Author: Castina

Beaten by a pothead! Anderson Cooper is among CNN’s most decorated journalists — but the “Silver Fox’s” uncanny knowledge of trivia paled in comparison to that of comedian Cheech Marin (one half of comedy duo Cheech & Chong) when Cooper faced off against the actor and former 5th Wheel host Aisha Tyler on the Champions Edition of Celebrity Jeopardy!Thursday night.

Cheech earned $50,000 for charity while Anderson and Aisha took home a cool 25K after being blitzed by the poster child for blunt burning. With final scores that totaled $0, Cooper and Tyler missed questions about world leaders, geography, and literature.

Ellen DeGeneres surprises Betty White with a sexy stripper on Monday’s edition of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The comedy legend will be hosting NBC’s Saturday Night Live this spring, so fellow Emmy winner Ellen decided to test the veteran actress’ ability to keep a straight face by putting on a series of gags — including bringing out a Chippendales dancer.

Here’s a sneak peek — and don’t forget to catch Betty’s SNL debut on May 8.

Big casting news coming out of Hollywood: On Friday, acclaimed producer Jerry Bruckheimer told MTV News that Oscar-winning stunner Penelope Cruz will be playing the daughter of Johnny Depp’s arch-enemy, Blackbeard, in the eagerly-anticipated fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film.

“She plays the daughter of Blackbeard. She’s the daughter of the bad guy. She brings a lot of humor to it. And she’s so feisty.” Bruckheimer added that there will be “a little romance between [Depp’s] Captain Jack and the character that Penelope plays.”

Last month, Ian McShane was cast as Blackbeard, the main adversary of Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will begin filming in June for a May 20, 2011 release.

A tease from Christina Aguilera: According to her website, ChristinaAguilera.com, a big announcement from the petite powerhouse is expected on Tuesday.

A release date for her long-awaited new album perhaps?

Rosie O’Donnell is reportedly on her way back to the daytime talk show circuit. O’Donnell has inked a deal to host a new television talk show, industry insiders have revealed.

The former View co-host — whose self-titled gabfest earned 25 Emmys between 1998-2002 — will take the lead on a syndicated talk program set to premiere in the fall of 2011, E! Online reported on Friday.

The new project will apparently be similar in format to O’Donnell’s current Sirius Satellite radio show and may feature and political undertone.

Did you know that Ryan Seacrest almost played Heidi Montag’s husband on the big screen?

Jennifer Aniston made an appearance on Ryan Seacrest’s KISS-FM radio show On Air With Ryan Seacrest on Friday, where she revealed that the Idol host nearly played the reality star’s husband in the Adam Sandler-Nicole Kidman-assisted romantic comedy, Just Go With It.

In the interview, Ryan revealed that Sandler asked him to play the role of Adon — a plastic surgery addict (Go figure…..) — but he turned the part down because the film shoots in Hawaii and his American Idol and E! hosting prevented him from traveling.

“You would have been Heidi Montag’s husband,” Jennifer said. “What a missed opportunity!”

Just Go With It is scheduled to hit theaters Feb. 11, 2011.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-A new study has found that some people feel “too ugly” for Facebook. The old phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” has taken on a new meaning for millions of users who admit they avoid uploading photos on the social networking site because they feel unattractive:

“It’s such a shame that people are not choosing to share their Facebook photos, and in extreme circumstances pretending to look like someone they’re not,” said Sue Dover, a marketing director at the survey company. “It’s indicative of the pressure placed on people, particularly young women, in our society to look a certain way that is causing this to happen.”

-Jesse James had better hope he never ends up alone in a room with Betty White!

“Among Bullock’s many friends in the acting community is comedy legend Betty White, who reportedly has told friends she’s so upset about Bullock’s painful humiliation, the former ”Golden Girl” cannot talk about James without using language so blue, it clearly is not printable in a family newspaper….”

-Have authorities found the remains of missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway?

-Shannen Doherty talks DWTS on Lopez Tonight….

-ABC News has been footing the six-figure legal bills for accused child killer Casey Anthony….

-Someone wants to send Perez Hilton to the pokey for posting midget porn of Chelsea Lately sidekick Chuy without a link…..

-Blockbuster may declare bankruptcy. The video retailer is closing 500 locations across the country and may seek Chapter 11 protection after recent staggering losses and increasing competition…..

-WTF News of The Day: Police in Washington State are on the hunt for a single father who is trying to sale his son for $5K on Craigslist……

-Mary J. Blige is planning a free concert in Times Square next week…..

-The City of Nashville is prepared to pay $100,000 to a former prison inmate who says a guard yanked his gold-plated grill out of his mouth and denied him access to a dentist for several hours….

-Actor Danny Masterson — best remembered as Hyde on That ’70s Show — is facing a $3 million lawsuit in a pricey condo deal gone wrong…..

-Beyonce’s Heat fragrance earned $3 million in one month!

-Abused Thoroughbreds are getting new homes….

-Caught on Tape: A man in Tacoma, Washington was caught stealing $456 from a Girl Scout Cookie booth…..

-Janet Jackson on Leno….

-Lucky Abbie Cornish – just signed up to co-star with Bradley Cooper in the thriller Dark Fields…..

-A Cesar Chavez biopic? The story of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer is headed for the big screen….

-Would someone please make the washed-up members of Dru Hill sit down somewhere?

Emmy-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres stunned her studio audience Friday when she presented 18-year-old Constance McMillen with a $30 million check from digital media company Tonic.Com.

The shy Southerner made headlines this earlier this month after officials at her rural Mississippi high school cancelled the April 2 prom because Constance planned to escort her girlfriend.

DeGeneres says she admires McMillen for challenging Itawamba County School District rules that would prevent her from escorting her girlfriend to the prom, and she hopes the scholarship will help give her a running start in life. Sounds like she’s off to a great start — she’s already got a 3.86 GPA. Tonic also offered McMillen an internship at their company headquarters in NYC over the summer.

The school district has been sued by American Civil Liberties Union, who is trying to force the district to hold the prom. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

The estate of Anna Nicole Smith has been denied a $300 million fortune the former Playboy Playmate claimed she was promised by her late oil-tycoon husband.

On Friday, a federal appeals court says Smith’s estate — which includes the beauty 3-year-old daughter Dannielynn — will receive nothing from the estate of oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall. Smith had most recently been awarded $88 million.

Anna Nicole was in the middle of a legal battle over the will of her billionaire spouse when she died in 2007. Marshall, 90, passed away in 1995, 14 months after marrying the ex-stripper, who was 26 at the time.

Attorneys for The Marshalls say they hope the 15-year-old battle will end after today’s ruling.

“Family: Can’t Facebook with ‘em. Can’t unfriend ‘em…..” It’s the cry of many a social networker facing an online dilemma that’s quickly becoming a phenomenon: parents who Facebook. Almost as bad as middle-aged people who use slang to sound “hip,” a friend request from your mother or an embarrassing wall message from Dad is enough to make most teens and twentysomethings long for a time when parents were still technologically-illiterate and kept their online activity limited to sending and receiving email.

Those were the days.

Now one Los Angeles-based comedy troupe is taking on the problem of Facebooking ‘Rents with a catchy new YouTube single that’s already becoming a viral sensation.

“My Mom’s on Facebook” has emerged as the anthem for Facebookers who want to vent about their embarrassing experiences with family members on the site. The song, which debuted on Tuesday, is performed by fictional ’80s-inspired band Back of the Class, and has already been viewed more than 300,000 times since its premiere!

“My Mom’s on Facebook” is available to download by visiting BackOfTheClass.net….

Do your parents have a Facebook or Twitter account?

Actresses Demi Moore and Nia Vardalos were involved in a Twitter intervention for a young Florida man threatening suicide on the popular social networking site early this morning.

Demi and Nia (of My Big, Fat Greek Wedding fame) were among Tweeters sending messages of hope to a teen threatening to hang himself outside his home in Casselberry, north of Orlando, on Friday.

“I have messed up my life bad. I’m thinking about killing myself,”
Jeremy Lynch first Tweeted, followed by two messaging sent directly to Demi.

Within an hour Moore had responded, retweeting the teen and asking, “R U rlly asking 4 help?”

Lynch replied, “yes.”

Vardalos jumped in, asking Lynch to call a suicide helpline: “@jeremyllynch please call 1 800 SUICIDE. I’m on the phone with them right now. They are waiting to talk to you.”

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said they received two calls from the West Coast — one from Nia –alerting them to the suicide threat on Twitter. (CLICK HERE For Audio Of Nia’s Emergency Call…..) Thanks to Nia’s quick thinking and helpful information, police in The Sunshine State were able to locate the depressed young man, who they found crying but uninjured in front of his computer.

Jeremy’s mom told deputies that Lynch “was very emotional and diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.”

He has since been hospitalized for a mental evaluation.

This isn’t the first time Tweets from @mrskutcher have possibly saved a life; last year, Demi helped stop another Twitter user from committing suicide. The response from the Twittersphere in the wake of this latest suicide scare has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many folks still sending the teen messages of support.

“@jeremyllynch people care, I don’t even know you and I care,” one Twitter user posted. “I only just stumbled upon your tweet via Demi, but death is not the answer.”

Most of the Sex And The City ladies – Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kristin Davis – showed up at the ShoWest awards in Las Vegas on Thursday to accept the Ensemble Award. Missing in action? SATC’s Sam, Kim Cattrall, who had another engagement.

Check out this clip from Mike Tyson’s upcoming Animal Planet reality series, Taking on Tyson. The “Fighter Formerly Known As Iron Mike” takes us inside the abandoned Harlem building he refers to as his “office” (Yeah, Whatever Mike….), where thousands of pigeons will be trained as racing birds as part of the new series

Taking on Tyson is expected to premiere early next year.

TV shrink Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw became first-time grandparents on Thursday.

According to PEOPLE.com, The McGraw’s eldest son Jay and his wife Erica welcomed a baby daughter named Avery Elizabeth McGraw in Los Angeles at 11:33 PM Thursday night. The tot weighed in at 6lbs., 6oz. and both Mom & Daughter are doing well.

“The entire family is overjoyed!” The McGraws said in a statement.

The Bad Girl of Babymaking and her brood of 14 are facing a dilemma all too real in these tough economic times: foreclosure.

Octomom Nadya Suleman could soon be out on the streets after a man who says he owns the mortgage to her two-story, four bedroom Southern California home initiated eviction proceedings against her this week.

Amer Haddadin says Nadya’s dad, Ed Suleman, purchased the home on a quiet cul-de-sac in La Habra in 2009, under a deal in which Haddadin would carry the $450,000 loan for a year until the family could provide a down payment. More than a year later, The Sulemans have yet to fork over the cash. Nadya is also unable to maintain the $4,139 monthly payment on the balloon mortgage, and is currently at least a month behind.

“What they are doing is not right, and I am going to take them to court,” Haddadin told KABC Channel 7 Thursday. “They are not cooperating with me.”

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse….Not only is Jesse James’ “alleged” mistress, tattooed temptress Michelle “Bombshell” McGee, is not only an admitted homewrecker — apparently, she’s a White supremacist.

One of the shots — snapped nearly a year ago — shows McGee, who claims to be 24 (Bitch, please…..), licking a knife while wearing a swastika armband. In a second photo, McGee has the letter “W” tattooed on her left leg and the letter “P” on her right. TMZ claims the former exotic dancer tells people that the letters stand for “White Power.”

He traded a movie star for this?

McGee’s MySpace page shows that she last logged in early Friday. She had a long log of supportive comments from fellow dumbasses.

In related news, Michelle’s ex-husband, Shane Modica, filed legal documents in January in the former couple’s custody battle branding the model “bipolar” and “a drug user.” Modica claims McGee routinely slept with gang members and used the name of their 5-year-old child as a stage name for stripping. He also claims that his former wife was prone to making the Nazi salute in the house and would rearrange the fridge magnets to spell out “White Power.”

“It seems as the years go by Avery’s mother slips more and more into stripping, pills, alcohol and performances she does online, pornography, that she has brought into her home. There have been pornographic shoots there and live Web cam pornographic broadcasts from her house….”

A rep for pop star Ke$ha has shot down rumors that the “Tik Tok” singer is featured in a sex tape that’s been leaked online. X-rated stills of a sex romp allegedly featuring the party girl were posted on ZackTaylor.ca this week, along with a post describing the footage as “what appears to be singer Ke$ha engaging in sexual intercourse and other fun stuff with an unknown man.”

But Ke$ha’s publicist has shot down the reports, telling the press: “This is not Ke$ha in the photos,” and forcing the website to remove the pics.

Jennifer Lopez is in talks to star in a proposed Will Smith-produced remake of Overboard, the 1987 romantic comedy that starred real-life lovers Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.

The original, directed by Pretty Woman lensman Garry Marshall, told the story of a socialite who falls off her yacht and develops amnesia only to have her carpenter convince her that they are married and she is the mother of his four unruly sons.

The singer/actress — who recently parted ways with Sony Records — hasn’t appeared in a film since the 2006 biopic El Cantante. Her next big screen role is in The Back-Up Plan, which hits theaters April 23.

Would you like to see JLo go Overboard? Hey, as long as she isn’t singing it’s cool with me.

Poor Katherine Heigl suffered an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at the ShoWest Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday. Her dress broke as she was accepting the prize for Female Star of the Year. Instead of a big round of applause, Heigl, 31, was the center of audience snickers. Lucky for the soon-to-be former Grey’s Anatomy star, Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, who was hosting, was on hand to hold the strap together as she gave her thank-yous.

Katherine later managed to laugh off the incident.

Sandra Bullock’s wayward husband has some company in the doghouse after being reunited with his frequently free-roaming pit bull, Cinnabun.

The Monster Garage mechanic reconnected with the dog at his Long Beach bike shop, West Coast Choppers, shortly after issuing a mea culpa to his wife and children for “poor judgement” amid allegations that he cheated on the Oscar-winning sweetheart with a tattooed ex-stripper.

“We rarely go into our storage room in the production building but Cinnabun found her way in somehow,” a statement on the shop’s website read, E! News first reported on Thursday. “She’s back in the office and in high spirits.” At the moment, Cinnabun’s probably the only woman who wants anything to do with Jesse. We may not have to worry about Cinnabun making a third break for freedom since the pup will likely have free rein of the family’s Seal Beach home; Sandra reportedly moved out of the pad earlier this week after learning of her husband’s rumored rolls in the hay with Michelle “Bombshell” McGee.