Angelina Jolie Picks Bosnian Actress For Lead Role In Her Directorial Debut

Angelina Jolie has chosen young Bosnian actress Zana Marjanovic for the lead role in her directorial debut — a wartime love story between a Bosnian woman and a Serbian man.

Marjanovic told the Associated Press on Thursday that the screenplay was “fabulous” and she could not wait to start shooting with such a “great actress and humanist” like Jolie.

The 27-year-old actress said she was on her way to Hungary to prepare for the film shoot beginning later this year and take place both in Hungary and Bosnia.

Jolie has visited Bosnia twice this year — as UNHCR good will ambassador and to scout for her movie — and had promised she would cast only actors from the region. Marjanovic became known after her prominent role in award winning “Snow” by Bosnian director Aida Begic.

Heidi Montag ‘Excited’ To Leave ‘The Hills,’ Prepping ‘3-D Beach Comedy’

Heidi Montag’s reality show may be entering its final season, but “The Hills” star told Access Hollywood she’s ready for her next career move – movie star.

“I’m so excited ‘The Hills’ is finally over and I can now become a full time motion picture actress,” Heidi said in a statement to Access.

She added that her time on “The Hills” would be great preparation for her next move.

“There is no better training [for an actor] than being in front of the cameras 24-7,” she said.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Heidi will have a role in “Just Go With It” alongside Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, and she said filming the part — as well as a new Funnyordie.com video — has given her a new direction.

“After working with Oscar-winner Ron Howard on a short film project and then working for days with the comedic genius director Dennis Dugan and his team of brilliant comedy visionaries at Happy Madison on ‘Just Go With It’ starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, I have been able to truly find what makes me the happiest in life,” she said.

Heidi said she’s looking forward to “getting to truly show the world my creative ability… while playing… different characters,” including one in a script she penned herself.

“I am making the first 3-D beach comedy about a shark that attacks a small beach town and I save the day with my 3-D boobs,” Heidi, who had a breast augmentation procedure among her 10 plastic surgeries in November 2009, told Access on Thursday. “I’ve even written a role for Dolly Parton to play the town mayor!”

The star released her debut album, “Superficial,” earlier this year, but now, she seems set on the movies.

Simon Cowell To Receive International Emmy Award

Simon Cowell will receive the 2010 International Emmy Founders Award for his work in television.

The 50-year-old recording executive and TV personality is a judge on Fox network’s “American Idol.” He’s also known for the “Got Talent” and “X Factor” franchises.

International Academy President Bruce Paisner says Cowell “has built an international empire and in so doing has changed the face of television around the world.”

Cowell will receive the award at a New York gala on Nov. 22. He said in a statement Thursday that he’s “delighted,” and has been “very lucky to be able to make shows that I love.”

Access Star Sightings: March 12 – 18, 2010

Friday, March 12, in LA — Kiefer Sutherland graciously taking photos and talking with fans who ran up to him after they spotted him having a cigarette outside Katsuya Hollywood.

Saturday, March 13, in LA – “90210’s” Jessica Lowndes hosting the MOD: Matters On Design event presented by bebe at the Grove, an event which saw O.C. “Housewife” Gretchen Rossi in attendance.

And in Las Vegas – “America’s Best Dance Crew” judge JC Chasez hanging at LAVO with “Desperate Housewives” pal Shawn Pyfrom before heading to TAO to hear house DJ Erick Morillo behind the decks.

Sunday, March 14, in NY – Richard Gere, wife Carrie Lowell and “The Good Wife’s” Julianna Marguiles in a JFK airport lounge.

And in LA – Larry David in a Gilligan style hat pulled low while on the 17th hole of a local golf course… Billy Bush on the same golf course on the 4th hole… “True Blood” true life couple Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer locking arms and donning shades as they stepped out at the Santa Monica Pier with Moyer’s daughter, Lilac.

And in Las Vegas – “Gossip Girl” cutie Chace Crawford dining at TAO on Peking Duck, Wasabi Filet and Pad Thai with pals and following the night out up with a VIP table at LAVO.

Monday, March 15, in LA — Mischa Barton rocking a hippie frock and munching on French fries at O Burger in West Hollywood with two agent types… “Glee’s” Jane Lynch grabbing a quick dinner with a friend inside the Urth Cafe on Melrose.

And in NY – Rufus Wainwright performing as part of the Rose Bar Sessions at the Gramercy Park Hotel to a crowd that included Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, “Gossip Girl’s” Penn Badgley and Susan Sarandon

Tuesday, March 16, in London – A jeans-wearing Kate Moss attending the launch of Stella McCartney’s latest collection for GapKids.

And in LA – Kristen Bell attending the ShopBop Spring Trends Dinner at the Chateau Marmont… Jason Bateman and former “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy” star Jai Rodriguez shopping (separately) at Trader Joe’s on Sunset and Crescent Heights.

Wednesday, March 17, in LA – Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson dining at Drai’s Hollywood at the W Hotel after “American Idol”… And later that night, Jamie Foxx and Terrell Owens dancing on tables at Drai’s grand opening.

Thursday, March 18, in LA – Samarie Armstrong sipping champagne at a fashion event at Live on Sunset… Kendra Wilkinson dodging the paparazzi at LAX… “Community’s” Amy Poehler stepping out at the Viceroy Santa Monica to support the Worldwide Orphans Foundation’s benefit reception… Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor hitting the red carpet at the ArcLight for the premiere of his first dramatic role in nearly a decade in “Greenberg”… Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Rogen, Chris Pine and Shenae Grimes at the 18th annual A Night At Sardi’s Fundraiser & Awards Dinner at The Beverly Hilton… Rihanna partying and dancing to DJ Vice at Playhouse Hollywood in celebration of pal Aaron Davis’ birthday

And in Las Vegas – Billy Bush helping Katherine Heigl with a wardrobe malfunction as she accepted the ShoWest Award for Female Star of the Year

And in Austin, TX — Bill Murray rocking out at the Beauty Bar to some indie bands playing the South by Southwest music festival, while across town Woody Harrelson and friends looked for him… Estelle at the Billboard Bungalo watching newcomers JoiStaRR… Paul Dano at Frank smoking a cigarette.

Heidi Montag Talks Playing A Plastic Surgery Power Couple In ‘Just Go With It’

Heidi Montag has revealed her role in “Just Go With It,” Adam Sandler’s 2011-due comedy, will find her playing one half of a plastic surgery-driven power couple.

“Kevin Nealon is my husband,” Heidi told Jay Leno during Friday’s “Tonight Show” of her on-screen love interest, played by the former “Saturday Night Live” funnyman. “And he’s had more surgery than I have in the movie, so we kept playing around with who has more injections.”

In fact, Kevin recently Tweeted a photo of his “Just Go With It” look, showing the “Weeds” star with an almost unrecognizable face.

Heidi told Jay that she acquired the part in the film, which also stars Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Sports Illustrated cover star Brooklyn Decker, through a phone call.

“They just called me and they said, ‘We’d love to have you,’” she said.

“The Hills” star, who recently recorded a public service announcement about paying for plastic surgery with plastic on FunnyOrDie.com — a clip directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard — revealed she actually hasn’t had to try out for any of the parts she has secured thus far.

“That God I haven’t had to audition yet,” she said.

When Jay asked if she could handle rejection, Heidi, who underwent 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day in late 2009, joked that being turned down for a role could lead her to going under the knife again.

“I don’t know. I might have to get more surgery if they rejected me,” she said. “No, I’m just kidding.”

But Heidi told Jay she has reached a good plastic surgery stopping point – for now.

“I’ve reached the point. I think I’m good for a while. I’m surgery’d out,” she said.

As for working with Ron on that FunnyOrDie clip, Heidi said it’s made her want to re-do some of the movies he is famous for.

“Actually, I’m the biggest fan of Ron Howard. ‘Splash’ is one my favorite[s]. I’m telling him I want to do the remake…I wanna be the mermaid,” she said, referring to the role that helped make a young Daryl Hannah a household name back in 1984 . “I think I could play her pretty well, you know. So I think I wanna do that. And, ‘Willow.’ And I loved ‘Willow.’”

‘Sex And The City 2’ Cast Reunite In Vegas, Share Movie Secrets

Sex and The City 2” stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reunited in Las Vegas on Thursday where they accepted their ShoWest Ensemble Award for the upcoming film and its first installment, but one of their numbers was noticeably missing

“We are not complete,” Sarah Jessica told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, who hosted the ShoWest ceremony and presented the ladies with the award, referring to the absence of Kim Cattrall, who is currently in London where she starring on the stage in “Private Lives.” “She’ll be back soon… She’ll be in New York City where she belongs.”

And in just a few months, on May 27, the Fab Four will be back where they belong – on the big screen. But filming the movie was incredible, according to SJP.

“I want to tell you this was an unusual experience, this was a once in a lifetime laborious, incredible, complicated, thrilling, intense experience,” Sarah Jessica said.

It appears one of the reasons it was so exciting was the movie’s multi-international team.

“There were times that our crew was made up of people from the U.K., Americans, South Africans, North Africans…” she said.

“Moroccan,” Kristin chimed in.

“Scots, well, that’s part of the U.K. and a couple of Irish… but it was incredible… it was a team,” SJP added.

“French!” Kristin laughed.

But beyond its international flavor, as fans already know from the photos that have surfaced, “SATC2” features a blast to the past – showing off the girls in the ‘80s, when they first met.

“They had a lot of fun,” Kristin said of her co-stars. “I was so boring in the ‘80s flashback. It was sad.”

And Cynthia, who plays lawyer Miranda Hobbes, had a laugh describing her own flashback outfit.

“Once they put that wig on me and the bad business suit… and the Reeboks and the socks and the really bad gold jewelry…” Cynthia chimed in.

And the girls reminisced about the absent Kim’s ‘80s flashback.

“Kim is like, way out there,” Kristin said.

“CBGB,” SJP said referring to the former NYC club. “She’s a bartender.”

“Shhh!” Kristin added. “I can’t say… the lawyers will show up immediately and boy, I don’t know what will happen.”

Lady Gaga Fires Back In NY Court At Music Producer

Lady Gaga is firing back at a music producer who claims he launched her career and is suing her for $30.5 million.

Her lawyer said in a court filing made public Friday the agreement at the heart of the suit was “unlawful.”

Song writer and music producer Rob Fusari filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Manhattan against the Grammy Award-winning performer. He said his protege and former girlfriend, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, ditched him as her career soared.

The lawsuit said they co-wrote songs such as “Paparazzi” and “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich.” Fusari also said he came up with her stage name and helped get her record deal.

According to the lawsuit, Lady Gaga and Fusari’s relationship turned romantic and then became a business partnership in May 2006, when they created a joint venture called Team Love Child LLC to promote her career. Fusari’s share was 20 percent.

But Lady Gaga lawyer Charles Ortner wrote in his response that the arrangement was “structured in such a way as to mask its true purpose — to provide to the defendants unlawful compensation for their services as unlicensed employment agents.”

Ortner wrote that Fusari and his company violated statutes that prohibited them from “acting as employment agents without a license and charging Lady Gaga an unlawful fee for their purported services.”

Fusari’s lawyer, Robert S. Meloni, called the claim “ludicrous” in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

“Fusari is a PARTNER in the Team Love LLC with Gag and her father (through their company Mermaid),” Meloni wrote. “Rob was no more of an ‘agent’ for her than she is a Roman Catholic nun.”

Ortner did not immediately respond to a phone message left at his office and an e-mail.

Lady Gaga won two Grammys in January: best dance recording, for “Poker Face,” and best electronic/dance album, for “The Fame.”

Rep: Whitney Houston ‘Not Using Drugs’ & ‘Not In Rehab’

A rep for Whitney Houston is blasting a tabloid report that the R&B star is in rehab for drug use.

“The National Enquirer continuously publishes false, fabricated and malicious stories about Whitney Houston, including the latest cover story with the headline, saying it’s ‘Rehab For Whitney.’ Whitney is not headed to rehab she is headed to Paris, where she will be continuing her world tour,” a rep for Houston said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

The rep also shot down another Enquirer story claiming that the singer collapsed during her tour due to binging on drugs and alcohol, saying, “that is ridiculous. It did not happen.”

The rep reiterates that the singer is not currently dealing with substance abuse issues.

“Whitney is not using drugs and is not in rehab,” the statement continued. “She is on tour, putting on great shows which are being enjoyed by tens of thousands of concert-goers and which have been praised by reviewers.”

Whitney did endure some negative reviews about her recent Australian leg of her world tour, which the rep referred to as a “handful of negative reviews,” that the rep says the Enquirer has been using, “to justify the lies published about Whitney.”

Jesse James Apologizes To Sandra Bullock Following Infidelity Rumor

One day after Jesse James was hit with allegations he cheated on wife Sandra Bullock, the reality star has issued an apology, but stopped short of confirming the rumored infidelity.

James called “the vast majority” of claims that have surfaced “untrue and unfounded,” in a statement the star issued to Access Hollywood on Thursday.

“I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment,” his statement continued. “There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me.”

James apologized to Bullock and his three children, children he was photographed taking to school on Thursday, followed by the paparazzi.

“It’s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way,” his said in the statement. “This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”

On Wednesday, In Touch magazine revealed their newest cover story — titled “The Ultimate Betrayal,” which centered around an interview with a woman named Michelle “Bombshell” McGee, who claimed to the mag she had an 11-month affair with James, including while Bullock was shooting “The Blind Side.”

“Michelle had several text messages,” In Touch West Coast Bureau Chief Ashley Dillahunty told Access. “In the magazine — we put the text messages in there.”

According to McGee, James led her to believe that he and Bullock were separated. She also claimed her sexual relations with James took place inside his West Coast Choppers shop.

McGee calls herself “Bombshell” on the Web site, So-Cal Glamour Girls and she claims she grew up Amish, but left the church and does not speak to her parents.

In a clip from a Player’s Network video found on youtube, McGee explained one of her tattoos, located on her forehead.

“It says ‘Pray for us sinners,’ because we are all sinners in life,” she said in the video.

As the cover story allegations were emerging, Warner Bros., the film behind “The Blind Side,” issued a statement on behalf of the film’s star, Bullock, who said she would not be attending the British premiere of the film she won the Best Actress Oscar for.

“Due to unforeseen personal reasons a trip abroad to support ‘The Blind Side’ has been deemed impossible at this time,” the studio’s statement from Sandra read. “I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your continued support of the film.”

And on Wednesday night, People ran a story claiming a source told the mag the actress had left the home she shares with James.

According to the source, Bullock left their home on Monday.

Pamela Anderson’s Fashionable Fake Boobs

Before anyone gets weirded out by these pictures thinking it’s some sort of tranny show, I want to let everyone know that it’s actually Pamela Anderson on the runway at the Richie Rich A-MUSE Fashion Show in New York. Now that that’s out of the way we can move on to more important topics like her boobs and how wonderfully fake they are. I’ve only ever felt fake boobs once and they were attached to an older stripper who smelt like cigarettes and broken dreams. It was awesome.

Geri Halliwell Raises More Than Just Money

It’s nice to see that former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is doing her part for Haiti…. By walking down a runway for at least fifty seconds. Here she is during rehearsal for her appearance at some lame fashion show to raise funds for the Haitian earthquake victims. Couldn’t she just donate some of her Spice Girl millions? Anyhow, I kinda think she looks hot, but that could just be because I’ve had a few drinks and older birds look better after a few pops. Enjoy.

Jay-Z: ‘I’ve Been Invited To The White House A Couple Of Times’

jay-Z says he hopes Barack Obama is President for eight years – so he’ll have time to visit.

“I’ve been invited to the White House a couple of times,” the busy rapper told the BBC’s Jonathan Ross on Friday. “Hopefully we’ll keep him in for eight years, so I’ll have time to get there.”

But the busy hip-hop star explained that though he hasn’t made it to the White House, the President keeps him close at hand.

“Barack loves hip-hop,” Jay said. “When I called him he was playing ‘[The] Blueprint’ at the gym.”

And the President is also a fan of Jay’s wife, Beyonce, who sang “At Last” for the President and First Lady Michelle’s first dance at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball during the presidential inauguration festivities.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, President Obama admitted he’d even busted a move to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”

“I didn’t want my girls thinking that I couldn’t, y’know – I got a little something,” he said in a behind-the-scenes inauguration video previously posted by John Legend, joking, “I’m not like Justin [Timberlake], I didn’t put on the outfit.”

Kris Allen Offers Advice To ‘Idol’s’ Top 24 – And Makes A Prediction

With Hollywood Week over and “American Idol’s” top 24 contestants chosen, last year’s winner has some words of wisdom for the new crop of potential stars.

“Jumping jacks always help,” Kris Allen advised during an appearance on Radio Disney. “Don’t be nervous. People can tell, so just go out, be comfortable and be yourself.”

And the singer already has his eye on one of the contestants.

“I thought Andrew Garcia was really good,” he said, before adding that he didn’t think a guy would take this year’s title. “It’s going to be a girl, maybe a country girl.”

The star also weighed in on new judge Ellen DeGeneres’ addition to the show, where she’s replaced Paula Abdul.

“She has a really great personality. She’s a lot of fun,” Kris said. “She’s really quick and is really good for live TV.”

Kris himself will make an “Idol” return this season following a visit to Haiti with the U.N.

“I’m going to help to raise awareness about what’s still going on in Haiti,” he said.

‘American Idol’ Reveals Seven Top 24 Contenders

“American Idol” revealed seven of their Top 24 contestants on Tuesday night.

Michael Lynche, AKA Big Mike, was first to learn of the judges’ positive decision, which Simon Cowell said was “unanimous.”

The 26-year-old personal trainer became a standout in early episodes of Season 9 not only for his powerful voice, but because his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child (on the opposite coast) while he was handling Hollywood Week.

“I’m here to do this for my family,” the chirpy chap told the “Idol” cameras.

Also getting a pass was Didi Benami, a knitted cap-wearing blonde who performed a song at Hollywood Week written by judge Kara DioGuardi. Didi also caught “Idol’s” attention for her raw audition, where she performed for her best friend Rebecca, a longtime supporter and songwriter, who passed away.

Katelyn Epperly, the curly haired blonde who revealed her parents were divorcing was also sent through as was Casey James, a long-haired blond gent, who caused Kara to blush. In fact, after giving him the news he was being sent through to the Top 24, Kara gave him a hug and lifted up her left leg as she embraced the 20-something singer.

Aaron Kelly, a soulful 16-year-old high school student who impressed Randy, was sent through.

“I’m on ‘American Idol.’ It blows my mind,” he told the “Idol” cameras after learning the news.

Laid-back rocker Lee Dewyze managed to overcome some shaky performances to win a ticket to the Top 24.

“Welcome dude, welcome,” Randy said after Kara revealed the judges only changed their mind about Lee moments before delivering what turned out to be good news.

Finally, Todrick Hall, a former co-star of “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino in “The Color Purple,” was told he too received a ticket.

“Yes,” Kara said simply.

On Wednesday’s episode, “Idol” will reveal the remaining 17 contenders who will round out the Top 24 group.

Madonna’s Charity Head Blasts Land Dispute Reports

The director of Madonna’s Raising Malawi foundation is denying that there is a land dispute over the charity’s planned $15 million girls academy, calling reports that some villagers feel the project is displacing them “erroneous.”

The Associated Press has reported that the village headman took the villagers’ complaints to the local government, and that local officials have visited the area several times.

However, Phillip Van den Bosche, who runs the foundation, said late Saturday that media reports of friction were “not factual.”

He also said that the head of the village “made a very long speech about how grateful he was for this project” at a ceremony for the school.

Raising Malawi is building the school for girls on approximately a 117-acre plot of government land near the capital, Lilongwe. The land had been used by villagers for farming when it was not utilized by the government, but Malawi reclaimed the land when the educational project emerged.

It worked out a deal in which about 200 villagers would be paid 16 million kwacha (about $115,000) in total by Raising Malawi to compensate them for their houses — mostly mud-and-thatch structures — and improvements such as gardens and trees.

Van Den Bosche said the deal — which was worked out by the government but paid for by Raising Malawi — was more than generous.

“If you visited the land prior to this allocation, you would have found that there were at the most one or two small huts” on the land, he said. “The people who were on the land now have an equivalent plot of agricultural land where they can continue their farming … The community will be enhanced by this.”

Last week, government officials met with villagers. One villager, Amos Mkuyu said at the meeting: “My sisters and I inherited this land from our parents whose parents have been here for over a hundred years. How can I get only 200,000 kwacha?”

He received the 200,000 kwacha, or about $1,500, from Raising Malawi for mango trees and three homes on a three-hectare plot. He seems to think the money was also for the land, but the government says the villagers did not have tenure and so are not owed anything for the land. Instead, they have been offered other land.

On Sunday, Van Den Bosche denied that representatives from Raising Malawi had met recently with any villagers about the land issue and believes that others, such as the media and perhaps lawyers, have tried to inflame the issue.

“It was a done deal but of course whenever Madonna’s name is involved, opportunism is involved,” he said.

“The thought that Madonna would be going on this land to take something away or to hurt people or to bulldoze people out of their homes is ridiculous,” he added. “The school is built to build cultural pride, not to destroy it.”

Madonna has pumped millions into this impoverished southern African country and become very active in charitable efforts; she has also adopted two children from Malawi.

But while Raising Malawi was co-founded by Madonna, Van Den Bosche said the idea that it was Madonna’s school was not accurate.

“Madonna is a donor to this project she’s just one of many donors to it, and she has taken the creation of the girls academy on as a pet project of hers, it’s something she feels very connected to,” he said. “(But) it’s not really her school, it’s a collaboration.”

Van Den Bosche took pains to note that the government has been actively involved in creating the girls school, and that it will be run by Malawians for Malawi’s most destitute children. He said 80 percent of girls who finish primary school are not able to go to secondary school, something Raising Malawi wants to change.

The school is targeted to open in 2012, and he hopes it will become a model to educate girls not only in Malawi but in other parts of Africa and the rest of the world where girls receive inferior education.

“We believe it’s a beautiful project and we have the support of the village,” Van Den Bosche said.

Sandra Bullock Scared Over Oscar Nom: ‘What Do I Do Next?’

Sandra Bullock is certainly honored to be an Oscar nominee. But as she told reporters on Monday during the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, the actress knows her role in “The Blind Side” has set the bar pretty high for her future film roles.

“It scares me more than anything, because you think, ‘What do I do now? What do I do now that I don’t step backwards — I step forward.’ I’ve been thinking a lot about that – what do I do next?” Bullock said. “I feel like because of this honor and what I’ve been given these last couple of months, I really have an obligation not to step back even the smallest bit.”

And while her recent accolades – she’s already taken home the Golden Globe and SAG Award for her role as the hard-nosed Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side” – have put the pressure on for the road ahead, Bullock knows that hard work doesn’t always lead to awards season success.

“I know I work very hard. But just because I work hard doesn’t mean the elements come together to make a good performance or a good film,” she added. “So when all that happens and all those elements do come together, I’m always shocked and so happy and amazed. It’s always unexpected to me because I expect to fail – and that’s why I work even harder.”

So what does the Oscar nominee use to push her everyday? A tiny conspicuously placed piece of paper.

“I had a little Post-it by the side of my bed for many years that said, ‘Expect as good as you give.’ And that’s really been helpful,” she revealed. “You either step up your game or expect others to match your level, so that’s a good one, I think.”

And for anyone who thinks Bullock won’t follow through on her promise “not to step back” in her career, she has a message – bring it on!

“I’m very amazed and thankful to be here because I’d like to work hard for another 10-15 years,” she told the room at the

Paula Abdul Dodges ‘X Factor’ Rumors

Paula Abdul tried to avoid commenting on the rumors she’s going to join Simon Cowell when he launches his new reality singing competition “The X Factor” next fall, but she did drop some hints about her next project.

“Drop a clue? Oh, I’m gonna be going back to my roots and doing a TV show that has something to do with my roots,” she told the “John Jay & Rich Show” on Friday morning, after dodging several questions asking her to confirm “The X Factor” rumors.

“I’m going back to doing some teaching on television in that kind of capacity,” she added. “And what else can I tell you? I might be doing something with the Laker Girls.”

In fact, Paula’s hints could mean she is getting close to signing the deal to judge on Simon’s show, which allows the judges to mentor contestants in the final rounds.

Paula said whatever project she does sign on for, she’ll be the one to announce it.

“You’ll just have to hear it from me,” she said. “I hate having to say that, but you know, there are a lot of factors.”

When pushed further and asked if she meant “X Factor,” Paula tried to remain mum.

“Oh boy… I knew that I would not be able to say certain things,” she told the radio DJs. “I want to be able to say everything right now, but I can’t “

The DJs also asked Paula about the current season of “American Idol,” its first without the “Straight Up” singer.

“I will forever be a fan of the show,” she said. “I love [when] they get to the point of breaking new talent.”

Angelina Jolie: ‘Always Open’ To Adopting – But Will She & Brad Adopt From Haiti?

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are already parents to three adopted children – but is the Hollywood power couple planning to adopt from Haiti?

“I’m always open to children around the world. We’re that kind of a family; Brad and I talk about that,” Angelina said in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, who asked the actress if she was planning to adopt from the earthquake ravaged country.

Though she and Brad are open to the idea – the actress said that was not the focus of her three-day trip to Haiti.

“But that’s not what we’re focusing on at this time, by any means,” she continued. “We’re not here for that. We’re here to see how we can help protect the children in the country and scale up the needs here.”

Angelina said adopting should not currently be anyone’s focus when it comes to the children of Haiti.

“For somebody who is an adoptive parent, I understand the urge to assist in that way,” she said in the CNN interview airing this weekend. “Now is not the time, an emergency is not the time for new adoptions in any way.”

The couple’s three adopted children consist of son Maddox from Cambodia, daughter Zahara from Ethiopia and son Pax from Vietnam. Angelina and Brad also have three biological kids together, daughter Shiloh and twins Vivienne and Knox.

In Jackson Case, Singer’s Popularity Could Be Challenge For Doctor’s Defense Team

Michael Jackson’s fame could pose a challenge for Dr. Conrad Murray’s defense team as his lawyers fight an involuntary manslaughter charge against the physician in the singer’s death.

Citing the “popularity of Michael Jackson,” criminal defense lawyer Harland Braun, who has handled celebrity cases and defended doctors in court, said Tuesday that Murray’s defense team has a monumental job ahead.

“How would (jurors) be accepted back into the community if they acquit him?” Braun said. “It’s a tough case.”

Attorney Steve Cron, who also has handled medical cases, said the attorneys are being confronted this week with a mountain of evidence amassed by the Los Angeles Police Department during their nearly eight-month investigation.

“I would safely say there are tens of thousands of pages of reports as well as CDs, videos, phone records and photographs. “They will be looking at all of Michael Jackson’s medical records, search warrant affidavits and reports on every person who was interviewed,” Cron said.

Cron said Jackson’s interaction with the doctor and his alleged demands for the drug propofol is likely to come into play.

“A bad result doesn’t mean bad doctoring,” said Cron. “They will find an expert who will say he had a difficult, demanding patient who needed to sleep and he did what was reasonable.”

Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25 in his rented Bel Air mansion. Murray, a Caribbean born physician who had been hired by the superstar to look after his health during a rigorous comeback tour, told police he gave Jackson propofol and other sedatives to help him sleep.

Murray’s lead counsel, Ed Chernoff, has said that nothing the doctor gave Jackson should have killed him.

A coroner’s report found that the singer died of acute propofol intoxication.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, who charged Murray with involuntary manslaughter, will seek to prove he acted with “gross negligence” when he gave the singer propofol. The anesthetic is used in hospital situations for surgery and prosecution experts are expected to say it was reckless to use it in a private home without proper equipment.

“It will probably be a battle of the experts,“said McGregor Scott, a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer who is also a former state and federal prosecutor. “If the defense comes up with a doctor with spotless credentials who says this was reasonable, that could create reasonable doubt.”

Some wonder if doctors will be willing to testify for Murray in such a controversial case, but Scott said, “There’s always an expert thatcan be found.”

He acknowledged that experts often demand high fees to testify and Murray has been known to have financial troubles which led him to sign up as Jackson’s doctor in the first place. When Jackson died, Murray had yet to collect his first $150,000 monthly paycheck and the negative publicity forced him to stop practicing medicine for months while his bills piled up. Recently, he reopened his Houston office and said he would resume practicing in Las Vegas.

The California Medical Board is preparing to seek removal of Murray’s medical license in the state. If other states where he practices follow suit, his financial condition could grow even worse.

Walgren, filed papers Monday saying that Murray “leads an irresponsible and financially unstable life” and “has been the subject of multiple liens, defaults and evictions.”

If true, it has not stopped Murray from hiring an impressive three-person legal team to represent him. In addition to Chernoff, his lawyers are J. Michael Flanagan, who once defended a nurse on propofol-related charges, and Joseph Low who represented two Marines who were court-martialed on charges of crimes in Iraq.

Murray’s next court appearance is April 5 to schedule a preliminary hearing.

Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson Deny Abuse Rumors

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson are denying rumors that their rollercoaster relationship became, at one point, violent.

On Monday, Radar Online reported that the celebrity DJ had punched and choked Lindsay, a claim that the former couple denied on their respective Twitter accounts.

“This is become a bit much*Samantha R never raised a hand to me, I’ve never said she did* Enough is Enough. Focus on other more important,” Lindsay Tweeted on Tuesday night.

Samantha thanked Lindsay for dispelling the rumor, Tweeting, “thank you for clearing that up. the high road was giving me a nose bleed!”

Lindsay responded to Sam, writing, “you are welcome”

The celebrity DJ went on to warn anyone from making further claims about her allegedly being violent.

“To ANYONE who perpetuates this rumour accusing me of being violently abusive after @lindsaylohan has denied it: I WILL take legal action,” she wrote in another Tweet.

The former couple’s latest Twitter exchange is much more pleasant than communication they’ve shared on the social networking Web site in the past.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, in September, Lindsay publicly lashed out at her on-again/off-again gal pal, writing, “can you make an attempt to not ruin ANYTHI… zG positive that i have FINALLY deserved just to cry myself to sleep with your cheats, errors, and thank you…”

Justin Timberlake To Get Pudding Pot From Harvard

Multifaceted entertainer Justin Timberlake is coming to Harvard University to be honored as the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year.

The Grammy and Emmy award winner will receive his pudding pot from the nation’s oldest undergraduate drama troupe at a roast scheduled for Friday.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals said the singer, songwriter, actor and producer was selected because he’s “one of pop culture’s most influential entertainers.”

Timberlake is one of the stars of the upcoming movie “The Social Network.” The movie expected to be released later this year is about the early days of the Facebook social networking site — set at Harvard.

Actress Anne Hathaway was honored as Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year last week.

Charlie Sheen’s Sedan Stolen & Crashed Early Friday Morning

Charlie Sheen’s Sedan was reported stolen from his home and crashed into a ravine on Friday morning, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

The car was not an SUV, as previously reported by Access and many other outlets, earlier this morning.

The Los Angeles Police Department told Access that the Sheen house received a call from the car’s in-vehicle security system after an alert was triggered from the car early Friday morning. A member of the Sheen household then called authorities.

LAPD and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the alert at 4:06 AM and found Sheen’s vehicle, a 2009 Mercedes Benz S600, at the bottom of a cliff near Mulholland Drive in LA. The car is valued at $160,000.

A source told Access that the stolen car is one of two identical cars that the actor owns. One Mercedes is black on beige and the other is black on black. Sheen purchased the twin cars around when his own twins, Bob and Max, were born in March of 2009. The black on beige was the car found stolen on Friday.

When authorities arrived on the scene no one was found in the car.

There are currently 34 firefighters, a heavy rescue team, an ambulance and a helicopter on the scene of the wreckage. They are searching the nearby hillside area looking for the possible driver of the car.

Detectives are currently investigating the incident.

The alleged auto theft occurred after a break-in through the side door of the Sheen house that leads to a garage, the source added. The keys to Sheen’s Mercedes were hanging on a hook in the garage. Other items from the garage were also stolen.

Access has confirmed that Sheen is currently at home and fine.

Sheen’s auto theft comes on the heels of a whirlwind last few months for the actor. On Christmas day he was arrested after wife Brooke Mueller claimed he threatened her with a knife while they were vacationing in Aspen, Colo. Sheen is expected to be arraigned on domestic violence charges related to the Christmas incident possibly today or next Monday.

Heidi Montag Claims Mom Looked At Her ‘Almost Like A Zoo Animal’ Following Plastic Surgery

Heidi Montag is changing her tune about her mother’s reaction to her plastic surgery.

Just two weeks after telling Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush that her mother, Darlene, thought her post-plastic surgery debut on the cover of People magazine was “beautiful,” “The Hills” reality star is now claiming that her mom’s reaction was intense. Heidi claims in this week’s issue of People magazine that her mother looked at her like she was a “circus freak” after the 23-year-old recently flew back home to Colorado to see her family.

“She was looking at me almost like a zoo animal,” Heidi told the mag of their first post-surgery meeting, which was reportedly filmed for “The Hills.” “It wasn’t like I was her daughter anymore. She was looking at me like I was a circus freak.”

But that wasn’t the story she told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush just weeks ago.

“She said the cover looked beautiful,” Heidi told Billy of her mom’s reaction to her People post-surgery debut.

“She did?” Billy asked.

“Mmmhmm. She said obviously she loved me the way I was and she would never tell me to do anything, but that she always supports whatever my decision is,” Heidi said.

However, on Wednesday, People magazine Senior Writer Joey Bartolomeo offered more information about what Heidi has to say now.

“Heidi says her mom is heartbroken over her new face and body,” Joey told Access. “Heidi said her mom says her confidence is gone.”

But coming to Heidi’s defense is Joan Rivers, who knows a thing or two about surgery scrutiny.

“I feel very sorry [for her] because she tried to come out and be honest about it,” Joan told Access. “And when you really looked at the 10 procedures, it was nonsense, it was a little Botox and a little this, a little that, and a couple of bigger things and it’s a business of beauty.”

Beyonce On Her Grammy Wins & Jay-Z Shout-Out: ‘He Was Shocked!’

Beyonce may be a very public superstar, but the singer has kept her relationship with husband Jay-Z quiet – until the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

“I’d love to thank my family for all their love and support including my husband,” she said at the time, as the hip-hop mogul sat, surprised, in the audience.

“He was shocked!” Beyonce told Access. “He was just like, ‘What did you say?’”

And the singer added that she couldn’t believe it herself.

“I was just like, ‘What did I just do? No, I didn’t just say that,’” she said, explaining that the outburst came in the heat of the moment.

“I was so happy, I could’ve said anything,” she said of taking the stage for her win for Female Pop Vocal – her sixth Grammy of the night, a record for a female artist. “That’s why I ran off the stage.”

She also took home a top honor with Song of the Year for “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” a songwriting category.

So what did Jay-Z say back?

“He said you have six Grammys and you smell good,” she laughed.

The singer was wearing her new scent, Beyonce Heat, for which she recently filmed a steamy ad – and the perfume is already a big hit.

“This morning I woke up and they told me the fragrance is the number one fragrance in America,” Beyonce told Access. “I had absolutely no idea.”

And filming the spot may have taken some double-stick tape to keep her dress in place, but the singer added that it wasn’t all hard work.

“It was my birthday when we filmed the video,” she said. “We had fun. They brought out cake and candles.”

Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock Tabbed As Early Oscar Favorites

Oddsmakers picked Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock as early favorites to win Oscars in the top acting categories at the Academy Awards.

“Avatar” is considered the favorite among 10 nominees for best picture.

Wynn Las Vegas race and sports book executive John Avello tabbed Bridges as a 2-3 favorite to win best actor for his role in “Crazy Heart.” Avello has Bullock at even-money for best actress for “The Blind Side.”

America’s Line chief Benjamin Eckstein also favors Bridges, Bullock and “Avatar.”

The odds are just for fun. Nevada casinos don’t take wagers on contests where the outcome is known beforehand.

Ladbrokes, a British company that accepts bets online, lists Mo’Niqueand Christoph Waltz as heavy favorites to win for their supporting roles.

Victoria Beckham On David’s Good Looks & Getting Nervous Around George Clooney

Victoria Beckham understands why people stare at her husband, soccer star David.

“It’s not healthy to be jealous. I look at David and I think, He’s so handsome and I’m so lucky to have him as a husband,” she told Glamour magazine’s February issue. “And he’s an amazing father. I don’t blame people for looking at him and finding him attractive. I mean, I do.”

Posh, who posed in a t-shirt and with an adorable puppy for the mag’s cover, opened up about her life, and revealed that despite her A-list status, she gets nervous around mega-stars.

“Nervous in a good way. I [once] shared a plane with George Clooney,” she said. “I still get excited. My mum and I said, ‘Oh my God’…I’m leading an extraordinary life. I never try to be too cool about [it].”

One way the pop star-turned-fashion designer stays down to earth is through her three boys.

“I travel a fair amount, and when I’m here in LA, everything revolves around the kids. So if I’m not working, I go to the school and help serve lunches to the children. They just love that. It’s like, ‘Oh, there’s Mummy serving me!’” Posh said.

Speaking of her own lunches, Posh sticks to eating just the good stuff.

“I’m a very, very healthy eater. I eat lots of fish, lots of vegetables, lots of fruit,” she said. “I don’t eat junk food. I work out.”

And she credits working out – something she used to not do – with helping her look her best.

“I’m not a supermodel. I make the best of what I’ve got. I work out to look the best that I can, but I’m no Gisele,” Posh said.

Speaking of Gisele, Posh may not have the supermodel’s height, but she still can claim the same air space thanks to her super-high heels. She admitted, however, they cause her some pain.

“Absolutely, [heels make my feet] hurt. Absolutely! I’m not going to lie. But no pain, no gain, as they say. I don’t mind,” she told the mag. “I will suffer. I don’t wear heels every day, but when I’m out, that’s how I feel confident.”

Jonas Brothers Talk Breakup Rumors & New Tour

Music’s hottest sibling trio, The Jonas Brothers, told Access Hollywood that rumors of their breakup are false – in fact, the JoBros are gearing up for a new tour.

“No, it’s not [true],” middle brother Joe Jonas told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush backstage at the 2010 Grammy Awards on Sunday in LA when asked about a rumored split. “We are still playing music together.”

Joe even promised their fans an upcoming tour.

“We’re planning a big tour, so getting ready for that,” he told Access.

And eldest brother Kevin Jonas, who recently wed, said his new wife, Danielle, is already part of the Jonas clan.

“I’m loving it,” Kevin said. “Its amazing… being married young is an amazing thing.”

Kevin said that his new wife even feels comfortable touring with the guys.

“She’s just as much a part of this family now as me,” Kevin explained. “It’s a great journey together.”

Jay-Z On Who’s In Line To Fill Michael Jackson’s Shoes & Beyonce’s ‘Magnificent’ Performance

Jay-Z has an idea of who may be the next Michael Jackson, and he told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush about it backstage at Sunday night’s Grammys.

When asked what was his favorite moment of the night, Jay-Z hinted it could be one of the performers that took part in the tribute to the late King of Pop.

“I thought the Michael Jackson tribute was fantastic and I thought Usher was doing a magnificent job,” Jay-Z told Billy. “I think he’s… He’s one of the guys that’s in line to, you know, fill those huge shoes.”

But while he thinks Usher has the talent, Jay-Z told Billy he didn’t want to put any undue stress on his pal.

“I don’t wanna put that pressure on him, but I think he’s one of the guy’s that’s in line to do that,” Jay-Z added.

When asked about his own wife’s stunning performance at the Grammys – a performance that saw Beyonce singing a little Alanis Morisette (“You Oughta Know”) and her own song (“If I Were A Boy”), Jay-Z said she is so impressive all the time, a person could get used to it.

“Oh fantastic, but she… It’s almost to a point where you just, you know, you’re almost numb to it because she’s so magnificent every single time out,” he said.

“They had a nice shot of you right after she performed and you were just proud,” Billy said.

“I’m a fan, you know, I’m a fan. I’m here as a fan as well,” Jay-Z added.

More Than 80 Million See Haiti Aid Telethon

More than 80 million people tuned in for last week’s all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon.

The Nielsen Co. said Monday that an estimated 83 million people saw at least a brief part of the fundraiser carried Friday on 33 TV networks. The audience watching the two-hour event at any given time averaged 24 million viewers.

Organizers for the telethon said it’s raised $57 million, with more donations still to come in.

The event, which also streamed live online, featured Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and other stars who encouraged donations for Haiti, hit by a devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 200,000 people.

Money was also being raised by the sale of telethon performances via iTunes.

John Travolta To Pilot Plane Filled With Relief Supplies To Haiti

John Travolta is soaring to Haiti with earthquake relief.

The 55-year-old actor and avid pilot plans to fly one of his private jets from Florida to Haiti on Monday night, according to Travolta’s spokesman, Paul Bloch.

The “Grease” star will be joined by his actress-wife Kelly Preston, several doctors and Church of Scientology ministers, as well as relief supplies. Travolta and Preston will then return to the U.S.

The “From Paris with Love” star took his first flying lesson when he was 15

2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Winners

A complete list of winners at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in LA on January 23, 2010.

Tina Fey, for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, for “30 Rock”

Alec Baldwin, for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, for “30 Rock”

“Glee,” for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy

Christoph Waltz, for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Julianna Margulies, for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, for “The Good Wife”

Michael C. Hall, for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, for “Dexter”

“Mad Men,” for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama

Betty White, for Lifetime Achivement

Drew Barrymore, for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, for “Grey Gardens”

Kevin Bacon, for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, for “Taking Chance”

Mo’Nique, for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, for “Precious”

Jeff Bridges, for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, for “Crazy Heart”

Sandra Bullock, for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, for “The Blind Side,”

“Inglourious Basterds” for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PIcture

SAG Awards 2010 Fashion Trend: Red On The Red Carpet

Hollywood was seeing red at the 2010 SAG Awards.

“An Education” star Carey Mulligan, who was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, turned heads with a strapless red gown with a sparkling brooch as she walked the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium in LA on Saturday night.

Rutina Wesley from the HBO hit series “True Blood” showed off her body with a bright, lipstick-red dress, while “Nurse Jackie’s” Edie Falco hit the red carpet in a vermillion strapless gown.

Mariah Carey, who caught eyes with her revealing black gown at last weekend’s Golden Globes, wore a form-fitting asymmetrical red gown at the SAG Awards.

Other stars that stood out in red included Sofia Vergara from “Modern Family” who sparkled in a red Carolina Herrera gown, “True Blood’s” Mariana Klaveno, who dazzled in an off-the-shoulder scarlet dress, and actress Joan Allen, who wore a boho-chic tie-dyed crimson dress.

Heidi Montag Changes Tune On Mom’s Plastic Surgery Support

Days after telling Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush that her mother, Darlene Eglehoff, loved her new post-plastic surgery look, Heidi Montag is now claiming her mom is upset over what she’s done to herself.

Heidi told People magagazine, in an article published online on Thursday, that she is fearful to return home to Colorado, something which will apparently be done on camera for an upcoming episode of MTV’s “The Hills.”

“I still can’t believe I’m 23 and Mom is reacting this way,” she told the mag. “I’m nervous to go home and face her – especially with cameras rolling.”

A source close to the family also told People that Darlene “is horrified and having a total breakdown. She can’t wait to confront Heidi when she goes home.”

In Monday’s interview with Billy, however, Heidi said she showed her mom her People cover from last week, and her mother was supportive.

“I spoke to my mom the other day and she said the cover looked beautiful,” Heidi told Billy. “She said, obviously she loved me the way I was and she would never tell me to do anything, but that she always supports whatever my decision is.”

And Heidi’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Frank Ryan, told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson on Tuesday, that it was his understanding that Darlene too wanted to go under the knife.

“Her mother on the other hand, saw the pictures and called Heidi right away and said, ‘Heidi, I want him to do a mommy makeover for me… Can you arrange that?’” he told Shaun.

And he claimed that her mother wanted the surgery soon.

“For Valentine’s Day,” Dr. Ryan claimed. “Heidi may buy it for her for Valentine’s Day.”

When contacted by Access Hollywood on Thursday, Darlene said she hasn’t spoken with People, nor has she read her daughter’s “Addicted To Plastic Surgery” cover story from last week.

Darlene added anything between mom and daughter is “strictly between them” and she does not give interviews to the media.

Dr. Drew Pinsky Talks Heidi Montag’s Plastic Surgery: ‘It’s Really Female-Female Cross Dressing’

Dr. Drew Pinsky is known the world over for helping people with problems of addiction, but he isn’t convinced Heidi Montag is addicted to plastic surgery.

“The addiction thing would be having so much plastic surgery in order to get the pain medication, which people do. I see a lot of that,” Dr. Drew told AccessHollywood.com as he stepped out for “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. “I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.”

Last week it was revealed that Heidi had undergone 10 procedures in the fall, and while Dr. Drew doesn’t believe the headlines – that “The Hills” star is addicted to plastic surgery — he does find her decisions troubling.

“Clearly there are body image issues, self-worth issues,” Dr. Drew said. “I’m sort of disturbed that no one referred her for those kinds of counseling before they put her under the knife.”

Heidi previously revealed that on November 20, she went under the knife for 10 procedures in one day, which included a mini brow lift, Botox in the forehead, nose job revision, fat injections in cheeks and lips, chin reduction, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, breast augmentation revision, liposuction on her waist and thighs and a buttocks augmentation.

Dr. Drew said Heidi’s decision to undergo so many procedures has a drag-like quality to it.

“I also, by the way, call that — the kind of extreme accentuation of her feminine features — it’s really female-female cross dressing,” Dr. Drew said. “It’s like she’s taking on an excessively feminizing characteristic, fetish-izing her entire body, it’s a little troubling, a little problematic.”

Jay Leno Defends Conan O’Brien, Calls Him ‘A Gentleman,’ Confirms He Could Be Back On ‘Tonight Show’

Jay Leno has confirmed reports he could be heading back to “The Tonight Show.”

The funnyman addressed NBC’s late night shake up during Monday’s “The Jay Leno Show,” and he revealed that if Conan O’Brien leaves his job as “Tonight Show” host, NBC executives have offered Jay his old job back.

“They [said to me], ‘If he decides to walk and doesn’t want to do it, do you want the show back?’” Jay recounted to his “Jay Leno Show” audience on Monday night about his conversations with the NBC execs. “I go, ‘Yeah, I’ll take the show back… if that’s what he wants to do… This way, we keep our people working… So that’s pretty much where we are. It looks like we might be back at 11:30, I’m not sure.”

Jay added, however, that through the situation with NBC, which he went into great detail about on his Monday show, Conan has been courteous.

“Through all of this, Conan O’Brien has been a gentleman. He’s a good guy,” Jay told his audience. “I have no animosity towards him. This is all business. If you don’t get the ratings, they take you off the air.”

Jay also explained how it came about that Conan was promised “The Tonight Show” years ago, while Jay was still on top.

”[In] 2004, I’m sitting in my office, an NBC executive comes in and says to me, ‘Listen, Conan O’Brien has gotten offers from other networks. We don’t want him to go, so we’re going to give him ‘The Tonight Show,’” Jay recounted. “I said, ‘Well, I’ve been number one for 12 years.’ They said, ‘We know that, but we don’t think you can sustain that.’”

The host went on to explain that he asked NBC to wait until he slipped to No. 2 in the ratings and then fire him, but he said the NBC exec told him the decision had already been made.

“Don’t blame Conan O’Brien,” Jay continued on Monday’s show. “Nice guy, good family guy, great guy. He and I have talked and not a problem since then. That’s what managers and people do, they try to get something for their clients. I said, ‘I’ll retire just to avoid what happened the last time.’”

Jay said that when it came time for Conan to take over “The Tonight Show,” he still had 6-8 months left on his own contract with NBC.

Jay said he asked the network to release him from his contract, but they said, “We want to keep you here,” he explained.

He went on to say that his primetime show was NBC’s idea and they told him, “We have done focus groups. People will love you at 10:00.”

For Jay personally, he said it “didn’t seem like a good idea at the time,” but they allowed him to keep his staff of 175 people and promised him two years on the air.

As for the latest shake up, which NBC announced last Sunday – a move of “The Jay Leno Show” to 11:35 PM and a plea to Conan to move “The Tonight Show” to 12:05 AM – Jay said NBC asked him if he would do the move and they assured him Conan would be OK with that.

“I said, ‘OK, I’m not crazy about doing a half hour, but OK. What do you want to do with Conan?’ ‘We’ll put him on at midnight, or 12:05, keeps ‘The Tonight Show’ does all that, he gets the whole hour.’ I said, ‘OK, you think Conan will go for that?’ ‘Yes, yes.’… I said ‘OK,’ shake hands. That’s it. I don’t have a manager, I don’t have an agent, that’s my handshake deal,” Jay said.

Susan Boyle Snubbed, Gets No Brit Award Nomination

Women are dominating the nominations for Britain’s leading music awards — the Brits — but Internet sensation Susan Boyle was snubbed on the shortlist.

Quirky chanteuses Florence and the Machine, Pixie Lott, Lily Allen and Lady Gaga all have three nominations.

Other British contenders include boy band JLS, Leona Lewis, Bat for Lashes, Paolo Nuttini and Dizzee Rascal.

Nominees in the international categories include Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Jay-Z, Michael Buble and Shakira.

Robbie Williams will receive an award for outstanding contribution to music at the Feb. 16 ceremony in London.

The awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys. Most winners are selected by a vote of over 1,000 industry members.

Rosie O’Donnell On Jay Leno: ‘I Think He Should Walk Away’

Rosie O’Donnell believes Jay Leno should step aside.

The former “View” moderator, who got her start in stand up before becoming a household name hosting her own syndicated talk show, shared her view after being asked at HBO’s Television Critics Association panel on Thursday, if she’d be interested in heading into late night.

“That question today is like asking if I’d like to vacation in Haiti. Although I hear it’s an enjoyable place, this wouldn’t be the time to go. Correct?” she laughed. “I have been a big fan of Conan O’Brien… and [‘The Tonight Show’ is] a franchise that has been 60 years with NBC, and if you’re privileged enough to be asked to drive the bus, you should say thank you and drive it to the best of your ability and when it’s time for them to hire a new driver, you should say, ‘Thank you for allowing me to drive this for as long as I did,’ and pass the keys to the new guy with red hair, and not try to flatten his tires, before he even gets going.”

Following the press event, where Rosie was promoting her new HBO documentary, “A Family Is A Family Is A Family: A Rosie O’Donnell Celebration,” set to premiere on January 31, the outspoken star said she plans to reach out to Conan.

“I will definitely talk to him,” she told a small group of journalists. “I’ve heard from a lot of his staff.”

Rosie went on to say that she thinks Conan, who recently said he would not accept NBC’s request to move “The Tonight Show” to 12:05 AM, is a big talent and it is time for Jay Leno, whose show NBC said they would move to 11:35 PM, to step aside.

“I think he’s a fantastic talent and 17 years he gave to that network and they really did a disservice to him,” Rosie said of Conan. “I think shame on [NBC President] Jeff Zucker and really, shame on Jay Leno. I think he’s forgotten his roots and what stand up comedy is about, and graciousness has never been his number one quality… I think it would serve him well to think about what might happen if he were able to let go and grab on to whatever the next rung is.”

When asked what she thinks Jay should do, Rosie said: Move on!

“I think he should walk away,” she said. “Five years ago he was told that he was no longer going to be the host. Joe Namath at one point was told, ‘You’re not gonna be the quarterback.’”

NBC Announces Post-Leno Primetime Lineup

New and veteran NBC dramas and a comedy produced by Jerry Seinfeld will take over the bulk of the prime-time slots soon to be vacated by Jay Leno.

NBC announced Thursday that the freshman drama “Parenthood” and the relocated “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victim Units” will fill three slots. Another will go to the comedy panel series “The Marriage Ref” from Seinfeld.

“Dateline NBC” will fill another 10 p.m. EST slot.

The new lineup will debut after NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics from Feb. 12-28.

Yet to be resolved is NBC’s effort to make way for Leno to return to late-night by bumping Conan O’Brien’s and “Tonight” to midnight, a plan O’Brien has rejected.

Rihanna Finally Addresses December ‘SNL’ Tiger Woods Skit: ‘It Wasn’t Offensive To Me’

Rihanna has broken her silence about the “Saturday Night Live” skit last year that some claimed made light of domestic violence, the same night the singer was on the show.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, some suggested “SNL” parodied domestic violence in a skit starring guest host Blake Lively as Elin Nordegren and Kenan Thompson as Tiger Woods, following the golfer’s now infamous car accident.

But Rihanna, whose own past experience with abuse at the hands of ex-boyfriend Chris Brown has been well documented, said she wasn’t bothered by the skit.

“Violence should of course be avoided at any cost, but ‘Saturday Night Live’ is a show that finds humor in every serious situation, so it wasn’t offensive to me in any way,” she told the February 2010 issue of W magazine.

Recently, Rihanna has spoken out about her own experience with domestic violence, after many months of keeping silent.

“Not talking was a big thing for me,” the singer told the mag. “I’m glad I didn’t talk to people, because I was able to deal with things in my own way, without saying the wrong things or giving people the wrong impression.”

And she said she has come to terms with what happened and is looking to the future.

“At first I completely shut down. But now I feel like this happened to me so I could be a voice for young girls who are going through what I went through and don’t know how to talk about it,” she said. “It’s not about Chris, about hurting him or sabotaging his career. I don’t care about that part of it.”

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie ‘Devastated’ By Haitian Earthquake, Donate $1 Million To Help

Some of Hollywood’s biggest names are rallying their fans to help the people of Haiti following the devastating 7.0 earthquake that ravaged the island nation on Tuesday.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who previously traveled to Haiti to lend their star power to musician Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation, said they were “devastated” by the tragic news.

“We are devastated by the news from Haiti,” the duo said in a statement to The Agence France-Presse. “We will work closely with our good friend Wyclef Jean to support the humanitarian efforts on the island and help those who have been injured and left without homes and shelter.”

And on Wednesday evening, news broke that Brad and Angelina, through their Jolie-Pitt Foundation, were donating $1 million to Doctors Without Borders, to help out with relief work in Haiti.

“It is incredibly horrible to see a catastrophe of this size hit a people who have been suffering from extreme poverty, violence and unrest for so many decades,” Angelina said in a statement according to People.

“We understand the first response is critical to serve the immediate needs of countless people who are now displaced from their homes, are suffering trauma, and most require urgent care,” Brad added.

Other celebrities used Twitter to express their sorrow over the devastation in Haiti and urged people to dig deep in their pockets.

“People in Haiti need our help and attention right now,” Ben Stiller wrote.

Twitter couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore asked their followers to donate to UNICEF.

Other celebrity Twitters urging the public to help in the relief effort include Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul, Katy Perry, Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba, Diddy and LL Cool J.

What Is ‘The X Factor’?

Simon Cowell announced he would be leaving “American Idol” to launch “The X Factor” stateside in Fall 2011. But what is “The X Factor” and how does it differ from “Idol”? Access has the answers.

“The X Factor” is a reality competition, launched by Simon in Britain in 2004 and it became so big – discovering the likes of Leona Lewis in its third season – that it replaced “Pop Idol,” the British parent show of “American Idol.”

While “The X Factor” and “American Idol” are both singing competitions, they differ when it comes to age, judging and tone.

“Idol” only takes contestants ages 16-28, while the more dramatic “The X Factor” has no upper age limit and focuses on the backstage drama.

“You can have, you know, someone in their 60’s competing with someone in their teens,” Simon explained in an interview on Monday with FOX. “There are literally no rules in this competition and what makes it more fun to be on is the fact that the judges mentor the contestants.”

And unlike “Idol’s” top 24, “The X Factor” whittles things down to 12 contestants before at home judging begins.

U.K. entertainment journalist Ashley Pearson said “X Factor” has the it-factor.

“The difference really is that ‘X Factor’ is a little bit nastier, a little bit snarkier and a little bit more evil than the other one,” she told Access.

“With Simon as a mentor and a judge, that means more camera time and more Simon. But could that mean higher ratings? No one is more excited about the possiblity of that than FOX President of alternative programming Mike Darnell.

“I couldn’t be personally more excited to have ‘X Factor’ coming to the network,” he told Access on Monday. “And so [Simon’s] not leaving the network. Thank God!”