EXCLUSIVE: Minka Kelly: I Wish "the Best" for John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston



Minka Kelly isn't bitter that John Mayer has moved on from her with Jennifer Aniston.

"I wish them the best," the Friday Night Lights star told Us at NBC's upfront presentation in New York City on Monday.

The actress, 27, and the singer, 30, debuted as a couple in October 2007, but called it off in January.

"John initiated the split," a friend of the couple told Us at the time. "He just wasn't ready to commit to Minka or to anyone."

Mayer and Aniston have been hot and heavy in Miami and New York City over the past few weeks.

Hills Finale Tops Ratings Among Young Viewers



Monday night's season finale of The Hills was watched by 2.94 million viewers between the ages of 12 and 34 and 3.77 total viewers, MTV announced Wednesday.

The ratings made The Hills finale the most watched show in its time period among 12-34-year-olds across both cable and broadcast networks.

The Hills is the top original cable series this year among its demo – and makes up 7 out of the top 10 cable shows among young viewers.

The season premiere of The Hills in March drew an average of 4.7 million total viewers.

This season of The Hills reached over 43 million total viewers and was the highest rated season of an MTV series since Real World XIV: San Diego in 2004.

Check Out the ANTM Winner's New Seventeen Magazine Cover



Whitney Thompson won America's Next Top Model Wednesday night.

And Thursday, her Seventeen magazine cover story was unveiled.

Thompson is the show's first ever "plus-size" model to win.

"I'm not going to lose 50 pounds — if someone asks me to do that, I'll go to another [modeling] agency," the Florida native, 20, told the New York Post.

Grease Is the Word for Taylor Hicks



Just when Taylor Hicks seemed to be in danger of being a public-eye dropout, along comes the favorite landing spot of many an American Idol refugee.

Broadway.

Starting June 6, the silvery haired season-five champ will jump into the role of Teen Angel, Frenchy's guardian angel and the singer of "Beauty School Dropout," in the current reality-show-fueled revival of Grease at the Brooks Atkinson Theater.

Hicks is slated to Soul Patrol the stage until Sept. 7.

The production, which hasn't gotten the greatest reviews but seems to be surviving based on sheer nostalgia, kicked off last August featuring Max Crumm and Laura Osnes—the winners of NBC's Grease: You're the One That I Want!—playing Danny and Sandy and, per the Internet Broadway Database, those two performers are still giving each other mixed signals and trying to act cool in front of their friends.

Hicks, who is no longer signed to Clive Davis' J-Records, joins Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Tamyra Gray, Frenchie Davis, Diana DeGarmo and Constantine Maroulis on the list of Idol winners, shoulda-wons and also-rans who have appeared on Broadway in the last several years.

David Squared Equals Bigger Idol Numbers



The impending battle of the Davids put a little spring in American Idol's flagging step last night.

Fox's hit show—which, despite showing signs of deflation, still exhibits juggernaut behavior—attracted nearly 24.3 million viewers Wednesday, a 1.4 million-strong bump from last week and its largest audience since April 2, when Michael Johns and Carly Smithson were still singing for their supper and little Ramiele Malubay got the boot.

Idol also saw viewership jump by more than 4 million people in its second half-hour, ensuring that Fox would flay the competition in its time slot—although CBS' Criminal Minds put up quite a fight, averaging 12.7 million inquiring minds—and win the night in total viewers.

Although it's unlikely the expected showdown between David Archuleta and David Cook will bring the millions who have gone missing this season back in full force next week, Fox has to like the fact that its (yes, still dominant) numbers are creeping back up.

But why should you care?

No reason, but it's still kinda interesting.

Let's pretend for a moment that every network not airing Dancing With the Stars wouldn't kill to have a twice-weekly show pulling in such numbers (28.96 million on Tuesdays and 27.5 million on Wednesdays, thanks to large premiere audiences) and reflect:

Last night's elimination show, as expected, stomped the yard as far as 18 to 49-year-olds—and all the other key demographics—were concerned, but there has been an overall dip in interest from that corner of the national living room this season.

First off, this year's premiere, watched by 33.4 million, was off 13 percent in the 18 to 49 demo from season six's debut, not to mention missing 4 million viewers overall.

And, maybe it's a Mariah Carey thing and waning interest in Idol can't be blamed, but Mimi's appearance alongside the Top 7 on April 15—the night before Kristy Lee Cook's ouster—"only" attracted 11.5 million adults in that age group.

We say "only" only because it was Idol's lowest 18 to 49-year-old audience in five years.

So, one year after 6 million fewer people turned out to watch Jordin Sparks' victory than caught Taylor Hicks' coronation in season five, do David A. and David C. have the oomph to end the 2008 edition of Idol on a high note?

To be sure, interest tends to rise as the number of finalists dwindles, but what does Idol have to do to win the departed back for good?

Ding-a-Ling: Why Is Bai Holding On to This Tree?



Say what you will about the antics of attention-starved Bai Ling, and trust us, we say a lot, but the woman does know how to attract the attention of cameras in the vicinity.

So we have to ask, Why is she clinging to this tree? Is it because:

She wants to take tree hugging to "the next level"?

She's trying to make the hedge jealous?

That's where nuts are naturally found?

Kate and Owen's Bad Break



We hear things didn't end well between Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson.

"Yeah, it was pretty hostile," says a source close to Owen. "Lots of shouting. Lots of tears."

Sources close to the couple confirm to E! News that the duo are no longer on speaking terms, following a blowout over allegations that Owen was flirting with other women while on location for the film Marley & Me in Miami.

"Look, they haven't been getting along really for most of the time they've been back together," said the friend of Owen, referring to when the couple reunited in February. "Owen can be a moody guy, very up and very down. And Kate is so upbeat, it was hard for her to take."

After all the bitter bickering, the couple basically stopped speaking for awhile.

Get the rest of the story after the jump...

"Kate thought they needed the time to cool down," said our insider.

But when Kate, away filming Bride Wars in Boston, heard about flirting rumors, including a Miami Herald report about Owen getting a little too cozy with a woman at a local lounge, she didn't take the news so well.

"Yeah, she was done after that," said a source. "Maybe he thought they were on a break, which meant he was kind of free. But she disagreed. Obviously."

Hmmm...we haven't seen a break debated this hotly since Ross and Rachel. Stay tuned.

Singer Taylor Dayne Arrested for DUI



Pop singer Taylor Dayne is set to face a DUI charge in a Beverly Hills, Calif., court on June 2.

Dayne was arrested on March 6, police records show. The 46-year-old singer, who shot to fame with her 1988 hit "Tell It to My Heart," was taken into custody at 1 a.m. after failing field sobriety tests.

Seven hours later, Dayne (real name Leslie Wunderman) was released after posting $5,000 bail.

"We intend to vigorously defend this case," said Dayne's attorney, Scott Spindel. "Her blood alcohol was below the legal limit." Dayne was formally charged on April 16, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Von Trapp Family Home to Become Hotel



The hills are alive, with the sound of hotel guests.

The onetime Salzburg, Austria, home of the Family Von Trapp – made famous by the popular 1965 movie musical The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews – is about to get a new lease on life: as a hotel.

Not only will overnight visitors be allowed to sleep in the same bedrooms as the seven children, let alone Maria (Andrews) and the Captain (Christopher Plummer), but prospective brides and grooms will be able to marry in the Von Trapp's private chapel, reports the BBC.

FIRST PHOTO: Ashley Dupré Resurfaces in Manhattan



Ashley Dupré stepped out in New York City Wednesday – the first photographed sighting of her since she was outed as "Kristen," Gov. Eliot Spitzer's alleged call girl.

The 23-year-old was "dressed to impress," reports the New York Post, as she arrived on a bus from Wall, N.J., at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and grabbed a cab to the Flatiron District.

The aspiring singer refused to answer any questions.

In March, Dupré got a reprieve from the scandal by spending a day at a spa with her mom.

Slide Show : ANTM 10 Finale
Whitney vs Anya

Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz Get Married!



Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz were married Saturday evening in an intimate ceremony, their spokesperson tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"We're delighted to confirm that Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson were married this evening in front of family and close friends," said the spokesperson.

Simpson, 23, wore an ivory lace wedding gown by Monique Lhuillier and jewels by William Noble as she and Wentz, 28, exchanged vows in front of 150 guests at her parents' Los Angeles area home.

Dad Joe Simpson performed the non-denominational ceremony, while sister Jessica served as maid of honor. Wentz's English bulldog, Hemingway, was the ring-bearer. Guests included Jessica's boyfriend, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, as well as actor Donald Faison with girlfriend CaCee Cobb.

Simpson told PEOPLE on Friday that she was never the type to dream about her wedding when she was growing up, but changed her tune once she got engaged. "Now that I'm doing it, I definitely have that big dream. It kind of went more fairytale than I thought. I got really into it." Added Wentz, "She has this amazing imagination and to watch it take place is an awesome thing."

With the help of wedding planner Mindy Weiss, Simpson got her dream nuptials: The Alice in Wonderland themed reception featured a wedding cake by Sam Godfrey of Perfect Endings with a top hat, tea pot, stop watch and a pot of flowers on top. The elaborate centerpieces of black beauty roses were by Mark's Garden. Guests were served Rose Veuve Clicquot champagne followed by a sit-down dinner and dancing to a deejay.

Simpson, who sources say is pregnant with the couple's first child, and Wentz, the bassist for Fall Out Boy, have been linked since the fall of 2006, when they were spotted kissing at a New York nightclub. They announced their engagement last month.

"He's a cutie," Simpson told PEOPLE last year. "He has an awesome personality and kind of brings out the best of me and I knew that even before we were dating. There was just like an awesome connection we had."

After they'd been dating almost a year, Wentz told PEOPLE, "We're past the honeymoon period. The truth is, it's crazy to be able to kiss your best friend. It's just a really awesome thing."

This is the first marriage for both.

Jessica & Tony's Wedding Day PDA



What's going on with Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo? While rumors of a split continue to swirl, the two attended Ashlee Simpson's private weekend nuptials – looking anything but broken up.

Simpson and her NFL-star beau were spotted together Friday on a sushi run in L.A., and later he was by her side again during Ashlee's rehearsal dinner, held at Jessica's Beverly Hills home.

"They were very cozy and cute together," said a source close to the couple, slamming Internet reports that Simpson was devastated to learn that her ex, John Mayer, has taken up with Jennifer Aniston. "She's definitely not mourning John Mayer! She was in an amazing mood and so happy her sister was getting married."

As for Saturday's wedding and Alice In Wonderland-themed reception, Romo continued to shower the elder Simpson, 27, with attention, said the source.

"They were kissing and holding hands throughout the night," added the insider. "He was very sweet to her. They were very much a couple."

For the record, Jessica's rep, Cindi Berger, has called the breakup talk "not true."

Kenny Chesney Wins Big at ACM Awards in Vegas



What happens in Vegas usually stays in Vegas. But this time Kenny Chesney might want to ignore that rule and tell all his friends about his night in Sin City. The singer won the coveted entertainer of the year award at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday 
night.

"This one is really extra special because long before I had a hit
 record, the fans always came to the shows. And I want to thank you guys for voting and for being there for me," said Chesney when accepting his award, which fans voted on for the first time. This is the singer's fourth consecutive win in that category, tying Garth Brooks for the honor.


After winning the night's most important award, Chesney, 40, criticized the Academy's new method for picking the entertainer of the year by using fan votes. He said the organization had turned the category "into a sweepstakes to see who can push people's buttons the hardest on the Internet."


Brooks, who has won a total of 18 ACMs throughout his career, was the first artist to receive the Academy's Crystal Milestone Award. Dick Clark, Jay Leno, and Billy Joel were among the stars who congratulated him via satellite.

Taylor Swift, 18, who nabbed two major prizes at last month's CMT Awards, dedicated her top new female vocalist award to her mom saying, "Mom, thank you so much. I love you. This is for you!"



Carrie Underwood, 25, took home the trophy for top female vocalist for the second consecutive year, and Brad Paisley, 35, won the same prize in the male category.

Other major winners of the night included Miranda Lambert's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" for album of the year, Sugarland's "Stay" for song of the year and Lady Antebellum for best new duo/vocal group. (Check out their People.com video diary here.)

The Performances

Underwood opened the ceremony with her performance of an appropriate Vegas song: "Last Name." Later in the show, she joined Paisley onstage to pay tribute to the late country legend Eddy Arnold by singing "Make the World Go Away."

Miranda Lambert heated things up with "Gun Powder and Lead." Then, Swift cooled the stage back down with her dripping wet performance of "Should've Said No," during which she danced in water pouring from the ceiling.

After performing solo, Chesney and George Strait, who was celebrating his 56th birthday, teamed up to sing their nominated duet "Shiftwork" for the first time live.


Surrounded by fans, dad-to-be Keith Urban, who says he's "very excited" about fatherhood, performed "Tu Compania" along with new artist nominee Sarah Buxton as Urban's wife Nicole Kidman watched on.

After LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry closed the show,
 which was hosted by Reba McEntire for the tenth time.


Josh Groban on John Mayer's Sex Appeal: He's Got 'Tude



Josh Groban has a theory about why his pal John Mayer manages to date such beautiful women – you know, like Jessica Simpson, Minka Kelly and his current squeeze, Jennifer Anniston.

"John's got a swagger that I've noticed," Groban said before his concert with Mayer and Alicia Keys at the MGM Grand Foxwoods opening in Connecticut on Saturday. "He's got a ‘tude that I have to try and learn how to get. It's that 'I may talk to you, I may not talk to you,' kind of thing."

Plus, added Groban: "It doesn't hurt to play the electric guitar."

Mayer, however, brushed off questions about being a chick magnet.

"I don't have a secret," he insisted. "I don't think about it like that. I think about it as just being nice. All you have to do is just be polite and treat people really well." (He also declined to discuss his recent PDA spree with Aniston.)

Keys, a longtime Mayer pal, brought a female perspective to the debate. "I think what's sexy about John is his intelligence. He's very smart; he's not like an average kind of guy," she explained. "He's creative. He plays the guitar – there's a certain natural sensuality that comes from that. He's also a great, great guy."

It's Official: Katie Holmes Heading to Broadway



Katie Holmes will be spending a lot more time in New York City this fall: The actress has signed on to make her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

Holmes, who had been reportedly in final negotiations for the part last March, will join John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest and Patrick Wilson in the revival this fall.

Holmes will play a woman who visits the family of her former lover, a missing pilot. It will be her first play since high school and Holmes will be on stage six nights a week.

Lindsay Lohan Sued Over Alleged Fur Coat Theft



The fur is still flying in the case of Lindsay Lohan and the missing mink coat: Now the actress has been slapped with a lawsuit accusing her of taking the fur without permission.

Masha Markova, 22, claims that the Mean Girls star took her $12,000 golden sheared mink coat when they were both at the New York City nightclub 1Oak in January, the Associated Press reports, citing papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court.

Markova, a New York college student, says she was flipping through a magazine and found a photo of Lohan wearing her coat. "It was my coat. It was no doubt," she told the New York Post.

The coat reportedly was returned to her by the club in February.

There was no immediate comment from Lohan's reps on the lawsuit.

Kenny Chesney: Ready to Give Marriage 150 Percent



Kenny Chesney may "enjoy being a bachelor," but the country music star tells PEOPLE he'll give his next marriage "150 percent."

"I thought I was ready once before, but I wasn't," Chesney, 40, said of his 4-month marriage to Renée Zellweger in 2005. "If I get married again, I'm going to give it 150 percent."

The pair have remained close friends – Chesney even tells PEOPLE's Country Special that she is "the sweetest soul I've ever met" – but he admits it was hard to cope with the split.

"There was nothing that made me happy," he said. "You can't fall in love as hard and fast as we did and not have some residual effects."

Chesney, who was named entertainer of the year at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards, added that he looks at it "as a life lesson." Not to mention: "This is the happiest I've been in a long time."

Nicole Kidman on Pregnancy: 'We're Very Excited'



A very pregnant Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban hit the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards hand-in-hand Sunday night – and immediately began working the orange carpet.

First they signed autographs together, then split up briefly to chat with fans. At one point Urban, 40 – who was up for entertainer of the year at the Las Vegas awards show – looked over at Kidman, smiled proudly, and said, "That's my wife."

When a photographer asked them to get close for a picture, they put their heads together and smiled as the 40-year-old Kidman – glowing in a strapless YSL gown – joked, "You can't get any closer than that!"

Kidman kept a hand on the bottom of her belly as she headed toward the venue. Has the baby been kicking? "Oh yeah," she told PEOPLE. "Not right now, but it has been."

Later, as reporters and photographers frantically shouted out questions for the mom-to-me, the Oscar winner revealed, "We're very excited. We're very pregnant and good."

For the first time, fans had the chance to vote for entertainer of the year – so who had Kidman's support? "I didn't get a chance to vote for [Keith]," she admitted, laughing. "I'll do it from my cell phone. Is it too late?" (Alas, the award went to Kenny Chesney.)

Once inside, the happy couple – who have been married almost two years – settled into their front-row seats, alongside Brooks & Dunn and Carrie Underwood. And the Nashville-based twosome kept up their southern hospitality, graciously posing with fans during the show's commercial breaks.

David Cook’s Brother Unlikely to Attend Idol Finale



While David Cook prepares for this week’s two-night American Idol season finale, PEOPLE has learned that it is unlikely that one of his biggest supporters, brother Adam Cook, will be in the audience.

Adam, 37, who has been battling brain cancer for the past ten years, was able travel to Los Angeles to see David perform live on April 15, but will likely stay home this week due to his condition.

Adam’s health is “a day-to-day thing,” his wife Kendra told PEOPLE last month. “I can’t look at tomorrow. I have to look at today. If I start planning out and thinking about too much in the future, I can get overwhelmed in all the details. I have to concentrate on today.”

David Cook and David Archuleta will go head-to-head on Tuesday’s live performance show from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. The results will air live on Wednesday’s two-hour season finale.

Cook supporters will host a viewing party in Terre Haute, Ind., where Adam lives, on Wednesday, but Adam, Kendra, and their two young children, will most likely watch the show from their home.

Pete Wentz's Premarital Discord



This probably wasn't the kind of service Pete Wentz had in mind a week before his wedding.

The newlywed rocker was served May 10 with a lawsuit filed last month by an allegedly traumatized fan who claims Wentz and several members of his entourage roughed him up following an invite-only Fall Out Boy performance in Chicago last June.

Per court documents obtained by E! News, the lucky process server tried knocking on Wentz's door once on May 8 and twice on May 9, but no one answered. Then, on the 10th, contact was finally made by at least someone at the residence at 11:31 a.m.

Andy Kallas sued Wentz for assault, battery and negligence saying the unprovoked beatdown at Schuba's Tavern in Chicago resulted in injuries to his head, mouth and face and caused him a sizable amount of emotional trauma. The club has also been named as a defendant.

"Even small people who get the first blow can still do some damage,” the plaintiff's attorney, Stephen Zouras, told E! News at the time. “He started the attack and then had his bodyguards complete the attack for him."

Meanwhile, a rep for Wentz called the case "meritless."

"We looked into it, and the facts don't support his claims. We will vigorously defend this case in court."

Hollywood's Summer Baby Boom



Buy some stock in Pampers. Now.

Jessica Alba, who graces the cover of the June/July issue of Fit Pregnancy, is just one of several celebs who are prepping for diaper duty this summer.

And when it comes to child rearing, the Fantastic Four star tells the magazine, "I don't want to be my child's friend; I want to be a mom."

Of course, in the case of 17-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears, who is also due to drop soon, no one will blame her kid if it can't help but look at mom and think friend, or playmate, for that matter.

Then, there are also those returning for an encore performance, including hot mama Gwen Stefani as well as Angelina Jolie, who just confirmed she is having twins—though her reported due date of Aug. 19 seems to be at odds with the very pregnant photos taken last week at Cannes.

Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman is barely even showing, though it feels like she's been preggers forever.

Kiefer's Marriage Finally Kaput



Kiefer Sutherland is officially divorced. Which surely comes as news to all but the handful of die-hard fans who even knew he was technically still married.

Nearly four years after the 24 star first filed for divorce from Elizabeth Kelly Winn Sutherland, and roughly nine years after the long-estranged duo first separated, the uncontested divorce was finally granted.

According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the divorce was granted on May 16, with the Sutherlands' status subsequently restored to that of swinging singles. Which, really, is just another technicality, as the star has hardly been without arm candy for the better part of the past decade. (View the documents.)

Sutherland, 41, and Winn, a 46-year-old former model, had no children together and were married for eight years at the time of the divorce filing back in May 2004. At the time, Sutherland cited the ever-popular irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

It's the second, very long time coming divorce for Sutherland, who was previously briefly married to actress Camelia Kath.

ScarJo Pal: She's Gonna Make a Beautiful Bride



Scarlett Johansson’s best friend, singer and songwriter Jessie Baylin, has high hopes for ScarJo’s wedding to Ryan Reynolds.

“I’m really excited for them,” Baylin, 24, told me earlier today. “I think Ryan is amazing. She’s beautiful, and she’s going to look beautiful.”

Johansson may want to avoid looking at Baylin during the ceremony. “If she sees me crying, then she’ll start crying,” said Baylin, who has known the actress since they were 14-year-old schoolmates in New York City. “She’s a bawler.”

But it's not just weddings. Find out what else gets Scarlett reaching for the tissues:

“She’s been to my shows at the Bowery Ballroom,” Baylin said of the famed New York performance venue. “I’d see her all teary-eyed in the audience and I was like, 'Stop it!' I’m like, 'If you’re going to cry, then I’m going to cry.' ”

The tears of joy aren’t going to stop anytime soon. Baylin’s new album, Firesight, will be released June 24. On tour since mid-April, she'll fulfill a dream of playing at the legendary Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival June 14 in Manchester, Tenn.

“Everything I own is wrinkled,” she said with a laugh about life on the road. “In the last two shows, I had to apologize for my wrinkled dress. I put it in the bathroom with the shower on, but it’s just not working.”

A native of New Jersey, Baylin recently moved to Tennessee after a stint in Los Angeles. “Whenever I fall into my Jersey accent I’m either pissed off or drunk,” she said. “I went to school in New York so I lost it, but when I first got there Scarlett and everybody made fun of me and called me Jersey Girl.”

And now the two are calling each other the competition. Johansson recently released her debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, a collection of 10 Tom Waits covers and an original tune. “She’s very excited for me, and I’m so excited for her,” Baylin said. "I think her record sounds amazing, and it was a fun thing for her to do.”

Not so fun, however, is the tabloid world’s obsession with Johansson. “The first time I really noticed it was when we went shopping one day,” Baylin said. “The paparazzi followed us for nine hours!”

Does Baylin worry about being plagued by the paps someday herself? “I just want to be able to make music,” she said. “I’m up for whatever comes with it.”

If the high praise from music critics is any indication, I have a feeling lots of good will be coming her way.

Star Trek Star Boldly Goes Where Ellen Goes



George Takei is going ring shopping.

The Star Trek helmsman and his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman, are engaged to be married.

"This is something we've been passionately committed to, so, no, there's no cold feet," Takei told E! News today.

Altman proposed last Thursday, shortly after the California Supreme Court struck down a state law banning same-sex unions.

"I was planning on asking Brad, but he got down on one knee, and, of course, I said, yes," Takei said. "I told Brad, 'You beat me to it.' "



Congratulations have poured in from fans, his latter-day colleagues at The Howard Stern Show—and, yes, wedding planners.

Takei, who publicly came out in a magazine interview in 2005, announced his plans in a blog post Friday, the same day Ellen DeGeneres took to her talk show to announce her engagement to actress Portia de Rossi.

Takei, 71, said he and Altman, his business manager, would have taken the plunge years ago—if they'd been legally allowed to do so.

He said they resisted the urge to go to San Francisco, when that California city began marrying gay couples in 2004, because they wanted to be certain of their union's legality. (Ultimately, the San Francisco marriages were voided by court order.) And he said they resisted the urge to marry elsewhere, such as Massachusetts, because they wanted to marry in California, where Takei is a second-generation native son.

Right now, the couple has a date range, but not yet a date—sometime after mid-June, when same-sex marriages will become lawful in California, and sometime before November, when a measure seeking to ban such unions could be on the ballot.

If the antigay-marriage initiative does wind up on the California ballot, Takei promised to campaign against it "vigorously."

As things currently stand, Takei and Altman are consumed with the business of wedding planning.

"We are now going through the process of making those wonderful decisions," Takei said.

First stop: Arizona, where the couple will buy their rings.

Then, it'll be time to decide the where, the when and the how-many-to-invite.

At least one group seems assured of scoring seats.

Said the once and forever Lt. Sulu: "My Star Trek castmates are dear friends of many, many decades, so they are on the list."

Ashlee and Pete's Pricey Nuptials



Just because Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz's wedding seemed to be planned on the fly doesn't mean they didn't spend serious dough for their special day.

Although they saved money by using Ash's parents' Encino pad and having Joe Simpson officiate, they spent almost $500,000, according to celebrity wedding planner Steve Kemble and Big Time Affairs event producer Mark Chinapen.

Here are some highlights of their high-priced party:

* Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss' fee starts at $25,000. Weiss, who did their Alice in Wonderland themed wedding, also did Jessica and Nick's nuptials before they were Newlyweds.
* Wedding cake topped with a teapot, stopwatch, top hat and pot of flowers by Sam Godfrey at Perfect Endings: $2,500
* Sit-down dinner for 150 guests and Rose Veuve Clicquot champagne: $75,000 ($500/person)
* Monique Lhullier ivory lace wedding gown: $12,000

* Dolce & Gabbana custom tuxedo: $10,000
* Tuxedos for groomsmen: $1,000 each
* Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses: $1,500 each
* Custom jewelry by William Noble: $10,000+
* Flowers from pricey L.A. florist Mark's Garden: $50,000
* Sound, lights and electrical gear: $75,000

And they dropped even more dollars for private security, valet, shuttles and shrubbery.

But these lovebirds may not be honeymooning just yet...Fall Out Boy, Pete's band, is expected at the BMI Pop Awards tonight in L.A.

Rob Estes Zips to 90210



Move over, Jim Walsh. Harry Mills is the new patriarch set to rule over Beverly Hills.

Rob Estes has become the latest castmember to sign on to CW's highly anticipated Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff, the simply named 90210, joining the series as the central fam's morals-driven papa.

Estes' Harry Mills acts as catalyst to the series, moving his cornfed clan from Kansas to Beverly Hills to both take care of his aging alcoholic mother, played by Arrested Development's Jessica Walter, and take a job as the principal of West Bev High.

The actor isn't one to shy away from prime-time melodrama, having already starred in Aaron Spelling's other '90s soapy brainchild, The Heights Malibu Shores Models Inc. Melrose Place.

Brad and Shiloh Are Too Pretty



Given her ridiculously good-looking parents, there was never any doubt Shiloh—seen here shopping with Brad at Bonpoint in Cannes—would be a stunner. But now she's gone and outdone the perfectly molded proportions of a plastic doll.

Toy makers take note: Here's next year's model.

Audrina Turns 23 in Sin City Style



It's been a good week for Audrina Patridge.

Not only did the Hills hottie land a leading role in Into the Blue 2, she also celebrated her 23rd birthday in Las Vegas Saturday night.

Audrina jetted in from Hawaii, where her movie's shooting, with a small group of family and friends—that didn't include Lauren Conrad or Justin Bobby.

After dining at Company American Bistro, Audrina and Co. headed to LAX, where the birthday girl had her very own VIP table.

In between sipping Grey Goose cocktails, she took pics and danced before blowing out the candles on her cake.

With or without L.C. around, looks like life's still pretty sweet for her.

Michelle Trachtenberg Is No Gossip Girl



New Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg is accused of being just that, after a blog post on Jared claims the actress talked smack about newly wedded Pete Wentz as she waited for a flight over the weekend.

When asked about the story by Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM show, Michelle flatly denied ever speaking negatively about the Fall Out Boy frontman, who tied the knot with Ashlee Simpson on Saturday.

"Pete's been a friend of mine for years. I think the world of him. I would never trash him," said Michelle, adding that she's "very happy" for the couple.

Nevertheless, Ryan did pass on some sage advice: "If you're gonna talk crap on somebody, do it via text. That's how I roll."

Unless, of course, you're dissing Simon Cowell each week in front of 30 million American Idol viewers. Then it's OK to speak your mind freely and openly.

George Harrison's Flower Power



All you need may be love. But a green thumb wouldn't hurt, either.

George Harrison's widow, Olivia, with a little help from his old friend Ringo Starr, opened a special memorial garden in honor of the late Beatle in London Monday, during the city's world famous Chelsea Flower Show.

"I really cannot think of a more joyful thing to do for George, and I know he would approve," she said of the "Life to Life" garden, which is divided into three parts, each signifying a portion of the quiet Beatle's life.

Harrison was an avid gardener who even dedicated his autobiography, I Me Mine, "to all gardeners everywhere, " and the space is his widow's way of honoring the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who died of cancer in 2001.

Per Olivia, all her late husband's favorite bits of greenery were accounted for, interwoven with his song lyrics, a photo of the artist and a giant "Here Comes the Sun" emblem.

Here comes the tourist hot spot, more like.

Alchemist Finally Fuses Together



Two decades after Paulo Coelho's best-selling novel was published, it's finally headed for the big screen.

Producer extraordinaire Harvey Weinstein confirmed while making the Cannes Film Festival rounds that the Weinstein Co. would produce the adaptation, to star and be directed by Laurence Fishburne.

The book, which was released in 1988, sold 30 million copies and became a best-seller in 18 countries, chronicles the journey of Santiago, a Spanish shepherd boy who heads off to Africa in search of treasure only to have his purpose altered after meeting an alchemist (to be played by Fishburne) along the way.

"This is a special project that now has a special team behind it to ensure that its path to the big screen is handled with the proper care it deserves," the actor said.

The film has been given a $60 million budget and will begin shooting next year around the globe, in Europe, the Middle East and north Africa.

It's already earned the seal of approval from the author himself.

"I am very happy that my book will be filmed in the way I intended it to be, and I hope the spirit and simplicity of my work will be preserved."

John Mayer Salutes His Biggest Fan



Before the record deals, the paparazzi, the Jessica Simpsons and the Jennifer Anistons, John Mayer was just a normal "lanky 22-year-old nobody in an Atlanta folk club [with] a story to tell" (as he personally describes himself from back then).

But apparently there was one person who believed in Mayer from the beginning, and now the singer-songwriter has reciprocated, dedicating an entire online post to the fan.

On his blog, John gives a shout-out to Richard Young, who created mystupidmouth.com, a fansite dedicated to the then-aspiring singer in which people "could share pictures, links, concert reviews, musical esoterica and anything [John Mayer] related."

And what better way to pay back a fan who supported you from the get-go? Well, by showing up at his birthday party unexpectedly, of course!

Of Young's page, which is still going strong, Mayer says, "I can't fathom why someone with as much energy and enthusiasm as Richard would continue to moderate his message board, but I think it has something to do with faith."

What a guy. No wonder the ladies love him.

Jennifer Hudson Tunes Up for Record Release

Effie is finally getting her turn in the spotlight.

Jennifer Hudson, onetime American Idol castoff turned bankable (and Oscar-winning) star in her own right, has finally announced a release date for her solo album debut.

The self-titled release from Hudson, who already memorably featured on the Dreamgirls soundtrack, is due out this September on Arista Records. Her first single, "Spotlight," will hit radio on June 9 and be made available for digital download the following day.

"I'm beyond ecstatic about my new album," the star, who continues her industrywide ubiquity by appearing in the upcoming Sex and the City film, said. "I think people will be pleasantly surprised because it shows a side of my work that no one has heard before."

Contributing to that new side is Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, Timbaland and power ballad songwriter Diane Warren, all of whom worked on the album.

One name that hasn't shown up on any press releases yet: Simon Cowell. Though we're sure he'll find a way to share credit anyhow.

Stewart's Brick-Tossing Gets Trial Date



A date has been set to determine once and for all whether Sean Stewart's a tosser. Though a more informal verdict may already have been reached.

While a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge tossed out four felony charges against Rod's progeny earlier this month in connection to an April 2007 brick-tossing incident in the Hollywood Hills, a date has been set in his still-pending civil case stemming from the roadside melee.

Stewart, along with accusers Tobalus and Ericka Stein, are due to convene for a mandatory settlement conference, a last-ditch effort to prevent the case from going to trial, on Sept. 17, with the actual trial itself penciled in for Sept. 23.

While attorneys for the couple said both sides are eager to meet with a mediator, should no mutually agreeable resolution be made, the trial is expected to last five or six days.

The Steins' original lawsuit alleges assault, battery and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress against the rocking offspring, alleging they were driving past a party in the Hollywood Hills when an unprovoked Stewart and his entourage began "swinging their arms at, punching, throwing bricks and other items at, and striking the bodies of plaintiffs as well as striking the [truck]."

While no motive was given for the alleged attack, Stewart & Co. were reportedly denied entry to the house party and began throwing rocks and bricks at guests and, supposedly, indistinguishable passersby.

For his part, Stewart denies the rundown of events, claiming it was the Steins who provoked the situation and that he was simply acting in defense of himself and his friends.

Those poor rock star kids. Never could catch a break.

Tony MIA as Jessica Heads to Mexico



Have Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo fumbled their relationship?

Just hours after celebrating the wedding of Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz, Jessica joined her parents for a south-of-the-border sojourn Sunday—with her Dallas Cowboy beau nowhere in sight.

The family was spotted at SoCal's Van Nuys Airport, climbing aboard a private plane to Cabo St. Lucas, Mexico. In lieu of Romo, Simpson snuggled her pooch, Daisy.

No word yet on where Ashlee and Pete are honeymooning. Who knows, maybe Tony's with them.

Simpson and Romo had been dogged by breakup rumors in the run-up to the weekend nuptials. While the two were spotted lunching Friday and attended the ceremony together, a guest at the affair told E! News that the former golden couple looked a bit tarnished.

"Jessica did not look happy the entire night. She just wasn't her bubbly self. She was very subdued, and she and Tony barely interacted the entire night, except for some dancing at the end.

"You could tell she was really happy for her sister, but that maybe she was a little bit sad that things aren't working out as well for her."

But are they really done? Simpson herself might have offered a clue during her toast to the newlyweds, telling her sister and Wentz, "Your relationship has inspired me to love again."

Sheen's Humanitarian Work Shines



Here's one Irish who's traded his fightin' spirit for a do-good one—and been rewarded handsomely as a result.

Martin Sheen was awarded the prestigious Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame Sunday in honor of the actor's continuing humanitarian work, which includes nonviolent peace activism, work for poverty and homeless charities, environmental activism and working toward obtaining rights for migrant workers.

"While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive," Sheen said upon receiving his award at the school's commencement.

The 67-year-old was given the top honor as a Catholic "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."

Apparently they turned a blind eye to that whole siring Charlie thing.

Should Kate and Lance "LoveStrong"?




Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong were reportedly seen having dinner in Austin, Texas, this weekend.

As you know, Kate recently ended (again) her romance with Owen Wilson, and Lance—although linked to fashion designer Tory Burch and Ashley Olsen—has pretty much been a roving bachelor since his breakup with Sheryl Crow.

The date? Nothing fancy, we hear, just dinner with other people—including Lance’s kids. Still. We have to wonder if these two make a good match.

Rachel Bilson: Welcome to the Dollhouse



So there has to be a good reason Rachel Bilson, the talented and O.C.-crushworthy actress, was out shopping with a doll.

Because her stuffed tiger was at a tea party?

Because she'd just completed adoption through Toys "R" Us?

Because "It's mine! Mine!"?

We could tell you she's holding it while shopping with her little sister, which is what we think is the case, but we know you would rather try to guess yourself.

Lindsay Lohan to Serve Up Some Golden Popcorn



Lindsay Lohan had a good reason to bail on last year's MTV Movie Awards.

About a week before the big film fete, the then 20-year-old starlet was busted for a DUI when she ran her Mercedes over a curb in Beverly Hills while driving in the wee hours during Memorial Day weekend. Days later, she checked in to rehab.

But it looks like this year will be different.

La Lohan has signed on to be a presenter when the golden popcorn honors are handed out June 1. The show—hosted by Mike Myers—is broadcasting live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif.

Lohan won the Breakthrough Female Performance award in 2004 for her role in Freaky Friday. The following year, she nabbed two prizes for Mean Girls: Best Female Performance and Best On-Screen Team, which she shared with Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried.

No telling what will happen this time around. Last year, Sarah Silverman shocked viewers and awardgoers when she cracked on Paris Hilton, who was actually in the audience.

Little did we know at the time, but Hilton would check herself into jail just hours later to begin her now-legendary sentence.

Prince Caspian Is No. 1 Without a Bullet



There's nothing harder than trying to top an older sibling.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian debuted with $56.6 million, per studio estimates compiled today by Exhibitor Relations Co. The total was more than enough to nab the weekend's No. 1 spot, and more than enough to go down as the year's second strongest opener, but not near enough to best its predecessor.

In 2005 the first Narnia movie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, opened with $65.6 million.

Exhibitor Relation's Jeff Bock said Prince Caspian was projected to come in at $80 million—maybe even higher.

"This is quite a surprise," Bock said.

A franchise's second installment has, at times, had tougher luck, relatively speaking. The second Harry Potter opened smaller than the first. Likewise, the second—and third—Lord of the Rings opened smaller than the first.

Bock said bigger things were expected for Prince Caspian because of how steadily The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe made its money. In other words, the Narnia franchise looked like it was on the upswing. Now, Bock said he wouldn't be surprised if Disney moved up the release of the third movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, from next May to this December.

Bock suspected that Prince Caspian's darker, warring storyline kept some families away.

"I don't know if I've seen as many death blows in a Disney film," he said. "When your comic relief is a mouse assassin, that's enough to make even Mickey blush."

Prince Caspian, starring newcomer Ben Barnes as the title's conflicted royal, suffered not only in comparison to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but also Iron Man. In its first week, Caspian couldn't match what Iron Man did in its second.

This was Iron Man's third weekend—and not a bad third weekend at that. The superhero movie took in another $31.2 million, bringing its total to a supersize $222.5 million.

Elsewhere:

* It was another down weekend for Hollywood. Business was off by nearly one-third when compared to the same weekend last year. Overall, revenue is down 3.5 percent from 2007.
* The weekend's Top 10 was such a weak group that one film (The Forbidden Kingdom) finished ninth with an even million, and another film (The Visitor) finished 10th with a total that was closer to a half-million than a million.
* The Visitor ($687,000, $3.4 million overall) isn't complaining. The indie hit makes its Top 10 debut after five weekends, and on the strength of only 224 screens.
* What Happens in Vegas (second place, $13.9 million; $40.3 million overall) held up OK in its second weekend.
* Um, Speed Racer (fourth place, $7.8 million; $29.8 million overall) didn't.
* The underwhelming Nim's Island ($580,000; $45.2 million overall) fell out of the Top 10, but overall finished bigger than Jodie Foster's last star vehicle, 2007's The Brave One.
* David Mamet's Redbelt ($401,000, $2 million overall, per Box Office Mojo) also lost its Top 10 ranking.
* Once again, nothing says box office gold like angry young Norwegians, as Reprise's strong debut at just three theaters ($47,100) attests.

Here's a recap of the top-grossing weekend films, based on Friday-Sunday estimates compiled by Exhibitor Relations:

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, $56.6 million
2. Iron Man, $31.2 million
3. What Happens in Vegas, $13.9 million
4. Speed Racer, $7.6 million
5. Baby Mama, $4.6 million
6. Made of Honor, $4.5 million
7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, $2.5 million
8. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, $1.8 million
9. The Forbidden Kingdom, $1 million
10. The Visitor, $687,000