Rihanna recounts horror; Oprah pulls Bebe off show

-- More of Rihanna's story: Rihanna on this morning described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes." "There was no person when I looked at him," the 21-year-old singer recalled during the second installment of an interview airing on ABC's "Good Morning America." "He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank."  Brown, 20, will recount his perspective in an interview to air Friday on MTV.

P.S. Rihanna's interview coincides with the debut of her new single, "Russian Roulette," from her upcoming album, "Rated R." More of the ABC interview will be included in Friday evening's news magazine "20/20." [AP]

-- 'Bout time, OPRAH: Oprah Winfrey is removing gospel singer BeBe Winans from her show's "karaoke challenge" until charges against him for allegedly pushing his ex-wife to the ground are resolved. [AP]

-- Fake suicide on 'The Office': Some suicide prevention groups aren't laughing over a scene in "The Office" where Steve Carell's character tries to scare young children by struggling in a hangman's noose. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other mental health organizations say NBC and other entertainers should stop using suicide as a punchline. They worry that depiction of a method of suicide might encourage mentally ill people to take their own lives. "We try not to be zealots about this," said Robert Gebbia, the foundation's executive director. "But this one ... kind of crossed the line." [AP]

-- Carrie is in loooove: Carrie Underwood may sing about heartbreak, but in real life she's found love with boyfriend Mike Fisher, giving the hockey player a shout-out on the liner notes of her new CD, "Play On." [People]

-- Elton is all better: Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection. The singer's spokesman Gary Farrow says John was at home Friday and was feeling fine. He left the hospital early Thursday.[AP]

-- Jim Carrey's new site: Some people are really digging Jim Carrey's new personal Website, which has relaunched just in time for the remake of "A Christmas Carol," which The Virginian-Pilot's one and only movie critic Mal Vincent reviewed today. Go check it out. [Via PopWatch]

-- What's funnier? Conan O'Brien's apology to Levi Johnston or William Shatner's reading of Levi's real Twitter posts. [Via TMZ]

-- Oh... The Yankees - Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Derek Jeter - were on David Letterman. Do I care? Just feel the need for balance between late-night shows... for once. [via HuffPo]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Beyonce wins big at the MTV Europe Music Awards; Calle 13 wins 5 Latin Grammys in Las Vegas; Elton John getting better and resuming tour dates after illness. [AP]

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Rihanna regrets Brown; Prejean settles over sex tape

-- Lied to herself: Rihanna said today that she regrets returning to ex-boyfriend Chris Brown after he left her bruised and battered during a February assault, warning other women facing domestic violence to not let themselves be blinded by love. "It's completely normal to go back. You start lying to yourself," the 21-year-old singer said on "Good Morning America" in her first TV interview following the beating. "I'll say that to any young girl who is going through domestic violence: 'Don't react off of love.'" ABC will air more chunks of the interview on Friday's "Good Morning America" and then Friday evening on the news magazine "20/20." P.S. Rihanna's interview coincides with the debut of her new single, "Russian Roulette," from her upcoming album, "Rated R." [AP]

-- Boo hoo! Nobody loves Brown: In an interview with MTV News, Chris Brown says he's "confused" about his public image. He says that he thinks his fans "love me and support me." But he acknowledges there are people "that don't want to see me do anything ... they wanna see me kind of, basically in jail."  [AP]

-- Miss Cali settles over sex tape? While the legal war between former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant organizers is over, the controversy isn't over. According to TMZ.com, the reason Carrie settled was because a lawyer for the Pageant showed Carrie a homemade sex video starring her. TMZ states the video is extremely graphic and has never been released publicly. TMZ further reported that Carrie denied it was her in the video just before the video panned to her face. Prejean sued Miss California USA organizers in August for libel, slander and religious discrimination. The pageant countersued Prejean last month. They released a joint statement about the settlement on Tuesday. [ TMZ | AP]

-- Gossip Girl 3Some protest: On-air promos for a sexual threesome on an upcoming episode of "Gossip Girl" have spurred the Parents Television Council to ask affiliates of the CW network to pre-empt the show. Airing the teen tryst, which is being teased in an ad as a "3SOME," is "reckless and irresponsible," said PTC president Tim Winter in a statement Wednesday. The threesome involves three main characters in the show but they are not identified in the promos. The PTC has urged CW affiliate stations not to air the episode, scheduled for Nov. 9. [AP]

-- Cooke Monster NOT Veg: If you can't trust the NYT to dispel an urban legend, then... "It is an urban myth that Cookie Monster was turned into Veggie Monster to appease nutrition Nazis, however — that was a blogosphere rumor in the Paul-Is-Dead school of whispering campaigns. But Cookie Monster’s palate was refined during Season 36 as part of the show’s “healthy habits for life” campaign." [NYT]

-- Bald Bear: Vets have been left baffled by the condition poor balding Dolores, a bear who lives at a zoo in Leipzig, Germany. Cube couldn't help but laugh. (Sorry Dolores!) [DailyMail]

-- Bikini Leia twins: Check out Carrie Fisher in her metal bikini alongside Tracy Eddon, her stunt double in "Return of the Jedi." [Gizmodo]

-- Local fame:  A Hertford, N.C., plumber will compete today as one of eight semi-finalists in Oprah Winfrey’s Karaoke Challenge. Donnie Denny’s video was chosen from about 6,000 entries, according to WVEC-TV. [PilotOnline]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Chris Brown is unsure about his image; Parents group urges stations not to air 'Gossip Girl'; Latin Grammys honor Mexican singer Juan Gabriel. [AP]

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Is Oprah a hypocrite?; Rihanna 'woke up as Britney'

-- Oprah's double standard: Oprah wouldn't allow Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to felony assault in June, on her show, but on she allowed another another alleged abuser on her show Oct. 27.Gospel singer Bebe Winans is is accused of shoving his ex-wife Debra Winans to the ground in front of their kids back in February. He was on the show to promote his new gospel album. [TMZ]

-- Rihanna's interview: Rihanna says dealing with the media attention after being assaulted in February by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was humiliating. But she now hopes to speak for young women who are afraid to talk openly about domestic violence. After the assault, she awoke to find helicopters circling her house and reporters swarming her street. "I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears," she said. She also[AP]

-- Palin book tour: Starting Nov. 18, the day after Palin's "Going Rogue" is released and two days after she is interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate will make appearances around the country, from a Barnes & Noble store in Grand Rapids, Mich., to the Army post in Fort Bragg, N.C. The tour will run through at least Dec. 6. No word yet if she will hit our area. Should find out in a day or two according to Palin's Facebook announcement. [AP]

-- Lots to do before prison: Lil Wayne, who will be sentenced in February 2010 for the felony gun charge that he pled guilty to this past week in New York, is kicking off his extensive to-do-list with the release of a brand new mixtape entitled, “No Ceilings.” The mixtape is a 17-song collection of Lil Wayne freestyles over Jay-Z’s “Run This Town” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling,” among others. He is also scheduled to release “Rebirth” his long anticipated rap-rock hybrid project as well as a compilation album for his artists on his own Young Money imprint. [WSJ]

-- 'New Moon' video: There's a new "Twilight: New Moon" featurette on MySpace. It focuses on the fight between Edward and the Volturi's Felix. Confused? The Volturi is the ruling class for the vampire underworld. Seems they aren't too happy with Edward's relationship with Bella. Plus, the actors talk about their characters and more. Watch it:

-- See New Moon 1st: Win a chance to an advance screen of "Twilight: New Moon" 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Regal MacArthur Cinemas. If will be in Hampton Roads for the screening, click here to enter. [HamptonRoads.com]

-- 'Dancing' cuts: Michael Irvin and Mark Dacascos have been booted from the ballroom. The football player and TV personality were eliminated Tuesday from "Dancing with the Stars."[AP]

-- Dane Cook's girlfriend: I can't figure out why "Dane Cook's girlfriend" or "Raquel Houghton" are trending on Google Trends today. From what I understand, Houghton, a former contestant on "American Idol," is his former girlfriend, and I don't see any reports of 1. sex tapes, 2. naked pictures or 3. crazy gossip. What did I miss? BTW, Cook is performing at the Norfolk Scope Saturday. [HamptonRoads.com]

-- Academy Awards & Miss America hosts: Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are taking on the Oscars. The two Hollywood veterans will share hosting duties at the 82nd Academy Awards. And, TV host Mario Lopez will host the Miss America pageant. [AP]

-- Kate's regret: Kate-Gosselin admits that she was "wrong to treat Jon that way." Seems she regrets some of her hard-nose control-freak tactics witnessed on "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Or so she said in an interview. [Addicted to Pop].

-- Soda - does the body bad: Guess what! Soda is bad for you. Diet soda makes you fat. Don't beleive me? Read it. [Yahoo!]

-- Grumpy people rejoice: Guess what else!! Being grump "is good for you." In fact, the BBC reports, "An Australian psychology expert who has been studying emotions has found being grumpy makes us think more clearly. " Ha! I feel better already. [BBC]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Rihanna says assault aftermath was humiliating; Martin and Baldwin to co-host Oscars; Brad Pitt looking for a new motorbike after crash. [AP]

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Rihanna to talk about assault; Celeb homes cheap

-- Rihanna interview: The first interview with Rihanna about Chris Brown's assault on her is airing this week on ABC. The network says the pop star's one-on-one with Diane Sawyer will air Thursday and Friday on "Good Morning America" and Friday evening on the news magazine "20/20." Rihanna's ABC interview coincides with the debut of her new single, "Russian Roulette," from her upcoming album, "Rated R." It's her first CD since 2007's multiplatinum "Good Girl Gone Bad." [AP]

-- Celeb real estate: Since the economy has taken a dive, some celebrities are realizing their lavish estates just aren't worth as much as they used to be. Some those celebrities include Eddie Murphy, who dropped the price of his home from $30 million to $15 million; and Whitney Houston, who dropped the price of her NJ estate from $5.6 to $2.5. [OMG!]

-- Colbert's sponsors skaters: On Monday's "The Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert announced his show has become the primary sponsor of the U.S. Speedskating team. The team's largest annual cash sponsor, DSB Bank NV, left the team in the lurch after it declared bankruptcy in October. [AP]

-- Another babe fro Mel: Mel Gibson's girlfriend Okasana Grigorieva gave birth to a baby girl named Lucia on Friday at a hospital in Los Angeles. [AP]

-- Anna Nicole Smith's "clown video" is back: Video of Smith appearing to mistake a doll for her unborn child was presented by prosecutors presented during a preliminary hearing last week as evidence that Stern and two doctors conspired to keep her in a drug stupor in the two years before her death. A dense lawyer for Howard K. Stern says it was just the reality TV star acting for a camera. It's still the creepiest footage ever of her. [CNN]

-- So much for her 'Milkshake': Nas filed legal papers asking the judge in his divorce case with Kelis to block her from getting spousal support. Kelis is asking for $72,728 a month. [TMZ]

-- Smart! Man ejects self from plane: A passenger enjoying a civilian joyride accidentally cut the trip short when he ejected himself from the plane after grabbing the eject lever while trying to brace himself. The passenger was flying in a Pilatus PC-7 Mk II with an air force pilot friend. He was instantly blasted 320-feet into the sky by the rocket-powered chair. The chair's automatic parachute saved him. [FOX News]

-- What is your beer personality? Your choice of beer can be as telling about your personality as what kind of clothing you wear or the car that you drive. The report says Budweiser drinkers are sensible; Bud Light drinkers lack carefulness; Mich Ultra drinker think highly of themselves; Corona drinker are extremely extroverted; Blue Moon drinkers are liberal; and Heineken drinkers are posers. Oh... and abstainers are just no fun. Don't believe me, read the story. [Advertising Age]

-- Style scuffle: Washington Post executive editor Marcus Brauchli found himself in the middle of an altercation Friday evening between Style reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia and editor Henry Allen, but will not say whether the two have been reprimanded by the paper. Multiple Post sources independently confirmed that Roig-Franzia got hit while defending colleague Monica Hesse from harsh criticism leveled by her editor, Allen. Allen, according to the Washingtonian, had told Hesse that a piece she had written was “the second worst story I have seen in Style in 43 years." [Politico]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Rihanna's first interview on assault to air on ABC; man charged with stalking Ryan Seacrest; Mel Gibson's girlfriend gives birth to baby girl. [AP]

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

'New Moon' star dishes, Leno misses 'Tonight'

The New Moon is officially upon us
With just over two weeks until the awaited release of "New Moon," the second part in the Twilight Saga, everybody's talking about Robert Pattinson and fellow co-star Kristen Stewart. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair (for which was the cover star) Pattinson airs out some rumors that the two have been having secret dates during the past few months. "I've literally been across the country [from Kristen], and it's like 'Oh, they were on secret dates!' It's like "Where? I can't get out of my hotel room!" he says. (People)

Jay Leno would take 'Tonight' gig back
In an interview with Broadcasting and Cable magazine, Jay Leno says that if NBC offered him the 'Tonight' gig again, he'd take it. Neither Leno's new show, "The Jay Leno Show" nor the current 'Tonight' show host, Conan O'Brien have drawn stellar ratings. Leno seems in good spirits about it though, saying that it will take some time for people to adjust to the new arrangement. (AP)

Virginia Fashion Week pulls out all the stops
If you missed any of the events during Virginia Fashion Week this weekend check out our coverage of the event on HamptonRoads.com. We've got behind the scenes video, plus photos of some of the outfits that made it down the catwalk. (HamptonRaods.com)

QUICK HITS

Dakota Fanning gets crowned
Awww... cute little Dakota Fanning doesn't just rule the silver screen, but also Campbell Hall Episcopal High School in North Hollywood. The 15-year-old starlet was named Homecoming Princess.  (E! Online)

From Fight Club to Distance Running Champion
Edward Norton finished first in the New York City Marathon in the "actors, musicians and performers" category, running the 26-mile race in 3 hours, 48 minutes and 1 second. Other celebs in the race included ER's Anthony Edwards and singer Alanis Morisette. (People)

Jackson is King of Box Office
Michael Jackson still on top as memorial movie, "This Is It" pulls in $101 million worldwide in the first five days. In the U.S. the film claimed the No. 1 spot, pushing low-budget horror flick Paranormal Activity to No. 2. (AP)

Jessica angry over Ashlee's boot from Melrose Place
Jessica Simpson slams 'Melrose Place' in a recent Twitter update for killing off sister Ashlee. "CW catching up on MP.who writes this crap? i have had bad scripts to work with,but this? thank God my sister is amazing and got you some press." Looks like somebody's a bit upset. Ouch. (TMZ.com)

 That's it for Cube today!

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Dennis Hopper has cancer; 'ANTM' bi-racial photoshoot

-- Sad news about the coolest Baby Boomer bad boy: Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is canceling all travel plans to focus on treatment, his manager says. The 73-year-old actor and artist is being treated through a "special program" at the University of Southern California, Sam Maydew said today. The "Easy Rider" star recently finished shooting the second season of "Crash," a TV version of the Oscar-winning 2004 film. [AP]

-- Just for the controversy: Photos from the bi-racial "America's Next Top Model" shoot. It's not quite black-face... [Access Hollywood]

-- Just for fun! "Hey Jude" Flowchart: [loveallthis.tumblr.com]

-- More music: Tom Hanks admits he likes Beyonce's 'Single Ladies" [AP]

-- Just because so many young fans care: A 53-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to resisting police outside the set of a Miley Cyrus movie on the Georgia coast after prosecutors dropped charges that he tried to stalk the teen pop star. [AP]

-- Because it made me laugh: Jon Gosselin is not going to hook up with Octomom for a TV special, because his "spiritual advisors" had a bad feeling about the project. [TMZ]

-- This one too: Sony thinks its new Michael Jackson documentary could be a contender for best picture. Spokesman Steve Elzer said Thursday that the studio will submit "Michael Jackson's This Is It" for Academy Awards consideration this year. [AP]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Dennis Hopper diagnosed with prostate cancer; 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' will be submitted for Academy Awards consideration this year; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrates 25th anniversary. [AP]

 That's it for Cube today!

Now go find some local Halloween fun!!!! 

(Including a Halloween mixtape!!!)

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Critics attack Larry David; Lambert's 80s album cover

-- "Comedian Larry David is under attack from critics who say he pushed the mocking of religion and Christian belief in miracles over the edge in the latest episode of his HBO series 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' On the show's most recent installment, which aired Sunday, David urinates on a painting of Jesus Christ." Guess they don't watch "South Park." Did you see the show? What did you think? [FOX News]

-- Lyndsey Parker, Reality Rocks blogger, says Adam Lambert's "disco-fevered album artwork was revealed today [Tuesday], and it seriously could be mistaken for an alternate cover of the Xanadu soundtrack." The album "For Your Entertainment" will be released Nov. 23. [Yahoo!]

Adam's "For Your Entertainment" album cover:

"Xanadu" movie poster (c. 1980):

-- - "Michael Jackson's This Is It" premiered to high praise from fans who applauded at each number as though they were at a concert and marveled as the singer stepped nimbly through his moonwalk and other signature moves. That was in Los Angeles. That's not so much the case here. [AP | PilotOnline]

-- Hostile Letterman Show: A former writer for David Letterman said she quit his NBC talk show in part because of alleged sexual favoritism and a hostile work environment. Nell Scovell, writing for Vanity Fair online Tuesday, said she had no intention of filing a lawsuit and wasn't seeking revenge. "I wanted to shine a light on gender inequality in that particular workplace," Scovell, who went on to a successful Hollywood career, said in a telephone interview. [AP]

-- Magician David Copperfield has won a six-month stay in a lawsuit filed in July by a Seattle woman who contends Copperfield sexually assaulted her while she was a guest on his private island in the Bahamas. [AP]

-- "Amy Winehouse is back in London after months in St. Lucia, a drug addiction and a divorce from husband Blake, and she's showing off her new breasts." No really she is: [HuffPo]

-- ShowBiz Minute: 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' premieres around the world; Four of Jackson's brothers attend star-studded L.A. premiere; Ex-Letterman writer claims hostile environment. [AP]

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ESPN fires Phillips; Ivanka Trump weds

-- Baseball analyst Steve Phillips was fired by ESPN last night, less than a week after he admitted having an affair with production assistant Brooke Hundley at the cable network. A representative for Phillips also announced the former Mets general manager was entering a treatment facility "to address his personal issues." She remains "hopeful" on MySpace. [AP | CBS]

Update! -- Speaking of ESPN.... Bob Griese, a college football analyst for ESPN, apologized at the end of Saturday's broadcast of the Ohio State-Minnesota football game for the "He's out having a taco." comment he made about Juan Pablo Montoya during the event. [PilotOnline]

-- Ivanka Trump, the daughter of Donald and Ivana Trump, married Jared Kushner, the son of another major New York real estate family, at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Sunday. Trump, 27, is the co-host of "Celebrity Apprentice," a vice president at her father's real estate company, and has a jewelry company. The 28-year-old Kushner is publisher of The New York Observer and an executive at the Kushner Companies, which owns and manages commercial real estate and apartments. People has a photo. [AP | People]

Update! -- Metallica is assisting in the search for missing fan and Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, 20, who was last seen at an Oct. 17 Metallica concert in Charlottesville, Va. The band has added $50,000 to the reward fund for information on her disappearance. [EW]

-- Reality dad Jon Gosselin says he has put $230,000 back into a joint account he shares with estranged wife Kate as the couple continues their bitter divorce battle. He, however, is upset she didn't show up in court. He says says she still hasn't explained how she spent $33,000 of their joint funds. You're acting like a 3-year-old, Jon. She took some "milk" tooooooo. [AP]

-- PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to stream movies and TV shows from Netflix to their TVs using the gaming console, just as Xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a year. Sony Corp. and the DVD rental company planned to announce the service Monday and launch it next month. Yay! [AP]

-- Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 61-year-old Lloyd Webber's condition is in its early stages. His publicist says that he is undergoing treatments and expect to be back to work before the end of the year. [AP]

-- Movie writers are pondering how Michael Jackson's "This is It" will fare in the box office. Could be the next "Snakes on a Plane" for all we know. A lot of hype followed by box-office fizzle. [AP]

-- This is so wrong: Billy Mays III, the late pitchman's son, is hosting a Billy Mays costume contest for Halloween in honor of his dead father. [TMZ]

-- Chris Brown reminisces, Twitter-style over Rihanna. He linked to a user-made video montage showing footage of the the way it use to be between the two stars. Oh... the montage was set to R. Kelly's "The Way We Used to Be." It made me chuckle, so let me share: [TMZ]

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Restraining order for ESPN analyst; Soupy Sales dies

-- Haven't seen the photos of Brooke Hundley, the 22-year-old ESPN production assistant who had an affair with ESPN's Steve Phillips? TMZ has a few. Warning! She's an average everyday lookin' gal, kind of like most girls who get caught up in these scandals. The celebrity site also has an update about how Hundley filed a restraining order against Phillips the day after she dropped of her infamous we-were-meant-to-be letter to his wife. Crazy. [TMZ]

-- Would it be improper to mourn by throwing a pie in a celebrity's face today? Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83. The comic's pie-throwing schtick became his trademark, and celebrities lined up to take one on the chin alongside Sales. During the early 1960s, stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Shirley MacLaine received their just desserts side-by-side with the comedian on his television show. [AP]

-- Yippy!!! New "Twilight: New Moon" Trailer! Watch Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) fight over Bella (Kristen Stewart). Oooooooo... [Zap2It]

-- Was the King of Pop smart, lucky, or a little off about how he conducted his finances? Turns out, Michael Jackson managed to be all at the same time. You don't even have to read this to not be surprised, right? [CNN Money]

-- A baby boy who made a surprise arrival on board an AirAsia flight this week will be given free flights for life with the budget carrier, as will his mother, the airline said Friday. Do you think the parents timed this one just right or what? What of all the previous babies born in cabs? Do they get a reduced rate? [Yahoo! News]

-- Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield are moving out of "Melrose Place." Their characters will make a final appearance on the CW drama in January. Heather Locklear, who starred as Amanda in the 1990s "Melrose Place," is joining the new edition starting with the Nov. 17 episode. OK... They do know that Heather Locklear is like 48 years old, right? She's playing someone's mom, right? Thing is, we all know she's still hot. [AP]

-- 'Bout time: The United States has asked Switzerland to hand over Roman Polanski to authorities in California, where he could serve up to two years in prison for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl, Swiss authorities said Friday. [AP]

-- So Cool! Epic humpback whale battle filmed by a BBC natural history crew. The two HUGE whales are fighting it out for a mate. Watch. [BBC]

-- What are the Barbi Twins up to now? It's all about saving the horses. Do they have to be dumb, blonde and pretty much bare for them too? [FOXNews Blog]

-- THIS IS TOO COOL! "Fringe" may be preempted for baseball last night, but this video promo for the show was produced by "Nine Inch Nails" frontman Trent Reznor:

-- Also, it was a dramatic game last night with the Angels rallying against the Yankees to take Game 5 in the World Series by 1 run and advance to the World Series, but I loved watching this drunk guy Angels fan dunk himself in the stadium's water fountain. [TMZ]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Washington files formal extradition request for Roman Polanski; Comedian Soupy Sales dies aged eighty-three; Bon Jovi is planning new world tour. [AP]

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

ESPN analyst leaves over affair; Lil Wayne pleads guilty

-- ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips acknowledged having an affair with an assistant at the cable network and has taken a leave of absence during the playoffs. Police say 22-year-old ESPN production assistant Brooke Hundley began calling Phillips' wife, Marni, on Aug. 5 after he broke off the affair and sent her a letter graphically describing their relationship and Phillips' birthmarks. The couple's 16-year-old son also said that Hundley had posed as a high school classmate and sent repeated instant messages asking about his family and parents' marriage. Brooke Hundley, according to the NY Daily News, also has job hopped through HBO, ABC, NBC Sports as well as ESPN on her resume. [AP | NYDailyNews]

-- The Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted weapon possession today, and expects to receive a one-year jail sentence. He previously had pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession charges that carried at least 3 1/2 years in prison upon conviction.[AP]

-- Twilight's vampires are hitting the red carpet... in Rome. Before this advance screening of  "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," Actors Cameron Bright, Charlie Bewley and Jamie Campbell Bower will be followed on the carpet by a team of flag weavers from Volterra, the Tuscan village the Volturi call home. [AP]

-- Six weeks after welcoming their first son, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden – along with their 21-month-old daughter Harlow – are showing off the latest addition to their family, Sparrow James Midnight Madden [People]

-- Nicole Kidman conceded Wednesday that Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects. [AP]

-- Oh boy. Obama suggested Fox News is like 'talk radio" in an interview airing today on NBC. [TheHill.com]

-- Hiliarious! Cracked.com asked users to Photoshop life  without the Internet. My favorite is right here. See the rest of the results. But be warned there's some foul language in them there pictures. [Cracked.com]

-- ShowBiz Minute: Judge orders retrial in John Travolta extortion case; Hollywood probably contributes to violence says Nicole Kidman; 'Toy Story' maker Lasseter earns producer prize. [AP]

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