Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Sarah Palin's Monday appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was a big boost for Oprah's ratings: The Hollywood Reporter says that the last time her viewership was that good was in 2007 when the entire Osmond family appeared on the show.

Miley Cyrus is not a fan of the "Twilight" saga, EW.com reports. Cyrus told an Ohio radio station, "I’ve never seen [Twilight], and nor will I ever." Turns out she is not big on vampires and werewolves in general.

Variety reports that Jennifer Hudson has been cast as Winnie Mandela, wife of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, in the upcoming biopic "Winnie."

"Harry Potter" himself will appear on a future episode of "The Simpsons," EW.com reports. Daniel Radcliffe is the latest celebrity guest star for the show, now celebrating 20 years.

Britney Spears and the devil? If you'd logged on to her Twitter account recently, that might have been the impression.

Hackers appear to have struck the singer’s Twitter account on Thursday, altering her wallpaper and posting the following tweets:

“I give myself to Lucifer every day for it to arrive as quickly as possible. Glory to Satan!”

“i hope that the new world order will arrive as soon as possible! -Britney”

The Illuminati wallpaper and offending tweets were quickly removed. #DontHackBritneySpears later appeared as a popular trending topic on Twitter.

Such occurrences are not rare in the celebrity twitterverse and it’s not the first time @BritneySpears has been targeted by hackers. In June, a tweet was posted claiming that the pop star had died.

Taylor Swift says she was surprised to win Entertainer of the Year at Wednesday night's 53rd Annual CMA Awards - but apparently, she was the only one who had any doubt.

On the red carpet heading into Nashville's Sommet Center, just about everyone we polled, from Reba McEntire to Kris Kristofferson, predicted the 19-year-old country phenom would walk away with the top prize - the youngest to do so, and the first female solo artist to be named Entertainer of the Year in a decade.

Her win broke Kenny Chesney's four-year lock on the category, and right before Swift took the stage to accept the award, Chesney whispered something into her ear. Backstage after the show, Swift told us the two were just saying how much they loved each other.

Journalists in the main press room prodded her about Kanye West, as well as her rumored beau, Taylor Lautner. She deflected the Kanye question by saying good-naturedly, "I'm so excited to be here. Aren't you excited to be here?" In response to the query about her love life, she simply said, "Huh? What?" and pretended she didn't understand the question.

Swift has been impressive since she took the world by storm with her self-titled debut album three years ago, and even those she beat out for the crown had admiring words. Brad Paisley - who has yet to win the accolade despite being nominated five times - reminisced about how he'd taken her on the road as his opening act, and joked that he'd no longer be accepting opening acts.

Interesting fly-on-the-wall moment ... witnessing a conversation between veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer and Paisley, where they made plans for Schieffer to "come out to the farm."

The CMA Awards are billed as "country music's biggest night" - and this year, it also officially signified a changing of the guard. Lady Antebellum scored an upset victory over Rascal Flatts, who've been unstoppable for six straight years as Group of the Year. Backstage, the young trio (Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood) talked about how they're taking home trophies before they deserve them (the group's sophomore album won't be released until January). There were plans to meet up at Charles' house for an after-party after the after-party, then have breakfast at Hillary's mom and dad's home.

Charles also mentioned something about making a run to Krystal for a burger (for you West Coasters, the Nashville equivalent of driving through In-N-Out in your limo after winning a Grammy).

At 43, Best New Artist Darius Rucker chuckled that he was the "oldest winner in that category of all time." He said he'd received congratulatory text messages from his Hootie and the Blowfish bandmates, but that his three young kids back in Charleston, South Carolina, were blissfully unaware he'd won. Rucker said he'd call them in the morning and break the news.

"They had to go to bed ... that was the deal," he said. "This may change how the world perceives me, but at home, I'm just Dad."

Prior to tabloid reports that her husband  Josh Duhamel had an affair with an Atlanta stripper, Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie told the Advocate magazine that she has some strict rules about cheating in her marriage.

That interview now appears in the December-January issue of the Advocate. Fergie told the magazine that her rules for cheating also apply for same-sex relationships.

“I've had a lot of fun with women, and I'm not ashamed of it," she told the magazine. "But just because I enjoy women doesn't mean I'm allowed to have affairs in my relationship."

Fergie said she came to this conclusion with the help of a therapist and that she has shared her history of same sex relationships with her husband Josh. “"I learned through talking with my therapist that it is still cheating even if it's with girls, so there is a rule there."

The interview has been released amid rumors that Duhamel had an affair with an Atlanta stripper named Nicole Forrester. Fergie has released a statement calling the stripper’s allegations “nonsense."

Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, is appearing in the soon to be released movie musical “Nine” as Saraghina, an Italian prostitute who seduces a young filmmaker. She also told the magazine that she could relate to her character flirting with and seducing a younger man.

“There will be teenage boys at my shows, so sometimes I’m seducing them from the stage. It’s not like anything’s going to happen - it’s very playful and flirtatious - but it’s funny because I’m 34 and they’re 14. So I get that about Saraghina.”

There's Young Hollywood, and then there's Young Nashville - bright, beautiful young music stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Jake Owen. But at the "57th Annual BMI Country Awards," the buzz was all about Kris Kristofferson, who was named the songwriting organization's 2009 Icon.

At 73, Kristofferson still has "It" - the charismatic swagger, the blue eyes that see the world with unflinching truth, the ability to tell gritty, haunting stories set to song, like "Sunday Mornin' Coming Down, " "Help Me Make it Through the Night" and "Me and Bobby McGee."

"You just look at him, and it's the lines on his face that tell stories. It's his hair. I know it sounds odd, but the guy's revered in a way that's usually in the same sentence with people like Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson," said Owen, who'd just introduced himself to "Mr. Kristofferson" a couple of minutes earlier.

Heidi Newfield added, "When he did 'A Star is Born,' he had women taking cold showers all over the world. He had a charisma, and sexy just oozes all over him. But you add this with the fact that he's a Rhodes scholar, and he chose this path rather than becoming a professor (Kristofferson turned down a teaching post at West Point to become a janitor in Nashville) - I think we're all the better for it."

Kristofferson broke down and sobbed for a moment, as Vince Gill, Patti Griffin and longtime pal Willie Nelson sang a touching trio of some of his best-loved songs. "The great thing about being a songwriter is you can hear your baby interpreted by so many people that have creative talents vocally that I don't have," he confided to us earlier on the red carpet. He laughed when reminded of how he came to Nashville in 1965, and gave up a promising career in academia for an uncertain future in the music biz. "My mother thought I was crazy," he admits. "I never doubted once that I was in the right place."

Last week, it was an abandoned feed store in downtown Nashville. This week, it's an Alan Jackson pop-up store featuring hats, shirts, mugs, coasters, barbecue sauce and other items bearing the country music legend's name or likeness.

There are replicas of his signature white cowboy hat ... a miniature version of his touring trailer for $44.99 ... and a jacquard throw with a picture of Jackson's face woven into the fabric (perfect for those impromptu games of pin the mustache on your favorite country star).

The temporary Cracker Barrel outpost will last for the duration of CMA week - and then it'll be gone.

Interestingly, Jackson doesn't plan to attend the 43rd Annual CMA Awards tomorrow. Because he's off-cycle (which means he didn't have an album that was eligible), he's not nominated this year. The singer-songwriter says he's been in the studio putting the finishing touches on a new album that's due out in early spring.

"This one's pretty much the same ol' me," he deadpans.

He was more outwardly enthusiastic when talking about his partnership with Cracker Barrel. "My kind of food, my kind of people," he said.

His favorite meal? "I'd have to lean toward breakfast - the biscuit, and the sausage and the hash brown casserole thing that they have. For lunch, I like that meatloaf sandwich."

Bon appetit, AJ!

Nashville rolled out the welcome mat with a big twang, as Brooks and Dunn turned up their amps for a rockin' rendition of their latest hit, "Honky Tonk Stomp."

The superstar country duo - who call it quits after a farewell tour in 2010 - were deep in rehearsals at the Sommet Center for Wednesday night's "43rd Annual CMA Awards."

Among those boogieing down from the audience - Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush from Sugarland, the pair who finally ended B & D's 14-year winning streak as CMA "Duo of the Year." It'll be a showdown between Sugarland and Brooks and Dunn once again, with Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn the sentimental favorites among some of the voters.

"If they come back for the reunion tour next year, there will be some you-know-what to pay," teased Nettles. Bush added, "If they come back as Dunn and Brooks - it's over! We're taking the gloves off!," he laughed.

As Jason Aldean stepped into the spotlight to rehearse his recent number one single, "Big Green Tractor," Darius Rucker admired his performance from the back of the room. "Man, listen to his voice!," he marveled. "He sounds as good live as he does on the record!"

Rucker is up for two awards - "Best New Artist" and "Male Vocalist of the Year."

We spoke backstage after last year's ceremony, just as the Hootie and the Blowfish frontman was reinventing himself as a solo country artist. Barack Obama had just been elected President of the United States, and Rucker was reflecting on how an African-American could become of the Leader of the Free World, as well as a country singer. "Just shows how far we've come," he said. "We're prime examples of how you can be whatever you want to be in this country."

Conversation turned toward the hotly-contested category of "Entertainer of the Year" - where Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban will square off against 19-year-old country-pop sensation Taylor Swift. "It's up for grabs, but I think it could be Taylor's year," predicted Rucker. "She's just so big right now. I think she's transcending country music, and she'll probably take it." Aldean concurred when he got off the stage. "If you looks at numbers - nobody's had a bigger year than her. I don't know how you can discredit that," he said.

In a press release yesterday, the Country Music Association announced that Swift will be the opening performer on Wednesday's telecast. With any luck, she'll also be closing the night with a win for "Entertainer of the Year."

Unnaturally tall. Those are the first words that come to mind when KISS enters our backstage room at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

I have been preparing for this - my first interview with the costumed rock band - for days, committing biography, discography and makeup styles to memory. But one thing I had not readied myself for was the combined impact of Gene Simmons' 6-foot-plus stature and those towering platform boots. The sight of one elevated icon after another seemed almost superhuman, an assessment that was not diminished by the earthly act of conversation.

Despite being considered ultimate showmen, the members of KISS are as impressive one-on-one as they are before a crowd of tens of thousands. Their open and unaffected manner seems at odds with the Demon/Starchild/Catman/Spaceman “personas” and kabuki makeup.

Listening to Paul Stanley’s earnest enthusiasm about "Sonic Boom," the band's first studio album in 11 years - “It seemed like a great time to finally go into the studio and not only be proud of our past but use it as a foundation for the present and future,” he said - you’d be forgiven for forgetting the group’s 35-year career. They have been years toughened by glory and decline, rebirth and death, disunion and reunion. Yet, so cohesive does this latest lineup seem, I actually believe Eric Singer when he says, “We get along great, we love being together and we have a great time when we’re doing this stuff."

While Gene Simmons did his expected hard sell, saying “Sonic Boom” proves “the legend is alive and well,” he also teared up when expressing pride in members of the U.S. armed forces.

At the ensuing meet-and-greet with a veterans' group called Wounded Warriors, Sergeant Anthony Johnson - injured during his second tour in Iraq - was quick to transfer the mantle of hero: "I myself don’t count myself as a hero. I put my pants on just like everybody else does."

"If they think that it’s awe-inspiring to meet me, it’s even more awe-inspiring for me to meet them," he continued, "because they’ve been in rock history for 35 years.”

Recently, I accompanied correspondent Denise Quan and photographer Chris Audick to an interview with the Foo Fighters at their studio.  I got the assignment on such short notice, I had no time to YouTube or Google the band.  I knew the band name, but couldn’t match them to music.  On the way to the studio, I had the nerve to ask, “So, Foo Fighters, they’re punk rock, right?”  Hurtful.

If I’d had the time to YouTube the Foo Fighters before the shoot, I would have realized just how deeply their songs permeated my early teen years - songs like “Everlong,” “Times Like These,” and “My Hero” among others.  When I hear their songs now, my mind flashes back to a simpler time: my early teen upbringing in NorCal, when I used to describe things as being “hella sick.”  I wouldn’t be surprised if I let such an expression slip when I first heard “All My Life.”  I still find myself humming their songs, more than five years later.  How could I not have connected them to songs I remember so clearly?

The halls outside their studio were covered floor to ceiling with hundreds of signed albums, awards, photos of the band members and other memorabilia, including artwork from Nirvana (the famous naked baby).  Obviously, these guys were big.  But their faces eluded me.  I had probably never seen them perform, but I had heard their music all throughout my middle school years.  Most recently, Foo Fighters shared the stage with one of my current favorite rock bands, Queens of the Stone Age, and mega-legend Led Zeppelin.  And still, none of this clicked.

I stood for a solid half hour, a mere five feet away from Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins and Chris Shiflett, in a position that millions of fans would kill to be in.  And yet, I looked on blankly, as if Denise was interviewing the next up-and-coming Disney superstars.

I spent an unforgettable hour inside the Foo Fighters’ studio, a studio they said few people have visited.  I listened to them talk about their 15 years of fame, how they never imagined their success would last so long.  Denise asked what their future plans were, if Foo Fighters would continue as a band.  They joked that they can’t exactly jump back into the workforce now: they haven’t had real jobs in 15 years.  I empathized with them as they described, like a lot of us, how some of their families are struggling during the current economic turmoil, and how they’re trying to help.  The Foo Fighters sounded like regular guys, who just happened to be UBER successful musicians.

Now, perhaps seeking to console myself, I see my temporary ignorance as a positive.  I did not see the Foo Fighters as integral pop culture icons who I relate dearly to my early American roots.  I didn't meet Foo Fighters, the musicians.  Rather, I got to meet Foo Fighters, the people.

 A lasting memory, no less.

It's a publicity flurry.

Rihanna's two-part interview with "Good Morning America"'s Diane Sawyer airs Thursday and Friday. There's the December cover of Glamour magazine featuring Rihanna, recognizing her as one of their "Women of the Year." Every day it seems another Rihanna video is released, and don't forget her new album "Rated R" is due in stores November 23rd. Until now, she's been silent about the night she was left bruised and battered by then-boyfriend Chris Brown.

Tomorrow, we'll hear from Rihanna. She'll perhaps shed some light on the evening. We may learn what precipitated the blowout that ended in a smackdown. But there are two sides to every story. Rihanna's side has been dramatically illustrated by the leaked evidence photo of her swollen eyelids, bruised face and busted lips.  Chris' side includes a botched Larry King appearance, a fleeting shot of him serving his community service wearing an orange jumpsuit, and his Twitter posting with a link to a music video (made by fans) of he and Rihanna in ostensibly happier times. The video is set to Lee Carr's "The Way We Used to Be" and accompanied by Brown's apology "SORRY YALL. JUST HAD TO POST IT," with a follow-up tweet "FOR THE FELLAS: showing emotion doesn't make u weak... BEING HONEST MAKES U STRONG."

If being honest makes you strong, then perhaps we're about to see a much stronger Chris Brown. Friday at 6pm ET, his side of the story will play out in an interview with MTV's Sway. According to an MTV press release, Brown will address "the questions people have been asking."  In the 30-minute interview, the one-time R&B darling "opens up about the aftermath of his assault" and his sentence that includes anger management and community labor. Why now? Is he looking for the last word after Rihanna's two-day ABC sitdown? Could it be he also has an album to sell? Not yet, but his third album is on the way: "Graffitti" is slated to hit stores December 8th.

In the end, we have two people, two well-timed interviews, two albums to sell, and two sides of the story... with no happy ending in sight.