Anna Nicole's plot to kill; ESPN's Body Issues

Anna Nicole Smith investigated in murder plot
The FBI investigated whether Anna Nicole Smith plotted to kill her tycoon husband's son as they battled for his father's fortune, newly released files show, but the former Playboy Playmate who died in 2007 was never prosecuted. She also denies any wrong-doing... but the battle over the trust raged on for so long and bitterly, who would be surprised? (AP)

ESPN's Body Issue, registered users only
Who would you rather see barely-clothed athletes or barely clothed models in swimsuits? ESPN magazine is banking on athletes with its Body Issue, which will hit newsstands this Friday. There are six covers - five of which feature mixed martial artist Gina Carano, triathlete Sarah Reinertsen, tennis star Serena Williams,  the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard. The full issue will features 30 athletes in various states of undress. By the way, looking at the photo of Carl Edwards,  I will never again argue that NASCAR drivers don't count as athletes.   P.S. You have to register to check out the online gallery of photos from its ESPN's Body Issue. (ESPN/HuffPo/USA Today)

QUICK HITS

-- Speaking of bodies... Ralph Lauren is suing a blogger for copyright infringement. Xeni Jardin of BoingBoing.com used the photo in what seems like "fair use" - for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting" - to me... and surely anyone else. (BoingBoing)

-- Politician Tom DeLay and actress Debi Mazar have turned in their last dance. Both are leaving "Dancing With the Stars." (AP)

-- A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson's conviction stemming from his notorious 2006 drunken driving arrest is being expunged. The ruling Tuesday came after his lawyer had requested the dismissal. The actor-director successfully completed the terms of his three-year probation. (AP)

-- Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, 77, told her followers on Twitter that she is to undergo a "very new" procedure to improve heart function that "involves repairing my leaky valve using a clip device" rather than open-heart surgery. Here is the post about her hospitalization and here is her post about the procedure. (AP/Twitter)

-- Chris Rock is being sued over his new documentary "Good Hair." Regina Kimbell, a filmmaker who shot a similar film, says it was her idea first, and she says she even screened it for Rock. I wonder if she would have said anything if the reviews for the funny documentary had been bad. (Access Hollywood/ MSNBC)

VIDEO OF THE DAY
Teacup pigs, aka micro-pigs, are hot in Britain
Awwww! They grow to be only 14-inches tall, and they cost about $1,100. (Still, I prefer fuzzy bunnies!)

(Today Show/MSNBC)

SHOWBIZ MINUTE
Gibson, Taylor, Letterman
Mel Gibson's conviction gets expunged; Dame Elizabeth Taylor tweets about upcoming heart procedure; Letterman confession brings in the ratings.

(AP)

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