Richards says he and Johnny Depp had "a great three or four days of swashbuckling."
Richards plays the father of Depp's character, Captain Jack Sparrow, but he's not giving many details on his role.
He says it was "a blast," and "it was great scenery," and people will find out the details in May.
He says he's not allowed to give anything away because "it's all top secret."
"You know, I want to be a great mom like my mom was and I want to also do the things that I love," the 31-year-old actress said in an interview that aired Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show.
"So I'm at a strange, I suppose, place in my life. I think that that happens when you lose a parent, where you drop and do a different kind of serious, and yet, at the same time, you want to enjoy and laugh as much as possible every day."
Tearing up, Jolie added: "But I'm holding on to my family really tight at this moment because of that and trying to be -- to be as good a woman as I can be in my life."
Jolie and her partner, Brad Pitt, 43, have four children: 5-year-old Maddox, who was adopted from Cambodia; Pax Thien, 3, from Vietnam; 2-year-old Zahara, from Ethiopia; and daughter Shiloh, who will be 1 on May 27.
Jolie, who has been shooting the thriller "Wanted" in Prague, Czech Republic, has said she plans to take a year off from filmmaking to spend more time with her family. "I have a very solid, very warm home. I'm very fortunate," she said.
Her new film, "A Mighty Heart," had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week. Jolie stars as Mariane Pearl, the wife of journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and murdered by Islamic extremists while reporting for the Wall Street Journal in Pakistan in 2002.
The loss of her mother, though heartbreaking, cannot be compared to what Mariane Pearl went through, Jolie said.
"It's a natural thing for a child to lose a parent," she said. "I lost my mom too young, but it happened. And I'm happy she's out of pain, `cause I love her and she's my friend. Mariane lost her husband in a way that is not natural and is unfair. ... It's something to remember."
"Mom, Dad, I love you," Sparks, the daughter of retired NFL player Phillippi Sparks, said tearfully after a bearhug from Lewis.
In an interview backstage with The Associated Press, the overwhelmed winner recalled talking with her dad about how she used to watch him sign autographs.
Sparks said he told her, "`You're more famous than me now.' And I was like, `Oh, Dad, that's so weird."'
Did she feel she grew as an artist during the competition, as the series' judges remarked?
"I totally think I did," Sparks said. "I've just been trying to top myself each week ... I would sing my song and then after I was done I was, `OK, what am I going to do next week that's going to be ... just as good or better."
The contest came down to either the stronger singer, Sparks, or the better entertainer, Lewis. Sparks delivered her songs simply and powerfully; Lewis' flourishes included his beatbox sound effects and sharp dance moves.
Even the famous were gushing over Sparks.
"She is an awesome singer," finale performer Smokey Robinson said backstage. "She sings so good, it's hard to believe she's 17. To sing like that you would have to have lived for a long time. She's an old soul."
The finale pulled out the stops and the stars, with Gwen Stefani, Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Green Day and more singing.
The two-hour show opened with Lewis and Sparks dueting on the Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There," followed quickly by a touring Stefani singing "4 in the Morning" via satellite from Massachusetts.
Midler took the stage as the show came toward its close, singing "The Wind Beneath My Wings."
Past "Idol" winners and this season's contestants got a hefty share of attention, starting with first-season winner Kelly Clarkson. She performed her new single "Never Again," with the gritty rock song matched by her black dress and thigh-high boots.
Carrie Underwood, the fourth-season idol, sang "I'll Stand by You" and was honored by legendary music mogul Clive Davis for reaching 6 million in sales for her debut album, "Some Hearts."
Taylor Hicks, last season's winner, also had his moment in the finale sun, as did Ruben Studdard, the winner from year two.
Robinson, a Motown great, performed "Being with You" after the top six male contestants, including fan fave Sanjaya Malakar, sang "Ooh Baby Baby," a hit for Robinson and his group the Miracles.
Blake, whose beat-boxing scored with viewers, performed with veteran rapper Doug E. Fresh on his old hit, "The Show." It was a signature moment for a contest that has introduced young viewers to Gershwin and other standards.
"True originals," host Ryan Seacrest said of the duo.
Gladys Knight took the stage with the six female finalists, belting out "I Feel a Song" and "Midnight Train to Georgia." Bennett performed a mellow version of "For Once in My Life" that ended with a big finish.
"A true idol, Tony Bennett, ladies and gentlemen," Seacrest gushed, with good reason.
Melinda Doolittle, arguably the best "Idol" contestant to miss out on the finale, returned to impress the crowd again as she sang "Hold Up the Line" with gospel stars BeBe and CeCe Winans.
"She has proven in the last few months to be spectacular," BeBe Winans said backstage of Doolittle.
The show took a serious turn when Green Day performed "A Working Class Hero is Something to Be," a single from "Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur," a fundraising album for the embattled region.The finale also had its share of filler, including bits such as the "Golden Idols," an award saluting the oddest of odd auditions, or the worst. The winners included Margaret Fowler, who proudly accepted her trophy and recited poetry after smooching Seacrest.
Hundreds of "American Idol" fans lined Hollywood Boulevard leading up to the theater before the show.
"I'm obsessed with the show. I auditioned for it this past season. I'm just coming out to show my love," said Sarah Blackmon, 19, who drove more than two hours from San Diego County to attend the finale.
"I don't like picking favorites. They say it's a music competition, so Jordin's going to win," Blackmon said, but added, "I think Blake's really hot."
One of the series' executive producers, Cecile Frot-Coutaz of FremantleMedia North America Inc., said Tuesday she'd be happy with either contestant as the new idol.
"These are some of the most commercial finalists we've had since Carrie Underwood," Frot-Coutaz said. "Either one will make a great winner for the show and the brand. They both have the potential to sell many records."
Radio Disney will premiere "What Time Is It," the first song from the highly anticipated Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical 2," tomorrow at 8:00 AM (ET) during Radio Disney's Planet Premiere feature.
The song will will be highlighted throughout the day, airing once during each airshift on Radio Disney.
"What Time Is It" features the voices of the sequel's cast, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.
The new song is the rousing anthem track that sets the stage for "High School Musical 2," picking up where the first movie left off: the last day of school. The song reintroduces the characters as they start their first day of summer.
A CD single of "What Time Is It" will be available in stores on July 17, followed by a full soundtrack release on August 14.
"High School Musical 2" premieres Friday, August 17 on The Disney Channel.
The third film in the "Pirates" franchise officially opens Friday in an all-time high of 4,362 theaters domestically, 110 more than the previous record-holder, "Spider-Man 3."
Released by the Walt Disney Co., "Pirates of the Caribbean" now aims to snatch back the record for best debut it lost this month to "Spider-Man 3," the Sony Corp. blockbuster that pulled in $151.1 million over opening weekend.
That debut shattered last summer's record of $135.6 million set by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
The length of "At World's End" -- two hours, 47 minutes -- will be a hurdle, limiting the number of screenings theaters can fit in each day. The movie runs about 15 minutes longer than "Dead Man's Chest" and nearly half an hour longer than "Spider-Man 3."
"At World's End" also faces stiffer competition than "Spider-Man 3," which had no other big movies to contend with when it opened May 4. Besides "Spider-Man 3," the animated blockbuster "Shrek the Third" will be competing with "At World's End" for audiences.
Along with the higher theater count, "At World's End" has the advantage of opening over the Memorial Day weekend, which should boost its Sunday grosses since movie-goers have the day off Monday.
That gives the "Pirates" sequel a better chance to beat the Friday-through-Sunday receipts for "Spider-Man 3," which opened over a non-holiday weekend.
To get a jump on the official release date Friday, many theaters scheduled early screenings of "At World's End" at 8 p.m. Thursday. Once it opens, the movie will be running around the clock at some cinemas to meet audience demand, said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney.
"We hear there are theaters that once they open tonight will be open for 24 straight hours," Viane said Thursday.
LOS ANGELES – Paris once again ventured out and let the material in her hands do the talking. Once again, despite the presence of an ample handbag, Paris displayed her latest entertainment for the world to see. Tuesday saw her carrying spiritual guides and yesterday it was a DVD. The title? “Innocent.” Not according to the judge Paris.
Although he looks like he’s also trying to catch the paparazzi’s attention in prison stripes and carrying that full-grown woman on his back, Matthew McConaughey was not pulling a Paris at all. In fact, the tanned super stud was filming a scene for his new movie “Surfer, Dude.”
Those on the scene told us McConaughey emerged from a cabin in front of a host of movie cameras and proceeded to grab lovely co-star Alexi Gilmore and spin her around. The two did a few takes of the scene, which included a romantic moment on the sandy beach floor. 
Finally from Los Angeles, Britney seemed to be gearing up for the return of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, which opens tomorrow. The singing sensation traveled to rehearsal at Millennium dance studio Wednesday afternoon wearing a very Depp-esque scull scarf covering up her extended locks. In tow was her tiny tot Sean P. who sported his own Johnny style hair cut.
LONDON – Across the pond, Madonna appeared to channel “Pirates” too donning this scull and cross bones green cap.
The uber cool pop star is apparently following in her husband Guy Ritchie’s footsteps and directing a new project. She’s shooting a short movie called “Filth and Wisdom” and doesn’t she fit the part with her smart spectacles.
Also in London Michael Jackson who was snapped in Heathrow airport. Jackson is in London town to celebrate Prince Azim’s birthday where sources say he is picking up a fat paycheck -- $9.9 million just for attending. The prince is the son of the Sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world so if that is the case, he can probably afford it.
Access' Maria Menounos had "the best day of her life" when the "Cooking With Curtis" author showed her how to prepare his secret recipes for a Memorial Day feast, and AccessHollywood.com now shares those recipes with you!
Spice up your holiday weekend with these three Greek-influenced dishes, perfect for a backyard barbecue:
Rosemary Skewered Prime Sirloin Steak with Tzatziki
Ingredients:
For the Prime Sirloin Skewers:
400g / 16 oz prime sirloin sinew and fat trimmed and cut into 1 ½ inch diced pieces
8 strong woody branches of rosemary (bottom half leaves removed from branch)
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the tzatziki:
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup strained greek yoghurt
2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
½ small cucumber peeled and deseeded and finely diced
Method:
To make the Prime Sirloin Skewers
· Drizzle olive oil over diced steak
· Skewer 3 pieces of beef onto each rosemary branch
· Pre heat grill or bbq until nice and hot
· Place beef over hot grill and cook for one minute on either side until beef is medium rare
· Serve on a platter with tzatziki to dip.
To make the tzatziki:
· Place the lemon juice and olive oil in a mixing bowl together and combine using a whisk
· Add the yoghurt stirring to combine
· Add the garlic and cucumber and combine.
Sugar Cane Skewered Shrimp, Marinated with Lime, Chili and Chives
Serves 4
Ingredients:
3 limes
2 red jalapeno chilies, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
½ bunch fresh chives, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
16 uncooked jumbo shrimp (about 1 pound/ 500 g), peeled and deveined
1 8-inch/ 200 cm stick of sugar cane
Avocado Lemon and Organic Yogurt Dip (see the recipe that follows)
Method:
· Grate the peel from 2 limes into a large bowl. Stir in the, chilies, chives and salt. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Drizzle the oil over and toss to coat again. Cover and refrigerate at least 20 minutes.
· Trim the bark from the sugar cane and discard. Cut the remaining sugar cane into 8 splinter-like skewers. Thread 2 shrimp on each skewer.
· Prepare the barbecue for high heat.
· Grill the shrimp until just opaque in the center, about 2 minutes per side. Halve the remaining lime and squeeze it over the shrimp on the grill.
· Transfer the skewers onto a platter and serve with the dip.
Loukoumades (Greek Doughnuts)
Makes about 30
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons/15 g active dry yeast
2 cups/450 ml lukewarm water (about 110°F/43°C)
4 cups/510 g all purpose flour
1 teaspoon/about 5 g salt
Canola oil, for deep frying
1/3 cup/65 g granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon/about 2 g ground cinnamon
1/3 cup/110 g honey
1/3 cup/45 g hazelnuts, toasted, husked and finely crushed
Method:
· Whisk the yeast and 1/2 cup/110 ml of lukewarm water in a medium bowl to blend. Set aside for 5 minutes or until the yeast dissolves.
· Whisk the remaining water into the yeast mixture.
· Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl.
· Pour the yeast mixture over the flour mixture, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until you have a well mixed batter. The batter will be thick and sticky.
· Cover the bowl of batter with a clean dish cloth and set aside in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours or until the batter has risen and doubled in size and small bubbles form.
· Add enough oil to a large deep frying pan to come halfway up the sides of the pan.
· Heat the oil over a medium heat to 375°F/190°C.
· Combine the sugar and cinnamon in another large bowl and set aside.
· Stir the batter to deflate it.
· Working in batches and using a tablespoon, spoon the batter one spoonful at a time into the hot oil (you can cook about 8 doughnuts at a time). The batter will still be thick and sticky so the tablespoon will not fill neatly but will help as a guide to ensure the proportions are similar in size.
· Fry for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the doughnuts puff and become golden brown, turning them occasionally to ensure they brown evenly. While frying, the batter will form round, puffy, irregular-shaped doughnuts.
· Remove the doughnuts with a meshed or slotted spoon once they are golden and place them on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
· Immediately toss the hot doughnuts in the cinnamon-sugar to coat.
· Transfer the coated doughnuts to a warm platter.
· Meanwhile, heat the honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is hot.
· Drizzle the hot honey over the doughnuts.
· Sprinkle with the crushed hazelnuts and serve immediately.
The 33-year-old actress got her fill of what she called "horrible, horrible" hazardous-materials suits while filming "Pandemic," which airs Saturday (8 p.m. EDT) on the Hallmark Channel.
Thiessen plays a doctor who leads a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that is trying to stop the spread of an avian flu-like virus. The team rushes to locate a vaccine that can be given to residents of Los Angeles as the city is quarantined after thousands of people are infected.
"Our world is changing every day," Thiessen said. "We're living in a time where there seems to be danger all around us. Even though I may see the film as a way to entertain people for a few hours, it certainly may make people think, which is always a good thing."
Thiessen, who co-starred in the recently canceled ABC series "What About Brian," filmed many of her scenes at Los Angeles International Airport while decked out in full hazmat gear.
"The first day that we had to be in those suits we were at LAX on the tarmac during a 110-degree summer day," she said. "I drank water all day and, weirdly enough, didn't have to go to the bathroom once because I was sweating out every ounce of water that I took into my body. It was a pretty miserable day."
"Pandemic" also stars French Stewart, Eric Roberts, Vincent Spano and Faye Dunaway as the Governor of California.
Access Hollywood has teamed up with America Supports You, a Department of Defense program, to bring these messages directly to our troops.
The sole purpose of America Supports You is to provide various types of support to deployed soldiers, or those who have come back from a deployment.
Pennington, 42, had been charged with two misdemeanor counts driving with a blood-alcohol level above the 0.08 percent limit and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He pleaded no contest to the first count and the other count was dismissed, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney's office. Mateljan said it was a normal disposition for a first offense.
A judge placed Pennington on three years' probation, restricted his driving privileges for 90 days and ordered him to participate in a 90-day alcohol program and attend a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers meeting, Mateljan said.
He faced up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of the charges by a Superior Court jury.
Pennington was arrested May 5 and released after posting $5,000 bail.
"I'm happy to bring closure to my recent court proceedings," Pennington said in a statement released by publicist Stan Rosenfield. "Drinking and driving is never acceptable. I have pleaded no contest and will abide by the court's ruling."
There was insufficient evidence "to prove this case to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt," said a report from the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
The report said the decision was made after interviews with witnesses.
"The district attorney's office did the right thing by declining this case," said Mark Werksman, O'Neal's attorney.
"It's a tremendous relief for Mr. O'Neal to have this resolved favorably in this manner," said Werksman, claiming his client acted in self-defense.
O'Neal, 66, was arrested at his Malibu home Feb. 3 for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm. He was freed on a $50,000 bond.
The actor has said he fired a warning shot to scare his 42-year-old son, Griffin, who had attacked him with a fireplace poker.
He said his son lashed out at him during a fight but he ducked and the poker struck Griffin's pregnant girlfriend.
Griffin O'Neal has not been available for comment. An effort to contact him Friday was unsuccessful.
Joanna Berry needed stitches for a facial cut, her attorney has said.
Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy VergasonROSIE RESPONDS: On her official Web site yesterday evening, Rosie O'Donnell responded to fans' posted questions regarding Wednesday's on-air "View" argument with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. When asked if she was "OK" by a person named Judy, Rosie replied, "i am sad judy / so sad / but i will b ok." She also simply wrote "no" when asked if she had talked to Hasselbeck since the incident, and when someone named Lydia wrote "How do you stay strong and don't let anything get under your skin?," Rosie replied, "lidia it IS under my skin / i cant scrub it off." Rosie's last day with "The View" is scheduled for June 20th. She is reportedly expected to return to work on Tuesday, despite various rumors that she won't return due to Wednesday's incident (as well as a post from Rosie on her Web site Wednesday saying "yes it may be time to be done").
SANJAYA'S SURREAL 'INSTALLATION': A video popped up online Tuesday called "The Sanjaya Installation," featuring a sunglasses-clad man who looked an awful lot like "American Idol" finalist Sanjaya Malakar. In the video, the man said that he was actually a grad student named Bill Vendall who had invented "Sanjaya" as a character for an "experimental art project," indicating that the Sanjaya who caused such a buzz on "Idol" this season was not at all what he appeared. DEFAMER wrote that the video was made and distributed by some grad students at the Rhode Island School of Design, and speculation arose over whether this was truly Sanjaya in the video, or if it was an elaborate hoax. It turns out it was both -- it is Sanjaya, and it is a hoax! The Web site FUNNYORDIE.COM posted a video yesterday called "Sanjaya: The Hoax Revealed," in which Malakar explains that the whole thing was a joke thought up by one of the Web site's founders, Will Ferrell! "We were kidding," says Sanjaya in the video. "FunnyOrDie.com and Will Ferrell made me do that message. Don't worry -- I'm really Sanjaya. Though I'm pretty sure Simon [Cowell] is actually a 75 year-old Asian woman."
BOOTS BOSS BEGS PARDON: Dr. Martens shoe company CEO David Suddens has publicly apologized to Courtney Love over the use of an image of Love's late husband, Kurt Cobain, in a British ad for Dr. Martens boots. As reported Wednesday by PEOPLE, Love was upset about the ad (which she reportedly did not know about beforehand), which shows Cobain wearing black Dr. Martens boots, draped in an angelic robe and sitting on a cloud. Suddens reportedly issued the following statement to PEOPLE yesterday: "We are really, really, really sorry. We do think that it is offensive. We made a mistake. My message to Courtney Love is: This is something we shouldn't have been doing." Suddens reportedly tells PEOPLE that the ad was intended for one-time use only, and adds, "I wasn't even aware of it. I was still unaware until [Wednesday]. When I found out what happened, I fired [the agency]."
The ad agency that created the effort, Saatchi & Saatchi London, released a statement Thursday posted on the Web site THE DAILY SWARM. "We believe the ads are edgy but not offensive," executive creative director Kate Stanners says in the statement. "We regret that the controversy has led Dr. Martens to terminate the contract with Saatchi & Saatchi." There has been no reported response to either of these statements from Courtney Love at this time.
A 'LOST' LIFE: "Lost" fans are surely saddened to have witnessed the apparent death of a lead character in Wednesday's shocking season finale. But Dominic Monaghan, the actor who plays the dearly departed Charlie, is fine with his departure, reports TV GUIDE. "Obviously, there are huge positives to being involved in a show like 'Lost,'" Monaghan reportedly says. "We film in Hawaii, and the lifestyle there is a really fantastic thing. But, to be honest, as an actor I've been kind of frustrated for a while. I've wanted to do a little bit more. The difference between how much the audience got to see Charlie in Season 1 as opposed to how much they got to see Charlie in Seasons 2 and 3 was significant. It's been kind of frustrating for me for a while. So I think it's time for me to move on, you know." Monaghan assures TV GUIDE that his departure from the show was an amicable (and planned) one, and that he hopes to re-focus on film work (and possibly develop nature programs for TV) in the future.
SANDRA'S 'PROPOSAL': And finally, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER announces that Sandra Bullock has signed on to star in a new romantic comedy from Touchstone Pictures entitled "The Proposal." The story reportedly follows a demanding female boss (Bullock) who suddenly faces deportation to Canada, so she makes a deal with her young male assistant to agree to a sham engagement and marriage. A director and co-star have yet to be named, and there is no report of an expected release date at this time.
The actress also said the story falsely suggested that she had an eating disorder.
Kate Wilson, representing the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers, told a court Thursday the newspaper accepted that Knightley was not responsible for a death, and that Knightley "does not have an eating disorder, and has not misled the public."
In January, the Daily Mail published a photo of Knightley in a bikini with the headline: "If pictures like this one of Keira carried a health warning, my darling daughter might have lived."
Knightley's lawyer, Simon Smith, said the article could be interpreted to say that she was personally responsible for the death of Sophie Mazurek, 19, who had suffered from anorexia.
Knightley, who was not in court, intends to donate the settlement to Beat, an eating disorder and mental illness charity.
"We train professional soccer players in Africa about HIV and AIDS then they go into the schools to teach the youth about AIDS prevention," Ethan explained. "Soccer in the rest of the world is the most popular sport. So every little kid grows up wanting to be a professional league soccer player. You can imagine the effect when these pro players, their heroes and role models, walk into the classroom to deliver this important health message to kids. Their eyes pop out and their jaws drop."
Ethan is also on the board of directors of New York Scores – a program for underprivileged kids in the five boroughs.
"It's the skills they learn on the soccer field, teamwork and camaraderie, that they can bring back into the classroom," Ethan told Access.
Besides the feeling of accomplishment, Ethan also took something very special away from his time on "Survivor" – his girlfriend of four years "Survivor: Amazon" winner Jenna Morasca. The couple met when they competed together on "Survivor: All Stars."
Fiona understands that "if you want something to happen, you have to go out and do it yourself," said Diaz, who was in Taiwan to promote the latest installment of the movie franchise, which premiered here Friday.
When Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) sets off on a mission to find the true heir of the kingdom of Far, Far, Away, Fiona is left to defend the castle. She gets some unexpected help from Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty.
"These are the princesses we grew up on," Diaz told reporters. "We get to keep our princesses, and we get to modernize them."
Justin Timberlake, Diaz's former boyfriend, voices the future King Arthur.
She described Timberlake's performance as "hilarious."
"I think he's great in the film," the 34-year-old actress said. "He's so gifted."
"Shrek the Third" also features the voices of Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots.
Diaz and Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., are on a three-week tour to promote the movie in more than 10 cities in Asia and Europe. Their next stop is China.
PIRATES PLUNDER: Industry experts predicting a Box Office that could be the first $200 million Holiday weekend ever for a single movie, with the release today of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Movie may be troubled (but only slightly) by a running time approaching 3 hours, but will compensate with release in 4,362 theatres. That's the widest release ever. Disney said to be projecting grosses on Friday night alone of between $15 and $20 million. And like many recent blockbusters, Pirates 3 is opening on the same day in a number of international markets, as part of Hollywood's on-going battle against (pardon the pun) Movie Pirates.
REGGIE CAPTURED: Reggie The Gator, the reptile media darling of Los Angeles, has been captured. On Thursday he crawled up on a lake bank for a little sunning when wildlife experts spotted him and nabbed him with a noose around the neck and duct tape around his yap. Ironically, they had been meeting nearby, talking about just how they might finally catch the elusive critter. The six foot long alligator, who had been living in Lake Machado in Los Angeles, had eluded capture for almost two years but in the process had become something of a Reptile Folk Hero. He inspired a zydeco song and a couple of children's books. Reggie is believed to be headed for a new home at the Los Angeles Zoo.
IDOL-EYED: The Associated Press reporting that the crowning of Jordin Sparks as the newest American Idol was viewed by 30.7 million people. That's big in today's television numbers but it's a sharp drop from last year's 36.4 million viewers. Some experts are saying a lackluster pool of contestants is to blame. Ironically, peak viewing on Idol this season happened when the much-derided Sanjaya Malakar was dominating headlines and some of the audience left the show when he was eliminated. Regardless, AP quotes one analyst as saying most televisions shows "would kill for this kind of bad news."
OCEAN'S 13 REVUE: Daily Variety's Todd McCarthy's positive review calls the movie "As smooth as a good mojito, as stylish as an Armani suit..", while predicting the pic should do boffo numbers. Starring George Clooney and pals Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, etc., etc., the movie has captured most of the buzz at the Cannes Film Festival this week. Review also notes "Cast, fab production values and a pace that never flags keep the fizz on the series."
LET IT BE: Reuters in London reporting today that a Berlin prosecutor had dropped an investigation into a more than 20 year old complaint against Paul McCartney. A 44 year old woman, Bettina Hubers, claims that the ex-Beatle is her biological father. The woman had also claimed that McCartney fooled a paternity test by sending a look-alike in his place.
TOO MUCH INFORMATION: The prestigious British Medical Journal today criticzed the growing trend for "designer vaginas" in the UK and the US. We are efforting reaction from the Hollywood/Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Community.
“Hey Access, it’s my first day as your ‘American Idol.’ It’s 5:25 in the morning and the sun is coming up.”
Welcome to 17 year old Jordin Sparks’ new life.
We were invited along as the high school junior began her first full day as a superstar. At 5:30, interviews for Jordin and runner up Blake Lewis began.
“I don't know where I'm at right now. I don't even know what day it is,” Blake told our cameras.
He partied last night at Hollywood’s Sky Bar ‘til 3:15 A.M. He was feeling it after only 45 minutes of sleep.
”Yeah, a very good 45,” he laughed.
At 8:20 AM, Jordin greeted her fans and ten minutes later an onslaught of TV and radio interviews were finally over.
Jordin’s limo ride to Access began with a police escort while a helicopter in the sky caught her every move.
“What have I got myself into,” she joked.
At 9:53, Access welcomed the now famous teenager who’s about to lose some precious high school memories.
“Senior year, homecoming, prom, all that you’re going to miss, right,” Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson asked.
“I don’t think anything can top my 17th year,” she said. “I mean I’m just like whatever. This is so much bigger than prom and stuff like that. I’m okay. I don’t need it. I got my friends and that’s cool.”
Shaun then asked Jordin if she was surprised that people focused on her weight.
“I just started laughing,” she said. “I’m like seriously, can’t we focus on something else besides people’s body images? Like I was just like, whatever! I don’t even care.”
“I just ate a burrito before I came out here,” she added.
Watch Jordin’s performance on Access Hollywood’s stage
O'Donnell asked for, and received, an early exit from her contract. She was due to leave "The View" in mid-June.
"Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at `The View,'" show creator Barbara Walters said. "I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change."
In a statement, O'Donnell said she was grateful. "It's been an amazing year and I love all three women."Presumably, that includes Hasselbeck. The two exchanged bitter words on Wednesday over O'Donnell's opposition to the war in
Iraq. They've frequently had snippy political exchanges during O'Donnell's year on the daytime chatfest, but never as long and loud as that one
Fischer slipped on a marble staircase at an event in New York City on Monday night, fracturing four bones in her lower back.
A rep for the actress told Access Hollywood Fischer avoided any serious injury to her spine.
She spent the night at St. Vincent's hospital where her "Office" co-worker Angela Kinsey and other friends came to visit her. Fischer's husband, director James Gunn, also flew in from Los Angeles to be by her side, her rep confirmed.
While the injury forced her to cancel several press activities in conjunction with the NBC Upfronts, her rep said Fischer is expected to make a full recovery in time to shoot Season Four of "The Office" later this summer.
The 29-year-old rapper-actor, whose real name is Chris Bridges, portrays "Luda-Crest" in an informational video that brainy Lisa watches during the Simpsons' annual dental checkup. The episode airs Sunday night on Fox.
The central story line, though, features the family taking in a dejected news anchor who was fired for using a shocking expletive while interviewing Homer on his nightly program. Lisa helps him devise a scheme to stage a comeback.
"The Simpsons," created by Matt Groening, is now in its 18th season.
Ludacris has taken up acting in recent years. He generated strong buzz for his performances in the films "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow," and recently guest starred on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
The deal was announced Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival by production company Relativity Media.
Mary, a Roman Catholic, ruled Scotland from 1542 to 1567, but her designs on the throne of England -- ruled by her Protestant cousin, Queen Elizabeth I -- led to her downfall and beheading at the age of 44.
The film will be directed by James Curran ("The Painted Veil") and written by Jimmy McGovern (gritty British TV crime drama "Cracker").
Producers said the film would see Mary "battle political enemies, scheming allies, and affairs of the heart in her quest to reunite the warring tribes of her native Scotland."
Johansson, 22, has also starred in "The Girl With a Pearl Earring" and "The Black Dahlia."
Click here formore information on Pregnancy Magazine which features Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell on the cover.
The district attorney's office declined to file felony grand theft charges on May 9 because of insufficient evidence, spokeswoman Jane Robison said Thursday.
An e-mail to a representative for Lohan seeking comment was not immediately returned.
A woman claimed that Lohan walked away with a shirt and other clothing after visiting her apartment while she was away for a few days.
The rejection notice said a housesitter had invited Lohan over and told authorities that she had given Lohan some clothing.
However, a plaid shirt that Lohan supposedly was wearing didn't match photos of a shirt that the alleged victim said was missing.
"The bottom line is that Lohan can't be shown to have been seen either taking or to have been later in possession of missing items and items she can be shown to have possessed were with (the housesitter's) permission," Deputy District Attorney Greg Somes wrote in the rejection notice.
The smart CW dramedy starring blonde pixie Kristen Bell as a tough teenage sleuth with wisecracks and style to spare has been canceled after three seasons.
For weeks, rabid devotees of "Mars" -- ranging from college students with fan sites on Myspace, LiveJournal and Facebook, to academics in their 30s -- buzzed about the show's status.
Self-described "huge fan" Angela Hanigan, 31, told The Associated Press on Wednesday she would be "extremely crushed" but not surprised by the show's demise.
"I don't expect shows with brilliant writing and three dimensional characters to stay on the air for very long," the teacher from Fullerton said dryly in an e-mail.
Hanigan has been glued to "Mars" since the very beginning, when the show created by Rob Thomas debuted on the UPN network. Last year, after two seasons, it moved to the CW -- the merger of WB and UPN.
"I was hooked from the get-go. It's part mystery-suspense, part drama, always fast, witty dialogue," Hanigan said. "It stands out from most things on TV. Sassy blonde solves crime, what's not to like?"
Apparently some, though, did find reason. Last week the show drew slightly more than 1.8 million viewers, making it the least-watched non-repeat on the five broadcast networks.
Mostly filmed in San Diego, the show followed pretty, petite private investigator Veronica Mars (Bell) as she trash-talked adult authorities and adolescent naysayers alike while navigating the ups and downs (mostly downs) of high school and college, solving cases including her best friend's murder and her own rape.
Joining her in the fictional seaside Southern California town of Neptune were her best friend, Wallace (Percy Daggs III), on-again, off-again boyfriend, Logan (Jason Dohring), and her sheriff-turned private eye-turned sheriff again father, Keith (Enrico Colantoni).
Show creator Thomas never wanted Veronica to ooze sweetness. He wanted writers to "write her like a porcupine," he said in October.
Veronica was just that: a pint-sized Perry Mason with the intellect of the "Gilmore Girls" gals and moxie of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
"She's an idol to all outcast and pessimistic girls," said Canadian college graduate Jenny Olsen, 22, whose Facebook site praises the character. "She's intelligent, is not afraid to be herself, knows what she wants out of life, and isn't too polite to step on people to get there."
While sluggish ratings cemented the show's fate, fans had harbored hope "Mars" would return.
"In a way, I'm happy to have been able to watch three seasons of it. That said, I'd love to see it come back, even in the rumored `Veronica jumps ahead to the FBI' scenario," said Web content editor Kevin Quinn, 26.
"Its a high quality show that not a lot of people latched onto, for whatever reason," he said. "It was marketed as a teen/high school drama, but it's really more than that."
A lawyer for the 26-year-old socialite notified Los Angeles County Superior Court that she is abandoning her appeal, said court spokeswoman Katherine Roberts.
Hilton was ordered to report to jail by June 5 for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. She initially called the sentence unfair, and lawyers representing her filed a notice to appeal.
She has since changed legal teams and is now represented by Richard Hutton, a lawyer specializing in defending drunken driving cases. Hutton didn't immediately return calls for comment Thursday, and Hilton's publicist, Elliot Mintz, declined to comment.
Click here to view the abandoned appeal.
The hotel heiress is likely to spend about 23 days in a "special needs housing unit" at the Century Regional Detention Center in suburban Lynwood, said Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.
The shorter sentence reflects an expectation that she is well behaved behind bars.
"All inmates get credit for good behavior," Whitmore said. "The inmate knows that if they behave and follow the rules that's something to shoot for."
The day and time she might report to jail remains unknown. Though most inmates are processed between 6AM and 10 PM, there's nothing to prevent them from showing up unannounced at another time, authorities said.
Hilton will be separated from the general inmate population in a unit that contains 12 two-person cells reserved for police officers, public officials, celebrities and other high-profile inmates, he said. She could have a cellmate.
Like everyone else in the 2,200-inmate facility, Hilton would get at least an hour outside her cell each day to shower, watch television, participate in outdoor recreation or talk on the telephone, he said.
Marcia Diane Valentine, 46, of Huntington Beach, was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault and stalking. She could face up to four years, and eight months in prison if convicted, the district attorney's office said in a statement.
It was unknown whether Valentine had an attorney and she could not immediately be reached for comment. She remained free on $25,000 bail pending a scheduled May 22 arraignment in Westminster.
Last week, Bullock obtained a restraining order barring Valentine from contacting or coming near her home, family or work for three years.
The actress testified in court that on five occasions Valentine left in her yard palm fronds adorned with "weird signs" and "pieces of animal fur."
Paris Hilton has reportedly denied the London incident took place in various media reports.
The sequel to the musical phenomenon premieres August 17th on the Disney Channel.
Access Hollywood was on location with the cast in St. George, Utah exclusively.
Look for behind-the-scenes, interviews and lots of surprises on Access starting in July.
For more go to http://home.disney.go.com/tv/index
Anderson was in town to promote her new movie, "Blonde and Blonder." Earlier in the day, she had complained to AP Television News about the paparazzi, saying that Cannes was "a frenzy, it's crazy, it's silly."
"Even watching it on television this morning, seeing these people, it's like the actors are prodded through like cattle, `turn this way, turn that way,"' she said, adding that Cannes was nonetheless "quite glamorous."
The 39-year-old former "Baywatch" star had said previously that she would not attend Cannes, where her movie is screening on the sidelines of the official lineup, but later changed her mind.
"My kids come first even in my schedule," said Anderson, who has two young sons with former husband Tommy Lee. "When I schedule anything that I do, it's around their baseball games or their soccer matches or their ... everything."
Pam also seemed to be on the arm of a new mystery man, who remains unnamed.
Who is the mystery man with Pam? (left)
In "Blonde and Blonder," Anderson co-stars with Denise Richards in what is being promoted as "Dumb & Dumber" meets "Legally Blonde."
After Reese Witherspoon filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe in November 2006, Ryan has now filed his response.
In paperwork filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Ryan cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split, and he is also seeking joint custody of the couple's two children – Ava, 7, and Deacon, 3.
Ryan, 32, is asking visitation rights be "equally allocated." He is not requesting any spousal support from Reese, and he is not blocking her from requesting any from him.
The couple, who co-starred in the 1999 release "Cruel Intentions," married that year. They announced their separation October 30, 2006.
Denise Richards. Halle Berry. Teri Hatcher… … Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen?
According to published reports, the Olsen twins were in talks to become the next Bond girls in the upcoming 007 film. It would mark the first time a pair of twins would've occupied the legendary role.
However, a rep for the girls tells Access Hollywood there is no truth to the rumor.
No word yet on who will star alongside Daniel Craig in the next James Bond installment, which is scheduled to be released November 7, 2008.
…
Samuel L. Jackson is in talks to star as mysterious super villain in "The Spirit," according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"Spirit" is the latest comic book adaptation from Frank Miller, who co-directed "Sin City" with Robert Rodriguez.
The story follows Denny Colt, an ambitious young cop murdered in the line of duty who is mysteriously reborn as the masked mystery man known as the Spirit.
Jackson would play the Spirit's nemesis, the Octopus, a meek lab assistant who reinvents himself as a psychotic nightmare that kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face. The Octopus' tentacles reach into every aspect of crime in fictitious Central City, a city he plans to wipe out.
Jackson was Miller's first choice for the role, per the Hollywood Reporter.
…
After defending Sparta, "300" muscle man Gerard Butler is toning it down a bit, joining Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin in the kid's adventure film "Nim's Island," reports Variety.
Based on the Wendy Orr children's book of the same name, "Nim's Island" follows a young girl who lives on a tropical isle with her father, a scientist whose boat runs into trouble one day, leaving the girl to fend for herself on the island.
Butler will next be seen alongside Hilary Swank in the dramedy "P.S., I Love You," slated to hit theaters in December.
…
Jeff Bridges is ready to "Alienate" moviegoers with the help of Kirsten Dunst and Simon Pegg.
Bridges has joined the cast of "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People," per the Hollywood Reporter.
Bridges will play Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter in the adaptation of Toby Young's comic novel which chronicles the period when Young moved to New York to work at Vanity Fair while looking for love.
Pegg currently stars in the comedy "Hot Fuzz" and we hear Dunst appears in some big movie about a spider.
Today, in part two of our new interview, she talks about the real life family feud she is suffering through.
“It's awful,” Marcia tells Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush. “I've been going through hell for three years.”
Maureen McCormick, shares with Access the private pain she claims has been caused by her brother’s attempt to alienate their father from the rest of the family. His attack on Maureen, she says has been highly personal.
“He is accusing me of being a sociopathological liar, of stealing my dad's retirement money, of elder abuse, of being a drug addict,” Maureen tells Access. “He's basically said that he wants to destroy me.”
As in many family disputes, money seems to be at the heart of this one.
“My mom and dad had put a trust together before my mom died. And my brother came to me and he said 'unless you sign this piece of paper saying you are mentally unfit, I'm going to take you down and I'm going to ruin your career,'” she says.
Once a close-knit family, Maureen tells Access, Kevin no longer permits 85-year-old Richard McCormick to see or speak to her.
“He's just taken him, I think, for the whole family trust he wants it all himself,” she says.
“Dad has some money?,” Billy asks.
“Yeah,” Maureen answers.
Maureen tried reaching out to her dad, confronting him and Kevin outside this restaurant. Richard McCormick responded by going to court and asking for a restraining order against Maureen, claiming elder abuse. The case will be heard on May 31.
Access Hollywood contacted Richard who declined our interview request. Calls to Kevin McCormick went unanswered.
“I just really believe that something good is going to come out of all this. I have to believe that,” she sighs. “Never in a million years would I have thought that this was happening to my family.”
by George Larrimore and McKay Heim
IT'S GETTING UGLY!: So late yesterday Anne Heche's estranged husband filed papers in Los Angeles asking for Physical Custody of their 5 year old son Homer. Plus "at least" $33,000 a month to keep him in the lifestyle to which he's become accustomed. In those papers he also argued that she's emotionally unstable and not a responsible parent because, for one thing, she carried the child around without benefit of a car seat. Some people would argue that the words "emotionally unstable" and "Anne Heche" go together like bread and butter. Anyway, today, in a statement to Access Hollywood, Heche fired back. Her whole statement reads:
"It is disappointing that Coley Laffoon has resorted to filing lies with the court because Anne would not cave in to his astronomical monetary demands, including his demand for $45,000 a month in support. For the past several years, the child's father has refused to get a job in order to contribute financially to the child's care."
In the papers Heche (who is now dating one of her 'Men In Trees' co-stars) is quoted criticizing Coley Laffoon's work ethic by calling him a "lazy ****** ****** (rhymes with "brother trucker.") Laffoon is claiming to have had an income of $6,000 a year before he met Heche. Think the judge will want to see some proof of that.
ON THE OUTS: Distance may not have made the hearts grow fonder for Jessica Simpson and John Mayer, especially when one is partying in Cannes with her father and hairstylist and the other is home in NY. They reportedly called it quits after having been together at the Costume Institute Gala in New York last week. The couple denied a relationship for months. According to a source close to the couple, there may be a chance to reconcile... they are e-mailing back and forth across the Atlantic.
RUMOR MILL: There is a rumor out there that we want to stop before it gets any further - Mary Kate and Ashley OLSEN WILL NOT be the first or next Bond twins. Our sources say that the report that is spreading on the Internet is not true. Daniel Craig will return as Bond but will not have a set of Bond twins there to assist him on his mission. The next Bond 007 film (Number 22, as yet untitled) is scheduled to be released November 7, 2008.
GETTING GORED?: Does anybody really think Albert Gore, Junior isn't running for the Presidency in '08? He's on Larry King Live tonight, which is one of the top platforms for any public figure trying to pitch, sell, plug or spin anything from movies to legal theories. He's authored a new political book (The Assault On Reason), and the glow from his Oscar night appearance ('An Inconvenient Truth') hasn't faded. He might be waiting for the front-runners, Clinton and Obama, to run themselves out before the finish line and saving a lot of money, favors and energy in the process.
MICHAEL IS ON: Michael Jackson appeared via video conferencing in a Las Vegas courtroom this morning as he contested a planned auction of stuff that used to belong to MJ and other Jacksons. At the end of it all his attorneys say they dropped their effort to stop the auction but were able to reach an agreement, the terms of which are being kept confidential. A New Jersey man ended up with the stuff through a bankruptcy proceeding. It had been stored in a warehouse. The Auction is set for May 30 and 31 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
WEIRD NEWS: What does this have to do with Entertainment? Nothing, it's just entertaining to read. In Chicago a 10 month old boy, Bubba Ludwig, has been issued a gun permit. His father did this after Bubba's grandfather gave Bubba a 12-gauge Beretta shotgun for his birthday. It's a little heavy for him to shoot right now. The funniest thing is that some clerk actually had Bubba "sign" the thing, with a scribble. Who knew there were people named Bubba outside of Georgia.
BEST NEW REALITY IDEA: Story out of Long Beach, CA on the City News wire yesterday about the launch of National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Seems that 226 Letter Carriers and 40 Meter Readers in Southern California were bitten by dogs last year. How about divide them up in teams. Dogs can pretend they are asleep, act like they are friendly, in order to set up prey for a bite. Extra points for scattering the baggage. Letter Carriers can throw treats, spray mace to avoid the teeth. Judges can award style points. No steroids allowed.
Some star is doing something, somewhere this weekend and we want to know about it.. McGeorge.news@nbcuni.com.
