Paramedic Charged in Travolta Extortion Case

Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne - the second suspect in the John Travolta extortion case - was formally charged Monday with attempting to extort and conspiracy to extort, Minister of National Security.

Lightbourne, 47, allegedly tried to extort $25 million from the Travolta family. At his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty.

The details of the alleged extortion plot -- which involved Travolta's late son, Jett, 16 -- have still not been made public.

Authorities arrested Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater on charges of abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort. She was released Friday on $40,000 bail. Bridgewater - who has since resigned - said she plans to fight "untrue and unfair charges."

Police also had detained former tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe, but he "has not been charged," Turnquest tells Us. "He was not arrested; he was questioned on Friday."

Wilchcombe, a longtime friend of Travolta, denied any criminal involvement and said he was only trying to help the actor and his family.

Said Wilchcombe, "I did a noble thing."
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Oprah Winfrey "Amused" She Was Considered for Open Senate Seat

Will Oprah Winfrey trade her seat as a talk show host for one on the United States Senate?

"Absolutely not," she said Monday, after hearing that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich considered appointing her to President Barack Obama's now-vacant spot in the Senate.

"I would have said, ‘Where would I fit it in with my day job? My mid-day job, my night job, my radio job, my magazine job?'" Winfrey said to her friend Gayle King on King's Sirius radio show.

During a visit to ABC's Good Morning America to defend his innocence in connection with accusations he tried to auction off the open Senate seat, Blagojevich said he thought she would be a fitting replacement.

"She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way to become President," he said.

Where was Winfrey when she heard the news?

"My plan was to get up and watch Good Morning America and work out and then I just thought, 'Let me just lay here another half hour.' If I had been watching, as I normally watch — from the treadmill, I would have fallen off the treadmill," Winfrey said. "I’m pretty amused by the whole thing."

Although Winfrey has no plans to go into politics, she does think she's qualified.

"I think I could be Senator too," the talk show host said on The Gayle King Show. "I’m just not interested."
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Fergie, Josh Duhamel Return From Honeymoon

The honeymoon is over for Fergie and Josh Duhamel.

The tan newlyweds were spotted arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday.

Their honeymoon -- which kicked off in the Maldive Islands on Jan. 13 -- was "romantic relaxation — lying in the sun, tanning, just having a relaxing time," a source says, adding that they sailed the Indian Ocean on a rented luxury yacht.

They stayed at a private villa atop a lagoon at the super­exclusive One & Only Reethi Rah resort (villas range from $1,250 to $6,150 per night).

Also on their itinerary? Cooking classes, private yoga and tennis lessons, spa treatments, scuba diving and, of course, fishing.

Duhamel is due to attend a Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen press event later today.
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Jessica Simpson Shows Off New Curves

Jessica Simpson showed off new curves as she performed songs from her country album Do You Know at a concert over the weekend.

At Sunday's Kiss Country Chili Cookout in Pembroke Pines, Fla., the singer, 28, bounced on stage in high-waisted jeans and a double belt.

She has long had her weight ups and downs but said she never minded when she packed on a few extra pounds.

In a 2007 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she recalled a conversation she had with pal Ken Paves.

"Do you think the guys in here are all really looking at all those skinny girls and thinking, Wow, I want to get with her? Or are they looking at the girls with the curves and thinking, Yeah, I want to get with her!" Simpson said.

"Curves are better," Simpson added. "I don't get the whole rail thing. It's not good for your heart, it's not good for your mind; it's emotionally destructive, it really is."
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Paula Abdul: What "Bugs" Simon About the Fourth American Idol Judge

Does Paula Abdul think American Idol is better off with a fourth judge?

"That's up to the public," she said at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

Of Kara DioGuardi, she added, "It's great for me because she's my old roommate, and we're friends.

"And that bugs Simon," Abdul said. "So it's good for me."

DioGuardi and Cowell clashed during an Idol audition show last week.

On the Jan. 20 show, she got annoyed because Cowell kept interrupting her critique.

"Can I say something now?" she snapped when he tried to cut her off.
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Janet Jackson Cancels Tour Due to Global "Economic Crisis"

Janet Jackson has pushed back her "Rock Witchu" Japan tour next month "due to the impact of economic crisis."

The shows were scheduled between Feb. 14 and Feb. 22 in Japan. The events are part of the world tour that started in 2008 - her first in nearly seven years.

Japan concert organizer Kyodo Yokohama said the tour will be rescheduled for later this year.

Jackson, 42, cancelled seven performances in the U.S. last fall because she was suffering from migraines.
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Drew Barrymore: Being Single is Great!

Drew Barrymore might struggle with dating in the new movie He's Just Not That Into You, but off-screen, she's happy being on her own.

"I've been single for eight months. I'm not in the wrong relationship, and it's great!"

Barrymore stars in the upcoming film with an ensemble cast that includes her ex-boyfriend Justin Long -- and she insists they are still friends.

Perhaps it's because he followed one of Barrymore's rules for ending a doomed relationship: honesty.

"Not telling me? That pisses me off more than anything," she says. "I can take it. I’m a big girl. At least you know what you’re working from. 'Oh, he told me he’s not into me?' Well, I guess there’s nothing to analyze there. What a time saver!"

The actress, 33, also reminisces about her first love, Alex Rubenstein.

"He used to leave me love letters in the trash," Barrymore says. "I don’t know what was up with that, but he used to make sure I was looking and then throw them in the trash, run away and then I’d grab the letter.

"Not much came of that relationship. We were six or seven. It was pretty tame and mild."
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Winners! A Complete List From the SAG Awards

FILM

Cast in a Motion Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Male Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk
Female Actor in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep, Doubt
Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: The Dark Knight

TELEVISION

Ensemble in a Drama Series: Mad Men
Ensemble in a Comedy Series: 30 Rock
Male Actor in a Drama Series: Hugh Laurie, House
Female Actor in a Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, John Adams
Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Laura Linney, John Adams
Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series: Heroes
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Life Achievement Award: James Earl Jones

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The Stars Sizzle at the SAG Awards

"The Insider"'s Samantha Harris is rockin' in red at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button''s Taraji P. Henson is white hot on the red carpet at the SAG Awards in Los Angeles.

"Mad Men"'s Christina Hendricks is ravishing in red on the SAG red carpet.

Newly engaged "Dexter" star Jennifer Carpenter rocks a vampy look for SAG.

Nicollette Sheridan stunned on the SAG carpet.

Rosario Dawson is all smiles as she poses in her curve-hugging frock.

New mama Amy Poehler was glowing in white.

Christina Applegate was as lovely as can be in a drapey green gown.

'Slumdog Millionaire' star Freida Pinto was ravishing on the SAG red carpet.

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'Mall Cop' Tops Box Office Again

Kevin James scored another win at the box office this weekend with his comedy 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop,' which brought in an estimated $21.5 million.

The comedy starring the former "King of Queens" star as a mild-mannered bumbling security guard had a budget of just $26 million, but has already made $64.8 million in its first two weekends in theaters.

Coming in No. 2 was the suspense thriller 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,' which debuted with $20.7 million, studio estimates showed. The film, starring Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy, centers on the centuries-old feud between the race of aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

Finishing third, with $16 million, was Clint Eastwood's 'Gran Torino,' which stars the legendary actor as a retired auto worker who takes on gangs to protect his neighbors.

At No. 4 was the canine comedy 'Hotel for Dogs,' which made an estimated $12.4 million, followed by 'Slumdog Millionaire,' the drama about a game show contestant from the slums of Mumbai, India, which brought in $10.6 million.
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'Miracle on the Hudson' Pilot: I Was Simply Doing My Job

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Danville, CA, on Saturday, and he finally spoke out about safely landing a crippled commercial airliner in the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard.

Seated with his wife Lorrie on a stage before a giant crowd of admirers which included his two daughters, Sullenberger received a number of honors from the town's council, police force, mayor and a Calif. congressman, plus a special treat: a flyover by a fighter pilot.

The captain took the podium to huge applause, smiling as the crowd chanted "Sully." Then he spoke for his entire flight crew: "We were simply doing the jobs we were trained to do. Thank you."

Earlier during the ceremony, Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich praised Sullenberger's emergency landing as "extraordinary," and Calif. Congressman Jerry McNerney said that because of Sullenberger's actions, the "155 Americans [aboard the crashed plane] are safely home with their families today."
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Prince Harry, Chelsy Davy Call It Quits

Prince Harry and his girlfriend of five years Chelsy Davy have split say sources. "This is the third time they have broken up," says one palace source. "But it's for good this time. Both think it's for the best. There's no hard feelings. They split about 10 days ago. It wasn't over other girls orinfidelity."

According to Britain's Daily Mail it was Davy who did the dumping. Sources tell the paper that she was no longer willing to "put up with his lifestyle" and "time spent apart." The British heir, 24, began training last week to become an Army Air Corps helicopter pilot; Davy, 23, is a post-graduate student at Leeds University.

The split came as a shock to royal watchers because the couple had vacationed together just three weeks ago on the island of Mauritius.
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Dakota on New Moon: "I Really Hope It Works Out"

Dakota Fanning may not be saying much about joining the cast of the Twilight sequel, but yesterday she did confirm she’s in talks to play Jane!

The 14-year-old child star has been offered the role of the young killer bloodsucker in the movie adaptation of New Moon, the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling teenage vampire series.

"It's definitely possible. I really hope it works out," Fanning told Hitfix.com while promoting her latest flick Push. "It would be a really fantastic experience I'm sure."

Director Chris Weitz is so confident that Fanning is right for the part, he offered it to without even an audition. Filming of the much-anticipated flick begins in March in the U.S. and Italy.

A member of the deadly Volturi, Jane is described in a casting notice as a petite blonde with a “Botticelli angel-like face…[and] crimson irises.”

An online petition to cast Fanning as Jane has seen a huge bump in signatures ever since my story broke on Wednesday.

A rep for the studio, Summit Entertainment, reportedly confirmed Fanning is one of the actors being considered for the role.

If it happens, Fanning will join returning stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, among others. New Moon is set to open in November.
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Is Madonna Really Dating a 21-Year-Old?

Madonna is rumored to be dating a 21-year-old Brazilian model. Do you think this relationship is real? Because I've read reports that he's just using her to gain fame and stardom. —Abe from Yuma, Arizona

How sad, manipulating a poor, press-shy lady who never ever dated anyone for publicity and who only takes her clothes off for art. It's a crime, I tell you, a crime.
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Molly Ringwald Expecting a Daughter...and a Son!

We're assuming Molly Ringwald thinks blue is just as pretty as pink.

The Breakfast Club princess is expecting twins—a boy and a girl—in August with hubby Panio Gianopoulos.

The new additions will give the couple their first son and a second daughter. They're also parents to 5-year-old Mathilda Ereni.

According to a rep for ABC Family, Ringwald's pregnancy will be written into the plot of The Secret Life of the American Teenager, in which the former Brat Packer plays the put-upon mom of an expectant teen.
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