancy style

Cavallari--who is expecting her first child with fiance Jay Cutler this summer--concealed her growing bump in a glamorous black maxi dress, which she accessorized with gold bangles.

"She was glowing and gorgeous," a source told Us of the mama-to-be. "She looked so happy!"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Inside Kristin Cavallari's Baby Shower!

"I think they're going to play with the love triangle a bit, and I have no idea who she's going to end up with!" Bilson, 30, told Us Weekly at The CW Upfront event in NYC Thursday. "I think that'll be fun to see."

PHOTOS: Hot TV doctors

It will also pose a lot of problems, according to Porter, 32. "You've got George putting Zoe in an unfair predicament because of the fallout of the wedding not happening, and then eventually you're going to see Wade and George at odds. So everyone that he has in his life is going to be turning their back on him in one way or another."

Lemon, meanwhile, will struggle to maintain her perfect image now that George has very publicly ended their engagement. "Lemon's greatest conflict is trying to be perfect for everyone all the time rather than being who she really is. I don't think she remembers who she is or what that looks like," King, 33, told Us. "I hopefully feel like this next season, I'll be able to explore who she really is in her heart beyond being this perfect exterior for everybody else."

VIDEO: See scenes from the first season of Hart of Dixie

Of course, Lemon may not stay single for long if she gets back together with former fling Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams, 43). "I think it'd be really fun to see if she and Lavon could explore a relationship," King said. "I love acting with Cress and I like that dynamic."

Williams, however, joked that in Season 2, he'd like to see his character finally "court a girl who's available!"

The second season of Hart of Dixie airs next fall on The CW.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Rachel Bilson, Scott Porter Dish on Hart of Dixie's Steamy Love Triangle

For the first time in the history of their famed annual list of the sexiest stars, Maxim magazine has allowed their readers to name 2012's Hot 100.

Topping this year's list: None other than supermodel Bar Refaeli. "So happy and honored to be #1 on #Maximhot100! thank you @maximmag!" Leonardo DiCaprio's 26-year-old ex tweeted Monday after learning she took home top honors. "This is very exciting!"

PHOTOS: Love lives of models

Settling into this year's second place spot was Magic Mike star Olivia Munn, who recently stripped down for a sexy new PETA ad campaign.

VIDEO: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer strip in Magic Mike trailer

Rounding out this year's top five sexy stars were Friends With Benefits' Mila Kunis (No. 3), pop star Katy Perry (No. 4) and Olivia Wilde (No. 5).

Also included on this year's list of the world's most beautiful women are Kate Middleton's little sis, Pippa (No. 81), buxom Jersey Shore babe Jenni "JWoww" Farley (No. 74) and "Can't Be Tamed" singer Miley Cyrus (No. 68).

PHOTOS: Pippa's sexy royal style

Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert received an overwhelming number of write-in votes to make the cut at No. 69.

For the full list of the 100 sexiest stars, visit Maxim.com.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Maxim 100: Bar Refaeli, Olivia Munn Top Annual List

PHOTOS: How Hilary prepped for motherhood

Duff and her husband Mike Comrie stepped out for the first time with their son since he was born on March 20. The new parents brought Luca Cruz for a visit to a friend's house in West Hollywood.

Comrie did the heavy lifting for his wife by carrying Luca in his car seat, which the couple kept covered with a blanket. Duff, 24, flaunted her post-baby bod in tight, neon pink jeans.

PHOTOS: Star dads on duty

The new mom has been working out since giving birth with her sister Haylie. Haylie tweeted last Tuesday, "Awesome soul cycle class" and Duff tweeted back, "I agree thanks Soul Cycle."

PHOTOS: Incredible post-baby bodies

The proud mother has also been tweeting photos of her adorable son to her 1 million followers. "Babies smell so good!" she tweeted May 12. "I can't get enough. Poor guy gets loved on so much.... I wonder if he ever feels like yo mom, dad give me some space!"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: PIC: Hilary Duff Takes Luca on First Outing

That lifted the film's domestic total to $457.7 million, while its worldwide ticket sales have climbed to nearly $1.2 billion.

"Battleship" opened a distant No. 2 with $25.5 million. Debuting at No. 3 was Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy "The Dictator" with $17.4 million, while the ensemble pregnancy tale "What to Expect When You're Expecting" premiered at No. 5 with $10.5 million.

The top 20 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Sunday, followed by distribution studio, gross, number of theater locations, average receipts per location, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Monday by Hollywood.com are:

1. "The Avengers," Disney, $55,644,102, 4,249 locations, $13,096 average, $457,665,517, three weeks.

2. "Battleship," Universal, $25,534,825, 3,690 locations, $6,920 average, $25,534,825, one week.

3. "The Dictator," Paramount, $17,435,092, 3,008 locations, $5,796 average, $24,476,173, one week.

4. "Dark Shadows," Warner Bros., $12,583,338, 3,755 locations, $3,351 average, $50,721,759, two weeks.

5. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," Lionsgate, $10,547,068, 3,021 locations, $3,491 average, $10,547,068, one week.

6. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," Fox Searchlight, $3,230,584, 354 locations, $9,126 average, $8,228,025, three weeks.

7. "The Hunger Games," Lionsgate, $2,950,331, 2,064 locations, $1,429 average, $391,581,441, nine weeks.

8. "Think Like a Man," Sony Screen Gems, $2,650,549, 1,722 locations, $1,539 average, $85,838,460, five weeks.

9. "The Lucky One," Warner Bros., $1,778,453, 2,005 locations, $887 average, $56,934,628, five weeks.

10. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits," Sony, $1,578,632, 1,840 locations, $858 average, $25,490,136, four weeks.

11. "The Five-Year Engagement," Universal, $1,110,375, 1,175 locations, $945 average, $27,103,010, four weeks.

12. "Chimpanzee," Disney, $667,528, 895 locations, $746 average, $27,008,515, five weeks.

13. "Bernie," Millennium Entertainment, $491,436, 95 locations, $5,173 average, $1,124,572, four weeks.

14. "Wrath of the Titans," Warner Bros., $476,327, 360 locations, $1,323 average, $82,520,290, eight weeks.

15. "Girl in Progress," Lionsgate, $459,357, 322 locations, $1,427 average, $2,137,371, two weeks.

16. "Dr. Seuss' the Lorax," Universal, $458,595, 379 locations, $1,210 average, $210,191,325, 12 weeks.

17. "The Three Stooges," Fox, $436,495, 594 locations, $735 average, $41,830,632, six weeks.

18. "Mirror Mirror," Relativity Media, $403,814, 407 locations, $992 average, $61,551,236, eight weeks.

19. "The Cabin in the Woods," Lionsgate, $381,566, 448 locations, $852 average, $40,551,639, six weeks.

20. "John Carter," Disney, $368,994, 114 locations, $3,237 average, $72,157,379, 11 weeks.

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Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.

In Scotland on Saturday, Pippa Middleton, 28, stepped out at a friend's wedding in a $575 raspberry Issa wrap dress, which she paired with a matching fascinator.

PHOTOS: Pippa's chic street style

It was the same silk jersey design that Duchess Kate, 30, wore in November 2010 when she and her husband Prince William announced their engagement. The shade of her dress channeled her sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to William's mother, the late Princess Diana.

PHOTOS: The Middleton girls' family album

This isn't the first time the Middleton sisters have had a sibling rivalry in the form of copying each other's wardrobe. Earlier this year, they both worked the bright denim trend. In December 2011, Pippa sported the same $1,125 Katherine Hooker coat that her sister wore eight months prior.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Who Wore It Best: Pippa or Kate Middleton?

Adam Dale Broach, of Notasulga, was arrested Sunday by the Pike County's Sheriff's Office. Broach is charged with first-degree theft of property.

An arrest report says the custom-made 1968 Les Paul guitar disappeared from Williams' cabin in the area in July 2010 and then was recovered later that month when it was given to Wayne Mills of the Wayne Mills Band as a gift during a concert in Sheffield.

Few other details were available. Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas was not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon.

It is unclear if Broach has an attorney.

Wallenda says Monday that ABC is adamant about making him wear the safety device out of concern for viewers who tune in to the network's three-hour, prime-time special on June 15.

He says he's upset by the condition because he's never worn a tether during a performance and it will give him another thing to contend with as he walks through the mist and wind over the waterfall.

ABC spokesman Jeffrey Schneider says the network has said all along that safety measures would be in place during the live broadcast.

Wallenda is a seventh-generation member of the famous daredevil family the Great Wallendas.

"I was sad to lose those guys. We love them to death, they're really, really beautiful people and it was difficult," Williams, who plays Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC hit, told Us Weekly at Sunday's 27th Anniversary Sports Spectacular in Century City, Calif. "It was kind of depressing."

PHOTOS: TV bombshells

Made aware of Lexie (Leigh) and Teddy's (Raver) exits at the finale table read with his castmates shortly before filming, Williams, 30, says their characters' swan songs make him wonder if Dr. Avery's days are numbered.

"Everybody is supposedly leaving, one way or another," said Williams, who first joined the series in 2009.

PHOTOS: Grey's most memorable moments

After Grey's Anatomy's shocking May 17 finale, show creator Shonda Rhimes explained that she was "sick" over having to write Leigh and Raver off the series.

"This finale was incredibly hard to write. I did not enjoy it. It made me sick and it made me sad. We end the season not knowing anything about the future. Except for two things. We know we are definitely saying goodbye to two of my favorite people: Chyler Leigh (Lexie) and Kim Raver (Teddy)," Rhimes explained of the characters, who made their exits via death and job changes.

VIDEO: How the Grey's cast kills time on set

Frequently one to try to predict how Rhimes' storylines would go, Williams has instead decided to stay in the present on the ABC series.

"I gave up predicting on that show after my first year," says the actor, who is currently producing and starring in the drag racing flick Snake and Mongoose. "I spent my whole first year thinking I knew what the hell I was talking about, and now I just don't even pretend."

Tell Us: Which cast member's exit shocked you most?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Grey's Anatomy's Jesse Williams: Chyler Leigh, Kim Raver's Exits Were "Depressing"

Us Weekly is partnering with Viggle to reward you for watching America's favorite single mom, Emily Maynard, undertake her latest televised quest for true love on The Bachelorette.

PHOTOS: Meet Emily's sexy suitors

Download the Viggle iPhone app (it's free!), and accumulate points just for checking in when you watch live on Monday. Earn more for answering trivia questions, and weighing in on the ridiculousness of contestants' pickup lines, whether you'd prefer a ride on Kalon's helicopter or Jef's skateboard, and, most importantly, who you think deserves a rose. Post-show, trade your hard-earned points for gift cards to places like Best Buy, Fandango, Old Navy, and more.

PHOTOS: Take a look back at Emily's time with Brad Womack

Visit the iTunes store to download Viggle, and tune in to ABC tonight at 9 p.m. to join the conversation--and get rewarded for your Bachelorette obsession.

 

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Watch The Bachelorette With Us Weekly and Viggle!

At a jury photo call during the Cannes Film Festival May 16, the actress, 35, wore a sexy but sophisticated Versus dress. The laced mini featured a pleated skirt, and Kruger completed her look with Jimmy Choo 'Katima' sandals.

PHOTOS: The best fashion moments from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival

Later that evening, Kruger looked like a modern day Grace Kelly at the Moonrise Kingdom premiere, wearing a silk aqua Giambattista Valli Couture design. She paired the one-shoulder gown with silver jewelry and a Judith Leiber streamline frosted Lucite clutch.

Kruger continued her excellent red carpet run two days later at the Haiti Carnival benefit for the J/P HRO, Artists For Peace and Justice & Happy Hearts Fund event hosted by Armani. The Inglourious Basterds actress chose Jason Wu's asymmetrical draped chiffon gown with an embroidered Chantilly lace tromp l'oeil slip underlay and an embellished collar. She paired the look with simple black sandals, diamond earrings and a black diamante Judith Leiber embellished clutch.

PHOTOS: 12 style stars to watch in 2012

On May 20, Joshua Jackson's longtime love looked like a golden goddess in a strapless, custom Vivienne Westwood gown featuring rose gold sequins and draping. At the Amour premiere, Kruger added a Jimmy Choo clutch and diamond drop earrings.

Tell Us: Which of Diane Kruger's Cannes Film Festival looks is your favorite?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Cannes Film Festival 2012: Diane Kruger's Four Best Looks!

And on Monday's episode of ABC's The Bachelorette, single mom Maynard, 26, takes Ryan into her Charlotte, N.C., kitchen to whip up some tasty treats during a one-on-one date.

PHOTOS: Meet the guys competing for Emily's heart

"I get to bake? Awesome!" Atlanta-based athletic coach Ryan, 31, says in the preview clip above. "You don't watch The Bachelor and think that you're going to be cooking, but I'm willing to do just about anything for Emily."

The best part of their domestic one-on-one date? Macho man Ryan donned a frilly patterned apron for the cooking session. "It doesn't have room for 'man chest,'" he lamented as he helped Maynard stir in chocolate chips for the cookies.

VIDEO: Emily's home life with her daughter Ricki

"We're hanging out in her kitchen and I'm thinking that this is exactly what life could be like if I was a part of her life," he later reasoned. "I could step in and be a part of what she does every day. There's romance in that."

For her part, Maynard, who'll go on another date with Ryan to an Italian restaurant and Gloriana concert later this season, seemed impressed with the way he handled himself around the kitchen.

PHOTOS: See Emily and Ryan dine and dance on their upcoming one-on-one date

Says the reality star: "It's too soon to tell how Ryan would treat me and how he'd be in a marriage, but he totally passed the cookie test!"

Watch more of their sweet interaction in the clip above before the full episode of The Bachelorette airs Monday at 8 p.m. (EST) on ABC.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Bachelorette Preview: Emily Gets Messy in the Kitchen With Ryan

Before a screening of a restored version of his 1979 film "Tess," starring Nastassja Kinski, the Polish director showed the short, titled "A Therapy." It stars Ben Kingsley and Helena Bonham Carter and was created as a high-quality commercial for Prada.

That was a relative disappointment for festival-goers who had been teased that Polanski would preview a new film.

The festival earlier screened the documentary "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir," which features conversations between Polanski and his friend Andrew Braunsberg about his U.S. arrest in 1977 for unlawful sex with an underage girl and his subsequent flight to France before sentencing.

Polanski, who currently lives in Paris, was in 2009 arrested in Switzerland to be extradited to the United States. The Swiss eventually rejected the request.

Polanski won the Cannes' Palme d'Or in 2002 for "The Pianist."

Two years after he opened up about exes Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson -- revealing intimate details about both their breakups and sex lives -- the 34-year-old "Shadow Days" singer realized he probably shouldn't have been so candid.

PHOTOS: John Mayer's romance with Jennifer Aniston

"I had nothing to say," Mayer admitted on NPR's All Things Considered Saturday. "I was going through a time in my life where I didn't really want to share what was going on, but I didn't want to be boring."

PHOTOS: John Mayer and other big-time Hollywood flirts

At the time, Mayer told Rolling Stone he had "never really gotten over" his breakup with Aniston, 43, and called it "one of the worst times" of his life. In a similarly revealing Playboy interview, the musician said Simpson, 31, "was like crack cocaine to me. Sexually, it was crazy. . . It was like napalm, sexual napalm."

Now that he's older and wiser, Mayer plans to be more tight-lipped. "When you're just open, but not honest, then you start free-associating garbage," he said on All Things Considered. "It doesn't mean I can go back and scrub it out, but I understand it now."

Mayer's new album, Born and Raised, is in stores Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: John Mayer Regrets TMI Comments About Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson

Takeshi Miyakawa, a visual artist and furniture designer, was arrested Saturday after placing the installation in two separate areas of the same New York City neighborhood. His lawyer and employer both called the arrest a misunderstanding.

The first apparatus was found Friday morning after a caller reported a suspicious package to police. It consisted of a plastic bag that contained a battery and was suspended from a metal rod attached to a tree. The bag, which had the classic "I Love New York" logo printed on it, was connected by a wire to a plastic box that contained more wires.

The area was evacuated for two hours until a bomb squad determined that the device was not dangerous.

At about 2 a.m. Saturday, a police officer discovered Miyakawa on a ladder not far from where the first contraption was found. Police said he was tying a similar "I Love New York" bag to a public lamp post.

Miyakawa was charged with two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree, two counts of placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the second degree, two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of second-degree criminal nuisance.

A judge ordered him held pending a psychiatric evaluation. His lawyer, Deborah J. Blum, said Monday that she is filing for emergency relief to have Miyakawa released. A court date was set for June 21 to review the results of the evaluation.

"He's still being held," Blum said Monday. "I believe that it was a gross misunderstanding and other than that I don't have any other comment."

Miyakawa, who was born in Tokyo and is about 50 years old, has worked for a New York-based architect Rafael Vinoly for the last 20 years and also has an independent design practice.

Vinoly's firm released a statement Monday praising Miyakawa for his "extraordinary brand of professionalism" and said he has been a mentor to generations of young architects.

"Takeshi is a fabulous human being and a person of extraordinary talent," Vinoly said. "We hope this misunderstanding is cleared up as quickly as possible."

New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement that the charges sounded "like a wild overreaction."

"It's hard to understand why a light-up bag in a tree would be treated as an attempted terrorist act unless there's more to the story than has been reported in the press thus far," she said.

In 2007, an artist touched off a terror scare in Boston by placing electronic devices around the city as part of a marketing stunt for Cartoon Network. The city closed bridges, roads and public transit before authorities realized the signs were not bombs.

On an average day, the NYPD receives nearly 100 reports of a suspicious package. Last year, there were more than 4,000 such reports. The number generally rises following any word of terror threats in New York and around the world.

His latest movie, "Gangs of Wasseypur," is India's first mainstream film to be screened in the Director's Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival. The epic follows a feuding family over 60 years in the rural eastern coal district of Dhanbad.

It stars Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Richa Chadda.

Kashyap says being at Cannes has increased interest in his movies in India. He says Indian movies that are not Bollywood are too often "sidelined as very boring and art house, and they don't often get released " in his native land.

But he said when "people everywhere are endorsing the film, back home they suddenly take it very seriously."

Kashyap has another film titled "Peddlers" showing in the festival's Critic's Week section.

The Cannes Film Festival runs until May 27.

Celebs took to their Twitter accounts to share their experience of the rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a bright ring around its edges. The continental United States won't witness another eclipse for five years, and stars like Demi Moore, Katy Perry and Sarah Hyland did not want to miss out!

PHOTOS: Thrill seeking stars

Dark Shadows actress Chloe Grace Moretz shared a photo of her view of the solar eclipse.

Moore got in on the action, tweeting, "Solar eclipse anyone?" Modern Family star Hyland wrote, "Ouch. The solar eclipse hurts."

Glee star Chris Colfer was especially excited to witness the event. "Solar eclipse! Solar eclipse!" he tweeted. "Anyone else watching it through four pairs of sunglasses?"

PHOTOS: Stars with honorary degrees

Dancing With the Stars' Brooke Burke-Charvet tweeted a bright photo of the event to her followers.

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest asked, "Has anyone actually been blinded by the solar eclipse?" Perry joked, "Tonight's Billboard Music Awards performance is sponsored by the solar eclipse... #venus."

PHOTOS: Twilight: Eclipse red carpet style

And comedian Dane Cook also used the opportunity to make a joke. He tweeted, "This solar eclipse looks strange to me. Maybe I looked at it too long??"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Solar Eclipse: As Seen by Celebs

The song, "Celebrate," is a duet with Jordin Sparks from Houston's last movie, a remake of the film "Sparkle."

The song debuted Monday on Ryan Seacrest's website and will be available on iTunes June 5.

Sparks performed a tribute to Houston Sunday night at the Billboard Music Awards, singing "I Will Always Love You" as Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina wiped away tears.

Houston's death in February at age 48 came as the singer had been attempting a comeback and had finished filming "Sparkle." She drowned in a bathtub in Beverly Hills, Calif. Authorities said her death was complicated by cocaine use and heart disease.

"Sparkle" opens in theaters August 17.

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ABC announced Monday that a one-hour spinoff of the morning news show called "Good Afternoon America" will premiere July 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. It will air weekday afternoons for nine weeks.

Anchoring the new broadcast will be Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer from "GMA." Their team of Sam Champion, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos will make special appearances.

The network says "Good Afternoon America" will feature celebrities, musical performances, pop culture news and other reporting.

It is replacing the canceled lifestyle show, "The Revolution," which premiered in January.

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Online:

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The former "Friends" star will make his Playwrights Horizons debut this summer in Lisa D'Amour's play about the tensions lurking under the surface of American life.

He will star opposite Tony Award nominee Amy Ryan.

"Detroit" is set in a suburb of that city and centers on a couple who invite their new neighbors over for a barbecue only to slowly find their friendship veering out of control.

Previews begin Aug. 24.

The play represents Schwimmer's first return to the New York stage since his Broadway debut in "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" in 2006. He also directed "Fault Lines" at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2008.

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Online: http://www.PlaywrightsHorizons.org

A statement released Monday says the "Franklin & Bash" star has an agreement with Stranger Comics for three books that will "address identity issues relevant to many children today."

The series will be called "I Am." The first book, "I Am Mixed," is coming out this fall. It will tell of a brother and sister and their mixed ethnicities.

A second book will be about children of divorce. Beauvais' parents were divorced, and she has been married twice.

The Haiti-born actress and mother of three is known for her roles on "The Jamie Foxx Show" and "NYPD Blue."

Clad in a shimmering lavender Bluemarine gown, the 27-year-old, who dyed her hair a dark violet in April, chose a deep purple lip color, thick black eyeliner and flawless, airbrushed-like skin.

PHOTOS: See what all the stars wore at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards

To achieve her wine-stained pout, Todd Delano, celebrity makeup artist for Lancome, used Lancome Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick in Portelle, a muted brown-plum pencil, and Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Rich Cashmere, a peachy nude lipstick.

PHOTOS: Katy Perry's many, many hairstyles

The shade mix on Perry's natural lip color appeared electric purple -- similar to the shade Kesha colored her lips (with an eyeliner) last week.

Tell Us: What do you think of the "Wide Awake" singer's dark lips?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Katy Perry's Dark Purple Lipstick: Love It or Hate It?

In a "Today" show appearance Monday morning, Gosselin, 37, opened up about what her family's been up to since TLC's "Kate Plus 8" went off the air last September.

The former reality star says she's been keeping busy compiling recipes ("I have eight testers at home!" she boasted), running (she ran her first marathon in December), and blogging for money-saving site Coupon Cabin. As for the kids?

PHOTOS: The Gosselin family album

"Everyone is excelling school across the board," the proud mom told anchor Ann Curry. "We've had a great school year."

Still, "They really honestly miss filming," Gosselin shared. "They've been saying, 'When are we going to go here or there? We miss the crew.'"

Though their TLC contract is over, "We're hoping to move forward and do more projects," Gosselin explained. "Fans are begging [to see more]. 'They've grown up, they turned eight. What are you doing [now]?'"

PHOTOS: Jon Gosselin's scandalous new relationship

The family wouldn't mind more time in the spotlight, but for now, Gosselin says, they're all pretty content with life at home. Even things with her ex-husband Jon Gosselin are on the upswing, she revealed.

"He's really been positive and more available," Gosselin said of her former spouse, from whom she filed for divorce in 2009. "[Jon] is working with me and the kids notice it. I've always wanted that peace for them ... and we're finally to a point where it's happening."

MORE FROM WONDERWALL:

Did Kate Gosselin Get a Facelift?

Pop Culture's Most 'High-Spirited' Moms

Single Parent Celebs

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation announced Monday that the 86-year-old Salter has won the 25th annual PEN/Malamud Award.

Judges praised Salter for "creating sentences that spark and make stories burn." Besides "Dusk," his books include the story collection "Last Night," the novel "A Sport and a Pastime" and the memoir "Burning the Days."

Salter will be given $5,000 for the PEN/Malamud prize. It's named for the late Bernard Malamud, author of "The Fixer" and "The Natural."

Mulligan, an old-school newspaperman with a taste for whiskey, cigars and irreverent humor, returns in the chilling murder mystery "Cliff Walk," whose sometimes violent plot is tempered by the hero's wry observations on print journalism's seemingly inexorable decline.

Recent staff consolidation and cutbacks have forced Mulligan to churn out light stories on topics such as high-society parties. But a charity gala in posh Newport turns into real news when a guest is murdered atop the rocky Cliff Walk separating the area's Gilded Age mansions from the sea. Police believe the victim to be Sal Maniella, a millionaire pornographer and strip-club owner, but mysteries abound as none of Maniella's friends or family will consent to identify the body.

Mulligan teams up with Maniella's beautiful, brainy female attorney to unravel the case, whose scope widens to include prostitution, child abuse, multiple homicides and an enduring vendetta. Along the way, he receives help from a colorful cast of supporting characters, including a no-nonsense state attorney general nicknamed "Attila the Nun," loosely modeled on real-life Rhode Island politician Arlene Violet, who left the Sisters of Mercy religious order to pursue public office.

Despite the book's sexually charged situations and graphic crime-scene descriptions, DeSilva's masterful narrative style ensures that any shocking details remain firmly in service of the plot, and the tone never turns exploitative. You can count on the brilliant Mulligan to reappear in the next installment of this outstanding series from DeSilva, but be prepared for changes. When Mulligan learns that bookmakers are taking bets on how long the Dispatch will remain in business, he begins to consider a tempting job offer — from a private detective agency.

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Online:

http://brucedesilva.com/

Melissa Bowerman, 41, who had been coaching the Condon/Wheeler track and field team with her 73-year-old husband, Jon Bowerman, was ousted this month in a phone call from the superintendents of the Condon and Fossil school districts.

"There was an investigation done and through that investigation, there were some potential details that arose," Condon superintendent Jan Zarate told the East Oregonian newspaper of Pendleton (http://is.gd/pBVR6a). "We started an investigation that led to us asking her to un-volunteer."

Zarate declined to provide details of the investigation.

Melissa Bowerman, whose late father-in-law invented the waffle-soled running shoe and co-founded Nike with Phil Knight, said attending the Condon High School prom with a boy from the track team was an error in judgment. But she said the pair did not have an inappropriate relationship. She said they danced to a few slow songs but mostly played ping pong and foosball.

Melissa Bowerman, who has a son on the track team, said she went to the prom because the boy felt bad that he lacked a date and had been struggling in English class.

"If they go on (academic) probation and suspension, then they can't go to the track meets," Melissa Bowerman said. "I said, `OK, I will go with you, but we've got to talk about English first. You're going to do better in English."

Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt, who received a complaint from a chaperone, said he has found no evidence that Melissa Bowerman broke the law.

The boy's father, meanwhile, said he gave Melissa Bowerman permission to take his son to the dance.

"The first thing I thought, `Maybe this isn't a good idea.' But Melissa has been like a surrogate mom to these kids for years," Bob Thomas said.

The track and field program has ballooned from six athletes to more than 30 in just four years under the Bowermans' watch, and the Condon/Wheeler girls team won its first state title Saturday.

As the team prepared to depart for the state track meet last week, Condon athletic director Ron Kopp told the Bowermans that Melissa would not be allowed to ride on the team's charter bus with the athletes. With the bus only half full, parents have historically accompanied their sons and daughters for the ride.

Jon Bowerman said he might resign because of the situation, and possibly sell his family's ranch near Fossil.

"The only thing we've done wrong is build them a new track and get uniforms and build them a powerhouse program," he said. "If she doesn't come back, I'm not coming back."

Besides co-founding Nike, Bill Bowerman coached track at the University of Oregon from 1949 to 1972, winning four national titles. His relationship with track great Steve Prefontaine has been featured in two films.

Just days after Us Weekly confirmed that Elin Nordegren was back on the market, she stole some time away for a beach trip where she flaunted her slim and sexy body.

While basking in the sun at Miami's South Beach on Saturday, the 32-year-old mom of two showed off her supermodel figure in an aqua and yellow string bikini. She covered up with a straw fedora and aviator sunglasses.

PHOTOS: Relive the Tiger Woods sex scandal

On Thursday, sources told Us that Tiger Woods' ex-wife broke things off her her wealthy finance investor beau Jamie Dingman after dating for a year.

"He's a really fun, exciting guy and she needed that, but she wants someone more stable for the kids now," the source says. "She's back to casually dating."

PHOTOS: How Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's kids have grown up

Nordegren shares kids Sam, 4, and Charlie, 3, with Woods, who she divorced in 2010 following his multiple infidelities; the pair was married for five years.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Single Elin Nordegren Shows Off Sexy Body in Skimpy Bikini

Melissa Bowerman, 41, who had been coaching the Condon/Wheeler track and field team with her 73-year-old husband, Jon Bowerman, was ousted this month in a phone call from the superintendents of the Condon and Fossil school districts.

"There was an investigation done and through that investigation, there were some potential details that arose," Condon superintendent Jan Zarate told the East Oregonian newspaper of Pendleton (http://is.gd/pBVR6a). "We started an investigation that led to us asking her to un-volunteer."

Zarate declined to provide details of the investigation.

Melissa Bowerman, whose late father-in-law invented the waffle-soled running shoe and co-founded Nike with Phil Knight, said attending the Condon High School prom with a boy from the track team was an error in judgment. But she said the pair did not have an inappropriate relationship. She said they danced to a few slow songs but mostly played ping pong and foosball.

Melissa Bowerman, who has a son on the track team, said she went to the prom because the boy felt bad that he lacked a date and had been struggling in English class.

"If they go on (academic) probation and suspension, then they can't go to the track meets," Melissa Bowerman said. "I said, `OK, I will go with you, but we've got to talk about English first. You're going to do better in English."

Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt, who received a complaint from a chaperone, said he has found no evidence that Melissa Bowerman broke the law.

The boy's father, meanwhile, said he gave Melissa Bowerman permission to take his son to the dance.

"The first thing I thought, `Maybe this isn't a good idea.' But Melissa has been like a surrogate mom to these kids for years," Bob Thomas said.

The track and field program has ballooned from six athletes to more than 30 in just four years under the Bowermans' watch, and the Condon/Wheeler girls team won its first state title Saturday.

As the team prepared to depart for the state track meet last week, Condon athletic director Ron Kopp told the Bowermans that Melissa would not be allowed to ride on the team's charter bus with the athletes. With the bus only half full, parents have historically accompanied their sons and daughters for the ride.

Jon Bowerman said he might resign because of the situation, and possibly sell his family's ranch near Fossil.

"The only thing we've done wrong is build them a new track and get uniforms and build them a powerhouse program," he said. "If she doesn't come back, I'm not coming back."

Besides co-founding Nike, Bill Bowerman coached track at the University of Oregon from 1949 to 1972, winning four national titles. His relationship with track great Steve Prefontaine has been featured in two films.

Berenice Marlohe is at the film festival to introduce the "Skyfall" trailer, in which she stars alongside Daniel Craig and Naomie Harris.

The smiley French actress is also the new face of Swarovski, so she chats while picking her jewelery for the 007 event Monday, a public screening on the beach.

Marlohe says she's just excited as fans to see the finished movie: "I know the actors, I know what we've done, but I don't know what they will do with it. So I'm very curious about it."

As for what James Bond is really like, Marlohe reveals that Daniel Craig doesn't deserve his serious reputation.

"He's very, very funny," she says. "He's like a clown."

The 27-year-old singer has split from Florence + the Machine guitarist, Robert Ackroyd. The pair started dating about a month ago when they were photographed kissing at Coachella Music Festival.

PHOTOS: Katy's hair evolution

"It wasn't that serious," a source tells Us Weekly of Perry's relationship with Ackroyd. "It's not a nasty thing and they are still talking, but Katy told him to do his thing and they'll talk soon."

"No hard feelings," another source explains to Us. "She's really busy and so is he."

PHOTOS: Katy and Russell in happier times

Perry still appears to be coping with her divorce from Russell Brand, 36. Sunday night at the Billboard Music Awards, the "Part of Me" singer seemed to address their divorce after 14-months of marriage during a performance of her new song, "Wide Awake."

"I'm wide awake. I was in the dark, I was falling hard with an open heart," she sings. "How did I read the stars so wrong. I was dreaming for so long. I wish I knew then what I know now. I wouldn't dive in, I wouldn't bow down."

PHOTOS: Katy's most cleavage-intensive looks

But, Perry says (through song) that she's moved on.

"Not losing any sleep, I picked up every piece and landed on my feet," the song continues. "Need nothing to complete myself. I am born again, out of the lion's den. I don't have to pretend. The story's over now, the end."

And Perry even brought a hot date to the awards -- her 91-year-old grandmother! "My date to tonight's Billboard Music Awards is hotter than the Las Vegas weather," she tweeted. "Smokin'!"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Katy Perry Splits From Robert Ackroyd, Sings About Divorce

"I figured I should go and do something very different, otherwise I'll kind of get stuck," O'Dowd said in an interview at the Cannes Film Festival. "So an Aboriginal musical made sense."

And that could well be the first time such a sentence has been uttered. In the genre of Aboriginal musicals there is but one entry: "The Sapphires," which premiered in Cannes to a lengthy standing ovation and eager debate over whether it was this year's out-of-left-field success story at the festival.

The film, directed by Wayne Blair (an Australian actor making his directorial debut), is about four lively black women, three sisters and a cousin (Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell), who set off from the Australian countryside to sing at a talent contest, and end up on a tour performing for U.S. Marines in Vietnam.

It's 1968 and the backdrop isn't just Vietnam, but the struggle for indigenous Australians for equal treatment in a society that often treated them like second class citizens. O'Dowd plays their hard-drinking Irish manager, Dave Lovelace.

"It's a weird one, isn't it?" says Blair. "It's a 1968 period film. You have choreography, you have musical, four Aboriginal women, add an ignorant Irish alcoholic. Then you're taking them from Victoria to Melbourne to Vietnam and bringing them back home. Like, hello?"

But though "The Sapphires" includes scenes of war and racism, it's exceptionally buoyant in tone — a funnier, scrappier "Dreamgirls," by way of Australia. Lovelace turns the girls away from country music and toward soul. The soundtrack is a tour of Motown staples, from "Who's Lovin' You" to "Soul Sister, Brown Sugar." The music and the political environment in many ways mirror the American civil rights movement, which is frequently glimpsed in news footage.

"It felt like the one thing that could unhinge the whole thing is if it felt forced," says O'Dowd. "Then it kind of doesn't matter if it's funny or if it's dramatic, as long as you believe all of it."

The Weinstein Co. acquired the film ahead of Cannes. After its premiere, Harvey Weinstein was quoted by a Los Angeles Times reporter saying: "Have you seen `The Sapphires'? `The Artist' just happened again." Weinstein, who last year acquired the Oscar-winning "The Artist" at Cannes, has since backed away from that comparison, but the company is releasing the film this fall.

Blair and O'Dowd, while both grateful for the Cannes release, sought to temper too much hype for the film.

"As my dad says: One minute the rooster, the next minute the feather duster," says Blair. O'Dowd admits it's "kind of terrifying" that a film he made that expected not to even make it to America is so talked-about at Cannes.

The film, written by Tony Briggs (with Keith Thompson), is inspired by a true story. Briggs' mother was one of the Sapphires, a story he first turned into a play.

Blair, who watched the Irish musical film "The Commitments" in preparation, knew he wanted a similar feel-good tone. He became attached to the project at Cannes two years ago, with O'Dowd later joining. The Irish actor, who co-stars in Judd Apatow's next film, "This Is 40," and is currently prepping the U.K. sitcom "Moone Boy," was given considerable room to make the character his.

But for O'Dowd, who originally set out to be a serious, Shakespearean actor before becoming a favorite choice for improvisation comedy, "The Sapphires" is yet another unexpected turn.

"Now I want to definitely move into the musical sphere," he jokes. "Just Aboriginal musicals. I'll have a really short career."

———

Contact Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jake—coyle

During a recent radio interview on "In:Demand With Alex James," "Call My Name" singer Cole, 28, said she believes Brown has made positive changes in his life since assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in February 2009.

PHOTOS: Rihanna and Chris Brown's controversial romance

"I think it's really kind of Rihanna [to forgive Brown]," Cole explained. "She's come out and publicly forgiven him, really." (Sources told Us Weekly in January that the exes had been hooking up on-and-off for the past year. They also released two new songs together in February.)

"I think it's about time we all [forgave Brown], if I'm completely honest, if you want my opinion," Cole continued. "I think it's time we all moved on. That guy is talented as hell."

Brown, 23, thanked Cole for her kind words via Twitter on Saturday. "You're amazing! I appreciate you," he wrote. "Thanks for the support and believing in me as an artist."

Not everyone is in Brown's corner, however. After the "Turn Up the Music" singer went home with a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in February and performed twice that evening, Miranda Lambert, 28, vented about his comeback on Twitter.

PHOTOS: Stars who survived abuse

"Chris Brown twice? I don't get it. He beat on a girl. Not cool that we act like that didn't happen," she wrote. "He needs to listen to 'Gunpowder and Lead' and be put back in his place. Not at the Grammys."

A few days later, Brown responded via Twitter, writing, "Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out! Go buy Miranda Lambert's album! So motivational and 'perfect!'"

PHOTOS: Rihanna's hair evolution

Rihanna, for her part, doesn't feel the need to explain why she's friendly with Brown again. "I respect what other people have to say. The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently," she told ELLE in May.

"It's very hard for me to accept, but I get it," Rihanna, 24, added of the criticism. "People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that's all right. I don't hate them for it."

MORE FROM WONDERWALL:

Chris Brown's Highs and Lows

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Celebs With Bad Habits

Producers of "Annie" said Monday that the revival of the musical about the plucky redhead will move into the Broadway theater being vacated by the musical based on "Priscilla Queen of the Desert."

"Annie," starring 11-year-old Lilla Crawford, will begin previews on Oct. 3 and will open on Nov. 8.

The musical, which features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin and book by Thomas Meehan, will be directed by three-time Tony winner James Lapine and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler.

Based on the beloved comic strip that debuted in 1924, "Annie" first opened on Broadway in 1977 and ran for almost six years, fueled by songs including "It's the Hard-Knock Life" and "Tomorrow."

———

Online: http://www.AnnieTheMusical.com

The House of Lies actress, 31, and "Made In America" singer Toby Keith, 50, have been tapped to host the CMT Music Awards on June 6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

PHOTOS: Country music's biggest stars

"Toby Keith and Kristen Bell are a terrific one-two knockout punch for the 2012 CMT Music Awards," John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT, tells Us Weekly in a statement. "Toby has been involved with our show every year since its inception and Kristen is as entertaining and witty as any young actor working today. We're thrilled to have them both as hosts for this year's show."

VIDEO: Watch Shania Twain take a nasty spill at the 2011 CMT Music Awards

Confirmed performers include Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band. More will be announced in the coming weeks.

VIDEO: Kristen Bell flirts with fiance Dax Shepard

Keith -- who is also Billboard's No. 1 Artist of the Decade and No. 1 Country Songwriter of the Decade -- has sold more than 36 million albums worldwide. Bell next appears in the movie Hit & Run, opposite her fiance, Dax Shepard, 37.

Tell Us: Will you tune in for this year's CMT Music Awards?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kristen Bell and Toby Keith Hosting CMT Music Awards June 6

ABC said Monday that Robach will be a news correspondent based in New York. She has been the co-anchor of the weekend "Today" edition since 2007.

Robach worked in local news in Washington, D.C., Charleston, S.C., and Athens, Ga., before joining MSNBC as a daytime anchor in 2003.

ABC News President Ben Sherwood calls Robach a "tenacious and skilled reporter" who has covered stories including Hurricane Katrina and the death of former President Ronald Reagan.

On Sunday, five-months pregnant Reese Witherspoon was snapped hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains with her kids Ava, 12, and Deacon, 8, and her father John Witherspoon.

PHOTOS: Reese's baby bump style

Expecting her first child with second husband Jim Toth, the Oscar-winning actress, 36, recently returned from Nashville, Tenn., to attend a May 11 hearing with dad John, 70, and mom Betty -- who are currently at odds over John's January wedding to Patricia "Tricianne" Taylor. Asserting that John (from whom she separated in 1996 but never divorced) suffers from early-onset dementia, Betty, 63, filed a suit alleging that he committed bigamy, and requested conservatorship over John.

PHOTOS: Reese's body evolution

While Betty's whereabouts are unknown, retired ear, nose and throat doctor John is now staying with his famous daughter at the L.A. home she shares with husband Toth, 42.

PHOTOS: Famous family feuds

"Reese is devastated," a source tells Us Weekly. "She wants her mom protected and her dad to get help."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Pregnant Reese Witherspoon, Dad Go Hiking With Kids After Bigamy Case

The first action-packed trailer for the 23rd James Bond movie, Skyfall, was released Monday.

PHOTOS: Bond is back!

In the Sam Mendes-directed film, Daniel Craig returns as the British spy for the third time Bond. Looking sexy in a suit with a gun in hand, Craig, 44, has his loyalty to M (Judi Dench) tested as he tracks down the threat against M16.

But it wouldn't be a true Bond movie without a little sex appeal. In the clip, Craig receives a sensual, close shave by Naomie Harris. The latest 007 movie also costars Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Berenice Marlohe.

PHOTOS: Who looks the best in a tux?

"Some men are coming to kill us," Bond says in the trailer. "We're going to kill them first."

Skyfall is set to open in theaters and IMAX on Nov. 9.

PHOTOS: Stars with rockin' bods

Watch the trailer and tell Us: Are you excited to see Skyfall?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Watch Skyfall Trailer for New James Bond Film

"I'm a lifer now," the Florence + the Machine frontwoman tells the June issue of Marie Claire. "I've tried going back to brown, but I don't recognize myself."

PHOTOS: Hollywood's red hot redheads

In addition to her bold hair color, the "Shake It Out" singer, 25, is also known for wearing ornate, avant garde clothing by Chanel, Gucci, Givenchy and Valentino. That's because she's not a fan of casual street clothes. "My face isn't right for them," she explains.

When it comes to dressing up for red carpet events, "I've got a teenager's sense of romanticism," Welch admits. "Like, when you're 15 and you think, 'Oh, I could just die!"

Since bursting onto the music scene in 2009, Welch has worked hard to create an image and sound that is authentically her own. "In the beginning I was a lot younger, drunker and more glib. I've learned not to hide behind a veil of irony -- to talk about my work in a more honest way," she says.

PHOTOS: 12 style stars to watch in 2012

"I'm completely in love with the world but also terrified of it," Welch tells Marie Claire. "It creates some overwhelming feelings. Wanting to battle out that joy and fear is part of my music."

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Behind-the-Scenes of Florence + The Machine's Music Video

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Fashion Hits and Misses: The 2012 Met Gala

The country music superstar has signed a multi-album deal with Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Records, officially ending his acrimonious relationship with his only previous label, Curb Records.

McGraw made the announcement Monday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. It's the start of the second phase of one of country music's most successful careers. Though the two sides remain locked in a legal dispute, a judge last year freed McGraw to begin recording for a new label.

McGraw tells The Associated Press he's already working on new music and hopes to release a "landmark" album late this year or in early 2013.

Chan, who tied the knot Saturday with her longtime love, Facebook founder/CEO Mark Zuckerberg, chose an elaborate design for the private, low-key ceremony.

The $4,700 creation by Claire Pettibone, who also offers lingerie and sleepwear, is a laser cut floral gown adorned with matte sequins lined in silk, with an illusion jewel neckline and sheer back with chapel length train.

PHOTOS: Celebrities' gorgeous TV and movie wedding gowns

While Chan, 27, saw to the details of her statement gown, Zuckerberg, 28, designed her wedding bauble himself: a simple ruby ring. The pair, who have been together nine years after meeting at Harvard University, are already parents to Beast, the dog they adopted last year.

PHOTOS: Hollywood's hottest married couples

The couple's wedding wasn't the only milestone they reached this month. Chan, 27, graduated from medical school at the University of California and Zuckerberg, 28, took Facebook to the stock market with a starting negotiated price of $38 a share.

PHOTOS: Celebrity bridesmaids

At the surprise ceremony (the gathering had been planned to celebrate Chan's graduation), guests ate family-style from the couple's favorite local eateries, Palo Alto Sol and Fuki Sushi. For dessert, attendees ate burdick chocolate "mice," which the couple had on their first date.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Priscilla Chan Dons $4,700 Wedding Gown to Nuptials with Mark Zuckerberg

Sgt. Wade Wilson passed away while fighting in Afghanistan this month, and Wilson's friend, Corporal Josh Marreel, recorded a YouTube video to ask Swift to honor his pal.

RELATED: 2012 Billboard Music Awards

In the video, Marreel says, "This is a shout out to the one and only Taylor Swift. I know you have no idea who I am but this video isn't about me. This is about good buddy, Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, who was killed in action (on) Friday, May 11, 2012 in Afghanistan. Anybody that knew Willy knew that he worshiped you. He even slept with a post of you in between our beds in Afghanistan."

RELATED: Hollywood's Hottest Bachelorettes

The singer has now offered to wear Wilson's army dog tags in her next video and sent a bunch of flowers to his grieving family, according to TV station KBTX.

RELATED: Natural Beauties

Along with the flowers, Swift sent a note reading, "Wade, thanks for loving my music. I won't forget it and I will never forget you. All my love, Taylor Swift."

Her son Robin Gibb — a Bee Gees founder known for his astonishing vocals and songwriting skills — died Sunday after a long battle with cancer at the age of 62.

Earlier, she had lost her sons Andy Gibb, a pop idol who died in 1988 at age 30 from a heart ailment, and Maurice Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees and Robin's twin, who died in 2003 of acute intestinal problems.

Several months before his death, Robin Gibb told a British newspaper that he sometimes wondered if the family is paying a "karmic price" for the Bee Gee's mind-blowing success. And friends of Barbara Gibb have been quoted as saying she believes the family may be cursed.

Before illness struck, the Gibb family enjoyed remarkable good fortune. The boys were raised in challenging economic circumstances but were exposed to music at an early age because their father was a bandleader and a drummer and their mother had experience as a singer.

They started singing professionally as teenagers, moving within a few short years to prominence first in Australia, then throughout the world.

But the apparent ease of this meteoric rise was followed by later tragedy.

Both Robin and Maurice — the twins — suffered debilitating intestinal problems that led to their premature deaths. Robin suffered from colon cancer and other digestive ailments. He became gaunt even before his cancer diagnosis.

Of the four boys Barbara Gibb raised in England and Australia before they became global stars, only Barry, the eldest, is still alive. She also has a daughter living in Australia who has stayed out of the public eye.

The family's place in pop history is assured, not only because of the Bee Gees' groundbreaking success during the disco era, when they helped define a totally new sound that filled dance halls throughout the world, but also with their success as songwriters and producers.

Their career began in Australia in 1963 and saw them score their first major international hits in 1966 and 1967, when their sound was influenced by the success of the Beatles, who were then topping worldwide charts.

They prospered during the disco era, long after the Beatles had broken up in acrimony, and continued to ride a show business wave for several decades afterward.

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said Monday that Robin Gibb and the Bee Gees left an enduring musical legacy.

"God bless him and God bless his family," Starr said. "The Bee Gees from our era were quite important, especially the harmonies. I didn't know him that well, I knew Maurice more than the other two, but he had a great voice and they wrote great songs."

The group also wrote many hits for other stars, earning substantial royalties when their songs were performed by the likes of Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick and others.

The British press has reported that Barbara Gibb, a 91-year-old who lives in California, has been in England in recent weeks as Robin's condition worsened when he suffered from pneumonia and drifted into a coma. She has made no public statements, and the family, including his widow Dwina and his children, has asked for privacy while they mourn.

Plans for a funeral or memorial service have not been announced.

The Iranian director's films are routinely banned in his country, whose Islamist government has arrested or barred several other filmmakers from working.

The 72-year-old auteur has responded by looking abroad for inspiration. His last feature, "Certified Copy," was shot in Italy, and his new Cannes Film Festival entry "Like Someone in Love," was made in Tokyo in Japanese and with a Japanese cast.

The film involves a listless young student who moonlights as a call girl, her mechanic boyfriend and an elderly professor who becomes involved in her life.

Kiarostami said Monday that filming in Japan allowed him to "prove what I'm deeply convinced of — that we all share the same human condition."

After about three months of dating, Conrad and new beau Tell were snapped out and about grabbing lunch together in the Brentwood nabe of Los Angeles on Saturday.

Us Weekly was first to break news that author, former Hills star and designer Conrad, 26, has been seeing University of Southern California law student Tell, 32; the duo first hit it off on Valentine's Day of this year.

PHOTOS: LC's love life

Tell hails from Conrad's native Orange County, Calif., was an ex-guitarist for band Something Corporate and has romanced celebs before: He dated The Bachelor runner-up Sadie Murray in 2009 and 2010 and Hairspray actress Brittany Snow about three years ago.

"He's either deeply in love or he's on to the next thing," a source says of Tell. "He's the kind of guy you marry."

PHOTOS: Her best hairstyles ever

Conrad split from actor Kyle Howard nearly a year ago, but is optimistic about Tell, according to a pal. "She hopes he's The One!"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: FIRST PIC: Lauren Conrad Steps Out With New Boyfriend William Tell

The high court on Monday refused to hear an appeal from Joel Tenenbaum, of Providence, R.I., who was successfully sued by the Recording Industry Association of America for illegally sharing music on peer-to-peer networks. In 2009, a jury ordered Tenenbaum to pay $675,000, or $22,500 for each song he illegally downloaded and shared.

A federal judge called that unconstitutionally excessive, but the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston reinstated the penalty at the request of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Brothers Records Inc. and other record labels represented by the RIAA.

The judge will have a new opportunity to look at the case and could again order the penalty reduced, using different legal reasoning.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Stephen Breyer did not participate in the high court's consideration of the case.

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"It's sad, but the one great thing about the industry is that they remember the artists who came before them. There's a real traditional element here in that everyone who is on their way up was a fan of someone prior to them," DeGraw, 35, told Us at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas Sunday. "Artists, like the ones we've lost this year, are going to have fans within the generations that are current now and who are going to want to pay tribute to them."

PHOTOS: Stars we've lost

Singer Thicke, 35, added: "My family has been friends with the Gibbs for many years, so it's obviously a tragedy. I'm here promoting the show Duets and just the other day I performed 'Staying Alive' -- I'm a huge Bee Gees fan and my heart and soul goes out to the family. Obviously, we wish them the best and their legacy lives on through the music."

Stars like Justin Bieber, 18, Carrie Underwood, 29, and Jordin Sparks, 22, shared their sentiments with MTV.

"I definitely listened to the Bee Gees," Bieber said. "I'm not too familiar with them, but it's definitely sad what happened. My heart goes out to him and his family."

Said Underwood: "My parents listened to the Bee Gees quite a bit when I was little, so I was definitely exposed to them at an early age. They just had a sound that was all their own, obviously, [it was] never duplicated. They were very influential on music in general, and it's very sad to hear about any loss.""There have been a lot of legends lost this year, so it's always sad to see it happen," Underwood added; the music industry has also lost Donna Summer, Whitney Houston and The Monkee's Davy Jones in 2012, among others.

Sparks was shocked to hear of Gibb's passing. "I thought he was doing better. Barry Gibb, when I was on American Idol, he was one of our mentors, and it was so amazing to meet him. I actually discovered my love for Bee Gees music through that week, and 'Too Much Heaven' and 'Emotions' are two of my favorite songs, and 'Stayin' Alive,' of course. Classic," she told MTV. "But it's so sad. I just can't [believe it]."

PHOTOS: Stars who beat cancer

Other celebrities, like cyclist Lance Armstrong, 40, reality star Kris Jenner, 56, and Bones actor David Boreanaz, 43, expressed their condolences via Twitter.

"RIP Robin Gibb," cancer survivor Armstrong wrote. "Continues to sadden me to see cancer take our loved ones. Gotta put a stop to it."

Said Jenner: "Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. You brought us so much joy. What an amazing talent!"

Boreanaz wrote: "RIP Robin Gibb. The Bee Gees [are] one of the most successful groups in pop music history. Pure genius."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Robin Gibb Mourned By Justin Bieber, Robin Thicke and Other Stars

City Center announced Monday that it will open its next series in January with "Fiorello!," the show that launched the program in 1994.

Two subsequent other shows — "It's a Bird...It's a Plane... It's Superman" and Rodgers and Hart's "On Your Toes" — will fill out the season.

"Fiorello!" is the story of New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuarda with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. It will run Jan. 30 until Feb. 3.

City Centers will also celebrate with a concert starring Tony Award nominees Raul Esparza and Kelli O'Hara on Nov. 12.

The Encores! series unearths forgotten or problematic musicals for a second look.

———

Online:

http://www.NYCityCenter.org

On Sunday's the season seven premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Khloe Kardashian visited the family in Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas (where she and hubby Lamar Odom had been living during his brief tenure with the Dallas Mavericks). Momager Kris Jenner used the opportunity to try and clear up the tabloid rumors that Khloe is not a Kardashian.

PHOTOS: Why Kim and Kanye are perfect together

"I know all the rumors are absolutely ridiculous," Kris, 56, said. "But I know this is something she needs in order to feel complete."

When Kris released her memoir, Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian, in November of last year, she revealed that she had an affair while married to her first husband, the late Robert Kardashian. Robert's ex-wives then spoke out to the press, claiming that Robert (who died of cancer in 2003) had said Khloe was not his daughter.

PHOTOS: Kardashians' hot bikini bods

Kris was able to convince her kids Kim, Kourtney and Rob to take a DNA test to use as a comparison -- but Khloe adamantly refused to take her own DNA test. "Mom, I don't care what they're saying," Khloe argued of the paternity reports. "Because everyone is calling me fat, do you want me to go get lipo?"

"Seriously, my dad is Robert Kardashian. My other dad is Bruce Jenner," she added of her stepfather Bruce, 62. "If you f---ed other people during the same time and you do not know, go on Maury [Povich Show]." 

Kris decided to write Khloe a letter to explain why taking the test was important to her. "I appreciate your letter and it means a lot to me," Khloe later told Kris. But she still wouldn't agree to take the test. "I am an Odom anyway. I'm not a Kardashian anymore, so let's move on."

PHOTOS: Kardashian family vacation

And while Khloe and Kris battled it out, Bruce felt ignored. Temporarily moving to Khloe's L.A. house, Bruce argued, "Honey, I don't even feel like I'm wanted here anymore."

Pregnant Kourtney, meanwhile, fought with sister Kim as she struggled to find a new location for the Dash store. And Kourtney's beau Scott Disick, like Bruce, was feeling neglected. "Pretty sure the last time we had sex was when she got pregnant," he complained.

PHOTOS: Kim's awful 2011

The in-fighting finally subsided, however, when Kourtney, 33, and Scott, 28, revealed that their baby-to-be is a girl.

"I'm just so excited that the whole family is here," Kim gushed. "After going through a divorce this past year it just really taught me that family is the most important thing and can really pull you through any situation in life." 

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Khloe Kardashian Refuses Paternity Test on Keeping Up With the Kardashians 

On Sunday's the season seven premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Khloe Kardashian visited the family in Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas (where she and hubby Lamar Odom had been living during his brief tenure with the Dallas Mavericks). Momager Kris Jenner used the opportunity to try and clear up the tabloid rumors that Khloe is not a Kardashian.

PHOTOS: Why Kim and Kanye are perfect together

"I know all the rumors are absolutely ridiculous," Kris, 56, said. "But I know this is something she needs in order to feel complete."

When Kris released her memoir, Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian, in November of last year, she revealed that she had an affair while married to her first husband, the late Robert Kardashian. Robert's ex-wives then spoke out to the press, claiming that Robert (who died of cancer in 2003) had said Khloe was not his daughter.

PHOTOS: Kardashians' hot bikini bods

Kris was able to convince her kids Kim, Kourtney and Rob to take a DNA test to use as a comparison -- but Khloe adamantly refused to take her own DNA test. "Mom, I don't care what they're saying," Khloe argued of the paternity reports. "Because everyone is calling me fat, do you want me to go get lipo?"

"Seriously, my dad is Robert Kardashian. My other dad is Bruce Jenner," she added of her stepfather Bruce, 62. "If you f---ed other people during the same time and you do not know, go on Maury [Povich Show]." 

Kris decided to write Khloe a letter to explain why taking the test was important to her. "I appreciate your letter and it means a lot to me," Khloe later told Kris. But she still wouldn't agree to take the test. "I am an Odom anyway. I'm not a Kardashian anymore, so let's move on."

PHOTOS: Kardashian family vacation

And while Khloe and Kris battled it out, Bruce felt ignored. Temporarily moving to Khloe's L.A. house, Bruce argued, "Honey, I don't even feel like I'm wanted here anymore."

Pregnant Kourtney, meanwhile, fought with sister Kim as she struggled to find a new location for the Dash store. And Kourtney's beau Scott Disick, like Bruce, was feeling neglected. "Pretty sure the last time we had sex was when she got pregnant," he complained.

PHOTOS: Kim's awful 2011

The in-fighting finally subsided, however, when Kourtney, 33, and Scott, 28, revealed that their baby-to-be is a girl.

"I'm just so excited that the whole family is here," Kim gushed. "After going through a divorce this past year it just really taught me that family is the most important thing and can really pull you through any situation in life." 

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Khloe Kardashian Refuses DNA Test on Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Upon arriving at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Carrie Underwood, dressed in a strapless Oscar de la Renta ball gown, posed with her husband of nearly two years, Mike Fisher. The hockey playing hottie, whose face was clean-shaven and without his playoff beard, nestled himself behind his wife's giant tulle skirt in one of the couple's rare red carpet appearances together.

PHOTOS: THE 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS RED CARPET

Another head-turning moment of the night involved who else -- Justin Bieber, whose arrival caused a mob scene with fans, reporters and photographers flocking to the 18-year-old pop star. Bieber later took the stage (and the award for Top Social Artist) to perform his first single off his new album Believe, "Boyfriend."

PHOTOS: Carrie Underwood's style evolution

Watch the video clip above to see Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Natasha Bedingfield, Jordin Sparks, The Wanted, Nelly Furtado, Brandy, Alicia Keys, LMFAO and other stars take the red carpet.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: 2012 Billboard Music Awards: Carrie Underwood Walks Rare Red Carpet With Hubby Mike Fisher

That's the question the special-effects gurus at Universal Studios and Industrial Light and Magic, as well as "Transformers" director Michael Bay, first asked themselves five years ago when they started developing a $100 million theme park attraction based on the popular franchise. Much like the robots themselves, the answer changed shape.

"We knew we had to have Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron," said Universal Studios producer Chick Russell. "Beyond those characters, we didn't want it to feel like everyone else was just making a cameo. We wanted each character to feel like they were contributing to the attraction. It's four minutes. You don't have a lot of time to introduce characters."

When designers originally envisioned "Transformers: The Ride — 3D," which debuts Friday at Universal Studios Hollywood and opened in December at Universal Studios Singapore, their first inclination was to build life-size versions of the famous `bots, but Russell said they quickly learned that even the most sophisticated animatronics wouldn't do the trick.

"We realized early in the process that we couldn't get them to do the things we wanted them to do fast or realistic enough to match the excitement of the Bay films," said Russell. "We instead decided to go with a multimedia approach and match 3-D footage with intricate set work, so it doesn't feel like you're just going from screen to screen to screen."

The attraction puts riders inside a 12-person vehicle designed to look like a nimble new Transformer named Evac, who goes on a breakneck chase from the headquarters of the top-secret NEST agency through city streets, across rooftops and even inside an office building on the hunt for a missing shard of the AllSpark, the powerful Transformers artifact.

The action is digitally projected on 14 screens among real-world sets that the ride vehicles move into and past, mixing computer-generated fantasy with reality. For example, at the beginning of the ride inside a military facility, the front half of a parked truck is real, while the other half of the vehicle that the Transformers fight atop is on screen.

Jeff White, the visual effects supervisor from Industrial Light and Magic who worked on both the films and the attraction, said designers created the footage in 4K resolution, which has quadruple the number of pixels found on most screens, and used photographs of the actual Chicago cityscape to craft the virtual urban terrain where the robots battle.

One of the attraction's most spectacular effects is the least explosive. At one point, during a calm moment in the villainous Decepticons' assault on the heroic Autobots, hulking Autobot leader Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen in both the films and the attraction) kneels down to address the riders, coming closer to the audience than ever before.

"Originally, that was going to be a physical build, but we couldn't quite work out the animation with something practical," said White. "That whole scene was changed over to a screen, and what was great about that is more so than ever before in any of the movies, people can feel what it's like for Optimus Prime to come right up and talk to them."

White said the designers pushed Optimus' face as closely as possible into riders' perspectives without the robot general's noggin appearing blurry or distorted. The effect meant that ILM had to create more 3-D animations and textures for Optimus' mechanized eyes, mouth and other facial features than what's usually required in the "Transformers" films.

The ride's footage was crafted by ILM at the same time they did effects for the "Transformers" sequels "Revenge of the Fallen" and "Dark of the Moon," which allowed the designers to include new additions like Bumblebee's gun-toting hybrid mode and hulking baddie Devastator, who sucks up everything in his path in Egypt at the end of "Revenge of the Fallen."

While the Singapore and Hollywood versions of the ride are nearly identical, the one inside a two-story building on the Hollywood back lot of Universal Studios, owned by Comcast Corp., uses Dolby 3D, the newest version of 3-D projection. Russell said there are no plans — for now — to bring the ride to other theme parks.

Ultimately, "Transformers" mastermind Bay and the ride's designers are featuring 13 different characters from the "Transformers" movies in the ride, as well as new `bot Evac and human General Morshower, who pops up in videos broadcast in the ride's waiting area. (And, of course, there are Evac action figures for sale in the gift shop outside the attraction.)

Bay is set to helm a fourth "Transformers" film, which Paramount Pictures announced earlier this year would be released in 2014. White said there wasn't any discussion about the Transformers' next movie adventure when creating the ride. He noted the ILM designers set out to create an attraction that could "withstand the test of time" outside of the films.

"Typically, we make a movie, and then it disappears from the public consciousness," said White. "Here is something that people could perhaps go and experience for 10, 20 or 30 years, so we really tried to make sure that it was its own encapsulated story but also that the visuals were of a high enough level that it wouldn't show its age in 10 years."

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.

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Online:

http://www.prepareforbattle.com/

Finding out his wife was confronted by her brother at Kathy Wakile's pool party, Joe, 42, flipped his lid, and went on an expletive-laden tirade about why she should shut out the Gorgas for good.

VIDEO: Inside Joe's anti-Gorga tirade

"You're a f--king idiot for even going to going to f--king talk to your f--king retard brother. I don't give a f--k. I would say 'You know something, Joe? Save it,'" he seethed after his wife recounted their conversation. "We can't get along with those people. They're jealous, no-good idiots. I don't want to hear about them any more. When I say something, you f--king listen -- and shut up!"

Though Teresa, 40, dismissed his ugly taunts because "he's a Gemini," the mother of four was put in her place when Joe issued a final ultimatum: Choose him or the Gorgas. "Try to get me around your family, just try it," Joe snapped. "I'll leave you as well -- I swear to you on my kids."

VIDEO: Melissa Gorga tells Us about her family's feud

Later, Teresa recounted the pool party events to Jacqueline Laurita, who was left puzzled when Teresa said her brother didn't reach out to her after their spat, which turned out to be a lie. "Because of all these layers of truth and lies that Teresa puts out there, I don't know what's real anymore," Laurita said.

Caroline Manzo -- who came under fire for reprimanding Gia Giudice, 10, at the Laurita family's field day -- saw straight through Teresa's two-faced behavior.

VIDEO: Joe Gorga says his marriage to Melissa is stronger than ever

"Teresa always has to blame somebody for something: It doesn't matter if it's a lie or if it hurts other people. As long as she looks like the victim and people can feel sorry for her, it works for Teresa," Manzo said.

The final straw for Manzo was when Giudice slammed her for trying to unintentionally mother Gia.

Sniped Manzo: "Teresa sent Gia a message: No matter how badly you behave, if you feel hurt they're wrong. That's not how the world works."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Real Housewives: Joe Giudice Threatens to Leave Wife Teresa

Kelly Clarkson has definitely been slimming down in preparation for the debut of her new NBC singing competition Duets -- and showed off the impressive results at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas Sunday night.

PHOTOS: What all the stars wore at the Billboard Awards

The inaugural American Idol winner and "Stronger" singer, 30, wore a daring red gown with a seriously plunging neckline and cutouts in the side, all showcasing a newly taut, skinnier figure.

Crooning her new single "Darkside" live for the first time, Clarkson kept her makeup look fairly simple, and wore her wavy brown locks down to her shoulders.

PHOTOS: Amazing American Idol makeovers

Clarkson, whose weight has fluctuated up and down since her days on American Idol, will be hitting the small screen again this week when her new ABC singing competition Duet debuts later this week with Robin Thicke, Jennifer Nettles and John Legend.

Back in March, Us Weekly broke news that Clarkson had a new man in her life: Brandon Blackstock, the son of Clarkson's own manager, Narvel Blackstock (and stepson of Reba McEntire).

PHOTOS: American Idol weight ups and downs

"Before Brandon, Kelly had a really tough time with love," an insider says of the Grammy winner, who split from singer Graham Colton six years ago. "[Brandon] is just what she needed."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kelly Clarkson Shows Off Slimmed-Down Bod at Billboard Music Awards

And thrill ride enthusiasts won't be disappointed, with at least 20 new roller coasters debuting at parks from Maryland to California.

Disney says the renovation and new construction at Fantasyland inside the Magic Kingdom in Florida is the largest expansion project in the park's 40-year history, doubling the size of the current Fantasyland. Part of it — including one of what will eventually be dueling Dumbo rides and the rethemed Barnstormer family roller coaster — opened in April.

Much of the construction is still in the middle stages, but Disney says most of the new elements will be open in time for the winter holidays this year, with the rest opening later. It's going to include new "attract-areas" — immersive mini-parks that include attractions, restaurants and retail — built around the stories of "Snow White" and "Beauty and Beast," as well as a new dark ride based on the adventures of "The Little Mermaid."

Replacing Snow White's Scary Adventures in Fantasyland will be Princess Fairytale Hall, where visitors will be able to interact with all the Disney princesses.

"The opportunity to greatly expand and relaunch Fantasyland, which has been largely unchanged since 1972, is just a huge opportunity," Tom Staggs, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, told The Associated Press earlier this year. "Every time I go down and look at the progress in construction I get more excited about it."

Industry consultant Dennis Speigel said the Fantasyland expansion with detail-oriented areas immersing guests in Disney-themed worlds is expected to pay dividends for years, much like the hugely successful Harry Potter mini-park at Universal Orlando, where visitors feel like they've been dropped right into meticulously decorated movie sets.

"It's a big deal," Speigel, president of Cincinnati-based International Theme Park Services, said of the Fantasyland project. "It's the largest expansion ever in the history of the park. The last number we heard is that it's approaching $500 million....Parks have realized it takes more than a Space Mountain by itself or one ride and attraction. It has to have a combination of all the elements now."

In June, Disneyland California Adventure is opening Cars Land, replicating the town of Radiator Springs from the movies, including a race-course ride and two other new little-kid-friendly attractions.

Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is expected to debut the new Transformers ride — a dark ride with motion-simulator vehicles inspired by the science fiction action film — on May 25, with gates opening early Memorial Day weekend (starting at 7:30 a.m. Friday) due to expected interest in the ride. On May 8, Universal Orlando introduced a daily interactive character parade and nighttime pyrotechnics show celebrating Universal's 100 years of making movies. A new 3-D ride based on the "Despicable Me" movie will open at Universal Orlando sometime this summer.

In April, SeaWorld Orlando opened a new attraction centered on sea turtles, including a first-of-its-kind 360-degree domed theater showing a 3-D movie about the endangered creatures. Legoland, which opened in October in central Florida, is renovating and reopening an existing water park at the site in time for the summer season.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this spring rolled out an elaborate ice show called "Iceploration," which features everything from bombastically costumed skaters to real live exotic birds flying around the indoor theater. The show tells the story of a kid who, with the help of his wise grandfather, puts down his electronic devices and discovers the natural wonders of the world. And entering the cool indoor theater for the 30-minute show will undoubtedly be a welcome respite for park visitors in the heat of the Florida summer.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade group reports 135 new attractions opening this year, including water parks, rides and shows, spokeswoman Colleen Mangone said. Among those are 20 new roller coasters.

"It's almost like timing is everything," Mangone said. "And in 2012 we're seeing short-term and long-term projects coming to fruition at the same time, which certainly should create some great thrills at amusement parks."

Among the new coasters debuting are Manta at SeaWorld San Diego, which will simulate underwater flight; and Superman-themed launch coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., introduces a new coaster called X-Flight, in which two riders sit side-by-side with their feet dangling, experience a 12-story drop and turn upside down five times.

Hersheypark in Hershey, Pa., introduces a 200-foot-tall coaster called Skyrush, which will reach speeds of 75 mph and includes five zero-G airtime hills. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., opened the 210-foot-tall Wild Eagle coaster in March. Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia unveils a half-mile-long indoor-outdoor coaster called Verbolten.

Apocalypse at Six Flags America in Largo, Md., is a 100-foot-tall stand-up coaster, and the Stinger at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pa., is a scorpion-themed boomerang-style coaster that features six inversions and face-to-face seating.

Based on attendance trends and season-pass sales, Speigel said the theme park industry is expected to see 7 percent growth or more this year, which is much better than expected. He attributes it to the number of new attractions, an improving economy, pent-up demand and other factors.

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Follow Mitch Stacy on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/mitchstacy.

Donald Trump crowned the late-night talk show host, 56, the new Celebrity Apprentice on the finale of NBC's hit Sunday, as the star -- raising funds for the Magic Johnson Foundation -- triumphed over American Idol singer Clay Aiken.

PHOTOS: Surprising reality TV outcomes

"Arsenio worked hard and he did a great job and that's why he won," Trump, 65, told Us Weekly after the live finale.

During Sunday's final task -- to produce, sell tickets to and stage a variety show for charity -- Hall netted $167,100 thanks to donations from celeb pals including Jay Leno, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel. (For his part, Aiken, 33, raised $301,500 for The National Inclusion Project courtesy of Kelly Clarkson, Lisa Lampanelli and of course his dedicated Claymate fans.)

VIDEO: Lisa Lampanelli explodes at Apprentice's Dayana Mendoza

Staging their variety shows for Trump and other supporters, Hall and Aiken pulled off with help from former contestants Teresa Giudice, Aubrey O'Day and others.

"My mother's here tonight and she's already sat through me losing once," former American Idol runner-up Aiken told the live studio audience before Trump made his final decision. "I feel like the last task was a comprehensive exam that we excelled at."

VIDEO: Teresa says Apprentice was "cattier" than Housewives

Countered Hall: "I want to be No. 1. We've heard about Idol many times, but when I was battling Johnny Carson [in the TV ratings] I was No. 2, when I entered a magic contest as a kid I was No. 2. I need to be No. 1!"

Indeed, Hall's wish came true, with Mr. Trump more naming him this season's Celebrity Apprentice. As the show's champ, Hall was awarded an additional $250,000 for his charity in addition to the funds he raised at his event.

PHOTOS: Stars who give back

"I can't wait to deliver this $250,000 check to my friend "Erv" for The Magic Johnson Foundation. It's a dream to be able to support the important work they do on a daily basis and I am humbled to be able to contribute to their ongoing mission," Hall, who played in memory of his cousin who passed away from AIDS shortly before he signed on to do the show.

Hall also praised his "lil' brother Clay" for providing him with fierce competition -- and friendship -- throughout the series. "Tonight we are both truly winners!" Hall said after the show. "Reality's Batman and Robin! I will always treasure that friendship."

Tell Us: Did Arsenio Hall deserve to be named Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Celebrity Apprentice: Arsenio Hall Beats Clay Aiken!

But the 46-year-old is also a typically concerned mom to Morgan, a pretty and typical 16-year-old with some questionable body piercing plans!

On the premiere episode of Mrs. Eastwood and Company (airing this Sunday on E!), Dina thwarts Morgan's dreams of getting her bellybutton pierced through fear and embarrassment -- by getting her own naval pierced in a grisly stunt.

PHOTOS: Reality show bombshells

"The bellybutton piercing was pushing it a little far," Dina told Us Weekly in a video interview of the extreme tactic to scare Morgan. "The only reason won on that was the blood . . . I won the battle and the war!"

At Dina's side in the video chat is her stunning stepdaughter, model Francesca Eastwood, Clint's 19-year-old daughter with actress Frances Fisher.

"He's there if you need him to be there, but he's not in your face," Francesca tells Us of her Oscar-winning father's chill parenting technique.

PHOTOS: Celebs' weird body art

But don't expect too many appearances from the 81-year-old Dirty Harry star on the E! show. "I'm not putting Clint's life out there," Dina explains, and she adds that she's not your typical reality star.

"I don't need that [reality show] income to survive," she says. "That's not my motivation,"

Watch more of our exclusive sit down -- and meet Emile, a handsome member of Overtone! -- in our video now.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Dina Eastwood 46: I Pierced My Bellybutton to Scare Daughter, 16

Bobbi Kristina Brown seized the opportunity at Sunday's Billboard Music Awards to thank the millions of fans still grieving the death of her mother, Whitney Houston, back in February.

Chart-topping singer Houston (48 when she passed away Feb. 11 in Beverly Hills) was the posthumous recipient of the Millennium Award, with Whoopi Goldberg introducing two touching tribute performances: John Legend, who sang "The Greatest Love of All," and Houston's Sparkle costar Jordin Sparks, who sang "I Will Always Love You."

PHOTOS: Whitney and Bobby Brown's family album

Bobbi Kristina, 19, was moved to tears during Sparks' cover of her mom's hugest hit. But she was calm and poised when she and her aunt, Patricia Houston, ascended to the stage to accept the award.

PHOTOS: Whitney Houston, 1963-2012

"I just want to say thank you to everyone who's supported us through it all. Not just from when it was good, but when it was bad, too. Just everything," said Bobbi Kristina, who famously struggled in the wake of her mother's shocking passing.

PHOTOS: All the stars on the red carpet at Sunday's bash

"Thank you so much for showing that much love, because she deserved it. She did. I'm just blessed to have been in such an incredible woman's life. There will never be another one, never, and I thank you, all of you, fans, everyone, thank you so much."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Billboard Music Awards: Bobbi Kristina Brown Cries at Whitney Houston Tribute

The actress and "Can't Be Tamed" singer showed off her skinnier-than-ever frame -- plus a shocking amount of cleavage and her lean legs -- in a white Jean Paul Gaulthier jacket and no pants. Cyrus accessorized the super-daring jacket with Jacquie Aiche jewels and Christian Louboutin heels.

PHOTOS: What all the stars wore at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards

Cyrus recently addressed her precociously sexy image during an interview on Lifetime's The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet.

"If people find that [I am a sex symbol], I take it as a compliment," the former Hannah Montana star said. "Thank you for thinking I'm sexy!"

PHOTOS: Miley's raunchiest outfits ever

She said of the public backlash against her provocative behavior: "People are so scared of seeing a woman being like, 'This is who I am and you're not going to change it.'"

And growing up and out of her squeaky-clean child star days was truly liberating, Cyrus added.

PHOTOS: Miley's bikini body

"I just got so set in the way of saying the same things I did when I was 12 years old. . . I guess I kind of realized that my whole life isn't one giant press junket. I don't have to be smiling all the time and always have the perfect answer."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Miley Cyrus Risks Nip Slip in Daring, Pants-less Look at Billboard Awards

The deal signed Monday between Digital Domain Media Group and Abu Dhabi's government-backed twofour54 deepens the Emirati capital's ties to Hollywood as it accelerates its efforts to become a media hub.

Port St. Lucie, Fla.-based Digital Domain plans to establish an animation, visual effects and motion-capture studio and a media school in Abu Dhabi as part of the deal. The wealthy emirate is providing $100 million in grants for the project.

Although several movies have been filmed in the Middle East — including last year's "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol," set partly in Dubai — it is the first time an international studio is laying down such deep roots in the region, said Wayne Borg, twofour54's deputy CEO and chief operating officer.

"I think it's a real game changer for the region in terms of giving us a seat at the table," he said by phone from the Cannes Film Festival, where the deal was signed. "Historically we've never had the access and exposure to a company like that in the region."

Digital Domain expects to begin hiring immediately and start work at the studio by early next year. The aim is to produce animated feature films, visual effects and other content both for the region and for international productions.

Over time, it plans to employ about 500 people in Abu Dhabi. A 150,000 square foot (14,000 square meter) production center is slated to open in twofour54's main media campus by the end of 2015.

Borg doubts Abu Dhabi's conservative Islamic culture will influence Digital Domain's work in the region, saying the U.S. company will be producing "mainstream content ... for the international market."

Neither company disclosed how much Digital Domain is kicking in. But Digital Domain Chairman and CEO John Textor said in an interview his company would make "a material capital expenditure" to the project.

"Traveling around the world and collecting grants is not a business model," he said. "We're not going to Abu Dhabi just to say we've got our toe in the water," he added, saying the planned Gulf center could end up employing roughly as many people as its Florida headquarters.

Digital Domain has worked on more than 90 films, including "Titanic," "TRON: Legacy," and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," where it digitally added decades to Pitt's character. Filmmaker James Cameron helped found the company in 1993.

It recently made waves for producing an eerily lifelike hologram of late rapper Tupac Shakur that appeared to perform alongside Snoop Dogg at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.

It has studios in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Florida, Vancouver, Mumbai and London, and is setting up operations in Beijing.

Abu Dhabi controls the bulk of the oil in the seven-member United Arab Emirates, OPEC's third-largest producer. It is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to carve out a niche in the global media industry.

It set up a company in 2008 to partially bankroll Hollywood films, and has wooed major media brands such as CNN, the Financial Times and Cartoon Network to set up operations in the emirate. Sky News Arabia, a new pan-Arab news channel, began broadcasting from Abu Dhabi last month.

The sheikdom now wants to entice more filmmakers on the ground. It is launching a new program this week to offer producers a rebate of up to 30 percent of what they spend on making movies, television shows, commercials and music videos in the emirate.

As he made his way down the glittering red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of his Prohibition-era gangster film "Lawless," Hardy found himself enjoying the extravagance — briefly, anyway.

"I saw what it meant to be a movie star for a second and I quite liked it," Hardy said in an interview at the French Riviera festival. "Then I went, `Nah! Let's go back to work.'"

Hardy, who plays a grunting, cardigan-wearing Virginia bootlegger in the film, says he could see the addictiveness of such glamor and acknowledges more is likely on the way. He stars as the villain Bane in Christopher Nolan's upcoming, eagerly anticipated Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises."

"I like shiny things, but all that glitters isn't gold," says Hardy." There's nothing that comes without cost. I've got enough cost in my life. I've got enough risk going on. I'm already crazy enough."

The 34-year-old British actor has already known similar pitfalls, having dealt with alcoholism and drug addiction in his 20s. But Hardy's burgeoning fame has come in tandem with a growing awareness of his considerable talent.

With a visceral masculine intensity that's drawn comparisons to Marlon Brando, Hardy has played an anguished mixed martial arts fighter in "Warrior," a double-crossed spy in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and an identity forger in "Inception." A boiling rage often seems just below the surface of his characters.

Following years on the stage and on TV in Britain, Hardy's highest-profile roles are ahead of him. Aside from "The Dark Knight Rises," he'll star in a new version of "Mad Max," for which he's currently sporting a bushy beard. In "Lawless," which will be released in September, Hardy's performance stands out from an ensemble of Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce and Gary Oldman.

His character — the mumbling, nearly inaudible Forrest Bondurant — is the middle of three backwoods brothers trying to protect their bootlegging business from a sadistic lawman (Pearce) from Chicago. Hardy modeled the character partly on Tom Berenger's gruff Sgt. Barnes from "Platoon," whom he calls his favorite villain.

"I'd love to have made a silhouette of Forrest," says Hardy. "I didn't want it to be any tough guy, I wanted it to be a silhouette, like (the violent "Oliver Twist" character) Bill Sykes.

As Forrest, Hardy cuts a striking figure. Dusty and rumbled, he's almost glacially poised, except when he uncoils ruthlessly into violence. But he also has a more docile side, which Hardy says his character's cardigan sweater symbolizes.

The actor speaks passionately about the detailed piecing together of a character, assembling the gestures, manner and wardrobe.

"You sit and you dwell and you wait and you read and you think and you meditate," he says of his process. "It takes time to think and ponder, and the work is never done because it just continues. It's looking for evidence of things."

LaBeouf calls him "hyper-specific" with mime-like abilities of replicating behavior gleaned from movie characters or people.

"He doesn't have five ways of playing it," says LaBeouf. "There's one right way and he does that until the camera fits him. He shows up perfect."

"Lawless" director John Hillcoat ("The Road") says Forrest was a character Hardy was "itching to play."

"He's part of a new wave of acting talent — including Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling — and Tom's very much a part of that kind of real rigorous and inspiring acting," says Hillcoat.

Hardy, who has a son with his previous wife, Sarah Ward, recently married actress Charlotte Riley. But as one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood, another night of parties in Cannes holds obvious dangers of excess for Hardy. Pearce, on parting with him, gently advises him to "try not to get killed."

But however uninhibited Hardy lives, it's clear acting brings an orderliness for him.

"When I'm working, I have this discipline and I get meaning from it," says Hardy. "It gives me purpose. And then I can turn to my little boy and say, `Daddy does something. And I do it well. I may not be the best, but I'm the best that I can be. Now eat your f------ greens.'

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Online:

http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en.html

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Contact Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jake—coyle

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" is a love letter to the acting profession that shows a troupe of thespians performing a play based on the Greek myth of lovers Orpheus and Eurydice.

There are several plays-within-a-play in the drama, which features a who's who of French dramatic talent, including Lambert Wilson, Michel Piccoli and Mathieu Amalric.

The 89-year-old Resnais says he was trying to show the similarities between theater and film, often portrayed as very different.

He said Monday that "people often say that the theater is a noble art whereas films are not."

But, he said, "in both cases, you need actors."

The festival runs until Sunday.

"Buzz Books 2012" is a free e-book that came out Monday and features excerpts from 33 upcoming works, including Neil Young's memoir, fiction by Dennis Lehane and Junot Diaz and a young adult novel by David Levithan.

"Buzz Books 2012" was compiled and released by Publishers Lunch, an influential online industry newsletter. The book's title refers to the "Buzz Books" panel at publishing's annual convention, BookExpo America, when editors discuss anticipated titles for the fall. This year's BookExpo takes place in early June.

Others works excerpted in the new e-book include fiction by Mark Helprin and Barbara Kingsolver, a memoir by Rhoda Janzen and a debut novel by J.R. Moehringer, author of the best-selling memoir "The Tender Bar."

The News Journal in Mansfield ( http://ohne.ws/L8mZ4n) reports Stephen Bogart will make his first visit to nearby Malabar Farm from June 1-3. The meet-and-greets and special meals are part of a fundraising campaign to help renovate the mansion on the property.

Malabar Farm administrative director Sybil Burksey says water and flooring problems have left the home in desperate need of repairs. The farm founded by celebrity author Louis Bromfield in 1939 is now part of a state park.

Bogart says his mother, who turns 88 this year, is happy he's making the trip to see where his parents' marriage began.

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Information from: News Journal, http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com

The sleepy London commuter settlement of Staines has upgraded its name to the more majestic-sounding "Staines-upon-Thames ."

Staines' history stretches back to Roman times but the town gained international notoriety as the home of the fictional Ali G, Baron Cohen's hopelessly stupid hip-hop wannabe.

Ali G's adventures cast the town of 45,000 as a cultural wasteland whose star sights included a traffic circle and the local KFC.

The town initially welcomed Baron Cohen's fame, but the negative connotations lingered even as the comedian moved on to other projects, including the movies "Borat," and "The Dictator."

Local officials hope the new name, made official on Sunday, will refocus attention on the city's riverside attractions.

A benefit concert by Jackson drew 6,000 people to Louisa County on Sunday night. Jackson performed in the parking lot of Louisa County High School, which was closed after the magnitude-5.8 earthquake on Aug. 23, 2011.

Mineral, the town at the quake's epicenter, won the show in an online voting contest.

Media outlets report that Jackson told the crowd many of those who voted for Mineral in the contest aren't from the town. He said that shows people in America take care of each other.

Capitol Records provided about 3,000 free tickets and sold another 3,000.

The festival's artistic director, Thierry Fremaux, tweeted that Polanski will present the film Monday after a screening of a restored version of "Tess" — Polanski's 1979 movie starring Nastassia Kinski.

The festival earlier screened documentary "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir," which features conversations between Polanski and his friend Andrew Braunsberg about his U.S. arrest in 1977 for unlawful sex with an underage girl and his subsequent flight to France before sentencing.

Polanski, who currently lives in Paris, was in 2009 arrested in Switzerland to be extradited to the United States. The Swiss eventually rejected the request.

Polanski won the Cannes' Palme d'Or in 2002 for "The Pianist."