MADONNA’S BROKEN PROMISES?

Of course, Madonna couldn’t leave the country of Malawi without stir up a little controversy. Sources say that Madonna wouldn't let her adopted baby David see his biological father on Saturday, even though she'd reportedly agreed to a meeting. An insider at the Home of Hope orphanage in Malawi, where Madonna first met David, claims that David's dad, Yohane Banda, had expected to see his 1-year-old son on Saturday for a visit, but was told on his way that the meeting was off, with no reason given. Madonna's rep said she didn't know whether the meeting had actually taken place. It’s been assumed all along that Madonna and the boy would meet up with Banda while in Africa since Madonna had promised the man occasional visits with David when she started the process of adopting him last year. (4-23-07)

NICK AND VANESSA TAKE THE NEXT STEP

While Jessica Simpson and her latest man have been photographed every where in the last few months, Jess’s ex and his lady have been MIA. Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo may be keeping a very low profile of late, but it’s not because the couple is having any problems. In fact, they’re better than ever. Just this past week the couple of over a year moved into together. They’re now shacking up in a two-bedroom luxury condo in Manhattan. Plus, Vanessa is talking about babies to the press. She recently said, quote, "I want to bring three boys up to be good men in this world and then one little girl. I always say I want three boys and a girl but at the end of the day I just want healthy kids." Maybe that’s why they moved into together… they’ve got a lot of work to do if they’re planning on four kids! (4-23-07)

SNEAK PEEK AT YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS

May sweeps is just around the corner, so all the big TV shows are gearing up for big reveals, shocking twists and huge cliffhangers. I’ve got the scoop on some of your favorite shows and what’s to come. We start with “Grey’s Anatomy”… rumors are running rampant that both Isaiah Washington and T.R. Knight are leaving the show.  Have no fear, neither Burke nor George are checking out of Seattle Grace. Both actors are under contract for next season. So who is leaving? Kate Walsh’s character, Addison, will be starring in her own spin-off called “Private Practice”. If ABC picks up the show, which I’m hearing they will, Walsh will depart at the end of the season (but not before a hot little hook-up with Alex). Also rumored to be splitting… George’s wife, Callie. Sources say there’s a good chance she’ll leave the show since love will bloom for George and Izzy. Over on the show “Heroes”, someone will also be departing. I can tell you that on tonight’s episode one of the heroes will be dying and their super-power will be absorbed by big bad Sylar. While it was Peter getting his head sliced open by Sylar on the last new episode, I’m hearing he won’t be the victim. Actually most sources won’t confirm it, but they also aren’t denying that the victim will be hot painter Issac. And finally, on “Lost” we are finally getting some answer, and more are on the way… we will be seeing a flashback episode for Ben, the head “Other”, which will finally explain more about him and his past. Plus, Kate will be making room for two under her tarp… that’s right she’s going to be shacking up. But will it be Jack or Sawyer? Don’t know! (4-23-07)

“IDOL” DUET REVEALED

Last week, Ryan Seacrest teased that during this week’s huge “Idol Gives Back” show on Wednesday, that quote, "two of the biggest stars in musical history come together," to perform. Well, I’ve found out who those superstars are… and surprisingly one of them is not even alive. Sources say that Celine Dion will perform the Elvis Presley's hit, "If I Can Dream", and she’ll be dueting with Elvis himself. Celine has already recorded her portion of the song. She even performed it with an Elvis impersonator. But in post production, the impersonator will be replaced with a virtual Elvis. I don’t know about you, but I think I’d rather see William Hung and Sanjaya then Elvis and Celine!!! (4-23-07)

ALEC BALDWIN’S SHOCKING VERBAL ATTACK ON DAUGHTER

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin have been in a nasty custody battle over their 11 year old daughter, Ireland, for 6 years. Today, we may finally know just exactly why Kim doesn’t want her daughter anywhere near her ex. After Ireland failed to answer her father's scheduled morning phone call from New York on April 11, Alec went berserk on her voice mail… Some of the shocking statements made by Alec include, quote, "Once again, I have made an ass of myself trying to get to a phone," adding, "you have insulted me for the last time." Switching his train of thought, Baldwin then exercised his incredible parenting skills and took a shot at his ex-wife, declaring, "I don't give a damn that you're 12-years-old or 11-years-old, or a child, or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass who doesn't care about what you do." The irate Baldwin went on to say, "You've made me feel like s**t" and threatened to "straighten your ass out." Before hanging up, Baldwin warned the child, "You better be ready Friday the 20th to meet with me." That meeting of child and parent won’t be happening, thankfully!! On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Superior Court commissioner heard the tape and temporarily suspended Baldwin's visitation rights. A hearing is set for May 4, where the judge could permanently deny Baldwin visitation or contact with Ireland. A friend of Alec’s says that the actor called Ireland last week and apologized for his outburst. Baldwin’s publicist also released this statement, "In the best interest of the child, Alec will do what the mother is pathologically incapable of doing ... keeping his mouth shut and obeying the court order. The mother and her lawyer leaked this sealed material in violation of a court order. Although Alec acknowledges that he should have used different language in parenting his child, everyone who knows him privately knows what he has been put through for the past six years." As for Kim’s take, her publicist only had this to say... "The voicemail speaks for itself." (4-20-07)

LATEST ROUND IN DANNIELYNN CUSTODY BATTLE

Yet another hearing to determine custody of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn, just finished up in the Bahamas. Since a gag order is in effect, the specifics of what happen today haven’t been released. But Larry Birkhead, the baby’s biological father, emerged from the courtroom with a big smile on his face. He told the waiting press, quote, "I gotta call my travel agent," suggesting that he was getting very close to taking daughter Dannielynn home. Minutes later, Howard K. Stern emerged from the courtroom and slammed Virgie Arthur, Smith’s estranged mother, for holding up the custody process, saying that she "proved herself to be what Anna Nicole always told me." Virgie Arthur is seeking guaranteed visitation of Dannielynn and wants to be her guardian in the event of Larry's death. Virgie slipped away from the courthouse without a word, furthering speculation that she isn’t going to get what she wants. (4-20-07)

EVEN BRITNEY’S FAMILY IS EMBARRASSED BY HER

Earlier this week Britney lashed out, blaming everyone but herself for her on-going troubles. Well now her own father, Jamie, is responding in a very public way. The elder Spears is coming to the defense of Britney's on again/off again manager Larry Rudolph, who Brit canned last week because she thinks he forced her into rehab even though she didn’t need it. In an interview, Jamie says, quote, "When Larry Rudolph talked Britney into going into rehab, he was doing what her mother, father and team of professionals with over 100 years of experience knew needed to be done. She was out of control. Larry was the one chosen by the team to roll up his sleeves and deliver the message, to help save her life. The Spears family would like to publicly apologize to Larry for our daughter's statements about him over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, she blames him and her family for where she is at today with her kids and career. Larry has always been there for Britney. For this, we will forever be grateful to him." Not surprisingly, Britney isn’t too thrilled that her dad is speaking out. Through her publicist she released this statement… "I am praying for my father. We have never had a good relationship. It's sad that all the men that have been in my life do not know how to accept a real woman's love. I am concentrating on my work and my life right now." That’s what you call killing two birds with one stone… Not only did she take a dig at her dad, but she also took a swipe at Kevin Federline, who currently has primary custody of the former couple’s two children. While even Britney’s family speaks out against her behavior, there is apparently at least one person out there sticking by her and defending her. An un-named friend of Spears says, quote, "[Britney] had no drugs in her system when she was admitted to Promises - they [tested her] and there was nothing. She was embarrassed she had to go in there when she knew she was suffering from postpartum depression, not a drug or alcohol problem." As for the bizarre head-shaving incident, this pal says, "Britney's aunt had just died of cancer. She was feeling very guilty because she hadn't been there with her, she was overwhelmingly depressed and she shaved her head in solidarity." It’s worth noting that rumors say that it’s actually Britney who planted these quotes in the media. As for Larry Rudolph, a friend of his says quote, "Britney obviously has a lot of issues . . . Larry's trying to lay low and letting her act out, but . . . he doesn't want to see her wind up like Anna Nicole Smith. He won't get into a public fight with her - yet. This is about saving her from herself." (4-20-07)

BRANGELINA IN TROUBLE?

Have you heard the rumor floating around that Brangelina is days away from announcing a break-up? One tabloid started the gossip by printing a story that had an anonymous source saying that the relationship between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was on its last legs. This source said their relationship had been going “downhill” since the birth of their child Shiloh last May and, quote, “It was too much too soon, especially for Brad. They're bickering an awful lot these days. They're like an old married couple with kids -- and they never even got married." Well, not everything you read is to be believed. Jolie’s rep has made a rare comment about the couple, saying quote, "They are together and very happy.” In addition to the rep's denial, by all appearances, the couple seems to be embracing domestic life. Over the weekend, Brad and his daughter Zahara were seen popping into Baskin Robbins for an ice cream cake while mom waiting in the car7\ On Monday, Pitt and Jolie were spotted dropping off son Pax Thien and Zahara at an L.A. day care center. Two days earlier, (4-19-07)

JOAN AND MELISSA FIRED!

There’s a massive shake-up going down in the world of Hollywood awards show. The two most recognizable figures on the red carpet may just be MIA!!!  The TV Guide Channel has canned veteran red carpeters Joan & Melissa Rivers. To add insult to injury, they’re being replaced by a ex soap actress and reality star… Lisa Rinna!! Rinna has signed a multi-year contract with the network, which will see her hosting five red carpet pre-shows and five fashion recap shows, beginning with the Emmy Awards in September. TV Guide says they chose Rinna because, "In addition to being an established TV star, she also has fashion expertise as both a business person and commentator." Who knew??? Just exactly why Joan and Melissa got the axe is unclear, but the channel released the following statement…"TV Guide Channel is very appreciative of Joan and Melissa Rivers' contributions to the success of our Red Carpet programming over the past three years. We wish them the best in their future endeavors." Translation… don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!! While it is not known where the mother/daughter team will end up next, Joan’s rep says quote, "I will tell you my true feelings and experiences, as soon as we finalize our new deal."

KATIE HOLMES REACHING OUT?

Apparently, when the Tom is away, the Kat will play… Several sources say that Katie Holmes has been reaching out to old friends and family that she hasn’t talked to since becoming one part of Tomkat. Most say the main reason Katie is getting in touch is because she’s away from her husband while shooting her next film in Louisiana. Without Tom’s watchful eye on her, Katie’s she's been getting chatting with old friends for the first time in months and she’s even planning to visit her family in Ohio. A family friend says, quote, "She's trying to make amends with her family.” She's also reportedly been "secretly talking to pastors" to reconnect with her Catholic faith. Holmes is apparently even thinking about enrolling her daughter, Suri, into CCD classes so that she’s familiar with the Holmes family’s religion. Guess Tom’s mind control can’t travel too many miles!! (4-19-07)

THE ROMANCE ROUND-UP FOR THURSDAY APR. 19^TH

Tons of rumors are out there that two Hollywood couples have split. One couple is trying to end the gossip, while the other is just adding fuel to the fire. The first couple in question… Jessica Alba and her boyfriend, producer Cash Warren. For the last few weeks, several reports said that the couple was kaput, but last night the pair was out on the town together looking very lovey dovey. Is either they’re back on or they were never off to begin with! On the other end of the spectrum, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Rumors persist that the couple is over. Just adding to the speculation, Ryan brought his mom as his date to his latest movie premiere, plus Ryan wouldn’t comment about his relationship. In fact, when asked where Rachel was, Gosling just ignored the question. Several sources close to “The Notebook” couple say they’re “definitely over”. On a happier note… first came love, then came an engagement and now from what I hear comes the baby carriage for Usher. Reports claim that the R&B singer and his stylist fiancé, Tameka Foster, are expecting their first child together.

BIRKHEAD SELLS PHOTOS OF HIM AND BABY

While he’s been a media darling for months, the tabloids are now taking aim at Larry Birkhead. This week several rags are have claims about Larry ranging from being a deadbeat, IRS-defrauding shoplifter, to be a child-abandoning secretly gay man who parties 'till the wee hours of the morning. Obviously Larry isn’t too happy about the reports and he’s decided to do something about it. Birkhead has hired ferocious celebrity lawyer Marty Singer to sue some of the tabs for defamation of character. Sources say that Larry has told Singer that a few tabs have lashed out at him because he sealed a deal with OK magazine to publish the first pictures of him with his daughter, Dannielynn. OK paid dearly for those photos, but before you believe he’s already taking advantage of his new fatherhood… ALL the money is going directly into a trust account for the baby. The pics and an interview with Larry will be in the latest issue of OK! (4-18-07)

LARRY’S REVEALING INTERVIEW

Last hour we told you that Larry Birkhead scored big money from OK! Magazine for the first exclusive pictures of him and his daughter with Anna Nicole Smith. All the money from the sell is going into a trust for the little girl. In the issue, Larry poses with Dannielynn and he also gives an interview. He talks openly about his feeling towards the other major players in the ongoing drama surrounding the life and death of Smith. Birkhead states that contrary to what people may think, Anna's alleged lover and longtime lawyer, Howard K. Stern, has been "a great help" with baby, and adds, “I actually feel sorry for Howard." As far as Anna's estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, is concerned, Larry says she’s not his enemy, but quote, "If she wants to be a grandmother, she can be a grandmother, my mom wants to be a grandmother too, but I'm not going to sign a paper saying so, it's just not right." So yes she can have a relationship with Dannielynn, but Birkhead plans to be her one and only guardian. Another custody hearing for Dannielynn is scheduled for Friday in the Bahamas. The judge has indicated that he wants there to be an agreement made between the parties outside the courtroom, but reports say Arthur is refusing to drop her quest for custody because Birkhead is refusing to sign a paper saying that anything happens to him, Arthur would get custody. (4-18-07)

SIMON SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Just how much Sanjaya sucked last night isn’t the only thing about “American Idol” that people are talking about today. There’s some controversy surrounding who else… Simon! After his performance last night, Chris Robinson, who’s from Virginia, offered his condolences to the families of the victims at Virginia Tech. Right after he was done speaking, the camera panned to Simon Cowell, who was quite obviously rolling his eyes. It wasn’t pretty. Well, Simon is trying to set the record straight today. He says, "I couldn't hear what Chris had said. I was talking to Paula. My reaction (rolling my eyes) was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing." It's true, that when the judges are off camera they frequently jab at each other as the singers do their thing. Often the camera will pick up their reaction to each other, but it looks like they are reacting to what’s happening on stage. Simon went on to say, quote, “When I watched the show back, I was horrified." So while, yes, Simon can be a big ole meanie, he isn’t that callous or horrible. (4-18-07)

BRITNEY BLAMING OTHERS FOR HER CRAZINESS?

Britney Spears apparently blames two people for her crazy behavior… her manager and Paris Hilton, of all people. Larry Rudolph, who helped Britney start her career and then was re-hired as her manager after her break-up from Kevin Federline, was the one to introduce Brit to Paris. And Spears reportedly feels that if she hadn’t have become BFFs with Hilton, that her image wouldn’t have ever taken a beating and her party ways wouldn’t have led to her trip to rehab. In fact, most say that Britney still doesn’t believe she even needed rehab and that it was Larry who forced into treatment against her will. Some sources claim that Britney has fired Larry again because of all of this, but Larry says that he is still the singer’s manager. In fact, Britney reportedly signed a multi-year deal with Larry when she re-hired him last year, so Brit may be yet again stuck in a relation ship she doesn’t want to be in! (4-17-07)

J.LO AND MARC SUING MAD!

If there’s one couple I wouldn’t mess with in Hollywood it’s probably Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony… (they just seem like they can be scary if need be, she is Jenny from the block, after all!) One tabloid is about to learn that lesson. The couple is about to file several lawsuits against the National Enquirer in the United Kingdom because the magazine printed a story that claim both Lopez and Anthony were involved in a heroin scandal.

The March 2007 article was printed in British and Irish editions of the Enquirer. It accused both the pair of being "caught up in a heroin scandal." The Enquirer also printed a photo of Anthony standing with photographer Michael Star, who is facing heroin and child pornography charges in the United States. The couple is demanding "a six figure settlement," an apology and a retraction, or they plan use the relaxed libel laws in the U.K. to try to wipe out the tabloid completely. (4-17-07)

THE ROMANCE ROUND-UP FOR TUESDAY APR. 17TH

Is there trouble in paradise for the couple from “The Notebook”? Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams took their steamy romance from the big screen to real life, but now happily ever after may be in question? Reports say the couple is “taking a break”. One source says, quote, "[Rachel] is taking it really hard because Ryan is everything to her," while another says, quote, "Ryan was in love with her, but it didn't work out because of their conflicting work schedules. They're both miserable. Hopefully they'll get back together soon." However McAdams rep says the gossip is, quote, “completely false”. Another couple facing hard times… Hulk and Linda Hogan. According to insiders, the reality stars are, quote, “going through a very hard time and their marriage is under a lot of strain." One report even claims that Mrs. Hogan has been consulting with a divorce lawyer. But Hulk’s manager says, “There's ups and downs in every marriage. I was with them last weekend in Miami shooting the show “Hogan Knows Best” and everything seemed fine." And finally… are they a match in R & B heaven? The latest gossip is that Rihanna and Omarian are hooking-up. But they must be trying to keep it quiet because Rihanna is outright denying any romance.

MALAWIANS PROTECTING MADONNA AND FAMILY

Madonna and two of her children have officially landed in the African nation of Malawi. While several reports claim that Madge is there to adopt another child from the country, sources say that she is actually there to check the progress of her women and children's charity, Raising Malawi, which she founded last year when she started the process of adopting little David Banda from the country. One thing is for sure, the local are doing their best to protect the family from the legion of journalists who are there to document the trip. Malawi police and stone-throwing students blocked photographers from covering Madonna’s visit to the Home of Hope orphanage yesterday, where David was slated to be briefly reunited with his biological father for a private visit. Every move of Madonna, David, and her daughter, Lourdes, have been followed by hordes of media since landing in Malawi, but the visit to the orphanage was kept private. Wow… celeb’s take note… hire some folks to throw stones and you could actually keep your private life, private! (4-17-07)

KATIE GETS PROTECTION TO SHOP

Shopping at target come be crazy enough because everyone wants those fantastic deals… but imagine if you were a huge star in a smaller town that need to make a run to Tar-ghet. When Katie Holmes need to get the good deal while filming in Louisiana, she called in the big guns. After getting spooked by a pair of photographers en route to the store, the actress had her handlers call the local police, who came to the rescue, escorting Holmes inside and trailing her as she browsed for clothes for herself and daughter, Suri. She wasn’t totally hands off with other customers, though. One witness says that Mrs. Cruise did stop to sign some autographs. When aksed about the police presence with Katie, her rep said, quote, “The production office gave Katie the name of the chief of police and told her to call if she felt she needed it.” Guess she needed it, just hope nothing else important was going in the town since the police were occupied! (4-17-07)