Spelling Bee Going Prime Time...Harvard Author Yanked...Rukeyeser Dies

For the first time in its 79-year history, the National Spelling Bee the original "reality TV" will go prime time for next month's drama-filled finals. Thanks to recent movies, books and even a Broadway musical, young spellers are suddenly hot. After 12 years of showings by the sports cable network ESPN, the final rounds of the two-day Scripps National Spelling Bee will be shown live Thursday evening, June 1, on the ABC network.
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A Harvard University sophomore's debut novel has been permanently withdrawn by the book's publisher and her two-book deal canceled after allegations of literary borrowing piled up against her. Little, Brown and Co. will not publish a revised edition of Kaavya Viswanathan's "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life" nor will it publish a second book, Michael Pietsch, Little, Brown's senior vice president and publisher, said in a statement Tuesday.
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Louis Rukeyser, a best-selling author, columnist, lecturer and television host who delivered pun-filled, commonsense commentary on complicated business and economic news, died Tuesday. He was 73. Rukeyser died at his home in Greenwich after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a rare bone marrow cancer, said his brother, Bud Rukeyser.

Another Paris Breakup...Sopranos Getting Real...Sarandon Makes Nice

It's apparently over for Paris Hilton and Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos. "So it would appear. Yes," Hilton publicist Elliot Mintz told The Associated Press on Tuesday of the reported breakup.
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It would be enough to give Tony Soprano agita. Continuing a string of off-screen run-ins with the law, two more fringe characters from "The Sopranos", the television mob boss's favorite chef and his muscle-bound bodyguard _ have been charged in separate criminal cases.
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Actress Susan Sarandon, a harsh critic of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's stance on the Iraq war, offered nothing but praise for her Tuesday as the two women teamed up to promote the late Christopher Reeve's battle for spinal cord research.

Limbaugh Does Perp Walk...Fats to Perform...Berry Wants to Adopt

Rush Limbaugh must submit to random drug tests under an agreement filed Monday that will dismiss a prescription fraud charge against the conservative commentator after 18 months if he complies with the terms.
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Poor health led Fats Domino to cancel an autograph session Monday to raise money for a music charity, but he is still scheduled to perform Sunday at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
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Halle Berry says she wants to adopt a child someday. "I will adopt if it doesn't happen for me naturally," the 39-year-old actress said in a recent interview with TV newsmagazine "Extra." "I will definitely adopt. And I probably will adopt even if it does happen naturally."

Top 5 At Box Office...Doherty Free...Springsteen Closes Festival

2. "United 93," $11.6 million.
3. "Stick It," $11.3 million.
4. "Silent Hill," $9.3 million.
5. "Scary Movie 4," $7.8 million.
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British rocker Pete Doherty was released on bail Sunday by police investigating tabloid newspaper photos that showed him injecting himself and a woman with drugs, a police official said.
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Opening weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival drew thousands of fans as superstar acts and local musicians supported and celebrated the city and its music scene, suffering since Hurricane Katrina. Bruce Springsteen headlined Sunday's performances his first appearance at the festival

Richards Falls Out Of Tree...Bush Dines With "Enemy"...Doherty Arrested

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was hospitalized for a mild concussion he suffered while vacationing in Fiji, reportedly after falling out of a palm tree.

Richards, 62, was injured earlier this week and flown to a New Zealand hospital for treatment, band spokeswoman Fran Curtis said in a statement Saturday.
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The political and celebrity worlds were joining forces to honor journalists for their coverage of the White House and the downfall of a corrupt congressman.

Continuing a tradition begun by Calvin Coolidge, President Bush planned to attend the annual dinner Saturday that is hosted by the White House Correspondents' Association.
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Troubled rocker Pete Doherty was arrested Saturday as part of a police investigation into tabloid newspaper photos allegedly showing him injecting himself and a woman with drugs, police said.

DeGeneres Sweeps Emmys...50 Cent Dishes Oprah...Baldwin Free

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres swept Daytime Emmy awards for talk show and host for the second straight year. "This means a lot to me," she said Friday night after winning the talk show award and telling her partner, actress Portia de Rossi, "I love you."
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He usually saves his beefs for other rappers; this time, 50 Cent is going after Oprah Winfrey. In an interview with The Associated Press, 50 complained that Winfrey rarely invites rappers on her talk show: "I think she caters to older white women."
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Actor Daniel Baldwin will not face felony charges after his arrest for investigation of cocaine possession, authorities said Friday. Baldwin, 45, and another man were arrested on April 22 at a motel in Santa Monica. A small amount of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found in the room, Santa Monica police Lt. Frank Fabrega said in a prepared statement.

Snoop Doggy In Trouble...Stone Accepts Libel Damages...Novel Pulled

Rapper Snoop Dogg was released on bail Thursday after a fracas at London's Heathrow Airport that injured seven police officers, his lawyers said.

The rap star was driven away from the airport station, police said, while speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy. They did not give details of five other men arrested with him.
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Sharon Stone has accepted an undisclosed sum in libel damages from a British newspaper that alleged she had left her 4-year-old son in a car while dining at a London restaurant.

Kirsty Howarth, a lawyer for the owners of the Daily Mail, told a judge at London's High Court on Thursday the newspaper now accepted that the allegation was untrue, and apologized to Stone for the distress and embarrassment it had caused.
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A teen novel at the heart of a plagiarism dispute has been pulled from stores. Author Kaavya Viswanathan, a Harvard University sophomore, had acknowledged that several passages in "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life" were borrowed from the works of another writer.

Lost Actress Chooses Jail...Pacino Joins Oceans 13...Alex Blow Ups

"Lost" actress Michelle Rodriguez pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a single count of driving under the influence, choosing to pay a $500 fine and spend five days in jail rather than do 240 hours of community service.

Rodriguez, who portrays police officer Ana Lucia, and cast member Cynthia Watros were both charged with drunken driving after they were pulled over Dec. 1 in separate cars within 15 minutes of each other.
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Al Pacino's going gangster again. The Oscar-winning actor is set to join George Clooney and the rest of the gang for Ocean's Thirteen, the latest installment in the continuing criminal escapades of Danny Ocean and his company of crooks.
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Entertaining Mr. Sloane" could be retitled "Exiting Jan Maxwell." The actress left the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of the Joe Orton comedy last Sunday after complaining about the behavior of her co-star, Alec Baldwin.

My Best In Show for the Week

My Best In Show For the Week On Networks and Cable:

Wednesday-Travel Channel- 9 PM-Alaska Wide Open : Alaska is the largest state in the union, and the most extreme. For centuries, people have braved the elements in search of beauty, isolation and riches. From finding gold to traversing the land via dog sled, Alaska's treasures are revealed.

Wednesday-E!-8 PM-The E! True Hollywood Story: Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards are a real-life love story, but it seems to be the 'can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em' type of romance.

Thursday-E!-8 PM-The E! True Hollywood Story: Hugh Hefner: Girlfriends, Wives & Centerfolds A revealing look at the Playboy Empire and its charismatic founder, Hugh Hefner.

Thursday-NBC-8 PM-The Mourning Son:Grief Striken - Friends and family gather for the funeral of Will's (Eric McCormack) father. During the reception everyone shares with Will fond last memories of his father, while Will's last memory of his father is not as pleasant. As he tries to come to terms with their last fight, Marilyn (Blythe Danner) helps him realize the changes he must make in his life. Will's ex-boyfriend Vince (guest star Bobby Cannavale) also attends the funeral service. Meanwhile, Grace (Debra Messing) attempts to comfort the grieving younger members.

Maury Hit With Suit...Supermodel Denied Entry...Top Five At Box Office

A producer for TV talk-show host Maury Povich filed a $100 million sex harassment lawsuit against him and other members of his staff Monday, claiming they barraged her with sexual remarks and made her watch porno movies and expose her body.
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Supermodel May Andersen, arrested after allegedly hitting a flight attendant on a plane from Amsterdam to Miami, was refused entry into the United States on Monday and will be returned to the Netherlands, officials said.

Andersen, 23, will return to Amsterdam on the next available flight from Miami, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Zachary Mann.
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Here's a complete look at the weekend's top-grossing films, based on final studio figures compiled by Exhibitor Relations:
1. Silent Hill, $20.2 million
2. Scary Movie 4, $16.8 million
3. The Sentinel, $14.4 million
4. Ice Age: The Meltdown, $13.3 million
5. The Wild, $8.3 million

Longoria To Star In Film...Madonna Stunts...New Star Trek Soon

Desperate Housewife star Eva Longoria, who recently told reporters she will not renew her contract with the hit sitcom in order to be a film star, is set to join the cast of a new romantic comedy called 'Deep in the Heart of Texas.'
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Madonna, whose tickets for her upcoming world tour sold out within 10 minutes, is planning on performing dangerous stunts during the show. The singer has become interested in Parkour, or "free running", which includes jumping and climbing techniques, and has met up with the sport's founder Sebastien Foucan.
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J.J. Abrams, creator of the ‘Lost Series’ and director of Mission Impossible: III, which is due in cinemas next month, is set to direct the next Star Trek film, which will be the 11th film of the franchise.

My Best In Show for the Weekend

My Best In Show For the Weekend On Networks and Cable:

Saturday-History Channel- 8 PM-Houdini:Unlocking the Mystery: In one of magic history's rarest events, a private collector auctioned off the largest collection of personally-owned Harry Houdini artifacts and memorabilia, providing an unprecedented peek behind the curtain at the world's great showman and magician.

Saturday-NBC-11:30-Saturday Night Live-Natalie Portman / Fall Out Boy

Sunday-ABC-9 PM-"Desperate Housewives: The More You Know, the Juicier it Gets":Take a fond look back at the antics of the residents of Wisteria Lane. The special will bring viewers up to date with all the latest goings-on, including Bree and Andrew's escalating war, Susan's love triangle with Mike and Karl, Lynette's new job as her husband's new boss, Gabrielle and Carlos' quest for a child, the Applewhite family's secret life, as well as the ongoing mystery surrounding Paul Young and Felicia Tilman's determination to get to the truth about her sister Martha's murder.

Sunday-Bravo-9 PM-Inside The Actor's Studio:Pierce Brosnan

Sunday-Travel Channel-10 PM-Alaskan Wild: Alaska is one of the few true wildernesses left on earth. Aerial photography highlights the snowcapped mountains, wide open spaces and glaciers that punctuate the vast and unforgiving landscape.

Travolta Does Dallas...Lachey Loves Jessica...Cooking Tossed

Gurinder Chadha will direct John Travolta and Jennifer Lopez in a big-screen version of the prime-time soap opera "Dallas." The British filmmaker, who directed 2002's "Bend it Like Beckham," said Friday she had signed a deal with 20th Century Fox. Travolta will star as the conniving Texas oil baron J.R. Ewing and Lopez will play his wife, Sue Ellen.
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Nick Lachey says his divorce from Jessica Simpson is a "nasty situation," but he's not trying to hurt her with his revelations about their split and, he still loves her.
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NBC tossed its "Celebrity Cooking Showdown" into the garbage disposal. Following abysmal ratings of its planned weeklong series of shows, NBC quickly aborted its kitchen competition. It was taken off the air Thursday and Friday, replaced by reruns of other series.

Roth Getting Dumped...No Sexual Harassment...Julia Bombs

No surprise: David Lee Roth's run as morning radio host is about done. Big surprise: It appears raunchy satellite radio stars Opie and Anthony will replace him on seven CBS Radio stations.

A deal was in the works to dump the ex-Van Halen singer's ratings-deprived program with shock jocks Greg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia, according to two people with knowledge of the deal. They spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement of the agreement next week.
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Sometimes vulgarity is not just acceptable but necessary in the workplace, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday as it threw out a sexual harassment case by a former assistant on the "Friends" TV show.

The justices, ruling 7-0, agreed with Warner Bros. Television Productions that trash talk was part of the creative process and, therefore, the studio and its writers could not be sued for raunchy writers' meetings.
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The reviews, with a few exceptions, were not exactly encouraging, but, yes, Julia Roberts survived her Broadway debut in a revival of Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain."

The New York Times, generally considered the most important outlet for theater reviews, burbled about Roberts the Hollywood star, the paper's critic confessing he was "a Juliaholic." But then he said, "That she does not do well at least not by any conventional standards of theatrical art is unlikely to lose Ms. Roberts any fans, though it definitely won't win her any new ones among drama snobs."