HOLLYWOOD - Top Story: Farrell's New Role: Fatherhood
Bad boy Colin Farrell became a proud papa Tuesday when his girlfriend, model Kim Bordenave, gave birth to a healthy baby boy in Los Angeles, The Associated Press reports. Farrell wasn't able to witness his son's arrival, since he is in Morocco filming Oliver Stone's Alexander. "Although Colin couldn't attend the birth, he had family members standing in and is longing to see his new son and couldn't be happier," Farrell's publicist said in a press release. "The three will be together very soon." Their son won't be named until then, the publicist added.
Judd's Dad Blames Ben
Amid the swirling rumors about the future of Hollywood couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Cris Judd's father, Larry Judd, is speaking out about his former daughter-in-law. In an interview with the New York Daily News, Judd said his son Cris (Lopez's second husband) "is still probably the best thing that ever happened to [Lopez]" and blames Affleck, who met Lopez on the set of their ill-fated film Gigli, for the breakup of their marriage. "I thought Mr. Affleck would honor a married woman and not just go right into the trailer," Larry Judd said. Lopez and Affleck have stated that there was no fooling around before her split from Cris, but Larry Judd says, "She was infatuated with (Affleck) from the start." He added, "She'd be happier if she'd just tell the truth. No one in her little circle is going to say one negative thing to her. I feel sorry for her."
Spears Teams With Madonna on Song
Pop princess Britney Spears announced the title of her fourth album Get in the Zone, LAUNCHMusic.com reports. It will include the first single "Me Against the Music," featuring Spears and her newfound kissing pal Madonna. The album is due in stores Nov. 18.
P. Diddy Sued By Cigar Maker
In yet another suit against Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, boutique cigar maker Moore & Bode claims the rap mogul gave away a "secret process" while filming a music video, AP reports. The lawsuit claims the company's "unique method of rolling the cigars" was taped for Combs' "Shake Ya Tailfeather" video from the movie Bad Boys II while the owners were out and without company permission. The trespassing cameraman was eventually told to leave, AP reports. The company is seeking at least $15,000 in damages.
Bono Spars With Bush Over AIDS Funding
U2's frontman Bono met with President Bush at the White House Tuesday and unsuccessfully tried to convince the president to set aside more money for AIDS initiatives, Reuters reports. "We had a good old row," Bono said at a press conference. "What I just can't agree with him on is the numbers." Bush has planned to put a $2 billion plan in motion that would offer aid to those countries most affected by the deadly disease, including Africa. Bono tried to get the U.S. to up that number to $3 billion. "I'm not here peddling a cause," Bono said. "Seven thousand people dying a day is not a cause. It's an emergency."
Larroquette, Goldberg Series Make Strong Debuts
After months of reruns, NBC played it smart by previewing two new shows before the official start of the fall season--Whoopi Goldberg's Whoopi and John Larroquette's Happy Family--which both brought in impressive viewership numbers in the Nielsen ratings the week of Sept. 8-14, AP reports. CBS won the week, however, averaging 9.3 million viewers, followed by NBC (8.7 million); ABC (8.1 million); Fox (5.6 million); UPN (3.4 million) and the WB (3.3 million). The top 10 shows were: Monday Night Football: Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, ABC; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS; NFL Monday Showcase, ABC; Whoopi, NBC; Happy Family, NBC; 60 Minutes, CBS; For Love or Money 2, NBC; Without a Trace, CBS; Dateline NBC, NBC; Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS.
Actor Shep Wooley Dies
Veteran actor Shep Wooley, who appeared in more than 60 films including High Noon, and recorded the '50s pop song "The Purple People Eater," died Tuesday of leukemia in Nashville, Tenn. He was 82.