January 8, 2011

Cops Probing Lindsay Lohan Actions Badgering Friend; Adam Case Stands By Troubled Star

A friend of Lindsay Lohan's named Adam Case has found himself at the center of ongoing Palm Desert, Calif., police efforts to really stick it to her.

Unfortunately for the cops, he's squarely on her side.

Hours before Lindsay allegedly battered Betty Ford staffer Dawn Holland, she was hanging out in a hotel with Adam Case, a fellow rehab patient.

Lovin' Lo

A HARD CASE: Adam's got Lindsay's back. [Photo: Pacific Coast News]

Case had spent a lot of time with LiLo recently, and saw Lindsay's now-infamous altercation with Holland - he's the one who dropped her off late.

Palm Desert cops are convinced Lindsay was drinking in the hotel room, that Lohan attacked Holland and that Case could help them prove both.

Not so fast.

Cops got a statement from Case that very night, and he backed up Lohan's side. Dissatisfied, cops went back to Case and grilled him again.

That's not even it. Days later Palm Desert cops went to Case yet again and interrogated him over what Lindsay did in the hotel room Dec. 12.

Specifically, whether she consumed alcohol.

Lindsay insists she was clean, and Case said he never saw her take a drink. Cops pressed Case to get a copy of his hotel bill, but he refused.

As for what happened in the hotel room, Case says Lindsay spent a long time her hair, then hung out with him and a few other friends.

Looks like a witch hunt and nothing more. Much as the cops would love to find evidence of Lindsay Lohan drunk, our girl was A-O-K!

Brahim Zaibat: Dating Madonna!

Is Madonna dating Brahim Zaibat? That's the rumor going around, and it looks to be the case. We've got a picture of her (young!) new boy toy right here!

Madonna and Brahim spent the night partying at Aura nightclub in London last night. Earlier on, the new couple dined at Automat Restaurant in Mayfair.

Brahim Zaibat, a 24-year-old French breakdancer, confirmed he's dating her to the UK's Daily Mail. Good enough for us. Here's Jesus Luz's replacement:

Brahim Zaibat PictureMadonna in Stealth Mode

MADHIM: The queen likes 'em young. [Photos: Pacific Coast News]

American Idol Panel Predictions: Who Will Win?

Who will win season 10 of American Idol? We might need to learn the identity of the contestants before we can venture a guess.

But in this week's Entertainment Weekly, members of the new (and improved?) panel make a couple broad predictions. To wit:

Ryan: I think you’ll see some of the youngest talent we’ve ever had compete with some of the oldest talent we’ve ever had.
J. Lo: You may have the youngest winner ever.
Randy: I’m going to go out on a limb. I think a girl’s going to win the show.

Team Idol

The show has already confirmed a few major changes for the new season. Below, meanwhile, the Idol team touches on a couple other aspects, including the British elephant NOT in the room...

Will the show miss Simon Cowell?
Randy: Look, it’s definitely been interesting. He’s our friend for life. I don’t know if Steven knows him much, but Jennifer definitely knows him. We’ve all hung out together. So, listen, we definitely miss him, but it’s a different kind of vibe. It’s a different kind of energy now. And I think in season 10 the show actually really needed it.

What about the lack in recent superstars produced by Idol?
J. Lo: We all know that in this business, a 1 percent chance is huge, so I think this show is doing pretty well in that arena. So with addressing that comment, what are we looking for? We’re looking for a recording artist, a pop star, someone who’s a real artist. You can tell that when they walk in, the ones that have that special thing.

Gary Shirley: Leave Amber Portwood Alone!

Gary Shirley has, by his own admission, talked hella $h!t about Amber Portwood. But that doesn't mean YOU can, the rotund one stated Thursday.

The Teen Mom star has taken quite the beating in the press thanks to Gary's remarks and leaked phone calls. Now he wants her to be left alone.

Seriously. As he told TMZ, there's still a chance they'll hook up again and he doesn't want to hurt those chances. Besides, she's a "good girl" ...

Amber Portwood, Gary Shirley Photo

BY HER SIDE: Gary Shirley has Amber Portwood's back ... this morning.

"I've said a lot of s**t because I am mad," admits Gary Shirley, the father of baby Leah. "But if anyone else wants to come up and talk s**t about Amber I won't let it happen because she is a good girl, and she's my baby mama."

Indeed she is. Gar then sounded like a textbook spousal abuse victim, adding "I am fine with the fact that Amber hit me because she has gotten all the help that she needs. Ever since that she hasn't put her hands on me."

On a poignant, optimistic note, he concludes, "When the [restraining order] is lifted ... if she's single and I'm single, I'm sure we will try our relationship."

Brings a tear to your eye ...

Totally Random Tabloid: Robsten is Over!!!

There's very sad new today out of the world of totally random tabloids that invent cover stories with no evidence or reliable quotes with which they can back them up:

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have split.

End of Robsten!!!

Rob did look a bit sad at this week's People's Choice Awards, didn't he?

No further details are available at this time, partly because this is a British publication and THG does not have an office in Europe. Also, because the story isn't true.

Britney Spears Teases Release of New Single

Lady Gaga and Britney Spears are both ready to dominate the music world in 2011. Imagine the excitement when the latter's latest single leaked online.

Imagine if it were the real thing, too!

The pop superstar writes: "Heard an early demo of my new single leaked. If u think that's good, wait til you hear the real one Tuesday. - Britney"

Hold it Against Me Single Cover

Britney Spears' cover for "Hold It Against Me."

Late last month, the "Hold It Against Me" lyrics first surfaced, and the demo now causing a stir online does appear to be the new single in question.

It's just not Britney singing it. Clearly. Still, you can listen to the single, or at least what we assume will be the song, only with Britney

Brandi Glanville on LeAnn Rimes Counseling: FAIL!

Brandi Glanville says she went to counseling with her ex-husband's new fiancee, LeAnn Rimes. The former Mrs. Eddie Cibrian also says it did not go so well.

Before LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian got engaged, "I did try some counseling with her, but it did not go so well for one reason or another," Brandi said.

"At times I feel like they are blaming me, although I don't really quite know why, but I understand it is a process and that our sons have to come first."

Eddie and Brandi PictureEddie, LeAnn Pic

Eddie Cibrian with Brandi Glanville, left, and with LeAnn Rimes.

Brandi and Eddie have two sons and after eight years of marriage, the pair divorced after he met and had an affair with LeAnn on the set of Northern Lights.

"There is still a lot of animosity but hopefully, one day, we can move through that and get to a better place," Brandi Glanville said. "Divorce is very tough."

"Going through it in public makes it harder. Eddie and LeAnn wanted me to sign a confidentiality agreement but I refused, as I never did anything wrong."

"I have great friends and family. I have managed to draw strength from that, plus the fact that my boys always keep me busy," Brandi said of her boys.

Tale of the Tape: Ted Williams vs. Ted Williams!

They share the same name, but little else.

In this edition of the THG Tale of the Tape, we compare Rex Sox legend Ted Williams with golden-voiced homeless man Ted Williams. What are their similarities? Differences? Who will prevail in a personal 10-round battle? Let's find out...

1. NICKNAME ...
Ted Williams: Teddy Ballgame
Ted Williams: The Man with the Golden Voice
Edge: Ted Williams (Homeless dude)

Baseball Ted WilliamsTed Williams Picture

2. SIGNIFICANCE of #9...
Ted Williams: Jersey number
Ted Williams: Number of kids
Edge: Ted Williams (Homeless dude)

3. FINAL AT-BAT...
Ted Williams: Home run
Ted Williams: TBD
Edge: Ted Williams (Red Sox player)

4. MOST INFAMOUS SCANDAL...
Ted Williams: Freezing of corpse
Ted Williams: Possible work as a pimp
Edge: Ted Williams (Red Sox player)

5. PERMANENT RESIDENCE...
Ted Williams: Cooperstown, New York
Ted Williams: N/A
Edge: Ted Williams (Red Sox player)

6. FAMOUSLY HIT...
Ted Williams: .406
Ted Williams: It off with the nation
Edge: Tie.


Ted Williams Voiceover

7. HELPED INSPIRE...
Ted Williams: Roy Hobbs in The Natural
Ted Williams: Bored workers in cubicles everywhere
Edge: Ted Williams (Homeless dude)

8. CAREER HITS...
Ted Williams: 2,654 (MLB)
Ted Williams: 455,676 (YouTube)
Edge: Ted Williams (Homeless dude)

9. MOST MEMORABLE SHOT...
Ted Williams: 520-foot blast into right field stands at Fenway
Ted Williams: These
Edge: Ted Williams (Red Sox player)

10. FAVORITE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY...
Ted Williams: Ted Williams Tunnel on I-90
Ted Williams: Anything providing shelter
Edge: Ted Williams (Red Sox player)

THE VERDICT: This one was close. But the Hall of Famer takes it by a final count of 5-4-1. If the other Williams takes full advantage of his second chance - whether it's giving speeches to addicts or driving in a key playoff run - we may have to revisit this Tale.

Oprah Winfrey: I'm a Messenger...

During her discussion with reporters at yesterday's Television Critics Association press tour talked about the launching of OWN. At length.

The host went off about her role in the world and how she doesn't let herself watch TV. For what reason? Read for yourself...


Oprah Winfrey Interview

What is she all about?
The evolving of consciousness is really what I’m about, but I’m not telling people that’s what it is. All of us are here to become more of who we are, of who you really were born to be. Every single one of us in this room has that. That is how we are all equal, because I was born to be who the creator intended, whether you believe in the creator or not.

Whatever you believe put you here, you were born to perform the highest expression of that coming. That is my goal as my personal self and it is also my goal to help other people see that in themselves. I fully understand that this platform that I have been given is a gift.

Why doesn't she watch TV?
I don't want all that energy coming into my space; I want to control the energy coming into my space.

What is her role in the universe?
After The Color Purple, I learned that God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can dream for yourself. I try to live in that space that is the universe’s dream for me, the bigger dream. As you heard me say to Barbara Walters, my prayer is: use me.

I see myself really as a messenger for a message that is greater than myself. The message is: You can. You can. You can. You can do and you can be and you can grow and it can get better and it doesn’t matter where you were born or who your mother was or how many doctorate degrees you did have or your family had or your father had. It doesn’t matter. You can. You can do.

Brad Womack vs. Maksim Chmerkovskiy: Battle of The Bachelors!

Look out, Brad Womack. You've got major competition in the bachelor department.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has confirmed that he's starring in the Ukrainian version of the ABC reality show. On his website, the professional dancer - who has been linked in the past to Dancing with the Stars contestants and fellow pros - says he turned down the American Bachelor and writes:

"This is the first thing in a VERY LONG TIME that I'm doing for ME. For the first time I don't really care what people think. First time that I'm not being 'judged', 'placed' or 'criticized.'"

Brad Womack 1.0Bachelor in the Ukraine

Filing has wrapped on Maksim's season. While we wait to see if he found love,

Hole in Michael Jackson Death Timeline May Be Smoking Gun Against Dr. Conrad Murray

The prosecution commenced outlining its case against Dr. Conrad Murray during his preliminary hearing this week and suffice it to say, they're doing a good job.

From phone records to witnesses, nothing seems to line up well for the doc to beat the rap on involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

Today's bombshell could be a smoking gun as far as disproving Murray's version of events that fateful day in June 25. All courtesy of his girlfriend too.

One Bad Doc

PHONING IT IN: Did Dr. Murray dial 911 when he said he did?

A girlfriend of Dr. Conrad Murray at the time of Jackson's death established that he waited around 25 minutes to call for help after noticing a lifeless MJ.

Sade Anding, who was in Houston the day MJ died, says she got a call from Murray at around 12:30 p.m. Phone records show it was actually 11:51 a.m.

That difference is big, because the 911 call wasn't made until 12:21 p.m.

If Murray did indeed realize MJ was in distress at 11:55 a.m., there was a long delay in sounding the alarm. It looks like he did realize it that early, too.

Sade says Murray was asking her how she was doing and she talked about her day. She spoke for a little bit, then realized Murray wasn't on the phone.

Sade then said she heard commotion, as if the phone was in his pocket, and heard "coughing and voices." Sade estimates the call lasted five minutes.

The other fun fact resulting from this? That Murray was likely two-timing Nicole Alvarez, who investigators have said was also his girlfriend at the time!

Murray's defense team is more or less sitting the preliminary hearing out. There's no way a judge will throw the case out, so a jury trial awaits next.

They've elected not to play their hand until then in a bit of a strategic move, letting the prosecution lay out its evidence now virtually unabated.

So far, the evidence has been compelling. Stay tuned.

Reb'l Fleur: Rihanna to Release Signature Scent

Reb'l Fleur, the first fragrance to bear the name and likeness of pop superstar Rihanna, will be available to the smelly public at large January 25.

RiRi's perfume, which came about thanks to a deal brokered by manager Jay-Z, is curiously described as "like heels with a short, flirty dress."

It's a fruity mix of red berries, plum, peach, coconut water, violet and Hawaiian hibiscus, in reflection of Rihanna's tropical roots. Obviously.

Curly RiRi

Next up for Rihanna? A line of hair products. We wish.

As for its fun name, the scent shares it with a tattoo the pop star bears on her neck, although which came first is still up for debate at this time.

Whatever it means, Reb'l Fleur will first available at Macys for $49 a pop.

For her next scent, we suggest "Only Girl in the World" or "Hard" as good names. They get the point across, and have built-in theme songs:


Rihanna - Hard (feat. Young Jeezy)

Presenting: The World's Most Troubled Twilight Saga Fan

Might this girl actually NOT be the most obsessed Twilight Saga fan on the planet?!?

Cathy Ward, a 49-year old supermarket worker from England, gave an interview to Great Britian's The Daily Mail this week in which she posed for the following, legitimately troubling photo:

Obsessed Twilight Fan

Says Ward:

"I love Robert Pattinson. I want to tone up so I can get his character Edward Cullen on my stomach. The way I look at it I could be spending the money on going out drinking and eating, but instead I'm spending it on something I am really passionate about.

"I have got a cross trainer, rowing machine and hand weights and I work out in my spare room which has got Twilight pictures all over the walls. I watch the films or listen to the soundtracks as I exercise. It has worked miracles. I have never been more positive, more outgoing, fit and never had so much fun in my life."

Hey, whatever keeps you healthy and happy, lady! We guess.

Rielle Hunter: NOT Engaged to John Edwards

Rielle Hunter and John Edwards are not engaged.

Despite a report this week that John put a ring on it, "the reports are false and he is not engaged," a family spokesperson said earlier today.

Sheesh. How dare people assume an upstanding individual like John would ever pull such a move. It's not like he's some cad who cheated on his terminally ill wife and knocked up Rielle Hunter while running for U.S. President. Oh, wait ...

John and Rielle

NOT ENGAGED: John Edwards, Rielle Hunter and their young daughter Quinn may be together someday, but not today. Check back this time next week.

Edwards' affair became public knowledge after he was busted in 2008. He denied their child was his until over a year later when he was busted again.

The disgraced former U.S. Senator's estranged wife, Elizabeth Edwards, passed away last month at age 61 after a long struggle with breast cancer.

At least she cut him out of her will at the last minute.

THG Caption Contest: The People's Choice!

Welcome to another edition of THG's Caption Contest!

Robert Pattinson. Taylor Lautner. Kristen Stewart. Put them all together at the People's Choice Awards and you've got the latest edition of our fun feature.

All you have to do is think of a caption for the photo and fire off a comment below. Leave one. Leave 20. It's up to you. We'll announce a winner Monday!

Best of luck and get to it ...

Applause For Rob