'Soul Train' host Don Cornelius dies; Sofia Vergara tops 'Most Desirable Women' list

UPDATE (10:25 a.m.): SOUL TRAIN CREATOR DON CORNELIUS DIES: "Soul Train" host Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks home this morning. Police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There was no sign of foul play, but police are investigating. According to the Los Angeles Times L.A. Now blog, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years. When last interviewed by the Times, he was excited about a movie he was developing about "Soul Train." Cornelius stopped hosting the show in 1993, and “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006. Read more from The Virginian-Pilot's Rashod Ollison.

SOFIA VERGARA TOPS ASKMEN'S LIST: Sofia Vergara, who plays Gloria on "Modern Family," is No. 1 on AskMen.com's annual "Top 99 Most Desirable Women" list. Vergara won for her "attributes that men want in a companion, such as intelligence, talent, character, and beauty." (Whatever, guys.) How did Vergara respond? "I am so honored to be AskMen's most desired woman this year. A big thank you to all the men who desire me." Who else is on the list? Kate Upton, Rooney Mara, Miranda Kerr and Nicki Minaj round out the top five with Vergara. Surprisingly, Megan Fox barely made the list. She ranked 96th. (Youth and beauty is so fleeting... and so is superficial fame.) Check out the full list.

KRISTEN BELL TEARS UP OVER SLOTH: Kristen Bell loves sloths. Yes, we're talking those furry, three-toed beasts that live in trees and only come down very, very slowly to relieve themselves every once in a while. She loves them so much she told "Ellen" that a surprise sloth from her fiance Dax Shepard on her birthday sent her into crying hysterics. Dax recorded the event on video. Kristen shared the video with Ellen and her audience Tuesday. Kristen was not kidding. She was in tears! Read more. Watch the clip:

'X FACTOR' LOSES PAULA ABDUL: "The X Factor," which Simon Cowell predicted would be a success, has lost three of its five stars, including Paula Abdul. Is it backstage ego? No. Cowell thanked Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones. Was it money? Duh. States Paula: "I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations." So much for success. Read more.

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