• Sources: Jennifer Lopez is leaving 'American Idol'

    By Marc Malkin, E! Online

    FOX

    Sources say "Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez is bidding the show farewell after the season.

    Jennifer Lopez may have just been named by Forbes magazine today as the most powerful celebrity, but her reign at "American Idol" is coming to an end.

    While J.Lo has publicly said she has yet to make a decision about her future on "Idol," sources exclusively tell me that she she's planning on calling it quits.

    More from E: Jennifer Lopez Talks Marc Anthony, Casper Smart 

    "She's just too busy," one source said.

    That's so very true.

    She's about to launch a mega concert tour with Enrique Iglesias that kicks off this summer in Latin America and the U.S. She plans to go worldwide in the fall.

    I'm told Lopez will be on the road, at the very least, through the end of the year.

    The next round of "Idol" auditions will begin while she's overseas.

    The superstar apparently wants to free up her schedule next year, possibly taking a little hiatus from work to be with her kids.

    "It is just like any working mom's dilemma," Lopez told us at Monday's premiere of "What to Expect When You're Expecting." "It's tough. It's a balancing act. You put them first and then you have all these other things that you have to do, that you have to give your time to as well, and you have to make sure that they're OK in the process."

    Photos from E: 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' premiere


    Fox declined to comment on Lopez's future with the show.

    Lopez has been on "Idol" for two seasons with one-year contracts for both.

    Now the question is, will Fox try to change Lopez's mind with a much bigger payday?

    Would you like to see J.Lo on the "Idol" panel for another season? Who should fill her seat if she leaves? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Billy Bob Thornton didn't think he was 'good enough' for Angelina Jolie

    Jason Kirk / Getty Images file

    Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie at the premiere of "Bandits" on Oct. 4, 2001.

    By Us Weekly

    Billy Bob Thornton says he screwed up big time with Angelina Jolie.

    In an interview with ABC's "Nightline" (airing Wednesday at 11:35 p.m.), the Oscar-winning actor, 56, says he realizes he "blew it" with Jolie, 36 -- who is currently engaged to Brad Pitt -- because he didn't think he was "good enough for her."

    "She has one way she wanted to live her life and I had another way to live mine," Thornton reveals. "I was just too insecure."

    PHOTOS: Angelina's style evolution

    The "Monster's Ball" star says compared to his stunning ex-wife he felt "like the Phantom of the Opera hiding in the catacombs." Harsh comments from Jolie fans didn't help. "People actually said that I didn't deserve to be with her," Thornton shares.

    Adding to the strain on their marriage? Their disparate levels of fame.

    "When you're in a relationship, any two celebrities or whatever, you know, I think that puts on a lot of pressure," Thornton tells Nightline. "When Angie and I got married, during that time, I was more famous than she was to start with and then she becomes this big thing, it's hard in these relationships."

    PHOTOS: Angie and Brad's love story

    Still, the actor says he deserves to shoulder the blame for his failed marriage to Jolie, with whom he says he remains "good friends."

    "We had a great marriage and I chickened out because I didn't feel good enough," he admits. "That's all that happened. It was no big deal, we never hated each other."

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  • Reporter tips over Harley during motorcycle safety segment


    By Courtney Garcia, msnbc.com contributor

    May is Motorcycle Safety Month, and reporter Stephanie Berzinski of WXII-TV in Winston-Salem, N.C., learned first-hand how tough the big bikes can be to handle when she tipped over a new Harley-Davidson live on the air during a safety story.

    A leather-clad Berzinski, who'd taken a safety course and earned her motorcycle license, slowly drove the bike through a mostly vacant parking for the 5 p.m. live news broadcast. Riding was fine, it was parking that gave her issues. As the reporter approached the camera, she tried to stop the bike, seemingly forgot how to put the kickstand down, and ended up tipping it over, engine still rumbling. A crew member came immediately to her aid.

     “Okay, so it really isn’t as easy as it looks," Berzinski laughed. “That bike is a lot heavier than the one I was using in the motorcycle safety course. I apologize…That was not supposed to happen.”

    Nevertheless, the blooper led perfectly into the segment, as Berzinski continued, “It’s still a little nerve-racking. It’s very easy to make a mistake like I just did, which is why I was very surprised to learn the motorcycle safety foundation is not mandatory. …You can see why it’s to your advantage to take that course.”

     She later wrote about the incident on her Facebook page.

    “I have to laugh this one off,” Berzinski wrote. “Yes, I am forever embarrassed and yes I was totally mad at myself, but hey -- that’s live TV for you. Mistakes happen. Obviously. Either way I still passed and have my motorcycle endorsement. I think I’m gonna start off with a Vespa.”

    In response, viewer Art McMorris commented, “Don't feel bad, even bikers who have been riding for years have done it.”

    You can watch the segment here.

    Ever had an embarrassing motorcycle (or bicycle, or car) accident? Tell us on Facebook.

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  • Maria's ballroom boot came as no surprise to her 'Dancing' partner

    Adam Taylor / ABC

    Some fans were surprised to see Maria Menounos and Derek Hough get the ballroom boot on Tuesday night, but it wasn't exactly a shock to Hough.

    By Michael Maloney, TODAY.com contributor

    It was a shocker for many ballroom fans to see Maria Menounos, who received a chart-topping 59 (out of 60) points on Monday night's "Dancing With the Stars," sent home just before the finals. But that’s just what happened.

    Who wasn’t surprised? Menounos’ own partner Derek Hough.

    "I had a feeling," he told Today.com shortly after the ouster. "(Monday) night was so much fun. I almost felt like, 'OK. That was it.'"

    In fact, both Menounos and Hough were ready for the elimination play out the way it did.

    "I had a real sense of calm (on Tuesday)," Menounos admitted. "I said, 'Whatever happens will happen.' I’m going to be good. But yes, Derek told me, ‘Babe, I think we’re getting eliminated.’ I was like, 'Really?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'OK. I’m going to prepare.'"

    Hough, a three-time winner of "DWTS," felt that it was his duty to help prepare his partner. He also feels that it’s better to either come in first place or fourth in the competition. Now, he and Menounos won’t have to prepare for next week’s dances, which include an all-out freestyle routine.

    "The finals are really stressful," he noted. "It’s harder to be that close (to winning it all) than this close (where we come in fourth.) We literally had not had a bad dance. I felt like Monday night was Maria’s night. She kicked butt and got five 10s from the judges."

    After Katherine Jenkins was injured at the conclusion of her second dance on Monday's performance show, Menounos dispatched her medical team to Jenkins. "Later, my team came up to me and said, 'Maria, we took care of (Katherine), but we shouldn’t do that anymore. She’s your competition.' I said, 'Guys! This isn’t the Olympics. She’s my friend. Go take care of her!'"


    While Menounos and Hough now leave the finals to Jenkins, Donald Driver and William Levy and their pro partners, it won’t be long before "DWTS" fans see the eliminated pair again. The duo, along with all the other ejected pairs from this season, will return for next week’s finale and perform one last routine.

    "That’s what is so great about (leaving just before the finals)," Hough pointed out. "You go the whole season long. You have a couple of days break and then you come back for the finale and you do one more dance!"

    Michael Maloney is the author of "The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell, creator of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful."

    Did you see Maria's ballroom boot coming? Now that she's out of the running, who are your rooting for? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • 'Terminator' actor has been missing for a week

    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images file

    By Us Weekly

    Has anyone seen Nick Stahl? The "Terminator 3" actor, 32, has been reported missing since last Wednesday, May 9.

    The LAPD confirmed to TMZ that Stahl's wife, Rose, filed the report on Monday. Rose had filed court papers in February expressing concern about her husband's suspected drug use.

    PHOTOS: Celebrity meltdowns

    According to TMZ sources, Stahl was recently seen in the gritty Skid Row area of Downtown L.A. and "may have gotten himself involved in some bad stuff."

    PHOTOS: Celeb mugshots


    Stahl played John Connor in 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" opposite Claire Danes and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but has kept a full plate of TV and film appearances since that flick.

    His rep declined to comment.

  • '90210' stars still not speaking to each other

    Everett Collection

    The "Beverly Hills 90210" cast seen in 1996, including Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Jennie Garth, Tiffani Amber Thiessen, Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, and Kathleen Robertson.

    By Us Weekly

    Former "Beverly Hills, 90210" stars -- and enemies! -- Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty recently ended their 20-year war and onset rivalry to forge a surprisingly solid friendship.

    And while Garth, 40, and Doherty, 41, have also mended fences with Tori Spelling, things aren't quite so warm and fuzzy between Garth and fellow "90120" gal Tiffani Thiessen.

    PHOTOS: Jennie Garth's life as a mom

    Joining the cast of the beloved teen soap in 1994 after Doherty's scandal-plagued departure, Thiessen, 38, and Garth quickly became BFFs off-camera -- with Garth even tapping Thiessen to be a bridesmaid at her wedding.


    But they've since had a falling out, sources tell Us Weekly.

    During a 2009 party, a guest recalls, a stone-faced Garth wouldn't even look at the "White Collar" actress when Thiessen said hello.

    PHOTOS: 90s stars then and now

    "Finally, Jennie snapped, 'OK? You got me?'," the guest says. "Tiffani looked sheepish and Jennie walked away It was very awkward."

    But things are much sweeter with Garth, Doherty and Spelling these days, with Garth even leaning on Spelling, 38, in the wake of her painful split from husband Peter Facinelli.

    "It's like high school friends that you fought with but now love," another source says. "They're a big part of your past!"

    Slideshow: The '90210' cast now

    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

    Launch slideshow

     

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  • Sacha Baron Cohen talks terrorists and Ryan Seacrest in rare interview

    By Ree Hines

    Sacha Baron Cohen is no stranger to the big or the small screens, but it's a rare treat for fans to see the actor out of character. On Wednesday morning, for only the third time in his career, the man behind "Da Ali G Show," "Borat" and "Bruno" left his alter egos behind and spoke for himself.

    Cohen, who was in Cannes promoting his latest film, "The Dictator," explained to TODAY's Ann Curry just why that's such a rare event.

    "Well, the movies that I did up until now, they involved real people and so we wanted to limit the exposure of for lawsuits -- at the moment I think I have the Guinness World Record for most sued actor in history," he said with a smile. "But basically if people saw that I was me, and that Borat was not a real person, beforehand, then they could injunct the movie and shut the movie down."

    But with the purely fictional "Dictator," that's not a problem.

    "This is a different kind of movie," he assured.


    But not so different when it comes to getting laughs at the expense of others -- of course in this case, the others aren't people on the street.

    "The subjects of the satire are all of these heartless dictators who are feared in their own countries and rule with, you know, using violence and oppression, but are ludicrous characters," Cohen explained. "And the great thing is, at the moment, they're being overthrown. So anything you can do to mock them and undermine them that kind of false authority, I think it's a positive thing."

    Which explains his over-the-top lead role as Supreme Leader Aladeen of the Republic of Wadiya -- a part he researched, but not quite as thoroughly as other parts in the past.

    "It kind of backfired on 'Bruno,' because I had a terrorist group come after me," Cohen revealed. "And, you know, (they) decided to seek their revenge. But they haven't got me yet. That's why I'm here -- hiding in Cannes."

    Of course, Cohen hides in plain sight often, thanks to those characters he usually takes with him. That's how he's able to pull off pranks, like his now-infamous stunt at the 2012 Oscars in which he dumped an urn of ashes all over Ryan Seacrest -- right on the red carpet. But no worries, he made up for that by buying Seacrest a brand new jacket.

    "And it had a little label inside -- 'Made by slave child labor,'" Cohen joked. "But he didn't send me a thank you note. Unbelievable."

    "The Dictator" opens in theaters nationwide May 16.

    Do you think Cohen should show fans the man behind the characters more often? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • Robert Downey Jr. may pocket Marvel-ous $50M for 'Avengers'

    Mario Anzuoni / REUTERS

    Robert Downey Jr. and wife Susan

    By Matthew Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter

    Mario Anzuoni / Reuters file

    Robert Downey Jr. and wife Susan

    Marvel’s "The Avengers" is a global box-office sensation, but among studio executives, it’s being hailed as much as a triumph of smart dealmaking. After all, the famously frugal Marvel managed to corral six hot stars into one film without breaking the bank. But Robert Downey Jr., 47, seems to be the lone exception to Marvel’s strict cost controls.

    PHOTOS: "Avengers" premiere: Red carpet arrivals

    According to multiple knowledgeable sources, Iron Man/Tony Stark is set for a highflying payday of about $50 million once box-office bonuses and backend compensation are factored in. (Two sources claim the number could go higher than $50 million once the ultimate box-office haul of "Avengers" is known, but another cautions that it could be years before the final number is known.) While on par with the upper echelon of franchise movie stars, that number blows away his superhero co-stars, all of whom will make a small fraction of Downey’s total, even as "Avengers" has a shot at topping the final "Harry Potter" film’s $1.32 billion global haul.

    Why the difference? When Marvel’s "Iron Man" grossed a surprising $585 million worldwide in 2008, Downey’s reps at CAA and the Hansen Jacobson law firm renegotiated a deal to include what multiple sources say is a slice of Marvel’s revenue from future movies in which he plays Iron Man (one source puts it in the 5 percent to 7 percent range; another source disputes the percentage. Marvel and Downey’s reps declined comment).

    As Marvel launched other hero pics that would lead up to "Avengers," the studio struck hard bargains. Two sources say Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo all signed on for small upfront fees and ultimately will make about $2 million to $3 million on "Avengers" with bonuses. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson, who signed deals to pop up in several Marvel movies, are said to be making about twice that for "Avengers" with bonuses.

    "Avengers" has become a global Goliath, passing the $1 billion milestone in just 19 days. If it passes the $1.32 billion of 2011's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," "Avengers" would become the third-highest-grossing film of all time, behind only James Cameron's double-whammy of "Avatar" ($2.8 billion) and "Titanic" ($2.2 billion, including grosses from the recent re-release). The Marvel film is distributed by Disney, which purchased the independent studio in 2009 for $4.3 billion.  


    While Downey’s pay might seem high, it's not unheard of for stars with backend to collect super-rich paydays when their films become global smashes. Johnny Depp is said to have made at least $250 million from the four "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and Forbes reported that director Michael Bay took home $80 million from the first "Transformers." (He likely made more than that for the sequels.)

    At those rates, Downey almost seems cheap.

    Who is your favorite "Avengers" superhero? Let us know on Facebook!

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  • Rapping granny, contortionist and singer steal the show on 'America's Got Talent'

    Virginia Sherwood/NBC

    Who's "Got Talent"? Granny G, the 80-year-old rapper, does, if Tuesday night's performance was anything to go by.

    By Sean Daly, AGTnews.com

    Howard Stern likes opera-singing nurses and rapping grandmas. Who knew? Night two of "America’s Got Talent" auditions brought the traveling circus to San Francisco, where the acts got more compelling — and so did the backstories.

    No one captured the hearts of the judges — and the audience — like 21-year-old Alonzo “Turf” Jones, an “extreme hip-hop contortionist dancer” who was homeless for two years after being kicked out of his home by his mother. Turf, it seems, can do things with his body that hurt most of us just to watch. But he is certainly impressive to watch.  And when he started crying tears before the judges even spoke, you could feel potential voters already throwing their support behind him.

    “You are a true original and I think you are what we’re looking for,” Howard told him.

    Turf will easily make it to New York — and he’ll probably have some company from his hometown.

    Ratings Slip with addition of Howard Stern

    Among the night’s other standouts:


    TIM HOCKENBERRY, 49 (singer)
    Tim showed up with his girlfriend, 3-week-old baby girl and a standard issue back story about battling the bottle. Singing in public made him nervous, he said. “The only time I could pull it off is if I had enough beer or wine in me. I knew I was an alcoholic pretty early — around 17 or 18 years old.” Now clean and sober, the Binghamton, New York native took the stage to deliver a raspy version of “You Are So Beautiful” that Joe Cocker might have had a tough time beating. Tim has the look, sound and story to win the whole thing.

    LUIS MENAGHIN, 54 (nurse)
    Up until now, the only audiences that had heard Luis’ amazing opera voice were the folks at the old-folks home he works at.  “Every day down at work they gather after lunch in the lobby, and I sing for half an hour for them,” he explained. “I tell them that I sing opera for them because it helps them with their bowel movements.” Turns out the Brazilian import (by way of Utah) has quite a voice.  He’s no Susan Boyle, but impressive enough to make it to Vegas and probably beyond.

    DAVID GARIBALDI & CMYK’S, 25 (concept painters/dancers)
    Both original and amazing, David had the audience roaring as he performed a dance routine with his team while each of them took turns splashing colored paints on a huge canvas. In less than 2 minutes they had created an incredible portrait of Beethoven (though Howard admitted he thought it was a painting of him).

    See the boy Howard Stern made cry

    GRANNY G., 80 (rapper/comic)
    Where else in prime time can an octogenarian come on stage with a walker, grab her backside and earn a free trip to Vegas? Granny G performed a rap that basically warned young men to be responsible and not ditch their baby mamas. But all she really had to do was come on stage and smile. If the judges let her advance to New York, expect Granny G to be a shoo-in for the Top 10.

    What do you think of the talent so far? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Perfect score not enough to keep Maria 'Dancing' in the finals

    Adam Taylor / ABC

    Derek and Maria may have delivered what the judges considered a perfect Argentine tango Monday, but viewers voted not to advance the pair.

    By Anna Chan

    Monday night may have been “a triumphant victory” in TV personality Maria Menounos’ opinion, but viewers apparently felt differently.

    Sure, she topped the leaderboard and had the judges gushing over her “perfect” Argentine tango (which featured some posture and line issues) and 29-point jive that lacked content. But viewers weren’t as impressed and gave their votes to finalists Donald Driver, Katherine Jenkins and William Levy, thus denying Maria’s pro partner, Derek Hough, a fourth mirror ball trophy.

    Was it an attempt by fans to balance the judges’ questionable scoring? Hard to say. But it was strange that head judge Len Goodman -- who has always been quick to slam performances that didn’t contain very many moves of the assigned dance -- actually pointed out that her jive lacked enough of the signature moves, but still opted to ignore the omissions. He busted out his 9 paddle while fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba raised their 10s. (Perhaps Len had enjoyed a few of his "happy pills" with his fellow panelists prior to the show?)

    Slideshow: Worst costumes of 'Dancing' season 14

    Adam Taylor / ABC

    Launch slideshow

    Still, they were impressive scores, especially considering Maria apparently hadn’t nailed down her dances prior to the performance show. “We didn’t know our dances (Monday) until we got on the floor, really,” she admitted during her exit interview.

    With her ouster, viewers will also be missing out on more of her infamous laugh and ear-piercing screams of excitement, not to mention the crying. Since premiere week, the TV personality has treated viewers to quite a few tears, some thanks to the stress of the competition, others due to the numerous injuries she has reportedly suffered (bruised ribs, fractured feet and a hard face plant, to name the big ones) during the season. “I learned how strong I was. I learned how to persevere,” she said after her elimination. With such serious injuries, she certainly did learn how to persist despite the pain!


    Speaking of injuries, host Tom Bergeron revealed that Katherine – who was the first contestant declared safe -- will be able to continue on in the competition despite suffering a back injury during her salsa Monday night. As proof, after the opera singer learned that she would be moving on to the finals, she jumped around with abandon and later laughed that she may have retweaked her back while celebrating. Oops!

    What do you think of the final three? Who’s your pick to win? Tell us on our Facebook page!


     

     

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  • OneRepublic drummer arrested for assault

    By Keith Coffman, Reuters

    Bennett Raglin / Getty Images

    Drummer Eddie Fisher of OneRepublic was arrested May 15 in Denver.

    DENVER -- Drummer Eddie Fisher of the alternative rock band OneRepublic was arrested in Denver on Tuesday on suspicion of assault, disturbing the peace and destruction of private property, police said.

    There was no immediate word from authorities on what led to the arrest, but Fisher, 38, was being held without bond at the Denver city jail, according to the Denver Sheriff's Office.

    Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the musician was taken into custody Tuesday morning but he had no details on the circumstances of the case.

    Fisher was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

    He grew up in Southern California, but his band has spent recent years based in Colorado.

    OneRepublic's frontman and composer is Ryan Tedder, who has also gained notice as a songwriter for other artists, such as Blake Lewis and Hilary Duff.

    The group has scored hits with the songs "Stop and Stare" and "Apologize," the latter selling a record-shattering 4.3 million digital downloads in the United States alone, the most ever for a single in America. "Apologize" also went platinum in other countries and broke airplay records in Britain.


    The band's first album, "Dreaming Out Loud," debuted in 2007, followed by "Waking Up" in 2009.

    More in TODAY entertainment:

  • TV's 5 biggest canceled shows

    By Joal Ryan, E! Online

    Sonja Flemming / CBS

    David Caruso and Jonathan Togo on the now canceled "CSI: Miami."

    A procedural drama with a bigger audience than the renewed "CSI: NY." A teenage drama with a bigger audience than the renewed "Gossip Girl." A crime show with a bigger audience than almost everything.

    Here's a rundown of some of the top-rated TV shows that got axed as the broadcast networks unveiled their new fall schedules:

    1. "Unforgettable": A Top 25 show, the one-and-done Poppy Montgomery series was TV's most-watched drama or comedy to rate a pink slip. But like "Rob," another show offed by CBS despite a similar- and good-sized audience of about 12 million, "Unforgettable" appears to have been punished for being the weakest link, relatively speaking, on an otherwise powerhouse night for the network.

    More from E: Check out Connie Britton's 'Nashville,' Scott Speedman's 'Last Resort' and more

    2. "CSI: Miami": In its 10th season, it averaged 10.5 million viewers, not far off from its ninth-season performance. At the same time, it was not far behind "CSI" (12.4 million) and was a bit ahead of "CSI: NY" (10.5 million), both of which are coming back. Speculation on its demise has centered on its production costs.

    3. "Terra Nova": The freshman dinosaur drama was declared dead in March, but its audience of 10 million viewers still looms large, and larger in fact than every Fox series, canceled or renewed, save for "American Idol" and "The X Factor." The closed-down "Alcatraz" (9.6 million viewers) was Fox's second-biggest snubee.

    4. "Missing": ABC didn't take out a bigger show than the midseason-launched Ashley Judd thriller, which averaged 8.9 million viewers but lacked for a young-adult audience as badly as Kathy Bates' "Harry's Law" (8.9 million viewers). The latter series, by the way, wasn't just NBC's most-watched cancellation victim, but also the struggling network's most-watched scripted series overall.


    5. "The Secret Circle": With 2.1 million viewers, the only CW drama with a bigger audience than this forsaken freshman series was its lead-in, "The Vampire Diaries." Once again a series seems to have suffered for being awarded one of its network's golden time slots.

    Photos from E: 2012 May finale spoiler-ama!

    Which of these shows will you miss most in the fall? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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