Katie Couric Laments Ann Curry Firing

Katie Couric may have left The Today Show in 2006, but she still has some strong opinions regarding the current state of the program. Specifically, its handling of Ann Curry.

And they aren't very positive.

"I felt really bad for Ann. I still don't understand why they didn't give her sort of a proper send-off," Couric told Philly.com this week as part of her promotion for Katie, which premieres on September 10, adding:

"Ann did some extraordinary work during her time there. It was just not the best chapter in The Today Show. It made me sad for the institution."

That's for sure.

Ratings for the program haven't picked up and there's reportedly even chatter that many employees want Matt Lauer gone next. The juggernaut has fallen has very hard times.

Couric, though, kicks off her talk show next month and has booked Jessica Simpson and Sheryl Crow as her opening day guests. She says she's inspired by Oprah, but...

"When people say, 'Are you the new Oprah?' I say, 'No, I'm the old Katie.'"

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/katie-couric-laments-ann-curry-firing/

The Academy Adjusts Best Song Rules

The Original Song category has undergone a major change in the latest round of Academy Awards rules adjustments. The complicated weighted voting system that had been in place for the category has been tossed out and now, as long as there are more than 25 qualified songs submitted for consideration, there will be five nominees in the Original Song category. Last year only two songs - "Man or Muppet" from The Muppets and "Real in Rio" from Rio - were nominated, even though there was a wide variety of potential nominees to choose from.

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URL: http://movies.about.com/b/2012/08/30/the-academy-adjusts-best-song-rules.htm

Andy Roddick to Retire from Tennis

Andy Roddick announced this afternoon at a press conference that he will retire from professional tennis after this year's U.S. Open, which is currently underway in New York City.

Asked why he's calling it quits, Roddick simply pointed to a gallery of Brooklyn Decker photos and reminded reporters that stepping away will allow him to spend more time with his wife.

Just kidding.

"It's a matter of how I feel, and if I feel I can compete at the highest level," he actually said of his decision.

Roddick owns 32 career titles and won the U.S. Open in 2003 for his only major title. He's currently ranked No. 22 in the world.

The American star has banked $20 million in career prize money and enjoys a host of endorsements. He has also battled knee, ankle, shoulder and back injuries in recent years.

And, oh, did we mention he's married to Brooklyn Decker? Hard to blame the guy for walking away.

The 30-year old plays Bernard Tomic in the second round on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Let's all cheer him on during this final run.

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/andy-roddick-to-retire-from-tennis/

Telluride Film Festival 2012 Lineup Announced

The 39th Telluride Film Festival opens on August 31 and runs through September 3rd, and as is their custom they've held off until the last minute to reveal the films screening at the prestigious event. Among the 100 movies set to screen are Michael Haneke's Amour, The Central Park Five from Ken Burns, and Michael Winterbottom's Everyday. Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha, Sally Potter's Ginger and Rosa, actor/director Sarah Polley's Stories We Tell, Ariel Vromen's The Iceman, and Roger Michell's much-anticipated Hyde Park on Hudson are also part of the festival's main show.

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URL: http://movies.about.com/b/2012/08/30/telluride-film-festival-2012-lineup-announced.htm

LeAnn Rimes Suffers Emotional Breakdown; Lawyer Decries "Merciless, Vitriolic" Cyber-Bullying

We just learned that LeAnn Rimes is in treatment for anxiety and stress a few hours ago, but apparently it was a long time coming for the country star.

She was, and is, embroiled in a battle that is draining her emotionally.

No, not against Brandi Glanville. LeAnn Rimes feels she has become a victim of severe bullying online and is trying to turn the tables on her detractors.

The 30-year-old has accumulated a ton of offensive Tweets written about her, among a circle of private individuals and is exploring her legal options.

"There has been this cyber-bullying that has been going on for a considerable period of time," her lawyer Larry Stein told Celebuzz in an interview.

"Apparently, most of this started when LeAnn started dating Eddie Cibrian," he said. "These women have been merciless ... vitriolic in their attacks."

"They don't understand who she is or who she stands for." 

Why LeAnn simply doesn't delete her Twitter or stop reading the @ mentions is an open question, but as for the bullies, these Twitter users are no joke.

There is even a @blockedbyleann Twitter handle, which calls itself the "official #blockedbyleann fan club" and tracks Rimes' "imminent meltdown."

There's also the Curious Case of LeAnn Rimes blog (lunaticleannrimes on blogspot) and Rumors are flying that a Twitter feud pushed Rimes over the edge.

LeAnn came under heavy scrutiny when she and Eddie Cibrian - both married at the time - had an affair that ultimately led to their own marriage last year.

She and Brandi have feuded publicly on Twitter, and she's battled critics of her actions and body image on a regular basis over the past two years.

While there have been rumors that Eddie cheated and triggered her downward spiral, the more credible reports say she suffered an emotional breakdown.

Her attorney's corroboration of the bullying accusations certainly suggests that played a role as well, even if the specifics are hard to come by.

What exactly prompted her to check into a treatment facility is probably something only LeAnn knows, but hopefully it's a positive experience for her.

[Photo: WENN.com]

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/leann-rimes-suffers-emotional-breakdown-lawyer-decries-merciless/

Robert Pattinson to Move Back to London?

As previously reported, Robert Pattinson wants to sell the home he shared with Kristen Stewart.

Because it reminds him too much about his adulterous ex? Partly. But also because Robert is "thinking long and hard about returning to London," an insider tells Radar.

Pattinson "never fell in love with Los Angeles," the source adds, and was actually reminded of how much he loves England when he visited Stewart there during her filming of Snow White and the Huntsman. Ironic, we know.

“Despite making friends in America, Robert longs just to have a pint with the mates he grew up with in a local west London pub. He’s just a regular guy," reports Radar. "He misses [his family] very much and they’ve said they’d welcome him back with open arms."

Well... d'uh! Why wouldn't they?

While he determines where to go next, at least Pattinson might have another romantic option to consider. Sources say Rihanna has been texting the star!

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/robert-pattinson-to-move-back-to-london/

Chris Lighty Dead of Apparent Suicide

Chris Lighty, hip hop mogul and longtime manager of big names such as 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule and Mariah Carey, was found dead in NYC this morning.

Lighty apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot would to the head.

According to law enforcement sources, the 44-year-old Lighty's body was found by police around 11:30 a.m. in the back yard of his Bronx apartment.

Chris Lighty was pronounced dead on the scene, where a semi-automatic firearm was recovered. The death is being investigated as a possible suicide.

TMZ reports that he had been in an argument with his ex-wife and shot himself; the couple divorced last year and Lighty hadn't been the same since.

[Photo: WENN.com]

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/chris-lighty-dead-of-apparent-suicide/

Julie Taymor, 'Spider-Man' Producers Settle Dueling Lawsuits

Litigation over the most expensive production in Broadway history ends as the parties resolve to discontinue fight over who was to blame for early troubles.

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URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/THREsquire/~3/VF2tgBORHeo/story01.htm

Alicia Guastaferro: Mug Shot Released, Husband (?!?) Speaks Out

Following the arrest of Alicia Guastaferro on prostitution charges Monday night, the former Wife Swap star's husband has spoken out and...

... wait, what?!?

Yes, the 20-year old is married to someone named Scott Kleveno, who tells TMZ he tied the knot with Alicia last November at Niagra Falls, but separated from her a few months ago. And he isn't shocked by her run in with the law.

"With her not coming home on several occasions, the prostitution arrest is no surprise to me," Kleveno says, explaining that Guastaferro worked as a dancer during their marriage and would often meet up with customers late at night outside the club.

Kleveno moved to Florida after the couple split, but adds that Guastaferro has a history with James Doyle, the 54-year old lawyer police caught her with this week and for whom she claims she served as a call girl.

Scott says a divorce is pending, but he's waiting on the paperwork.

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/alicia-guastaferro-mug-shot-released-husband-speaks-out/

Holly Madison Bikini Photos: THG Hot Bodies Countdown #97!

THG is counting down the 100 Hottest Bikini Bodies of 2012.

From now until the end of the year, we'll be paying tribute to the hottest of the hot with bikini photos galore. The competition is guaranteed to be sweltering.

Candice Swanepoel bikini pictures were honored on Wednesday. Keeping the countdown rolling at #97: Playboy staple and expectant mom Holly Madison!

It's been a wild ride for Holly in the past five or six years.

When we first got to know the Girls Next Door star, she was Hugh Hefner's #1 squeeze and dying to have a baby with the bathrobe-loving octogenarian.

Then they broke up, and her career kinda went downhill, but she's had her share of successful, bikini-donning ventures ... and now she's pregnant!

The father-to-be is Pasquale Rotella, who's facing a possible 13 years in prison on bribery, conspiracy and embezzlement charges, which he denies.

Hope that works out. Click to enlarge some vintage Holly Madison pictures below, and check back tomorrow to see THG's Hottest Bikini Body #96 ...

(NSFW pics after the jump)

URL: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/holly-madison-bikini-photos-thg-hot-bodies-countdown-97/

The Crap We Missed – Thursday 8.30.12

Welcome to Thursday’s The Crap We Missed, where it looks like Philip Seymour Hoffman is lining up the greatest prank ever pulled on Courtney Love (Except for that time her kid tricked her into releasing control of a massive fortune — that shit was hilarious), Nick Carter, who should have listened when Aaron told him Read More ...

URL: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/thesuperficial/SNxk/~3/QkCvEHq1wYc/the-crap-we-missed-thursday-8-30-12-08-2012