HOLLYWOOD - Top Story: Aniston and Lopez Battle for Best Bottom
In a cheek-to-cheek race, Americans who responded to the Web site eDiets.com's questionnaire on celebrity derrieres chose actress Jennifer Aniston's posterior (46.5 percent) over actress/singer Jennifer Lopez's (45.2 percent). "It seems while both Jennifers have different shapes, they almost equally appealed to the masses," said Raphael Calzadilla, fitness expert for eDiets.com and eFitness.com, in a statement. Oprah Winfrey came in third with 7.1 percent while Calista Flockhart came in fourth at 1 percent. Now, that's a wide group.
Ruben Paid to Wear Trademark Jerseys
In response to a lawsuit filed by American Idol star Ruben Studdard, who claims the owners of clothing company 205 Flava Inc. wrongfully used his image for profit, Willie and Frederick Jenkins say they paid Studdard to wear the 205's bright jerseys on the show, despite it being against the reality program's policy, The Associated Press reports. Willie Jenkins had told The Birmingham News about the payments in a June interview. "When he wore the clothing, we paid him." Studdard refused comment Monday. "The public will hear from us soon," Studdard's lawyer, Byron Perkins, told AP.
Ebert To Undergo Cancer Treatment
Longtime movie critic Roger Ebert is set to undergo radiation treatment for cancer of his thyroid and salivary gland, AP reports. The 61-year-old had surgery twice in February 2002 to remove tumors in his thyroid. "I will, however, continue to see movies, write reviews and do the Ebert & Roeper television show," AP reports Ebert wrote in an e-mail message to friends on Tuesday. "The treatments are a follow-up to earlier surgery, and I look forward to a complete recovery; this is not considered to be a life-threatening form of cancer…P.S. By the way, my thyroid cancer has been completely vanquished," he wrote.
Raquel Welch Separates From Husband
Film siren Raquel Welch and her fourth husband, restaurateur Richard Palmer, have agreed to separate, Reuters reports. "Raquel Welch and her husband Richie Palmer have agreed to separate after four years of marriage," spokeswoman Jill Bushinsky said in a statement. "Neither has any further comment at this time except to say that there is no third party involved and the separation is amicable."
Flynt Sued for Sexual Harassment
Hustler publisher Larry Flynt is being sued for sexual harassment by a former employee, Elizabeth Rene Raymond, who claimed she found sex toys in the company's dishwasher that were "used on the prostitutes who visited [Flynt's] office," Reuters reports. Raymond, who also said Flynt fostered a hostile working environment, was dismissed from her job shortly after complaining to her supervisors.
Former "Hollywood Madam" Breaks Down in Court
Heidi Fleiss sobbed on the witness stand Tuesday while giving her testimony against former fiancé Tom Sizemore, Reuters reports. Fleiss claimed Sizemore hit her, stubbed a cigarette out on her and verbally abused her during their turbulent year-long relationship. The Black Hawk Down star is on trial on 16 charges of domestic violence, threats, witness intimidation, property destruction, and obscene and harassing phone calls. "Tom Sizemore is innocent," Sizemore's attorney said in court. "Heidi Fleiss is a liar."
CNN Anchor Penalized for Leaving Accident
CNN anchor Jack Cafferty was fined $250 and must perform 70 hours of community service after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, AP reports. Cafferty was charged with a traffic infraction, along with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, assault and harassment, after police said he knocked a man off a bike in New York on May 14 and then fled the scene. The bicyclist suffered minor injuries.
Lynyrd Skynrd Forced To Cancel Tour
Rock band Lynyrd Skynrd had to cancel the remainder of their current tour with Sammy Hagar when lead singer Gary Rossington suffered a minor seizure due to exhaustion over the weekend, Reuters reports. The singer had underwent open-heart surgery several months before. Despite Rossington's illness, the band plans to return to the road Aug. 23 to begin their own Vicious Cycle tour in Omaha, Neb.
Role Call: Golly Gee, Ali G!
Sacha Baron Cohen of HBO's Da Ali G Show is set to star in a remake of the French film Le Diner de Cons (The Idiot Game). Variety reports the film, retitled Dinner for Schmucks, will highlight Cohen as a character deemed to possess such "extraordinary schmuckiness" that he is capable of ruining the life of anyone who spends more than a few minutes in his orbit.