Today's news you might've missed:

• Everyone can breathe a little easier now that it doesn't look like Barbara Walters, 82, is retiring next year as reports initially suggested. “I just got off the phone with Barbara," an ABC News rep tells CNN. "She’s been joking about retiring every year since the Clinton administration. Anyone who just did a daytrip to Syria, a 90 minute special [Wednesday] night, and an interview with the President and First Lady today, hardly sounds like anyone retiring from anything.” [TMZ]
• Russell Brand has some serious plans to infiltrate your TV viewing. He not only has an animated show in the works, but he's also made a deal to do a late-night comedy show with FX. [EW]
• Natalie Portman reportedly feels your pain about Patty Jenkins leaving the "Thor 2" director's chair, as she's said to be "furious" about it. [THR]
• Michael Buble continues his reign on the Billboard charts, holding on to his No. 1 spot with his "Christmas" album that's sold 1.5 million. [MTV]
• Janet Jackson tells "Extra" that she supports her niece Paris's move into movies, but that she does wish she'd simply "enjoy her childhood." [Extra]

Thursday was a good day for some celebrities in Hollywood.

With the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations, some stars spoke with CNN about their reaction to the kudos from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Here's what a few of the stars had to say: FULL POST

At the end of “The Artist,” rising star Peppy Miller finally receives the fame and recognition she deserves. And now the same can be said for the actress who plays her, Bérénice Bejo.

On Thursday, Bejo earned the Golden Globe nomination for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a motion picture for her portrayal in “The Artist.” She also nabbed a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for the same movie and category the day before.

“The Artist” follows a silent film actor, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), from the peak of his success in 1927 to his sudden fall to oblivion with the arrival of the talkies and the rise of his young co-star and eventual love interest, Miller.

FULL POST

Twenty-five years ago this week, the dream comedy team of Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short (in his big screen debut) was first unleashed upon the public in "Three Amigos!"

Unfortunately for them, the trio couldn't compete with the star power of Eddie Murphy that particular weekend at the box office in 1986, and lost out to "The Golden Child." (The critics weren't kind, either.)

However, "Three Amigos!" became one of the many beneficiaries of the advent of home video in the 1980s. Between that, and the movie becoming a mainstay in syndication, it soon joined the pantheon of endlessly-quoted '80s comedy classics, like "Caddyshack," "Airplane!" and "The Blues Brothers" (also directed by "Amigos'" John Landis).

FULL POST

Madonna's first new album in five years is ready to roll out in late March, Interscope Records confirmed Thursday. To top it off, the 53-year-old has also inked a new three-album deal with the label.

The album's first single, “Gimme All Your Luvin,” will be released the last week in January, just in time for the Grammy-winning singer’s February 5 Super Bowl halftime appearance.

Madonna previously signed on to a extensive deal with Live Nation in 2007 that includes merchandising, new albums, DVDs, touring, and television and film projects, among other things. Now that Interscope is involved, Live Nation Entertainment’s Chairman of Global Music & CEO of Global Touring, Arthur Fogel, enthuses, “We look forward to a great partnership.”

FULL POST

The last time viewers saw Ben Flajnik, he was feeling the sting of Ashley Hebert turning down his proposal on this summer's edition of "The Bachelorette."

But Flajnik overcame the rejection, returning to California to work on his winery, hang out with friends and family, and even spend time with actress Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Now, Flajnik is stepping back into the spotlight, this time as the newest "Bachelor."  The 16th season of the ABC series, premiering January 2, features 25 women competing for Flajnik's hand in marriage.

FULL POST

This week on “Cold Case: Emeril Lagasse,” the 12 remaining cheftestants took on booze and boars.

But the biggest hurdle was Heather The Steamroller, who has gleefully embraced the path of villainy like some sort of comfort-food-cooking Harvey Dent.

We began with the booze. For the Quickfire, chefs had to pair their dishes with tequila. But not just any tequila! Tequila Don Julio, “the original ultra-premium tequila.” Because mere regular-premium tequila just wouldn't be good enough.

FULL POST

He’s been hinting about it, but now it’s official: NBC announced Thursday that Howard Stern is joining “America’s Got Talent" as a judge.

The radio personality, 57, will give feedback on the hopeful future stars auditioning for the competition show. Former judge Piers Morgan bid farewell in November, and he's happy with his replacement.

"Congrats to @HowardStern on landing my #AmericasGotTalent judging gig – he'll be outrageous, hilarious, dangerous & brilliant," the "Piers Morgan Tonight" host tweeted Thursday. "Can't wait."

FULL POST

According to New York magazine's Vulture, execs behind the upcoming movie “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” may have reason to worry that women won't show up to see it.

The film is based on Stieg Larsson’s best-seller, and although it boasts a large female readership, some audience polling suggests that ladies aren’t expressing interest in seeing David Fincher's adaptation on the big screen.

Vulture cites polling that shows a large swath of women both over and under 25 who are aware of the movie, but only 36 percent on either side of that age have expressed "definite interest" in seeing it.

FULL POST

Diane Keaton dished about past beaus while discussing her memoir, “Then Again,” on "Ellen" Tuesday, and gave the low-down on the one that got away: Steve Jobs.

Keaton, 65, says she met Jobs in the late ‘70s, when the late computer genius was her NYC neighbor.

Steve wanted to meet the “Annie Hall” star, so she went over for a visit. But things went downhill fast.

FULL POST