Hudson Tragedy Had Recent Arrest

Reports are surfacing that the person of interest in the Jennifer Hudson family homicides was arrested over the summer.

Parole records show that William Balfour was arrested for drug possession in June, The Associated Press reports.

Balfour has since been on parole and missed his meeting with his parole agent on Friday – the day Hudson's mother and brother were killed.

Balfour is the husband to Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson, but they are separated. He is currently being held on parole violation.

Joy & Elizabitch: Not Speaking not each other !

So who will it come down to on The View?

Will Barbara Walters keep funny lady Joy Behar around or opt to keep the delusional Elisabeth Hasselbeck?

That decision may have to be made soon!

A new report in the Chicago Sun-Times claims that the tension between Behar and Elizabitch is getting unbearable.

Apparently the two aren't speaking to each other, only when they're on air or a camera is present.

It seems their screaming matches backstage have been escalating, primarily because of their very different views on the upcoming elections.

And Hasselbeck is said to be furious at the fact that Joy has been doing impersonations of her from the Florida rally this past weekend, even wearing a shiteous green coat.

Joy even tried to poke fun at Elizabitch by saying that it doesn't matter if Sarah Palin spends $150,000 on a shopping spree, because she said jokingly, "Elisabeth spends that much in a month!"

But it seems Hasselbeck is growing tired of this and is complaining to producers and Walters.

It's a tough choice, but, we say….

Keep Elisabeth! She's the only exciting thing on The View these days.

Police identify body of Jennifer Hudson's nephew and Death a Homicide with Exclusive Video!!!

Members of Jennifer Hudson's family have identified a body found in an SUV Monday morning as that of the singer's nephew.

The body of Julian King was found on the floor of his uncle's SUV, which was wanted in connection to the disappearance of the 7-year-old. King had been missing since Friday.

Police would not say how or where the boy died, but unconfirmed reports say King was shot.

Three family members, including Jennifer Hudson; Julian's mother, Julia Hudson; and another man, went to identify the body. Jennifer Hudson made the official identification.

They arranged to view Julian's body via a live video feed. Upon seeing his face, Jennifer Hudson reportedly made the official identification. A Cook County spokesperson commented on the moment

"Remarkably, Jennifer Hudson was very strong for her family, and it was very apparent that she was the leader within that group, that kept the composure," said Sean Howard, Cook County spokesman. "It was a very touching, emotional moment but yet and still Ms. Hudson remained strong, and she encouraged her family members to remain strong."

An Amber Alert was issued for King after the Oscar-Award winning actress' mother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, and brother, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, were found shot to death Friday on the city's South Side. That Amber Alert included a description of Jason Hudson's SUV, which was found in the 1300-block of South Kolin Avenue Monday just after 7 a.m. It was towed away around 9 a.m.



"Responding officers observed a white, Chevy Suburban with license plate number X584859 and confirmed that this was the vehicle that was the subject of the Amber Alert and the wanted vehicle. Further investigation revealed that a body was inside. But can't identify the body pending the medical examiner's examination. The vehicle has been towed for further processing, and the investigation is ongoing," said Gulliford.

Investigators closed off the area where the vehicle was found. It is not clear how long the vehicle was parked on the street. Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said it had likely been several days.
Early Monday morning, police sources say that they searched a home in the 1900-block of South Spaulding, which is about six or seven blocks from where William Balfour, 27, a person of interest in the murders, was arrested. He has not been charged but he is in police custody on a parole violation.



Oscar winner Dream Girl and American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson lost her mom and brother, both found murdered in the Hudson Chicago home on the southside.

An Amber alert has been issued for Jennifer's missing nephew who is 7-years-old.

And the other side Julian King, the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson, died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death has been ruled a homicide, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said Tuesday.

"We're not releasing anything else," said ME spokesman Sean Howard. "We possibly have a criminal out there and we have to maintain discretion."

King, the son of Hudson's sister, Julia, was found dead in the back seat of a white SUV vehicle on Chicago's South Side Monday. Three days earlier, the singer's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found fatally shot in their home.

King had been missing since the killings and police had sent out an Amber Alert for the boy.

William Balfour, 27, who is King's stepfather and Julia's estranged husband, remains in custody on a parole violation. Police called him a "person of interest" in the slayings of Donerson and Hudson, but he has not been charged with any crimes.



When asked if Balfour is a person of interest in King's death as well as in the slaying of his grandmother and uncle, Monique Bond, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told PEOPLE: "It's all one investigation."

Bond added: "Our investigation continues. He is still considered a person of interest in the investigation."

Miley on Britney and Lindsay

After hearing what was surely a first-time question about how she feels about being compared to Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus showed she's pretty savvy when it comes to dealing with the media.

"I think they are both really talented and, I don't know about around here, but at the Video Music Awards and everything, Britney Spears has been taking all the awards home and has really had quite a comeback," the tween sensation told reporters in Germany while on tour for her new album, Breakout.

Being careful to keep the praise limited to their activities onstage and onscreen, the Hannah Montana star went on to heap on the praise a little thicker.

"So, I just think that they are super successful, and hopefully when I am compared to them, it's them [...] career-wise because they have all been super successful and had amazing careers and they are both really talented."

Only time shall tell, Miley, especially with that 20-year-old boytoy of yours!

Brings a different "porno" to theaters Kevin Smith and His Interview (Video)

Sex was an endless topic of conversation for the characters in director Kevin Smith's 1994 breakthrough hit "Clerks," but in his new movie "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," sex is more than talked about, it's on display.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" debuts in theaters on Friday and is likely to be labeled as Smith's most sex-filled movie yet in a career that is long on topics of sex, raunchy humor and scatology.

His 1997 film "Chasing Amy" tells of a woman who had sex with two men. "Dogma" (1999) has a demonic character made of excrement. In "Clerks," a woman mistakenly has sex with a dead man in the dark and its sequel, 2006's "Clerks II," features a show involving a donkey -- enough said.

Still, Smith told Reuters in a recent interview that sex is not the point in "Zack and Miri." Love is. The director uses sex as a way to explore human lives and relationships.

"For me, a character is fully explored when you can really get your head around them, when you know a bunch about them," Smith said. "And there's no better way of knowing a person than knowing what their sex life is."

Zack and Miri (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) are not porn stars -- at least not until their dead-end jobs leave the platonic friends with no electricity or running water in the apartment they share in frigid Pittsburgh.

So, they enlist the help of some eager exhibitionists to make an amateur porn movie they believe will earn them enough money to lessen their predicament.

Zack and Miri promise each other that having sex on camera will not ruin their friendship, but making a porno movie proves to be more emotionally complicated than they expect.

"The movie definitely lives up to its title. Zack and Miri do indeed make a porno," Smith said. "But that being said, the movie's not really about it."

"PORNO" TOO HOT?

Still, it took some convincing to get the Motion Picture Association of America to see the movie the way Smith does. The MPAA represents major Hollywood studios, and its ratings are used as a way to classify the content within a film.

In the case of "Zack and Miri," it was initially rated "NC-17," which means no children 17 years-old and under are permitted. Very often that rating has swayed some viewers and advertisers to think a film is, in fact, pornographic, even though it is not in the eyes of the MPAA ratings board.

Smith agrees some scenes "push the edge of the envelope" as to what could be considered porn, but he appealed the rating. Eventually, it was reduced to "R," which means people 17 and under can see it if they are accompanied by an adult.

Rogen, 26, fresh off the success of his marijuana-themed summer hit "Pineapple Express" and the 2007 sex comedies "Knocked Up" and "Superbad," -- all rated R -- said he never understood why "Zack and Miri" almost received an NC-17.

"I honestly feel like if people saw it they would have been like, 'This is NC-17?'" Rogen said. "And they would have been disappointed...I know enough about movies to know we're not doing anything that hasn't been done in movies rated PG-13."

Advertising the film, which is being released by The Weinstein Co, has proven tricky.

Officials in Philadelphia, for instance, declared their bus stops off-limits to ads because the film's story involved pornography, and TV spots are airing as just "Zack and Miri" without "make a porno" being spoken along with the title.

"I'm stunned that people have that big of an objection to the word," Smith said. "Porno is not a bad word, it's a word that describes something. It's a word that describes a genre or a field of filmmaking," he said.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/

Sarah Palin Doll To Be Auctioned For Military Charity

If you’ve ever wanted to own your very own Cabbage Patch Sarah Palin doll (complete with look-alike Saks Fifth Avenue attire), you must seek therapy right away. If that doesn’t work and there’s a need to have this to placed next to your George W. Bush puppet, then by all means, have a look at this auction!

Four one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kids dolls crafted in the likeness of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain and vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Palin will be auctioned on eBay until election day, November 4th.

“These four folks in particular seemed like the perfect candidates, if you will, to become one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kids,” said Jakks Pacific Inc. spokeswoman Genna Rosenberg. “We’ve had a great history with making celebrity look-alikes with these Kids. We’ve done everyone from Elvis to Donald Trump to Ellen (DeGeneres) and Oprah (Winfrey).”

All of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation — which collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to needy kids during the holiday season. Check eBay for the start of the auction this coming Thursday, October 30th.

Jessica Simpson will came back in an Russian Movie

Jessica Simpson is definitely a “Major Movie Star” – at least in Russia.

Simpson’s new big screen comedy, “Major Movie Star,” opened atop the box office in Russia earlier this month, according to a report by Fox News’ Roger Friedman.

What makes the achievement all the more interesting is the fact the film has never opened in the U.S.

In fact, there is no potential U.S. release date listed anywhere for the movie.

The comedy, which wrapped production in August 2007, starred Simpson as a naïve pop singer who attempts to win over a movie studio who dubs her “unsuitable” for their upcoming military-themed film.

To prove them wrong and win the role, she enlists in the U.S. Army. Once she arrives at the military base, she realizes she’s made a mistake, but decides to stick to it so she won’t let her country down.

The film also stars Vivica A. Fox, Cheri Oteri, Steve Gutenberg and new “High School Musical 3” star Olesya Rulin.

“Major Movie Star” also lists over a dozen producers on the project, including Jess’ own father, Joe Simpson.

Source: http://www.accesshollywood.com/

Barack Obama's 'Daily Show' to Wednesday Media Onslaught

Wednesday (Oct. 29) will be Barack Obama Night on your television.

The Democratic presidential candidate will appear on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," stopping by the Comedy Central hit on the same evening he addresses the nation with a half-hour network special.

Sen. Obama won't actually be sitting down with Stewart, though. His fourth "Daily Show" appearance, and first since April 21, will be via satellite from Florida.

The episode will be broadcast just hours after Obama's campaign special airs on CBS, FOX and NBC. ABC and The CW will continue with regular programming in the 8 p.m. hour, showing "Pushing Daisies" and "America's Next Top Model" respectively.

With the presidential election rapidly approaching, "The Daily Show" has set audience records, averaging 2.1 million viewers per night in October. Sen. Obama will have to compete with his own spouse for family supremacy. Michelle Obama's Oct. 8 appearance drew a record 2.9 million viewers.

Obama has a long way to go before he can catch up to his Republican rival Sen. John McCain, who has made at least a dozen "Daily Show" appearances, most recently on May 7.

Julianne Hough Final Dancing with the Stars

Don't be fooled by her delicate physique: Julianne Hough's no wussy.

The "Dancing with the Stars" pro headed into a planned appendectomy Tuesday morning, mere hours after nailing the samba with partner Cody Linley on the hit ABC show.

That's right: She knew about the surgery beforehand ... and danced anyway.

"Everything's OK," Hough said on DWTS Monday night. "I'm going to hopefully be back, if everything goes as planned, next week."

Joked host Tom Bergerson: "Only Julianne could say, 'I'm having my appendix out, and I'll be back in a week.' "

Hough was rushed to the hospital last week after complaining of stomach cramps, where she was diagnosed with endometriosis, the development of uterine-lining tissue on the surfaces of organs in the pelvis or abdomen where they are not supposed to grow.

Despite the pain, which her rep says has been "coming and going since last week," the 20-year-old only missed one rehearsal for the show.

So is this tough-as-nails 'tude specific to Hough? Not according to Mignon Furman, director of New York's American Academy of Ballet, who says such commitment is par for the course.

"The show must go," she said. "Dancers are very serious about that."

In fact, Furman added, she's even seen dancers "throw up on the side of the stage and go back on" during performances.

"They're tough cookies," agrees Angela Prince, national public relations director for USA Dance. "If something hurts, that doesn't mean that they stop. It's mind over body sometimes."

Meanwhile, Hough has been "in great spirits," her rep says, and plans to keep fans updated on her health after the surgery.

What, no post-op rhumba?

Zac Efron is Footloose and roadblock-free

Paramount Pictures is doing everything it can to make sure Zac Efron is Footloose and roadblock-free.

In the wake of the box-office domination of the Zefron-juiced High School Musical 3: Senior Year, the studio has put its remake of the Kevin Bacon classic on the fast track, with production slated to begin on the musical next spring.

According to Variety, Paramount is doing what it can to ensure a smooth run-up to the start date, including offering the 21-year-old star a "mid-seven-figure salary" and script approval.

Along for the potentially lucrative ride is HSM3 director Kenny Ortega, who will once again shepherd Efron through the lofty big-screen endeavor.

Because the studio is hoping the Footloose audience skews slightly older than Efron's current demographic—aiming for older teens and adults in lieu of Disneyfied tweens—Paramount has enlisted the slightly more edgy talents of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist director Peter Sollett to give the script a once-over.

Bringing out all the stops, the studio has also commissioned new songs to be written for the flick. While the original was, without question, a music-heavy venture, the remake will go one step further and actually branch into musical genre territory. As further insurance for success, the studio has roped in two Chicago producers to lend a hand on the movie.

The project was first announced in July 2007, but was put on the back burner while the star went into production on HSM3 and 17 Again, which is set for release next April.

Meanwhile, word of the film's fast-tracking is seemingly news even to Efron, who earlier this month spoke in hopeful, albeit much less definitive, terms about the project.

"Footloose is coming together, actually," he said. "We're trying to figure out the right way to do it, but yeah. It seems like it's going to happen."

Broadway Offer Condolences To Jennifer Hudson and also 'American Idol'

No one can possibly imagine what Jennifer Hudson is going through after the horrifying loss of her relatives, but the "American Idol" contestant-turned-Oscar winner is in the thoughts of her former co-stars.

While friends and family mourn the loss of Hudson's mother, brother and young nephew, both Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, who worked with the singer when she launched her career, have sent her messages of support, as has one of her fellow contestants, Jon Peter Lewis.

"This is a horrific tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family," said Paula Abdul in a statement on Monday. "The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on Idol was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Simon Cowell released his own statement after police confirmed on Monday that the body of a young boy, who was found shot in the head, belonged to Hudson's 7-year-old nephew Julian King, who had disappeared from home on Friday, when Hudson's mother and brother were brutally killed.

"I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer, and her family," Cowell told Extra.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, one of Hudson's castmate on "American Idol," Diana DeGarmo, who finished second on the show's third season, said she was "completely shocked and stunned" to learn about the loss of her mother and brother with whom she had a very close relationship. "Jennifer always spoke about her mom, how close they were and how much of a ‘big sister’ role her mom played in her life," DeGarmo added.

"My heart, my prayers and love go out to Jennifer and her family," LaToya London, who placed fourth on the same season of "American Idol," told Access Hollywood. "I will constantly keep them in my prayers. Jennifer, stay strong."

Upon learning of the tragic deaths on Friday, another former "Idol" contestant Jon Peter Lewis sent his thoughts and prayers to Hudson, "I am so bereft of words, just how shocking this is … how senseless and heartbreaking," he told People. Lewis and Hudson became friends during the 2004 competition when both advanced to the top 12. They later traveled the country on the "American Idol" summer tour.

Even Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, who shares the same Chicago hometown as Hudson, expressed his condolences saying he and his wife were "heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy."

"We want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time," the Illinois senator was quoted by People as saying. In August, Hudson fulfilled a personal request from Obama's camp to sing the national anthem during the Democratic National Convention.

Upon the recent turn of events, the "Dreamgirls" stage has also gone dark. Out of respect for Hudson, casting for the show’s upcoming national tour has been postponed.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with Ms. Hudson and her family at this tragic time," producer John Breglio said Monday.

It sounds like the singer has a lot of friends in her corner right now, which is good, as she will need them to help her get through this senseless tragedy. For now, it appears that the actress/singer, who was about to release her first solo CD, has put her career on hold to support her family.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that around 100 people have gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Englewood neighborhood family home of Hudson's family Monday, October 27 to grief the tragedy happened to her family.

Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears HBO TV Series

Take an aspiring fashion designer, add a would-be singer, throw in a fast food obsessive, and what have you got?

The three central characters for a proposed HBO comedy starring Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan.
Ricky Gervais and Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry have been approached by the award-winning cable network to create a campy comedy series starring three of the most infamous tabloid queens in Tinseltown, according to a new tabloid scoop.

“The chemistry between them will be electric,” a source told Britain’s Daily Mail on Monday. “They were all very close and have had their ups and downs in the LA party world. But they have overcome those problems now.”

“And they can draw from their experiences for the sitcom,” the insider adds.

“Paris would play the most ambitious of the three. Her character is supposed to be a hot fashion designer. She goes to great lengths to push her bizarre designs, with often hilarious results.”

“Britney’s character is an aspiring singer. But, like Phoebe from Friends, her bizarre lyrics hold her back.”

“And Lindsay Lohan is a little like Matt Le Blanc’s wannabe actor character from Friends. She’s obsessed with men and fast food.”

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens arriving at Lax from Hawaii

After attending the wedding of Zefrons manager (Jason Barrett) in Hawaii, Zac Efron and girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens hide underneath their hoodies as they return home to Los Angeles via LAX airport on Monday. (If this scene looks familiar, the couple did the same thing at Best Buy.)

Because Zac and director Kenny Ortega delivered a $42 million opening weekend for High School Musical 3, Zac and Kenny may start working together again on Footloose as early as next spring.According to Variety, Zac is almost set in a deal that will pay him a mid-seven-figure salary. Mr. Efron is working his way up to leading man pay-outs!

They had a romantic weekend away in Hawaii, attending a wedding and relaxing on the beach. And last night, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were spotted arriving at LAX International Airport.

The “High School Musical” sweethearts looked happy and well-rested as they made their way through the main terminal together, laughing and smiling all the way.

Miss Hudgens tried her best to hide from the paparazzi underneath a white hooded sweatshirt, teamed with a pair of black pants and flip flops while Mr. Efron sported a green hoodie and dark wash jeans.

With “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” raking in $42 million in its opening weekend, it looks like Zac and HSM director Kenny Ortega will be collaborating again in the near future on a remake of “Footloose.”

Julian King - Jennifer Hudson's Nephew found !

Chicago police have found the body of a boy in an SUV that they were looking for after the shooting deaths of the mother and brother of the actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, and the disappearance of her 7-year-old nephew.

Commander Wayne Gulliford of the Chicago police told reporters at a news conference Monday that the SUV matched the one they sought in an Amber Alert issued after the slayings. Mr. Gulliford said the police were waiting for a medical examiner report that would identify the body.

Julian King, Ms. Hudson’s nephew, has been missing since Friday, when Ms. Hudson’s mother and brother were found, at about 3 p.m., shot to death in their Chicago home. Both were dead of multiple gunshot wounds. Julian is believed to have been home at the time of the shooting. Ms. Hudson has offered a $100,000 reward for his safe return. The F.B.I. and local police authorities had been searching for a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban belonging to Ms. Hudson’s brother, Jason, that was taken from the home after the shootings. That car, with the body of a boy, was found on the city’s west side on Monday morning after a resident reported a suspicious vehicle.

Julian is the son of Ms. Hudson’s older sister, Julia. William Balfour, the boy’s estranged stepfather and former husband of Julia Hudson, has been named as a “person of interest” in the case, but has not been charged.

On Sunday, he was taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation. He has convictions for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to the department. He was released from prison in May 2006 and remains on probation.

Jennifer Hudson, whose performance in “Dreamgirls” earned her the Oscar for best supporting actress, had been on a promotional tour in Florida for her latest movie, “The Secret Lives of Bees,” when she received word of the killings. She returned to Chicago on Friday night.

She had been scheduled to leave on Monday for a world tour for her self-titled debut album, which includes the single “Spotlight,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B charts.

On Saturday, Julia Hudson called for the return of her son in a tearful plea from a church pulpit, and held out hope he was still alive.

“All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let the baby go,” she said, speaking from the podium of the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago where her sister used to sing.

“Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely," Jennifer Hudson said in a posting on her MySpace page on Sunday. She also posted two pictures of her nephew wearing the brown-and-orange striped polo shirt he was wearing when he was last seen.

Madonna’s Sex Schedule !!!

Many have speculated that Guy Ritchie’s jealousy over wife Madonna’s relationship with baseball player Alex Rodriguez was the last straw in their breakup. Now a U.K. tabloid is saying the real problem was that Madonna put sex with Guy second to Pilates and pumping iron.

According to a report in London’s Daily Mail, Ritchie says the marriage disintegrated when Madonna started planning their sex life around her daily 3 to 4 hour gym sessions.

Richie reportedly complained to his lawyers that the couple’s bedroom time was meticulously planned by Madge for weeks in advance, which reportedly killed the thrill for him.

I feel Guy’s pain. Being penciled in for sex isn’t the kind of thing that really puts the lead in a guy’s pencil, ya know?

Sarah Palin's home state News endorses Barack Obama !

"Alaska's largest newspaper has endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for the White House, saying it would be too risky to put the state's Republican governor Sarah Palin just "one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world."

The Anchorage Daily News, the leading daily in the overwhelmingly Republican state, called Mrs Palin's vice-presidential nomination "an improbable and highly memorable event" which had brought prominence to Alaska. Nevertheless, the paper said that "despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth "

The paper was even more scathing in its assessment of the top of the Republican ticket: "Our sober view is that her running mate, Senator John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation."

"Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office," the Anchorage Daily News said.

"In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Senator McCain."

Particularly on the top campaign issue - the faltering US economy - the newspaper said Mr McCain "has stumbled and fumbled badly in dealing with the accelerating crisis as it emerged".

"His behaviour in this crisis - erratic is a kind description - shows him to be ill-equipped to lead the essential effort of reining in a runaway financial system and setting an anxious nation on course to economic recovery."

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Sara Palin in McCain campaign Report

Bitter infighting between aides to John McCain and Sarah Palin erupted into public view in a sign of tension gripping the Republican camp with the election 10 days away.

A series of recent surveys have suggested Palin's presence on the ticket is hurting McCain's chances in the November 4 election, at a time when Democratic rival Barack Obama has surged clear in most key polls.

The inquests into what has gone wrong with McCain's campaign appear to have already begun, according to reports, with Palin's camp blaming the Arizona senator's senior advisers for mismanaging her contribution.

The Politico.com website cited four Republicans close to Palin as saying she had grown frustrated by advice given to her by campaign handlers, whom her supporters blame for a series of public relations gaffes.

The report said Palin was now increasingly willing to disregard orders from advisors, suggesting the Republican running mate was in the initial stages of forging her own identity for a future tilt at the White House.

"She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane," said a senior Republican quoted by Politico, adding that Palin had already begun to "go rogue" in some of her public pronouncements on the campaign trail.

The Alaska Governor's supporters accused McCain strategist Steve Schmidt and senior aide Nicolle Wallace of blaming Palin for the failure of the campaign.

"These people are going to try and shred her after the campaign to divert blame from themselves," a McCain insider was quote by Politico as saying.

When asked to comment on the Politico story by AFP, Wallace said in an email: "I have no comment other than what's in the story, if people wish to throw me under the bus, my personal belief is that the graceful thing to do is to lie there."

Later Saturday, Politico quoted McCain advisers reacting angrily to the report, branding Palin a "diva."

The McCain sources said Palin had repeatedly gone "off-message" recently, suggesting she appeared to be looking out for herself.

"She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone," the McCain source said. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else."

A McCain source quoted by CNN added: "She is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."

Another senior McCain adviser told the network: "This is what happens with a campaign that's behind; it brings out the worst in people, finger-pointing and scapegoating."

News of tensions within the McCain camp comes after polls suggested Palin -- who electrified the party when named as running mate in August -- is now dragging down the Republican ticket.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Wednesday found that Americans are less and less convinced she is worthy to serve as the country's number-two leader.

It confirmed the findings of an ABC/Washington Post poll released earlier this month which found that six in 10 voters saw Palin, 44, as lacking the experience to be an effective president. "A third are now less likely to vote for McCain because of her," the Post added.

After being found guilty of abusing her power as governor in the so-called "troopergate" scandal over the firing of her ex-brother-in-law, Palin now faces a second probe over whether she violated ethics rules in the affair.

Palin was also back in the headlines this week after it emerged 150,000 dollars had been spent on clothes for Palin since late August, potentially undermining her appeal as a down-to-earth working "hockey mom."

Was Bono 'Chaperoneing' the Bikini Teens?

Yup, that's Bono in those pics creepily touching two bikini-clad teens.

He's married!

Why would he allow such pix to be snapped?????

Was he drunk?

Is one of those hos his daughter???? No!

Anyway, last month, Bono and one of his musician buddies went down to St. Tropez in the south of France for some guy time.

While there, they hung out with 19-year olds Andrea Feick and Hannah Emerson.

Feick and Emerson decided to share with all their friends on Facebook the fun pix they snapped with their pal Bono.

The UK's Daily Mail caught wind of this and has shared the fun in the sun with all of us!

Yay!

The paper reached out to Feick and she told them she's known Bono for a few years and that their relationship has never crossed the friendship line, "No…God no!’ (she laughed) God no! He’s a friend of mine and that’s pretty much it. I’m not going to get into details, but it’s a small world."

A few years?!?!

Did she meet him while she was in middle school?

Oh, and check out the hat Andrea is wearing in the third pic.

Isn't that the same hat Bono was wearing at Disneyland?

TV Executive: Sarah Palin Could Be Bigger Than Oprah!

If Sarah Palin looses the November Vote, this not the last we have heard of her. There is no exact definition of a star, but she has star quality. TV execs and Hollywood agents are lining up to pitch the potential VP their ideas. Insiders are saying she has two options: One being the TV options, just look at her ratings. Two going back to Alaska and prep herself for a 2012 run. Whatever happens we have not heard the last of Sarah Palin.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is campaigning with Sarah Palin this weekend

Staunch conservative Republican Elisabeth Hasselbeck got the call of her dreams this week when Sarah Palin called and asked her to join the VP candidate on the campaign trail in Florida this weekend. Hasselbeck was visibly excited when announcing her plans for the next few days on The View.

"Gov. Palin asked me to be with her this Sunday to introduce her at the rallies in Florida. I am more than honored to be there,” Hasselbeck said Thursday on the TV talk show. “I’ll have some stories, I’m sure, on Monday.”

Palin is scheduled to appear Sunday at campaign rallies in Tampa and Kissimmee, Fla.

Hasselbeck has worn her support for the Republican ticket proudly: Earlier this week, she appeared on the show in a T-shirt with the lettering: “Great AmeriMcCain Hero.”

Florida is a battleground state for the candidates, so I guess Palin thought she’d pull in the big guns for this weekend. While it sounds like I’m joking, The View has proven to be one of the most successful vehicles for publicity for both tickets this election year, aside from Saturday Night Live. People’s opinions about how the women on The View conduct their interviews are as varied as the party affiliations of viewers, but no matter your opinion it does provide an enormous amount of exposure for the candidates. Palin secures her name mentioned in every show next week by bringing Hasselbeck out to Florida, and getting people talking is what it’s all boiling down to in these last weeks.

As for Elisabeth, you know she is so excited she’s practically peeing her pants. Sarah Palin is who Elisabeth Hasselbeck wants to be when she grows up. Next week Hasselbeck is going to be feeling like her new best friend is going to be the Vice President of the United States and she’s barely going to be able to contain herself. It should make for some entertaining, or insufferable (depending how you feel about it) exchanges with her co-hosts on The View. Stay tuned!

Jennifer Hudson showed up to identify the bodies of her mother, Darnell, and brother Jason.

The Cook County Medical Examiner told us Jennifer Hudson showed up to identify the bodies of her mother, Darnell, and brother Jason.

It's "standard operating procedure" for a family member to do this, but that doesn't mean it's easy.

UPDATE: William Balfour is now under the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Cops told us the IDOC have taken Balfour for breaking the terms of his parole.

The nature of the violations are unclear at the time, but we're told that although Balfour is in the custody of the IDOC, the "homicide investigation is still active and ongoing."

'High School Musical 3' graduates to the big time with $42 million

A gang of hyperactive New Mexico high school kids faced down a sadistic serial murderer at the movies this weekend and came out on top in a big way.

Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" -- the first installment of the 2-year-old franchise to graduate from cable TV -- recorded $42 million at the box office. The total gave it the best opening weekend ever for a movie musical, outpacing this summer's "Mamma Mia!" ($27.8 million) and last year's "Hairspray" ($27.5 million).

Lionsgate's " Saw V," the only place in America one can find more blood and gore than in the stock market, pulled in an estimated $30.5 million weekend gross. For the "Saw" franchise, that marks a record four sequels in a row to open at more than $30 million -- particularly noteworthy given that the movies have been scheduled very tightly, opening annually to tie into Halloween each year.

Jennifer Hudson Neighbors and Friends Speak(Video) ???

E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic reports from the scene of the Hudson family murders in Chicago, talking with neighbors about Jennifer Hudson's slain relatives and the search for her missing nephew Julian King.

Amy Poehler gives birth (to 'a little baby Sean Penn'?)

Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett welcomed their first child, son Archie Arnett, Saturday, her publicist confirms. "He is 8 lbs. 1 oz.," rep Lewis Kay said in a statement. "Amy, Will and Archie are all healthy and resting comfortably."

Seth Meyers, Poehler's coanchor on Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update," broke the news to viewers, announcing that Poehler's chair was empty because she was "having a baby." Special guest Maya Rudolph and current cast member Kenan Thompson then serenaded Poehler with a custom rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

Poehler is expected to leave SNL after this season to star in her own NBC sitcom. While SNL fans ponder whether the show can survive without her, fans of the 2007 film Blades of Glory, in which Poehler and Arnett costarred as a pairs figure skating team, might have an idea what the couple is wondering: Asked in one of the DVD bonus features (below, at three minutes) if they were ever to have a baby, would it be the funniest child in the world, they broke character, giggled, and gave a genuine answer:

Poehler: We think we might have the most unfunniest child.
Arnett: We have always imagined that we'd have a Sean Penn-like child.
Poehler: A little baby Sean Penn.
Arnett: Real brooding, Method-y actor.
Poehler: Smokin' all the time....I hope my baby doesn't smoke. I don't know what kind of baby we're gonna have. I really should get on this.

Then, the conversation turns naughty.

Jennifer Hudson- Sister Julia release of missing her son !!!

JENNIFER HUDSON- The Oscar winning actress (Dream Girls) and American Idol (Season 3) finalist suffered a horrific loss with the murder of her mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29,on Friday, October 24, 2008 in their South Side Chicago home.

Her young nephew, Julian King, age 7, is missing from the Hudson home where he lived and an Amber Alert has been issued.

IN THIS VIDEO- Jennifer sister Julia, mother of missing 7-year-old Julian King, emotionally makes a plea to his abductor to let him go. She tells her son via the TV news conference she will not stop looking for him.
THE MURDER SUSPECT WILLIAM BALFOUR is in police custody. Balfour is the husband of Jennifer's older sister Julia.

JENNIFER'S NEPHEW JULIAN KING IS STILL MISSING- It has been reported that Julian is Jennifer's sister's son, but NOT William Balfour's child.

Jennifer Hudson Family Tragedy-"Trouble in the Marriage"

The hunt for Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew continues to intensify. And we're told the operating theory among Chicago detectives is an "ongoing domestic dispute" between the suspect, William Balfour, and his estranged wife, Julia Hudson.

Chicago cops would not be more specific, other than to tells us there is an "underlying domestic aspect" to the investigation ... that there was "trouble in the marriage."

We're told cops continue to interview people, but no one other than Balfour is in custody. As for Balfour, so far no charges have been filed.



Chicago cops are now using flyers with Julian King's pic to find the missing boy.

The boy hasn't been seen since the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother were found Friday in her home in the South side of Chicago. The two had been shot to death.

The police will be handing out the flyers today all over Chicago, particularly on the South side.



Family Tragedy

Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson's mother and another victim believed to be Jennifer's brother Jason were found shot to death in a South Side Chicago residence on Friday in what has been preliminarily labeled a domestic shooting. (Hudson's father died when Jennifer was a teenager.)

The Chicago Tribune reports that according to public records, the home is owned by Darnell Donerson, Hudson's mother. Hudson, has not been injured, said her bodyguard to the Tribune before referring to a publicist.

A Chicago police spokeswoman said a young boy, either 6 or 7, is missing. Police identified the child as Julian King, but would not say if he is a relative of the star. Police are on the lookout for a white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban with Illinois license plate No. X584859, missing from the home, and the missing child may be in the vehicle. A source says the actress' sister reported the boy missing from the home.

Police are looking for suspect William Balfour, who may have abducted Julian. Balfour is considered armed and dangerous.

Jennifer, 27, appeared on "American Idol" in 2004 and won an Oscar for "Dreamgirls" in 2006. Jennifer announced her engagement to reality star David Otunga last month.

Hudson appears in "The Secret Life of Bees," which opened last Friday, and her song "Spotlight" is at the top of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

Suspect In Hudson Family Murders Arrested???

William Balfour, a suspect in the tragic murder case of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother has been taken into custody, but his missing step-son, Julian King, the son of his estranged wife and Jennifer’s sister, Julia, was not with him, the Chicago Tribune reported.

While an Amber Alert remains in effect for the 7-year old boy, who was in the house with his grandmother and uncle at time of the shooting but was reported missing from the home by his mother, the FBI reportedly joined the police in the search for Jennifer's nephew. Police believe the stepfather may be behind his disappearance.



The FBI was called into the search because of the possibility that the boy was taken across state lines. Law enforcement sources told the newspaper that they were hoping to find Julian when they picked up Balfour but that the boy was not with him.
According to state records, Balfour, 27, was currently on parole after serving time for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking. He and Julia had been married for about two years, though they were apparently separated and headed for divorce.



The mother and brother of "American Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson were found dead in their mother's house on the South Side of Chicago on Friday afternoon from multiple gunshot wounds. According to TMZ, the victims were found by Jennifer’s cousin who lives close to the house around 3:00 pm Chicago time.

The police confirmed that Hudson’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, was found shot in the head in the living room, and her 29-year-old son Jason Hudson, was shot to death in the chest in a bedroom. Police said there appeared to be defensive wounds on one of the victims, suggesting at least one of the shootings involved domestic violence. No signs of forced entry were registered at the house.

Balfour, who has been childhood friends with the Hudson family, reportedly has records that show he previously pleaded guilty in 1999 to attempted murder and vehicular hijacking, in which he served seven years behind bars, before being released in 2006.

Defending her son, Balfour's mother told the Chicago Tribune that her son and Julia were separated and that Donerson had thrown him out of the family home last winter. She also pleaded for the return of the missing child.

"Whoever has Jennifer Hudson's nephew or Julia Balfour's son, please, I'm begging you, me and my family are begging you to return that son," Michelle Davis-Balfour told CNN affiliate WLS.

Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew as police question brother-in-law over double murder

The FBI have been called in to hunt for the seven-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, a day after her mother and brother were found with multiple gunshot wounds at her Chicago home.

Hudson was said to be ‘numb’ last night after identifying their bodies at the mortuary.

The 27-year-old Dreamgirls star rushed from Los Angeles to her home town of Chicago when she heard of the double tragedy in the city’s notorious South Side.

Devastation: Jennifer and her mother Darnell, pictured at the 2007 Oscars, who has been shot dead at her Chicago home

Hudson's estranged brother-in-law William Balfour is currently being questioned by police as a suspect, but he has not been charged.

He was at first thought to have kidnapped his stepson Julian King, but the seven-year-old was not with him when he was found. Hudson is extremely close to Julian, who has the family nickname of Tugga Bear.

Detectives said the double murder was a 'domestic incident' that had got horribly out of control.

Tragic: Hudson's brother Jason (left) was found dead in his bedroom, while her nephew Julian King (right) is missing.

William Balfour is being questioned by police but has not been charged.

Neighbours reported hearing gunshots at 9am on Friday but ignored them because violent crime is so common in the area – which the singer had tried to persuade her mother to leave.

Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson said Hudson's cousin entered the home around 3pm and after finding Darnell on the living room floor left to fetch help.

Officers then found Hudson's mechanic brother Jason, 29, dead in the bedroom, Patterson said. There was no sign of forced entry.

Missing: A picture from Hudson's MySpace page shows her cuddling her nephew Julian and her pet dog Mr Payton

Darnell, 57, was shot in the head while Jason was shot in the chest. At least one of the victims had 'defensive wounds' police said, indicating that the shooting may have been a domestic incident.

Hudson's sister, school bus driver Julia, reported her son as missing after work on Friday.

Balfour married Julia in 2006, but his mother Michele Davis Balfour told the Chicago Sun-Times they have been experiencing problems in the last few weeks and were separated.

Close-knit: Hudson with her mother Darnell (C) and sister Julia (R), whose son Julian is missing

'I didn't raise no murderer,' Michele Balfour insisted. 'He was not a child abductor. They have the wrong person.'

Police confirmed they were speaking to 'a number of suspects' besides Balfour.

Records from the Illinois Department of Corrections show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Neighbours pray at a makeshift shrine outside the house where Hudson's family were slain

Detectives believe the killing might be the result of a row over Julia’s car, it was reported yesterday.

Balfour was accused of stealing the vehicle from her – and his estranged wife told neighbours he threatened to kill the family in the ensuing row.

In a post on her MySpace page, Julia said Jason was picking her up from her job because ‘William bitch’ had sold it.

Balfour’s own MySpace pages boasts of his connection with Jennifer. He says: ‘I might as well let you know that Jennifer Hudson is my wife’s sister ...but don’t hit me up ’bout that.’

Crime scene: Police are continuing to investigate the Hudson family home for clues

Hudson, whose father Samuel Simpson died when she was a teenager, has described herself as very close to her family.

In a recent interview she said her family, which included older siblings Julia and Jason, helped keep her grounded.

She said: 'My faith in God and my family, they're very realistic and very normal, they're not into the whole limelight kind of thing, so when I go home to Chicago that's just another place that's home.

'I stand in line with everybody else, or, when I go home to my mom I'm just Jennifer, (so she says), "You get up and you take care of your own stuff."

'And I love that; I don't like when people tell you everything you want to hear, I want to hear the truth, you know what I mean.'

Hudson shot to fame as a contestant on American Idol in 2004.

Last year, she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her critically-acclaimed performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls, co-starring Beyonce Knowles and Eddie Murphy.

Following her performance as Carrie Bradshaw's assistant Louise in the Sex And The City Movie earlier this year, Hudson released her debut solo album three weeks ago.

Her single Spotlight is currently No.12 in the UK singles charts.

Last month, Hudson announced her engagement to boyfriend David Otunga.

Screen star: Hudson (R) won an Oscar for her performance in Dreamgirls alongside Beyonce Knowles (C) and Anika Noni Rose (L)

City girl: Hudson as Louise and Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex And The City movie

Amy Poehler and Will Arnett Welcome Baby Archie!

Welcoming their first child together into the world, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are rejoicing in the birth of a healthy baby boy.

“On behalf of Amy and Will, I can confirm that Amy gave birth to Archie Arnett on Saturday, October 25th. He is 8lbs., 1oz., with Amy, Will and Archie all healthy and resting comfortably,” the couple’s rep, Lewis Kay, told press.

Jennifer Hudson's Mother Found Dead and Her nephew missing

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Jennifer Hudson's mother was one of two victims shot and killed in Chicago earlier today.
A neighbor tells TMZ the other victim was Jennifer's brother Jason. A cousin who lived nearby discovered the bodies.
We're told the two bodies were found dead on the scene at 2:44 PM. When the fire department arrived and discovered the bodies, police were brought in and the home was declared a crime scene.
A call to Hudson's rep was not immediately returned.

An all points bulletin has been issued for a boy, believed to be Hudson's 7-year-old nephew (right), who may have been taken from the scene. Police are looking for 1994 white Suburban with the license plate X584859.

Police are looking for William Balfour (left), who they claim could be with the missing 7-year-old. According to records, Balfour listed Hudson's mother's address as a place of residence within the last year. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, Balfour is currently on parole after serving jail time for attempted murder.

Lost in all this is Jennifer's sister Julia, mother of the missing 7-year-old. We're told she works as a bus driver in Chicago. Her employer told us she worked her shift today. She hasn't been seen since.

A WBBM reporter is saying that neighbors have said a family member in the Hudson household apparently tried to steal a car a few weeks ago, an argument ensued, and he vowed revenge. A photo on Julia's MySpace page (bottom) posted prior to today's events alludes to some kind of dispute with William over a car.

'Star Trek's' William Shatner and George Takei's wedding squabble

It's a case of he said, he said in the ongoing celebrity feud between Star Trek stars William Shatner, aka Captain Kirk, and George Takei, aka Mr. Sulu.

Last week, Shatner posted the following video rant about being snubbed by not being invited to Takei's wedding in September to longtime partner Brad Altman. Other Trek co-stars were invited, and even Nichellle Nichols and Walter Koenig (Uhura and Chekov) were the maid of honor and best man, respectively.

In the video, Shatner plays armchair psychologist. "Poor man. There is such a sickness there," he says. "It's so patently obvious that there is a psychosis there ... I pity him."

The video seems never-ending, with Shatner expressing condescension for Takei for holding such an unfounded grudge for so many years. Even though Shatner is outraged by not being invited, at the same time he claims, "I literally don't know him ... He makes this big deal about not inviting me to his wedding ... There must be something else inside George that is festering and makes him so unhappy that he takes it out on me, in effect, a total stranger."

So wait, Takei should want to invite strangers to his wedding? I don't get it.

Apparently, neither does Takei, who in an Entertainment Tonight interview on Thursday is absolutely gobsmacked on two counts. First, he claims that he DID in fact invite Shatner to the wedding, but true to form, Shatner didn't RSVP since he doesn't attend any important event for his former Star Trek cohorts.

"Every time there was something happy to celebrate amongst us, whether it's getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard -- whether it's DeForest Kelley, Jimmy Doohan, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols -- he never showed up," says Takei. "Even for [Star Trek creator] Gene Roddenberry. In fact, the most surprising thing was that he didn't show up for Gene Roddenberry's funeral."

Second, Takei expresses shock that Shatner claims they don't know each other and are essentially strangers. "We've done six movies together. We did three seasons of television together, we've been doing Star Trek conventions together for the last 40-plus years. Yes, I guess he doesn't know us."

The former Enterprise helmsman says the wedding invitation was another attempt to let bygones be bygones and that he'll continue to try and hold out the olive branch to Shatner. In fact, he invites Shatner to join him in the campaign against Proposition 8, an initiative measure in California that seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Police identify suspect in actress Hudson's mom, brother's murder with some related Video

The mother and brother of the Oscar winning American singer-actress Jennifer Hudson were found murdered on Friday afternoon at the family's South Side home, the "Dreamgirls" star’s publicist has confirmed. Police identify suspect in Jennifer Hudson's mom, brother's murder

The publicist said that the singer's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donnerson, and her 29-year-old brother, Jason S. Hudson, are dead after a fatal shooting at Donnerson's home in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.

In a statement, Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler said, "We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," adding that "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

According to Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson, a family member found the bodies of Donnerson and his son around 3 p.m. Friday, adding that there was no sign of forced entry. Donnerson was found shot to death on the living room floor, while Jason’s body was found in a bedroom of the home.

Meanwhile, Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune have cited police sources as saying that Chicago police authorities have nabbed a suspect in the double-homicide of Hudson's mother and brother. Police are still searching for Donnerson's grandchild, who is missing from the scene.

According to a report from the Sun Times, William Balfour, was romantically involved with the Hudson’s sister Julia, is the suspect in the double-homicide, and was taken into custody.

ulia has identified Balfour, 27, as her husband on her MySpace page. Julia's 7-year-old son, Julian King, was declared missing soon after the fatal incidence. Balfour was in custody Friday night, but the boy was not with him. Authorities have issued an Amber Alert for the missing boy.

"Currently we're looking for a 1994 white suburban vehicle that's missing from the location as well as a seven-year-old African-American child," said deputy chief Patterson.

Records from the Illinois Department of Corrections show Balfour is on parole from the Illinois River Correctional Center on attempted murder, carjacking and stolen-property charges, for which he has spent nearly seven years in prison.

Jennifer Hudson, the 27-year-old former American Idol contestant, recently got engaged to her boyfriend, David Otunga, better known as Punk from the VH1 reality show “I Love New York 2.”

Born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois, Hudson is an Academy Award-winning American actress and singer, who first gained notice as one of the finalists on the third season of the FOX television series American Idol.

Her big screen debut in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls” made her a star and earned her the year's Academy Award as best actress. For Dreamgirls, an adaptation of the early '80s Tony award-winning Broadway hit” she won numerous other awards including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a SAG Award and two BET Awards.

In September 2007, Hudson started work on the Sex and the City film, as Carrie Bradshaw's assistant. She currently stars in The Secret Life of Bees.

Matt Lauer hit by funny bombs at Friars Club roast

Matt Lauer knew he'd be skewered at his Friars Club roast Friday at the Hilton - but when Tom Cruise showed up, he was toast.

The two famously argued over psychiatry and anti-depressants when Lauer interviewed the "War of the Worlds" star on the "Today" show in 2005.

So when Cruise bounded out of the audience, Lauer nearly fell off the dais.

"People know Matt and I had 'that little thing' a few years ago," the actor told the crowd, which included Brian Williams, Katie Couric, Donald Trump, Tiki Barber, Martha Stewart and Aretha Franklin, who sang the national anthem.

"You know, I was just taking his advice. He told me, 'Nobody wants to hear about your dopey movie. Go crazy. People will love you for it.'

"Matt's great at giving advice. When Katie asked him if she should leave the 'Today' show for CBS, he said, 'Absolutely, you should definitely do that. People will love you for it.'

"Jay Leno was No. 1, but Matt told [NBC exec] Jeff Zucker to cut his contract. 'You'll be ahead of the curve before his ratings go down and you'll look like a genius. People will love you for it.' Leno's ratings never went down.

"A few months ago, he was talking to O.J. Simpson and he said, 'Juice, those guys in Vegas have all your stuff. Don't be a p---y, just go there and take it. Trust me, Juice. People will love you for it.'"

As the audience crunched with laughter, Cruise presented a slideshow of Photoshopped pictures of the frenemies jetskiing, frolicking and cooking.

"Matt and I are so close now, that if we can't be together, we talk on the phone three, four times a day. I'll call him up and ask, 'Are you watching this?' And he'll just say 'yeah,' and we'll watch the whole show together on the phone.

"I have to hand it to you, my friend," Cruise went on. "I go from international movie set to movie set, from one amazing party to another, yet you have found happiness doing the same thing every single day. Sitting on a couch, interviewing Charles from 'Knight Rider,' making five-minute radish puffs with Rachael Ray.

"Yes, we all wake up to you every morning - because that was the last channel we had on the night before."

Cruise wasn't the only one who fried the popular NBC host: fellow "Today" staffers Al Roker and Meredith Vieira, anchors Williams and Couric, and professional hit men Richard Belzer and Jeffrey Ross all took their turns at the grill.

Like Joan of Arc, Lauer willingly put himself to the flames for the benefit of the Friars Club foundation, which benefits arts education, and a new journalism scholarship in memory of Tim Russert.

Lauer managed to get in the last jab.

As Cruise tried to cut out early, the 6-foot Lauer called out to the much-shorter Cruise, "Can't you stay, man? We can get you a booster seat."

Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother found dead

The mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson were gunned down in a home on the South Side of Chicago on Friday. Police confirm that they are investigating the deaths of Darnell Donerson, Hudson's 57-year-old mother, and Jason Hudson, her 29-year-old brother. Authorities are also searching for a 7-year-old boy, believed to be Hudson's nephew, who is missing from the scene.

Police told CNN that the bodies were discovered at about 3 p.m. Friday, when a relative found Donerson (pictured, with Hudson at the 2007 Academy Awards) shot to death on the living room floor of her home. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered the brother's dead body in a bedroom. Authorities have issued an Amber Alert for the missing boy, Julian King. The Chicago Tribune reports that a suspect was taken into custody Friday night, but the boy was not with him.

Hudson, a former American Idol contestant, is said to be on her way to Chicago; her representative has yet to make a statement.

Angelina Jolie talks about her wild days...?

Angelina Jolie is all settled down these days with six (SIX!!!!) kids, but it wasn’t too long ago that she was a little on the wild side. Here’s what she has to say about those days:
“I used to think I was unstable, because I had this thirst for something.

“I could never figure out what it was. I couldn’t sleep at night, and I always wanted to be somewhere else, and I have a window tattooed, this little box, and it’s because wherever I was, I wanted to be somewhere else. And I always saw myself - wherever I was in life - staring out the window.

“I knew little about the world, and I was completely self-absorbed. It was only when I came out of my shell and started taking care of others that I found the real Angelina.”

I know Angelina has her detractors, but I think a lot of her and her efforts to bring attention to those who need it most. It’s nice to see a celebrity using their famous status for something good.

Madonna to Guy: $5 million for the kids!

The custody battle between Madonna and Guy Ritchie is certainly getting nasty. The newest? Madonna has agreed to increase the lump sum cash payment he will get in their divorce from £15million to £20million if he backs down from a court battle over Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David Banda, three. Here’s more:

‘Basically she is offering a cash incentive to him to encourage an amicable out-of-court agreement over the children.. Madonna is keen to give Guy good access to the children - but on her terms,’ a source said.

‘Guy wants the children to be educated in Britain - especially his beloved Rocco - but his lawyers will be advising him that if Madonna moves to New York and wants the children with her, a judge is likely to agree.’Ritchie spent yesterday mulling over the offer with his lawyers.I think he should stick it out for half of as much as what she wants; she will make it impossible for him to see the kids if he gives in to her. What surprises me is why all the fighting? Why didn’t they have a prenup? You would think that people as rich as they are would have some kind of ironclad agreement written up beforehand, don’t you?

Sarah Palin, TV Star?

Word is out that Sarah Palin may be a TV star. You know, if the Vice President thing doesn't work out on November 4. She's already locked herself into the media with all the coverage she's getting on the campaign trail and at Saturday Night Live. Heck, we at Famecrawler love her, too. And according to the Hollywood Reporter, "producers and agents across the entertainment world" want Sarah to star in a daytime talk show, news program, or reality TV series.

Nobody has made her an offer yet. I'm sure they'll wait until after the election. It's McCain's sliding poll numbers that have producers frothing at the mouth, though. The favorite idea is a talk show similar to Oprah's. If not that, then a Sean Hannity-type news and opinion show. In third place is the reality show idea - sort of "The Osbournes meets Northern Exposure."

Now THAT I'd pay to see. The mother of 5 and her family might make for really good TV. The adorable moose hunting from a helicopter scenes alone would be priceless.

Travis McCoy Gushes About Katy Perry!

Gym Class Heroes rocker Travis McCoy gushed about his girlfriend Katy Perry during his DJ performance at RiNo nightclub last night in Chicago.

McCoy talked about how Perry, who perfromed at RiNo’s sister club Manor recently, loved performing at the nightclub and that he can’t wait to get back to his girl. McCoy said that he intended to leave Chicago early Saturday morning so he could get back to Perry in Los Angeles and be by her side to help her celebrate her 24th birthday which is on Saturday.

Aw! I’m sure he also wants to make sure she doesn’t kiss any girls at her celebration…or does he?

Miley Cyrus and Justin Gaston already living together

Miley Cyrus is said to be searching for her own apartment - but take that rumor with a giant hunk of salt.

The National Enquirer claims the 15-year-old tween mogul is already living with her 20-year-old boyfriend, Justin Gaston - in the Cyrus family home.
RELATED: TEEN STARS IN THE FAST LANE

Gaston, an underwear model from Louisiana, was a finalist on "Nashville Star" when he met Miley's father, Billy Ray. Now the Enquirer claims that Papa Cyrus and his wife Tish apparently approve of their daughter's new boytoy so much that they're happy to have the couple bunking with them at their California estate.

"Justin is the guy Miley's parents see her settling down with a few years down the line," a snitch tells the tabloid. “He's handsome, talented, clean-living, goes to church and knows his Bible - a real catch."

Miley, who split last year from Nick Jonas, recently gushed to radio host Ryan Seacrest about how happy she is, but wouldn't confirm that she and Gaston were an item.
PHOTOS: MILEY'S GOT THE LOOK

"Maybe, maybe not," Cyrus told Seacrest on air. "Right now, everything is, like, really good. I haven't really been answering the question much just because we're just really happy with everything and the way everything has worked out."

The Enquirer notes that, lest anything seem inappropriate, Gaston still keeps an apartment but spends most night at the Cyrus compound.

"Billy Ray wasn't born yesterday," a source close to the family tells the mag. "He figures the safest path to take is to keep Miley and Justin on a short leash - and under the same roof."

This from the man who once tried to make a mullet cool.

Review: 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year'

Some movies are simply considered "review proof." If movie critics were $5 umbrellas, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" would be Hurricane Katrina.

There will simply be no stopping Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the rest of the Disney Channel crew moving to the big screen, and making this Kenny Ortega-directed, Peter Barsocchini-scripted confection into one of the biggest attractions of the movie year. So why get in its way?

Fortunately, we don't have to: The third in what has become a true cultural phenomenon - not just monetarily, but in regards to how an entire generation will view the presumed-dead musical genre - "HSM3" is eminently watchable, occasionally very funny, and sweet enough to give you diabetes. Where it goes very right is in introducing new characters (and performers) who will enable Ortega and company to carry on the franchise, at least through "HSM4" - for which contracts already have been signed.