Pop Stand

The prosecutor who will lead the manslaughter case against Dr. Conrad Murray said in court that Murray's lawyers plan to argue that Michael Jackson gave himself the dose of Propofol that killed him while Murray was out of the room. L.A. County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren told the judge, "I do think it's clear the defense is operating under the theory that the victim, Michael Jackson, killed himself." TMZ reported months ago that Murray's attorneys planned to argue that when the doctor left Jackson's bedroom to go to the bathroom, an insomnia-plagued Jackson awakened and in a moment of frustration took a massive dose of Propofol. Walgren said in court, "They don't want to say it but that's the direction in which they are going.

• • •

Meanwhile, the executors of Michael Jackson's estate fired off an outraged letter to the Discovery Channel, which plans to televise a show in Europe Jan. 13 that will feature a re-enactment of Jackson's autopsy. In the letter, co-executors John Branca and John McClain accuse the network of operating in "shockingly bad taste ... motivated solely by your blind desire to exploit Michael's death, while cynically attempting to dupe the public into believing this show will have serious medical value." The letter says they were "especially outraged when a sickening print advertisement for the program appeared," showing a body on a gurney with one hand exposed -- wearing a sequined glove. The letter calls the ad, seen at left,  "debased, sick and insensitive." The letter, dated Dec. 29, closes: "On behalf of Michael's family, fans, common sense and decency, we urge you to reconsider and cancel this program."

• • •

In her new book, former "Full House" child star Candace Cameron Bure admits that she has waged a battle with bulimia.  Bure, 34, the younger sister of star Kirk Cameron, called binging and purging "a very dangerous cycle that can just start to consume your life and really take over." She says she started to practice bulimia after "Full House" went off the air in 1995, while she was adjusting to life in Canada with her new husband, Russian-born NHL player Valeri Bure. "It wasn't about me trying to lose weight," says Cameron Bure. "It was all about emotions." Cameron Bure, now starring in the ABC Family series "Make It or Break It," reveals her eating disorder in her new autobiography, "Reshaping it All." She and Bure have three children, Natasha, 12; Lev, 10; and Maks, 8.

• • •

"Teen Mom" reality show star Amber Portwood has not been barred from custody of her 2-year-old daughter after Portwood pleaded not guilty to attacking the toddler's father during filming of the MTV show. Portwood's attorney, Robert Schembs, told CBS' "The Early Show" Wednesday, "My understanding, based on conversations yesterday, is that [Leah, 2] should be back with her mom some time today. All reports are that she's doing a nice job with her." Police did tell the media Tuesday that a protective order barred the troubled reality star from contact with her baby, but the county prosecutor said Wednesday that Portwood was only banned from having contact with her daughter's father, Gary Shirley, whom she is accused of beating. Schembs also says that Portwood is taking the charges "very seriously" and says she could be facing "a lot of time" behind bars on the three felony charges — two counts of domestic battery and one count of neglect of a dependent, along with one misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. If convicted on all the charges, she could face up to three years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

• • •

Nicole Richie is ending the year on a high note. Not only is she newly married to Joel Madden, the father of her children, she's also off probation for her 2006 DUI arrest. The probation was scheduled to continue for another few months, but Richie got the all-clear after her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, presented the judge with proof Richie had completed all the terms of probation. The documents included a glowing report from the alcohol ed program in which she's been enrolled for the last 18 months. Richie was arrested in 2006 after she was seen driving the wrong way on an L.A. freeway.

• • •

Disney star Demi Lovato, far right in the photo, was spotted out with her family on a day off from rehab looking very different, with dyed dark brown hair, black nail polish, and dark maroon lipstick. Lovato spent a few hours at a movie theater with her mother, Dianna, stepfather, Eddie, and her two sisters, Dallas and Madison, who made the trip from their California home to Chicago to see her. Lovato checked into the Illinois treatment center in October for treatment of "physical and emotional issues" after punching Jonas Brothers backup dancer Alex Welch in the face over a misunderstanding. Last week, Lovato reached a financial settlement with Welch. "The parties are satisfied and the dispute has been resolved amicably and completely," Welch's attorney, Donald Karpel, told TMZ. Lovato remains in rehab with no release date set, which has delayed the arrival of her next album.

-- Anne Neville

Kelly Osbourne launched a Twitter rant on Christmas against her ex-fiance, British model Luke Worrall, calling him "the biggest piece of s––." First she Tweeted, "wow just found something out that has hurt my feelings so bad :( and christmas was going so well..." By Monday, she was accusing Worrall, seen at left with her, of "trying to get back w/me" while sleeping with "100's of girls." She wrote, "All he did was use me, all girls beware!" Osbourne wrote that she "only came home for Xmas to see him." Tuesday she wrote, "Dont think I have ever felt so stupid he made a fool of me going to be off Twitter for a while never felt heart brake like this in my life." On Tuesday, Worrall posted, "lies on twitter awesome," then later added, "im not going to spill personal business over twitter im not that low!" The couple were engaged in November 2008 but broke up in July amid reports that Worrall had cheated on Osbourne.

• • •

The weeks before Christmas were filled with celebrity breakups, but now is the time for celebrity engagements. The latest to promise to wed are Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, who began dating last January. Two months ago, a source close to Toth, an agent at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles, told People to expect a betrothal. "Jim knows Reese is the one for him," the source said. "It's what he's been waiting for. [Getting engaged] is a natural step for them." A source close to the actress said Witherspoon felt the same. "Reese quickly realized that Jim was someone that she felt safe with and could count on," the source said. Toth also bonded with Witherspoon's children, Ava, 11, and Deacon, 7, whom she had with her ex-husband Ryan Phillippe. "They have vacationed together with Reese's kids and everyone [got] along great," the source said. Witherspoon and Toth join Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris, Natalie Portman and choreographer Benjamin Millepied and LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, all of whom have announced their engagements since Christmas.

• • •

Speaking of engagements, Kelsey Grammer sees no reason to have a long one. In the midst of a divorce from wife Camille Grammer, 42, that could cost him some $50 million, he says he is planning to marry Kayte Walsh, 29, with himi at left, as soon as possible. "Kayte and I are marrying because we are engaged, and we are engaged because we are in love and see no reason to postpone our happiness any longer," Grammer told People. He did not say when the wedding would happen, but added, "We are planning something we wish to be a private affair among several of our friends. Anything else is conjecture and false. Kayte and I are the only reliable source for this story. End of story." Grammer has two children, daughter Mason, 8, and Jude, 6, with Camille, and has two older daughters, Spencer, 27, and Greer, 18, from previous relationships.

• • •

Lindsay Lohan plans to get busy working as soon as she's sprung from rehab next week, E! News reports. She has no film projects planned, but will start planning a line of shoes for her 6126 by Lindsay Lohan fashion brand. "She'll finalize everything when she's out," says a rep for 6126, who describes the shoes Lindsay has in mind as "classic, glamorous, timeless with a sexy flair." The label's designs now include lingerie-like lace dresses, low-cut tops and leggings, which Lohan described in a statement as "fashion forward but also really comfortable and of high quality so that they maintain their fit and look all day and night." If all goes well, the footwear line will debut next fall. Lohan is ordered to remain in treatment until Jan. 3.

• • •

"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood was released from an Indiana jail on $5,000 bail after pleading not guilty to charges of felony domestic battery and neglect in connection with attacks on Gary Shirley, the father of her 2-year-old daughter. Portwood's brother says Shirley does not want Portwood to be barred from seeing Leah. "Gary is really upset," E! News reports that Portwood's brother said. "He wants to testify on Amber's behalf, too. He doesn't want the no-contact rule at all. He was trying to get a lawyer to fight it because the state of Indiana is trying to make Gary testify on their behalf." The brother also said, "Oddly enough, Amber and Gary want to work things out in some capacity. They've been getting along great, and now this happens."

-- Anne Neville

Elton John and David Furnish got a wonderful Christmas gift -- a son, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, born Dec. 25 to a surrogate in California. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces. "We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment," the couple, who were joined in a 2005 civil partnership ceremony, said in a statement. "Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents." Last year, Furnish said they did not plan to start a family until John finished touring. "We don't want to put the raising of children into the hands of nannies and housekeepers," said Furnish. "We want to be active parents. We have godchildren [and] kids that we support in Africa, so we're fine." In September, John said he wanted to adopt a Ukrainian orphan named Lev, whom he said "has stolen my heart." But Ukrainian law prohibits same-sex couples from adopting, and John, 62,  was too old by the country's guidelines.

• • •

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian "were engaged over the holidays and are very happy," her rep tells People. A source said that the couple, who left their spouses to be together, celebrated at home in Los Angeles with family and friends. Her platinum engagement ring, which they designed together, reportedly features a 5-carat oval diamond. On Monday afternoon, Rimes wrote on Twitter, "Thank you for all your well wishes!! We are extremely excited and look forward to a beautiful future. It's been an incredible last few days, I was shocked!!! We are blessed, our families are so happy and our lives are filled with love." Engagement rumors flew in early November after a photo they posted on Twitter, left, showed Cibrian kneeling and holding the hand of an apparently shocked Rimes in front of a sign saying "White Chapel Lunatic Asylum," but Rimes later said the photo was a Halloween joke. After Rimes and Cibrian met on the set of the movie "Northern Lights," Rimes ended her marriage to Dean Sheremet. Cibrian and his now-ex, Brandi Glanville, have two sons, Mason, 7, and Jake, 3..

• • •

Also feeling the love on a movie set were Natalie Portman and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who met on the set of her latest film, "Black Swan," and are engaged and expecting their first child, her rep confirms. Portman's performance in the film has earned her nominations for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award. Portman, The actress, 29, whose first high-profile role was as Queen Amidala in "Star Wars Episode I -- the Phantom Menace," will next be seen in the romantic comedy "No Strings Attached" with Ashton Kutcher.

• • •

"Teen Mom" reality show star Amber Portwood is behind bars in Indiana, charged with two felony counts of domestic battery, one felony count of neglect of a dependent, and one misdemeanor count of domestic battery. The changes are related to three separate attacks on Gary Shirley, the father of her 2-year-old daughter, Leah, between August 2009 and July 2010.  Some of the incidents were captured on video for the reality show. Portwood, whose mug shot is seen at left, was arrested Monday afternoon and placed on a 24-hour hold, with bail set at $5,000. RadarOnline reports that Portwood has been barred from having contact with her daughter even after her release, and that Shirley will be taking care of Leah for the time being.

-- Anne Neville

In the midst of all the holiday glitz and sparkle, celebrities still count on animal prints -- especially leopard prints.  

Singer Fergie wore a dramatic animal-print hat to the Jingle Bell Ball 2010 in London. 

Also this month, Jane Fonda, Pauley Perrette, Natalie Cole, Jessica Chastain and others have
shown a wild side -- even if it's choosing a leopard-print tote like the one Halle Berry carried to the
Hollywood Reporter's "Power 100: Women in Entertainment Breakfast" in Beverly Hills. 

Take a look:

Watch It: Here are some highlights of what to watch on TV this week:

MONDAY

8 PM on Channel 7 -- Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Marry director Tim Burton to a children's fantasy, and you're sure to get a darker take on the
Roald Dahl story first filmed as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." In this eye-filling
version, frequent Burton collaborator Johnny Depp replaces Gene Wilder as the candy man who
gives five lucky youngsters the chance to tour his workplace. The kids include earnest Charlie
(Freddie Highmore) and several selfish youngsters who get what's coming to them.

9 PM on HISTORY -- American Pickers

Mike and Frank challenge Danielle to sell a vintage carnival ride that has been sitting in
storage. The guys visit a collector with fascinating pieces, including an old gambling game,
then find an amazing miniature automated carnival at the International Clown Hall of Fame.
Retired mechanic Norm opens his garage to reveal a 1967 Ford Fairlane muscle car in the new
episode "Fairlane Fever." (PG)

10 PM on Channel 2 -- Chuck

After he and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) have a spat, Chuck (Zachary Levi) goes on a rogue
mission to avoid dealing with her and runs into Gregory Tuttle (guest star Timothy Dalton),
his mother's MI6 handler, and a mysterious Russian agent (Ana Gasteyer). Ellie (Sarah
Lancaster) goes on a mission of her own to dig up information on the Bartowski family's past
in the new episode "Chuck Versus the First Fight." (PG)

TUESDAY

6 PM on SYFY -- Movie: Casino Royale

Inheriting the role of James Bond here, Daniel Craig comes out of the gate fast and furious in
this 2006 caper, based on Ian Fleming's first novel about Agent 007. The story takes Bond back
to his early days of having his license to kill, when his card-playing skills make him MI6's
logical candidate to oppose terrorism financier Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) in a high-stakes
game of Texas hold 'em. Eva Green plays Vesper Lynd, the agent who steals Bond's heart.

8 PM on Channel 7 -- Rudolph's Shiny New Year

While it's not up to par with "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," this animated special still is
a lot of fun. Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin and Morey Amsterdam provide voices for the story of
how the red-nosed deer, with the help of a whale and a caveman, sets off across time to find
Happy, the missing New Year baby. If Happy stays lost, it will be Dec. 31 forever. (G)

9 PM on Channel 4 -- The 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors

Receiving honors for their distinguished careers during this year's gala celebrations are
singer-songwriter Merle Haggard, composer and lyricist Jerry Herman ("Mame," "Hello, Dolly!"),
choreographer Bill T. Jones, musician Paul McCartney, and TV host and producer Oprah Winfrey. As usual, the honorees will be seated with President and Mrs. Barack Obama as they are saluted by some of the world's finest performers.

10 PM on TBS -- Glory Daze

Joel (Kelly Blatz) tries dating to forget about Christie (Julianna Guill), but things go very
badly. Brian (Hartley Sawyer) tries to spend time with Annabel. Jason (Andrew Seeley) asks
Julie (Natalie Dreyfuss) to the Fall Formal. Eli (Matt Bush) is smitten with military life
after he watches "Top Gun" in the new episode "What's Love Got to Nude With It?" (14)

WEDNESDAY

8 PM on Channel 17 -- Tavis Smiley Reports

In the new episode "Dudamel: Conducting a Life," Smiley profiles electrifying Los Angeles
Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, who, at 29, is the youngest conductor of any
major orchestra in the world and, by common consensus, the most exciting. The hour also
includes a feature on Youth Orchestra Los Angeles, an initiative by the L.A. Philharmonic to
build youth orchestras in underserved communities.

9 PM on Channel 17 -- Great Performances

The 2010 opening night gala of the Los Angeles Philarmonic under flamboyant conductor Gustavo
Dudamel features overtures and arias in bel canto style, as well as Latin American songs and
orchestral dances, with renowned Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez. Actress Eva Mendes hosts
the new episode "Celebracion! Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil With Juan Diego Florez." (G)

9 and 11 PM on TLC -- My Strange Addiction

This new 12-part docu-series follows people who are struggling with unconventional addictions,
usually in order to help them deal with some personal demons. These fixations can involve
something as mundane as thumb sucking or as off the wall and dangerous as eating detergent. In
the premiere, Lori, 31, has been sleeping with her blow-dryer on because she finds the heat
and sound comforting, although she risks burns or a fatal electrical fire. (PG)

10 and 11 PM on MTV -- I Used to Be Fat

Teens lose weight in preparation for their freshman year in college in this new reality series
from the producers of "The Biggest Loser." Each one-hour episode follows a teenager as he or
she works with trainers, nutritionists and doctors to reach a weight-loss goal, which in some
cases is as much as 100 pounds.

10:30 PM on USA -- Movie: Juno

Diablo Cody's Oscar-winning screenplay for this superb comedy-drama gave director Jason
Reitman and title star Ellen Page the means for their own Academy Award nominations. Juno is a
bright teen whose hookup with her best friend (Michael Cera) leads to her pregnancy … and her
search for a couple to raise the child. Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman are excellent as
prospective adoptive parents.

THURSDAY

8 PM on Channel 7 -- Happy New Year, Charlie Brown

Good grief! Who assigns elementary-school children "War and Peace"? Charlie Brown's teacher,
that's who. He has to read it over the Christmas break and write a report, but holiday
distractions keep getting in the way. He ends up leaving a New Year's party and sitting
outside to read, but that doesn't end well. Chad Allen ("Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman") provides
the voice of Charlie Brown in this 1986 "Peanuts" special. (G)

9 PM on LIFETIME -- Movie: Antwone Fisher

Denzel Washington made his feature directing debut with this earnest, true-life 2002 drama in
which he plays a Navy psychiatrist treating the title character (Independent Spirit Award
winner Derek Luke). Sailor Fisher exhibits unexpected moments of pure rage, necessitating his
treatment. He hesitates at first to reveal the details of his tortured past, which ultimately
… and painfully … flood forth.

11 PM on TCM -- Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn broke countless hearts as the flighty but enchanting Holly Golightly in
director Blake Edwards' 1961 version of the Truman Capote novel. The character's sophisticated
veneer belies her true background, which eventually becomes apparent to an infatuated neighbor
(George Peppard).

FRIDAY

8 AM on FX -- Movie: Zodiac

If you have to do a movie about a serial killer, it might as well be intelligent, right? Jake
Gyllenhaal stars as Robert Graysmith, the man who penned a book about the infamous Zodiac
Killer of the 1960s and '70s. Here, the case is told as based on that book. Mark Ruffalo,
Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Chloe Sevigny and Elias Koteas also star.

8 PM on Channel 29 -- Movie: Rocky Balboa

A simulated matchup between the former boxing champ (Sylvester Stallone) and a current fighter
(actual boxer Antonio Tarver) turns into the real thing in this surprisingly affecting
follow-up to the five earlier "Rocky" dramas, which truly refreshes the franchise. Now a
widower, Rocky doesn't get much support from his son (Milo Ventimiglia), but he does strike up
a new friendship with an old acquaintance (Geraldine Hughes).

9 PM on HBO -- Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On

A best Bette for New Year's Eve! The Divine Miss M. trots out some of her colorful (to say the
least) characters and an entourage of talented performers before a packed house at the
Colosseum of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Backed by her devoted Harlettes and her dancers, the
Caesar Salad Girls, Midler and company sashay their way through hits ranging from "Boogie
Woogie Bugle Boy" to "The Rose" and "Wind Beneath My Wings." (14)

10 PM on Channel 2 -- NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly

The host of "Last Call With Carson Daly" becomes a prime-time player for one night, anchoring
his home network's New Year's Eve celebration. He's scheduled to welcome the band My Chemical
Romance; talk to U2's Bono and The Edge about their new Broadway show, "Spider-Man: Turn Off
the Dark"; and, of course, count down to the dropping of the ball in Times Square that signals
the arrival of 2011.

11 PM on Channel 29 -- New Year's Eve Live

From Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nancy O'Dell hosts a countdown to 2011
featuring special guests and performances by artists such as "American Idol" runner-up David
Archuleta and Travie McCoy ("Billionaire"). (PG)

12 AM on Channel 7 -- Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2011

The annual celebration counts down to midnight and features special performances in New York
and Los Angeles, with actress Jenny McCarthy joining Ryan Seacrest in Times Square. Taio Cruz
and Ke$ha are scheduled to perform in Manhattan as well. Dick Clark also will be contributing
from a nearby studio.

SATURDAY

11 AM on Channel 2, Channel 7 and HALLMARK and 1 PM on HALLMARK -- The 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade

Al Roker and Shaun Robinson host the annual flower-bedecked march from Pasadena, Calif. This
year's grand marshal of the parade is Food Network superstar chef Paula Deen. In addition to
NBC, the parade also airs simultaneously on ABC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel and Univision. (G)

1 PM on Channel 2 -- NHL Hockey: Winter Classic

Wind, weather, huge crowds … the NHL Winter Classic is truly hockey like it oughta be. This
fourth edition of the annual New Year's Day outdoor game pits two of the Eastern Conference's
best in the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins at the Steel City's Heinz Field. Alex
Ovechkin and the Southeast Division-leading Caps hope to continue their dominance of the
Atlantic's top team, Sidney Crosby's Pens, whom they defeated in all four meetings last
season.

7 and 10:30 PM on BRAVO -- Movie: The Green Mile

Stephen King is as good at touching folks' hearts as he is at scaring them out of their wits.
Exhibit A: "The Shawshank Redemption." Exhibit B: this 1999 drama, also set in a prison.
Oscar-nominated Michael Clarke Duncan plays a mentally challenged man sent to death row for a
double murder in 1935 Louisiana. As the head guard (Tom Hanks) gets to know him, he realizes
that not only is this new inmate innocent, but he has some very special powers.

8 PM on Channel 7 -- V

Gearing up for the Jan. 4 return of this sci-fi series, ABC presents back-to-back repeats of
three Season 1 episodes, starting with the pilot, wherein a bunch of charismatic
extraterrestrials led by the beautiful Anna (Morena Baccarin, "Firefly") captivates most of
Earth's population. FBI counterterrorism agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell), however,
quickly comes to suspect the aliens have a far more sinister agenda. (14)

10 PM on TCM -- Movie: The Pride of the Yankees

Gary Cooper gives one of his most memorable performances in this 1942 biodrama as Lou Gehrig,
the baseball star whose career was tragically cut short by a debilitating terminal illness. He
earned an Oscar nomination … one of 11 that the film received, although it won only one (for
editing). Teresa Wright and Walter Brennan also star, and Babe Ruth himself makes an
appearance.

SUNDAY

8 PM on Channel 7 -- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

In this new episode, Ty Pennington and the team travel to Moorhead, Minn., to build an
accessible home for the family of 10-year-old Garrett Grommesh, who uses a wheelchair, while
remodeling the older Grommesh home to accommodate yet another family in need. In a related
stunt, the team also helps set a Guinness record by creating the largest logo using people in
wheelchairs. (PG)

9 PM on A&E -- Gene Simmons Family Jewels

He's with the band! Nick goes on a hectic KISS tour of Europe with Gene and enjoys all the
perks that come with celebrity. Back in Los Angeles, alone, Shannon misses her family and
welcomes a chance to help sister Tracy, but when Tracy and her family move in with craziness
in their wake, Shannon tries to think of a way to uninvite them in the new episode "Keeping Up
With the Demons." The season finale, "Scaredy Cat," follows immediately.

10:01 PM on Channel 7 -- Brothers & Sisters

What seems like an innocent date night for Nora (Sally Field) scandalizes the couples in the
Walker family. Kitty's (Calista Flockhart) relationship with the much-younger Seth (Ryan
Devlin) is the subject of Internet gossip and draws an unexpected reaction from her boss
(Cristine Rose) in the new episode "Scandalized." (PG)

Hugh Hefner gave girlfriend Crystal Harris, 24, an engagement ring for Christmas. On Twitter, the Playboy founder, 84, posted that he and guests planned to watch "The King's Speech" at the mansion, then, "After the movie tonight, Crystal & I exchanged gifts. I gave Crystal a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve ... When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory." Later, he wrote, "Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring. I didn't mean to make a mystery out of it. A very merry Christmas to all." If the pair say vows, this would be Hefner's third marriage. His first wife was Mildred Williams; they divorced in 1959. His second wife was former Playmate of the Year Kimberly Conrad. They separated in 1998 but remained married until 2009, when he filed for divorce. At the time, he said of a third marriage, "It's unlikely since I haven't been very successful at it. But anything is possible." Last year, Hefner was involved with Harris and twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon, 19.

• • •

Tyler Perry is taking care of an 88-year-old great-grandmother of seven who lost everything when her house outside Atlanta burned to the ground. The Atlanta-based filmmaker says he will build a new house on the property for Rosa Lee Ransby and her 4-year-old great-granddaughter, and will also buy her furniture and pay her rent and utility bills for a year while the house is being built. The rental house is just doors down from Ransby's house, where she lived for 40 years before fleeing with her great-granddaughter Tuesday when the fire started. "It's made my Christmas," said Coweta Fire Chief Todd Moore. "I've been doing this a long time, seen a lot of bad things come and go, but this is special."

• • •

Katherine Jackson will join her son Tito in Atlanta for the 22nd Annual Peach Drop New Year's Eve Celebration. TMZ reports that Tito will perform some Jackson 5 songs, along with a couple of songs from his upcoming album, "So Far, So Good,"  then he and his mother will do the New Year's Eve countdown.

• • •

Actress Mariel Hemingway could lose her dog because Animal Control officials say the pit bull atacked a dog and two people last week outside Hemingway's Los Angeles home. A rep for Animal Control tells TMZ that the people were treated at a hospital for serious puncture wounds. Animal Control the dog is in quarantine while the investigation goes on. Hemingway starred in Woody Allen's "Manhattan," "Personal Best" and "Star 80."

• • •

Bristol Palin is telling friends she is planning to enroll in college after she moves into the home she has purchased in Arizona. Palin paid cash for the $172,000 home in Maricopa, outside Phoenix, just a few miles from the Arizona State University school of broadcasting. TMZ also points out that she may agree with the politics of the conservative ASU, which last May declined to give President Obama an honorary degree after he gave the commencement speech.

-- Anne Neville

 

It is whispered that the King of Sweden is coming to Buffalo for the World Juniors Hockey Tournament and that he will be staying at the Mansion on Delaware.

The King of Sweden is King Carl XVI Gustaf. He is a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the same family as the British royal family. The King of Sweden's father's name was Gustaf Adolf. He died in a crash at the Copenhagen airport in 1973 and that is when the present King ascended the throne. Above is a picture of the current King of Sweden and his family. Are they a good-looking bunch or what? Wow.

Here are facts about the King of Sweden that could help you out should you meet him while he is in town and need to make conversation:

1. As of this post, Wikipedia says he has been king for 37 years, 99 days. Apparently there is someone who goes into Wikipedia daily and updates this count. That is impressive!

2. He is Lutheran, which is the state religion of Sweden.

3. His wife is Queen Silvia, originally Silvia Sommerlath. She is half German and half Brazilian and when he met her, at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, she was a host and translator. That is how you meet kings! They were married in the Stockholm Cathedral in 1976. The night before the wedding there was a celebration at which ABBA performed "Dancing Queen," for the very first time, as a tribute to their future queen. Who knew that? That is on Wikipedia.

4. Every year the King of Sweden is the one who presents the Nobel prizes.

5. Quoth Wikipedia: "The King is passionate about the environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry." He is also passionate about women. It is not suggested that you bring this up but you should know about it: A best-selling book about him, just published in November, explored an alleged affair he was supposed to have had with a woman who was half Swedish and half Nigerian. The The king's alleged mistress was the lead singer of a band called, and you have to love this, Army of Lovers. He had to address the rumors at the press conference he traditionally holds after, and you have to love this, his annual moose hunt. You may read up on all this in this British book review which hashed it all over.

6. A safer topic to talk about with the King of Sweden might be that he loves Scouting and is the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation. He shows up at Scout activities and jamborees. It would be nice if while he were in Buffalo a Scout troop or two could show up and salute him. I think His Majesty would get a kick out of that.

7.  That is what you call the King of Sweden, "Your Majesty." That is what they call him in Sweden. They refer to him as "the king," which in Swedish is Kungen. Should you wish to soar like an eagle and address the King of Sweden in Swedish, "Your Majesty" is "Ers Majestat." From knowing some German I would imagine you would pronounce that "Airs My-yes-state."

8. The King of Sweden was 27 when he was crowned. He took an oath that began thus:

"We Carl Gustaf, King of Sweden make known: that as the Supreme God has pleased to call away the formerly mightfull, highborn Prince and Lord Gustaf VI Adolf, King of Sweden, the Geats and the Wends, and We, according to and by authority of the Act of Succession as established and enacted by the Estates of the Realm on September 26, 1810, following the illustrious Lord have ascended to the Royal Swedish Throne."

9. The King of Sweden is related to all reigning European monarchs. Like Queen Elizabeth II of England, his third cousin once removed, he is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg Gotha.

10. The King of Sweden is dyslexic. The Queen has said that their three children also each have "a bit of dyslexia" themselves. Everyone knows someone who is dyslexic so this is one thing you can talk about. It is good to have something in common with a king!

So there you go. When the King of Sweden gets here, you will be ready.

Don't be shy!

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Michael Lohan says the the Betty Ford clinic staffer who tangled with his daughter after Lindsay and two other girls returned to their house past curfew "had it in for Lindsay the whole time." Dawn Holland, the woman who filed a police report saying Lohan sprained her wrist when she grabbed the phone away from her, was fired by the clinic after giving an interview about the clash to TMZ. Michael Lohan says Lindsay and two roommates went out to a beauty salon and returned to the residence 10 minutes after curfew. He said, "As soon as Lindsay walked in the door the woman grabbed Lindsay by the arm, and not the other two girls [she was with], and said, 'You are going to take a urine test. Lindsay just brushed her off. That is what she told me: 'Dad, I just brushed her off.'  It all boils down to that they were 10 minutes late," said Lohan, pictured with Lindsay a year ago. "Lindsay had three weeks left and this woman was in Lindsay's face, constantly complaining." TMZ also quoted a source as saying that before the clash at the clinic, Lohan met a friend at the Viceroy Hotel in Palm Springs to have her hair done, and drank non-alcoholic Shirley Temples and ate french fries.

• • •

Lindsay Lohan won't be sent back to jail just because she's been accused of manhandling a staffer at the Betty Ford Clinic, but she could face consequences for refusing to take the breathalyzer test that was the source of the clash. Sources tell TMZ that probation workers will not recommend to Judge Elden Fox that he violate Lohan's probation for the alleged assault Jan. 3, when she is scheduled to appear before him. The Department will reportedly only recommend action if Lohan is convicted of criminal battery. She may be in more danger of being sent back to jail for refusing to submit to the breathalyzer test. Under the terms of her probation, she's required to comply with drug testing, including tests administered at Betty Ford. So far, the Probation Department has not made a recommendation to the judge on violating her probation based on the breathalyzer test.

• • •

Kelly Osbourne says the tabloids have it wrong -- her "So Undercover" costar, the salvia-smoking Miley Cyrus, isn't a bad influence. Osbourne is tweeting in defense of her pal: "Just read in the rags that apparently my mum Sharon Osbourne] thinks Miley is a bad influence on me it could not be father from the truth! Actually it's the other way around Miley has us all on a health kick. Gym/early nights There really scraping the barrel on that one!" The two are in New Orleans shooting the comedy about an FBI agent who infiltrates a sorority. And Osbourne says the widespread mockery of Cyrus "really makes me mad. Miley is one of the most hard working respectful women I have ever worked with I am learning a lot from her!" She says she is "sick of all the haters judging [Miley]." Osbourne added, "She [made] one mistake and trust me she has learned her lesson!" writes Kelly, adding a photo of the pair of them holding cupcakes, left. "This is how im a bad I influence," says Kelly. "I force her to eat cupcakes so I don't feel so bad about eating one!"

• • •

Mel Gibson is selling his secluded Costa Rican property because he says it's not private enough, although the home sits on 500 acres of jungle. "He bought it for a getaway. Now he goes there and paparazzi follow him," listing agent Sandra Miller told the Hollywood Reporter. Gibson is asking $35 million for the home, called Hacienda Dorada, which has seven bedrooms and two guest homes. In June, Gibson put his other home in Malibu, Calif., on the market for a mere $14.5 million.

• • •

Ali Larter and her husband, Hayes MacArthur, welcomed son Theodore Hayes MacArthur on Monday morning in Los Angeles. "He's our perfect Christmas present," the new parents said in a statement. The former "Heroes" star married MacArthur in August 2009; they announced back in July that they were expecting their first child.

-- Anne Neville

Lindsay Lohan is being investigated in connection with an assault Dec. 12 on a Betty Ford Clinic chemical dependency technician who tried to give her a breathalyzer test after she and two roommates tried to sneak back into their house after curfew. But Dawn Holland, who works as a chemical dependency technician at the clinic, isn't celebrating either -- she was fired for violaing patient confidentiality Tuesday night after speaking to TMZ about the incident. Before being fired, Holland said Lohan had been drinking and injured her so badly that she is now on workers' comp. In a statement, which uses Lohan's code name, "Bella G.," Holland says Lohan and two roommates returned to their sober living house after curfew and jumped a wall, trying to get into their house without being noticed. Holland says security stopped the three women, and she was called to do breathalyzer tests on the trio. Lohan refused and pushed her, then called 911 on the house phone. Holland says when she picked up an extension to speak with the 911 operator, Lohan confronted her again and ripped the phone out of her hand, causing a severe sprain. Holland says she could smell alcohol on Lohan's breath. Lohan claimed Holland touched her first, but Holland says, "I did not touch the woman." Palm Desert police say they were called to the clinic and "The victim desired prosecution," says Sgt. Joe Borja of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. "The incident is being investigated as a misdemeanor."  Meanwhile, Lohan got her wish that Holland be fired. Lohan must remain at the clinic until at least Jan. 3 and could be sent back to jail if she is found in violation of her probation.

• • •

Heidi Montag was seeking a perfect body when she had 10 plastic surgery procedures in a single day last year, but instead she says she has been left with bald spots, lumps, extensive scars and uneven body parts. "Parts of my body definitely look worse than they did presurgery," she told Life & Style for a cover story to be published Friday. "This is not what I signed up for." Montag showed off a 2-inch-long raised scar under her chin from her chin reduction, two bald spots along her hairline from a brow lift, a jagged scar line behind her ears from having her ears pinned back, lumpy legs, a red mark inside her nostril,  and four spots left on her lower back and below the buttocks from botched liposuction. Her augmented breasts are uneven, she has a stretched mark on the skin of one breast and she has deep scars around her nipples. "The big dark mark from my chin reduction is probably the most noticeable. But the absolute worst is on my breasts, and the scariest is below my butt cheek," Montag says. "People have fewer scars from car accidents than I have on my body." Montag, who defended the surgery for months, now says it was a mistake. "I would love to not be 'plastic girl' or whatever they call me. Surgery ruined my career and my personal life and just brought a lot of negativity into my world. I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back," she says. "Instead, I'm always going to feel like Edward Scissorhands." The plastic surgeon who did all her procedures, Dr. Frank Ryan, died in a car crash in August. Last month, on "Primetime," Montag told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden that she did not feel "prepared" for the procedures. "I definitely think I should have been way more informed. I think that doctors should really walk you through all aspects of it, not just the glamorous side of it," she said. "Doctors, it's like they're selling you cookies or something."

• • •

So much for reports that Bret Michaels is involved with Miley Cyrus's mother Tish, who is estranged from her longtime husband, Billy Ray. On the finale of his VH1 reality show, Michaels asked the mother of his two daughters to marry him, left. Kristi Gibson, Michaels' on-and-off girlfriend of 16 years, said yes when the rocker popped the question on the finale of "Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It." Michaels reportedly said to the couple's daughters Raine, 10, and Jorja, 5, "I did it! We'll all be together forever! Family hug!" Gibson said, "I love him for him. I've been through everything with him. A ring and a paper wouldn't make me love him more. I'm just happy he's alive. But this is the best birthday and Christmas present ever. We'll be virgins stepping into the whole engagement and marriage thing. And with our girls growing up, we'll all have the same last name."

• • •

Paris Hilton and boyfriend Cy Waits were among the passengers who had to leave a Delta flight from Los Angeles to Maui after another passenger found a 4-inch serrated box cutter that belonged to a member of the crew in a seat pocket. Hilton and Waits left their first-class seats along with everybody else so the plane could be thoroughly searched. Law enforcement sources said police were not called because airline officials identified the owner of the blade, who is authorized to use it in his job.

-- Anne Neville

We've been keeping an eye on what Cher has been turning up in at recent premieres and photo calls relating to the movie "Burlesque."

Throw in fellow actress/singer Christina Aguilera's outfits, and it's all just too much
fun.

Take a look: