Entertainment on Parade

Every since Heath Ledger died in January of this year, people have been talking about how he might get an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight. 

He might just be one step closer to that as the Australian Film Institute gave him a Best Actor award Saturday night in Melbourne.  That award was accepted by Heath’s father Kim, mother, Sally, and sister, Kate. 

Of his performance, the institute said, “It was this swaggering, psychopathic clown that turned his career into a legacy and the name Heath Ledger into an ongoing inspiration for actors everywhere.” 

Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a son of the king of Bahrain, has filed a lawsuit saying Michael Jackson owes him $7 million dollars for backing out of a deal for an album, an autobiography, and a stage play.  Jackson was supposed to appear in London this week to testify, but his lawyer claims that he is too ill. 

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Robert Englehart would like Jackson to testify by video link, stating that “It would be unwise for him to travel, given what he’s got now.”  What?  Has his nose completely fallen off his face now?  Englehart declined to go into detail “for obvious reasons.”  He did say that Jackson is innocent of the charges and that the $7 million advance was a gift.

Al Khalifa’s attorney says the evidence of illness presented is “very unsatisfactory.”  Nigel Sweeney, the judge in the case, said he would make a decision of whether Jackson could appear via video after consulting with medical experts for both legal teams.

Rumor has it that Justin Timberlake has purchased a New York City condo for $5.25 million.  His reps won’t confirm it, but Timberlake has called NYC the “realest city in America.”  The New York Post is saying he purchased a three bedroom, 3,000 square foot loft in TriBeCa, with Us Weekly saying it is in the Pearline Soap Factory building.

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Timberlake was in NYC last night for the Keep A Child Alive’s 5th Annual Black Ball, which was also attended by Jessica Alba and John Mayer.  While Timberlake and girlfriend Jessica Biel are still on, she may not want to hear what he had to say last night at the ball.  When asked by an interviewer if he would like to have children, Timberlake replied “I’m not sure.” 

After causing a stir as a “pregnant man,” Thomas Beatie and wife Nancy are at it again.  It must take a lot to floor a veteran journalist like Barbara Walters, but that is just what Beatie did during his recent interview with her on “The View” by revealing that he is pregnant again.  Walters said she was “speechless” after learning about the second pregnancy.  The new baby is expected in June 2009. 

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Beatie, who was born a woman, but became transsexual without having his reproductive organs removed, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Susan, in July.  His wife Nancy was unable to carry the couple’s children due to a hysterectomy, so Beatie volunteered.

There was quite a shock outside Paula Abdul’s Sherman Oaks house yeaterday – a dead woman in a car.  The unidentified woman, who was said to be in her 30s, was found yesterday around 6 pm.  Police would not confirm that the home belonged to Abdul, but public records show it does.

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All LAPD is saying right now is that the woman was found dead, and they don’t know the cause of death but they are conducting an investigation.  However, KTLA is reporting that the woman was a fan and had an infatuation with Paula.  Rumors are also circulating that the police have been called to the residence several times before to deal with this particular fan. 

TMZ is reporting that Abdul’s reps said that Paula does know the woman.  They also posted pics of the car that contained a photo of Abdul hanging from the rear view mirror and the license plate ABD LV.

Creepy, just creepy.  Kinda gives a new meaning to “Forever Your Girl.”

Evan Rachel Wood is a beautiful 21 year old actress, but she must have the worst taste in men…ever.  She hooked up with goth rocker Marilyn Manson in 2006 after he kicked Dita Von Teese to the curb.  This creepy dude had also dated Rose McGowan – how is he getting all these hot chicks? 

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Anyhow, back to the story.  So, Wood and Manson decided to go the proverbial “we are going to take some time off from our relationship to concentrate on work” route.  Honestly, does any couple who says this EVER go back to the relationship later?

And now, after the Manson split, rumors are that she is dating Mickey Rourke, who may have been sexy in say, 1981, but now it is 2008 and Mickey has not aged well.  Wood told PEOPLE magazine to spread the word – she was not dating Rourke.  She said the two bonded while filming the movie “The Wrestler” and while they are friends, they are not dating.  Rourke also denied any romance.

“Diff’rent Strokes” diminutive star Gary Coleman was charged with reckless driving and disorderly conduct after hitting a man in the parking lot of a bowling alley in Payson, Utah.  Coleman was backing out of the lot late September 6th when he struck Colt Rushton and another car.  Rushton went to the local hospital with minor injuries.

What caused Coleman, 40, to hit Rushton?  Apparently, Rushton used his cell phone to take two photos of Coleman inside the bowling alley.  Given Coleman’s career, or lack thereof, you would think he would be happy people recognize him anymore!  Both charges are misdemeanors. (Photo source by Roebot and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike license versions 2.5, 2.0, and 1.0)

The actors of FX’s controversial show “Nip/Tuck” want more – more money!  Stars of the show Julian McMahon (Dr. Christian Troy) and Dylan Walsh (Dr. Sean McNamara) are hoping to see their salaries double to almost $250,000 per episode.   Other regulars, including Joely Richardson (Julia McNamara), Kelly Carlson (Kimber Henry), and Roma Maffia (Dr. Liz Cruz), also want hefty increases.

McMahon and Walsh have brought in Marty Singer, who represented many from “The Sopranos,” to help with the negotiations.  The actors argue that while free to take other jobs, others might be hesitant to hire them while still attached to “Nip/Tuck.”

You would think that drunk or not, Lily Allen would know to stay out of an old queen’s way, but she got all up in Sir Elton John’s face at the GQ Men of the Year awards last night in London. 

I suppose technically Elton started it because when an obviously inebriated Lily introduced a “very special point in the evening,” he asked “What, you are going to have another drink?”

The 23 year old singer spouted off to Elton before the whole audience “F—off Elton, I’m 40 years younger than you.  I have my whole life ahead of me.”  Not to be outdone, Elton replied “I could still snort you under the table.” 

I’d like to point out that Elton has had a successful career that is older than Lily Allen.  He probably has feather boas older than her!  And, to continue her crassness, when Tony Bennett was introduced, she said “I’ll still [have sex with] him.”  Ew, Tony Bennett is 82 years old! 

Does anyone else see Lily Allen skipping down the Amy Winehouse path?

Don’t look for another disastrous Spears appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards this year.  In fact, don’t look for a performance of any type.  While the media has reported that Britney would be returning to the VMAs after last year’s lackluster (and that’s being nice) “Gimme More” performance, her manager Larry Rudolph has said “Britney was never slated to perform at this year’s VMAs.”  He went on to say in a statement “She’s in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio.”

Britney has been making appearances to promote the VMAs and MTV Networks Music Group president Van Toffler said they weren’t ruling out having Britney back and at one point, were in talks with her, but apparently that is as far as it is going.  Britney’s “Piece of Me” is nominated for Video of the Year.  You can see the VMAs live from Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7th.