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Porn Kings: Help Us Through Hard Times



Joe Francis and Larry Flynt claim the economy has made America's sexual appetite go limp, so they're going to the one place where sex is always rampant -- Congress.

Flynt (the "Hustler" guy) and Francis (the "Girls Gone Wild" dude) are asking the government for a $5 billion bailout, claiming the adult entertainment industry has taken a huge shot to the face because of the downturn -- citing the fact that XXX DVD sales are down 22% from a year ago.

"With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind," Flynt says. "It's time for Congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America."

Francis sees his industry like the big 3 automakers, only BIGGER: "Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation's most important businesses; we feel we deserve the same consideration."

Francis says he's going to D.C. to personally make the pitch. Sounds like someone has a bone to pick.

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JENNIFER GARNER AND BEN AFFLECK WELCOME BABY NO. 2

Jennifer Garner's nursery is abloom with more than Violet. The Catch and Release star and hubby Ben Affleck have welcomed their second daughter, Afflecks rep confirmed to E! News Tuesday. Bennifer 2.0's new addition joins 3-year-old sister Violet in the running to be the most photographed child of the 21st century. (For more spotlight-stealing spawn, check out our Cutest Celebrity Kids gallery.) No other details were available, but Garner's rep told People: "Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck gave birth to a healthy baby girl." Mom and Dad were spotted walking into Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center last Wednesday and, considering Garner had looked so prominently pregnant for so long, it seemed as good a time as any for a birth day. It wasn't to be, apparently, so hopefully the former Alias heroine didn't mind brandishing that bump for just a little longer. In the weeks leading up to the delivery, she was spotted having coffee with a pal in Santa Monica and ferrying Violet around the Farmers Market in Pacific Palisades, not far from her Brentwood home. "She's wonderful. She's probably the best mother I've ever witnessed," her adoring former Alias costar, Victor Garber, told People in October, adding that the 36-year-old actress had "never been more beautiful." Garner sort-of-confirmed pregnancy rumors in August, telling Access Hollywood, "We're so excited, obviously." [ Last edited by bala at 1-7-2009 20:37 ]

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Pitt, Jolie 'to adopt Ethiopian child'



Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are expected to finalise the adoption of an Ethiopian child later this month, reports claim.

The pair will fly to Addis Ababa after spotting a girl that they have 'fallen in love with', according to Grazia.

"Brad and Angelina have seen pictures of a two-year-old girl they'd love to adopt. If everything goes to plan, Angelina will file papers in person in the capital city of Addis Ababa in the New Year and they will pick up their new daughter two days later," a source told the magazine.

The couple already have three adopted children, Maddox, seven, Pax, five, and four-year-old Ethiopian girl Zahara. They also have biological children Shiloh, two, and six-month-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

"Angelina gets a kick from saving kids and giving them this amazing life they would have never had otherwise," the source added.

"Yes they might be adding to their family fast but they want all their kids to be roughly the same age so they do the nanny stage and get it over and done with.

"Another kid in the house will make no difference to the noise and chaos they already have."

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Panettiere, Jonas Bros join Globe presenters



Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, the Jonas Brothers and Martin Scorcese have been added to the list of presenters at this weekend's Golden Globe Awards.

The organisers of this year's ceremony have opted for a mix of young Hollywood and entertainment legends, according to Access Hollywood.

The new presenters will join previously announced names including Ricky Gervais, Cameron Diaz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sacha Baron Cohen and Jennifer Lopez.

Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively and Knocked Up's Seth Rogen will also be handing out awards.

The Golden Globes are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and are widely considered to be an indicator of who will win at the Oscars.

Steven Spielberg has already been confirmed as the recipient of this year's Cecil B. De Mille Award for his contribution to entertainment.

The 66th annual Golden Globes will be broadcast live this Sunday from the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

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Cristiano Ronaldo in Ferrari crash



Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has escaped injury after writing off his car near Manchester Airport this morning.

The 23-year-old Manchester United player was driving his Ferrari through a tunnel on the A538 Altrincham Road when he hit a barrier. His Dutch teammate Edwin Van Der Sar was behind him at the time, but was not involved in the crash.

Greater Manchester Police are currently investigating the incident. The Portuguese international gave a negative breath test at the scene.

Manchester United confirmed that Ronaldo was "fine" and "training as normal" later in the morning.

Witness Jody Lomax told the BBC: "The Ferrari went straight into the wall, his front left-hand wheel came off and then Ronaldo got out of the car.

"I was shocked. Anyway he was all right, he was walking - he was a bit shaken."

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'Kyle' guest kills himself after gay taunts



A man killed himself after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show to discuss problems in his gay marriage.

Roger Irons, 21, appeared on the ITV1 programme in October 2007 alongside partner Matthew Millington, whom he had married in a civil ceremony the previous year.

Millington later claimed that the daytime show had helped strengthen their relationship, however Irons reportedly became increasingly depressed by taunts about his homosexuality.

The nursing home care assistant was found hanging from a tree last year after telling his family that he "couldn't take any more" abuse.

"Roger was happy and easy-going but he hid his problems," his sister Lisa told the inquest in Truro, Cornwall. "People being homophobic hurt him a lot. It really got to him and eventually it boiled over."

Iron's body was discovered on August 2, after he ran out of his sister Susan's 18th birthday party. She said: "He was crying and very emotional. He kissed me on the cheek and said 'I can’t take it anymore' and ran off."

A spokesman for The Jeremy Kyle Show refused to comment, saying: "His death was not linked to the show and came well after his appearance."

Cornwall deputy coroner Andrew Cox recorded a verdict of suicide.

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Family, Friends Honor Life of Jett Travolta



In the end, John Travolta and Kelly Preston wanted to keep their son Jett close to their hearts and home.
Relatives and close friends gathered Thursday for a private memorial service at the family's Ocala, Fla., estate to say goodbye to the 16-year-old, who died suddenly last week after suffering a seizure.
Members of the press crowded outside the gates of the Jumbolair Aviation Estates, where residents can pilot their private planes practically up to their front doors, but the proceedings remained closed to outsiders.
Attendees were screened by security before being allowed to approach the Travoltas' house.
"The family is doing an incredibly good job keeping this private. With all the media here, no one's been able to get much," New York Post reporter Reuven Fenton told the local Ocala Star-Banner.
Caterers and florist trucks had been passing in and out of the complex throughout the day, while neighbors and other well-wishers left mementos and flowers outside Jumbolair's main gate.
Today's service was expected to adhere to the Travolta's Scientologist faith, which a rep for the church said mainly entails a celebration of Jett's life and an acknowledgment of his "right to move on."
Jett's body was cremated and his family returned to Florida with his remains on Monday.

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Patrick Swayze hospitalized



Patrick Swayze checked himself into the hospital after he came down with pneumonia, it was revealed today.

Abbe Raven, the president of A&E network, told a panel of reporters the news at an industry event. Swayze was supposed to be part of a presentation for his show on the network, "The Beast."

Raven said, "He asked us specifically to go forward with today's panel. We wish him the very best with his recovery."

Swayze revealed last year that he battling pancreatic cancer.

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John Travolta Cancels Golden Globes Appearance



John Travolta isn't ready for a golden moment just yet.
Rep Samantha Mast confirms to E! News that the actor will not be in attendance at Sunday's Golden Globes.
His appearance had been in doubt since the tragic Jan. 2 death of his 16-year-old son, Jett. The news is not entirely unexpected, considering Travolta and wife Kelly Preston held a memorial service Thursday for the young man and remain at their home in Ocala, Fla.
Travolta had been scheduled to appear in support of his latest movie, Bolt, which is nominated for Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Song for his duet with costar Miley Cyrus, "I Thought I Lost You."

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Introducing the Ferghamels! Fergie, Josh Duhamel Wed



Josh Duhamel has officially transformed Fergie into a wife.
The 33-year-old pop star, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, and the Transformers/Las Vegas hunk, 36, exchanged vows in a celebrity-packed ceremony Saturday in Malibu, E! News has confirmed.
The "Glamorous" singer looked appropriately, well, glamorous in Dolce & Gabbana.
Guests included the bride's fellow Black-Eyed Peas, including will.i.am, as well as Kate Hudson, Mario Lopez, Slash, Kid Rock, Stacy Keibler and brand new parents Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell.
Attendees began arriving at the private estate near Zuma Beach around 3:30 p.m., shuttled from a parking lot near Malibu's city hall up to the hillside mansion. The sunset ceremony began about 4 p.m. and lasted about an hour.
Police were positioned outside the grounds, on which a giant large white tent is erected. Several paparazzi-powered helicopted hovered above.
The camera-friendly pair, together since September 2004, have been planning for the big day since their engagement in December 2007, but have spent the past two weeks clearly in preparation mode. The bride was spotted shopping for lingerie, getting facials and working out, and the couple shared a joint bachelor and bachelorette party (followed by a shower) on Wednesday.
This is the first marriage for both.

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Travoltas Thank Community for "Humbling" Support



The Travolta family has taken time out from grieving the loss of 16-year-old Jett to thank their neighbors for their support and well-wishes.
In a letter "to the people of Ocala" published in the Ocala Star-Banner this morning, John Travolta and Kelly Preston write that "the enormous amount of love, support and condolence we have received from this community has been most humbling.
"Comforting words, thoughts and prayers of Ocala's citizens have made an impossibly painful situation, a little less painful."
The family also thanks to Ocala community leaders, law enforcement officials and neighbors for allowing them "the dignity to grieve the loss of our son and Ella's brother in peace. For this we will always be grateful.
"We want all of you to know that you have already helped us. By sharing our grief, you lessen our burden. For all of the people who have kept Jett in their prayers, know that those prayers have given us inspiration and strength."
The letter was signed: "Love John, Kelly and Ella."
Star-Banner entertainment editor Dave Schlenker tells E! News that the Travoltas’ lawyer, Michael McDermott, called this morning. "He said, "John and Kelly have been overwhelmed by the response in Ocala and wanted to release this letter.' "
Although they are believed to be huddled at their home, Schlenker could not confirm the couple's whereabouts.
“I really don’t know,” he says. “Our reporters haven’t been out to their house since the memorial, and I know the feeling of the Ocala community is to give them their space.”
Jett Travolta died in the Bahamas on Jan. 2. His death certificate listed the cause as "seizure," and a private memorial for friends and family was held at the Travoltas' Ocala estate last Thursday.

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Family Reacts to Heath's Golden Moment



According to Heath Ledger's dad, the actor's turn as the Joker was one of his brightest moments—not one of his darkest, as so many speculated after his death last January.
"He just loved it," Kim Ledger told Perth's Channel 9 in response to his son's postumous Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor for his riveting performance in The Dark Knight.
"People have said that it's a dark piece and that brought him down but that just didn't occur. The Heath juggernaut is just rolling on, I just wish he was here while it was rolling on."
But since Ledger is not here to see what accolades his performance wrought, the speculation has begun as to what he would have said, how he might have felt and where his trophies are going to go.
His mom Sally Bell, for one, figures Ledger's daughter Matilda will be the keeper of her daddy's hardware one way.
"I should imagine that eventually [the Globe] will be going to Matilda," Bell tells People. "At this stage she is only so young, but down the track she will have all these things. It will belong to her because she is part of him."

Ramey Photo
"It is such a fantastic and wonderful legacy for his daughter. Matilda will have so many people who will be able to speak to her about her father's abilities and [the] respect he had in the industry. That is such a wonderful legacy to leave."
Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan said as much when he accepted the Golden Globe on Heath's behalf at Sunday's ceremony.
"After Heath passed on, you saw a hole ripped in the future of cinema," Nolan said. "But with the extraordinary response to his work that we've seen all over the world, I, for one, start to be able to look a bit less at that gap in the future, and a little bit more at the incredible place in the history of cinema that he built for himelf with his talent and dedication to his artistry."
Kim Ledger said he thinks Heath "would have been running from the media" right about now, "but he would have been very proud."
And with all the momentum behind Ledger as awards season heads into its glitziest and most prestigious stretch, someone might want make sure Matilda leaves room for an Oscar in her room, as well.

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JENNIFER GARNER AND BEN AFFLECK RELEASE NAME OF BABY NO. 2



One week ago, Jennifer Garner gave birth to her second daughter with Ben Affleck. Now, the A-list couple, both 36, has announced the blooming baby's name to People.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck to the adorable celebuspawn roster.
No explanation of the name has been offered, but the Baby Name Wizard defines it as "derived from the Hebrew seraphim (burning ones), a name used in the Bible for the heavenly winged angels surrounding the throne of God."
As we saw earlier today with her "Big Sister" shirt, Violet, 3, is excited about the addition to her family. Are you as excited about her name?

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RICARDO MONTALBAN DIES



Ricardo Montalban, who gained fame portraying Mr. Roarke on the television series "Fantasy Island," has died at the age of 88.
The Mexican-born actor died at his home in Los Angeles, the Associated Press quotes L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti as saying. Montalban lived in Garcetti's district in L.A.
Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in 'Fiesta,' and also starred with the actress in 'On an Island with You' and 'Neptune's Daughter.'
Beginning in 1978, Montalban played the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over an island resort where visitors were able to fulfill their lifelong dreams. "Fantasy Island" received high ratings for most of its six-year run on ABC and still appears in reruns.
And in 1982, Montalban revisited his "Star Trek" character Khan Noonien Singh for the big-screen 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,' creating one of the franchise's most memorable villains and helping to elevate the film into arguably the best of the series.

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PATRICK SWAYZE LEAVES HOSPITAL



Good news for the star of "The Beast."
Patrick Swayze is out of the hospital after a week-long stay.
"I am happy to announce that Patrick Swayze is home after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia," the star's rep tells People.com
Swayze checked into the hospital for pneumonia last Friday.

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HEROIC PILOT HEADED TO OBAMA INAUGURATION?



The captain's wife says a trip to D.C. might happen.
He received a congratulatory phone call from President-elect Obama on Friday night. Now, a trip to D.C. could be "in the works" for Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and family, says the heroic pilot's wife.
"Our [two] daughters would love to go see the Jonas Brothers" who perform Monday at an inaugural ball, Sullenberger's wife Lorrie told CBS News correspondent Priya David on "The Early Show," Saturday edition. "So we're thinking about [going to D.C.]. I would love to go. It's in the works, I believe."
During their five-minute phone conversation Friday evening, Obama thanked Sullenberger and his crew for ensuring that all 155 people aboard the plane survived the crash into the Hudson River, Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs tells the Associated Press.
There might be another honor in store for the hero pilot yet: NY Gov. David Paterson says an anonymous individual has offered to donate $10,000 to have a statue of Sullenberger erected, reports the New York Post.

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Family tragedy for Kemp brothers



Martin and Gary Kemp are reportedly "struggling to cope with the double loss" of their mother and father.

The Spandau Ballet brothers are being comforted by family and friends following the family tragedy, reports The Mirror.

Retired printer Frank, 79, suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at a Bournemouth hospital where Eileen, 77, was being treated for a heart bypass. She died 48 hours later of "a broken heart". A joint funeral is planned for the couple, who were married for 55 years, next week.

"Martin and Gary adored their parents. This has hit them like a double lightning bolt," a friend said.

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BEN AFFLECK, STARS TURN OUT TO D.C. RALLY



As President-elect Barack Obama spent the day before his historic inauguration visiting homeless youth and doing service, some celebrities are following suit. Ben Affleck, among a list of other stars, came together Monday in Washington, D.C., for a good cause.
Affleck, joined by Martin Luther King III, actor David Arquette and musicians Herbie Hancock and Josh Groban, turned out to the National Hunger Rally hosted by Feeding America.
The national rally against hunger, which took place at the Martin Luther King Library on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, featured a joint performance by Hancock and Groban.
Arquette chairs Feeding America's Entertainment Council, according to the organization's website. Feeding America is a national domestic hunger-relief charity.

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SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY HEALTH UPDATE



Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy has been released from the hospital after collapsing yesterday and suffering a seizure during a luncheon for President Barack Obama.
The 76-year-old Massachusetts senator, who has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, left Washington Hospital Center Wednesday morning after remaining overnight for observation, a spokesman confirmed to ET. The spokesman added that Kennedy was in good spirits and doctors wanted him to get some rest.
After conducting tests, Kennedy's doctors concluded that the incident was brought on by fatigue. The prominent Democrat was diagnosed last May with a brain tumor that has been treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

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Matt Dillon Won't Cop to Speeding



Matt Dillon claims he's no speed demon, despite evidence to the contrary.
The actor has entered a not guilty plea to a charge of careless and negligent operation of a vehicle stemming from his Dec. 30 speed-related bust in Vermont.
Dillon's attorney, Mark Kaplan, entered the plea on the absent actor's behalf during this morning's roughly two-minute hearing. The legal eagle said he hoped the case would be resolved without going to trial.
The 44-year-old was nailed with the speeding charge last month, after Newbury police clocked him driving 106-mph in a 65-mph zone.
A police report filed with the court said the actor was cooperative throughout the incident and quoted him as saying, "I screwed up, I know, I know." It also identified Dillon's passenger as fellow actor Fisher Stevens.
If convicted, Dillon could face up to one year behind bars and face a fine of $1,000.

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