Sometimes A Kiss Is Just A BLECH!

You know, as much as Amy Winehouse kinda grosses me the hell out, for some strange reason I cannot stop paying attention to her insane antics (which makes me part of the problem, I realize, but I'm not really paying attention in order to glorify her so much as I'm pretty much horrified by her). Yesterday we saw pictures of the charming houseguest who thought it would be a good idea to break into and then pass out in her garage and today we have a few LOVELY photos of Amy getting a goodnight smooch (and possibly a communicable disease) from her best bud Pete Doherty, behold:


Photo credit: Splash News

In a scene that recalls the famous face-off moment in Alien vs Predator, these equally scary creatures were spotted pressed up against each other last night. And it's hard to decide which scene is more terrifying. Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty — two of the most infamous and easily the messiest musicians of our time — moved in for a goodbye kiss outside Amy Winehouse's Camden pad. Their hardcore lifestyles were literally written all over their faces, as a close-up photo revealed pimples and scars, as well as a full set of dirty fingernails. Pete was at Amy's place to continue partying after playing a "freedom" gig with his band Babyshambles, to celebrate his recent release from prison. Pete, 29, who wore a suit and his trademark trilby hat for the gig at The Forum in Kentish Town, thanked "everyone who wrote a letter over the last month" ... Unconventional to the last, Pete left the gig upside down in the back of a car — looking like he was inventing a new yoga move ... It was all back to Amy's for another riotous night, as the singer returned home to continue the party.

I wonder what Amy's hubby Blake Civil-Fielder thinks of all of Amy's most recent shenanigans ... that is, if he's able to get word of her antics from inside his jail cell. I'm sure Blake would have no problem with his wife cozying up to these questionably hygienic gentleman (both the passed out garage guy and Mr. Doherty) like any understanding husband (who is currently separated from his wife because of his incarceration on charges of attempting to pervert justice) would be. After all, he might be cozying up to a few questionably hygienic folks in the big house himself. It is so hard to not envy these wealthy rockers and their fabulous lives, isn't it?

A Dollface Only A Mother Could Love

Yesterday we saw pics of the new Heroes action figures (which I have since learned from Pink reader Sofia can be ordered HERE for $20 each and will start shipping on June 10) and today we have photos of two Ugly Betty dolls (one cloth and one plastic) which are also available for order (HERE, at a prettier penny) from doll designer Madame Alexander:



It's unclear if these dolls are actual authorized by ABC or the Ugly Betty producers (the site merely states that the dolls are "based on the smart, hardworking, and savvy character from the Emmy award-winning TV show, Ugly Betty") but they're pretty cute, if you ask me. The site also offers dolls based on the characters from Wicked, Legally Blonde: The Musical and our nation's First Ladies. I'm sure I know what kind of fantasies can be concocted using these dolls ... and I don't think I want to know.

Chace Crawford Does GQ Magazine

The oh-so purdy Chace Crawford is featured in the new issue of GQ magazine modeling various khaki pieces which are perfect for the upcoming summer months ... here are his photos:



It should be noted that none of the other male castmembers from Gossip Girl are featured anywhere else in the magazine ... at all. I'm sure it won't be long before Penn Badgley and Ed Westwick gang up and kick Chace's purdy ass

Sex and the City Takes Entertainment Weekly



The ladies of Sex and the City look ferosh on the cover of this week’s special double issue of Entertainment Weekly.

The cover story featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon will soon be posted on EW.com.

Sex and the City gets carried away in theaters everywhere on Friday, May 30th.

Beyonce’s Big Apple Wave



A glowing (and newly married) Beyonce waves to her fans as she leaves a Midtown building with her bodyguard in New York City on Wednesday.

Pregnancy rumors have been swirling ever since Beyonce and Jay-Z got hitched last month. Bee is also rumored to have auditioned for a cameo on the hit ABC drama Desperate Housewives.

Gwen Stefani is a Miu Miu Mother



Pregnant Gwen Stefani looks yummy in yellow as she gets in some alone time shopping in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

While showing off her baby bump, Gwen, 38, picked up a few items from the Miu Miu boutique. She and rocker husband Gavin Rossdale, 42, expect their second child this summer.

Miley Cyrus is Keeping Up With the Kardashians



Miley Cyrus hangs out with the the Kardashian clan backstage at 102.7 KIIS-FM’s Wango Tango on Saturday.

Ryan Seacrest, who produces E!’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians and does the KIIS-FM morning show, had invited the Kardashians to the music festival.

Kim Kardashian shared about her Wango Tango Experience: “We honestly had such a blast! Kendall and Kylie were most excited to see the Jonas Brothers and Khloe and I were most excited to see Miley Cyrus! Rob and Kourtney were just excited to be there! We saw everyone from Frankie J to Danity Kane!”

Natalie Portman Does the Cannes Cannes



Natalie Portman joins other jury members for the Jury Photocall during the 2008 Cannes Film Festival on Wedesday in Cannes, France.

Portman, 26, talked a bit about American politics at the photocall. She was not endorsing anyone but “that for the first time in a while we have to chose between who we like better instead of who we hate less”.

Penn added a few comments about President George Bush’s politics, which he referred to as “inane stupidity”. He said, “When somebody operates without a brain and without a heart they kill hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. It is a shame that we have to bastardize the word ‘politics’.”

Nick Cannon: Hello Kitty!



Newlywed Nick Cannon runs some errands in Los Angeles, first stopping off at a pharmacy and then paying a visit to a Hello Kitty store on Wednesday!

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon enjoyed a magical night at Six Flags Magic Mountain in L.A. on Tuesday evening.

The park was decorated with pink and purple balloons and a banner which read: ‘Mariah and Nick - A Love Story.’

Mariah, 38, and Nick, 27, arrived in a Rolls Royce and celebrated with an exclusive list of 100 attendees.

Julianne Moore is Stuck in Blindness



Julianne Moore (in Lanvin) poses for the 61th Annual Cannes Film Festival photocall for Blindness at the Palais des Festivals on Wednesday.

Blindness, stars Julianne Moore and will open this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Based on a novel by Nobel laureate Jose Saramago, it’s about a city where inhabitants inexplicably go blind, one by one.

Danny Glover, Gael Garcia Bernal and Alice Braga also star in the film and were also on hand at the photocall.

Reese & Jake: Wedding in the Works



Jake Gyllenhaal is ready to ask for Reese Witherspoon’s hand in marriage, reports OK!

“They’ve been talking marriage for a while,” a source close to Reese says. “They’ll be formally engaged any day now. They want to spend the rest of their lives together.”

But Gyllenspoon won’t be moving in together and having kids before tying the knot.

“This is a very serious relationship,” Reese’s pal adds. “But Reese is very conservative and traditional. I’m sure she doesn’t want her kids to see her ‘living in sin.’”

DO YOU THINK Reese and Jake will get married before the end of the year?

Christina Aguilera is Maxed Out in NYC



Christina Aguilera carries her son Max back to her hotel after a night out in New York City on Tuesday.

Her husband Jordan Bratman had his hands full walking several dogs.

Christina, 27, recently announced plans to launch another addition to her perfume range later this year.

The singer has taken time off from her music career since she gave birth to her first child, Max, in January — and has instead spent her time as a new mother working on her third scent.

Christina’s two previous fragrances have both garnered international success and the new scent is due to hit shops in the autumn.

Chris Brown Turns 19 With Rihanna by His Side

Despite the kissy photo evidence that these two are more than friends, Rihanna and Chris Brown kept their distance last night — at least while the photographers were around — as they celebrated his 19th birthday at Rebel in NYC. No matter, though, because they had their hands more than full with all of their pals at the bash. Rihanna partied with singer Lil Mama, while Chris held court with his many admirers. Looks like these two had a blast, but hopefully they found some alone time to celebrate when the cameras stopped watching.

Madonna Opens Girls School and Defends Britney

Madonna stuck with her favorite all black outfit, devices in hand on her way to the gym, but today is not just like any other day. The charitable pop star announced plans to build a multi-million-dollar girls' school in Malawi this year. Plus, David's adoption is being finalized tomorrow. Amidst all of this, Madonna took time out to chat about being a working mom and again in defense of Britney Spears. Here are some highlights:



* On Britney: "I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that she was never allowed to have a childhood. She didn't get to grow up and make mistakes privately and try things out and just be a kid and be innocent. She's been watched, judged and been under a microscope since she's been a teenager. It's hard to evolve that way."

* On her kids giving her a hard time for working so much: "'When are you coming home?' 'Why are you always working?' 'Why can't you just be like a normal mom?' I just remind them about all the things that they have, and that if I didn't do what I did they wouldn’t have those things."

* On her kids' thoughts on her fame: "They come to the rehearsals. But they're sort of over it. They like to skateboard around."

We think Madonna hit the nail on the head when it comes to Britney and despite being one of the biggest stars ever still keeps things down to earth with her family.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

With control of their Western Conference Semifinal series with the Spurs hanging in the balance, New Orleans Hornets fans did whatever they could to distract Tony Parker last night.



It worked-- he missed both shots and the Hornets won 101-79.

Calvin Klein Model Dies in Fire

A model who appeared in several Calvin Klein ads with Kate Moss perished in an Indiana apartment fire over the weekend.



Firefighters were called Sunday morning to the apartment model Heather Stohler shared with her boyfriend, Daniel Risley. When they got there, they found the unit up in flames. Both were rushed to the hospital where Stohler died later that day. Risley died on Tuesday.

The fire appears to have been an accident.

Ryan Reynolds Texted Engagement News



Ryan Reynolds' pal Elizabeth Banks says he announced his engagement to Scarlett Johansson via text message!

"I texted him to say, 'Are you really engaged or is this a joke?'" she told Us at the Alexander McQueen flagship boutique opening in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

"And he said, 'Yes, we're really engaged!'" added Banks.

Banks, who co-starred with Reynolds in Definitely, Maybe, is currently filming the President Bush biopic W is Shreveport, Louisiana. (Check out pics from the president's daughter's wedding here.)

Johansson, 23, and Reynolds, 31,, announced their engagement on May 5, the day the actress flashed a three-carat diamond ring estimated to be worth about $30,000 at the Met Costume Ball Gala.

Kelly Rowan Splits From Billionaire Fiance After Giving Birth



Actress Kelly Rowan, known for her role on The O.C., has split from her fiance, David Thomson, just weeks after giving birth to their baby girl, according to the New York Daily News.

Rowan, 43, gave birth to their daughter on April 28 in L.A.

Thomson, Canada's richest man, has three children from a previous marriage.

The couple had been staying out of the limelight in Canada because Thomson is "horrified of any publicity," the New York Post reported in March.

The couple had been together since 2006.

PEOPLE Critic: 5 Must-See Movies at Cannes



This year's Cannes Film Festival kicks off Wednesday night and man with the whip – that would be archeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones – has crowds whipped up. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has its world premiere on Sunday in this French seaside resort town.

But while Indiana Jones is the hottest archaeologist of the festival, here's a quick look at five other films screening this year that promise plenty of buzz:

1. Changeling
Director Clint Eastwood, last represented at the festival with Mystic River in 2003, offers a period drama set in Los Angeles in 1928. Angelina Jolie stars as a mother whose young son disappears while she's at work, only to reappear mysteriously a few months later. But is this boy really is her child?

2. Blindness
Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo star in an apocalyptic drama about what happens when people suddenly lose their sight due to a plague. Fernando Meirelles, the Brazilian director who rocketed to international success with City of God and then made The Constant Gardner, directed.

3. Che
Benicio Del Toro dons a beard and beret to play Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the medical student-turned-revolutionary who fought alongside Fidel Castro in Cuba. Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich and Ocean's 11, 12 and 13) directed this two-part film, which has a combined tuchas-testing running time of more than 4 hours.

4. Vicky Christina Barcelona
Two young American women, played by Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall, find romantic adventure in Barcelona with an artist (Javier Bardem), though he's still entangled with his ex-wife (Penélope Cruz). Woody Allen directed, marking his third outing with current on-screen muse Johansson.

5. Two Lovers
Joaquin Phoenix portrays a depressed young man who, after moving back in with his parents, becomes involved with two women (Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw). This is Phoenix's second film with director James Gray; their earlier collaboration, We Own the Night, had its premiere at the Cannes film festival last year.

Posh: David Is Hotter Than George Clooney



George Clooney is dreamy and all. But, Victoria Beckham declares, he can't hold a candle to her husband, soccer star David.

The former Spice Girl has recently struck up a friendship Clooney, who has been named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive – twice!

"He was so nice, a real gentleman and absolutely hilarious," Beckham told Britain's The Sun on Wednesday. "He has a great sense of humor. But I think David is better looking than him. Definitely."

Hmmm – bet Sarah Larson would beg to differ.

Rumor Control
In a separate interview with the U.K.'s GMTV, Beckham also revealed that – after last year's Spice Girls reunion tour – she's retiring from pop music.

"I'm not going to sing anymore," she said. "I've hung my microphone up."

She also took a few moments to deny a slew of rumors, including that she's going to design costumes for Tom Cruise's next movie.

"No, No. I'm not joining the Pussycat Dolls either," said the mother of three. "I heard about that. The thought of leaping around on the stage in a bra top and knickers! No – and I'm not pregnant."

Gossip Girl's TV Dad: Penn & Blake 'Good for Each Other'



Before Penn Badgley and Blake Lively were outed as a couple, Matthew Settle, who plays Penn Badgley's TV dad on Gossip Girl helped to keep gossip about the relationship between the young lovers a secret.

But now that the cat is out of the bag, he says, "I think it's nice."

Settle offered fatherly insight about Badgley and Lively on his way into the Entertainment Weekly upfront party at The Bowery Hotel in New York on May 13. (The new couple also attended.)

When asked if he had advice for his TV son, Settle answered, "In real life, Penn rolls with the punches better than anybody ... I don't think he needs any advice."

About keeping the relationship a secret before it was revealed, Penn's TV Dad said, "you can prod and pry, but you don't want to be too intrusive. I made my own assumptions," he said. "But I didn't want to talk about it, to get involved."

Now that the news is out, Settle believes America will react positively. "I think people are going to love them as a couple," he said. "They're a very hot couple. They look good together. And I think they're good for each other, so why not?"

Settle's date at the event was his wife, Israeli born actress Naama Nativ, also an actress, who said that she plays "one of Adam [Sandler's] Israeli girlfriends in his new film, You Don't Mess with The Zohan."

But Settle and Nativ have a solid bond. Married for two years, Settle said that he met Nativ, "in Los Angeles through friends."

Coldplay, Pussycat Dolls to Perform at MTV Movie Awards



Coldplay and the Pussycat Dolls will provide the musical entertainment – and preview their new music – at this year's MTV Movie Awards on June 1, the network has announced.

The British rockers will perform "Violet Hill," the first single from their forthcoming album, Viva La Vida (due June 17), while the Pussycat Dolls will unveil "When I Grow Up." The song is expected to appear on the band's sophomore album, due over the summer.

The MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. Angelina Jolie and Zac Efron are among the stars up for the coveted golden popcorn trophies – while the comedy Superbad leads in total nominations, five. Juno follows with four.

Comedian Mike Myers is onboard to host the annual ceremony.

Jack Black Kung-Fu-Kicks Off Cannes



The 61st Cannes Film Festival kicked off Wednesday morning as Jack Black showed off his martial art skills for Kung Fu Panda.

Black arrived at the Carlton hotel pier by boat, then walked a gauntlet of 40 oversized pandas modeled after characters in the animated film, which costars Angelina Jolie. (The stunt rivaled last year's airborne arrival of Jerry Seinfeld dressed as bee.)

"It's a hard choice to decide who had the crazier stunt between me and Jerry," Black, 39, tells PEOPLE. "But I can't believe he had to come down from the top of the hotel – twice."

In fact, Black's "pandemonium" on the pier upstaged the official festival opening flick, Blindness, which stars Julianne Moore, Gael Garcia Bernal and Mark Ruffalo.

Dad-to-be Black is on his third visit to Cannes, but his mind was still stateside.

"My wife is home pregnant," he said. "I've got to get her a present. Not sure what yet, but I can't leave without getting something."

The festival in the south of France runs through May 25. This year, the jury is headed by actor Sean Penn and also includes Natalie Portman.

James Garner to Leave Hospital Soon



James Garner is expected to leave a hospital shortly after having suffered a minor stroke.

The veteran Maverick and The Rockford Files star, , was hospitalized Friday after feeling ill, the Associated Press reports.

"He's still in the hospital, but my understanding is he is doing well and will be going home soon," says Garner's publicist. "When, exactly, we have not been told yet."

Garner most recently played Katey Sagal's father in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. In 2005, he was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by his Maverick movie costar Mel Gibson and Garner's Americanization of Emily costar Julie Andrews.

FIRST LISTEN: Donna Summer's First New Songs in 14 Years



The "Queen" is back – and PEOPLE has a sneak preview of Donna Summer's first new music in 14 years.

The Grammy winner, 59 – she of "Last Dance" fame, as well as "Bad Girls," "Hot Stuff" and an endless string of hits you boogied to in the '70s and '80s – is back with a new album (Crayons, her first new album of material since 1991, due out May 20) (More details are on her Web site, donnasummer.com.)

Janiston = Jennifer Aniston + John Mayer



Super hot celebrity couple-of-the-moment Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer, aka Janiston, have a romantic dinner at the Waverly Inn in New York City’s West Village on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, Aniston was Mayer’s biggest fangirl at his hour-long concert at the convention center in Orlando. She snapped pictures of him from backstage and laid a big wet one on him before he played his encore performance (Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’”).

Charlize Theron - “W” Magazine June 2008



Charlize Theron looks breathtaking on the June 2008 cover of W Magazine, out May 20. Here’s what the 32-year-old actress to W:

On her red-carpet transformations: “It’s great fun when you have three people coming to your house, and one’s doing your nails, one’s doing your hair and one’s doing your makeup. Two hours later, you look gorgeous. But that’s not my life.”

On her choice of roles being driven by its characters: “More interesting stories come my way about what we consider real people than about glamorous, beautiful people. It really irks me that people think I choose these roles because if I’m not looking attractive, they will take me seriously. I’m sorry, but if I’m going to play a cop, I’m not going to be wearing eyeliner. I’m not going to wake up in a scene with lip gloss on, because that’s not how women wake up, not even the most beautiful women.”

On describing her seven-year relationship with actor Stuart Townsend:”(in a cavewoman grunt) Man, woman. Like to touch each other.”

On never getting married but wanting to be a mother: “I always knew that I didn’t want to get married [but] I’ve always known that I’d be a mom from the time I was a little girl.”

One Model Picked to Be on Top



One of these girls is not like the other. And that's because she's America's Next Top Model. Find out who walked the walk, straight into the judges' hearts...

Here's a positive sign.

Thanks to a fierce runway presence and some ultra-pretty pictures, the busty and beautiful Whitney Thompson was named America's Next Top Model, becoming the first plus-sized (or, full-figured) poser to make the top-rated CW series' final three, let alone win the whole darn thing.



"There's definitely times I've looked in the mirror and looked at other girls and thought, I wasn't like them," the 20-year-old from Atlantic Beach, Fla., said after learning she had beat out her high-fashion-ready cofinalist, Anya Kop, for all the spoils.

"I want other women in America to feel good about themselves…It's amazing to be America's Next Top Model. This is exactly what I want. This is what I've always wanted!" she exclaimed.

Per usual, Thompson will be getting a cover and six-page spread in Seventeen magazine, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics and representation from Elite Model Management.

Kop, meanwhile, seemed headed for ANTM glory after Tyra Banks called her CoverGirl commercial the best in the bunch—once the unimpressive whole had been dissected for parts—and fellow judge Paulina Porizkova called the Russian-born 19-year-old the one you'd want to buy a dress from.

But ultimately it was Thompson, with her classic look, spunky personality and ability to take direction, who became "the first girl with some booty" to win the competition.

"I'm going to cry when I get home, but I'm proud of myself," Kop said afterward, hanging onto her signature positivity throughout. "I have my whole career ahead of me."

Not quite as amiable at times was 22-year-old Fatima Siad, tonight's third runner-up after failing to make it out of the CoverGirl audition and into the season-ending Versace runway show.

The stunning Iman look-alike, already feeling far superior to her fellow finalists (or so it went in the editing booth this season), had her reasons for being standoffish but ultimately her refusal to listen to constructive criticism didn't sit well with the judges.



But, when she was finally given the boot, she didn't—for once—diss the remaining girls.

"I feel like I've accomplished so much because I feel like I've made history. I'm the first asylum-refugee woman to be a part of America's Next Top Model," said Siad, a Somali refugee living in Boston (and now New York) who almost didn't make it to Rome this season because of a problem with her travel visa. "I feel like I'm like born again…I feel so new, so beautiful, I feel so strong…So many things are going through my mind.

"Trust me, you'll not forget about me. You will see this face." (And we presume she means not just when we see an old pic of Iman.)

Anne Heche Doesn't Have to Pay for July



Men in Trees has gone the way of the dodo. Unfortunately, Anne Heche's cash supply seems to be nearing extinction, as well.

After Heche claimed she'll be more than $6,000 in the hole if she's required to shell out any more money, a judge on Wednesday granted the actress' request to suspend child and spousal support payments to ex-husband Coley Laffoon for the month of July, according to court documents obtained by E! News.

And this apparently isn't sour grapes on the divorcée's part.

Per a declaration filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, Heche is $364,000 in debt—mainly due to her ongoing divorce litigation—and had only $34,840.93 in all of her accounts as of Tuesday.

Meanwhile, since first filing a request earlier this year to postpone payments while her series was on hiatus during the writers' strike, she's been giving Laffoon—a videographer turned stay-at-home dad to their 6-year-old son, Homer—$14,798 a month in support. The once-warring exes share joint custody.

"Since January 18, 2008, I have been unemployed and had no income from unemployment except for one very short term contract for a movie role for which I received a total of $65,000, approximately the amount I received for one episode of Men in Trees [which has not been renewed for a third season]," Heche's filing states.

"My recurring business expenditures, household expenditures and support payments have nearly exhausted my financial resources…I am continuing to look for work but I have no offers pending and the impending strike by the Screen Actors Guild reduces my prospects for work even further."

Among the expenditures listed are private school tuition for Homer, rent for her L.A. residence, the mortgage on her Vancouver abode and miscellaneous auto and personal expenses. Heche says the $240,000 she received in January from the sale of her and Laffoon's Hollywood home is already long gone.

She argues that an upcoming disbursement from their community-property fund in the amount of $73,470 apiece should be enough to tide Laffoon over until their next court hearing on July 2.

Daniel Day-Lewis Dressed to the Nine?



Daniel Day-Lewis tends to bide his time between projects, sometimes waiting as long as five years between Oscar nominations, er, film roles. But Nine could be the magic number this time around.

Variety reports the British thesp is in talks to play the role of a film director dealing with personal and creative demons while simultaneously trying to please the many women in his life—a part that previously belonged to Javier Bardem—in the big-screen adaptation of the Fellini-inspired stage musical, Nine.

The British scene-stealer might not seem like the obvious choice to play Guido Contini, but Bardem ultimately decided he was tired out from his other films and all that awards-season triumphing to carry on. No matter that the Spaniard's girlfriend, Penélope Cruz, is still slated to star, along with Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Judi Dench.

Chicago visionary Rob Marshall will be directing the Weinstein Co. production. A rep for the studio says no decisions regarding the male lead have been made and that any names out there now are "pure conjecture."

Fantasia Has Red Hair, Doesn’t Bore Me


Click to Watch

Fantasia performs her new single “Bore Me” during Wednesday’s results show of American Idol.

The American Idol Season 3 winner shocked viewers with her bright red hair and a black bejeweled jumpsuit. The best reaction came from Simon Cowell, who sat at the judges table looking aghast and his mouth agape. Like, did that really happen?

"Prince Caspian": "Narnia" sequel is darker and less magical

"You might find that Narnia is a more savage place than you remember," says an embittered dwarf in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." He's speaking to the guilt-ridden Pevensie siblings, accused by Narnians of abandoning the magical kingdom they once ruled 1,300 years before and ...

OK, whoa. Let's do a little catching up.

The Pevensie kids were introduced in 2005's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," based on the first of seven fantasy novels written by beloved author C.S. Lewis. The oldest of the children, Peter (William Moseley), led brother Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and sisters Susan (Anna Popplewell) and little Lucy (Georgie Henley) out of endangered, World War II London to a country estate.



There, the refugees discovered a passage to Narnia, a winter-locked world where a battle for control was under way.

Several fights later, the Pevensies grew up to become adult kings and queens of Narnia. Stumbling back into England, they became kids again, returned at the exact moment they'd left.

In "Prince Caspian," our now-restless young heroes, one year later in London, are called back to Narnia, where 13 centuries have passed. They learn that their disappearance all those years ago led to Narnia's fall and capture by a despotic and, oddly, Spanish-medieval warrior race.

From that race emerges young Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes), running from an uncle, Miraz (Sergio Castellitto). Miraz is trying to kill Caspian and steal the throne.

Caspian and the Pevensies gather Narnians — fauns, centaurs, gryphons, sword-wielding mice — from both sides of the conflict in the earlier "Wardrobe." Their numbers are few, but they go after Miraz and his overwhelming forces with everything they've got.

OK, we're caught up.

"Prince Caspian" is crackling fun, all right, but it's also a sequel burdened by the things that usually burden second films in long-term movie franchises. Which means it is mostly a series of battle sequences with scarce moments of character development.

That makes the film the exact opposite of the fuller, more emotionally satisfying "Wardrobe," in which Peter and the other Pevensies learned all about Narnia, formed relationships (there's nothing in "Caspian" like Lucy's beautiful friendship with James McAvoy's Mr. Tumnus, the faun) and came to understand their prophesied role as leaders.

There's no similar learning curve for the characters or audience in "Caspian." And, yet, we have to give the film a break. It is a link in a narrative chain, after all (the next "Narnia" movie is scheduled for 2010), and to get from here to where all this is going requires a little dues-paying.

Which is not to say "Caspian" is a bad movie. Far from it.

Director Andrew Adamson, who also helmed "Wardrobe," clearly relishes a return to Narnia with a different set of rules and tools. There's some fine filmmaking going on here, including fight scenes that somehow conjure up the 1950s-'60s era of widescreen epics like "El Cid" (that aforementioned Spanish influence pays off).

Much of the film has a deliberately prosaic, less-magical look than its predecessor, but that's because Miraz has chased a lot of the original magic away. The enchanted, winter-transitioning-to-spring exterior shots of "Wardrobe" give way to a more ordinary, sylvan environment of dappled light and fallen trees. Adamson makes it all quite handsome, in a downbeat way.

Fans who paid attention to the first movie and/or are familiar with Lewis' books know the "Narnia" series, in part, is about keeping faith when things become less familiar. "Caspian" requires a little of that faith.

Shania Twain & Husband Split



Shania Twain and her husband, producer Robert "Mutt" Lange, have split, her rep confirms to PEOPLE.

"Shania Twain and her husband, music producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, are separating after 14 years of marriage," spokesman Jason Owen says in a statement. "This is a private matter and there will be no further comment at this time."

Twain, 42, and Lange, 59, married in 1993, just six months after meeting. They are parents to a 6-year-old son, Eja D'Angelo.

In 2002, Twain told PEOPLE of her and Lange's relationship, "Our love has always been based on friendship and compatibility," though, she added, "we are very different."

In early 2000, press reports surfaced that their then seven-year marriage was in trouble, but the couple remained together. Around the same time, Twain all but disappeared from public life, retreating to Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland. "I needed a break, physically and mentally," she explained of her move. "I needed to leave behind the whole 'Shania' thing and be myself."

In the December 2007 issue of Redbook, Twain told the magazine: "I struggled a lot internally with my fame, and coping with it has been very difficult."

As for getting back into the public eye with a new perfume and album to be released this year, she says, "I'm not naturally a spotlight person ... [But] I don't mind being the center of attention in a controlled, comfortable environment."

Kate Hudson & Owen Wilson Call It Quits



Despite a flurry of engagement rumors, Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson – Hollywood's most notorious on-again, off-again couple – have called it quits, less than two months after rekindling their romance in Miami.

The end of their erratic courtship (they began dating in September '06) comes amid erroneous reports that the pair were engaged, fueled by photos of Hudson wearing a Tiffany & Co. ring (it was a prop!) both on-and-off set of her film Bride Wars, which she's filming in Boston.

"It was a pretty bad breakup," says a Wilson pal. "Owen said it was a tough one. He definitely doesn't want to dwell on it. He wants to put it behind him."

Since the split, Hudson, 29, and Wilson, 39, have each been spotted letting loose. On May 9, Hudson and Bride Wars costar Steve Howey, 30, visited Boston's Liberty Hotel bar, Alibi. And on May 11, Wilson dropped by N.Y.C.'s Upstairs with two women.

"He was pretty chummy with the ladies ... he was certainly doing some sweet talking," according to an onlooker. "He looked happy to be there hanging with them." The late-night outing was followed by a visit to Butter the next night, where he chatted up a sexy blonde. Says a Hudson source: "She feels dumb thinking it was so serious."

Rob Lowe Seeks Dismissal of Some of Nanny's Claims



Rob Lowe is asking a Santa Barbara, Calif., court to dismiss portions of a countersuit against him by first nanny Jessica Gibson, according to documents released Thursday.

"Each of Gibson's [accusations] is completely unfounded … but nine of those … are subject to immediate dismissal because she has failed … to even allege the essential elements of a claim of relief," writes Lowe's attorney, Larry Stein.

Stein targets a number of alleged labor/wage violations for which Gibson countersued Lowe on April 14. Among them: unpaid overtime, meals and rest periods. Stein argues that Gibson admitted to receiving a check from the Lowes for those unpaid wages around April 7.

Topping her list of accusations, Gibson alleges that Lowe repeatedly exposed himself and groped her – claims that the actor vehemently denies. Lowe is not asking that those allegations be tossed out.

A court date to hear the request for dismissal is set for June 19.

Lowe's attorney didn't immediately return calls for comment.

Gibson's attorney Gloria Allred declined to comment pending her review of the documents.

Britney Spears and Mel Gibson Vacation Together



Britney Spears and Mel Gibson are headed to Costa Rica where they will vacation with the singer's father and Gibson's wife, a source tells PEOPLE.

"They're just going away for a few days to relax," says a source.

The group plan to stay at Gibson's Costa Rican home. They will be back early next week.

The unlikely pair were first spotted together back in mid-March when they dined at Russian restaurant Romanov in Studio City. However, it wasn't their first meeting. Gibson and Spears and their families met a number of times after the pop star was hospitalized in February, a different source told PEOPLE at the time.

"Mel and his wife Robin clearly saw a woman in crisis and wanted to extend themselves in any way possible," the source said.

Gibson and Spears used to be neighbors when the singer previously lived in Malibu. "There are no expectations, there is no agenda," the source added. "It's simply an act of human kindness – one neighbor reaching out to the other."

Syesha Mercado: ‘I’m Like a Black Christina Aguilera’



With so many appearances in the bottom two over the course of the competition, Idol watchers may not have predicted Syesha Mercado would make it to the top three. But she squeaked by each week and got better and better and eventually she became Idol’s leading lady until Wednesday when her time ran out. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Syesha revealed that she never packed her bags to go because, “I just wasn’t ready.” She also talked about coping with her father’s addiction, her plans after Idol (”I want to open up an organic restaurant”), and tells Paula exactly what kind of artist she is.

Paula Abdul said you sang songs that didn’t really define who you were. In your mind, who are you exactly as an artist?
I’m a mix of a lot of things … I’m like a black Christina Aguilera [or] Alicia Keys. I definitely can see myself putting together a Christina Aguilera album, the one that she just recently did and an Alicia Keys album like The Diary of Alicia Keys. I like Pop and I like R&B and I like the old school, new school thing so I’m growing as an artist, I’m evolving … You’ll know who I am once I put out that album.

You dad mentioned how you’ve helped him with his problems with addiction. How did his addiction shape you?
It’s either a make you or break you [situation], and for me it made the strong person that I am. It made the sincere, humble person that I am. Having my dad struggle through that, it really made me sad a lot on my life, but it actually made me understand people more and be more forgiving. I told myself that I’m not going to let this determine what my future is going to be. I’m going to do something good and I’m going to help my dad and encourage him and be there for him. And I’m going to make him proud so that he wants to make me proud and that’s exactly what he’s doing now.

You symbolized what the Idol journey is about, pushing your limits and improving every week. Was that done consciously or was it a natural result of the experience?
When I first stepped into the competition I was in a little shell because of the vocal resting and it separated me from everybody else, so I don’t feel I was at my full potential because of the entire negative mind frame … I was so focused on that that it was really harming my performance. Once I got my mind right, … I became more comfortable with myself and the stage and the feeling of being overlooked completely subsided and it was just a matter of being consistent every week and eventually people would recognize me. And that’s exactly what happened. I just enjoyed myself more every week.

Because you made the bottom two so often, how did you deal with that rollercoaster? Did you pack your bags every week?
Every week is new and I never packed my bag. They told us, “You know what, you’ve got to pack your bags.” and I’m like, “I’m not packing my bags because I don’t want to go home yet. I’m not ready.” So I think, if you want something, it’s going to happen for you.

What are your plans after the American Idol tour?
I want to make an album. I want to star in a film. I want to do Broadway. I want to open up an organic restaurant. It just depends on what comes first but I have goals that I want to do and I write them down and I’m going to continue to look at them. Whatever opportunity comes first, what’s the best career move for me, that’s pretty much what’s going to happen.

Are you going to start any wedding planning with your fiancé any time soon?
I live in the now. And what’s going on now, that’s what I’m going to take care of and he’s so supportive. We both have a mutual understanding about everything so when the time is right we’ll do it, but right now we’re focused on the career and what’s the next move to make as far as that and everything else is going to fall into place.

How do you feel Idol has changed your life?
I don’t even think we know what’s in store for us. We had a taste of it when we went to Las Vegas. There were a bunch a people pulling on us saying, “Oh my gosh, I love you.” We’ve been in a bubble. I know it’s changed a lot. I know there’s going to be good and bad with that, but you have your family, sometimes they understand sometimes they don’t, then you have your friends.

At what point did you get the feeling that the finale would be between the two Davids?
After I was done performing I was like, “It’s over.” It’s not over, but I got too many bad comments from the judges to keep me there. At this point in the game you couldn’t have that many bad comments to keep you there. So I expected what was and I moved on and I made peace with it and I couldn’t be happier. I don’t feel defeated. I don’t feel I failed. I feel like there’s only greatness that can come from here on out and I felt like I grew a lot and I showed America a lot of different sides of me and what I’m capable of. I’m capable of a lot more and I can do a lot more and I’m just ready to show everybody what I’ve got.

Rihanna and Chris Brown's Date Night



The love fest rolls on for Rihanna and Chris Brown, who spent Wednesday night taking in a Kanye West show at Spotlight Live, a Times Square restaurant and karaoke bar.

A day after Rihanna helped Brown celebrate his 19th birthday at a Manhattan club, the pair got affectionate in plain view of other concertgoers.

Brown draped his arm around Rihanna, 20, as the two danced, clapped and sang along to the short concert. As West left the stage, Rihanna leaned over and planted a big kiss on Brown. The couple then retreated to the back of the restaurant, where they hung out with friends.

But officially, they're still playing coy. An hour after the concert ended, the couple retreated out the back door, posing for pictures – separately. Brown and Rihanna both stopped when fans asked to take photos with them, but they declined to be photographed together.

Although they've been spotted getting cozy from Europe to the Caribbean – including during a romantic vacation in Jamaica in February – Brown and Rihanna have never publicly confirmed their relationship.

Earlier this month, Rihanna shared the most information yet when she told Elle Magazine that she and Brown had become "very close."

John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston: More PDA in NYC



They may have left Miami, but Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer show no signs of cooling off. The new couple spent a carefree evening in New York Wednesday, complete with neck rubs and PDA.

First, it was dinner at the Waverly Inn, where the couple was joined by three other people in a quiet dinner near the back garden. Mayer's animated stories kept Aniston laughing as the group sipped white wine and ate a leisurely dinner. At one point, Aniston rubbed Mayer's neck as the couple spoke quietly to each other.

After dinner, it was on to Hudson Bar and Books, where the group stayed for more than an hour, sipping champagne. Mayer and Aniston weren’t shy about showing their affection for each other – kissing, hugging and posing for photos together. When music started playing, Mayer did a lighthearted – and goofy – little dance.

It was the third city where Mayer and Aniston have spent some quality time together. After getting cozy poolside in Miami on Saturday, they flew to Orlando, where they were spotted kissing backstage at his concert.

Angelina Jolie: Twins Will Probably Be Born in France



Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Angelina Jolie has virtually confirmed her twins will be born in France.

"I actually haven't completely decided, but we are thinking of France," the expectant mom, 32, said at the official press conference for Kung Fu Panda, the animated martial-arts movie, in which she lends her voice alongside Dustin Hoffman and Jack Black.

France would be a wise choice, she added. "It is the second language in our house." (Cambodian and Vietnamese are also spoken in the Jolie-Pitt household.)

Black revealed Wednesday that Jolie was expecting twins with partner Brad Pitt, who's looking after their four children during her media rounds in Cannes. Jolie, who's also due in August, told reporters she and Pitt try to split up the duties. "I think I have a very even partner right now, and we are very balanced at home with our power-sharing."

The actress also revealed that her children don't hold back on comments when they see Mom onscreen. "Our eldest three have seen the film and love it," she told reporters. "They are my biggest critics."

Jolie also hinted strongly that more children are on the way. Asked by a Swedish reporter if her twins would be born in Scandinavia, she said: "Not this time, but there's more babies. You know me."

Despite Angelina and Brad's growing family, that didn't stop Dustin Hoffman from jokingly wondering "what if"? Said Hoffman: "There was a point in time where Angelina could have chosen between me and Brad."

Real-Life Indys Treat Ford Like One of Their Own



The Archaeological Institute of America knows Harrison Ford only plays a bullwhip-toting, intrepid scholar on the big screen, right?

Either way, because of what the movie star's role as the iconic Indiana Jones has done for the field, the Boston-based organization has elected Ford to its board of directors.

Understanding the past helps in "dealing with the present and future," Ford said in a statement released by the AIA, which, per its website, "exists to promote archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past worldwide."

The institute's professional members have conducted field research around the globe and have founded research and learning centers in seven countries.

It's unclear what duties Ford will fulfill, but surely even the pros can use refresher courses from time to time on escaping snaky situations and riding an inflatable raft through the snow.

DMX Pleads Not Guilty Across the Board



DMX is maintaining his innocence. He could stand to wind his watch, though.

During a brief hearing Thursday to which he arrived late, the actor-rapper pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of animal cruelty and drug possession stemming from a months-long investigation into reports of pit bull abuse at his Phoenix-area residence and a subsequent search of his home.

The seven dog-related charges are misdemeanors, while the four drug counts—three of which stem from a raid at DMX's home in August and another from marijuana allegedly found at the scene during another search last week—are felonies.

The Cradle 2 the Grave star, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is accused of mistreating 12 pit bulls found on his property last summer, which, according to the Maricopa County sheriff's office, had to be given emergency veterinary treatment for malnutrition and dehydration.

Another five puppies were confiscated during the cops' most recent trip to DMX's house, as well.

Jury Seated for R. Kelly Trial



Both sides argued heatedly, played the race card and ultimately stifled their true feelings so they wouldn't be thrown out of court. Sounds as if we've got ourselves a jury!

Indeed, an eight-man, four-woman jury was seated today for R. Kelly's years-in-the-making trial on child-pornography charges.

Not that this part was easy, either. Over the past week, Kelly's team has argued that the prosecution was trying whitewash the jury, with its last objection coming today as the opposing side used its final two peremptory challenges (the right to dismiss a person without giving a reason) to boot a black man and an Asian woman from the panel.

Meanwhile, prosecutors pointed out to Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan that the defense used all six of its peremptory challenges on white people.

Ultimately, when all was said and huffed over, the jury consisted of eight white and four black people, while two blacks, one Hispanic and one white person were chosen as alternates.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday morning.

Brangelina Does the Cannes Cannes Carpet



While an expecting Angelina's been busy doing interviews, photocalls and junkets in Cannes, Brad's been on daddy duty.

Ange told reporters during a Kung Fu Panda press conference that her man was home watching their kids.

Well, they must have gotten a sitter, because the power couple both hit the carpet for the movie's premiere later that day.

Ange was glowing and gorgeous in a Max Azria Atelier gown, while Brad seemed to be growing out an unfortunate haircut from his latest movie.

Felicity Huffman's Desperate Smackdown



Did Felicity Huffman really hit 11-year-old Rachel Fox while shooting last Sunday’s episode of Desperate Housewives—and will the slap come back to haunt her during the upcoming two-hour season finale?

Either way, Rachel ain’t spillin’.

But no need to call Child Protective Services. It was all part of a day’s work when Huffman’s Lynette Scavo smacked her evil stepdaughter, Kayla, played by Rachel.

When I asked Rachel this morning just how real the slap was, she laughed, “Did it look real to you?”

When I told her it did, she simply said, “Good.”

And that's not the only thing she's clamming up about...

She’s also under strict orders—just like the rest of the cast and crew—to remain tight-lipped on the finale.

How difficult has it been to keep it to herself? “Oh my god, it’s harder than you can imagine,” Rachel said. “It’s like choosing between chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream.”

Housewives isn’t the young actress’ only project at the moment. She just shot a music video for a song she wrote called “i Shop.” Yep, Miley Cyrus is one of her idols.

“I’d love to have my own show and be a singer, too,” said Rachel, who appeared in an episode of Hannah Montana as one of Hannah’s biggest fans.

Rachel hasn’t seen Cyrus’ controversial Vanity Fair pic, though. “I just hope the best for her because she’s a really sweet girl,” she said. “She’s a really nice person, so inside I know she’s good.”

BET Noms Bring T-Pain



As the saying goes, no T-Pain, no BET gain.

Based solely on his work with some of hip-hop's biggest brand names, T-Pain leads the list of nominees for the 2008 BET Awards with five nods.

The rapper grabbed three nominations in the Best Collaboration category for guesting on Kanye West's "Good Life," Chris Brown's "Kiss Kiss" and Flo Rida's "Low." Additionally, "Good Life" is up for Video of the Year and "Kiss Kiss" is contending for Viewer's Choice.

West and R&B singer Keyshia Cole tied with three noms apiece.

Guaranteed to go home with some hardware is Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and soul icon Al Green and Quincy Jones, who will be feted with the Humanitarian Award. The June 24 ceremony in L.A. will also feature performances from Nelly, Usher, Lil' Wayne, Mary J. Blige and Mrs. Nick Cannon.

Complete list of noms after the jump.

Female R&B

* Mary J. Blige
* Mariah Carey
* Keyshia Cole
* Alicia Keys
* Rihanna

Male R&B

* Chris Brown
* Raheem DeVaughn
* J. Holiday
* Ne-Yo
* Trey Songz

Group

* Danity Kane
* Day 26
* Gnarls Barkley
* Playaz Circle
* UGK

Gospel Artist

* The Clark Sisters
* Kirk Franklin
* Deitrick Haddon
* Marvin Sapp
* Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Female Hip-Hop Artist Artist

* Missy Elliott
* Eve
* Kid Sister
* Lil Mama
* Trina

Male Hip-Hop Artist Artist

* Common
* Jay-Z
* Lil' Wayne
* Snoop Dogg
* Kanye West

New Artist

* Estelle
* Flo Rida
* Chrisette Michelle
* Soulja Boy Tell 'Em
* The Dream

Collaboration

* Chris Brown featuring T-Pain, "Kiss Kiss"
* Keyshia Cole featuring Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, "Let It Go"
* Flo Rida featuring T-Pain, "Low"
* Kanye West featuring T-Pain, "Good Life"
* DJ Khaled featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil' Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross, "I'm So Hood (The Remix)"

Video Director

* Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto
* Benny Boom
* Gil Green
* Chris Robinson
* Hype Williams

Video of the Year

* Ashanti, "The Way That I Love You"
* Erykah Badu, "Honey"
* Mary J. Blige, "Just Fine"
* Alicia Keys, "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
* UGK featuring Outkast, "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)"
* Kanye West featuring T-Pain, "Good Life"

Actress

* Angela Bassett
* Halle Berry
* Queen Latifah
* Jill Scott
* Chandra Wilson

Actor

* Anthony Anderson
* Don Cheadle
* Idris Elba
* Terrence Howard
* Denzel Washington

Female Athlete of the Year

* Tamika Catchings
* Cheryl Ford
* Candace Parker
* Serena Williams
* Venus Williams

Male Athlete of the Year

* Kobe Bryant
* LeBron James
* Floyd Mayweather Jr.
* Chris Paul
* Tiger Woods

Viewer's Choice Award

* Chris Brown featuring T-Pain, "Kiss Kiss"
* Keyshia Cole featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, "Let It Go"
* Alicia Keys, "No One"
* Lil' Wayne featuring Static, "Lollipop"
* Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown, "No Air"
* Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)"

BET J Award

* Raheem DeVaughn
* Chaka Khan
* Ledisi
* Jill Scott
* Angie Stone

Celebrity Sleuth Found Guilty!



The private eye to the stars is going to be orbiting a prison cell, possibly for the rest of his life.

After deliberating for nearly two weeks, a Los Angeles jury today convicted Anthony Pellicano of a slew of charges for using illegal means to pry into the lives of and dig up dirt on such Hollywood heavies as Sylvester Stallone and Garry Shandling.

Pellicano was found guilty of 76 counts and could face hundreds of years behind bars when sentenced in September. His four codefendants, including a police sergeant and former telephone company employee, were also convicted on a variety of charges.

As the verdict was read, the 64-year-old Pellicano, who represented himself, exhibited little emotion.

Government lawyers alleged the celebrity sleuth illegally accessed police and telephone-company databases to run unauthorized checks on the likes of Shandling, Kevin Nealon and Keith Carradine and bugged the phones of Stallone and others for information the P.I.'s clients could use in legal proceedings.

Shandling had a starring role in the trial, telling jurors that he was shaken after learning his records were searched by Pellicano, apparently to gain leverage in a lawsuit between Shandling and former manager Brad Grey, now the chairman of Paramount Pictures.

Grey himself took the stand to disavow any knowledge that his high-octane lawyer, Bert Fields, had hired Pellicano to go to extreme means to beat Shandling.

Chris Rock also squirmed his way through testimony, saying he had no clue that Pellicano was breaking the law when the funnyman hired him to investigate a model who claimed Rock knocked her up.

Carradine and one-time Tinseltown superagent Michael Ovitz were among the other witnesses in the monthlong trial.

All told, the seven-woman, five-man jury found Pellicano guilty of single counts of racketeering and conspiracy, 18 counts of wire fraud, 19 counts of unauthorized computer access, 13 counts of identity theft, 13 counts of computer fraud, 9 counts of wiretapping and single counts of wiretapping conspiracy and possession of a wiretapping device.

He was acquitted on a single charge of unauthorized computer access.

Former LAPD Sgt. Mark Arneson was convicted of all 46 charges he was facing, including racketeering and conspiracy. Retired SBC field technician Rayford Earl Turner was convicted of 16 of 21 counts, also including racketeering and conspiracy.
Kevin Kachikian, the computer programming who invented Pellicano's phone-tapping software, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wiretapping and possession or manufacture of a wiretapping device. He was acquitted of nine other charges.

Abner Nicherie, who hired Pellicano to wiretap a business rival, was convicted on a single count of aiding and abetting a wiretap.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 24.

One Less Crash Casualty On the Books



It's really hard to keep track of all the lawsuits that sprung from the loins of Crash, the 2005 Oscar winner for Best Picture, but at least another one has been relegated to the annals of Hollywood history.

Financier Bob Yari, who due to Industry rules was removed as a coproducer on the film, has reached a tentative settlement with the law firm that represented him in two Crash-related suits and then hit him up for nearly $400,000 in fees.

Legal eagles for the firm of Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro filed a motion to dismiss Monday.

Details of the proposed deal were not made available. Yari hired the firm in 2006 when he sued the Producers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to challenge the loss of his production credit. (A judge dismissed the complaint in January 2007.)

The firm fought for Yari again when Crash producers Cathy Schulman (who along with director Paul Haggis did accept a statuette in the film's honor) and Tom Nunan sued him for allegedly withholding profits, and again when Yari sued them for supposedly failing to reimburse him for various investments. All of this back-and-forth litigation is scheduled to go to trial June 30.

Obviously, someone's taking Crash's tangled-web ######phor way too seriously.

First Look: Mariah's Magic Mountain Night With Nick



Snaps have just surfaced of Nick Cannon's surprise party for Mariah Carey at Six Flags Magic Mountain earlier this week. Check out those forced smiles!

As we reported earlier, the newlyweds rented the entire theme park Tuesday night for 100 of their closest friends and covered the place in lilac and pink balloons.

Mimi, who donned a bright pink Superman cape at one point, noshed on cupcakes in between roller-coaster rides with her hubby—which might explain the gritted teeth.

Winehouse and Doherty: Doing What They Do Best



Her debut album may be called Back to Black, but at this rate, Amy Winehouse seems destined to simply fade to black.

For the second night in a row—and just two days after London police decided not to charge the "Rehab" singer in connection with a video showing her allegedly taking drugs—Winehouse was out in full force on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was spotted stumbling outside her home during the wee hours of the morning—and later seen chumming around with her equally oh-so-stable buddy, Pete Doherty.

Of course, whether or not they actually knew they were hanging out together is up for debate.