Just when we thought the judge shortage at “American Idol” was all sewn up, with rock front man Steven Tyler and former pop-star Jennifer Lopez taking over for ousted judges Kara DioGuardi and Ellen Degeneres, it looks like it might not be a done deal after all. While Tyler is blabbing all over the media about his new gig - er, telling everyone except his band mates, that is - Lopez has been very tight-lipped about the whole thing. With good reason - based on a report from People, J.Lo wasn’t done negotiating her terms, and “Idol” producers finally said “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Jennifer Lopez won’t be a judge on American Idol after all, according to a source close to the situation.

The singer-actress had been closing a deal to be a permanent judge on the show for its upcoming 10th season but the deal fell apart.

“Her demands got out of hand,” says the source. “Fox had just had enough.”

With Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres both departing the talent search, the network had been pursuing a number of celebrities as potential judges, including Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler.

But now that Lopez is out of the running, the network may be looking at their earlier top picks again.

Other reports have said that the panel could go back to the original three-judge format.

Fox had no comment. A rep for Lopez did not immediately return calls for comment.

[From People]

Does this surprise anyone? J.Lo’s demands are legendary at this point. I’ll bet FOX missed Paula Abdul, big time. All she wanted was a little more money. So, now that J.Lo is out, does this mean that Jessica Simpson is back in? And will viewers care at all - or will they follow Simon Cowell to his new, probably better, talent show, X Factor?

Now that the Charlie Sheen domestic abuse case is closed- Sheen basically walked away smelling like a rose once more - there are more details being released about the now-infamous Christmas eve/day brawl that resulted in Sheen’s arrest. According to the police report, Sheen and estranged wife Brooke Mueller erupted into a vicious argument after Charlie revealed that he and one of his daughters with ex-wife Denise Richards have a special song - Train’s “Drops of Jupiter.”

Charlie Sheen claims the infamous Christmas Day incident with his wife Brooke Mueller all started after she learned that Charlie and one of his daughters shared “an affinity” for a song by the band Train, this according to new legal documents obtained by TMZ.

The Aspen Police Department just released the full police report from the incident, in which the arresting officer states that Charlie explained what happened before the alleged assault.

In the report the officer states, “[Sheen] … explained that he and the daughter share an affinity for both astronomy and the song ‘Drops of Jupiter’ from the band ‘Train.’”

“[Sheen] added that he bought two tracking telescopes; one for his daughter and one for him so they could both look at the same point in the universe at the same time, as a way of staying connected.”

According to the report, Sheen told the officer that “Mueller was jealous of this relationship with his daughter. He stated that Mueller said, ‘you have a song with you share with your daughter, but not one with me?’”

Sheen told the cops the argument escalated and they eventually started to “slap” at “each others hands or wrists.”

Sheen was eventually arrested for 2nd degree assault, menacing, criminal mischief and domestic violence.

[From TMZ]

Train front man Pat Monahan was asked about the incident, and here’s what he had to say:

The singer from Train claims he’s happy Charlie Sheen and his daughter could bond over their hit “Drops of Jupiter” — even though Sheen told cops the song played a role in the Christmas Day domestic dispute with his wife.

Patrick Monahan just took to the band’s Twitter, saying “I’m pretty sure that Drops of Jupiter is a positive part of Charlie Sheen and his daughter’s relationship. Just gonna look at it that way.”

As we previously reported, Charlie told cops that Brooke got jealous and violent when she found out he and his daughter had a special song — “Drops of Jupiter.” Brooke’s mom called the story, “Silly.”

[From TMZ]

I’m dying to know what Denise Richards has to say about all of this. Forgive me if I think Charlie Sheen is full of it. Notice how he conveniently left out the part about holding a knife to his wife’s throat and threatening to kill her. The guy is a master manipulator and has stopped at nothing to smear Mueller’s reputation since this incident was made public. Do I believe that Brooke harbored jealousy over his older children? Absolutely. Do I believe that they are both drug addicts who got all hopped up on various substances and then fought like rabid weasels? Yes, I do. But his claim that his daughter, Sam, loves astronomy and telescopes? Please. The kid is six years old. Pardon me if I don’t buy that she’s so into astronomy that she requires a tracking telescope, let alone knows how to use one. Most six year old kids have “an affinity” for Spongebob and nap time.

Not only was the Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl vehicle “Killers” slammed by critics and ignored by audiences, but it was also the death knell for struggling movie studio Lion’s Gate. It’s just one of many Hollywood studios currently struggling, but Lion’s Gate actually issued a statement saying that the movie’s “underperformance” was one of the top reasons they are now operating at a $64 million revenue loss and are fighting off hostile takeover bids. Which begs the question: why is Ashton Kutcher still considered a movie star?

Lionsgate said on Monday that it lost $64.1 million during its fiscal 2011 first quarter, with overall revenue driven down, in part, by a declines in home entertainment revenues — a result of producing fewer theatrical films last year — and higher marketing costs to promote three wide releases.

The studio also attributed the rough quarter to the “underperformance” of “Killers” starring Ashton Kutcher.

Overall revenue was $326.6 million for the quarter, a decline of about 14 percent. Its adjusted net loss was $13.7 million, compared to a $53.4 million profit during the same quarter last year.

Liongate’s $64.1 million net loss was “attributable primarily to an increase of $71.2 million in theatrical marketing costs” for three wide releases — “Killers,” “Kick Ass” and “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?” — in the quarter, compared to just one wide release (“Crank 2: High Voltage”) last year.

The studio’s motion picture revenue — at $272.7 million — was unchanged, and that included the $71.3 million in theatrical revenues generated at the box office.

Lionsgate’s home entertainment revenue — $117.1 million — slid 22 percent on a smaller 2010 (fiscal) slate.

Revenue from Lionsgate-owned Mandate Pictures fell 75 percent to $13.3 million, and the studio attributed to the timing of its slate compared to last year’s fiscal first quarter, which included “Drag Me to Hell” and “Juno.”

Lionsgate co-chair and CEO Jon Feltheimer singled out “Killers,” but remained optimistic about the upcoming slate.

“Our first quarter was affected by marketing costs for our three wide releases, timing of television deliveries and the underperformance of our theatrical release ‘Killers,’” Feltheimer said in a statement accompanying the release. “With our upcoming theatrical slate, beginning with this Friday’s opening of ‘The Expendables,’ and the continued strength of our television, library and channel businesses, we remain poised to achieve our full year financial targets.”

The earnings release did not address the latest hostile takeover bid by Carl Icahn and his Icahn group. Last week, Lionsgate’s board rejected Icahn’s offer of $6.50 per share.

Icahn has been aggressively trying to wrangle control of the indie studio for months. His latest lob is set to expire on August 25.

[From The Wrap]

It sounds like the studio had a few movies that underperformed, but that “Killers” was the biggest disappointment. I don’t know why that project got the green light in the first place. When was the last time an Ashton Kutcher movie was successful? I can’t even remember. Did anyone actually see that movie? The previews looked horrible. If any of our readers saw it - please weigh in, how bad was it? Anyway, maybe these studios will be a little more selective on which projects get the green light now that they’re in such dire financial straits.

Promotional images courtesy of Collider and Best Week Ever.

In the wake of Simon Cowell’s departure from Fox’s monster hit, “American Idol,” the show’s producers seem to be scrambling to make the show relevant. Last season’s Ellen Degeneres experiment was an epic fail, and no one seems to be more aware of this than Ellen herself. Ellen announced yesterday that she is not coming back as a judge on the show, citing work conflicts and her inability to say negative things about any of the contestants.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who became a full-time judge on the show during its ninth season, is bowing out of the series, PEOPLE has learned.

“A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” she says in a statement. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for.”

DeGeneres adds, “I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had, I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”
In the same statement, Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, “I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”

Peter Rice, the FOX entertainment chairman, says, “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of Idol. We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”

A longtime fan of Idol, DeGeneres signed on to replace Paula Abdul after Abdul Tweeted about her departure in August 2009. “I’m going to have a day job and a night job,” DeGeneres said at the time. “This is exciting for me.”

In January, Cowell announced he was leaving to concentrate on bringing his U.K. hit The X Factor to the U.S

Well, that didn’t last long. I have to applaud Ellen for realizing that she’s not really cut out for the job. Her presence on the show did nothing for the ratings, and even when the contestants sucked really bad, she couldn’t bring herself to tell them the truth. It also looks like much-hated judge Kara DioGuardi won’t be back at the judge’s table next season, either- but in her case, she didn’t bow out voluntarily. Both TMZ and Deadline Hollywood are reporting that the songwriter has been fired, and that the show is returning to a three-judge format. Rumored to be replacing Kara and Ellen? Jennifer Lopez and…wait for it… Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler!

We’ve just learned the backstory of how Ellen DeGeneres bowed out of American Idol and who will be the new judge taking her place. It’s Jennifer Lopez, whose singing and acting career has been on the skids after her recent movie failed at the box office in the spring and she was dropped by her record company Sony Music Epic Records this past winter. We hear her manager Benny Medina (whom she once fired) orchestrated the meeting with the American Idol producers a month ago, and negotiations have been ongoing ever since. We’ve learned a deal was closed earlier this week under the utmost secrecy. Today’s news came shortly after Nigel Lythgoe returned to Idol as an executive producer. He has vowed to shake up the show’s team of judges in the wake of the departure of Simon Cowell, publicly stating that he always thought a panel of three and not 4 made the most sense.

Still to be decided is who will replace Simon Cowell. Everyone associated with the show wants Elton John, but we hear he’s asking for too much money and has too many touring commitments he can’t get out of.

2ND UPDATE: Tonight, unconfirmed reports say Idol has offered Cowell’s judge seat to Steven Tyler. 3RD UPDATE: And another unconfirmed report claimed judge Kara DioGuardi has been fired to bring the panel count down to just 3, not 4.

As for Ellen Degeneres, we’re told she wanted off the show two months ago and complained that Idol producers “couldn’t control Cowell”, one insider tells us. Least of all Cecile Frot-Coutaz, the CEO of FremantleMedia North America. “Cecile is doing X Factor with Simon, so she’s in his back pocket.” DeGeneres and her reps went in to to see Fox Broadcasting’s Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice and Alternative TV President Mike Darnell and asked to be let out of the year left on her contract. “She’s not comfortable. She’s not happy. It’s not been fun,” Fox was told. But Rice and Darnell responded that, with Cowell leaving, “We can’t let you out now because it would be bad for our franchise. Give us a chance to figure out who we could get.” In the end, all the show’s producers — Fox, Fremantle, and 19 Entertainment — worked it out. “Peter Rice was awesome,” an insider tells us. “Ellen is thrilled and relieved.” We’ve learned that serious conversations took place between Idol and Jessica Simpson to replace Ellen. But once Jennifer Lopez was locked in this week, the DeGeneres announcement went out.

…Her replacement JLo badly needs this high-profile boost to her flagging career. The actress had many hits with Sony Music Epic Records, so it was a shock within the recording industry when her longtime label dumped her.

[From Deadline Hollywood]

The J.Lo story doesn’t surprise me all that much - she’s just desperate enough to take this gig in hopes of reviving her music career. But Steven Tyler? Really? Not only does the guy not need the money, but last time I checked, he was kind of a hot mess and is barely out of rehab. But he would probably be a lot of fun to watch. The big question is, can either of them fill the “mean judge” shoes left empty by Simon? The show won’t work without a judge who tells the contestants the brutal truth. I don’t think surviving judge Randy Jackson is up for the job- dawg can barely string more than two or three words together. The big rumor in Hollywood is that J.Lo is a raving bitch, but will she be willing to bare the claws on national TV? I don’t think so. But at least the addition of two people who actually have experience in the music industry is a step up.

Header: Jennifer Lopez on June 15, 2010. Credit: WENN.

“American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox gave an interesting interview to Redbook, giving some behind-the scenes perspective about her time on the show. Crystal is diabetic and got very ill early in the show’s run. At one point, Idol producers told her that she was off the show because she had to go to the hospital. Crystal admits that she pitched a fit in order to stay. Her pleas caused Idol producers to switch the performance nights so the men performed first, and the women second. That decision allowed Crystal enough time to be treated for diabetes complications, and ultimately finish in second place.

“Why don’t you try out for American Idol?” That’s what Crystal Bowersox heard over and over from friends and listeners at her local gigs in Chicago. For years, she resisted. What would the Hollywood glitz machine make of a girl with dreadlocks, imperfect teeth, and a raspy, soulful voice? Then, when she was 22, she found out she was pregnant. As soon as her son, Tony, was born, she wanted more than anything to be able to give him a safe, secure life. So she swallowed her doubts and auditioned for the Idol judges. Here, in her own words, Mama Sox tells us all about the wild journey–almost getting kicked off the show, her breakup the night before the finale, and the thrill of being able to give Tony all he’ll ever need.

How music has shaped her life

“I knew from the time I was 6 or 7 that music was something I had to do. Growing up, my parents did everything they knew how to do to support me. My dad was always kinda my roadie; he drove me from gig to gig. But I got my own gigs. I was this 12-year-old kid, shuffling business cards, calling people, telling them I wanted to play.

“When I hit 20, 21, everyone was like, ‘Well, what if music doesn’t work out?’ And I was like, Maybe I should have a backup plan. I was living in Chicago then, and I went to work full-time in a real estate office and went to school full-time at night. Every morning I’d go to the office, answer phone calls, dress up really pretty, and, you know, be somebody I wasn’t. I was miserable.

“During the time I worked at that office, I had started dreading my hair. Two weeks after my boss saw them, I was let go for other reasons, but I know it was because of my dreads. But those people really did me a favor. I walked out the door and down the street, and Kingston Mines [a blues club] was hiring. I was a cocktail waitress, but I was in my world and I could be me. And on jam nights, when things weren’t busy, I’d get up on stage and sing with different bands. I had the best time, and I felt like I was where I belonged.”

On surprise motherhood: “When I found out I was pregnant, I was 22. It was really scary because I was working the music thing, and with a kid coming, you just can’t live that life with a child. I was single, I was on my own–but I had a great group of friends who backed me up and helped me through the whole thing. My son, Tony, was healthy when he was born, but he had to be in the hospital because he was a little jaundiced; he was also about three weeks early. I called my dad crying, and I was like, ‘How did you do this with three kids?’ I was a juvenile diabetic, and I was sick all the time growing up, and in the hospital. I had a completely newfound respect and love for my parents and what they must have gone through. Having a kid makes you appreciate your parents so much more.”

Mistakes she won’t make: “I had what you could call a chaotic childhood. My parents divorced when I was 2; I went back and forth between my mom’s and dad’s houses for years.

“But, you know, my parents tried to do the right thing. As crazy as everything was, and as much fighting and everything, there was always a feeling of support from them. They were doing the best they could, and you understand that when you grow up. But I know now, through their example, what things I don’t want in my child’s life. When I was younger, my mom loved me so much that she didn’t know how to handle it when I didn’t do the right thing. And her disappointment would come out through anger. But you know what? I don’t hold it against her. I’m not mad at her now. But that will never happen with Tony and me. You live and you learn and you come to understand that your parents have their own frustrations and issues that you don’t know about or aren’t capable of understanding when you’re young. Just like now, my son has no idea of what I’ve just been through for him. But no matter what you’re going through as a parent, you don’t ever lay that on your kid. Children need to be surrounded by nothing but love, kindness, and support.”

On being on American Idol: “I went into the Idol audition with no expectations; that’s just the kind of person I am. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t hurt so badly, you know? But once I made it past the first round, and the second, and third—I started to realize, Maybe my goals and dreams really are attainable….It was hard, and I did go talk to Ryan [Seacrest] at one point because he works 24/7 and I knew he would understand. He gave me the best advice: He said the best thing I could ever do was work hard enough now so I could take care of my family. And it’s true. Sometimes you have to work really hard and make sacrifices so you can provide for the people you love.”

On the truth about her breakup: “I really want to clear up some misunderstood stuff about Tony’s and my breakup the night of the Idol finale, and let people know how amazing he was through the whole process. I feel like he’s getting portrayed as this person who up and left me on the biggest day of my life, and that’s not the case at all. I mean, he’s getting hate mail and horrible messages online. So I want to make clear how amazing, kind, and generous a person he is, and that he truly considers my son his son and little Tony loves him. He’s been there since my son was about 3 months old. And in a lot of ways, he’s the perfect man; he really is. But ultimately, we both knew it wasn’t going to work out, considering the different lives we were leading. And it’s better to come to that realization than to have an unhappy relationship. Mommy and Daddy need to be happy in order for baby to be happy.”

On the scariest Idol moment: “During Idol, I really hadn’t been taking great care of myself. You want to forget you’re diabetic for a while, and maybe you don’t watch yourself as well as you should. I ended up getting sick in March, and they told me I was off the show. I wasn’t going to take that. I begged, I screamed, I pleaded. I said, ‘I want to meet with the head honchos. I need this so bad for my kid. I’ll go home if I’m voted off, but not because of this.’ That’s the one time I threw a huge fit, and thankfully, they gave in.”

On the rewards of motherhood: “Tony’s first word this morning was happy. I am not joking….He sits up and he looks at me and he goes, ‘Happy.’ And I almost cried. I’m like, ‘Really?’ I’m doing something right and it feels so good. To me, the definition of success is happiness.”

[From Redbook]

It sounds like Crystal has her head on straight in spite of some early wild years. I still wish she had won the whole thing on “Idol,” but out of all the last season’s contestants, she is the only one who appears to have what it takes for a real shot at a music career. But from the sounds of this interview, whether she makes it or not, she has a very happy life with her little son. I’m glad she fought to stay on the show - it would have been a total waste of time without her this past season.

Header: Crystal on July 9, 2010. Credit: WENN.

Boy, oh boy, did Sean Lennon put his foot in it. Apparently, the younger son of late Beatle John Lennon and his mom, Yoko Ono, are big Lady Gaga fans. When Gaga visited Yoko at the NYC apartment she shared with John until his murder in 1980, she was allowed to play a piano that belonged to John. Sean took a photo of Gaga posing at the piano - of course, in her trademark fishnet freak-wear - and posted it on Twitter. I don’t think Sean was prepared for the outrage that ensued.

Sean Lennon has defended Lady Gaga on his Twitter page, after irate Beatles fans lashed out after seeing that she had played John Lennon’s white Steinway piano in New York.

Lennon had posted a Twitpic of Gaga sat at the piano in her famously skimpy clothes. A caption said, “With Gaga at mom’s house, she’s belting on the white piano,” to which he received a torrent of negative messages from “uptight” fans.

Several people posted messages of “disappointment” after seeing the “unworthy” famous Lennon piano being used by the ‘Poker Face’ star, to which Lennon replied, “Pianos are meant to be played. Why is everyone so uptight? What should we do, lock it away in a dusty room? So judgemental…”

Responding to one particular Tweeter, Jennifer Flatman — Twitter handle lavielibre23 — John Lennon’s youngest son retorted, “Come on, lighten up … life’s too short, there’s enough real problems in the world,” before later adding, “Firstly, he gave that piano to my mother for her birthday, it is hers. Secondly, he was not not uptight the way you seem.”

Gaga had been visiting the Dakota Building — where Lennon’s mother Yoko Ono lives — when the photo was taken.

[From Spinner]

The piano in the photo resembles the white Steinway John played in the video for the song “Imagine,” so I guess it’s understandable that hardcore Beatles fans might be upset that a skanky attention-whore would think that she is worthy of sitting at it. But if Yoko allowed her to play it, then I don’t see what the big deal is. I would have swooned at the change to even touch it. I didn’t realize Gaga was a big Beatles fan - they may be the one band she hasn’t ripped off in her own career. But who knows, maybe her next CD will have a duet with Yoko or something equally horrific. You know what really bugs me about this whole story? How does Gaga just walk around every day, visiting people in their homes, going to baseball games, etc., in get-ups like that? I mean, I can see why she needs to dress in underpants as outerwear as part of her stage show, but when she is just out visiting people? Really? You have to wonder where her head is at. Is there any point in her day when she isn’t “On?”

Last week, Hollywood husband Dean McDermott ended up in ICU with a collapsed lung after his second crash while racing dirt bikes. The husband of Tori Spelling even had to be outfitted with a catheter- which he Tweeted about. Now that Dean is home and recovering, sources report that he has banned the dirt biking, much to the relief of Tori. Anyone who watches their reality show knows that the activity was becoming a major source of strife within the marriage, so maybe the crash was a good thing.

Dean McDermott’s recent motorcycle crash did what months of nagging by his wife Tori Spelling couldn’t - it caused him to give up a sport he loves.

Dean, a speed enthusiast, was rushed to the ICU of a Los Angeles hospital on June 29 after crashing his dirt bike - his second crash this year. He suffered a punctured and collapsed lung, which left him unable to move and bleeding heavily from his right side.

A panicked Tori, 37, rushed to his bedside - and begged him to give up the dangerous sport for good, say pals.

The couple, who married in 2006 and have two young children, have admitted that their relationship is sometimes rocky. And one of their most contentious battles has been over Dean’s obession with motorcycle racing, revealed the insider.

After Dean’s crash in January, in which he fractured his shoulder, he agreed to ride only as a hobby and to give up professional racing.

But after seeing Tori’s anguish over his injuries from his most recent smash-up, Dean, 43, agreed to stop riding dirt bikes altogether.

“He’s done tempting fate and ready to recommit himself to Tori and the kids.”

[From The National Enquirer print version, July 19, 2010]

Well, I’m glad Dean agreed to cut out the foolish, reckless behavior. But now he is going to have to find something else to fill up his time, and let’s face it- that won’t be his wife and kids. His “obession” with dirt bikes, in my opinion, is a signal that he’s bored and unfulfilled. But what else is there? His acting career is kaput ever since he married Tori. If it weren’t for the reality show and Tori’s books, they’d have no work at all. Maybe he needs to get out there and start reviving his acting career so he can stay out of trouble.

Kathy Griffin has been jokingly referring to Levi Johnston, the father of Bristol Palin’s baby, as her “boyfriend,” for months. The comedian and star of “My Life on the D List” has brought Johnston as her date to various awards shows and red carpet walks, and visited him in Wasilla, Alaska while filming her show. She even had Levi on as her guest when she filled in as host of “Larry King Live,” referring to him as her “lover.” Everyone thought Kathy was just pulling one of her many PR stunts by pairing up with Levi - but is it possible that Kathy and Johnston have been having sex?

Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol may change her mind about marrying baby daddy Levi Johnston when she finds out pals are saying that he recently slept with comic Kathy Griffin!

While the comedian has talked about her obsession with Levi and joked about seeing his “goods” in recent interviews, The Enquirer has learned that Levi’s pals say the pair did indeed have sex romps - on multiple occasions.

Levi, 20, and 49-year-old Kathy had their first encounter in August 2009 when the comedian took him as her date to the “Teen Choice Awards,” according to a close pal of Levi’s. The source adds that their fling continued after Kathy performed in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 5 of this year.

“Levi said that he hooked up with Kathy when he visited L.A. for the ‘Teen Choice Awards,’ and again when she went to Alaska for her stand-up comedy show,” revealed the pal. He was excited when he bragged to friends about how he was going to entertain her at his house after they spend theday together ice fishing.

“The next night, Levi went to Anchorage to stay in Kathy’s hotel - they went to dinner and then to a gay bar called Mad Myrna’s before going back to her hotel.”

Kathy’s interest in Levi began in the summer of 2009 after he started making headlines by revealing behind-the-scenes secrets about Bristol’s mom Sarah, the former vice presidential candidate.

The star of “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” then shocked onlookers when she took Levi as her date to the “Teen Choice Awards.”

In our June 28 issue, we revealed that 19-year-old Bristol and Levi had secretly rekindled their romance, and Levi was spending nights at her townhouse in Anchorage behind Sara Palin’s back. The two have an 18-month-old son, Tripp.

Now friends say that Levi and Bristol are fully back together and talking about getting married in the immediate future, but they fear that once Bristol finds out about Levi’s flings with Kathy, those plans will come to a screeching halt.

“Bristol has no idea that Levi actually had sex with Kathy - she thought it was all a joke,” said the pal. “Bristol is going to freak when she finds out the truth.”

[From The National Enquirer print version, July 19, 2010]

I’m not sure if I believe it, but it sure is funny! Not only is Kathy an evil genius, but Levi Johnston has to be one of the dumbest people on the planet. It seems like he will do absolutely anything for fame, and can be led around by his genitals by just about anyone. Seriously, what is that kid’s deal? As for the Bristol/Levi reunion, I would hope that she has more sense than to marry this idiot, and not just because he had sex with Kathy Griffin.

Header: Kathy & Levi on August 9, 2009. Credit: WENN.

Crystal Bowersox, the dreadlocked-single-mom who many think should have won this season of “American Idol,” but instead finished second, has posted new photos of herself with a new set of pearly white chompers. Crystal’s teeth were the subject of some nasty comments the entire season. Some bloggers even speculated that her teeth were the reason she didn’t win. Anyway, Crystal posted a photo of her new teeth on her Twitter account, and she looks great.

‘American Idol’ runner-up Crystal Bowersox took to her Twitter account to show off her new smile. “What’s NOT missing in this picture?????? Yeah. That’s right,” she wrote. The singer, who was known for her gap-toothed grin, took a trip to the dentist and it appears she couldn’t be happier with the results. Her rep tells PEOPLE that Bowersox decided to fix her pearly whites before going on tour.

During the entire season of ‘Idol,’ she refused to get her teeth fixed. Perhaps she didn’t want anything interfering with her singing during the competition.

On the first night of the ‘Idol’ finale, Bowersox’s rendition of Patty Griffin’s ‘Up to the Mountain’ earned raves from the judges. However, she ultimately fell short, and finished the competition in second place.

[From Popeater]

Like it or not, being famous means looking a certain way, and it seems like Crystal understands that. She really does look healthier and younger with the new chompers. I hope she still keeps her dreadlocks, though!

It’s hard to believe that the Beatles are old enough to be grandparents- but drummer Ringo Starr just turned 70 years old. Ringo celebrated with a “Peace and Love” themed party attended by fans, family and friends, and closed out the evening with an all-star show at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall that thrilled concert goers. An unannounced appearance by Paul McCartney sent the crowd into fits, and Yoko Ono also made an appearance.

The cake had been served, the candles had been blown out, and Ringo Starr had all but told the sold-out crowd at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall to go home, but the most exciting part of his 70th birthday show last night was still to come. That was the exact moment, right around 10 p.m., that none other than Paul McCartney bounded on stage in his skinny tie and fitted suit. The art-deco hall filled with 1964-style squeals as Sir Paul tore through the Beatles’ “Birthday” with the wild-eyed drive of someone decades younger.

McCartney’s unannounced appearance was the perfect end to an evening of festive collaboration. Ringo calls his touring act the All-Starr Band for a reason: They’re all handpicked veterans of bands from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. In between his solo hits (“Photograph,” “It Don’t Come Easy”) and Beatles classics (“Yellow Submarine,” “Act Naturally,” “Boys”), he gave each of his bandmates ample time to demonstrate their own claims to fame. Keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter led electrifying renditions of “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” Guitarist Rick Derringer of the McCoys rocked “Hang On Sloopy.” The Romantics’ Wally Palmar told us “What I Like About You.” Mr. Mister’s Richard Page spread his “Broken Wings.” Gary Wright crooned “Dreamweaver,” which he said was inspired by a book on Eastern philosophy that George Harrison once gave him. (“George Harrison never gave me no damn book,” cracked Ringo.)

I’m not sure I’d sit through an entire concert by any of those guys’ original groups, but seeing them run through their hits with Ringo was fun — a classic-rock radio revue with one of history’s greatest beat-keepers behind the kit. Starr himself was as energetic as any 70-year-old I’ve ever encountered, grooving gamely at front stage or drumming with that familiar head-bobbing enthusiasm.

Halfway through a Mr. Mister song, my mother and I noticed the E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren and ELO’s Jeff Lynne simultaneously leaving their seats a few rows ahead of us. For a moment I thought they must not be big “Broken Wings” fans, but of course they were only heading backstage. A few numbers later, Starr said he wanted to play a tune that he was considering cutting from his set list due to lukewarm crowd reactions. The song was “With A Little Help from My Friends.” Oh, Ringo, you joker! This was the cue for a cavalcade of celebs to join him. Seeing Starr giddily jam with Van Zandt, Lofgren, Lynne, Yoko Ono, Joe Walsh, and quite a few others is not a sight I’ll soon forget.

My mother and I had been hoping all along that McCartney might pop up. He was conveniently in between tour dates in London and San Francisco this week, and 70 is a big birthday. But “With A Little Help” transitioned into a sweet singalong of John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance,” followed by a spontaneous crowd rendition of “Happy Birthday” and the aforementioned cake and candles, and Macca was nowhere to be seen. Oh well. Who could complain after all those other guests? And then he turned up after all. His “Birthday,” with Walsh on wicked lead guitar, was the best possible way to end that show. Afterward, teary hugs were exchanged between McCartney, Starr, and Ono. McCartney softly repeated the words “Happy birthday to you” into the microphone. The appreciative surprise on his old friend’s face looked altogether genuine.

And so, for the second time in as many years, the two surviving Beatles shared a concert stage. (The same stage, as it happens.) My mom, who never got to see them when she was a teenaged fan in the ’60s, was pretty psyched to be there. So was I. On our way out from the venue, someone was raving about “history in the making.”

[From Entertainment Weekly]

Oh, man, do I wish I could have been there! I am kind of in denial about how old Paul and Ringo are. I would like to think they will live forever, wouldn’t you? At any rate, Ringo looks damn good for 70 years old. Despite the substance abuse problems he had earlier in his life, he looks like he’s taking very good care of himself these days. Happy Birthday, Ringo!