While you were working...Today's news you might've missed:
James Spader is the new CEO of 'The Office'Among the most memorable applicants to replace Michael Scott on last May's season finale of "The Office" was Robert California, played – quite creepily, I might add - by James Spader, best known in recent years for racking up Emmys on "The Practice" and "Boston Legal." Great news for fans of his character: It's not enough for Mr. California to be in charge of a branch of Sabre Dunder-Mifflin - he's taking over the whole shebang! Spader will be replacing Kathy Bates' no-nonsense Jo Bennett as CEO of the company. When Bates' series "Harry's Law" was picked up for a second season, her days were numbered as a recurring actress on "The Office." Beyonce's '4' enters Billboard chart at No. 1Now Beyonce has another reason to love the number four. The 29-year-old is back on top of the Billboard 200 again with her latest solo offering, "4." The album, which was leaked three weeks early and noted as thus far lacking a standout hit single, takes the No. 1 spot with 310,000 units sold, Billboard reports. But while it’s another No. 1 album, it’s also her lowest first week of sales: “I Am…Sasha Fierce” sold 482,000 when it arrived in 2008, “B’Day” moved 541,000 in 2006, and even her 2003 solo debut “Dangerously in Love” notched a touch higher with 317,000 in the first week. Nonetheless, it’s still the third highest sales week so far, trailing behind Lady Gaga’s 1.1 million bow with "Born This Way" and Adele’s 351,000 sold in "21's" first week. Mo money, mo problems: When the rich and famous go brokeSonja Morgan might have to petition for a new show title if the "Real Housewives of New York" star loses her house. In a divorce case, Morgan - who declared bankruptcy in November 2010 - is attempting to settle a $3 million judgement from her ex-husband and millionaire John Adams Morgan. "I'm sure the world thinks, 'Sonja doesn't have to worry, she's got that husband there for her.' But I'm on my own," Morgan told the New York Post. An anonymous source added to E! Online that Morgan wants to keep the home "for her daughter, but it seems she'll have to sell it and lose it altogether." Morgan's not the only one who's publicly faced financial dilemmas - check out the gallery above for more. 'Glee' stars team up with YouTube sensationThe cast of "Glee" knows a little something about lip-synching. So does Keenan Cahill, the teen who has wracked up millions of views with viral videos on YouTube for lip-synching covers of hits. "Glee" cast members Dianna Agron, Darren Criss, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Harry Shum, Jr. recently joined Cahill for a performance of Katy Perry's “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).” FULL POST Barbara Walters to sit down with Jose BaezCasey Anthony's lawyer Jose Baez is opening up, and the first person he’s turning to is Barbara Walters. The veteran journalist is interviewing Baez in the lawyer’s first network interview since the verdict was handed down in Anthony’s case. In an hour-long “Nightline” special called “Casey Anthony Not Guilty: Inside the Bombshell Verdict,” Walters will pepper Baez about his strategy in the courtroom, Anthony’s demeanor and why he thinks she was found not guilty of murder, among other topics. 'Pretty Little Liars': If the horseshoe fits...Every time I’m about to give up on "Pretty Little Liars," it reminds me why I watch in the first place. Last night’s episode was the first time since season 2 kicked off last month that I was actually excited to relive the events through my own recap. So, without further ado: Lady Gaga: I'm not using the gay community to sell recordsLady Gaga is one of the celebs who's been a champion for equal rights, but it seems her activism has caused some to question as to whether she's using her relationship with the gay community to eke out a greater profit. In an interview with the Advocate, the 25-year-old superstar calls such skepticism "ridiculous." “To say that I would use the gay community to sell records is probably one of the most ridiculous statements anyone can make about me as a person," she tells the magazine in its August issue. "I would say the top thing I think about every single day of my life, other than my fans, loving the music, and my family being healthy, is social justice and equality.” Jolie, SJP tie for top of highest paid actress listWhich Hollywood woman is making the most bank? It's a toss-up - between Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker. Forbes has unveiled its top earning women in Hollywood list with Jolie and SJP sitting at the top, having each taken in an estimated $30 million between May of 2010 and May of 2011. Forbes came up with their estimations by chatting up industry insiders, and the earnings reflect pretax gross income, and doesn't account for any deductions for management, agent or attorney fees. Jolie, 36, added "Salt" and "The Tourist" to her resume in 2010, and while the latter may not have impressed many stateside it certainly did overseas. Thanks to international support, the movie, co-starring Johnny Depp, went on to make $280 million. Pia Toscano lands a record dealPia Toscano didn’t come close to taking the title on “American Idol” – to the outrage of viewers, she didn't make it into the Top 8 – but the singer didn’t need it. According to a statement, Interscope Records has signed the songstress, and an album is expected to arrive later this year. Her first single, "This Time" - penned by singer-songwriter Ester Dean, who's written Rihanna's "Rude Boy" and "What's My Name" - will be released on July 12. Right after her shocking ouster from "Idol," rumors spread that Toscano indeed was signing on with Interscope head and "Idol" mentor Jimmy Iovine's label, but she told "Showbiz Tonight's" A.J. Hammer that it wasn't yet a done deal. "Jimmy Iovine was an amazing mentor during my time on Idol and I'm looking forward to working with him and everyone at Interscope Records and 19 Recordings," Toscano said. "This is a dream come true." |
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Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.
'Idol' winners: Where are they now? http://t.co/xSsJ3nFs 9:05 pm UTC, May 23 2012
Shirley Manson on Garbage http://t.co/F40e1iya 9:05 pm UTC, May 23 2012
Have a question for Tia or Tamera Mowry? Here's your chance to ask! Act fast and submit an iReport: http://t.co/Ts1ZS6TV 7:22 pm UTC, May 23 2012
Donna Summer's friends gather for disco queen's funeral http://t.co/cm84Zgvx 5:47 pm UTC, May 23 2012
The trailer for Baz Luhrmann's 'Great Gatsby' has arrived -- watch it here: http://t.co/xLlTUdrN 3:03 pm UTC, May 23 2012
Marquee's lists to follow:
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