Brothers say Britney’s song oddly familiar
January 12th, 2011
06:23 PM ET

Brothers say Britney’s song oddly familiar

When David and Howard Bellamy listened to Britney’s Spears’ newly released single, “Hold It Against Me,” they flashed back to 1979.

The country duo, known as The Bellamy Brothers, found it awfully similar to their hit, “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me.”

“That little song went #1 and has since become one of the defining songs of our career," David Bellamy said in a press release. "If you listen to the lyrics of Britney Spears’ new single, ‘Hold It Against Me,’ you’ll find some major similarities. Howard and I have no personal beef with Britney. She’s a talented gal. But professionally, well, in all honesty, we feel completely ripped off.”

FULL POST

'Modern Family' was to star Lisa Kudrow
January 12th, 2011
04:10 PM ET

'Modern Family' was to star Lisa Kudrow

The "Modern Family" cast may have amazing chemistry, but quite a few of them almost didn't make it onto the show.

TV writer/producer Stephen Falk recently posted the original casting breakdown/wish list for the hit ABC series on his website, and Sofia Vergara (Gloria) and Ty Burrell (Phil) were the only shoo-ins.

"Coach" star Craig T. Nelson was wanted for the Ed O'Neill role of Jay, while former "Friends" star Lisa Kudrow was the top pick to play Julie Bowen's Claire.

FULL POST

'Parenthood': Meet the new (really young) boss
January 12th, 2011
04:03 PM ET

'Parenthood': Meet the new (really young) boss

Adam's job situation just got a bit more complicated.

While his old boss was a grown man who acted like a big kid, the new boss, Cory, is a grown man who looks like a kid. In fact, Adam mistook him for a delivery boy.

He’s a like, skateboarding gamer who, you know, made the money he used to buy the shoe company writing radical video games. And he hugs. While wearing flannel. Adam is not going to last. It’s not at all helpful (but highly amusing) when Kristina pays more attention to Cory’s video game than to Adam’s complaints about Cory.

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Parenthood • television • TV recaps
Natalie Portman on why she hasn't bought baby clothes
January 12th, 2011
03:58 PM ET

Natalie Portman on why she hasn't bought baby clothes

Natalie Portman may be thrilled about her upcoming role as a new mom, but she isn't rushing out to buy baby clothes just yet.

“I’m very superstitious. I'm very Jewish that way," she tells CNN. "We don’t do that."

Portman, who is reportedly due this summer, also appears to be in no hurry to fill her closet with maternity wear.

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Celebrities • movies
Ed Westwick added to J. Edgar Hoover biopic
January 12th, 2011
03:56 PM ET

Ed Westwick added to J. Edgar Hoover biopic

Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic just got a new cast member: "Gossip Girl" star Ed Westwick.

Deadline.com reports that the 23-year-old British actor has signed on to play Agent Smith, a clean-cut operative hired by Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) to write his biography. But things suddenly turn tricky when Smith gets a little too close to the truth.

Meanwhile Charlize Theron, who was attached to play Hoover's personal secretary Helen Gandy, has decided not to do "J. Edgar" in favor of playing the Evil Queen in the live-action fairy tale "Snow White and the Huntsman." Director Eastwood is reportedly eyeing Naomi Watts and Amy Adams as her replacement.

Meanwhile, Vulture reports that Theron is also being wooed to appear in Ridley Scott's upcoming "Alien" prequel. Scott is said to be casting Swedish "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" star Noomi Rapace in the lead, but Theron is being considered for the part of sexy fortysomething crew member Vickers.

A few questions for Snooki...
January 12th, 2011
03:40 PM ET

A few questions for Snooki...

"Jersey Shore" is clearly attempting to take over every inch of pop culture, what with their headline-grabbing ratings and past forays into music, and one of the show's most famed cast members has been doing her own due diligence promoting her book, "A Shore Thing."

Yes, the fictionalized account of the summertime antics of two 20-something cousins/BFFs on - where else? - the Jersey Shore was written by one Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, who's been working hard talking up her debut novel.

CNN caught up with Snooki the other night, fresh off her taping of Letterman's Top Ten List on the "Late Show," to squeeze in a few incredibly pertinent questions before she headed to a book signing.

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Jersey Shore • television
'Project Runway' star on life with HIV
January 12th, 2011
02:53 PM ET

'Project Runway' star on life with HIV

As part of "Anderson Cooper 360°'s" special "Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS" – which marks the 30th anniversary of the very first AIDS diagnosis - "Project Runway" star Mondo Guerra will open up about living with HIV.

Guerra will join guests including Sir Elton John, Sharon Stone, Mo'nique and many others for the hour-long program airing Friday, which will focus on stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS, how various methods of prevention may perhaps have ended the spread of the disease years ago and take a look at recent medical research and breakthroughs.

Guerra, who is HIV positive, spoke to CNN about the challenges he faces daily, his hopes for the future and, of course, fashion.

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Project Runway • television
Heather Morris raps: It's 'Nuthin' but a Glee Thang'
January 12th, 2011
02:14 PM ET

Heather Morris raps: It's 'Nuthin' but a Glee Thang'

She may not be "Glee"s" most vocal cast member, but Heather Morris — who plays mumbling Brittany S. Pierce — is stealing the spotlight with a new Funny or Die video in which she raps about her fellow co-stars.

The "Nuthin' but a Glee Thang" video opens with two girls at a slumber party arguing about which star of the hit Fox series is the hottest. One nominates Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuester), and the other, Cory Monteith (Finn). Suddenly, Morris chimes in.

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Celebrities • Glee • television
Mark Wahlberg: Why I stopped smoking pot
January 12th, 2011
01:54 PM ET

Mark Wahlberg: Why I stopped smoking pot

Here's the deal on why Mark Wahlberg stopped smoking pot: He did it for his children.

Accepting the Indie Impact Award at the January 9 Palm Springs Film Festival, the star of "The Fighter" remarked that the trophy resembled a bong.

"But I don't use those anymore," he noted, according to Us Weekly. "I stopped smoking weed for my kids."

FULL POST

Post by:
Filed under: Celebrities • movies
Three actors exit 'Law & Order: Los Angeles'
January 12th, 2011
01:51 PM ET

Three actors exit 'Law & Order: Los Angeles'

It’s only in its first season, but already “Law & Order: Los Angeles” is making big changes.

The newest member of Dick Wolf’s franchise is losing a few actors, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Skeet Ulrich (Detective Rex Winters), Regina Hall (assistant district attorney Evelyn Price) and Megan Boone (deputy district attorney Lauren Stanton) have left the show. Other cast members include movie stars Terrence Howard and Alfred Molina.

The series was picked up for a full season in October.

   older posts »
Advertisement
About this blog

Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.

Previous Next
@CNNShowbiz on Twitter
Twitter icon
Nigel Lythgoe previews 'Idol' finale, big 'SYTYCD' changes http://t.co/Yz1CLtGo 9:56 pm UTC, May 22 2012
Twitter icon
Estefan on playing mom in 'Glee' finale http://t.co/8xnuP34d 9:42 pm UTC, May 22 2012
Twitter icon
John Mayer says his 'Shadow Days' are over http://t.co/kANCHuhU 8:04 pm UTC, May 22 2012
Twitter icon
'Bad' reissued in deluxe edition http://t.co/sslu1VIz 6:41 pm UTC, May 22 2012
Advertisement
Advertisement