Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Wed

Bennifer finally made it down the aisle -- and no, not the annoying coupling of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. (Thank God!) Sweethearts Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who are reportedly expecting their first child this fall, were married yesterday on the beach at the Parrot Cay resort in the Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos. Though a spokesperson for Ben wouldn't confirm the marriage, he also won't confirm that the Alias star is expecting and she is noticeably pregnant. The newlyweds met on the set of the 2003 flick Daredevil, in which their characters were lovers. At the time Ben was engaged to J.Lo (ugh - who can forget that fiasco?) and Jennifer was married to Scott Foley. Last year, Ben and Jennifer got together, and have had a very low-key romance. They're frequently spotted in their Brentwood, California, neighborhood renting movies at Blockbuster or loading up on java at Starbucks.

Tom Cruise Believes in Aliens

Tom Cruise, remember him, he's REALLY in love with Katie Holmes -- but he's also talking about aliens now. The Cruiser's "Unhinged 2005" press tour continues as Tom tells a German newspaper that he believes in extraterrestrial life. Asked if he believed in aliens, Cruise said, "Yes, of course. Are you really so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe? Millions of stars, and we're supposed to be the only living creatures? No, there are many things out there, we just don't know." Yes, yes, L. Ron Hubbard would agree, but which planets will be invited to the TomKat nuptials?

ABC Cancels Offensive Reality TV Show

Reality TV has gone too far -- and no, we're not talking about the costumes on Dancing with the Stars.
ABC has canceled its upcoming reality show Welcome to the Neighborhood after complaints from watchdog groups. The show, which had been slated to debut on July 10, features a group of diverse families -- a gay couple, pagans, Asians, blacks and Hispanics -- vying to move into a conservative white neighborhood. What programming genius thought that was a good idea in the first place? "Our intention with Welcome to the Neighborhood was to show the transformative process that takes place when people are forced to confront preconceived notions of what makes a good neighbor, and we believe the series delivers exactly that," ABC said. "However, the fact that true change only happens over time made the episodic nature of this series challenging, and given the sensitivity of the subject matter in early episodes, we have decided not to air the series at this time."

Nick Carter Ordered to Rehab

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter has pled guilty to a drunk driving charge and been ordered to attend a three-month alcohol treatment program. A California judge ordered Carter to pay $1,200 in fines, placed him on three years' informal probation and restricted his driving privileges for 90 days. Carter was pulled over on March 5 in Huntington Beach and blew over the legal limit of .08. His publicist said he was also on prescription medication at the time and "was unaware of its interaction possibilities." Rehab should make him much more aware.

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Jennifer Tilly Wins Poker Tournament

Jennifer Tilly is once again our hero. This cooler-than-cool actress is now the first celebrity to win an event at the World Series of Poker. Tilly won the ladies no-limit Texas Hold 'Em event. She earned $158,625 and a (probably) tacky bracelet. She beat out 600 players in the two-day event and attributes her success to the fact that she's dating a poker player, Phil "Unabomber" Laak. "When you're living with Phil, you kinda learn by osmosis," Tilly told CardPlayer.com. "Even in the middle of the night, he wakes up screaming out poker terms. Most guys scream out other girls' names." We tried our hand at Texas Hold 'Em recently and lost about $4, so we don't see ourselves as much competition for Tilly yet!

U2 Sues Former Stylist for Memorabilia Theft

U2 is all about giving for this weekend's Live 8 concerts, but this week the band's in court with a less giving attitude. The band is trying to get 5,000 euros worth of its memorabilia from a former stylist, Lola Cashman. Cashman says she received the items (including a pair of Bono's pants and earrings) as gifts. Bono says they weren't gifts, and in fact he thought Cashman had been difficult to work with on the Joshua Tree tour. She also has about 200 Polaroid photos of the band. She's tried to auction the items and has also written an unauthorized biography of the band. Not a good way to stay friends with rock stars, Lola.

Jack the Ripper Hit the High Seas?

It's not strictly entertainment gossip, but we are always fascinated by Jack the Ripper theories, so we wanted to share the latest. Trevor Marriott's new book, Jack the Ripper: The 21st Century Investigation, claims that London's 1888 murders might have been committed by a merchant seaman. The author says similar murders of prostitutes also occurred around the same time at other foreign ports. And a second new book by Tony Williams, Uncle Jack, furthers the theory that his ancestor Sir John Williams, a royal family physician, might have been the Ripper.

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Michael Jackson Thanks Fans for Support

Michael Jackson has broken his silence. (That Martin Luther King Jr. comparison on his Website doesn't quite count.) Two weeks after his acquittal, Jacko has written a public message. "Without God, my children, my family and you, my fans, I could not have made it through," Jackson wrote in his signed post. "Your love, support and loyalty made it all possible. You were there when I really needed you. I will never forget you. Your ever-present love held me, dried my tears and carried me through. I will treasure your devotion and support forever. You are my inspiration." Jacko's still recovering from the stress at Neverland. And meanwhile, Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof said that he turned down the chance to have the King of Pop headline the Philly event. "Musically [Jackson] is a genius; humanely, I believe he is innocent," Geldof said. "But he has been through a terrible time. He's strained and tired. He needs tranquility, not to return under the spotlights in an event like this." Who needs tranquility when you have the media spotlight? And millions of dollars of debt!

Steven Cojocaru's Transplanted Kidney Removed

Fashionista Steven Cojocaru had to have his transplanted kidney removed after it became infected. Cojo, formerly the best thing about the Today show, is recovering in a hospital and doing well. "My spirits have not been dampened in the least," the Entertainment Tonight commentator said in a statement. "I'll be back to work shortly on the red carpet while I seek the right donor match for a new transplant." He suffers from a hereditary kidney disease that causes cysts to grow on the kidney. Fingers crossed for your next transplant, Cojo!

Corey in Food Fight, Paula Fights for Nail Rights

Two ridiculous American Idol stories in one day, so we must lump them together. Firstly, former contestant Corey Clark -- the one who alleged an affair with Paula Abdul -- has been charged with misdemeanor battery after a food fight. Yes, people, a food fight. Clark was supposedly eating breakfast in a Sacramento hotel with his record company manager when the two had an argument about his concert the previous night. When police arrived, there were broken dishes and a bowl of cereal hurled on the wall, and both men had scratches. All over the most important meal of the day! As for Ms. Paula Abdul herself, she was campaigning against a crucial issue facing the world at large -- nail hygiene. Yes, Paula, all this African poverty stuff is getting far too much attention. We need to hear more about your infected thumb. With "an open heart and a selfless agenda," the Idol judge spoke to California legislators about the importance of sanitation in nail salons.

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Geldof Gets Early Start for Live 8

Bob Geldof is getting in the Live 8 spirit early. He appeared at this weekend's mud-soaked Glastonbury festival in England to promote the event to the 100,000 fans there. He got the crowd to join hands and yell "make poverty history." This Saturday's Live 8 shows will be shown around the world in what is described as the largest-ever broadcast of a live event, reaching 85 percent of the world's population. Of course, there are some cynics who say that the stars are only in it for the publicity. And some stars, like Oasis's Noel Gallagher, wonder if the people that really matter at the G8 summit will be listening.

Tom Cruise Takes On Matt Lauer


Tom Cruise's "Unhinged 2005" tour continues! Last month it was Oprah, then it was losing his cool after getting squirted with a water pistol in London, and then on Friday the uberstar lost it on the Today show with Matt Lauer. Gawker has a great recap of the Today appearance. Our favorite part is of course the exchange about antidepressants. Tom sayeth, "You don't understand the history of these drugs. And if you do, you know that it masks the problem. There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance! ... You don't even know what Ritalin is! If you read the papers on how they came up with the drug, the dosage ... You should be more responsible in knowing what it is. I am responsible. I know these things." Oh, and if you haven't heard, he coincidentally has a film to promote: War of the Worlds. Hey, at least Brad and Angelina have a few moments of peace.

Brando's Son Mad about Auction

The executors of Marlon Brando's estate are feuding with his wild eldest son, Christian. Brando's possessions were auctioned Thursday at Christie's, and 47-year-old Christian is mad over the way producer Mike Medavoy and the estate's other powers have handled the sale. "Christie's got first pick of the art and memorabilia while his children were still grieving," Christian's lawyer said. For one, the son wanted a St. Christopher's gold medallion that Christian's mom had given him -- Christie's did in fact return that to him. He's also said to be unhappy that Brando's correspondence with Martin Luther King Jr. is up for grabs.

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Justin Timberlake in Talks for Blues Movie
N'Syncer Justin Timberlake, who probably caught the acting bug from his gal Cameron Diaz, is hoping to land yet another movie role. (Interestingly, his other two movies -- Edison and Alpha Dog -- have yet to be released, so we have no idea if Timberlake even has that big-screen magic.) Timberlake is in discussions to star with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci in Black Snake Moan. If you're wondering where the strange title comes from, it's a 1920s blues song by Blind Lemon Jefferson. Jackson would play a blues guitarist whose wife has left him, and he would try to redeem the soul of small-town sex addict Ricci. Timberlake would play her boyfriend. Craig Brewer, the hotshot behind Sundance hit Hustle & Flow, would direct. Shooting is set to start in September in Memphis, which also happens to be Timberlake's hometown.

Roger Ebert Gets His Own Star

Film critic Roger Ebert has earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He may not be on the big screen himself, but Ebert has done so much for movies he's loved over the years that we're ecstatic the industry recognized him in this way. Attendees of the ceremony were a motley crew: actors Virginia Madsen and Tony Danza and famed director Werner Herzog. "When I watch movies, I can feel what it's like to walk in another person's shoes," Ebert told the crowd. "Movies make us more decent people. This is a wonderful day for me." He's been a film critic in Chicago since 1966, and has even won a Pulitzer. Thumbs up, Roger!

Fox Plans Celebrity Idol

Fox is gearing up for its new reality show, Celebrity Idol. The American Idol spinoff will have celebrities competing in a singing competition. 10 celebs will compete for a $1 million prize to the charity of the celeb's choice. Fox will probably broadcast the series in a 10-episode run over two or three weeks. Voters would vote by phone to determine the eliminations. The new show's producers are trying to get Simon Cowell, Paula Adbul, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest to come aboard. A Fox executive said they wanted "the biggest talent possible... We're looking for people who can sing but aren't known for singing." If ABC can have a hit with that ridiculous Dancing with the Stars, we have high hopes for this one.

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• Hermes has apologized to Oprah Winfrey for not letting her shop in Paris last week, saying the store was closed for a PR event when she arrived. We don't believe it either, Oprah.


• Liv Tyler, who models for French beauty company Givenchy, has now had a rose named after her. The Liv Tyler Rose, a wee pink one, is one of the sources in the new Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual Eau de Parfum. If you want to smell for yourself, it will be sold at Macy's starting in August.

Rhett Butler Tops Movie Quotes

They do give a damn after all. The American Film Institute has announced its top movie quotes of all time, with Rhett Butler's famous "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" (from Gone with the Wind) getting top honors. The Godfather's "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" was number two, followed by another Brando line, from On the Waterfront: "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody instead of a bum, which is what I am." The classic "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," from The Wizard of OZ came in fourth, followed by Bogie's "Here's looking at you kid" from Casablanca. Somehow, the likes of Charlie's Angels and Garfield: The Movie didn't make the cut, with the most recent film being 1983's Sudden Impact, in which Clint Eastwood (as Dirty Harry) says, "Go ahead, make my day."

E! Pulls Plug on Howard Stern

Howard's days at E! are numbered. E! Entertainment Television said that it will stop airing new episodes of The Howard Stern Show on July 8. The TV version of his radio show had been on the network since 1994. But fans of Stern and his raucous crew can't be too sad -- E! will have about 2,000 reruns of old shows to offer, and of course Stern's radio show will move to Sirius Satellite Radio in January.

Celebrity Maid Really Cleans Up

A housekeeper to the stars in Manhattan has been charged with swiping when she was supposed to be sweeping. The housekeeper, Lucyna Turyk-Wawrynowicz, is said to have stolen property from clients such as Candice Bergen and Robert De Niro's wife, Grace Hightower. She was arraigned on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, forgery and coercion. A search of the defendant's home in Queens turned up property belonging to De Niro's wife. Turyk-Wawrynowicz is said to have taken diamond earrings and expensive shoes from Hightower. Two more victims allege that she robbed them as well.

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Leo Files Police Report after Beer Bash

Leonardo DiCaprio has filed a police report over this weekend's beer bottle attack at an L.A. party. The actor had to get 12 stitches in his neck after a woman threw a beer bottle at him. In the police report, Leo said he was the victim of an assault with a deadly weapon and noted that he needed hospital treatment. Police said no one has been arrested and there was no known motive for the attack. The woman was said to be at the party looking for her ex-boyfriend, and was repeatedly asked to leave before the incident. Leo is said to be returning to shooting his next Martin Scorsese film, The Departed.

Billy Corgan Wants to Reform Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan said on Tuesday that he'll be reforming the Smashing Pumpkins after the band's five-year hiatus. Corgan took out ads in Chicago newspapers reading, "I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams." Alrighty. The band was a seminal alternative rock act in the early '90s but split up in 2000, and Corgan has had a less successful solo career since then. He just put out a new solo album, TheFutureEmbrace. He didn't say which former Pumpkins would be reuniting, but he said the new album "represents a new beginning, not an ending. It picks up the thread of the as-yet-unfinished work and charter of the Smashing Pumpkins."

Oprah Stops Shopping at Hermes

Oprah doesn't like to be denied her shopping, evidently. The talk show host was in Paris last weekend and was denied entry to the Hermes store because it was closing time. Friends of Oprah say that they did recognize her and still didn't let her in. But reports say that store staffers didn't recognize Oprah and didn't let her in because they'd been "having a problem with North Africans lately." Ah, the French. They think that's a more polite excuse than snubbing a celebrity. Oprah just wanted to dash into the store -- there were still other shoppers inside -- to pick up a watch for her dinner companion Tina Turner. Oprah has been a big Hermes customer in the past, but now she's canceling a recent order and has told Hermes's American president that she'll no longer shop there. She might even tell her influential 22 million viewers to avoid the store as well. We imagine a few employees in Paris might be anxious about their jobs just about now.

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"Water"gate Continues for Tom Cruise Pranksters
The four pranksters who were arrested after squiring water at Tom Cruise at the British premiere of War of the Worlds were released on bail on Monday. The four were filming a comedy sketch, and could be charged with assault on the Cruiser. He was doing his walkabout in London's Leicester Square on Sunday when a fake journalist with his film crew stuck a fake microphone squirting water in his face. Cruise called the fake journo a "jerk" three times in a row and said the prank was "disgusting." The stuntmen were filming for a new entertainment show for U.K. network Channel 4. Funnily enough, they pulled the same prank on Sharon Osbourne last month, and showing she can dish it out, she retaliated by hurling a bucket of water at the prankster. "The stunt was intended to be lighthearted rather than malicious, and we would apologize to Mr. Cruise for any offense caused," a spokesman for the network said. Tom should have been glad for the cool-down -- it was nearly 90 degrees in London on Sunday.

Rodney Dangerfield's Life Headed to Big Screen

Two of the producers of Ray are ready for an entirely different biopic -- one with a little less respect. According to Variety, Howard and Karen Baldwin are working on a film about comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The film will be based party on his memoir, It's Not Easy Bein' Me, which was published shortly before his death at age 82 last year. His widow, Joan, also sold the producers Dangerfield's life story. "Rodney took the indignities of everyday life and spun them into golden one-liners that endeared him to millions around the world," Variety quoted Joan Dangerfield as saying. "But while he was making everyone forget their troubles by laughing at his, Rodney's own life was a heavy-hearted one."

David Spade Gets Comedy Central Show

The former host of SNL's "Hollywood Minute," David Spade, is getting his own satire show. Comedy Central will air the weekly series "satirizing the world of entertainment," to be entitled The Showbiz Show with David Spade. Spade will host and executive produce the show, which kicks off in September. Another producer says the show will be like The Daily Show meets Talk Soup meets "Hollywood Minute." Other personalities will join show in poking fun at celebrities.

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Tom Cruise Steams after Squirt

Ah, the Cruiser just can't stay out of the headlines. First there was that whole icky proposal thing at the Eiffel Tower, and then his European juggernaut continued in London, with the British premiere of War of the Worlds. Tom Cruise was doing a "walkabout" before the premiere in Leicester Square on Sunday when a prankster posed as a journalist and sprayed him with water from a fake microphone. "I'm here giving you an interview, answering your questions and you do something really nasty. You're a jerk. Jerk. You're a jerk," the actor said, surrounded by other real reporters. As he toweled himself off, he added, "I really work hard to make people feel good." The prankster and his three-person camera crew were arrested on suspicion of assault. Scotland Yard said Cruise could press charges if he desires. Meanwhile, director Steven Spielberg says that the media has "punished" Tom Cruise for his declarations of love for Katie Holmes. "Tom lost his cool because he was deliriously happy, and now he was being punished for his public display of happiness," Spielberg said of Cruise's couch jumping on Oprah.

Leo's Beer Brawl

Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio saw the wrong end of a beer bottle at a Hollywood Hills party early Friday morning. The actor was hanging at the house of Rick Salomon (Paris Hilton's infamous ex) when a woman, said to be trespassing, threw a bottle at his head. The woman had been asked repeatedly to leave, and may have been looking for her ex-boyfriend, not Mr. Titanic. Leo was given about 12 stitches at a local hospital, but is expected to be able to continue with his work on Martin Scorsese's film The Departed.

Janet Jackson's Not Laughing

There's another Jackson in the headlines. Janet Jackson wasn't in the mood for jokes, however, when she received the Human Rights Campaign's humanitarian award. Actor Alan Cumming introduced the singer by saying that she was never one with controversy, and then Janet apologized for her own lack of humor. The day marked her first public appearance since brother Michael's acquittal. "My family and I have just gone through the least humorous chapter of our lives," she said. "I'm going to leave the jokes to the late-night [comics], if that's okay."

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It's Official! Tom and Katie Are Engaged!

The media machine must be fed, so before he slipped out of the public's attention, Tom Cruise officially proposed to Katie Holmes and announced it -- where else? -- at a press conference. Let the tongue wagging continue.

Michael Jackson's Lawyers Still Busy

The acquittal is done, but the lawyering continues. Three days after the Michael Jackson verdict, a judge ordered that the pop star's passport be returned, and his defense attorneys are trying to get back the rest of his belongings seized by police in a 2003 raid on Neverland. Among the items Jackson wants back are pictures taken of Jackson's genitals during a separate 1993 investigation. The judge also granted a media request to unseal the dozens of sealed legal motions and documents that had been kept secret during the trial.

Deep Throat Signs Book, Film Deal

Now that Deep Throat has been outed, the 91-year-old former FBI man, Mark Felt, has signed book and film deals. Good for him -- no fair everyone else making money off the Watergate scandal except him! PublicAffairs press said that it plans to publish Felt's book A G-Man's Life: The FBI, Being 'Deep Throat' and the Struggle for Honor in Washington. Felt published a book about his FBI days in 1979, but that was before he was revealed earlier this year to be the infamous "Deep Throat" source for journalists Woodward & Bernstein. A film version of his story is also in the works, with Tom Hanks set to produce for Universal Pictures. It's too early to know if Hanks will play Felt himself.

CBS Green-Lights Pope Miniseries

CBS is planning a big-budget miniseries about the life of the late Pope John Paul II, in cooperation with the Vatican. The four-hour fact-based drama, from the same producers who hit big with CBS's Jesus miniseries, will chronicle Karol Wojtyla's life, from his childhood in Poland through his leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. No casting decisions have been made yet. The program will start shooting in Rome in midsummer, and it could air as soon as this fall. The Vatican's involvement means that producers will have access to footage in St. Peter's Square.

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Coldplay Tops Album Charts in 22 Countries

Surprise, surprise. Coldplay's new album is at the top of the charts. The English rock band's X&Y sold more than 737,000 copies during its first week of U.S. sales. It also topped the album charts in 21 other countries. For such a huge band, should we be embarrassed to still love them? We blame Chris Martin's handsome good looks and the catchy pop tunes. Hey, anything we can do to bump Mariah Carey off the top of the chart. In England, the album sold 464,000 copies, making it the second-biggest album debut ever, after Oasis's 1997 LP Be Here Now. Gwyneth must be so proud.

Live 8 Expands, African Artists Plan Own Event

After some complaints that Bob Geldof's Live 8 charity concerts across Europe were too "Anglo-Saxon," African musicians are planning their own event for July 2. And meanwhile, Geldof's events have expanded to Tokyo, Toronto and Johannesburg. Peter Gabriel is in charge of the Africa Calling concert, which will be held in southwest England. "Bob's sole criteria is that he has to keep millions of eyes around the world glued to the television and he felt if it was some remote part of China or Latin America, if it was an unknown artist... people might switch off," Gabriel said. "So if they didn't sell 10 million records they weren't going to be invited. I don't agree that's the right thing to do, but I fully understand." Africa Calling's featured artists will include Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Maryam Mursal and Salif Keita. Geldof's five concerts include such international superstars as Madonna, U2, Pink Floyd and R.E.M., raising money to alleviate African poverty.

Keri Russell to Star with the Cruiser In M:I-3

Keri Russell has signed on to star opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible 3. (We're just waiting for the subtitle M:I-3 -- I Really Do Love Katie Holmes.) Her Felicity creator J.J. Abrams is directing the sequel. Russell will play a junior agent mentored by Cruise's Ethan Hunt. The part had been offered to Scarlett Johansson and Lindsay Lohan had also expressed interest, but maybe they thought they were too old. The rest of the cast includes Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Michelle Monaghan and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Oh, Felicity, just promise you won't go all Scientology on us. Ben and Noel wouldn't approve.

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eBay Pulls Sale of Live 8 Tickets

eBay has ended the auctions of Live 8 tickets after the benefit concert's organizer, Bob Geldof, complained. The tickets for the London concert, which were given away free through a lottery system, started appearing on eBay for hundreds of English pounds. Geldof called eBay an "electronic pimp" and told fans to swamp the site with bogus offers and bids. After his announcement, bids surged to 10 million pounds, and eBay cancelled the auctions of Live 8 tickets. The concert will raise awareness to help fight African poverty. We have a little idea, though, Bob -- if someone is willing to pay $1,000 because he or she is desperate to attend, then that's just one more person to take up the cause. Performers for the London show include a reformed Pink Floyd, plus U2, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Madonna and REM.

Regis and Kelly Hit the Deck

Reg is hitting the high seas! Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and the cast and crew of Live with Regis and Kelly are going all aboard the cruise ship Pride of America. They will be broadcasting the first nationally syndicated show from sea next week. Regis was typically jokey about the prospects: "I just hope there is smooth sailing," Philbin said. "Kelly hasn't been on a cruise since she was six. [Executive producer Michael] Gelman has never been on a cruise. ... During the course of a week, there's got to be one or two bad days. When it's bad, it's going to be fascinating." The cruise leaves New York on Saturday before heading toward Miami. Live held a contest for 1,000 fans to win spots aboard the ship.

Jackson Celebrates Victory Online

Okay, just who is advising Michael Jackson about his public image? Somehow, we don't think his recent Web post showed the kind of humility that might help him get his musical career back. Jacko's Website mjjsource.com boasted an "Innocent" headline and showed a hand giving the victory sign. Then the site compared his acquittal to such events at Martin Luther King's birth, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela. It didn't seem to bother all of his fans, who flocked to Neverland to celebrate his not-guilty verdict. Hundreds of Jackson supporters gathered at the gates. Jackson didn't talk, although his brothers Randy, Tito and Jermaine made appearances and dad Joe signed some autographs.

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Michael Jackson Verdict Fallout

The jury's verdict was read quickly, but the media circus surrounding Michael Jackson's acquittal will be drawing out for days. Industry experts are already wondering if he can rebuild his career. Experts advise that he could definitely revive his stardom, especially in Europe and Asia, if he doesn't mind churning out the hits that made him famous. "Even when his popularity wanes here, his popularity overseas has been sustained, and that's probably the place he can do the best," said veteran talent manager Ken Kragen. Experts advised Jackson to do something that would get big attention, or perhaps do a stint in Vegas. Of course, redeeming himself even after a not-guilty verdict may be too tall an order in the U.S. One thing that will help is that Jacko certainly won't be sharing his bed with young boys anymore. What do you think? Chime in at our All-Star Debate about the verdict.

Paris Goes Private?

Paris Hilton might end her "career" of dancing on bar tables soon. The 24-year-old heiress tells Newsweek that she'll give up her public life in two years, by the time she'll be married and hopefully having babies with fiance Paris Latsis. She'll give up her TV show The Simple Life too -- "I thought it was cute to play a dumb blonde. On TV, I do it because it's funny. I consider myself a businesswoman and a brand," Hilton tells the magazine. She continued that she was looking forward to some peace and quiet. "I don't enjoy going out anymore," she said. "It's such a pain. It's everyone saying, 'Let's do a deal! Can I have a picture?' I'm just, like, 'These people are such losers. I can't believe I used to love doing this.'" Meanwhile, her mom, Kathy Hilton, is heading further into the spotlight with her reality series, I Want to Be a Hilton.

Katie Holmes Explores Scientology

Katie Holmes's "summer of captivity" continues. She's now studying Scientology with boyfriend Tom Cruise. Holmes said on Monday that she's excited by her lessons. She was raised a Catholic but the Cruiser has been a Scientologist for many years. Tom Cruise told Entertainment Weekly that Holmes was indeed curious about his faith. "Yeah, absolutely. She digs it," he said. He added, "Listen, the thing you've got to know about Katie is that she's an incredibly bright and self-determined woman. She makes her own decisions." Meanwhile, the marriage rumors swirl as -- perhaps not so coincidentally -- the pair plug their summer blockbusters.

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Michael Jackson: Not Guilty

A California jury has found Michael Jackson not guilty on all 10 felony counts stemming from child molestation charges. At approximately 2:00pm PT Jackson arrived in court with select family members, including his parents and sister Janet. The judge allowed the audio portion of the verdict to be broadcast live. Loyal Jackson fans, who have been camped outside the court for months, screamed when the verdict was announced. After Jackson was proclaimed a free man, he was escorted outside by bodyguards and family members, shielded by a large black umbrella. Though he's been known to climb up on his SUV and wave to fans, Jackson quietly got into his waiting vehicle. But first, in a nod to his adoring fans, he patted his hand over his heart. No word on if Jackson's young accuser plans to file a civil suit against the pop star.

Pink Floyd to Play London Live 8

Pink Floyd is reuniting for the first time in 24 years, not for the usual reason -- to fill aging rockers' bank accounts -- but for the Live 8 charity concerts. Four members of the legendary band, guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, keyboardist Richard Wright and bassist Roger Waters will play on the July 2 Live 8 concert in London. It will be their first public performance together since they played in London in 1981. The Live 8 show will also boast performances by Coldplay, Elton John and Paul McCartney, among others. "Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world," said Gilmour.

Brangelina Scores at the Box Office

The Brangelina rumors certainly paid off at the box office. Mr. & Mrs. Smith was tops this weekend, making an estimated $51.1 million -- better than most industry watchers had predicted. The opening was better than Pitt's and Jolie's other previous hits. The gossip pages, however, didn't help telephone tyrant Russell Crowe's latest flick, Cinderella Man, which made only $9.5 million.

Destiny's Child to Disband after Tour

Perhaps it wasn't destiny after all. The members of Destiny's Child made a surprise announcement on stage in Barcelona on Saturday night, saying they will disband at the end of their current Destiny Fulfilled and Lovin' It tour. (Guess they aren't really loving it.) Kelly Rowland made the announcement before 16,000 fans at Spain's Palau Sant Jordi, saying that it would be the group's last European gig. The band then released a statement to MTV News: "We have been working together as Destiny's Child since we were nine, and touring together since we were 14," the statement read. "After a lot of discussion and some deep soul searching, we realized that our current tour has given us the opportunity to leave Destiny's Child on a high note, united in our friendship and filled with an overwhelming gratitude for our music, our fans and each other. After all these wonderful years working together, we realized that now is the time to pursue our personal goals and solo efforts in earnest. ... No matter what happens, we will always love each other as friends and sisters and will always support each other as artists. We want to thank all of our fans for their incredible love and support and hope to see you all again as we continue fulfilling our destinies." The group's U.S. tour will go on as planned, starting July 9 in St. Louis.

Blabber Bits

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Tom and Katie's Late-Night Couch Confessions

The Tom-Kat road show continues! The Cruiser talked to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, making fun of his crazy Oprah appearance by jumping on Leno's couch and pumping his arms in the air. "When I start to think of her, things happen," he said. Katie went on Letterman, meanwhile, and gushed about this epic love affair of, oh, about six weeks. Asked if the two are getting hitched, she answered, "I'm smiling, aren't I?" but she said she'd never thought about their age and height differences (she's taller, he's 16 years older). Meanwhile, Katie Holmes fans are trying to help her in her "summer of captivity" by offering Free Katie T-shirts.

Brando's Bizarre Last Days

Marlon Brando's biographer Peter Manso is going public about Brando's last days. Manso reports in Playboy that as the actor's health grew worse he became more dependent on Angela Borlaza Magaling, the married housekeeper rumored to be his lover. Brando's business manager was worried about the relationship with Borlaza, who moved into Brando's compound with her two kids and sis. Brando left some strange instructions in the event of his death: "Seal his bedroom with a padlock. No one is to enter. 'They will steal the buttons off my shirt.'"

Brangelina Buzz Could Make Smiths a Hit

With Hollywood's other most-gossiped-about "couple," Brangelina, their movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith might benefit from all the buzz. It was looking like it had the Gigli curse, but this steamy spy flick might actually boom at the box office as fans flock to see if there is any real sexual chemistry between the actors. We think those 60 pages of steamy photos in W magazine might be a tiny, tiny hint, folks.

Blabber Bits

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(Note: Gossip links change frequently, so to find links past the day of publication, search each publication's archives.)

Russell Crowe: I'm Sorry!
While most celebs drop out of sight after they commit a no-no -- for example, alleged rear-groper Christian Slater was a no-show at Sunday's Tony Awards -- Russell Crowe is more of a man than we gave him credit for. Dressed in his arrest outfit (Cinderella Man jacket, jeans, black tee and boots), he appeared on last night's Letterman and faced Dave's tough questions about his Monday-morning arrest. "I'm sorry for this whole incident and I regret that it ever took place," Russell said. "I've apologized to my wife. There aren't many things that scare me in this world, but I'm absolutely terrified of disappointing her." Aw, sweet. Now if only he'd start changing his clothes.