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Daily links: Charlie Sheen treated for hiatal hernia after 36-hour drug, alcohol binge

Charlie Sheen suffered a hiatal hernia and was treated and released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills Thursday after someone in his house called 911 to say he was suffering what his rep, Stan Rosenfield, says were "severe abdominal pains." A hiatal hernia, in which the upper part of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm, causes food and acid to back up into the esophagus, causing severe pain.

TMZ reports that before the ambulance was called, Sheen went on a 36-hour drug and alcohol bender that included the delivery of a "briefcase full of cocaine" to his home. Quoting a source inside the house, TMZ says two porn stars, including 22-year-old Kacey Jordan, up to two other women and a business associate were also at the house with Sheen during the party. TMZ says a person arrived with a designer briefcase packed with multiple "bricks" of cocaine, and Sheen used the drug for several hours, watching and critiquing porn films with one of the actresses. Sheen's rep, Stan Rosenfield, tells TMZ, "I can't comment because I have no idea if it's true. You choose to believe your source. I don't." People.com reported that Sheen's parents, actor Martin Sheen and wife Janet, were at the hospital and "are very concerned," a source says, and TMZ says his ex, Denise Richards, was also at the hospital.

 This is the latest troubling episode for Sheen, 45, who was arrested for attacking then-wife Brooke Mueller and trashed a Plaza Hotel suite when he suspected a paid escort of stealing his watch. Earlier this month, CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler said she had a "high level of concern" about Sheen's personal life but was happy with his professional conduct on the hit show, "Two and a Half Men." The show is on hiatus this week but will resume production Monday; friends of Sheen say he will be on the set starting Tuesday and does not plan to go to rehab.

• • •

In her new tell-all autobiography, two-time "Dancing with the Stars" winner Cheryl Burke reveals some painful episodes from her past. The first happened when she was just 5, when she was repeatedly molested by a trusted family friend and testified against him in court, sending him to prison for nearly 20 years. In the book, "Dancing Lessons," coauthored by People senior writer Monica Rizzo, "I'm telling my story," says Burke. She describes incidents of physical abuse by two former boyfriends, and says, "They're not secrets. There's no shame." Burke also admits that her confidence was severely shaken in July 2008 when a tabloid published photos of her looking heavier. "One night I was supposed to go out with my friends but I couldn't do it. Every time someone looked at me I was like, 'That person thinks I'm fat,' " recalls Burke, who estimates she had gained 5 to 10 lbs. while on hiatus from the show.  Although she said publicly, "You don't have to be anorexic to be beautiful," Burke now says the criticism devastated her and she tried starving herself ("Couldn't do it") and diet pills ("Nasty -– I felt anxious and shaky") to drop the pounds. Gradually, she says, vigorous dancing and healthier eating helped her slim down.

• • •

Former "American Idol" finalist Chikezie Eze is a wanted man after a judge issued a bench warrant for him when he failed to show up in court Jan. 14 for a probation hearing. Eze, who was a crowd-pleaser in the show's seventh season, in which he finished 10th, was on probation for misdemeanor identity theft for using a phony credit card to buy two bottles of cologne at Neiman Marcus -- totaling $1,289.57. He pleaded no contest and was ordered to serve three years probation and do 45 days of community service labor.

• • •

"Sister Wives" polygamous husband Kody Brown moved his first wife, Meri, second from right, into one of the three neighboring houses the 24-member family is renting in a Las Vegas community. The first season of the reality show revealed Brown's life with three wives in a large house in Lehi, Utah, and his courtship and marriage of a fourth wife. Police in Lehi began to investigate Brown for felony bigamy,   but no charges were filed before the family picked up and moved to Las Vegas. Two of the four wives will share one house, with Kody Brown dividing his time among them. The Brown family reportedly relocated to "explore new job opportunities," although the details of the new careers are not known. The family has been taping a second season of the show, which will debut on TLC in March.

-- Anne Neville

Daily links: Doctor accused of killing Michael Jackson says he is 'an innocent man'

During his arraignment Tuesday on one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray told Judge Michael Pastor, "Your honor, I am an innocent man. I therefore plead not guilty." Relatives of Jackson's, including his mother, Katherine Jackson, and his brother Randy, attended the arraignment. The cardiologist is accused of injecting Jackson with a lethal dose of Propofol, a sedative used in hospitals under the direct supervision of a physician, and then leaving the room briefly. Murray has said that Jackson demanded the medication because of his persistent and severe insomnia. The trial, which is set to start on March 28, could last one to two months, according to the district attorney and one of Murray's attorneys. "Dr. Murray is looking forward to telling his side of the story," Murray's lawyer, Ed Cherniff, said at a press conference afterward. "Dr. Murray's been waiting 22 months for the opportunity to do this, and this is the first chance we have to force the issue." If convicted, Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison.

• • •

Italy better brace itself. The entire "Jersey Shore" crowd of self-proclaimed "guidos" and "guidettes" is traveling to the ancestral homeland for filming of Season 4. TMZ reports that the producers have already lined up some Vinny's Italian relatives to host an authentic Guadagnino dinner for the group. But not everybody is delighted about having Snooki, the Situation and the others hit Italy. The Italian-American interest organization UNICO says the "Shore" kids will  make all Americans look like "buffoons and bimbos." The group says, "People used to go to the circus to see the freak show –- that is what this will be." The rep adds, "It will not only hurt Italians but all Americans … their outrageous, reprehensible behavior will make us look like buffoons and bimbos." UNICO previously asked viewers to boycott the show, which it calls a "denigration" of Italian Americans.

• • •

The "singing waitress" who got a golden ticket to Hollywood at the "American Idol" audition shown last week -- which also showcased her place of employment, Ellen's Stardust Diner in Manhattan -- lost her job when she left work to try out. Sources close to Devyn Rush, left, told TMZ that she told her bosses about her trip and expected to have a job when she returned. But when Rush got back, she was told she'd been replaced. Staff members at Ellen's said they couldn't hold Rush's position because she was gone during the diner's "busy season," but a diner rep says Rush's employment is still in "limbo," and both sides are trying to work out the issue. "Idol" continues tonight with a two-hour audition show.

• • •

Jaime Pressly, who starred in "My Name is Earl," has split from her husband, entertainment lawyer Simran Singh, after 16 months of marriage. Neither has yet filed for divorce. Pressly was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of DUI in Santa Monica and released on $15,000 bail. Pressly and Singh are said to be living separately, but it is not known who is living in the couple's $2.25 million Los Angeles home. A friend told Us magazine, "I think it comes down to she married this guy too fast." Pressly was previously engaged to actor Eric Cubiche, with whom she has a 3-year-old son.

• • •

Lindsay Lohan, fresh out of rehab, has not only patched things up with ex-girlfriend and current neighbor Samantha Ronson, she has been out celebrating -- without drinking, onlookers say. Lohan was seen celebrating at a friend's birthday party with Ronson and socializing at Trousdale, a Hollywood nightclub where she was barred last year after throwing a drink at Ronson last spring. In neither case was she seen drinking, sources say.

• • •

Although she arrived already "giggly," according to EOnline, and the crowd of freinds chanted her name, they couldn't persuade Betty White to dance on a table at her 89th birthday party last week. The party held by TV Land at Le Cirque restaurant in New York City drew such celebs as Valerie Bertinelli, Sherri Shepherd and Jack McBrayer, and they enjoyed crab cakes, hot dogs and plenty of cocktails. White "was eating hot dogs and throwing back vodka — Grey Goose, rocks, lime rim," one partygoer said, "She was amazing. We were all trying to get her to table dance. We were chanting 'Betty! Betty!' and trying to get her up there all night. And that was after a very busy day. She was laughing at all of it. We thought maybe she would, but she was shaking her head and saying, 'Oh no! No.'"

-- Anne Neville

The irrepressible Steven Tyler: Too 'cheeky' for 'American Idol'?

FOX held a conference call Tuesday with Steven Tyler, one of the two new judges on the "American Idol" panel. The transcript, sent out today, makes the whole thing sound far too civilized for anything involving the Aerosmith wild man :

Moderator: "Welcome to the 'American Idol' interview call with Steven Tyler.  I’ll now turn the conference over to Alex Gillespie for opening remarks."

Alex Gillespie: "Good afternoon everyone.  Thank you for joining us for the Steven Tyler conference call.  Just as a reminder, 'American Idol' begins tomorrow night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on FOX.  If you need any photos or any video, you can go to our press website. ... Without further ado, I’m going to turn the call over to Mr. Steven Tyler who will be available to take your questions."

Moderator: "We’ll go ahead and take the first question from Reg Seeton with TheDeadbolt.com."

Nice, huh? Those of us who listened in on the call got a far more entertaining version. This is what really happened:

Alex Gillespie: "... Without further ado, I’m going to turn the call over to Mr. Steven Tyler, who will be available to take your questions."

Moderator: "Just one moment please ...

Steven Tyler: (Loudly, with British accent) "Darlings! How are you???!"

Moderater: "Oh, OK. Mr. Tyler, it will be just one moment please for the first question."

Steven Tyler: "Sure, take your time, I'm just having lunch!" (in the background) "What is that? Why would you do that? What if I want to get cheeky or something? Put it on speaker? (unintelligible) How many people are on this call? 100? They just can't respond, they're listening. Shall I give a limerick? There once was a man from Kent, who had one so long that it ... nahh, I won't go there. Absolutely will not go there. You know what, anyhow, everyone is smiling."

Moderator: (laughing) "And before we go any further with THAT ..."

Steven Tyler: "No, we're not going any further!"

Moderator: "We'll go ahead and take the first question, from Reg Seeton with TheDeadbolt.com."

Steven Tyler: "Deadbolt.com, I love that! What's the catch, Deadbolt?"

Tyler continued with his "cheeky" banter throughout the call, flirting with the women and flattering the men. He was particularly happy to be introduced to Allonna Diamond from TV.com, "A lot of diamonds?" he yelled. "Do you have a lot of diamonds?"

Along the way we learned that Tyler feels that he and Randy Jackson were "separated at birth, and we had so many similarities, and the music curriculum and program," that he thinks Jennifer Lopez is "a fox, she’s also street, she’s also got a good big heart." And he said that he has been signed to more than a one-year contract.

It should be interesting! 

-- Anne Neville

Daily links: Jennifer Lopez signs deal to judge 'American Idol' for a year for $12 million

Jennifer Lopez has reached a deal to be a judge on the 10th season of "American Idol" for a cool $12 million, sources say. A report on Deadline.com says Lopez was holding out for for movie and TV development deals, a larger "Idol" salary and the ability to have input on her fellow judges, but she finally settled for $12 million and no other provisions. "She’s very excited," a source close to Lopez says. Fox had no comment and a rep for Lopez did not return calls. TMZ reports that Lopez has signed a obe-year deal and will be present when auditions are taped next week. It looks as though Aerosmith's Steven Tyler will join her at the table; he has said officially that he will "probably" be a judge. Others rumored to be considered for the panel include Shania Twain, Harry Connick Jr., Elton John and Chris Isaak. Meanwhile, Fox sources say rumors that the the deal with Lopez had fallen apart due to her "diva demands" were being created and spread by "enemies" of "American Idol," perhaps competitors. • • •

Mel Gibson was spotted out and about in Los Angeles Monday in disguise, left. The normally clean-shaven actor was wearing a plaid shirt, a baseball cap, a pair of glasses with dark, heavy frames and a bushy gray mustache. It's the first time he's been spotted in public since his abusive, racist, sexist, threatening rage-filled phone conversations with his fomer mistress, Oksana Grigorieva, were made public. The two continue to battle over custody and financial support for their infant daughter, Lucia.

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Lady Gaga went through security on her way to catch a flight to LAX, but the most prominent feature of her scanty outfit -- a  set of handcuffs and chain -- was not deemed a threat to aviation security. Although after the 9/11 attacks nice years ago, nail clippers and knitting needles were confiscated, times have changed. A rep for the Transportation Security Administration told People that the prohibited items list is based on what experts assess and analyze as a threat. Handcuffs do not pose an immediate threat, said the rep, who refused to comment on her specific costume.

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Speaking of costumes, the third over-the-top outfit Gaga wore at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards was, as it appeared, real meat, she explained to Ellen DeGeneres. The dress and boots were made of material that resembled strips of preserved meat, such as prosciutto, designed by Franc Fernandez. Gaga told DeGeneres, "Well, it’s certainly no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian. I, as you know, am the most judgment-free human being on the earth. However, it has many interpretations, but for me this evening, if we don’t stand up for what we believe in, if we don’t fight for our rights, pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our bones."

Daily links: Paris Hilton's bad week continues as film producers win lawsuit against her

Things just keep getting worse for Paris Hilton. On Thursday, a Miami judge ruled in favor of a film distributor that sued Hilton in 2008, alleging that she failed to fulfill her obligations to promote the DVD-only comedy "Pledge This!" in which she played a snobby sorority president. Worldwide Entertainment Group alleged in its suit that Hilton collected a $1 million fee and agreed to make the full publicity rounds, but then canceled interviews with U.K. and Russian publications. Worldwide Entertainment said Hilton's actions cost them $8.3 million. U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno said Hilton probably owes the company about $160,000, but he wants to review the contract in more detail before finalizing the amount. Hilton's rep had no immediate comment, but she's been busy lately.

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Speaking of which -- the excuse she used when she was arrested a week ago for having cocaine in the Chanel purse she was carrying -- that it wasn't her purse -- seems to be unraveling. The purse that she was carrying at her arrest, which contained the drugs, looks identical to the black purse with silver studs she photographed and showed off on her Twitter page July 15 under the headline: "Love my new Chanel purse I got today :)." But whether it was her handbag or not doesn't matter, a Las Vegas police spokesman told EOnline. "She's being charged with possession, so it doesn't matter if it's hers or someone else's," Officer Jay Rivera told E! News. "She's the person in possession of it, so it doesn't matter."

• • •

The on-again, off-again deal for Jennifer Lopez to join "American Idol" is said to be on again. Sources tell TMZ that the agreement for her to join the judges' panel is very close to being signed and contrary to some news reports, there has been no drama or diva demands. "It's been typical negotiating," the source said. If there are no last-minute problems, which TMZ calls "highly unlikely," Lopez could sign a contract as early as next week. "Idol" sources say producers believe J-Lo is the key to re-energizing the show.

• • •

Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses stormed off stage in Dublin Wednesday night after people in the audience refused to stop throwing liquid-filled plastic bottles onto the stage after an ultimatum.Twenty minutes into the concert at the O2 arena, after several bottles hit the stage and the rowdy crowd shouted abuse at the band, Rose stopped mid-song and said, "All right, here's the deal. One more bottle, we go home. It's up to you. We would like to stay. You want us to stay? We want to stay. We want to have some fun. You want to have fun? If you don't want to have fun, all you gotta do is let us know, and we got no problem, we'll go on our way." When the missiles resumed after the band began to play, Rose said, "Have a good evening," and led Guns N' Roses offstage. After an hour delay, during which many audience members left, the band returned, as required by contract, and finished its set, ending the concert around 1 a.m. Promoters and O2 issued a statement defending the band: "No artist should be subjected to missiles and unknown substances being thrown at them."

• • •

A day after her representative denied she had suffered complications endangering her pregnancy, singer Celine Dion's photo appeared on the cover of Canada's 7 Jours (7 Days) magazine. In the family portrait, left, which includes husband Rene Angelil, their 9-year-old son Rene-Charles and their dog Charlie, Dion, 42, looks healthy. She is expecting twin boys in November, which were conceived during the couple's sixth try at in-vitro fertilization.

-- Anne Neville

Daily links: Jennifer Lopez's diva demands reportedly derail 'American Idol' judging job

Jennifer Lopez was said to be a sure thing to take a seat on the new, revamped "American Idol" judges' panel, but not any more. A source told People that Lopez had been close to a deal for a permanent judges' seat when the deal fell apart. "Her demands got out of hand," the source reported. "Fox had just had enough." Both founding judge Simon Cowell and one-year judge Ellen DeGeneres have quit, and fourth wheel Kara DioGuardi had been reportedly let go. Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler were reportedly set to take the seats next to Randy Jackson on a three-judge panel, but now it looks as though some of the earlier picks might be considered again. Fox had no comment. A rep for Lopez did not immediately return calls for comment. Last week, Randy Jackson told EOnline, "The only thing that's for sure is Ryan [Seacrest]. Nothing has been decided. .... If Jennifer Lopez is a judge I would be very happy. I love her."

• • •

Meanwhile, Joe DioGuardi, a downstate New York Republican politician, says his daughter Kara been kept int he dark about her future on the show. "Would you believe that she did not hear and still has not heard anything?" he says. "She read it the way you did and I did. In fact, her disappointment is that's the way she's being treated, and she feels that's not proper."

• • •

Police have released the 911 call made to report that "American Idol" Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino had overdosed on aspirin and sleeping aids and was "slowly losing consciousness." The unidentified male caller says the woman, later identified by her manager as Barrino, was "halfway" awake, breathing and not violent. "The family tried to put her in the shower to try and keep her awake," he said. The911  dispatcher asked them to remove her from the shower and sent an ambulance to her house. Barrino remains hospitalized in stable condition. The suicide attempt took place after Fantasia was named in a divorce petition filed by Paula Cook of North Carolina, who accused Barrino of having an affair with her husband, Antwaun Cook. Barrino's manager, Brian Dickens, confirmed that Barrino had been involved with Antwaun Cook for nearly a year, but said that Cook told her he was separated from his wife. In fact, he and his wife were together until June.

• • •

Los Angeles sheriff's investigators have contacted the Polish model who says she stepped in as mistress No. 2 for Mel Gibson while mistress No. 1, Oksana Grigorieva, was pregnant with Gibson's child last year. Violet Kowal, who claims her relationship with Gibson ended in January, was contacted about two weeks ago by law enforcement officials in connection with two investigations involving concerning Gibson, a source told E! News."She hasn't done a formal interview yet, but they have contacted her," the source says. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is probing both Grigorieva's domestic violence allegation against Gibson and his allegation that Grigorieva demanded he pay her $10 million or she would release the recordings she secretly made of him ranting over the phone. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Monday that  the domestic violence probe is expected to be finished and turned over to the district attorney within the next two weeks. TMZ reports that investigators are waiting for Verizon, AT&T and other carriers to supply them with their official records of phone calls and text messages before handing the case over to the district attorney, who will choose whether to prosecute.

• • •

Tough judge Marsha Revel has removed herself from presiding over any further hearings in the Lindsay Lohan case after prosecutor Danette Meyers complained that the judge conducted interviews on her own to determine the best rehab placement for Lohan. Revel voluntarily recused herself before Meyers filed legal papers to have her removed, The prosecutor complained that Revel spoke with representatives of Morningside rehab facility at least twice, medical experts at least twice, and Robert Shapiro in chambers without the lawyers being notified in advance.

-- Anne Neville

J-Lo and Steven Tyler rumored to be new "American Idol" judges

With the news last night that Ellen DeGeneres has quit "American Idol," and a TMZ report this morning that Kara DioGuardi has been "fired" from the show, the rumor mill has been running rampant this morning with speculation as to who will be on the panel of judges for this upcoming season of "Idol."

Various media outlets are now reporting that the "Idol" will be returning to a three-judge panel, and with Simon Cowell leaving for "X Factor," Ellen DeGeneres quitting, and Kara DioGuardi being fired, that leaves only Randy Jackson as the only judge from the original panel.

Earlier this week, it was reported that former producer Nigel Lythgoe -- creator & judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" -- has returned to the show, and that he has preferred the "nuclear option" of starting over with a new panel of judges. Lythgoe reportedly felt that the focus had shifted from the performers to the judges, and that ratings and quality of "Idol" suffered.

Reports this morning have Jackson being joined by Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler and Latin pop star Jennifer Lopez.

Lopez was a guest mentor during a Latin-themed week in April 2007 (right), and has been a guest performer on both "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance." 

Other names that have been linked to the vacant seats have included Howard Stern, Bret Michaels, Chris Isaak, Harry Connick Jr., Jessica Simpson, among others.

It is expected that Fox will make the official announcement next week at the 2010 Television Critics Association's summer press tour.

What do you think of the rumored lineup of judges: Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez?

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American Idol: Re-read the live chat, and find out who is this year's Idol!

SPOILER: Fast moving show, with more of Janet Jackson than anyone needed or wanted. Great guest duets that got better as the night went on, possibly the best was Casey James and Bret Michaels. Oh, you want to know who won?

Lee DeWyze!

Check out my story in Thursday's Buffalo News -- and we'll see you next year!

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Tonight's season 9 finale is scheduled to run for two hours and seven minutes, but it's sure to be faster-moving than some of the hourlong results shows we've seen! In the final seven minutes, either Lee DeWyze or Crystal Bowersox will take the title. But leading up to that, we'll have the usual star-studded hoopla, with appearances by Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Hall and Oates, Chicago and The Bee Gees, Carrie Underwood, and Idol winners Taylor Hicks and Kris Allen, along with finalists Elliott Yamin and Michael Johns. A farewell to show founder and original judge Simon Cowell is planned, with former judge Paula Abdul making an appearance.

Join us back here right now to chat, remember the season, take silly polls, sing "Pants on the Ground" and say goodbye.

Morning Links: Was Mindy McCready's hospitalization an overdose or an overreaction?

Mindy McCready was hospitalized Tuesday, but her spokesman denies widespread reports that the troubled country star took a drug overdose. The rep claims the singer suffered a bad reaction to painkillers prescribed for a broken toe. McCredy took four Darvocets, then had some discussion with her mother, Teri, in whose Florida home McCready is staying. Teri "overreacted" and called 911, said the rep. Audio of the call shows that Teri McCready said, "My daughter has just taken an overdose" and adding, "You've taken too many pills for me to handle this." McCready was taken to Florida's Cape Coral Hospital, where she was said to be in good condition Tuesday afternoon. Later in the day, her brother said McCready had been released and returned home, and, he said in an email, "It was by far over a huge exaggeration." But there may be a reason for Teri's "overreaction -- she and Mindy are currently battling in court over custody of Mindy's 4-year-old son, Zander. According to court papers released last week, to bolster her custody bid, McCready underwent drug and alcohol evaluations as well as psychological assessments. She reportedly passed them al "with flying colors." In 2008, McCready was hospitalized after slicing her wrists and taking pills while intoxicated.

• • •

Rap mogul Suge Knight has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from a Los Angeles man who says he was threatened last Friday. Legal documents say that the man claims Knight "had eight guys come to my house and told them to get me or kill me." Knight was arrested Thursday morning for assault with a deadly weapon, but it's unclear whether the man who says he was threatened was involved int he earlier incident. The man does say Knight later told him "he was out now and going to take my life." Knight is due back in court on June 8.

• • •

A photo of Gwen Stafani cradling her tummy while wearing slightly loose clothing, left,  unleashed a tide of speculation that she might be expecting an addition to the family. One blog even speculated, "Will it be a girl this time?" But a rep for the star tells E! News that Stefani is not pregnant. She and husband Gavin Rossdale already have two sons, Kingston, who will be 4 this weekend, and 21-month-old Zuma.

• • •

In an interview in the new issue of Esquire, Tom Cruise says he runs the plot of his new movies past his oddly precocious 4-year-old daughter, Suri. "I'll put Suri on a swing and tell her stories when I'm working on a script," Cruise says. "I'll start with the beginning of the movie and take her through the story beat by beat. Of course, I make it age-appropriate. She's four years old. But she asks all the right questions: 'Why does that happen?' 'Those are the bad guys?' 'You're the good guy, right?'" About his wife, Katie Holmes, he says, "You know, I'm married to such a special woman. Every night before we go to sleep, Kate and I look at each other and it's like, 'How'd we do today?'" He also looks back on one of the low points of his career, the couch-jumping episode on Oprah. "Afterward, wild things were being said about me, and once they're in the ether, there's nothing you can do about it. It felt like being the new kid in the schoolyard again and the other kids are whispering and whispering about you and suddenly you hear what they're saying, and you think, What? That didn't happen. Look at the reality of the situation."

• • •

In a "Nightline" interview aired Tuesday, Jesse James says he and soon-to-be-ex-wife Sandra Bullock grew closer than ever between the time they adopted baby Louis on New Year's Day and in March, when his cheating ways were exposed. "To see her in the role as mother is, like, one of the most amazing things I've ever seen," he told Nightline. "She is like a fish to water. ... As soon as she put that baby into her hands, it was automatic and amazing. ... I found a new trust for her, like I knew she wasn't going to leave, and our relationship blossomed." James said that seeing the photo of Bullock with her son on the cover of People magazine in April "made me sad, but I realize why things have to be done in a certain way," he says, pointing out that adoption agencies could be critical of him as a father in light of recent events.

• • •

Paula Abdul is doing everything she can to make a spectacular return to the "Americaqn Idol" set tonight for the show's season finale and a farewell to judge Simon Cowell. Abdul was spotted arriving at the Lloyd Klein House of Couture, which has designed red carpet dresses for Eva Longoria, Kate Beckinsale and Renee Zellweger. Abdul taped a segment for a "Simon Farewell" package that will run during the finale.

• • •

Speaking of Idol, join us back here tonight from 8 to 10:07 p.m. tonight as we watch and discuss the finale as it happens. Expect a reprise of Gen. Larry Platt's catchy "Pants on the Ground," as well as appearances by other colorful auditioners. Reports say that performers will include former Idols Elliot Yamin, Michael Johns, Kris Allen, Taylor Hicks and Carrie Underwood, (missing: Adam Lambert) and non-Idols, such as Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Hall and Oates, Chicago and The Bee Gees are said to be ready to appear. The two finalists are said to be set up for star duets -- Crystal Bowersox with Melissa Etheridge and Lee with Joe Cocker. Join us back here tonight to see the winner and much more!

-- Anne Neville

American Idol: Re-read the live chat as Crystal and Lee faced off with three tunes each

Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox faced off for the title of season 9's American Idol, and while Lee was pitchy and sometimes a bit boring, he may still take the title. Crystal has been the longtime favorite, praised and promoted by the judges since the beginning, while Lee's path to the finals has had more ups and downs. The pair sang three songs each -- one they chose, one chosen by producer Simon Fuller and one an inspirational song that becomes the winner's first single.

 To get up to date on what they sang and how they did, read the chat!

-- Anne Neville