Nicole Richie is branching out from reality TV to try her hand at comedy. The new mom has scored a guest spot on NBC's Chuck, where, according to the network, Nic will play a “snarky and spiteful girl who tortured” the female lead character in high school.

Josh Schwartz, the show's executive producer says that they didn't just hand the script to Harlow's mom -- she actually had to work to get the part. “Nicole auditioned for the part and was very funny. This role is a great opportunity for her to show off her comedic skills and be diabolically evil and kick some butt. It’s going to be really fun.”

The episode will air sometime in the fall.

Hey, congrats, Nicole!

Who knew Nicole Richie had that much talent?

According to Us Weekly, Nicole has been offered the lead role in Chicago on Broadway! The new mom would have her name in lights, as Roxie Hart, but the mag says Nic is still undecided if she should go for it.

"She's definitely interested and weighing it out with the timing of the baby," a friend said. "It is in the super early stages of discussions and no decision has been made yet."

"It would give her a reason to really show her talent and to stay in the new place in NY Joel just got," the source said. "It also shows people are really excited about Nicole right now."

Apparently Nicole can sing and dance (though we've never had the pleasure to see that, other than during her Middle America clubbing stint on The Simple Life) and has been working on album for years.

But Nic has lots of stuff to think about before committing to the grueling schedule of Broadway.

"She is also weighing some other amazing offers but 2008 is going to be really exciting for her," her pal said. "She just working it all out and keeping Harlow in mind with everything she does, of course."

Would you go see Nicole in Chicago? I would be really intrigued.

Good Charlotte's Joel Madden continues to be the cutest and sweetest new daddy on the block, as he has taken to his blog to gush, again, over the joys of his new baby girl, Harlow, with Nicole Richie.

"I swear it’s so hard to leave during the day, but always so rewarding to come home to the little family," he writes. "I’ve always been a guy who loves to love. Probably one of the things that define me outside of my work is LOVE. I had no idea what love even was until Harlow came along."

Um, I love him.

"Me and her mother feel like the luckiest two people alive right now," he says on behalf of Nicole. "This time in our life has been amazing. We both look at our little girl every single moment everyday and know there is nothing we wouldn’t do to protect her and her perfect little innocence. It seems like you turn on the tv, or get online and its all bad news.

We dont want her to know any of that yet. I actually never want her to know any of the pain and suffering we see out in the world everyday,  or how harsh people can be as a result of it. Having this baby has really made me realize we all start out that way, then somewhere along the way something happens and people go one way or the other. But all started out sweet and innocent just like my little daughter. The world could really make you bitter if you let it, but thats where music, and art come in to save the day."

And to top off his sweetness, the rocker takes a minute to acknowledge the passing of Heath Ledger.

"My heart goes out to Heath ledger’s family. Too young. too soon. too loved to be gone. It almost seems pointless to say this with the state of the media today, but i hope people will respect what his child and her mother are going thru right now and give them space. May God be with them."

I just want to kiss Joel. On the cheek, of course, Nicole.

Tony Soprano is taking a new wife! James Gandolfini has proposed to his girlfriend of three years, Deborah Lin. Deb is a former model and James reportedly popped the question to the lovely lady over the holiday, while they were vacationing in the Bahamas. Congrats!

Carrie Underwood swears she and Jessica Simpson's boyfriend, Tony Romo, were never some big item -- they just kissed every now and then. “He was not my boyfriend and we were never dating,” the superstar tells Women’s Health. “The more I screamed ‘We’re not dating!’ the more headlines claimed that we were a couple or that I was crying because he was out with another girl. We’re really good friends," she added, "We hang out a lot, and we’re close…well, friends smooch occasionally." Doesn't that sound like the present tense? I wonder if Jess knows that?

Finally, Joel Madden's bro Benji, says Nicole Richie's baby is "due sometime next week." Will it be a race to the nursery between Nic and Christina Aguilera? Xtina is about to pop, too. Maybe they can share a room in the maternity ward? No? Okay.