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KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

USA Today has deemed Kenny Chesney's 2009 Sun City Carnival tour as Number One in the country across all genres. This year, as with the last seven summers, Chesney played to more than one million fans. He was also the only act on the list to play NFL Stadiums across the nation.

• Chesney said, "When you look at some of the other names on that list, well, I'm blown away, cause those are some great shows, too! I know, I've been out to see a few of them when we were off, and to be in company with Elton John -- who's out with Billy Joel -- Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen or my friend Dave Matthews, it makes you extra grateful that people chose to make you a part of their summer."
• He added, "I don't think anyone sets up their concert schedule or their ticket prices thinking 'I'm gonna be the biggest tour on the road...', but these are the moments that confirm what I already know: I have the best, wildest, most committed fans any artist could ever hope for. I like to think I live their lives with'em through my songs, and they've made my last 8 summers the best of a very, very good life by coming out to the shows they way they do."
• Though Chesney will not be mounting a major tour next year, he'll be doing isolated shows, including the Bama Jam & Arts Festival in Enterprise, Alabama in early June and Baton Rouge's Bayou Country Superfest on May 30th.
• Chesney will also be working on a new album. No release date has yet been scheduled.

FAST FACTS

• Chesney and Dave Matthews will team up to perform their nearly Top 10 single, "I'm Alive," on the CMA Awards on November 11th. The show will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
• Chesney wrote "I'm Alive," which was originally recorded by Willie Nelson on his Moment of Forever CD.

---

Justin Moore celebrated his very first Number One hit, "Small Town USA," with a party in Nashville on Monday (October 26th). Friends and members of the music industry gathered at performing rights organization BMI for the celebration, during which Moore and his band performed.

Moore told us that even though he co-wrote "Small Town USA" he initially had reservations about releasing it as a single. "I had no idea that it was gonna be as universal a thought as it was. When the record label wanted to put it out I thought, 'Man, I don't know if enough different types of people can relate to this song,' and thank goodness I was wrong! (laughs)"

The singer shared his immediate reaction to news of the Number One: "I'm always, like, a chart watcher, even though I try not to be, so I was freakin' out, obviously, and then about a day before we kinda had a pretty good idea that it was gonna do what it did, so it was pretty awesome! I drank a little bit of Jack Daniels to celebrate, so . . . "

• Moore's new single, "Backwoods," is climbing the charts.
• He will join Brad Paisley for the 2010 leg of his American Saturday Night tour.

An enhanced version of Taylor Swift's current Fearless CD, called the Fearless Platinum Edition, is currently in stores. The project was originally expected out today (Tuesday, October 27th), but over the weekend news broke that the CD/DVD package would be released on Monday (October 26th). The Platinum Edition includes six new songs, along with a DVD of photos, her videos, some tour footage and her clip from the CMT Music Awards with rapper T-Pain from earlier this year.

• Since its release in November, the original Fearless album has sold four million copies, bringing Swift's career total of albums sold to 10 million.
• Swift is nominated for four CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist, Album of the Year for Fearless, Video of the Year for "Love Story," and the night's biggest award, Entertainer of the Year. The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on November 11th.
  

Joe Nichols' first studio album in two years is in stores this week. Old Things New is the followup to his 2007 CD, Real Things. This time around, Nichols says there is one big change in the CD -- he didn't get a single cut on it, as he tells us: "You know, we just wanted to make sure we got the best songs and we did 'em right. Some songs we cut didn't make the record because they weren't holdin' up, and this is the first album that I'll be releasing that I haven't written anything on. This is the first album, so that says something about our song selection."

Nichols says his busy career has left him less time for writing, but the self-penned songs he considered for this project just didn't quite make the grade. "I write whenever I can, and I really try to write songs that'll make it on to the album, but if they're just not good enough, they're not good enough. I really admire some people that are able to write an album front to back, that have the talent to do that, but for this album for me it's all about great songs, and if I'm not a writer then I'm not a writer."

• Nichols' new single is called "Gimmie That Girl."
• The singer is gearing up to make his Broadway debut in the lead role in the new musical, Pure Country. The show, which will also star Lorrie Morgan, is set to open early next year.

COUNTRY TRIVIA

Q. Prior to becoming a country star, what country music-related day job did Joe Nichols have?
A. Radio DJ

Carrie Underwood has been tapped to perform at the upcoming 37th annual American Music Awards. She joins Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry, as well as previously announced performers Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, the Black Eyed Peas and Adam Lambert. The American Music Awards airs on November 22nd on ABC-TV.

FAST FACTS

• November is a busy month for Underwood, who will co-host the CMA Awards with Brad Paisley in Nashville on the 11th.
• Her

A new Kenny Rogers boxed set, called The First 50 Years, is being released today (Tuesday, October 27th). The 45-track collection includes all original versions of Rogers' biggest hits as well as three new songs, one with his longtime collaborator Dolly Parton. Each disc reflects a specific category of Roger's hits, including Duets, Story Songs, and Love Songs.

The set also includes a booklet featuring photos from Rogers' personal collection.

In addition to the set, a single disc called The Greatest Duets is also available at retail outlets beginning today.

• Rogers has landed on the pop and country charts every single decade for the past 50 years, a feat no other artist has matched.

FAST FACTS

• Rogers began his recording career in 1957 on a local level in Houston, Texas. In 1968, he made the leap to the national stage with his group, the First Edition.
• Rogers launched his solo career at the age of 37 with his pop-crossover hit "Lucille."
• His duet partners over the years include Dottie West, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight, Don Henley, James Ingram, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, Travis Tritt and Dolly Parton.
• Rogers has recorded more than 65 albums and sold over 105 million copies worldwide.

COUNTRY TRIVIA

Q. Prior to becoming a country star, what country music-related day job did Joe Nichols have?
A. Radio DJ

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

GAC NIGHTS/GAC 8:00PM (ET)
Tim McGraw

THE JAY LENO SHOW/NBC 10:00PM (ET)
Tim McGraw

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

Lee Greenwood (67)

• Roberto Benigni (Academy Award-winning Italian actor/director) (57)
• John Cleese (actor-comedian-Monty Python founding member, Fawlty Towers, A Fish Called Wanda, Die Another Day) (70)
• Ruby Dee (actress, widow of Ossie Davis) (85)
• Simon LeBon (singer, Duran Duran) (51)
• Patrick Fugit (actor, Almost Famous) (27)
• Kelly Osbourne (singer, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne) (25)
• Scott Weiland (singer, Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver) (42)
• Matt Drudge (controversial web journalist) (43)
• K.K. Downing (lead guitarist, Judas Priest) (58)
• Garry W. Tallent (bassist, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) (

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

Shut Up And Sing, the Dixie Chicks documentary following Natalie Maines' controversial remarks about President Bush, hit the big screen in New York and L.A. in 2006.

• Florence, South Carolina celebrated "Josh Turner Day" with a performance from their native son in 2004.
• "Only In America" topped the country chart for Brooks & Dunn in 2001.
• Clint Black served as best man when Lorrie Morgan married his bus driver Brad Thompson in 1991.
• Alabama's "If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)" hit number one on the country chart in 1984.
• Kenny Chesney claimed the Numbe One spot on the Billboard country chart with "Don't Blink" in 2007.

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

ELIZABETH MOSS AND FRED ARMISEN MARRY: Mad Men actress Elizabeth Moss and Saturday Night Live star Fred Armisen are married. A source close to the couple told Usmagazine.com on Monday (October 26th), "They did get married over the weekend. It was fun." 27-year-old Moss refused to reveal details of Armisen's proposal, but said shortly after their engagement last January, "It's private, so I don't want to share the details of how [Armisen proposed], but I will say it was perfect." Her 42-year-old husband previously discussed their nuptials, telling reporters, "It will be the coolest and funniest wedding."

RANDY QUAID AND WIFE SKIP COURT AGAIN: Randy Quaid and his wife Evi failed to show up for a court date in California on Monday (October 26th). E! reports that hours before the duo was due to appear, their new attorney said they would not be there -- and would instead show up later in the week. The pair were arrested in Texas last month after allegedly running out on a $10,000 hotel bill. A felony warrant for burglary, defrauding an innkeeper and conspiracy is outstanding for the couple, and if they don't go to court voluntarily, the extradition process will continue.

JODIE FOSTER DATING CHERRY JONES? Rumors are circulating that actress Cherry Jones has found love after her breakup with Sarah Paulson -- with Jodie Foster. A source on the set of their new film, The Beaver, told the National Enquirer, "There was definite chemistry between them when they met and everyone on the set is buzzing that the two make an adorable couple. They both seem incredibly happy."

JENNIFER ESPOSITO ENGAGEMENT REVEALED: Actress Jennifer Esposito and tennis player Mark Philippoussis are getting married. People magazine reports that the couple became engaged over the summer. Esposito was previously married to Bradley Cooper.

SHAUNA SAND GIVES OKAY FOR SEX TAPE RELEASE: Shauna Sand has dropped a lawsuit aimed preventing the distribution of her sex tape. The co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment told TMZ.com that Sand -- the ex-wife of Lorenzo Lamas -- has signed off on the video and has withdrawn the cease and desist letter her lawyer sent the company earlier this month. He claims Sand had a change of heart after realizing that a lawsuit could prove "long and expensive."

FATHER DEFENDS ACCUSED CELEBRITY BURGLAR: The father of one of the teens accused of breaking into a string of celebrity homes (including those of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton) is defending his daughter. Mikel Neiers talked to People magazine about daughter Alexis, explaining, "She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, associating with the wrong people. She got sucked into this. We're standing by her. I'm sure [the case against her is] going to be thrown out of court." Five suspects, including Neiers, have been arrested in connection with the case. Her attorney added, "I expect my client will be fully vindicated when all the facts of the case come out. At this time, no formal charges have been filed against her. When the time is right, she will tell her side of the story."

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

DIRECTOR PULLS OUT OF 'FOOTLOOSE' REMAKE: Acclaimed director Kenny Ortega has pulled out of the upcoming Footloose remake. PerezHilton.com reports that Ortega -- the man behind High School Musical, Dirty Dancing, and the new Michael Jackson documentary, This Is It -- had problems with the film's studio about the project's budget and tone. An official statement announced, "Coming off the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson's 'This is It,' director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with 'Footloose' as previously reported."

BRAVO LAUNCHING ANOTHER 'TOP CHEF' SPIN-OFF: Bravo is developing another spin-off of its hit reality show, Top Chef. PerezHilton.com reports that Top Chef: Just Desserts will pit pastry chefs against each other in similar style to the original show. The program, for which judges or hosts have not been named, is set to premiere sometime in 2010.

'SYTYCD' CONTESTANT DROPS OUT DUE TO ILLNESS: So You Think You Can Dance finalist Billy Bell has dropped out of the competition after falling ill. Fox announced Bell's departure on Monday (October 26th), and said that he'll be replaced by 21-year-old Brandon Dumlao in the top 20. Executive producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe said in a statement, "We are disappointed that Billy cannot continue dancing in the competition on the advice of his doctor and wish him a speedy recovery. However, we are fortunate that Brandon Dumlao has agreed to return."

JANUARY JONES GETS NEW ROLE: January Jones and Diane Kruger have signed on to join Liam Neeson in the upcoming thriller, Unknown White Male. Variety reports that the story centers on a man (Neeson) who awakens from a coma to find that someone else has assumed his identity, and no one, including his wife, believes him. Jones will play Neeson's wife while Kruger will play a Berlin taxi driver and Neeson's unexpected ally.

JENNIFER ANISTON DENIES TALK SHOW HOST REPORTS

Jennifer Aniston is denying reports that she's interested in becoming a talk show host. London's Express newspaper had reported that the actress agreed to do a weekly show for Oprah's new cable channel, OWN when it launches next year.

• Hollyscoop.com quotes the actress's rep as having said that reports of Aniston's career switch-up were "absolutely false."
• An insider supposedly "close to the deal" told the paper, "She is doing this for one reason only; she absolutely wants to do it."

BRAD PITT TATTOOED ANGELINA JOLIE'S DOODLES ONTO HIS BACK

Angelina Jolie previously revealed that a random-looking tattoo on Brad Pitt's back is the result of her doodling. After the actor was photographed revealing the scattered-looking lines in the wake of his weekend motorcycle accident, PerezHilton.com dug up an old interview in which the markings were explained.

When asked about the tattoo last year, Jolie told Entertainment Weekly, "I drew that. We went to Davos. It's not that we were bored at the World Economic Forum, but one night we didn't have anything to do, so I was drawing on his back."

• She further explained that she had just been sketching on the actor and, "He just liked it!" Jolie added, "The picture everybody saw was kind of awkward, but it just lines up beautifully on his back, just enhances the part of the body I like."

CHECK IT OUT: See a picture of the tattoo: http://tinyurl.com/ygsaod8

SIMON COWELL'S PARTIES ANNOY BEVERLY HILLS NEIGHBORS

Simon Cowell is reportedly feuding with neighbors near his Beverly Hills home over parking and noise issues. Although no official complaints have been filed with authorities, an officer situated outside the American Idol judge's $15 million-plus mansion told London's Daily Mail, "We have had many complaints from the neighbors, mostly about parking. It's a nightmare, it really is."

The officer added, "But he's a busy guy and is never around to speak to. We talk to his workers and they do their best to resolve issues as they arise."

• One neighbor has deemed the 50-year-old, "the neighbor from hell," explaining, "People arrive at 11pm, then the music starts and goes on until 2am or 3am. People around here want to get on with him, but he's not making it easy for us to like him."
• When confronted with the neighbors' complaints, a spokesperson for Cowell said, "Next time, Simon will be sure to invite the neighbors round to the party, too.'
• The mansion, which is right off of Sunset Boulevard features a private solarium, pool, a fully equipped gym and cinema, and a security system that costs nearly $1 million.

JON GOSSELIN TELLS JUDGE HE RETURNED MONEY TO JOINT BANKING ACCOUNT

Jon Gosselin appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Monday (October 26th) morning, where he informed a judge that he'd complied with an order to return $180,000 he had improperly withdrawn from a joint bank account with estranged wife Kate. E! reports that although he asked that Kate be forced to account for $33,000 of the couple's money, her attorney said the amount was small enough that the arbitrator overseeing the couple's divorce did not require her to explain why she needed the funds.

Kate was not present for the hearing, but her lawyer released a statement later in the day saying, "We are clearly pleased that the monies taken by Mr. Gosselin have been returned to the marital account, and we look forward to recouping additional monies taken by Mr. Gosselin at the time of the parties' private arbitration hearings. Despite his initial comments denying responsibility, we have established that Ms. Gosselin needed emergency relief to prevent her economic claims from being compromised."

• Another arbitration hearing for the couple has been set for next month.
• E! also reported that Charlie Meyer, an attorney of Jon's, quit working for the reality dad on Monday.

In audio clip one from Jon and Kate Plus 8 that aired last night, Kate Gosselin comments about not regretting renewing her vows with Jon.

JUDE LAW'S BABY MAMA PUTS DAUGHTER IN TABLOIDS BEFORE MEETING DAD

A 24-year-old model who recently gave birth to Jude Law's baby has sold pictures of her newborn daughter to a British tabloid -- before the actor has even met her. The Daily Mail reports that Law didn't legally stop Samantha Burke from going forward with the pictures, but was said to be "very upset" that they were being published.

An insider told the paper, "He wants to handle this as privately as possible, and Samantha is making a circus out of it."

• Burke released a statement confirming the news. She said, "I can confirm that after months of constant requests from the media, I decided to share pictures of myself and Sophia with Hello! Magazine. Both Sophia and I were compensated for the photographs, and will donate a portion of the compensation to the Ronald McDonald House to assist with the completion of their new facility in Pensacola, FL. The majority of the compensation, paid to Sophia, will be placed in trust for her secondary education and well-being. I'm thrilled with the pictures of Sophia and pleased to announce that she is healthy, happy and deeply loved."

HEADLINES

REID SAYS SENATE HEALTH BILL WILL INCLUDE PUBLIC OPTION: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced yesterday (October 26th) that the health insurance reform legislation heading to the Senate floor will include a public option, however it will allow individual states the choice of opting out of the program. Reid said, "While the public option is not a silver bullet, I believe it's an important way to ensure competition and to level the playing field for patients with the insurance industry." At the same time, changes on the public option and other provisions in the measure are possible during the floor debate that's expected to last for weeks. The White House said in a statement that President Obama was pleased that the legislation included a public option, however Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, the only Republican to vote with Democrats on health care, siding with them on the legislation that came out of the Senate Finance Committee, said she was, quote, "deeply disappointed" a public option was included.

OBAMA MOURNS 14 KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, SAYS WON'T RUSH DECISION: President Obama yesterday (October 26th) mourned 14 Americans who were killed earlier in the day in helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, and told a military audience at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, that he'll take the time necessary as he decides the future strategy for the war. The president said, "I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary." In the first of two crashes yesterday, a helicopter went down in western Afghanistan after leaving the scene of a fire fight with insurgents, killing seven troops and three U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents. In the other crash, two American helicopters collided while in flight, killing four U.S. soldiers.

PILOTS WHO MISSED DESTINATION WERE ON LAPTOPS, DISCUSSING SCHEDULING: The two pilots of a Northwest Airlines plane that overflew its destination by 150 miles last week told investigators they became distracted during an extended discussion of crew scheduling while using their laptops, the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday (October 26th). According to an NTSB report, the veteran pilots said they hadn't been tired, rejecting speculation that they might have fallen asleep. Air controllers and airline dispatchers tried repeatedly for more than an hour to contact Flight 188 as it flew on October 21st from San Diego to Minneapolis, but the pilots said they only became aware of what had happened when a flight attendant asked them about their scheduled arrival time. Delta Airlines, which owns Northwest, said the use of laptops violates company policy, and that the pilots -- who have been suspended -- could be fired.

WITNESSES LAUGHED, TOOK PHOTOS AS GIRL WAS GANG-RAPED: Witnesses to the two-hour gang-rape of a semi-conscious 15-year-old girl Saturday (October 24th) outside her school's homecoming dance in Richmond, California, laughed, took pictures and even joined in, the Contra Costa Times reported yesterday (October 26th), citing police. After word of the rape spread to a house party, someone finally called police and officers broke up the assault just before midnight, arresting a 19-year-old man as he ran from the scene. Police are looking for other suspects, believing as many as six other men raped the girl, in addition to beating her and stealing her jewelry. The girl left the dance around 9:30 p.m., expecting to be picked up by her father. But a schoolmate caught her attention and invited her to join a group that was drinking and hanging out in a courtyard. The assault began after the girl quickly drank a large amount of alcohol and fell over, according to police.

TODAY'S FYI:

MADOFF ASSOCIATE HAD HEART ATTACK BEFORE DROWNING IN POOL: A longtime friend of Bernie Madoff, who was accused of making more than $7 billion in Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, drowned in his pool after having a heart attack, the results of an autopsy showed Monday. (October 26th). The body of 67-year-old Jeffrey Picower was found by his wife Sunday at the bottom of the pool at their Palm Beach, Florida, mansion. Police had been investigating the death, but now say the case is closed. Picower had been accused of being the biggest beneficiary of Madoff's scheme, and the trustee appointed to recover money for defrauded investors had filed a lawsuit demanding that he return more than $7 billion. The trustee said the litigation will continue against Picower's estate.

BALLOON BOY CASE GOES TO THE D.A.: The Balloon Boy case has gone to the Larimer County, Colorado, district attorney, as the sheriff's department presented its investigative findings yesterday (October 26th), TMZ.com reported. Richard and Mayumi Heene face possible criminal charges for their alleged October 15th hoax, in which rescue workers raced to respond and cable news networks went live with coverage after the Heenes claimed they believed their young son might be in an experimental balloon that had taken off. The DA's office said in a statement yesterday that it had requested more information, and, quote, will be making a charging decision as soon as we have had an opportunity to complete a careful review and analysis of this case." Sheriff Jim Alderden has said he'd recommend charges including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant.

MARIA SHRIVER BREAKS TRAFFIC LAWS AGAIN: Two weeks after California First lady Maria Shriver apologized when she was caught on camera violating the state's hands-free cell phone law while driving, a new video posted online Monday (October 26th) showed her parked in a red zone, which is reserved for emergency vehicles. According to the site TMZ.com, which posted the photos and video of Shriver two weeks ago as well as the new video yesterday, Shriver had been parked illegally for nearly an hour while visiting a doctor's office in Santa Monica. Shriver apologized in a statement, saying, "I regret that I made a mistake. I take responsibility for it."

NO MORE MCDONALD'S IN ICELAND: McDonald's fans in Iceland will soon be out of luck, as the island nation's three McDonald's franchises -- which are all in the capital city of Reykjavik (RIKE-ya-vick) -- are set to close next weekend. The franchise owner was forced to shut down the restaurants because of falling profits caused by the collapse in Iceland's currency, the krona. Additionally, McDonald's required that the franchise owner import all goods for the restaurants from Germany, making them subject to high import tariffs. A 20 percent increase in prices would have been necessary to make a reasonable profit, and that would have been too high to allow the franchises to remain competitive.

• The first McDonald's opened in Iceland in 1993.

SPORTS:

EAGLES BEAT REDSKINS 27-17 IN 'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL': The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Redskins 27-17 in Monday Night Football last night (October 26th), in a game that saw Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb complete 15 of 25 passes for 156 yards, getting his 200th career touchdown and achieving 30,000 career yards passing. It wasn't as good a night at home for Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, who was sacked six times. DeSean Jackson was key on offense for the Eagles, scoring on a 67-yard run and a 57-yard reception.

• Both sides suffered injuries, with Eagles star running back Brian Westbrook knocked out with a concussion, and Redskins tight end Chris Cooley breaking his right ankle.

CARDINALS HIRE MCGWIRE AS HITTING COACH: Mark McGwire is back in baseball after retiring in 2001, returning to the St. Louis Cardinals as a hitting coach. The now-46-year-old McGwire set a since-surpassed season record of 70 home runs in 1998, and retired with 583 homers and a .263 career average. But his image was tarnished when he famously refused to answer questions about steroids during a March 2005 congressional hearing. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who managed McGwire for all but one of the former slugger's 16 seasons, said McGwire had turned down previous offers from the Cardinals because his family was younger.

COYOTES OWNER AGREES TO SELL TEAM TO NHL: Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes has agreed to sell the bankrupt National Hockey League franchise to the NHL, a deal that was announced in bankruptcy court Monday (October 26th). Moyes was left with few options but to accept the league's $140 million offer, after his attempt to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie was rejected by the court. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said that once the deal closes, the league will immediately look to sell the team, preferably to an owner who will keep it in Arizona.

WOMEN WHO HAD AFFAIR WITH ESPN'S STEVE PHILLIPS FIRED: ESPN said Monday (October 26th) that it had fired the 22-year-old production assistant who'd had an affair with married baseball analyst Steve Phillips, making the announcement one day after it said Phillips had also been fired. While saying Phillips had been let go because his ability to represent ESPN effectively had been, quote, "significantly and irreparably damaged," the cable sports network didn't say when or why Brooke Hundley had been fired.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• NCIS (repeat)
• NCIS: LOS ANGELES (repeat)
• THE GOOD WIFE (repeat)

NBC

• THE BIGGEST LOSER - Derek Jeter talks to the contestants about teamwork before they take part in a baseball challenge; a contestant breaks a Biggest Loser record.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Ewan McGregor, Tina Fey, Tim McGraw & Gregg Allman

FOX

• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - The top 20 dancers, paired up as couples, perform; two dancers are eliminated.

ABC

• IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN - Linus waits in the pumpkin patch for the Halloween symbol to appear; a bonus cartoon "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" features Linus in a race for class president.
• DANCING WITH THE STARS - Taylor Swift performs; two couples are eliminated.
• THE FORGOTTEN - The team investigates a John Doe buried at a popular vacation destination; a stray dog standing vigil over the grave is the only clue in the case.

CW

• 90210 (repeat)
• MELROSE PLACE (repeat)

FX

• SONS OF ANARCHY - SAMCRO takes extreme measures to procure weapons for a customer; revenge is sought following a theft at Caracara Studios.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Jimmu Kimmel, Deepak Chopra
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - The Diane Schuler Story: Was She Driving Drunk?
THE VIEW - Rod Stewart

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - Courteney Cox, Florence and the Machine
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Ewan McGregor, Tina Fey, Tim McGraw & Gregg Allman
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - Garry Shandling, Paula Deen, Julian Casablancas
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - Dr. Mehmet Oz, the latest Dancing with the Stars castoff, Morningwood
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - Alicia Silverstone, Salman Rushdie
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - Artie Lang, Olivia Munn, David Chang
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - Yvonna Strahovski, Kris Bellman, Mike Posner
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - Steven D. Levitt
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - Randall Balmer, Gail Collins

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

ONE-LEGGED SHOPLIFTER STEALS ONE SHOE: Police in Belgium have arrested a man with one leg who allegedly stole one shoe from a store. The man became the obvious suspect when a shopkeeper noticed a single shoe missing after the man left the store. Police were able to recover the shoe after tracking the one-legged man down and made an arrest. The man is said to be a Russian seeking asylum. (AP)

MAN CAUGHT SMUGGLING REPTILES UNDER CLOTHES: A Norwegian man was arrested when customs agents discovered he was hiding 14 royal pythons and 10 albino leopard geckos under his clothes after getting off a ferry from Denmark. The customs agent said the non-venomous snakes were in stockings taped to the mans chest, and the geckos were in small boxes taped to his thighs. The agent searched the man after a tarantula was found in one of his bags. (AP)

HIGH SCHOOL RING RETURNED AT WAKE AFTER 57 YEARS: An Ohio man was shocked to have his high school ring returned to him at a wake for his high school sweetheart. The deceased woman's husband tapped the man on the shoulder and explained that his wife instructed him to return the ring if her old flame decided to attend the wake. The two dated for two years, but broke up when the man joined the air force in 1952 after graduating. (AP)

THOUSANDS EAT BREAKFAST ON BRIDGE: The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia was closed on Sunday between 6:30 AM and 1 PM for a giant picnic. Over 6,000 people showed up for the event designed to showcase Sydney's best food and outdoor lifestyle. The bridge was covered with grass for the event which served breakfast and provided entertainment for 6,000 people who won tickets through a lottery. Over 45,000 people applied for tickets and an Australian official says the breakfast on the bridge is set to become a yearly event. (AFP)

DID YOU KNOW?

BOARD GAME TRYING TO DETERMINE BATTLE OF THE SEXES WINNER: Trivial Pursuit has launched a "battle of the sexes" experiment online to see if men or women are better at the game. Go to www.trivialpursuitexperiment.com, enter your sex and each time you get a question correct you gain a point for your team. The website tracks the number of unique users and keeps a running tally of the scores, which are displayed at the top of the page.

CHECK IT OUT: A flowchart to determine which religion you should follow: http://tinyurl.com/ylpbhn2

DATING SITE FOR PRETTY PEOPLE ONLY: Beautifulpeople.com is dating site that insists applicants must submit a photograph of themselves to allow existing members to decide through an online rating system whether they are attractive enough to be admitted. Only about one in five applications to the website is successful. Greg Hodge, the managing director of the site, said: "Is it shallow to want to be with someone you're attracted to? If you are in a bar or a club and you are going to approach someone, you'll approach someone you're attracted to. There's nothing shallow in that. People are fed up wasting time and money meeting unattractive people on the net."

GOOLE FEATURE HOPES TO PREVENT EMAIL ERRORS: Google has launched "Got The Wrong Bob?", a new feature for Gmail that warns users that they may have typed the wrong e-mail address and forces people to double-check before sending. The Daily Mail reports that the system works by analyzing the groups of people you usually send e-mails to. It can then see when someone has included an unexpected address among the intended recipients. The problem often arises because many e-mail systems, including Gmail, have an auto-complete function, which fills in the names of people from a sender's address book after the first few letters are typed. As a result, it is easy to send an e-mail meant for a friend called Alex, to All Staff instead. Got The Wrong Bob? hopes to warn users before they make this mistake.

CLEANLINESS LINKED TO MORALITY? A new study has found further proof that cleanliness may foster morality. LiveScience.com reports that researchers conducted fairness tests, with subjects completing tasks in a room that was either unscented or one that was sprayed with a common citrus-scented window cleaner. One test involved a game. Study participants were given $12 of real money, which they were told came from an anonymous partner in another room. They had to decide how much of it to either keep or return to their partners who, they were told, had trusted them to divide it fairly. Subjects in clean-smelling rooms gave back $5.33 on average. The others gave back just $2.81.

VENDING MACHINE SURVIVAL GUIDE: Eat This, Not That (Men's Health)

Chocolate Bar

Eat This!: 100 Grand

• 190 calories
• 8 g fat (5 g saturated)
• 22 g sugars

Not That!: Snickers

• 280 calories
• 14 g fat (5 g saturated)
• 28 g sugars
• When you're in the mood for chocolate, make 100 Grand your first choice. We haven't found any other full-sized chocolate bars that weigh in under 200 calories, making this the safest bar we've come across. On the flipside, the only thing Snickers satisfies are the requisites for a sugar crash. A simple swap like this each workday will save you 450 calories a week -- that's about 7 pounds in a year!

Crunchy Chocolate Bars

Eat This!: Nestle Crunch

• 220 calories
• 11 g fat (7 g saturated)
• 24 g sugars

Not That!: Mr. Goodbar

• 250 calories
• 17 g fat (7 g saturated)
• 22 g sugars
• The Crunch bar is less dense than pure milk chocolate, which means less fat in each bite. As for the Mr. Goodbar, the only way to make this a truly "good bar" would be to increase the ratio of peanuts to milk chocolate.

Chips

• Eat This!: Baked! Lay's Potato Chips
• 110 calories
• 1.5 g fat
• 150 mg sodium

Not That!: Sun Chips Original

• 210 calories
• 10 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
• 180 mg sodium
• Baked! Lays are the best chips in the vending machine. The sodium's low and the saturated fat's nonexistent. And while Sun Chips used to be considered a "healthier" potato chip alternative, new standards and actually healthier fare have muscled them out of the spotlight. Plus, with its inflated serving size (1.5 ounces rather than 1 ounce), an individual pack of Sun Chips has about twice as much damage potential as Baked! Lays.

Cheese Crackers

Eat This!: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Crackers (55 pieces)

• 140 calories
• 5 g fat (1 g saturated)
• 250 mg sodium

Not That!: Cheez-It Original Crackers (1 package)

• 180 calories
• 9 g fat (2 g saturated)
• 290 mg sodium
• The Cheez-Its are about 40 calories worse than your average bag of chips. They're also 40 calories worse than the cheesiest alternative -- goldfish over "cheez" squares is a swap everyone should make.

IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION

Can you name three reality shows that Bruce Jenner has been a part of?

A: E!'s Keeping Up With the Kardashians, In February and March 2003, he was part of the cast of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, and he was partnered with Tai Babilonia for Skating with Celebrities that aired January-March 2006.

• Also, in January 2002 he participated in an episode of the American series of The Weakest Link featuring Olympic athletes. He made a cameo on a season three episode of The Apprentice that originally aired in May 2005 and has served as a guest judge on Pet Star on Animal Planet, and appeared with his family on NBC's Celebrity Family Feud.

(Source, Wikipedia)

Demonstrators in Chicago Protest Against Wall Street Abuses

Demonstrators railing against Wall Street abuses protested outside the annual convention of the American Bankers Association in Chicago yesterday (October 26th), as well as the Chicago offices of Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo. The Service Employees International Union, a major labor group that's one of the main organizers, said up to 5,000 people will join in the protests over the next couple of days.

Protesters carried huge photos of executives like JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and retiring Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis with "Wanted" signs calling them "Wall Street Robber Bankers," while others were dressed as the Grim Reaper and held signs that said, "Greed Kills." Outside Goldman Sachs, an organizer yelled a list of demands, including that the bank support calls for a consumer-finance protection agency and donate the money set aside for bonuses to loan-modification programs.

The American Bankers Association said the protests against it are misplaced because it's mostly community bankers that are attending the convention, not Wall Street firms that engage in risky trading practices and have taken hundreds of billions in taxpayer bailout money. But the Chicago nonprofit group National People's Coalition said the ABA is an appropriate target because it lobbies against regulatory reforms that would help consumers, but hurt the big banks' profits.

KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Garth Brooks fans jammed up phone lines and created overwhelming traffic at the website of the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday (October 24th) morning in hopes of getting tickets to his first set of shows at the venue. Tickets for the superstar's first five weekends at the Encore Theater sold out almost immediately.

• Phone lines at the Wynn were able to accommodate 141,934 calls before the system reached maximum capacity and callers received a busy signal. Over the course of the morning, the website received more than 5.4 million page views with up to 40,000 people waiting in an online queue at any given time.
• Brooks' future concert dates will be announced soon.
• Tickets are priced at $125 plus surcharges.
• Fans still have a chance at getting tickets for the sold-out concerts. Returned or unclaimed tickets will be released to a stand-by line that will form at the Wynn box office on show days.

SIDE NOTES

• In an effort to keep ticket scalpers out of the mix, attorneys for the Wynn Las Vegas are "communicating with suspected known scalpers and private unauthorized sellers," according to a release. As unauthorized ticket agents for either the Wynn or Garth Brooks, attorneys are letting these people know their customers could be turned away at the door if management determines that "the ticket was purchased from a ticket reseller at an amount in excess of face value."

The first 15 dates of Taylor Swift's 2010 Fearless tour sold out in two minutes on Friday (October 23rd). Those dates include two-night shows in Newark, NJ; Uniondale, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Houston, TX; and Detroit, MI, as well as single-night shows in Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Dallas, Austin and Corpus Christi, TX.

The U.S. leg of next year's tour kicks off on March 4th in Tampa. Opening acts include Kellie Pickler and Gloriana.

• All of this year's Fearless dates also sold out in record time, including Swift's show at Madison Square Garden, which sold out in one minute.
• Swift's latest hit, "Fifteen," holds a special place in the singer's heart. She wrote the song about herself and her best friend, Abigail, when they were in highschool. Swift tells us: "'Fifteen' is probably my favorite thing that I've ever written. It's a really personal song. It's really vulnerable."
• At 19, Swift is the youngest artist in history to be nominated for the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award. She is up for a total of four CMA's, as well as six American Music Awards.
• Swift is set to serve as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live on November 7th.

Carrie Underwood will head to New York City promote her new album Play On, the week of its release. She'll kick things off with an outdoor concert at Lincoln Center on Good Morning America on November 3rd, which is album release day. On November 5th, Underwood will pay a visit to Live with Regis and Kelly.

The following week, Underwood co-hosts the CMA Awards in Nashville with Brad Paisley. The show will air live from the Sommet Center on November 11th on ABC.

• In addition to hosting, Underwood is set to perform, as well as being nominated for Top Female Vocalist.
• "Cowboy Casanova," the debut release from Play On, is the fastest-rising hit of the year at country radio.
• Digital first-week sales of the song top more than 110,000 copies.

FAST FACTS

• Earlier this year, Underwood became the first country artist in history to achieve 10 Number One singles from their first two albums when "I Told You So" became the fifth consecutive chart-topper from Carnival Ride.
• To date, Underwood is the U.S. best-selling American Idol winner with album sales over 10 million.

Billy Currington co-wrote his latest single from experience. The singer says he tapped into his Georgia roots for "That's How Country Boys Roll." "I started off on a little island called Tybee Island, a beach boy for pretty much all my life. But we moved inland to a small town called Rincon and that was dirt roads, no red lights and really, really country people. So that's where I get my influences to write songs like that."

• "That's How Country Boys Roll" is a Top 30 hit on the charts and climbing.
• The song is on Currington's Little Bit Of Everything CD.
• So far, the album has produced two hits -- "Don't" and "People Are Crazy," which climbed to Number One.

Jimmy Wayne's new single, "Sara Smile," is the first release and title track from his upcoming album, due in stores on November 23rd. Wayne wrote four of the 10 songs on the CD, which also features a tune co-written by Keith Urban.

• The song "Sara Smile," which includes a guest appearance by the song's writers and originators, Daryl Hall and John Oates, gave Wayne the highest chart debut of his career.
• Wayne said, "'Sara Smile' is a song I've been singing for 13 years. I sang it on the prison yard when I worked at the prison. Even though I didn't write it, I sang it at writers' nights in Nashville. It is the song that taught me how to play the guitar. In 2002, I sang 'Sara Smile' for (label head) Scott Borchetta, and he gave me a record deal. This song has had a major impact on my life."
• "Sara Smile" sits at Number 35 on the Billboard country chart.

FAST FACTS

• Wayne charted his first Number One hit with the title track of his 2008 CD, Do You Believe Me Now.
• He is currently on his first major tour with headliner Brad Paisley. The American Saturday Night tour made a stop at New York City's Madison Square Garden last week.

Sara Evans will kick off her Celebrate the Season tour the day after Thanksgiving (November 27th) in Worley, Idaho. The 12-date West Coast run will wrap up on December 14th in Greeley, Colorado.

On November 3rd, Evans will digitally release a four-song collection, called I'll Be Home for Christmas. The digital EP will feature holiday favorites including the title track and "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "New Again," which Evans and Brad Paisley co-wrote and perform together here.

I'll Be Home for Christmas marks the first time these four tracks have been brought together in one collection. The tunes were previously available on various projects.

Here are the dates for the Celebrate the Season tour:

November 27 Worley, ID Coeur d'Alene Tribal Casino
November 28 Snoqualmie, WA Snoqualmie Casino
November 29 Boise, ID Qwest Arena
December 2 Modesto, CA Gallo Center for the Arts
December 3 Temecula, CA Pechanga Resort & Casino
December 4 Coarsegold, CA Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
December 5 Eureka, CA Arkley Center for the Performing Arts
December 9 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater
December 10 Tucson, AZ Desert Diamond Casino
December 11 Primm, NV Star of the Desert Arena
December 12 West Wendover, NV Peppermill Concert Hall
December 14 Greeley, CO Union Colony Civic Center

COUNTRY TRIVIA

Q. In what year did Tammy Wynette's most famous song, "Stand By Your Man," debut on the country charts?

A. 1968

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

TOP 20 COUNTRY COUNTDOWN/GAC 10:00AM (ET)
Tim McGraw

THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW/SYN (check local listings)
Martina McBride

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

Keith Urban (42)

• Hillary Rodham Clinton (former First Lady, Democratic senator from New York and presidential candidate; now Secretary of State) (62)
• Seth MacFarlane (creator of The Family Guy; does the voices for Peter, Brian, Stewie and others) (36)
• Jon Heder (actor, Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory) (32)
• Dylan McDermott (actor, The Practice, Wonderland) (48)
• Jaclyn Smith (actress, Charlie's Angels) (62)
• Pat Sajak (host, Wheel Of Fortune) (63)
• Cary Elwes (actor, The Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Twister, Liar Liar, Saw) (47)
• Rita Wilson (actress, Sleepless In Seattle, Runaway Bride, Auto Focus; wife of Tom Hanks) (53)
• Bob Hoskins (actor, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hook, Nixon, Enemy At The Gates) (67)

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

Faith Hill's fifth album, Cry, debuted atop the Billboard 200 pop chart in 2002.

• Hoyt Axton, who wrote the pop hit "Joy To The World," died of a heart attack at age 61 in 1999.
• Waylon Jennings was hospitalized in California after experiencing chest pains during a performance in 1988.
• Capitol Records hosts a gala celebration for Garth Brooks in Nashville in 2000 to honor him for sales of more than 100 million albums in the U.S. in a decade.
• Garth Brooks announced his retirement in a press conference at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville in 2000.
• The Statler Brothers played their last concert, in Salem, Virginia in 2002.
• Rodney Crowell recorded the Number One hit "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried" in 1987.
• Waylon Jennings married Jessi Colter in Las Vegas in 1969.
• Sugarland's debut album, Twice The Speed Of Life, was released in 2004.
• Gary Allan's Smoke Rings In The Dark album was released in 1999.
• Travis Tritt went to Number One in Billboard with "Anymore" in 1991.

WEEKEND MOVIE WRAP-UP

Low-budget sensation Paranormal Activity took the top spot at the weekend box office over Saw VI, the latest installment in the horror film franchise, in a pre-Halloween weekend battle of the thrillers. Paranormal Activity expanded into nationwide release after four weeks of narrower release in which it's been boosted by strong online buzz. Meanwhile, Saw VI opened in second place in the worst opening ever for the Saw franchise that's become a Halloween fixture. Last weekend's top movie, Where the Wild Things Are, fell to third place.

Astro Boy, an animated science-fiction adventure based on a Japanese comic book and cartoon series about a superhero child robot, opened at Number Six. It features the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nicolas Cage, Eugene Levy and Nathan Lane. Debuting in eighth place was Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, starring John C. Reilly as a vampire who takes on a teenage apprentice in a traveling freak show.

• Amelia, a biography of Amelia Earhart starring Hilary Swank as the pioneering aviator, had a disappointing debut, opening out of the top 10 in 11th place. Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor co-star.

THIS WEEKEND'S TOP TEN MOVIES -- OCTOBER 23-25

1. Paranormal Activity, $22 million
2. Saw VI, $14.8 million
3. Where the Wild Things Are, $14.4 million
4. Law Abiding Citizen, $12.7 million
5. Couples Retreat, $11.1 million
6. Astro Boy, $7 million
7. The Stepfather, $6.5 million
8. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, $6.3 million
9. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, $5.6 million
10. Zombieland, $4.3 million

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER: Andrew Llyod Webber has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A rep for the legendary composer announced the news on Sunday (October 25th), but noted that the condition is in its early stages. A statement from his publicist said, "Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year." Webber recently announced plans for a sequel to his hit show, Phantom of the Opera.

PAUL HAGGIS REPORTEDLY RESIGNS FROM SCIENTOLOGY OVER SUPPORT OF GAY ISSUES: Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis has reportedly resigned from the Church of Scientology over their position on gay rights. Gawker.com reports that Haggis views the church's support of Proposition 8 as "cowardly," and thus, after thirty-five years of membership, is resigning.

JOHN TRAVOLTA WANTS RETRIAL IN U.S.: After his weeks-long Bahamian extortion trial ended in a mistrial, John Travolta is petitioning for the case to be retried in the United States. Attorney Michael Ossi released a statement saying, "I have asked the Bahamian authorities to preserve all the evidence for the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to review, and I have written to the federal government and the Bahamian government about trying the case in Florida. The original call was made from the Bahamas to Florida, so there is jurisdiction for a trial in the U.S." The mistrial was declared after a Bahamian politician announced a false verdict while the jury was still in deliberations.

IVANKA TRUMP TIES THE KNOT: Ivanka Trump married New York Observer owner Jared Kushner Sunday (October 25th) in New Jersey. A rep confirmed to the nuptials to Usmagazine.com, adding, "She was the most stunning bride." The wedding took place on the grounds of the Trump National Golf Club after a three-month engagement. 27-year-old Trump talked about preparations for the big day recently, saying, "I only had a 3 month engagement so it was all done pretty quickly. To all those women planning a wedding, just be organized and decisive. It also helps if you have a wedding planner helping you out!"

NICOLE RICHIE OPENS PLAYGROUND: Nicole Richie and Joel Madden took time from caring for their two young children last week to break ground on a new playground at a homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles. Richie, who recently have birth to son Sparrow told People magazine, "I spend tons of time here. When I found out the kids play on a concrete slab or play inside all day, it hit me. Kids need to have an imagination, to be outside and to be free." The couple, who founded the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation, raised $35,000 for the playground.

WOODY ALLEN'S PRODIGY SON GETS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS JOB: Woody Allen and Mia Farrow's son has been appointed to a very important job at a very young age. 21-year-old Ronan Farrow, whose been deemed a "prodigy," is now a liaison to non-governmental organizations working in Pakistan. A State Department official responded to criticism of Farrow's age, saying, "He's very qualified for the job, and has already helped explain the current situation re: Pakistani procurements to key NGOs, including a meeting he organized today with InterAction and its affiliated NGOs." Another source noted that he's "a friggin' genius and a true activist for Darfur . . . Went to college at age 11 and then to law school at 16."

FAMILY EMERGENCY FORCED MATT DAMON OUT OF CHARITY EVENT: Matt Damon was forced to pull out of a charity event last week due to a "family emergency of a serious nature." His rep wouldn't specify the nature of the emergency, but insisted it was serious, explaining, "He wouldn't have missed this otherwise."

SCOTT FOLEY EXPECTING CHILD: Scott Foley and his wife Marika Dominczyk are expecting their first child. People magazine confirmed that Dominczyk, who married the actor in 2006, is in her third trimester. Foley was previously married to Felicity costar Jennifer Garner, but the pair split in 2003.

TOM SIZEMORE SUED FOR CHILD SUPPORT: Tom Sizemore's ex-girlfriend is suing the troubled actor, claiming that he owes her thousands of dollars in child support. TMZ.com reports that Jinele McIntire filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles last week, alleging that Sizemore owes her $58,800 in child support for the couple's two boys, who were born in 2005. She is also seeking health insurance coverage for the kids and $50,000 for attorney's fees.

SHE'S EVERYTHING!

ERIN DANCING AT THE CONCERT IN LAS VEGAS!

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

SEAN PENN TO INTERVIEW FIDEL CASTRO? Sean Penn has reportedly traveled to Cuba in the hopes of interviewing Fidel Castro. TMZ.com reported on Sunday (October 25th), "Sean (Penn) is going to the land of Fidel as a journalist, writing a story for Vanity Fair (magazine) about how the (Barack) Obama administration has affected Cuba." The website reported that he's traveling with Diana Jenkins, who is married to the "head honcho" at Barclays bank. TMZ's source added, "Barclays sources say Sean and Diana are going to meet (Fidel) Castro -- presumably because that's what Diana told them."

GERARD BUTLER REPORTEDLY STARRING IN SHAKESPEARE ADAPTATION: Gerard Butler is moving on after a string of romantic comedies. PerezHilton.com reports that the actor has signed on to star alongside William Hurt, Vanessa Redgrave and Ralph Fiennes in William Shakespeare's Coriolanus. The project will be directed by Fiennes -- who also plays the leading role.

PATRICK DEMPSEY REPORTEDLY SELLS HAIR STYLING PILOT: Patrick Dempsey has sold a new sitcom idea to the network bosses at ABC. The Grey's Anatomy star created the hairdressing show -- tentatively called Coif -- with his wife Jillian, who is a top stylist. He told TV Guide magazine, "It's kind of like Cheers or Friends, but it takes place in a beauty school in Los Angeles."

'DWTS' CONTESTANT REPORTEDLY DOING PLAYBOY: Dancing With the Stars contestant Joanna Krupa will reportedly grace the cover of December's Playboy magazine. Star reports that the model recently shot her pictorial for the magazine, which would mark her second appearance in the magazine. She posed for a spread in 2005 after she was dubbed the "Sexiest Swimsuit Model in the World." Meanwhile, Star also reports that Bravo reality star Kelly Bensimon will go topless for a spread in the magazine's January issue.

PATRICK SWAYZE'S WIDOW BREAKING SILENCE: Patrick Swayze's widow will speak out this week for the first time since the actor's September death. Lisa Niemi is scheduled to participate in a round table discussion on Grief, Healing and Resilience at the Women's Conference 2009 on Tuesday (October 27th). The discussion will be moderated by California First Lady and Women's Conference host Maria Shriver, who this summer lost her mother Eunice Shriver and uncle Ted Kennedy.

BENJAMIN BRATT REPORTEDLY GOING BACK TO 'LAW & ORDER': Benjamin Bratt will reportedly be reprising his role on Law & Order. PerezHilton.com reports that after nearly ten years away from the show, Bratt has signed on to revisit the character of Detective Rey Curtis. Sources say that he will factor heavily in a story involving S. Epatha Merkerson's Van Buren character.

'MAMMIA MIA' SEQUEL IN THE WORKS? A Mamma Mia movie sequel may be in the works. Amanda Seyfried, who played Meryl Streep's daughter in the movie musical, is quoted by StarPulse.com as having said, "I know it's still going to be ABBA music, because what else would it be? Come on, I wouldn't do 'Mamma Mia 2' without (ABBA duo) Benny and Bjorn. I think we all had the best time and we all got along so well. It was like some days it felt like we were just people on vacation. I will do it. And I know Meryl's game as well, so bring it on. It will be so cool."

BRAD PITT INVOLVED IN MINOR MOTORCYCLE HISHAP

Brad Pitt was involved in a minor motorcycle mishap over the weekend in Los Angeles. The megastar was uninjured after losing balance on the bike, but several sources claim the fall was caused by overzealous paparazzi.

Sources tell TMZ.com that Pitt was weaving in and out of stopped traffic and lost control of his motorcycle after clipping a parked car, while X17Online.com says the star fell after a "too-close-for-comfort pap cut him off."

• EOnline.com attempted to set the record straight, taking the word of sources who claimed that the mirror on Pitt's bike nicked the mirror of an adjacent car and he lost balance on his bike. The insiders said that the other car involved was that of a paparazzo, but it was Pitt who got too close to the vehicle.
• Pitt reportedly called his security team for a ride home because the bike wouldn't start after it had fallen.
• In another account, RadarOnline.com says that their reporter witnessed the incident, and stated that a paparazzo bumped Pitt's bike from behind, forcing his motorcycle into the rear of the car ahead.

U.S FORMALLY SEEKS ROMAN POLANSKI EXTRADITION

The United States has officially asked Switzerland to hand Roman Polanski over to authorities in California. The Associated Press reports that he could serve up to two years in prison for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

Authorities in Zurich, where the director was arrested on September 26th, will hold a hearing on an unspecified date to decide whether Polanski should be sent back to Los Angeles. The Associated Press reports that if extradition is approved, Polanski may appeal the decision to Switzerland's top criminal court and, "theoretically, to the Federal Supreme Court."

• It's a possibility that Polanski could remain in Swiss jail for months more, even though legal experts told the AP that has little chance of avoiding a return to the United States after 31 years as a fugitive.

ALEX RODRIGUES REPORTEDLY EXPLORING BUDDHISM WITH KATE HUDSON

Kate Hudson reportedly has her boyfriend, baseball star Alex Rodriguez, exploring Buddhism. A source told the New York Daily News that the actress's religion is "an important part of her life," adding that, "It seems like Alex really just wants to make her happy."

A witness sitting near Hudson at one of Rodriguez's recent games said that the actress even brought Buddha prayer beads with her to the stadium, and laid them across the railing in front of her seats. The spy noted, "It was a long strand of brown beads, and she and her friends would pick them up from time to time."

• The paper reports that Rodriguez, a "religious chameleon" also explored Kabbalah while he was involved with Madonna.

JOHN GOSSELIN REPORTEDLY COMPLIES WITH COURT ORDER

Jon Gosselin's lawyer claims the reality dad has complied with the court order he received last week and returned $180,000 he took from a joint bank account with his estranged wife Kate. Her lawyer, however, countered attorney Mark Heller's claims, saying that Jon had returned $28,500 but he was waiting for Heller to wire back the remaining $152,000.

Mark Momijan said after Heller's statement last week, "I have no doubt Jon's lawyer is making an accurate representation but I'm just waiting. He added that Kate was not required to return any money, but has otherwise "complied with the court order in advance of the date." It was reported last week that a second hearing would be held today (October 26th).

Meanwhile, Heller denied RadarOnline.com's report that Jon has a meeting scheduled with CBS to talk about appearing on special celebrity editions of The Amazing Race or Survivor. Heller said, "Jon is not doing Amazing Race or any other reality show. No Divorced Dads Club, nothing. He is focused on his personal life and the matters at hand."

• A source had told the website, "Jon is planning to fly to Los Angeles in late November for a meeting about appearing on one of the shows. Nothing is a done deal yet. This is in the very early stages."
• Kate will be appearing on her own TLC special tonight.
• In other news, Jon appears to have reconciled with Kate's estranged brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Jodi Kreider, who blasted the couple for their "sham" marriage earlier this year. RadarOnline.com reports that Jon welcomed the Kreiders to the family's Pennsylvania home over the weekend while Kate was in Los Angeles.

CHARLIZE THERON KISSES GIRL FOR $140,000

Charlize Theron made out with a woman last week -- and she wasn't on a movie set. Granted, the kiss was for charity; a last-minute prize she offered at the OneXOne gala that proved to be worth $140,000.

The actress offered up a smooch after Jeremy Piven fetched $280,000 at the live auction -- far higher than the $37,000 she'd initially raised for a 2010 trip to South Africa that included World Cup tickets, a safari and a meet-and-greet with Nelson Mandela.

• The actress told attendees, "For f*** sake! You can do better. There is no way I am leaving here with Jeremy Piven getting a higher bid. I've got t**** for God's sake."
• She agreed to a 20-second kiss from a woman, who claimed her prize on stage as the audience counted down.

THE NASCAR REPORT FOR OCT 25TH!

SPRINT CUP: Denny Hamlin edges Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville

Race Recap: Tums Fast Relief 500 - Martinsville, Virginia

10 Kevin Harvick

9 Tony Stewart

8 Mark Martin

7 Ryan Newman

6 Jamie McMurray

5 Jeff Gordon

4 Kyle Busch passed Jeff Gordon on the final lap

3 Juan Pablo Montoya

2 Jimmie Johnson adds to his big Chase lead (118 pts. ahead of Mark Martin) with four races left

VICTORY LANE

1 Denny Hamlin wins his third race of the season after three restarts in the final 52 laps, passing Johnson with 12 laps to go and edging him out in a close final 2 laps. The final restart was caused by debris on the track.

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY:

• The race finished on a green-white-checkered flag under cation when John Andretti wrecked at the finish line.

HEADLINES

147 KILLED IN BAGHDAD SUICIDE BOMBINGS: Two suicide car bombings in Baghdad Sunday (October 25th) killed 147 people and wounded at least 721 in Iraq's deadliest attack in more than two years. The bombs targeted two government buildings -- the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council -- and called into question Iraq's ability to protect its people as U.S. forces withdraw, even as violence has dropped dramatically. The street where the bombings took place had just been reopened to vehicle traffic six months ago, and blast walls were repositioned shortly after to allow traffic closer to the government buildings. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has staked his political reputation and re-election bid on his ability to bring peace to Iraq, pledged to punish the perpetrators. There have been no claims of responsibility so far, but huge car bombs have been the hallmark of the Sunni insurgents who want to overthrow the Shiite-dominated government.

U.N. INSPECTORS VISIT FORMERLY SECRET IRANIAN SITE: Inspectors from the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency on Sunday (October 25th) visited a formerly secret uranium enrichment facility in Iran that raised suspicions in the West after its existence was discovered last month, suspicions fueled by its bunker-like construction and strong military protection. Inspectors are on a three-day mission at the enrichment site south of Tehran, Iran's second, and are expected to present their results later, after they leave the country. Some Iranian officials said the visit was an example that their nuclear program was open to international scrutiny. Iran claims its nuclear program is only for peaceful energy purposes, but the West believes Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

VIDEO SHOWS STUDENT BEATEN BY SAN JOSE POLICE: A criminal investigation has been launched in San Jose, California, in response to cell phone video posted on the San Jose Mercury News website that shows city police officers repeatedly hitting an unarmed university student with batons and using a Taser stun gun on him as he cries and moans. The final baton strike on 20-year-old Vietnamese student Phuong Ho, a math major at San Jose State, appears to take place after he'd been handcuffed. Officers arrested Ho on September 3rd on suspicion of assaulting one of his roommates. He wasn't armed when police arrived and he told the newspaper he didn't resist arrest. The confrontation began when Ho's roommate put soap on Ho's steak. The two scuffled, and Ho picked up a steak knife, saying that in his home country he would have killed him for doing what he did. According to police reports, one officer encountered Ho in the hallway, but couldn't understand his accent, and Ho then ignored a police command to stand still. The police said Ho resisted being handcuffed. Another of Ho's roommates videotaped what went on.

TODAY'S FYI:

MADOFF ASSOCIATE FOUND DEAD IN HIS SWIMMING POOL: Jerry Picower, a philanthropist and longtime friend of Bernie Madoff who's been accused of profiting more than $7 billion from Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, was found dead Sunday by his wife at the bottom of the pool at their Palm Beach, Florida, mansion. Police are investigating the death as a drowning, but haven't ruled out anything on the cause of death. However, the 67-year-old Picower's body showed no visible injuries, and he was wearing his swimming trunks. Picower had been accused of being the biggest beneficiary of Madoff's scheme, and the trustee appointed to recover money for defrauded investors had filed a lawsuit demanding that he return more than $7 billion. The trustee's lawyer charged Picower should have seen signs of fraud.

REPORT: LINK BETWEEN CELL PHONES AND CANCER: The New York Post reported Sunday (October 25th) that the World Health Organization is set to announce that it's found a link between long-term cell phone use and brain tumors, citing a story in London's Daily Telegraph. WHO's $30 million, decade-long study found, quote, "a significantly increased risk" of some brain tumors related to the use of cell phones for 10 years or longer, according to the Telegraph story. Cell phone companies and scientists have assured the public for years that cell phone use is safe.

EPA: GLOBAL WARMING PLAN WOULD COST EXTRA $100 A YEAR PER HOUSEHOLD: An Environmental Protection Agency analysis released Friday (October 23rd) of a plan in the Democratic-led Senate to fight global warming said it would add about $100 to the annual energy bill for a typical household. That is around the same cost projected by the EPA for similar legislation passed in the House over the summer. The so-called "cap and trade" legislation calls for capping emissions allowed from power plants and large industrial facilities, and allowing trading of pollution allowances. Republican critics of the legislation charged the EPA used overly optimistic assumptions, disguising the likely increase in energy costs to consumers.

BLOOMBERG HAS SPENT MOST OF OWN MONEY EVER FOR POLITICAL OFFICE: The New York Times reported Saturday (October 24th) that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent more of his own money in pursuit of public office than any other person in U.S. history. Citing newly-released campaign records, the Times said that Bloomberg had spent $85 million on his second re-election campaign as of Friday, and is on pace to spend between $110 and $140 million before the mayoral election next month, meaning he'll have spent more than $250 million in his three bids for mayor. Bloomberg is a self-made billionaire who has an estimated $16 billion fortune, with much of his wealth coming from the Bloomberg media and information empire.

• According to the Times story, New Jersey Governor and former Goldman Sachs chairman Jon Corzine -- who's also up for re-election next month -- spent about $130 million in two races for governor and one for the U.S. Senate, and publisher Steve Forbes spent $114 million in two bids for president.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES APPEAR IN OPERA: Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia had non-speaking roles Saturday night (October 24th) in a production at the Washington National Opera. The two opera-loving justices were dressed in black-tie attire as they remained on stage for nearly 90 minutes, portraying party guests during the opening performance of Ariadne auf Naxos, which depicts a serious opera company and a comedic troupe performing at the same time during a dinner party. Ginsburg and Scalia have appeared in productions at the opera before.

SPORTS:

YANKEES WORLD SERIES-BOUND AFTER BEATING ANGELS 5-2: The New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 last night (October 25th) to win the American League Championship Series 4 games to 2 and advance to the World Series, where they'll face the Philadelphia Phillies, who are looking to repeat as world champions. Veteran Andy Pettitte gave up just one run in 6 1/3 innings for the Yankees, earning his 16th postseason win to break a tie with John Smoltz for the most ever. Closer Mariano Rivera got six outs, but not before giving up a run in the eighth. Angels starter Joe Saunders gave up three runs in the fourth inning, which turned out to be all the Yankees needed.

• Pitcher CC Sabathia, who won two games for the Yankees in the ALCS, was named the series MVP.
• The teams played at Yankee Stadium after Game 6 was postponed one day to Sunday because of rain.
• Game One of the World Series will take place Wednesday night (October 28th) at Yankee Stadium.

NFL SCORES -- WEEK 7: Here are the results of this week's National Football League games (Home teams are listed in italics):

• Green Bay Packers 31, Cleveland Browns 3
• Houston Texans 24, San Francisco 49ers 21
• San Diego Chargers 37, Kansas City Chiefs 7
• Indianapolis Colts 42, St. Louis Rams 6
• New England Patriots 35, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7 -- Played in London before a sellout crowd at Wembley Stadium
• Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Minnesota Vikings 17
• Buffalo Bills 20, Carolina Panthers 9
• New York Jets 38, Oakland Raiders 0
• Cincinnati Bengals 45, Chicago Bears 10
• Dallas Cowboys 37, Atlanta Falcons 21
• New Orleans Saints 46, Miami Dolphins 34
• Arizona Cardinals 24, New York Giants 17

Tonight's Monday Night Football game on ESPN:

• Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (8:30 p.m. ET)

ESPN BASEBALL ANALYST PHILLIPS FIRED AFTER AFFAIR ADMISSION: ESPN fired baseball analyst Steve Phillips Sunday night (October 25th) after he admitted last week to having had an affair with a 22-year-old production assistant at the network. Meanwhile, a representative for Phillips announced the former Mets general manager was entering a treatment facility, quote, "to address his personal issues." A network spokesman wouldn't comment to AP about the employee status of the production assistant, Brooke Hundley.

• Police became involved in the situation after Hundley began calling Phillips' wife in August after he broke off the affair, and sent her a letter describing their relationship and saying, "we both can't have him." Marni Phillips later called police when she found Hundley in her driveway. Hundley also reportedly posed online as a classmate of the Phillips' 16-year-old son and sent repeated messages asking him about his parents' relationship.
• Marni Phillips filed for divorce last month.
• In 1998, Phillips, then the Mets' GM, admitted having sex with a team employee who'd sued him for sexual harassment. The case was settled out of court.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (repeat)
• ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE (repeat)
• TWO AND A HALF MEN (repeat)
• THE BIG BANG THEORY (repeat)
• CSI: MIAMI (repeat)

NBC

• HEROES - Sylar continues to torment Matt; HRG asks Tracy for a favor; Gretchen and Claire are hazed by their new sorority sisters.
• TRAUMA - A Halloween party turns into chaos; a secret is exposed that could change a partnership.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Dr. Phil McGraw

FOX

• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - The top 20 contestants perform without fear of elimination.
• LIE TO ME - A person from Lightman's past pulls him into dangerous criminal conspiracy; the group investigates when a high school student makes murderous threats.

ABC

• DANCING WITH THE STARS - The teams perform.
• CASTLE - Castle and Beckett go to a graveyard after the body of a young man sporting vampire fangs is discovered with a wooden stake through his heart.

CW

• ONE TREE HILL - Haley and Nathan are left powerless when Dan brings Renee into his TV show; Brooke shares her true desires with Julian.
• GOSSIP GIRL - Chuck asks Serena to spread the word about his new hotel; Blair secretly tries to help Chuck; Dan watches one of Olivia's sex scenes.

TLC

• JON & KATE PLUS 8 - Kate relives memories of the show and answers questions from the audience.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Hilary Swank, Jay Sean
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Oprah and Gayle's New Adventure: The Biggest State Fair in America
THE VIEW - A day of Hot Topics

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - Charles Barkley, Harper Simon
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Dr. Phil McGraw
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - Kathy Griffin, Capt. Chelsey Sullenberger, Wolfmother
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - (repeat)
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - Sherri Shepherd, Alex Dryden
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - Willem Dafoe, Tiffani Thiessen, Har Mar Superstar
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat)
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - Tracy Morgan
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - Cornel West

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

88-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WALKS 10,000 MILES IN HUSBANDS MEMORY: Martha Michel of Colorado Springs, CO who walks laps around a nursing home everyday in memory of her deceased husband has reached an impressive milestone. Martha's records, detailing her walks and ruotine shows that she has walked 10,000 miles since her husband, Lester died in 1998. Martha says she and her husband walked around a lake on the nursing home's facilities everyday after he became a patient there until Lester became too sick to continue. Martha reached 10,000 miles on Saturday.

BAR-GOERS ALMOST HIT BY THEIR OWN CAR: Two men playing pool in a Wisconsin bar were nearly struck by their own car after a drunk driver slammed into the parked car outside sending the vehicle flying through a wall. Authorities arrested a 35-year-old man who is said to be a regular patron at the bar, and that he was driving with a revoked license. (AP)

MAN ACCUSED OF BEING A ZOMBIE, PUNCHED AT RESTAURANT: Iowa City police are investigating an assault which took place at a local restaurant early Sunday morning. The victim says he was ordering food when he was approached by man who accused him of being a zombie and then punched him in the eye. When the injured man tried to call police on his cell phone the man punched him again before running away. The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and was treated for a broken nose. (AP)

BROTHERS CROSS ATLANTIC IN SMALL OPEN POWERBOAT: Two brothers, Ralph and Bob Brown of Hudson, FL have completed a 76-day trans-Atlantic voyage in a 21-foot open powerboat, typically used for fishing in shallow water. The brother left from Tampa, FL and finally docked their small boat 2 1/2 months later in Weisbaden, Germany. The boat, named the Intruder, was built by Ralph Brown at his own facility in Hudson, FL. (Sun-Sentinel)

BEST TIMES OF DAY TO DO ANYTHING (Asylum.com)

• When Is the Best Time of the Day to Fire Someone? Late afternoon. Chances are, you'll sadden the employee no matter what you do, but if you do it late in the afternoon, there are two advantages: 1) Fewer people are in the office then, so the situation will be more private and confidential; and 2) you probably won't kill him. Seriously: Heart attacks are more likely to happen in the first three hours after awakening, and 30 to 40 percent more likely to occur between 6 a.m. and noon, when blood pressure and heart rate peak, putting stress on arterial walls. The American Heart Association has even weighed in on this, recommending that all firings and layoffs occur after 10 a.m.
• When Is the Best Time of the Day to Speed? At 8a.m., 4 p.m., and midnight. Or whenever police and sheriff's department shift changes occur where you live. No one is advocating breaking the law, but sometimes our minds wander when we're behind the wheel, leading to our driving over the speed limit. The best time to do that is when police officers, including those on speed-trap duty, are either just getting off duty or just starting work, when they often haven't yet begun patrolling their areas.
• When Is the Best Time to Ask Someone Out on a Date? Noon. Our moods are often good then because we're looking forward to a well-deserved break in the workday and our minds are less cluttered because we're focusing not on working but on eating. Ask your would-be boyfriend or girlfriend out then. And if you get turned down? That's OK -- feelings of depression tend to peak earlier in the day and fade by lunchtime.
• Which Is the Best Day of the Week to Get a Free Hotel Upgrade? Sunday or Monday. Those are usually the slowest days of the week, when you're more likely to get an upgrade because more rooms are vacant. It also helps when your Sunday-Monday stay occurs during "low season" wherever you happen to be, such as August in Dallas or January in Minneapolis.
• When Is the Best Time of the Day to Make Love? Between 10 at night and one in the morning. Both social and biological factors influence this. First, the biology: our sense of touch and our skin sensitivity are at their highest levels in the late evening, when we're already in a comfy place -- bed. The other reasons, the social ones, tend to be more practical: Couples work during the day and are busy in early evening, preparing dinner and spending time with their children. Late evening is probably the only time during the week that couples with children can make time for sex. But that isn't the only explanation. During the weekends and on vacations, when our weekday schedules are thrown off, sex still seems to occur more often between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
• When Is the Best Day of the Week to Ask for a Pay Raise? Thursday or Friday. We're most open to negotiation and compromise then because most of us want to finish our work week with the least amount of conflict. This feeling at the end of the workweek may be preparation for the weekend, when we spend more time with family and friends, getting along with whom is a high priority. Others point out that Fridays are the best day to give favorable performance reviews, so if you receive one then, ask for a big raise.
• When Is the Best Time of the Day to Play Video Games? Late afternoon. Hand-eye coordination reaches optimal levels then.
• When Is the Best Time of the Day to Dumpster Dive? Between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Early evening is best because apartment dwellers often take their trash to the dumpster after they eat dinner, and businesses do so at the end of the workday. If they're throwing out any good stuff, that's when they'll do it, and that's when the experienced dumpster divers will be there waiting.

IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION

What late night personality co-wrote the number one disco track, "It's Raining Men"?

A: Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer.....(Hmmm I am not REALLY surprised!)

• AskMen.com reports that although Paul Shaffer is most closely associated with his gig as Letterman's longtime bandleader, before that he spent some time on Broadway, briefly played with the Saturday Night Live band, and in 1979, he and songwriter Paul Jabara wrote the massive Weather Girls hit It's Raining Men, which hit No. 1 on the U.S. disco charts.

U.S. Army to Allow Sikh Doctor to Serve While Wearing Turban

The U.S. Army will allow a doctor who's a member of the Sikh faith to serve while wearing a turban with uncut hair underneath and a beard as his religion requires, making an exception to the rules for the wearing of religious items. The Sikh Coalition said Friday (October 23rd) that 32-year-old Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi is the first Sikh to be granted an exception in more than 20 years. However, the organization also posted a letter to Kalsi from the Army that said their policy isn't being overturned, but instead the decision follows a long-standing practice of deciding such requests on a case-by-case basis, weighing the request against factors including unit cohesion, morale, discipline, safety and health. Kalsi is an emergency room doctor who promised to serve in the Army in exchange for help paying for his medical training.

NEED A GREAT COSTUME BY HALLOWEEN??

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KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Tim McGraw will hit the road for an extensive 2010 tour to support his brand new album, Southern Voice. The run kicks off on February 11th in Omaha, Nebraska with special guest Lady Antebellum. The Lost Trailers will open shows from February 11th - April 10th, while Love And Theft will open from April 11th - August 15th. The Southern Voice tour is scheduled to wrap on August 15th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

• Outback Steakhouse and Fritos brand will sponsor the tour. They will join forces with McGraw to raise funds for The Neighbor's Keeper Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable fund created by McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill.
• McGraw is set to perform on the Today show this morning (Friday, October 23rd) as part of the Toyota Concert Series on Rockefeller Plaza. On Tuesday (October 27th), McGraw will appear on The Jay Leno Show where he will be joined by Gregg Allman for a special rendition of "Southern Voice." McGraw will close out the week with an October 29th performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
• CMT will premiere Invitation Only: Tim McGraw on November 13th. The one-hour special features McGraw performing before a small studio audience and taking questions from fans.
• McGraw is featured on the cover of the November issue of Men's Journal, which is on newsstands now.

FAST FACTS

• Southern Voice is McGraw's first studio album in two-and-a-half years, following Let It Go, which debuted at Number One on The Billboard 200 in April of 2007.
• He co-stars with Sandra Bullock in the upcoming film The Blind Side, scheduled for release on November 20th.

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Tickets to Garth Brooks' upcoming shows at the Wynn Hotel's Encore Theater in Las Vegas go on sale on Saturday (October 24th) at 8 a.m. PT. His scheduled weekends include one show on Fridays, two shows on Saturdays and one show on Sundays. Ticket sales this weekend are for his concerts on December 11-13; January 1-3 and 22-24; and February 12-14 and 26-28. Tickets may be purchased by calling 702-770-7469 or online at wynnlasvegas.com/boxoffice.

• Brooks' new engagement at the Wynn is a one-man show that the superstar says will be different every night. For that fact, he hopes the fans respect his desire to keep the performances off the Internet. "What happens here is gonna happen in this room. We're gonna talk about cell phones. We're gonna talk about everything because I don't wanna see this on youtube. The story is very within these walls, and I want the people that come here to leave with something special, so each night cannot be scripted. It just can't. I'm not that kind of a guy."
• Brooks says concert-goers should expect the unexpected, including visits from his wife, Trisha Yearwood, as well as some other folks. "We got some other friends and guests and we got surprises because Garth . . . a little bit goes a long way, so why not bring in more surprises, and the main thing is to have people fighting over, 'Well he didn't do that when I was there,' 'Well he didn't do that when I was . . . ' -- that's what's the fun of it. That's what makes each ticket hopefully something special."
• All tickets to Brooks' shows are $125 plus surcharges. Ticket seating is first come first serve.
• Specific procedures have been put in place to ensure that the tickets for concerts are accessible to fans at face value and through authorized sales channels exclusively.

Keith Urban and his friends Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley raised more than $500,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum earlier this month at the We're All For The Hall Fundraiser. The sold out event was held at the Sommet Center in Nashville on October 13th. Each of the 14,000 tickets was only $25.

• The online auction of Swift's guitar donated by the singer following her performance at the benefit will add even more to the total figure.
• Urban said, "To those on the stage and behind the stage, to all of the corporate partners who gave so generously, and to all of the fans who made the night what it became, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've never been so moved by the power that music has to bring people together, not only to share an experience, but to do such good in the process."
• President of the Museum's Board of Officers and Trustees, Vince Gill, said, "This was my hope. I can't really believe it happened. This is a big, big payday, and times are tough. It makes so much sense to me for the artists, musicians and fans of country music to help out the place that documents and preserves our music and keeps all its great stories for our benefit and for discovery by future generations."
• Proceeds from We're All for the Hall will be invested in the care of the institution's collection, its schedule of school and family programs, and in enhancements for its core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music.

SIDE NOTE

• Urban has already announced that he will host a We're All For The Hall fundraiser next October.

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Co-headliners Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser have joined forces with CMT One Country to support the USO during their CMT-sponsored tour which recently kicked off in New York. At each stop on the tour, concert-goers will be encouraged to fill out a postcard thanking the troops for their service and making their own pledge of service at home. This pledge is also available for CMT fans online at cmtonecountry.com. The postcards will be delivered to the troops through the USO.

An online auction of memorabilia from Johnson and Houser will go up on CMTauctions.com after the tour ends. All proceeds will benefit the USO.

• Johnson said, "Those guys in the field need some emotional connection to home, and I think this project will bring a little bit of home to them. Regardless what your political beliefs are about the war, you have to respect the fact that another human being in your country is willing to give their life for your freedom."
• Houser added, "Any way that we, as entertainers, can provide comic relief, music relief, or any kind of support to our troops is worth making because of the effort they make for us every day."
• Johnson and Houser play the House of Blues in Las Vegas on Halloween (October 31st) night.
• The two will perform in 30 markets across the country before wrapping on December 19th in Evansville, Indiana.

FAST FACT

• Previous CMT tours have featured such superstars as Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, and Jason Aldean.

Jake Owen takes fans on a walk down memory lane in his Origins special airing this weekend on GAC. Owen took the network's crew down to his hometown of Vero Beach, Florida, where he tells us he had a 'surreal' experience. "I got to go to the first bar I played at that sat on the water to the guitar store I bought my first guitar in that ironically enough sells sheet music to my music now, and it's so weird. I went in there and I'm looking at this. I'm going, 'I remember walking in here not even knowing how to play a guitar, buying it from them, and now they have, like, multiple books where they're selling music to my songs that I've written, and it's just really surreal."

Owen said that doing the Origins show helped him appreciate just how far he's come. "Lookin' back it's like, 'Oh my God!' I actually have done a lot that I completely forgot I did, cause I live so day-to-day, you know, that you tend to forget about how you got here, and this has been like an eye-opening experience -- pretty cool!"

• Origins airs on GAC on Saturday (October 24th) at 9 p.m. ET and again on Sunday (October 25th) at 7 p.m. ET.
• Owen's latest hit, "Eight Second Ride," is a Top 25 hit and climbing on the country charts.
• The singer will join Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn, Kellie Pickler, and Jason Aldean as the lineup at the Bayou Country Superfest on May 29th and 30th, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will exclusively introduce The Alan Jackson Collection beginning on November 2nd. The 40-plus piece assortment of merchandise created in conjunction with Jackson will include mens and womens wear, food items, collectibles, an Alan Jackson Signature Rocker and a CD, to name a few.

• Jackson said, "I grew up in the South, so Cracker Barrel has been a part of my family since I was a young man. I was really flattered when they came to me with the idea of working together to create a collection for their country store, and I've been very impressed with the variety and quality of the items that we have put together. I think my fans and their families will appreciate everything in the collection."
• The CD, called Songs Of Love And Heartache, includes two previously unreleased songs -- "That's What I'd Be Like Without You," and "Nothing Sure Looked Good On You" -- as well as 10 other hits like "Here in the Real World," "Livin On Love," and "Remember When."
• Jackson's Signature rocker has the superstar's authentic signature engraved in the headrest. Each rocker is numbered as part of a limited edition of 1,700.

FAST FACT

• Cracker Barrel has recently release exclusive CDs by the Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, and Dolly Parton.

COUNTRY TRIVIA

Q. What was the name of Alan Jackson's first band?
A. Dixie Steel

ON THIS DAY

• Barbara Mandrell staged her farewell concert, dubbed The Last Dance, in 1997.
• The movie Pure Country, starring George Strait, debuted in 1992.
• Raising Sand, an album pairing Alison Krauss with Led Zeppelin founder Robert Plant was released in 2007.
• George Strait's "I Hate Everything" hit Number One in Billboard in 2004.
• Time Marches On became a platinum album for Tracy Lawrence in 1996.
• Buck Owens opened the Crystal Palace, a club in Bakersfield, California in 1996.
• George Strait's "Easy Come, Easy Go" hit Number one on the Billboard country chart in 1993

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

BACKSTORY: BLAKE SHELTON/GAC 12:00PM (ET)

ULTIMATE GARTH: THE ULTIMATE HITS/GAC 5:00PM (ET)

TOP 20 COUNTRY COUNTDOWN/GAC 8:00PM (ET)
Tim McGraw

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

• Dwight Yoakam (53)
• Jimmy Wayne (37)
• Pele (Brazilian soccer legend, regarded as the greatest soccer player ever) (69)
• Chi Chi Rodriguez (Hall Of Fame golfer) (74)
• "Weird" Al Yankovic (song parodist) (50)
• Robert Trujillo (bassist, Metallica) (45)
• Cat Deeley (television personality, So You Think You Can Dance) (33)
• Ang Lee (director, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Hulk) (55)
• Sam Raimi (director, the Spider-Man movies, the Evil Dead movies) (50)
• Ryan Reynolds (actor, Two Guys and a Girl, Van Wilder, Wolverine, The Proposal; married to Scarlett Johansson) (33)
• Dianne Reeves (jazz singer) (53)
• Nancy Grace (CNN Headline News personality) (50)
• Doug Flutie (retired football star) (47)
• Jessica Stroup (actress, Silver on 90210) (23)

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

TOM AND GISELE HAVING A GIRL? Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady are reportedly expecting a baby girl. Life & Style magazine reports that Bunchen initially wanted to decorate the nursery pink upon hearing the news, but the couple has since decided on a "nautical themed" nursery with sea foam green and cream colors. An insider said, "There's going to be a room off the side of the nursery where the nanny will sleep. And they're using a crib that's been in Gisele's family for four generations. Her grandmother slept in this crib, her mom slept in this crib, Gisele slept in this crib, and now Gisele's daughter will sleep in this crib. It's beautiful solid oak." The baby is due in December.

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN BURGLARY AN INSIDE JOB? Sources are suggesting that a recent burglary at Kourtney Kardashian's house might have been an inside job. TMZ.com reports that the reality star and boyfriend Scott Disick were only away from their home -- in a gated community -- for an hour-and-a-half when the burglary occurred, indicating that whoever was responsible knew where all of the missing jewelry was in order to have stolen so much in so little time. The crime is currently under investigation.

TIFFANI THIESSEN COMMENTS ON DUSTIN DIAMOND: Even though Dustin Diamond has been trying to capitalize off supposed secrets from his time on Saved By the Bell, his former co-star Tiffani Thiessen is still sympathetic towards him. She recently told TV Guide, "I feel so sad for him. I don't think he's had the right direction. We're all working and he's not. I think people can see that, and that's what's sad about it."

ROBIN WRIGHT WILL STAY FRIENDLY WITH SEAN PENN: Robin Wright says that despite her divorce, she and Sean Penn will stay friends. The actress told Redbook of their public split, saying, "It never [feels good]. Yes, it's divorce; it's a given that it will be public. But . . . it's so disrespectful. 'You're an actress, you owe us this?' '(Bleep) you,' is what I say." Of her life now, she says, "New beginnings, definitely. For me, my career too. My kids are older now."

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

COMEDIAN SOUPY SALES DIES AT 83: Soupy Sales died on Thursday (October 22) at age 83, according to his former manager Dave Usher. The former TV and radio host, famous for taking more than 20,000 pies to the face, was suffering from many health problems when he entered a hospice in New York last week. Sales is survived by his wife, Trudy, and two sons, Hunt and Tony.

BRAVO ORDERS MORE 'TOP CHEF MASTERS': Bravo has ordered a second season of its spin-off series, Top Chef Masters. Food journalist Kelly Choi will return as host, while culinary expert James Oseland, food critic Jay Rayner, restaurant critic Gael Greene and Gail Simmons of Food and Wine magazine will serve as judges. The show, which averaged 2.2 million viewers this summer, will debut its second season in 2010.

'DOLLHOUSE' FUTURE LOOKS BLEAK: The future of Fox's Dollhouse does not look promising. The network announced on Thursday (October 22nd) that it would not air the show during November sweeps, leading to speculation that the end could be near. The episodes they currently have made will now air back-to-back in December.

'GLEE' DVD COMING OUT THIS YEAR: 20th Century Fox appears to be capitalizing on the popularity of its freshman hit, Glee. The Hollywood Reporter announced that the show's first season is being broken up into two separate DVDs. Glee Season 1: Road To Sectionals DVD will be released at the end of the year with the first 13 episodes of the show, a director's cut of the pilot, behind-the-scenes featurettes and cast audition clips. The second half of the series will resume in 2010.

'SURVIVOR' WINNER GETS BIG FCC JOB: A former Survivor winner has been appointed to deputy chief of Consumer and Governmental Affairs at the Federal Communications Commission. PerezHilton.com reports that Yul Kwon's past accomplishments include lecturing at the FBI Academy, drafting science and technology legislation as an aide to Senator Joseph Lieberman, and clerking for Judge Barrington D. Parker on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also a practicing lawyer who went to Yale Law School, where he served on the editorial board of the Yale Law Journal.

SOURCES CLAIMS DAVID LETTERMAN SEX TAPE EXISTS

Reports are surfacing that a David Letterman sex tape might exist. The National Enquirer claims that a studio surveillance tape caught the scandal-plagued late night host and a much-younger female co-worker in a "compromising position."

Sources claim the footage could shatter Letterman's marriage, which has already been strained by the 62-year-old's admission to having slept with show staffers. An insider said, "If the tape makes its way into the criminal case, it'll explode his marriage to smithereens. It's one thing for him to have publicly admitted to having had sexual relations with some women on his staff. It's another to see him in the throes of passion with one of those women."

• Letterman's admission came in the wake of a supposed extortion plot by a CBS news producer who once dated one of Letterman's supposed sexual partners.

JOHN TRAVOLTA DISSAPONTED ONVER MISTRIL

John Travolta and his family are upset that their extortion case was declared a mistrial. A rep for the actor told Entertainment Tonight, "We are disappointed to hear about the alleged juror misconduct since we know that the Bahamian government, the court, the other jurors and John Travolta as the victim want to have this matter adjudicated through the judicial system. Mr. Travolta has and will continue to cooperate with the Bahamian authorities in the prosecution of the defendants for extortion."

The mistrial was declared because of juror misconduct following an announcement from a local politician that one of the defendants had been acquitted -- before the jurors came back with their verdict.

• It's unclear when the case will be retried.
• Meanwhile, the lawmaker who declared the false verdict has been summoned to appear before the judge, so he can explain the behavior which led to the mistrial.

MJ'S MOM LOST PROBATE HEARING

Katherine Jackson, mother of the late pop star Michael Jackson, may have lost out during another probate hearing on Thursday (October 22nd). Mrs. Jackson changed legal representation right before a key hearing in which a probate judge was to rule on exactly how much authority estate administrators John Branca and John McClain should have over the singer's estate.

• Earlier this month the judge granted McClain and Branca the authority to handle the many creditor claims and lawsuits facing the estate. But there is a dispute over how the judge's order should be worded.
• Mrs. Jackson dumped her legal team of L. Londell McMillan, and Burt Levitch, and instead hired Adam Streisand, known for his expertise in Los Angeles probate cases. However, the switch caused Streisand to miss a the hearing entirely.
• In his absence, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff awarded McClain and Branca more authority to make deals on behalf of Jackson's estate.
• "I want this estate to move forward and I want these creditors to be dealt with," Beckloff said. "And while we are proceeding in this posture, I want Mrs. Jackson to have information about what is going on and I don't want to be in court all the time."
• Mrs. Jackson and her lawyers have continued to file a number of legal challenges in order to get the pop star's mother "a seat at the table" in decisions regarding her son's estate. More challenges are expected.

The photographer who got too close to a security vehicle trailing Michael Jackson's three children has reportedly been charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run charges after ramming the vehicle then fleeing the scene of the accident. The photographer has not been identified.

• Longtime Jackson nanny Grace Rwaramba was driving Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, off the freeway exit not far from the Jackson Family compound in Encino Wednesday afternoon (October 21st) when the photographer's vehicle bumped the back of the car tailing the Jackson kids.
• No one was hurt in the fender bender, but the photographer left the scene without stopping to share insurance information.
• According to RadarOnline.com, Katherine Jackson was also in the vehicle with her grandchildren.

Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women

Nicole Kidman admits that Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women. The Associated Press reports that the actress expressed her opinion while testifying before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is considering legislation to address violence against women overseas on Wednesday (October 21st).

When asked if the film industry has "played a bad role" in the issue, Kidman responded "probably," but added that she herself does not.

• She explained, "I can't be responsible for all of Hollywood but I can certainly be responsible for my own career."
• Kidman's appearance before the committee came as part of her role as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women. She pressed that the U.N. women's fund needs more resources.

Dennis Quaid narrowly escaped a DUI on Wednesday (October 21st) night, according to several gossip sites. TMZ and Radar Online reported that the actor was in his car, about to drive home after a night out when a police car pulled up alongside side the vehicle and urged the 55-year-old actor to not drive.

TMZ reports that the police repeated said to Quaid, "Get out of the car," to which he responded, "What do you want me to do?"

• Eventually, Quaid, his wife and a friend went back inside the restaurant and emerged later to a waiting taxi cab.
• A paparazzo reportedly yelled at him, "You don't want a DUI. You don't want to end up like Mel Gibson."

CHECK IT OUT: See the incident unfold: http://tinyurl.com/yzyvaed

MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND!

The new animated feature Astroboy, out in theaters today (October 23rd), stars Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Eugene Levy, Nathan Lane and Bill Nighy. The movie follows Astroboy, a young robot with special powers, who, after leaving his home, learns his family is in danger and returns home to MetroCity to save everything he cares about and become a hero.

• Astroboy is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour and 35 minutes.

The new movie Amelia opens today (October 23rd) starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor. The film follows the amazing true story of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. After her historic flight, Amelia became America's sweetheart and an inspiration to millions with her larger-than-life charisma and her lust for danger and adventure.

• Amelia is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour and 51 minutes.

New to theaters today (October 23rd) is the new supernatural teen movie Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. The movie follows two suburban 16-year-olds, Darren (Chris Massoglia) and his best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) who get more than they bargained for when they visit a traveling freak show and accidentally break a 200-year-old truce between rival vampires. When Darren is turned into a vampire himself, he must find a way to use his newfound powers to stop an epic war from breaking out between the two bloodthirsty groups or risk losing his humanity forever.

• Cirque Du Freak is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.

The newest installment in the Saw horror series opens today with Saw VI starring Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell and Betsy Russell. Now that Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) has stepped into the role of Jigsaw, he attempts to evade the FBI with a new game that is designed to reveal the original Jigsaw's master plan.

• Saw VI is rated R and has a running time of 1 hour and 31 minutes.

ON THE TUBE TODAY

CBS

• GHOST WHISPERER - One of Elil's patients thinks he is being haunted by his sister's ghost; Jim and Melinda become concerned about Aiden.
• MEDIUM - Allison becomes attached to an infant while investigating a kidnapping.
• NUMB3RS - The team searches for the daughter of a geneticist; Amita and Charlie talk about having kids; a dark secret is revealed.

NBC

• LAW & ORDER - When a doctor is murdered, the detectives investigate an abortion protestor.
• DATELINE NBC - Investigative journalism.

FOX

• BROTHERS - Coach relieves Chill of his duties as assistant coach; Trainor's new hostess tries to attract customers by spreading juicy rumors.
• 'TIL DEATH - Ally and Doug receive a large sum of money; Eddie plans to write a book.
• DOLLHOUSE - Sierra's connection to Rossum Corp. leads to murder and obsession.

ABC

• SUPERNANNY - The father of a family has better relationships with his biological children than with his stepdaughter, Jo examines if the parents should continue in their marriage.
• UGLY BETTY - Betty strives for a scoop with a new designer; Marc gets clueless Amanda and Matt to help his scheme of taking down Betty.
• 20/20 - Investigative reporting

CW

• SMALLVILLE - Oliver is drugged and kidnapped; Lois is angry at Clark for not telling her about Oliver's suicide attempt.
• AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (repeat)

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Alyson Hannigan, Mya & Dmitry Chaplin
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Oprah Fridays Live with Wanda Sykes and Oprah's favorite new song
THE VIEW - Martha Stewart, Elisabeth Moss

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - (repeat)
THE JAY LENO SHOW - Colin Firth, Michelle Obama
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - (repeat)
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - Terry Bradshaw, Catherine Keener, Echo & the Bunnyman
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - (repeat)
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - (repeat)
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat)

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

WOMAN ROBBED AFTER FLASHING CASH: After flashing $27,000 in cash at a bar, a Massachusetts woman was robbed. Police are searching for two men who allegedly held up the woman while wearing dark clothing and bandanas, sporting what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun. The robbery reportedly occurred after she left the bar, where she'd showed off the cash she'd received from an insurance claim. (Springfield Republican)

DRUNK CHAIR-DRIVER PLEADS GUILTY: A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to driving his motorized La-Z-Boy chair while drunk. The judge stayed 180 days of jail time and ordered two years of probation for the man, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.29 -- more than three times the legal limit -- when he crashed into a parked vehicle in August 2008. He was not seriously injured. The chair was powered by a converted lawnmower and had a stereo and cup holders. (Duluth News Tribune)

SEIZED WOLF MAY ACTUALLY BE DOG: Minnesota Police seized an animal that was sold as a wolf -- and discovered it might actually have been a dog. After a mother alerted police that her son had gone through Craigslist to purchase what the online seller claimed was a wolf, authorities intervened and took the animal. Experts now believe the animal, named Dakota, may be a German Shepherd. She is being turned over to an organization that has promised to find her a new home. (UPI)

DID YOU KNOW?

WOMEN STILL EVOLVING; WILL BE SHORTER AND FATTER: According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, humans are still evolving, and women are evolving to become shorter and fatter. Yale researchers estimated that in 10 generations, women will be two centimeters shorter and weigh one kilogram (around 2.5 lbs.) more. However, they will also be healthier, with the study expecting women to have lower cholesterol and better heart health, start menopause later, and have more children earlier in life.

MOST PET OWNERS WILLING TO GIVE ANIMAL CPR: Fifty-eight percent of pet owners -- 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners -- would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency. The Associated Press-Petside.com poll, however, noted that few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies as just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.

KID-PET NAME BOUNDARIES BEING CROSSED: Name boundaries are being crossed between animals and humans. PetData.com reports that Max was the most popular name for new puppies for the 6th year in a row in 2008, and for "girl" puppies, the favorites are Maggie and Molly. Sam Gosling, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, said, "Animals are surrogates for children and appeal to our predisposition to nurture. We've even selectively bred dogs to make them more like children -- to have big eyes and small noses, to be attuned to our emotions and to give unconditional love." Meanwhile, parents are choosing such common nouns, mythological characters and concepts as Destiny, Chance, Jupiter and Freedom for their kids -- all of which could pass for pet monikers.

WHITE WINE IS BAD FOR YOUR TEETH: White wines do more damage to your teeth than reds, a study has found. Scientists have found whites such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio wear away enamel more quickly than red wines such as Merlot and claret. Researchers say prolonged contact with white wine erodes the protective layer -- making teeth more sensitive to cold, hot and sweet food.

Saw VI: The latest installment in the horror franchise is coming out just in time for Halloween.

CHECK IT OUT: http://tooscarycostumes.com/

Poll Finds Drop in Number of Americans Who Believe in Global Warming

A poll out yesterday (October 22nd) from the Pew Research Center found that just 57 percent of Americans now think there's solid evidence of global warming, down 20 points in only three years. Additionally, only 36 percent believe pollution caused by humans is causing temperatures to rise, down from 47 percent from 2006. The percentage of people who see global warming as a serious problem has also declined.

Pew Research Center director Andrew Kohut believes the severe economic problems of the past year might be partly responsible. He said, "The priority that people give to pollution and environmental concerns and a whole host of other issues is down because of the economy and because of the focus on other things. When the focus is on other things, people forget and see these issues as less grave."

These results come as the vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is taking place and that the primary cause is greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.

KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Kenny Chesney may be taking a break from a full-fledged tour next summer, but he'll still be performing in a couple cities. So far, Chesney will play at the Bama Jam & Arts Festival in Enterprise, Alabama in early June and Baton Rouge's Bayou Country Superfest on May 30th.

• Chesney said, "I can't imagine a year not rocking the fans... not seeing those faces or hearing my songs sung back to me. That is where I'm the most alive, and those people are such a big part of who I am and why I do this. To me, not being out there would be the worst thing I could imagine...
• Tickets for the two festivals and the rest of Chesney's soon-to-be-announced 2010 shows will be available online at kennychesneyfanclub.com.
• Chesney is working on a new album, in addition to some special projects.
• He is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist and Musical Event with Mac McAnally for "Down the Road" at next month's CMA Awards.

FAST FACT

• Chesney has already won the CMA's Entertainer of the Year award four times, tying him with Garth Brooks for most wins in this category.

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Carrie Underwood says the pressure if off this time around. The superstar tells us that the success of her previous two albums have given her a level of comfort when it comes to her upcoming CD, Play On. "I feel like the competing and trying to outdo myself was . . . like, I felt all that pressure on the second album because you don't want to put one album out and that one do well and then nothing you ever do do well again, so I feel like Carnival Ride was a good matchup with Some Hearts and it kept the momentum going and now I don't really have to compete with myself anymore."

Underwood says the success has also strengthened her confidence. "I can really focus on making everything really, really good and making things -- things I want to say. My confidence as a writer, as an artist, as a performer has grown so much from the first to the second and then the second to this album, so I do get more comfortable and I do get more confident, and I feel like hopefully that continues and things keep getting better and better."

• Underwood's Play On CD will be released on November 3rd.
• Her very first prime time special, called Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special, will air on FOX on December 7th. The show will feature special guests Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton and David Cook.
• Underwood will co-host the CMA Awards with Paisley on November 11th in Nashville.

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A clip of Keith Urban's unique way of ending his North American tour has made its way onto the singer's website. Urban surprised the sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden on October 8th by playing the final bars of his hit, "Better Life," then turning in his guitar, running through the backstage halls of the Garden and out into the street where he quickly put on a jacket and hailed a cab.

• Urban said, "The yellow taxi is synonymous with New York City and I was trying to figure out how I could incorporate it into the show ...I think I did it...not to mention that I beat the rush for cabs after the concert let out!"
• Urban made his taxi cab getaway again after his show on October 9th in Buffalo, New York.
• Crowds in both cities initially thought they were watching a pre-taped video of Urban hailing the cab.
• To view the clip, log onto keithurban.net/kutube.

Kenny Rogers is a one-hit wonder . . . well, at least for the right price! Rogers was recently paid $4 million to sing at a birthday party for New York hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam, but the wealthy Wall Streeter only had one request -- "The Gambler." According to dealbreaker.com, Rogers sang the hit song 12 times at the billionaire's request before refusing to perform it anymore.

Rajaratnam was arrested last week and charged with insider trading.

FAST FACTS

• Rogers made a guest appearance on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother on Monday (October 19th) night.
• Rogers' latest CD, 50 Years, was released by Cracker Barrel Stores last year.

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Jo Dee Messina is closing her Music Room Series tour shows with something she calls a "Nightcap with Jo Dee." Messina will host after-show parties following select dates with meet-and-greet winners. Her first such "Nightcap" will take place on Friday (October 23rd) in the new Black Box at the Sunrise Theatre in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

• The party will be broadcast live on the internet. In addition to hosting her fans in person, Messina will be chatting with viewers online live via video. Fan club members can log onto JoDeeMessina.com around 10 p.m. ET.
• Tickets for Messina's Music Room Series can be purchased via her website.

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

BACKSTORY: SARA EVANS/GAC 12:00PM (ET)

SOUNDSTAGE/GAC 5:00PM (ET)
Lee Ann Womack, Billy Currington

BACKSTORY: BLAKE SHELTON/GAC 8:00PM (ET)

RON WHITE: THEY CALL ME TATER SALAD/CMT 9:00PM (ET)

ULTIMATE GARTH: THE ULTIMATE HITS/GAC 10:00PM (ET)

JUST FOR LAUGHS: WORKING CLASS COMEDY/CMT 10:15PM (ET)
Ron White, Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy

LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON/NBC 12:35PM (ET)
Miranda Lambert

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS TODAY!

• Shelby Lynne (41)
• Jeff Goldblum (actor, The Fly, the Jurassic Park movies, Independence Day) (57)
• Christopher Lloyd (actor, Taxi, the Back To The Future movies, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead) (71)
• Brian Boitano (U.S. figure skater; gold medalist at the 1988 Olympics) (46)
• Bob Odenkirk (actor and co-creator, Mr. Show) (47)
• Carlos Mencia (comedian, Mind Of Mencia) (42)
• Spike Jonze (director, Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Where The Wild Things Are; videos for the Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, others; ex-husband of director Sofia Coppola) (40)

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

• Buck Owens recorded the Number One single "Act Naturally" in 1963.
• The Patsy Cline Collection 4-CD boxed set was released in 1991.
• A wax figure of Carrie Underwood was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in New York in 2008.
• Keith Urban's "Better Life" began a six-week run at the top of the Billboard chart in 2005.
• Jo Dee Messina's Greatest Hits was certified gold in 2004.
• Tim McGraw signed a recording contract with Curb Records in 1990.
• David Allan Coe began serving a four-year prison sentence at the Ohio State Penitentiary for car theft, possession of obscene materials and possession of burglary tools in 1963. He later claimed he killed a fellow inmate during his incarceration.

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

JASON MESNICK ENGAGED AGAIN: Jason Mesnick is engaged again, this time to Bachelor runner-up/revised winner Molly Malaney. Mesnick made headlines last spring after asking Melissa Rycroft to marry him during the show's finale -- then dumped her on TV after admitting to having lingering feelings for Malaney. People magazine reports that the couple, who have been maintaining a long-distance relationship, are in New Zealand -- the site of Mesnick's ill-fated first proposal -- so that he "can do what he should have done in the last time he was here, and ask Molly to marry him."

AMY RYAN GIVES BIRTH: Amy Ryan gave birth to a baby girl on October 15th. Usmagazine.com reports that The Office star and her fiance, comedy writer Eric Slovin, welcomed Georgia Gracie Slovin in New York City. It's the couple's first child.

TRAVOLTA EXTORTION CASE DECLARED A MISTRIAL: The judge in the John Travolta extortion case has declared a mistrial, after a member of Parliament announced that defendant former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater had been acquitted by the jury. Justice Anita Allen said she was reluctantly ordering a new trial "in the interest of justice" because the politician's statement, in a speech broadcast on television and radio, gave the appearance of an improper leak from the jury room.

EDDIE MURPHY SLASHES HOUSE PRICE: Eddie Murphy is willing to take a huge loss on the New Jersey property he's put up for sale. The New York Daily News reports that the comedian has slashed the price of his house in half -- from $30 million to $15 million -- as its sat on the market for five years. The property boasts a bowling alley, theater and recording studio. Real estate broker Dennis McCormack says, "It's a beautiful house and 10 minutes from Manhattan. The home was recently renovated and I listed it three weeks ago."

DAVID BOREANAZ, A CHEATER? A tabloid is accusing David Boreanaz of having cheated on his wife throughout her recent pregnancy. Star magazine claims that the Bones star had been seeing a New York City events planner since the spring when he celebrated his 40th birthday at a club she works for. The magazine also said that Boreanaz was ready to leave his wife for the women, but she ended it after his daughter was born because his behavior -- which included texting her during the birth -- "grossed her out."

JOSEPH WISEMAN DIES: Actor Joseph Wiseman died on Monday (October 19th) at the age of 91. His daughter confirmed the death to the New York Times, noting that the former James Bond actor had been in declining health. Wiseman was most known as having played "the sinister scientist and title character of Dr. No" in the first James Bond feature film.

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

ANGELINA JOLIE TO STAR IN GUCCI MOVIE: Angelina Jolie has signed on to star in an upcoming drama about the highs and lows of the fashion empire, Gucci. Variety reports that the actress will play "femme fatale" Patrizia Reggiano, the woman who was sentenced to nearly three decades behind bars for plotting the 1995 murder of ex-husband Maurizio Gucci. Although no one has signed on to play Gucci, E! reports that Leonardo DiCaprio has been approached by director Ridley Scott.

CARNIE WILSON GETS REALITY SHOW: Carnie Wilson will star in an upcoming reality show on GSN. The Associated Press reports that Carnie Wilson: Unstapled will chronicle Wilson's life as a working mom. Wilson, who was a singer-songwriter with the pop group Wilson Phillips and is the daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, said of the venture, "I've written two autobiographies and posed for Playboy. I think I've pretty much been out there. But this is definitely the most exposed I've ever been." GSN also airs The Newlywed Game, which is hosted by Wilson.

BRITISH REALITY SHOWS REPORTDLY VYING FOR PAMELA ANDERSON: Two British reality shows are reportedly vying for Pamela Anderson's participation. PerezHilton reports that both I'm A Celebrity and Celebrity Big Brother are pursuing the former Baywatch babe, who is game for either one. PerezHilton.com quotes a friend of Anderson's as having said, "Pamela would be dynamite in either show. It's a case of whoever comes up with the best deal. She loves the idea of going in the jungle and getting her red swimsuit on again. But Celeb Big Brother has a Baywatch link because they've had Traci Bingham on and she could give Pam tips."

ABC REPORTEDLY HAS DIANE SAWYER REPLACEMENT IN MIND: ABC News's Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopoulos is reportedly in talks to replace Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. PerezHilton.com reports that although negotiations are ongoing, there's some concern about giving the former political adviser the post since the program is thought of as being "heavy on lighter fare and consumer segments."

CW ORDERS MORE EPISODES OF FRESHMAN SHOWS: The CW has placed a full season order for its freshman hit, The Vampire Diaries. E! reports that the network has also ordered five more episodes of Melrose Place, speculating that the CW is hanging on to the show until they can see how high-profile appearances by the likes of Heather Locklear will be received.

HULK HOGAN FEELING SUICIDAL

The breakdown of his 23-year marriage left Hulk Hogan feeling suicidal. The wrestling legend admits in his new book, My Life Outside the Ring, that while coping with his son Nick's car accident after splitting from Linda Bollea, he hit rock bottom.

Hogan credits his Gladiators co-star Laila Ali with saving his life -- admitting that he had a gun in his hand after having downed a cocktail of Xanax and rum -- when she called him. Ali was reaching out after having noticed he seemed distracted at work.

• Hulk, whose bitter split from Linda has made headlines for nearly two years, claims that his ex-wife is an abusive alcoholic who once threatened to beat their son with a wine bottle.
• He added the she initiated the divorce to his dismay, revealing, "I practically begged her, 'Please, don't file.' Our son's just had this accident -- if we do this now, it'll make us look like the Britney Spears family. Please, don't file for divorce.'"

JON GOSSELIN ASKING FOR 5 FIGURES

With a divorce and lawsuit on his hands -- and no job on the horizon -- Jon Gosselin is hoping his time is valuable. TMZ.com reports that the reality dad is demanding $10,000 - $12,000 for any personal appearances.

A radio show revealed to Access Hollywood that Gosselin's rep denied an offer of first-class airfare, limo service and first-class hotel accommodations to guest host the program -- countering with the five-figure fee.

• TMZ claims that Gosselin's rep told the station, "[Jon's] name and appearance on your show will instantly draw press ... and will be a high point for the show," adding that he's "quite funny, sharp witted and interesting."

FORMER CO-STAR ACCUSES TOM CRUISE OF MAKING HOMOPHOBIC COMMENTS

Bronson Pinchot -- best known as Perfect Strangers' Balki Bartokomous -- is accusing Tom Cruise, his co-star in 1983's Risky Business, of having talked negatively about gay people on the film's set. In an interview with the A.V. Club, Pinchot said that back then, the actor "made constant, constant unrelated homophobic comments."

He explained, "It was like, 'It's a nice day, I'm glad there are no gay people standing here.' Very, very strange."

• Cruise's rep responded to the accusations, saying, "Obviously, this is so far removed from who Tom Cruise is as a person, this must have been said in jest."
• The actor's sexuality has been the subject of constant speculation throughout the years, despite his marriages and relationships with high-profile actresses like Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.
• Meanwhile, Cruise and Katie Holmes, along with John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston, reportedly gathered with 4,000 other Scientologists in England last week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists. Usmagazine.com reports that the celebrity couples were the surprise guests at the party, where Cruise addressed the masses to say, "Because we never took our eyes off the ultimate prize, we stand where we are today. We are in this together!"

ROSIE O'DONNELL HINTS AT A SPLIT FROM LONG

Rosie O'Donnell has hinted that she and longtime partner Kelli Carpenter may have split. In an interview with USA Today, the 47-year-old said, "We're a family. We will remain a family forever. And we are working on our issues."

The couple has four children, Parker, 14, Chelsea, 12 and Blake, nine, and Vivienne, who is six.

• Although O'Donnell wouldn't confirm a National Enquirer report that Carpenter has moved out of their New York home, the paper wrote that "with tears in her eyes," O'Donnell added "But everything's fine and everybody's good and we're still both raising them together. We will both continue to parent them and we're friendly and everything's all right."
• Of her children, O'Donnell said, "They're adorable and wonderful and they are by far a priority. Kelli and I love each other very much and we are working on our issues. Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties."

HEADLINES

MASSACHUSETTS MAN ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF TERRORIST PLOTS: A 27-year-old man who grew up and lives in wealthy suburban Boston was arrested Wednesday (October 21st) and charged with conspiring with two others to support terrorism. Authorities say that Tarek Mehanna, who has U.S. and Egyptian citizenship, plotted to kill U.S. troops in Iraq, assassinate top politicians, and kill Americans in shopping malls. However, the men never came close to mounting an attack, and were unable to get the terrorist training they wanted, according to police. One of the three men is now cooperating with authorities, and the third is an American who's currently in Syria. A friend reportedly said Mehanna told him it was "unfathomable" that the U.S. has military bases in the "heart of the Muslim world" and that the, quote, "land of Mohammad . . . is being used as a military base to attack Muslims." Mehanna also reportedly told the friend that he feels "like a fish out of water" in the U.S.

• Mehanna has a doctorate in pharmacology, and taught religion and math at a Muslim middle school.

CDC: SWINE FLU VACCINE PRODUCTION BEHIND SCHEDULE: Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on CBS' The Early Show yesterday (October 21st) that production of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine is behind schedule and people should take precautionary steps to prevent its spread. Schuchat, who heads the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said officials expect "widespread availability" of the vaccine by mid-November.

BAILED-OUT FIRMS TO BE ORDERED TO CUT EXECUTIVE PAY: The Treasury Department is expected in the next few days to order companies that received government bailout money last year to cut the base salaries of their top executives by an average of 90 percent and cut their total compensation in half, AP reported yesterday (October 21st). The cuts will apply to the 25 highest paid executives at the seven companies that received the most assistance. However, smaller companies and those that have repaid the bailout money, among them Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, aren't affected. Kenneth Feinberg, the Treasury special master appointed to handle compensation issues as part of the bailout, is making the pay decisions.

• The seven companies affected are: Bank of America; American International Group (AIG); Citigroup; General Motors; GMAC; Chrysler and Chrysler Financial.

TODAY'S FYI:

CLAIM: COCAINE, TOPLESS WOMEN IN MADOFF'S OFFICES: New additions to a lawsuit filed against Bernie Madoff charge that his offices were fueled by cocaine and a, quote, "culture of sexual deviance," the New York Daily News reported Wednesday (October 21st). The claims say that as far back as 1975, Madoff set up a cocaine pipeline into the offices of Madoff Securities, where the drug was so common the place was known as the "North Pole." They additionally charge that Madoff's offices often hosted drug-fueled parties hosted by topless waitresses in G-strings, and that Madoff himself was a frequent patron of escort services and massage parlors. Madoff is currently serving a lengthy prison term for his multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, which will keep him behind bars for the rest of his life.

MICHELLE OBAMA SHOWS OFF HER HULA HOOPS SKILLS: First lady Michelle Obama showed off her hula hoop skills yesterday (October 21st) during a "healthy kids fair" on the South Lawn of the White House, managing 142 hip-swiveling revolutions before the hula hoop fell to the ground. Obama was less successful in her attempts at jumping double dutch, but did better in a run through an obstacle course. About 100 children from local elementary schools and their parents were invited to the fair, held to encourage kids to eat better and get more physical activity. Chefs demonstrated how to make healthy snacks, and the first lady gave a pep talk on eating right, telling kids that if they eat right most of the time, it's okay to splurge once in a while on things like cake and french fries -- which she said are her absolute favorite food.

CAPTAIN HELD HOSTAGE IN SOMALI PIRATE DRAMA WRITING A BOOK: The U.S. merchant ship captain who was held hostage in a lifeboat by Somali pirates for several days in April before being rescued has signed a book deal to tell the story of the hijacking, and is in talks with Columbia Pictures about a possible big-screen version of the events. Captain Richard Phillips also gives motivational speeches, and told AP in an interview that he's considering giving up life on the sea. The 54-year-old Phillips said, "I have been doing it for 30 years. Maybe it's time to do something else." Phillips was the captain of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama when it was hijacked off the coast of Somalia on April 8th. He was held hostage for five days on a lifeboat by three pirates until they were shot dead by Navy SEAL snipers and he was rescued.

ANTHROPOLOGIST SAYS MODERN MAN IS A WEAKLING: An Australian anthropologist writes in his new book that modern man is a weakling compared to our ancestors, a contention he makes clear in the title -- Manthropology: The Science of the Inadequate Modern Male. Peter McAllister finds evidence of modern man's inferiority in basic physical skills like running and jumping, claiming that prehistoric Australian aborigines could have outrun 100- and 200-meter world record holder Usain Bolt in modern conditions, and that Tutsi tribesmen in Rwanda had been able to jump higher in manhood initiation ceremonies than the current high jump record of 2.45 meters. And he doesn't just limit the comparison to earlier man, saying Neanderthal women had 10 percent more muscle bulk than modern European man. McAllister says the reason for the difference is that modern man doesn't face the same kind of physical demands, explaining, "We are simply not exposed to the same loads or challenges that people were in the ancient past and even is the recent past, so our bodies haven't developed. Even the level of training that we do, our elite athletes, doesn't come close to replicating that."

SPORTS:

PHILLIES BEAT DODGERS 10-4 TO RETURN TO WORLD SERIES: The defending champion Philadelphia Phillies won a return trip to the World Series last night (October 21st) as they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 in Philadelphia to win the National League Championship Series 4 games to 1. The Phillies overcame a shaky outing by starter Cole Hamels, who left in the fifth inning after giving up three runs and five hits, getting home runs from Shane Victorino, Pedro Feliz, and Jayson Werth, who homered twice. Dodgers starter Vicente Padilla lasted into just the fourth inning, giving up six runs. Ryan Howard was named the series MVP.

• The Phillies will play in the first game of the World Series next Wednesday (October 28th) against the winner of the American League Championship Series, which the New York Yankees currently leads 3 games to 1 over the Los Angeles Angels. Game 5 is tonight in Anaheim.

ESPN'S STEVE PHILLIPS ADMITS AFFAIR WITH ASSISTANT: ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips has acknowledged having an affair with a 22-year-old production assistant and has taken a leave of absence. The 46-year-old Phillips said in a statement yesterday (October 21st) that he asked for the leave, quote, "to address this with my family and to avoid any unnecessary distractions through the balance of the baseball playoffs." ESPN said it had taken disciplinary action. Police have become involved in the matter, after the production assistant, Brooke Hundley, began calling Phillips' wife in August after he broke off the affair, and sent her a letter describing their relationship and saying, "we both can't have him." Marni Phillips later called police when she found Hundley in her driveway and a note on her door from the younger woman, who escaped by driving across the lawn. Hundley also reportedly posed online as a classmate of the Phillips' 16-year-old son and sent repeated messages asking him about his parents' relationship. Marni Phillips filed for divorce last month.

• In 1998, Phillips, then the general manager of the New York Mets, admitted having sex with a team employee who'd sued him for sexual harassment. The case was settled out of court.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• SURVIVOR: SAMOA - Both tribes are forced to be creative in finding ways to weather the elements when a relentless rain storm batters the island.
• CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (repeat)
• THE MENTALIST (repeat)

NBC

• COMMUNITY - Jess tries to persuade Troy to join the school's football team; Shirley teaches the etiquette of girl talk to Britta.
• PARKS AND RECREATION - Leslie and the rest of the department help an organization build a playground; Leslie takes advice from Mark.
• THE OFFICE - Michael shocks Pam and Jim when he reveals the identity of his new girlfriend; Dwight offers Jim a strange peace offering.
• 30 ROCK - Jack tries to protect his job when Devon seeks revenge; Tracy and Jenna try to make Liz's life miserable.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Hilary Swank, Jerry Jones

FOX

• MBL BASEBALL - New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

ABC

• FLASHFORWARD - Mark finds himself on the defense during a hearing; Olivia receives an anonymous message.
• GREY'S ANATOMY - The residents must defend their actions after a burn victim dies in the ER, in hopes of saving their jobs.
• PRIVATE PRACTICE - Sam, Cooper and Addison treat a homeless teen mother's child; Violet's feeling about her attack resurface while treating a pregnant rape victim.

CW

• THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (repeat)
• SUPERNATURAL (repeat)

FX

• IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA - The gang describes the trials and tribulations they went through during game five of the World Series, in the hopes the judge will clear then of all the citations they received.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - David Spade, John C. Reilly, Mika
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Oprah's Favorite New Jeans and the Rest of the Best
THE VIEW - Lily Tomlin, Troy Dunn, Dancing with the Stars castoff Natalie Coughlin

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - (repeat)
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Hilary Swank, Jerry Jones
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - (repeat)
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - John C. Reilly, Nene Leakes, Kim Zolciak, the Temper Trap
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - (repeat)
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - (repeat)
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat)
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat)
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat)

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

MOM ACCUSED OF TAKING SON ON HEROIN DEALS: A Massachusetts woman is denying police accusations that she took her son along with her on trips to buy and sell heroin. The woman pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of heroin and distributing heroin. Her 23-year-old son is charged with knowing where the drugs were kept. (Gloucester Daily Times)

WOMAN HAS RUDOLPH-ESQUE PORK CHOP: A North Carolina woman believes that her pork chop looks like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The woman stopped by a local TV affiliate earlier this week to show off the replica. Some have suggested the meat more closely resembles the antler-wearing dog in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

CHECK IT OUT: http://tinyurl.com/ygdccp9

MAN BITES TO PREVENT FOOTBALL RECOVERY: Police are claiming that a Detroit-area man bit through a neighbor's lips after he recovered a football that accidentally had been tossed onto his lawn by teenagers. The man allegedly confiscated he ball and refused to return it until a parent asked for it back. The 44-year-old suspect then supposedly attacked the man, and "the bite went nearly all the way through his mouth." He's been arraigned on a charge of assault with intent to maim. (Macomb Daily)

PROTECTION OFFICER FIRED FOR PROTECTING MERCHANDISE: A Wal-Mart "asset protection officer" working in Florida was fired from his job -- for protecting the store's merchandise. Josh Rutner says that a day after chasing a knife-wielding theft suspect across the store parking lot, he was released from his job. A store spokesperson says that the store has a no-chase policy, though Rutner said it was a choice between doing what was right or following protocol. The suspect was eventually arrested and charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault. (Ocala.com)

DID YOU KNOW?

PEOPLE WHO TALK ON CELL PHONES ARE OBLIVIOUS TO SURROUNDINGS: A recent study reported on by Asylum.com found that people who talk on a cell phone while walking are so distracted they often won't notice a clown on a unicycle. Researchers had a unicycle-riding clown peddle around a university quad, and then interviewed the students who crossed its path. The students who had been observed speaking on a cell phone were half as likely to say they had noticed anything unusual, a discrepancy which held up even after they were specifically asked if they had seen a clown riding a unicycle. People who had been walking in pairs were actually more likely than average to have noticed the clown -- suggesting that it is cell phones specifically -- not conversation, that makes folks unaware of their surroundings.

CHECK IT OUT: A site to share "virtually every aspect of those sexy, messy, often complicated, but always interesting love connections." http://relatious.com

GROOMS TAKING CARE OF WEDDING BUSINESS: A bride told Lemondrop.com that she wanted to elope -- except her husband wanted a big wedding. She let him plan the whole 200-plus-person affair -- right down to the bridesmaid dresses and floral arrangements -- and the event went off without a hitch. She noted, "My husband and I are married not because I said, 'I do,' but because he said, 'I'll do it.'"

SOLDIERS TAKING IRAQI EXPERIENCE TO LEARN NEW HOBBIES: USA Today reports that soldiers in Iraq now have a lot of down-time -- that they've been filling with activities like salsa dancing, yoga and martial-arts classes. One soldier told the paper, "When I signed up for the Army, I thought I was going to be a hero -- go out and do some fighting. I haven't come close to doing anything that I was trained to do. I work, maybe, four to five hours a day. I have time to try all these new things. It's not so bad." The paper reports that because of new rules that require Iraqi approval for all U.S. missions, and a general decline in violence nationwide, many of the 117,000 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq say they now have more idle time than at any previous point in the six-year war.

COMDOMS AND THE PILL EQUALLY POPULAR: The condom is now as popular as the Pill among young women, according to a study reported on by the Daily Mail. The Office for National Statistics said that for women under 50 during 2008-09, condoms were the normal method of birth control for 25 percent, while the same proportion used the Pill. The proportion of Pill-takers was 28 percent during the previous year, against 24 percent using condoms.

HALLOWEEN PICK-UP MOVES (YourTango.com)

The Haunted House Grope: Here's the drill. Find the cutest dude in line (or drag your hottest friend along) and make sure you enter the haunted house directly behind him. BOOM! Pitch black. Nobody knows whose hands are whose and if you accidentally "stumble" into him as you're hiding from a man in a wolf mask, well, who can blame you?

• The Daisy Duke Ensemble: Ladies, ladies. Most of us dress like sluts on Halloween anyway, so get crazy this year, and pick an outfit that shows off your pop culture smarts (and half your backside). The stud in a Batman suit across the room can't possibly resist.
• The Scary Movie Snuggle: If you have to submit yourself to one of those cheesy horror flicks, you might as well get something out of it, right? Pop in House of the Dead, dim the lights, and inch yourself closer to him every time someone even remotely frightening pops out, or when you feel "nervous." Worked like a charm in high school.
• The Halloween Punch-Drunk Love: We're not advocating getting the dude dressed as Jon Gosselin intoxicated as a means to have your way with him, but let's just say a few sips of something we spiked at our Homecoming dance never made anyone less friendly, right?

Can you name three celebrities who have been the victims of celebrity death hoaxes this year?

A: Kanye West (just yesterday 'RIP Kanye' was a trending Twitter topic), Zach Braff (Last week a fake CNN page reporting his supposed suicide circulated), Jeff Goldblum ( His reported death-by-New-Zealand-cliff was talked up extensively on Twitter by such celebrity friends as Demi Moore and Kevin Spacey, who pleaded with fans to "Stop these stupid rumors."), Harrison Ford (who supposedly died the same week as Jeff Goldblum, in a yacht that sank off of St. Tropez), Miley Cyrus (allegedly died in a car accident)

• Sources: iVillage, Twitter

Taser Maker Telling Police to Avoid Shooting at Suspects' Chests

The maker of Taser stun guns is now telling police agencies to avoid firing the weapon at suspects' chests, saying that there's a, quote, "extremely low" risk of affecting the heart, but maintaining the main reason for the recommendation is to make defending lawsuits easier in case of deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest. Taser says it recommends firing the stun guns anywhere but at the head, neck and chest.

Critics charge this amounts to an admission by Taser International that its stun guns can cause heart attacks. Mark Silverstein, legal director of the ACLU of Colorado, told AP, "It's a sea change, a passive acknowledgment that Taser has indeed been overconfident about its claims of safety." Amnesty International says more than 350 people in the U.S. have died after being Tasered, and that in 50 of those cases, a link was found between the electrical shocks and death. But Taser International says there have been 96 lawsuits that they've won or that have been dismissed, and just one case that they've lost, which is under appeal.

Some 14,200 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. currently use Tasers.

The FOOD DRIVE continues through HARDYVILLE DAYS

H&R Block has been very busy the past 5 weeks with their FOOD DRIVE. They have picked up nearly 10,000 food items at local businesses, and distributed them regularly to WestCare, the Salvation Army, HELP, and St. Vincent de Paul. All of this FOOD truly is helping so many people in our area, so a BIG thank you to all who have donated already.

Now they are gearing up for HARDYVILLE Days. There will be FOOD DRIVE BINS located outside at the H&R Block booth and downstairs with the Arts & Crafts. Try to bring as many cans as you can as often as you can, because there will be prizes!! The Avi Casino & Resort, Brendon Theatres, Buffalo Wild Wings, Casa Serrano/El Palacio, Chili’s, D’Place Café, Firehouse Coffee, H&R Block, Harrah’s Casino, IHOP Restaurant, Longner Chiropractic, Mohave Steakhouse, Pizza Hut, and Three Palms Salon have all donated gift certificates. So, bring those food items to Hardyville Days on October 23, 24, and 25^th and make sure they get counted by H&R Block associates because there are lots of prizes but, they will go to the people bringing the most items!! Good luck and remember “It is all for a good cause”.

If you have any questions, or need more details, contact H&R Block. We have 2 offices to serve you:

4825 Hwy 95, Unit 8 in Fort Mohave (928)763-3444

2840 Hwy 95, Suite 424 in Bullhead City (928)763-3400

KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Keith Urban tops the country singles charts this week with "Only You Can Love Me This Way." The song is his 11th Number One overall, and the second from his current Defying Gravity CD. "Sweet Thing" topped the charts back in March.

• Urban is nominated for Favorite Male Country Artist nomination at the American Music Awards on November 22nd in Los Angeles.
• He is also nominated in five categories at the CMA Awards in Nashville on November 11th, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Musical Event and Music Video for "Start A Band" with Brad Paisley, and Album of the Year for Defying Gravity.
• Urban is set to perform on the CMAs before heading down under for the Australian leg of his Escape Together World tour, which begins on December 12th in Melbourne, Australia.

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Carrie Underwood was in Singapore last week visiting with Asian media and promoting her upcoming album release, Play On, which will be released there early next month. While in Singapore, Underwood performed for fans as part of the grand opening of ION Orchard, an iconic and luxurious shopping center with futuristic and internationally award-winning architecture. The facility is also the largest open-air sheltered venue in the city. Underwood's concert was broadcast live throughout the city in addition to being screened on the ION Orchard's facade.

• Play On will be released in the U.S. on November 3rd.
• Underwood's debut single, "Cowboy Casanova," is a Top Five hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
• Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special will air on the FOX network on December 7th. Underwood's guests will include Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, and David Cook.
  

Lady Antebellum's latest single, "Need You Now," is a hit with fans on radio, while the video guns for the top spot on CMT's Top 20 Video Countdown. Shooting the clip for "Need You Now" cost the trio several hours of sleep, as Dave Haywood tells us. "We were shooting up in Toronto for our new video, for 'Need You Now.' We actually ended up shooting until about 6:15 a.m. We started at like three in the afternoon, and the whole video kind of takes place at night, so we were on the streets of Toronto and of course it had to be dark, so we were shootin', shootin' all through the night -- a lot of different set ups and kind of three different stories that kind of follow each of us in the wee hours of the night and stuff."

• "Need You Now" is the debut single and title track of Lady Antebellum's sophomore album, which will be released on January 26th.
• The song is the fastest-rising single of Lady Antebellum's career so far.

John Rich and his wife, Joan, are expecting their first child. The couple married in Nashville last December.

• Rich and Bush quietly dated for five years before tying the knot.

FAST FACTS

• Rich released his second solo album, Son Of A Preacher Man, in March of this year.
• Big & Rich's last album, Between Raising Hell & Amazing Grace, was released in 2007.
• The duo put to rest rumors of their breakup by touring together this summer.

---

Dierks Bentley has learned that along with success comes great pressure. With each Number One hit -- seven in all -- Bentley says he feels the stress of keeping up the pace, but he tells us he tries to stay focused on the bigger picture."There's pressure, but I try to live in the moment -- the present moment -- and enjoy everything that comes along with it and not get too caught up in like numbers cause I didn't get into it for that. I got into it for music, you know, but, yeah, there's tremendous pressure."

Bentley adds that his growing road crew is just one way in which his sense of responsibility has increased over the past several years. "It's different than the days of playing on lower Broadway for a tip jar and your only responsibility was trying to keep the guys you had with you to come back the next night and play again. Now there's 20-some odd folks on the road and all their families are . . . everyone's kind of dependent upon this gig moving forward, so there's that whole business side so you wanna keep it movin' forward, but you wanna remember why you got into it in the first place -- to have fun and play music and go on the road and be on a bus and hang out."

• Bentley's latest single, "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes," is a Top 15 hit on the country charts.
• He shares the bill at New York City's Madison Square Garden tonight (Wednesday, October 21st) with headliner Brad Paisley.

Chuck Wicks is the celebrity participant in week seven of the Best Buy Weekly Fantasy Football Challenge. The Challenge gives football fans a chance to compete against a celebrity lineup to win prizes totaling more than $100K over the 17-week football season.

• For every point by which participants beat the celebrity, they are granted one entry into the weekly prize drawing. Sweepstakes prizes include a 50" Plasma TV, a laptop computer, an Xbox 360 console, a portable satellite TV and much more.
• The team roster with the highest point total for a single week over the entire game period will receive the High Point Contest grand prize valued at over $5,000.
• To compete against Wicks, log onto BestBuyFantasy.com.

FAST FACTS

• Wicks' debut CD, Starting Now, was released early last year.
• The project produced two hits -- "Stealing Cinderella" and "All I Ever Wanted."

COUNTRY TRIVIA

Q. Who was featured in Alan Jackson's 1993 "Mercury Blues" video as a guitar player before becoming a solo superstar?
A. Keith Urban

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

BACKSTORY: DARIUS RUCKER/GAC 12:00PM (ET)

SUPERSTAR SESSION/GAC 4:00PM, 10:00PM (ET)
Kenny Chesney

BACKSTORY: SARA EVANS/GAC 8:00PM (ET)

SOUNDSTAGE/GAC 9:00PM (ET)
Lee Ann Womack, Billy Currington

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

• Patti Ann Davis (daughter of former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy) (57)
• Kim Kardashian Keeping Up With The Kardashians (reality TV star, socialite) (29)
• Carrie Fisher (Actress and author, Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies) (53)
• Whitey Ford (Major League Baseball Hall Of Famer, pitched the most World Series wins in history) (82)
• Joyce Randolph (played Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners) (85)
• Judge Judy Sheindlin (TV's Judge Judy) (67)
• Kathy Young (singer, "A Thousand Stars") (64)
• Lee Loughnane (trumpet player of Chicago) (63)
• Steve Lukather (guitarist, Toto) (52)
• Ken Watanabe (actor, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Last Samurai) (50)
• Manfred Mann (musician) (69)
• Steve Cropper (guitarist, Booker T. & the MG's, the Blues Brothers band) (68)
• Elvin Bishop (singer-guitarist, "Fooled Around And Fell In Love") (67)
• Will Estes (actor, American Dreams, Reunion ) (31)
• Jeremy Miller (actor, Ben on Growing Pains) (33)
• Ursula K. Le Guin (author, The Lathe Of Heaven) (80)

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

• Alan Jackson made his chart debut with "Blue Blooded Woman" in 1989.
• Roy Acuff and the Crazy Tennesseans recorded "Wabash Cannonball" in 1936.
• Buddy Holly's last studio recording session took place in 1958.
• Record producer Owen Bradley born in Westmoreland, Tennessee on this day in 1915. He established the first recording studio on what became Music Row, and produced Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. He died in 1998.
• Toby Keith received his second quadruple-platinum album for Shock'n Y'all in 2004.
• Chris Cagle's "What A Beautiful Day" went to radio in 2002.
• The Dixie Chicks' Wide Open Spaces album reached shipments of eight million in 1999.
• Always On My Mind became Willie Nelson's second quadruple-platinum album in 1994.
• Randy Travis' Deeper Than The Holler was released in 1988.

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

BAIL DENIED FOR ROMAN POLANSKI: A Swiss court rejected Roman Polanski's request to be released on bail, explaining that the Oscar-winning director is a flight risk. In a statement on Tuesday (October 20th), the court said, "The Swiss Federal Criminal Court has rejected Roman Polanski's appeal against detention pending extradition. The court considered the risk that Roman Polanski might flee if released from custody as high." Polanski's lawyer said they will appeal the decision, explaining, "We will try to provide even stronger and more suitable guarantees. We will seek to demonstrate that there is no risk in ordering Roman Polanski's release."

TEEN CHARGED WITH BURGLARIZING CELEBRITY HOMES: The teenager accused of burglarizing both Lindsay Lohan and Audrina Patridge's homes has been charged with two felony residential burglaries. TMZ.com reports that 18-year-old Nick Prugo is facing the law for the incidents, which were both caught on surveillance video. PerezHilton.com reports that other parties were seen on the tapes with Prugo, but none have been charged.

NICOLE RICHIE REPORTEDLY SHOWING OFF SON IN MAGAZINE: Nicole Richie is reportedly debuting pictures of her son Sparrow in an upcoming issue of People magazine. PerezHilton.com reports that the photos could be appearing the publication as early as this week. Sparrow, Richie's second child with Joel Madden, was born last month.

KIM KARDASHIAN REVEALS HALLOWEEN COSTUME: Kim Kardashian has her Halloween costume all picked out. PerezHilton.com reports that the reality star, who turns 29-years-old today, recently told the press, "I am dressing up as Princess Jasmine now because my sister said my original costume was too racy and I couldn't come to her party if I dressed as that."

BRANGELINA CONTINUE CHARITY WORK: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visited a SOS Children's Village in Amman, Jordan earlier this month, it's been revealed. Jolie said of the experience, "The SOS villages are one of the best solutions for widows and orphaned children as they are still in a family setting within their own country. We hope more people learn about their programs and give them support."

EDWARD FURLONG'S WIFE WANTS TO DISMISS RESTRAINING ORDER: Edward Furlong's wife is seeking to dismiss the restraining order that she filed against him earlier this year. Rachael Kneeland explained that she and the Terminator actor are trying to keep things amicable. Kneeland had requested a temporary restraining order, claiming that he was abusing cocaine, was in temporary lockdown and had been violent towards her. The couple has a three-year-old son together named Ethan.

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

'BIGGEST LOSER' TRAINER GETTING OWN SHOW: Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels is getting her own television show. NBC announced that Losing It With Jillian will feature the no-nonsense Michaels as she travels the country, staying with families for a week while examining choices that have caused them to be unhealthy and unhappy. Speaking about the program, Michaels said, "When your health is out of balance everything else suffers -- finances, relationships, work and family dynamics. I'm moving in with families across the country, getting down and dirty and rooting out bad habits in every corner of their lives that are preventing them from health and happiness." The eight-episode series is slated to premiere in 2010.

RENEE ZELLWEGER UNSURE OF THIRD 'BRIDGET JONES': Despite rampant rumors of production, Renee Zellweger denies that a third installment of Bridget Jones is definitely in the works. When asked about the project earlier this week, the actress told Usmagazine.com, "I don't know! Isn't that funny? I get asked that every single day and I don't know anything. It's like a rumor!"

COMEDY CENTRAL TO AIR FX COMEDY: Comedy Central has secured the basic cable off-network rights to It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Variety reports that FX will continue to air original episodes of the comedy, which is currently in its fifth season. It's already been picked up for two more, bringing its minimum total of episodes to 84.

OSCARS HIRE NEW PRODUCERS: New producers have been tapped to produce the 82nd Academy Awards. Variety reports that Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic were asked to helm the show after last year's producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark opted not to return because of film commitments. The show will tentatively air on March 7th.

KHLOE AND LAMAR SIGN PRENUP

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have reportedly finalized a prenuptial agreement -- nearly a month after they walked down the aisle. TMZ.com reports that the couple signed the deal together on Tuesday (October 20th) afternoon.

• According to TMZ, the deal confirms that Odom will keep the $33 million salary he makes with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Khloe will get an annual lump sum of money that will remain consistent throughout their marriage.
• Additionally, Odom has reportedly agreed to purchase a new house for the couple.

CHECK IT OUT: Craziest celebrity prenups: http://tinyurl.com/yfjtzbr

BIG BROTHER WINNER ARRESTED FOR SELLING PILLS

A past winner of the CBS reality show Big Brother was arrested after using his $500,000 prize money to buy thousands of oxycodone pills and resell them. Federal prosecutors said that Adam Jasinski was caught attempting to sell 2,000 pills in Massachusetts to a government witness.

The Associated Press reports that he was arrested last Saturday (October 18th) after flying into Boston and showing the witness two plastic bags filled with oxycodone pills.

• Authorities said that the 31-year-old told a federal drug enforcement agent that he has been using his winnings to buy thousands of the pills and has been reselling them for months.
• People magazine reported that he faces up to 20 years in prison and $1 million in fines.

NATALINE COUGHLIN VOTED OFF!

Olympic Gold medalist Natalie Coughlin has voted off Dancing With The Stars last night. The swimmer was in the bottom two with Aaron Carter much the the dismay of the judges.

Meanwhile, the show's cast has been spending a lot of time around doctors. Kelly Osbourne visited the hospital after Monday (October 19th) night show after suffering a minor foot sprain.

Her fellow competitor Melissa Joan Hart told Access Hollywood of the incident, saying, "I was backstage doing the quick change for the hustle when she came back to do her quick change and she was pretty upset. She really hurt her foot. It kept happening in rehearsal and stuff and so I think they just went for it (on Monday). She got hurt. Hopefully, she'll be able to recover, keep her foot up for a few days and be better for next week."

• Osbourne's rep said she'll be fine to dance next week.
• In other news, Derek Hough is on the mend after a bout with the flu. He denied having swine flu but told Usmagazine.com, "I don't even know how to describe it. It felt like horse flu! It was unbelievable. I was out." He didn't perform on Monday night, but did attend the show and is expected back next week.

KATIE HOLMES SAYS 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GIVES FASHION ADVICE

Katie Holmes looks to younger women for fashion advice. The 30-year-old admitted that her three-year-old daughter Suri helped pick out her outfit for Monday (October 19th) night's Elle magazine Women in Hollywood Tribute.

Holmes said of the toddler, "She loves clothes and picks out her own." Suri even does accessories, Katie noted, referring to her Hermes bag and Givenchy shoes. She said that Suri "gave me a big thumbs up!"

• In the past, sources told Us Weekly that Suri "hates jeans" and favors dresses from designer labels. A friend told the magazine, "Suri makes the rules and Tom and Katie go along with it."

TLC AIRING KATE GOSSELIN SPECIAL NEXT WEEK

TLC is airing a special featuring Kate Gosselin next Monday (October 26th), during which she'll be talking about her life and answering questions about her family. People magazine reports that during the show, she'll answer questions about whether she'll get married again, where she envisions her family in 10 years, and how fame has affected her children.

The special will air on the same day Kate and her estranged husband Jon are due to face off in court over their tempestuous financial situation.

• It's previously been reported that Jon & Kate Plus 8 will end its run on the network next month in the wake of Jon having halted production. A source told Radar, "They will eke out what they can in terms of more shows. Obviously they are not shooting anymore so they are taking what they have and seeing how many more episodes they can get out of it."
• Last week TLC filed a lawsuit against Jon for breach of contract.

CHECK IT OUT: Kate's top ten angry moments: http://tinyurl.com/mqqlaj

OPRA WINFREY TO INTERVIEW SARAH PALIN

Former Alaska governor and vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is slated to be a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show next month. The November 16th appearance was announced Tuesday by Winfrey's Harpo Productions.

• Winfrey will interview Palin about her new memoir, titled Going Rogue: An American Life, which will be published on November 17th.
• The interview will mark the first meeting between the staunch Republican Palin and Winfrey, who backed President Obama.

HEADLINES

AFGHAN PREZ KARZAI AGREES TO RUNOFF ELECTION: Bowing to intense pressure from the U.S., Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday (October 20th) accepted a U.N.-backed report of widespread fraud in the August election and agreed to a November 7th runoff against his top challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. The initial tally had given Karzai more than 54 percent of the vote out of a field of 36 candidates, but the panel stripped nearly a third of Karzai's votes, putting him below the threshold of 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it will be a "huge challenge" to pull off a new election without a repeat of the fraud that tainted the first.

CDC: SWINE FLU DISPROPORTIONATELY HITTING YOUNG PEOPLE: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday (October 20th) that 53 percent of those hospitalized with the new H1N1 swine flu virus are under 25, clearly indicating that it is disproportionately affecting young people. Just seven percent of those hospitalized are 65 and over. The CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat said that with seasonal flu, about 60 percent of hospitalizations are of those 65 and over. While deaths from the swine flu are rare, younger people are also dying from it disproportionately, with almost a quarter of 292 deaths in people under 25, and about 65 percent in people 25 to 64. Just 12 percent of deaths were among people over 65. In a normal year, 90 percent of those who die from flu are over 65.

CONGRESS OKAYS TRANSFER OF GITMO PRISONERS TO U.S. FOR TRIAL: President Obama's pledge to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison moved one step closer to reality Tuesday (October 20th) as the Senate voted 79-19 to allow prisoners to be transferred to the U.S. for trial. The measure was previously passed by the House, so now goes to the president for his signature. There are conditions, however, including that detainees can only be brought to U.S. soil if they will be tried in American courts, and can't be released in the U.S. if they are cleared of wrongdoing. It also requires 45 days' notice before a transfer can occur and certification that the prisoner doesn't represent a security risk.

TODAY'S FYI:

EX-NYPD COMMISSIONER KERIK, HAILED AFTER 9/11, SENT TO JAIL: A federal judge sent former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik to jail yesterday (October 20th) to await his upcoming corruption trial, revoking his bail because he shared secret pretrial information. An angry Judge Stephen Robinson said he couldn't find another way to keep Kerik from trying to contaminate witnesses and the potential jury pool, declaring, "My fear is that he has a toxic combination of self-minded focus and arrogance, and I fear that combination leads him to believe that his ends justify his means." Robinson said at another point, "Mr. Kerik's not special. He thinks he is." At issue is Kerik's relationship with an attorney who last month sent an e-mail to the Washington Times that contained information about Kerik's case that was supposed to be under seal. Robinson suggested Kerik was feeding information to the attorney for fundraising and propaganda purposes. The judge also said there was a previous incident in which a lawyer had talked to potential witnesses.

• Kerik was hailed as a hero for his performance during the 9/11 crisis, and was later chosen by President George W. Bush to head the Department of Homeland Security. However, he withdrew as corruption allegations surfaced.
• In addition to his upcoming corruption trial, on charges of accepting apartment renovations from a construction company in exchange for recommending them for city contracts, Kerik faces a second trial on tax charges and a third that claims he lied to White House officials vetting him for the Homeland Security chief post.

VATICAN MAKES IT EASIER FOR ANGLICANS TO CONVERT: The Vatican announced yesterday (October 20th) that it was making it easier for Anglicans to convert to Catholicism, a move designed to appeal to traditionalist Anglicans who are opposed to women priests, openly gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions. The new rules mean conservative Anglicans will be able to join the Catholic Church while keeping aspects of their Anglican liturgy and identity, including married priests. Until now, Anglicans could join the Catholic Church primarily on a case-by-case basis, but now groups will be able to join new parishes headed by former Anglican prelates.

OBAMA AWARDS HIGHEST MILITARY HONOR TO VIETNAM WAR SQUADRON: President Obama yesterday (October 20th) awarded the military's highest unit honor to a Vietnam War-era Army squadron for a daring rescue of fellow soldiers nearly 40 years ago. Veterans of Troop A, 1st Squadron of the 11th Armored Combat Regiment were on hand as the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, as were some of the soldiers they saved on March 26, 1970. On that day, Alpha Troop learned that another unit had stumbled into a huge enemy bunker of North Vietnamese forces and set out to rescue them, risking ambush and land mines. Obama said yesterday, "These soldiers define the meaning of bravery and heroism," calling the rescue "a proud chapter in the story of the American soldier." Obama also spoke about the maltreatment many Vietnam vets faced when they returned home, calling it a "national disgrace" and saying he wanted to help right, quote, "one of the saddest episodes in American history."

EX-MISS CALIFORNIA CARRIE PREJEAN SUED FOR COST OF BREAST IMPLANTS: Former Miss California Carrie Prejean, who gained fame for saying at the Miss USA pageant in April that she opposes gay marriage, and who was stripped of her crown in June for alleged contract violations, is being sued by pageant organizer K2 Productions for the $5,200 cost of her breast implants, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday (October 20th). The suit claims Prejean stiffed K2 Productions for the cost of the surgery she'd requested, quote, "to be more competitive," and that she'd verbally agreed to repay. K2's action is a counter-suit against Prejean, who filed a lawsuit after being stripped of her crown, claiming she was targeted for her anti-gay marriage answer. K2 also accuses Prejean of missing events, lying about semi-nude photos she'd taken, negotiating an unauthorized book deal, and using her title without authorization to promote the National Organization for Marriage's campaign against gay marriage. In addition to the cost of the breast implants, K2 is also seeking the proceeds from Prejean's planned book, and other compensation.

EX-PREZ GEORGE W. BUSH TO SPEAK AT MOTIVATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINAR: Former President George W. Bush will be appearing in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26th as the special guest speaker at a "Get Motivated!" business seminar, which touts itself as "America's #1 Business Seminar," The Huffington Post website reported yesterday (October 20th). Other speakers at the event will include former Secretary of State and ex-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, former New York City Mayo Rudy Giuliani and Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw. The Get Motivated! seminar says on its website that it's, quote, "world famous for its energizing, action-packed, star-studded, fun-filled, spectacular stage show." Bush will also be the featured speaker at another Get Motivated! seminar on December 2nd.

SPORTS:

YANKEES DOWN ANGELS 10-1, ONE WIN AWAY FROM WORLD SERIES: The New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-1 last night (October 20th) in Anaheim to give them a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series and put them one win away from their first trip to the World Series in six years. Pitching on just three days rest, C.C. Sabathia gave up one run and five hits in eight innings, while Alex Rodriguez continued his stellar post-season for the Yankees, homering in his third straight game as he had three hits and scored three runs. Kendry Morales scored the lone run for the Angels on a solo home run. Game 5 will be played Thursday (October 22nd) in Anaheim.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE - Christine begins a complicated relationship with the doctor (Eric McCormack) who shares Matthew's office space.
• GARY UNMARRIED - Sasha allows Gary to report the sports news when the station's sports announcer is arrested.
• CRIMINAL MINDS - The team hunts a suspect who impregnates young women, has them give birth and murders them.
• CSI: NY - The CSIs turn their attention to a list of rival dancers when an unidentified shooting victim turns out to be a rising star in the underground world of hip-hop dancers.

NBC

• MERCY - Veronica tries to save a pregnant woman after a carwreck; Dr. Harris calls for a hearing to determine Veronica's future at the hospital.
• LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT - After a young boy is raped, detectives find out their suspect is the leader of a civil rights group that supports adult-child relationships.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Rainn Wilson

FOX

• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - The dancers compete in the third and final part of the Las Vegas round.
• GLEE - Will composes a mash-up for a special occasion; Sue reveals her softer side.

ABC

• HANK - Hank finds it challenging to not do anything while unemployed and overachieves as a household.
• THE MIDDLE - Frankke encourages Sue to fight for her right to attend a class trip to the state capital; Brick's first girlfriend turns out to be bossy.
• MODERN FAMILY - Tensions rise during a day of barbecue and football at Jay and Gloria's in the wake of an incident between Manny and Luke at school.
• COUGAR TOWN - Jules tries to boost Bobby's self-confidence; Laurie takes on a new client in an attempt to prove her worth to Jules.
• EASTWICK - Kat fulfills a fantasy; Joanna's rush to print a story get her into trouble.

CW

• AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL - The contestants interview actress Jessica Lowndes; Kim Kardashian serves as guest judge.
• MELROSE PLACE (repeat)

FX

• NIP/TUCK - Sean tries an unusual methods to cure his insomnia; Christian and Kimber go into business together; Liz confronts Christian.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Mario Lopez, chef Roberto Martin
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Oprha on Location: The Happiest People on Earth
THE VIEW - Glenn Close, Susie Essman, Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - (repeat) Paul McCartney, a Top Ten list by Bruce Willis
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Rainn Wilson
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - (repeat) Jennifer Aniston, Phoenix
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - Salma Hayek, Rico Rodriguez, Dead By Sunrise
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - (repeat) James Spader, Cathy Ladman
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - (repeat) Elijah Wood, Taraji P. Henson
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat) Mike Henry, Chris Hui
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Capt. Chelsey Sullenberger
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

MAN SPENDS 12 HOURS IN TREE EVADING CROCS: An Australian man says he spent 12 hours gripping a tree branch "like a koala bear" while crocodiles cicled beneath after his boat became jammed under a tree and filled with water while he was asleep. Luckily the man had a satellite phone and emergency radio. Local police found him the next morning and were able to rescue him from the tree. (AFP)

CAT SURVIVES TWO-MILE RIDE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT: A cat which somehow became caught in the engine compartment of an SUV survived a two-mile ride before a Bronx, New York man stopped to check out a rattling noise. What he found was the cat's bushy tail sticking out of the front end of his vehicle and was relieved to find the cat was still alive. New York City Police Department's Emergency Service Unit was able to free the grease-covered animal after removing the battery and other parts. A New York City Animal Care and Control official says the cat appears to be in good physical condition. (AP)

BRITISH COUPLE GET MARRIED IN STRIP CLUB: Phil Wharam and Lynfa Lawson became the first British couple ever to get married in a strip club. One hundred and twenty guests attended the event. The manager of club was quoted as saying, "We're just making use of our very good facilities." (Daily Telegraph)

GUNMAN PRAYS WITH ROBBERY VICTIM: Police said an Indianapolis man who robbed a check cashing business paused in the middle of the crime to pray with the victim. Video surveillance shows the man going behind the counter to comfort the crying woman and explain that he was robbing the store to support his two-year-old child. The man then asked her to pray with him for God to help him overcome his hardships. Police were able to identify the man from the video and he turned himself in. (AP)

DID YOU KNOW?

HOW TO DEAL WITH REPEATING SNEEZERS: When someone sneezes, common courtesy is to say 'God Bless You.' But what do you do if someone sneezes, 3, 4, 10 times in a row?

TAMPON-SIZED TAMPON HOLDER ON SALE: Etsy, a crafts-sharing website, is advertising a wool-knitted tampon holder for your key chain. It's believed the intention was so that women can bring tampons to the bathroom in a less conspicuous way than just carrying the obvious tube. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/ykxbffq

AVERAGE SEXUAL PARTNERS OF BRITS REVEALED: Using the "six degrees of separation" standard, the average person has had almost three million sexual partners. Asylum.com reports that this information was released as part of a British campaign to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. It is based on the average British male having had nine direct sexual partners and the average female 6.3.

WOULD YOU PAY TO HAVE YOUR BAGEL TOASTED? Newyork.seriouseats.com reports that a Manhattan deli is charging customers an extra 50 cents if a customer wants their bagel toasted.

THINGS GUYS DON'T GET ABOUT WOMEN (Lemondrop.com)

• What does our zodiac sign have to do with anything? If the sun, moon and stars have so much control over our compatibility, we wonder what a bowl of Lucky Charms can do. Got milk?
• Why do you need so many pillows? Unless there's a surprise orgy scheduled for later, we don't see the need for 20 "decorative" pillows on the bed.
• Why are greeting cards so important? It may have taken you hours to select the perfect card with just the right message, but it'll take us five seconds to toss it in the recycling bin. Sorry, we don't do Hallmark moments. Lingerie makes for a much better memory and memento.
• Who needs candles when we have electricity? If you're looking for low lighting, the glare from the TV as we're playing Madden should suffice. If it's the pretty flame that fascinates you, feel free to utilize the one on the stove to make us a grill cheese sandwich.
• Why do you need to post everything on Facebook? We don't smile for pictures and we definitely don't spend hours in the mirror practicing our pose, but apparently you girls do and build digital shrines to yourselves. Unless there are a few naked shots in the bunch, we're not interested in seeing slideshows of your entire life -- or how cute your cat is.
• Why do you like bubble baths so much? When it comes to bathroom activities, we enjoy standing as much as possible, so give us a shower (and a urinal) any day. Besides, since when is lying in a tepid pool of your own filth sexy? The bubbles don't help either.
• Is that a purse or a suitcase? The good thing about a home is it provides a great place to store all your stuff. There's no need to lug a week's worth of items around in a bag that's bigger than most small dogs. When we go out, we only carry what we need in a lovely invention known as the pocket. We're sure you've heard of it.
• Is crying the answer for every emotion? You cry when you're sad. You cry when you're mad. You even cry when you're happy. We just don't. It's less confusing that way.
• If you don't like her then why is she your "friend"? We just don't get why y'all hang out with someone on a regular basis and then talk smack about her behind her back. We don't like catty, but be sure to call us if there's a catfight.
• Four words: "Sex and the City": We thought show's cancellation would help, but with a second film adaptation on the way we'll have to suffer through even more comparisons to guys who don't even exist. What grown man wants to be called "Burger"? Now if there was a character with a cool name like "Mr. Big" we might be more inclined to pay attention. Oh, there is a guy named Mr. Big? So, how much sex actually happens in this city again?

Virginia Man Faces Indecent Exposure Charge for Being Naked in His Kitchen

A 29-year-old Springfield, Virginia, man is facing an indecent exposure charge after a woman walking by his home with a seven-year-old boy reported him to police when she saw him naked in his kitchen. Eric Williamson told the local Fox 5 TV station that he went into the kitchen at about 5:30 a.m. Monday (October 19th) to make coffee. He said, "Yes, I wasn't wearing any clothes, but I was alone, in my own home, and just got out of bed. It was dark and I had no idea anyone was outside looking in at me."

Fairfax County Police said they arrested Williamson on the misdemeanor charge because they believed he wanted to be seen naked by the public, and that they got the go-ahead from the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Williamson, who's the father of a five-year-old girl, is fighting the charge and may seek damages from the police. He told the TV station, "I am a loving dad. Any of my friends and anyone knows that and there is not a chance on this planet I would ever, ever, ever do anything like that to a kid." Williamson could face up to a year in a jail and a $2,000 fine in convicted.

KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Tim McGraw's new studio album, Southern Voice, sees release today (Tuesday, October 20th). The CD has been in the works for three years. McGraw tells us it was in the can for a few years because of album release schedule changes at his label. "I had it done for awhile, but it just took awhile. There were some other albums -- there were some greatest hits albums that were out and some other things that were comin' out before this one, but it had been ready for awhile."

McGraw says he decided to add one new song a bit closer to album release. "It didn't come out when we thought it was so we had a little extra time, so I was in the studio recording an album with Catherine Raney, who is actually my cousin, but I was producing an album on her and I had a little extra time at the end of a session. I asked the band to stay and a song came in, so the only song that was actually newer that we recorded later on that album was 'Love You Goodbye,' which is the last song on the album, so that's the only one the Dancehall Doctors aren't playin' on, too, because I put it on the end of that session I had with Catherine Raney so I used those guys in the studio at that time to do it."

• Southern Voice is McGraw's 12th studio album and his first in two years.
• His last, Let It Go, was released in 2007.
• The new CMT special, Invitation Only: Tim McGraw, will premiere on November 13th at 9 p.m. ET. The show was taped earlier this year in Nashville.

Taylor Swift is sharing her baby with the world -- her Baby Taylor guitar, that is. The singer teamed up with Taylor Guitars to create her signature guitar, called the Taylor Swift Baby Taylor. Based on the best-selling Baby Taylor guitar, superstar's model is a much more compact size and shape.

• Swift said, "I wanted to share my passion for playing guitar with my fans. For a beginner, finding the right guitar can be intimidating, but this guitar, it's the perfect size. Even if you've been playing for years, it's a great size to travel with."
• Swift had a hand in designing the top. The words "Love, Love, Love" are entwined among vines encircling the guitar's soundhole. The title of her current album, Fearless, is inscribed above the bridge along with her signature.
• The Taylor Swift Baby Taylor guitar is available for purchase at authorized Taylor
  Guitars dealers, Amazon.com and soon, at TaylorSwift.com. The instrument's suggested retail price is $398.

FAST FACTS

• Swift performed at Justin Timberlake's weekend benefit in Las Vegas for the Shriner's Hospital for Children.
• Her sold out Fearless tour continues on through June of next year.

---

Kenny Chesney will be joined by his latest duet partner, Dave Matthews, on the CMA Awards on November 11th. The two will sing "I'm Alive," a current Top 10 hit on the country charts.

Chesney and Matthews originally recorded the song for Chesney's Lucky Old Sun album. Chesney tells us the duet didn't really come together until they hit the studio. "I had already written 'I'm Alive,' and Dave told me he loved that 'I'm Alive' song and that he felt like that would be something that would fit on one of his records to stand alone, you know? And I said 'Well, why don't we try doin' it?' And then it just...it was just magic in the studio when we did it."

Chesney adds that he was surprised to hear their two distinct sounds mesh. "I didn't realize how natural my voice and his voice would sound together. (laughs) You know, 'cause it's completely two different styles. We come from completely two different worlds. I mean he was born in South Africa. I was born in East Tennessee. You know? (laughs) So it just goes to show you how universal music can really be."

• "I'm Alive" was originally recorded by Willie Nelson.
• The Matthews/Chesney duet is featured on Chesney's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.

Terri Clark's new CD, The Long Way Home, hits retail outlets today (Tuesday, October 20th). Clark produced the 11-song project, in addition to paying for the entire project herself. She parted ways with her Nashville-based label earlier this year.

• Clark is currently on tour in her native Canada in support of the project. The 21-date run will wrap on November 22nd in Vancouver.
• She will play two dates in the States -- November 13th in Las Vegas and November 14th in Wendover, Nevada.
• Clark's last studio album, Life Goes On, was released in 2005.

SIDE NOTES

• Clark continues to spending time with her mother, who is recovering from a recent bout of cancer treatments.
• Clark's mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2007.

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Bucky Covington will headline the Comcast Concert Series Post-Race show following the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger On Track For The Cure 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park on Saturday (October 24th) in Memphis, Tennessee. The free show kicks off immediately following the race, which is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT.

• Covington recently released his brand new single, "Gotta Be Somebody."
• The song is from his sophomore album, I'm Alright, set for release next spring.

FAST FACTS

• Covington's self-titled debut CD bowed at Number One on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in April 2007.
• He was a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol, along with Kellie Pickler.

COUNTRY ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CRIBS 2/CMT 1:30PM (ET)
LeAnn Rimes, Jewel

BACKSTORY: DARIUS RUCKER/GAC 8:00PM (ET)

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS TODAY!

• Jimi Westbrook (Little Big Town) (39)
• William Christopher (actor, played M*A*S*H's Father Mulcahy) (77)
• Viggo Mortensen (actor, Lord of the Rings trilogy) (51)
• Snoop Dogg (rapper) (38)
• Ric Lee (drummer, Ten Years After) (64)
• Dannii Minogue (pop singer) (38)
• Tom Petty (musician) (59)
• Keith Hernandez (Hall of Fame Baseball first basemen, guest starred on Seinfeld) (56)
• Michelle Malkin (political commentator and author) (39)
• Paul Wilson (bass player, Snow Patrol) (31)
• John Krasinski (actor, The Office) (30)

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

Ray Price's "City Lights" began its 13-week run at Number One in 1958.

• Del Reeves joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1966.
• Hank Williams signed a movie contract with MGM studios in 1951. Leroy Van Dyke joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1962.
• Clint Black married Lisa Hartman in 1991.
• Travis Tritt earned a gold album, for T-R-O-U-B-L-E, 1992.
• Patty Loveless underwent vocal surgery for a leaking blood vessel at Vanderbilt University in 1992.
• Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band charted a Number One on the Billboard country chart with "All The Gold In California" in 1979.

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

ELIZABETH HASSELBECK REVEALS NIPPLE MISHAP: Friends and family members of The View's Elizabeth Hasselbeck may have gotten more than they bargained for when she sent a mass e-mail with a photo of her newborn son, Isaiah Timothy, this summer. She told viewers yesterday (Monday, October 19th) that she chose the photo because her baby was smiling. But she soon realized, "No wonder he's smiling -- my nipple is in the photo!" Hasselbeck added, "Awkwardly, my father-in-law and my brother-in-law saw it." CHECK IT OUT: Here's the video clip: http://tinyurl.com/yh6vja4

LINDSAY LOHAN PLANS TO FILE RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST FATHER: Insiders tell RadarOnline.com that Lindsay Lohan plans to file a restraining order against her father, Michael Lohan, in the next two days because she fears for her own safety. This comes after Michael made comments about possibly kidnapping his daughter and discussing her legal situation with the judge in her case.

OCTO-MOM THINKS JON GOSSELIN IS HOT: In a new interview with RadarOnline, "octo-mom" Nadya Suleman said, "I have a crush on Jon Gosselin. I think he's hot!" When it comes to dating, Suleman discourages Kate Gosselin from doing it, saying. "I don't think any single mother of any amount of kids should start dating," In other news, Suleman's fertility doctor, Dr. Michael Kamrava, has been expelled from a national medical association.

LARRY BIRKHEAD WANTED DANNIELYNN DRUG TESTED: While on the stand Monday (October 19th), photographer Larry Birkhead testified that he wanted his own child drug tested for fear that the late Anna Nicole Smith was drugging her through breast feeding. He's currently testifying in the case against Howard Stern and two of Smith's former doctors. When asked by the prosecution in the Los Angeles courtroom if he was concerned her drug taking was affecting his child he said, "Yes."

HARRY POTTER STAR TAKES BITE OF THE BIG APPLE: Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe plans to make New York City one of his homes. PerezHilton.com reports that he recently bought a renovated five-bedroom home in the Village, which was originally built by a sea captain for his daughter in 1847. He spent $5.6 million on the home.

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

WILMER VALDERRAMA SIGNS ON FOR NEW TV SERIES: Former That '70s Show actor, Wilmer Valderrama, will star in a new half-hour sitcom on Fox based on Dog Whisperer star Cesar Millan. According to Variety.com, details are being worked out for the project, but Valderrama is expected to play a professional dog trainer.

REPORT: 'THE JAY LENO SHOW' COULD BE AFFECTING LOCAL NUMBERS: The Jay Leno Show could be causing local NBC affiliate numbers to slide. The LA Times reports that late-night newscasts are experiencing huge drops in viewership now that Leno's show is the new "lead-in" every night. Stations in Baltimore to Kansas City, for example, are attracting fewer viewers to their newscasts.

'ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT' GETS PICKED UP BY IFC: The cable network has picked up rights to air Arrested Development on Sunday and Tuesday nights starting October 25th, according to Variety.com.

IS VICTORIA BECKHAM 'GOSSIP GIRL' BOUND? Spice Girls star Victoria Beckham could be headed for a cameo on Gossip Girl. Although it's just rumors for now, a source tells the Daily Mirror that Beckham recently met Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, and "Victoria revealed she was a huge fan of the show. From here, Blake pleaded with her to guest star in an episode and ran the idea past producers." The insider adds "Victoria isn't an actress and wanted her role to be very tongue-in-cheek. And an idea for her to play Ed Westwick's long-lost mother was quickly vetoed. Victoria joked that she'd rather play his ex-love interest!"

VIN DIESEL QUITS MOVIE? According to PerezHilton.com, Vin Diesel has reportedly pulled out of the next xXx movie. Diesel was planning to star in the third installment of the franchise, called xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, but he bailed after director Rob Cohen decided to leave.

WILL WE BE SEEING MORE OF THE HOFF? TMZ.com reports that David Hasselhoff could be inking a deal with A&E for his own show. A source says, "We are discussing a possibility of doing a documentary series with David and his kids."

MAN WHO COMPOSED 'ADDAMS FAMILY' THEME DIES: Vic Mizzy, a songwriter who composed the themes for the 1960s sit-coms The Addams Family and Green Acres, has died at 93. Mizzy died Saturday (October 17) at his home. Mizzy wrote songs that were recorded by Dean Martin, Doris Day, Perry Como and Billie Holiday in the '40s and '50s. His hits included "Pretty Kitty Blue Eyes," "My Dreams are Getting Better All the Time," and "With a Hey and a Hi and a Ho-Ho-Ho."

KATE GOSSELIN SAYS KIDS ARE ACTING OUT!

In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Kate Gosselin reveals that her kids have been "acting out" in midst of the recent drama surrounding her pending divorce from Jon Gosselin and their legal battles. According to People.com, the 34-year-old mom-of-eight says, "I'm trying to give them the grace to see, if they're acting out of line, I'm trying to look deeper into why that is. [The kids] don't see it, but it's all interconnected." Kate also says that now that they're splitting up their time the kids miss their father. She says, "I imagine they say the same thing when I'm away." As for her own career, Kate says she's very comfortable in front of the camera, noting, "It comes to me very easily when I'm doing TV . . . I laugh that people are like, 'Oh, that must be so hard.' To me it's so very easy!"

• Gosselin also dished about guest-hosting on The View, noting, "I felt like I was walking in on their turf," she says. "It took about 39 seconds for them to see I'm not there to take over or anything. I definitely bonded with Sherri [Shepherd]. She has gone through a divorce and she took me under her wing. Barbara [Walters] was wonderful."

THE BALLOON BOY FAMILY TAKES A TIME OUT

The parents behind the "balloon boy" scandal apparently have had enough of media attention for now. UsMagazine.com reports that they posted a handwritten note on the front door of their Fort Collins, Colorado home Monday (October 19th) morning, explaining: "Thank you for all of your support. We are not taking any interview any more. We are tired. Thank you. Heenes"

• Richard and Mayumi Heene could face felony charges for staging the helium-balloon disappearance of their son, six-year-old son, Falcon. They may also be charged by Social Services for conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
• According to TMZ.com, Richard served 30 days in jail in the late 90s after having been charged with misdemeanor vandalism, vehicle tampering and disturbing the peace. He pled no contest to vandalism and was hit with the jail time, two years of probation and a $100 fine.

CHECK IT OUT: See the handwritten note: http://tinyurl.com/yf32fvl

PENN BADGLEY: RELATIONSHIP WITH CO-WORKER NOT ALWAYS THE SMARTEST MOVE

Penn Badgley admits in the new issue of Men's Health that it could sometimes be tricky dating a co-star -- in his case Gossip Girl's Blake Lively. He says, "Having a relationship with someone you work with might not always be the smartest move." That said, Badgley sounds like he's happy, revealing, "But it's been wonderful to be in a relationship where we can both identify with what the other is experiencing. We have an unbelievable trust and such a healthy relationship."

• Lively told Seventeen magazine in July that it's not romantic on the set of Gossip Girl, adding, "When you're saying these words that people are making you say to one another, nothing about it is real or genuine. So if two people connect outside their characters, then that's how they get together."

HEADLINES

AFGHAN'S KARZAI TO ANNOUNCE INTENTIONS AFTER MASSIVE ELECTION FRAUD FOUND: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to announce his intentions today (October 20th), one day after United Nations-backed investigators threw out nearly a third of his votes after finding there was massive fraud in the August election. The findings by the Electoral Complaints Commission, made up of three foreigners and two Afghans, brought Karzai's votes to 48 percent of the total, below the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff against his top challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. That increases the pressure on Karzai to accept such a runoff vote, however there could also be a power-sharing agreement between Karzai and Abdullah instead of a new vote, a solution that the U.S. reportedly favors.

IRAN VOWS RETALIATION AFTER SUICIDE BOMBING: Iran vowed retaliation Monday (October 19th) after accusing Pakistan, the U.S. and Britain of helping Sunni militants who launched a suicide bombing Sunday that killed five top Revolutionary Guard commanders, as well as dozens of others. The official news agency called on Iranian security forces, quote, "to seriously deal with Pakistan once and for all." Iran made no specific threats against the U.S. or Britain, which have denied involvement, however it has often claimed that Western powers use groups such as Jundallah, which carried out Sunday's attack, to try to destabilize the country. At least 42 people were killed in the suicide bombing in southeastern Iran, near the border with Pakistan.

EX-GOV'T. SCIENTIST TRIED TO GIVE CLASSIFIED INFO TO ISRAEL: Former U.S. government scientist Stewart David Nozette was arrested Monday (October 19th), charged with trying to give classified information to someone he thought was an Israeli intelligence official in what turned out to be an FBI sting. The 52-year-old Nozette, who worked in sensitive positions on classified aerospace projects, had a top secret clearance, and served on the National Space Council at the White House under former President George H. W. Bush. He later did research and development for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Naval Research Laboratory, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Israel is not accused of any wrongdoing.

TODAY'S FYI:

REUTERS, CNBC AMONG THOSE FOOLED BY HOAX PRESS RELEASE: Several media organizations, including Reuters and CNBC, were fooled yesterday (October 19th) by a hoax e-mail press release purported to be from the Chamber of Commerce that announced a dramatic reversal in support of climate change legislation currently in the Senate. The media organizations reported the news, but quickly retracted it when it was discovered that it wasn't true. A left-leaning activist group called the Yes Men claimed responsibility for the hoax, telling Politico it targeted the Chamber of Commerce for what it considers "retrograde" positions on climate change. The press release looked real, with a Chamber of Commerce logo and contact information. However, the name of president Tom Donohue was misspelled, and the people listed as press contacts don't really work there. The Chamber of Commerce in reality continues to oppose the cap-and-trade bill passed by the House in July.

U.S. NEAR TOP OF LIST FOR INCOME INEQUALITY: Business Week wrote about a recent report from the U.N. Development Program that looked at income inequality around the world. The U.S. was ranked among the countries with the highest income inequality among its people in the world, coming in at Number Three, while Scandinavian countries, Japan and the Czech Republic had the least amount of income inequality. The list, from Business Week, of the countries with the biggest gaps between rich and poor are:

1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. U.S.
4. Israel
5. Portugal
6. New Zealand
7. (tie) Italy
7. (tie) Britain
9. Australia
10. (tie) Ireland
10. (tie) Greece

ISLAMISTS WHIPPING SOMALI WOMEN FOR WEARING BRAS: The hardline Islamist group al Shabaab is cracking down on people in Somalia who don't follow a strict form of Sharia Islamic law. In yet another example of the subjugation, violence and humiliation women experience under these Islamist regimes, women are being publicly whipped for wearing bras, the Times of India reported. Women in Mogadishu who are perceived to have firm busts are being gathered and publicly whipped by masked men as punishment for what they call deception. The Times reported that after the whippings, the women are forced to remove their bras and shake their breasts.

• In other pronouncements, al Shabaab has also banned movies, musical ringtones, dancing at weddings and playing or watching soccer.

'N.Y. TIMES' TO SLASH 100 NEWSROOM JOBS: The New York Times said yesterday (October 19th) that it plans to cut 100 newsroom jobs -- about eight percent of the total -- by the end of the year through buyouts and, if necessary, layoffs. This follows a previous reduction of 100 jobs in the newsroom in the spring of 2008, which included the elimination of 15 to 20 journalists, the first time in memory that had happened. The cuts have been forced by the advertising decline that has battered the entire industry. The Times currently has 1,250 newsroom employees, down from a high of 1,330 before the last round of cuts. According to the Times, no other American newspaper has more than about 750.

OBAMA VISITS MARYLAND SCHOOL: President Obama visited a Maryland school Monday (October 19th) to congratulate the students and teachers on the hard work that's led them to be celebrated for closing the achievement gap between minority children and other students. Obama said Viers Mills Elementary School, which receives federal poverty aid, is, quote, "a great example of how much improvement a school can make." The president met with third- and fourth-graders in the cafeteria during their lunch period, shaking hands with the students and asking them what they were reading.

SPORTS:

PHILLIES GO UP 3-1 IN NLCS WITH BOTTOM-OF-THE-NINTH WIN: The Philadelphia Phillies are now just one win from heading to the World Series to defend their title after going up 3-1 in the National League Championship Series last night (October 19th) win a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on a bottom-of-the-ninth double by Jimmy Rollins that scored two runs. Rollins got his game-winning hit off closer Jonathan Broxton with two outs, after the Phillies, down 4-3, had gotten men on base via a walk and a hit batsman. Game 5 will be played Wednesday (October 21st) in Philadelphia.

ANGELS BEAT YANKEES IN 11TH TO WIN FIRST ALCS GAME: The Los Angeles Angels got on the board in the American League Championship Series last night with a 5-4 win at home over the New York Yankees in the 11th inning. The Yanks now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Jeff Mathis hit a two-out double in the bottom of the 11th to drive home Howie Kendrick, who'd singled with two outs. The Angels overcame a 3-0 deficit midway through the fifth inning, getting a solo homer from Kendrick in the fifth and a two-run shot from Vladimir Guerrero in the sixth to tie it. The game was a tight battle from then on. Game 4 will be played tonight in Anaheim.

BRONCOS TOP CHARGERS 34-23 FOR 'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' WIN: The Denver Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers 34-23 in Monday Night Football last night (October 19th), in a game in which Denver's Eddie Royal became the 11th player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same game, with his 93 yards and 71 yards, respectively. It actually took the Broncos until late in the third quarter to get their first offensive touchdown, a 19-yard pass from Kyle Orton to Tony Scheffler to give Denver 24-23 lead. It was a rough night in San Diego for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who was sacked five times, three of them coming in the fourth quarter.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• NCIS - A practical joke-loving Marine is found dead; Ziva adjusts to her new role on the team.
• NCIS: LOS ANGELES - Following a murder, the secrets to classified software are thought to be lost until NCIS uncovers a suspect from Vance's past.
• THE GOOD WIFE - Will and Alicia have 72 hours to prove that a train company is responsible for a freight train crash; Alicia and Jackie clash over taking the children to visit their father.

NBC

• THE BIGGEST LOSER - Two teams head to the beach to dig for buried treasure; one team tries to make the most of time alone on campus.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Martha Stewart, Ludacris

FOX

• MLB BASEBALL - New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

ABC

• SHARK TANK - A man wants an investment from the sharks to create an extension of his already successful business; a urologist has an unusual business proposal.
• DANCING WITH THE STARS - The professional dancers pay tribute to Michael Jackson; another couple is eliminated.
• THE FORGOTTEN - The team hopes to identify a John Doe, shot and found in a drainage tunnel; clues point to the victim having been searching for someone.

CW

• 90210 - Adrianna tries to deal with the end of her relationship with Navid; Silver discovers she has more in common with Teddy.
• MELROSE PLACE - Ella and Riley arrive at the photo shoot and meet the photographer who tries to persuade Riley to do a topless shoot; Violet makes another play for Augie.

FX

• SONS OF ANARCHY - Since The League has SAMCRO members behind bars, the club must make new alliances in prison to survive.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Lauren Graham, OneRepublic
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Sex as a Deadly Weapon: 5 Victims Speak Out
THE VIEW - Julia Stiles, Bill Pullman, Patrick & Gina Neely

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - (repeat) Kristin Davis, Barry Sonnenfeld
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Martha Stewart, Ludacris
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - (repeat) Jon Hamm, Cobra Starship ft. Estelle
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - Edward Norton, Paul Shaffer, the latest Dancing with the Stars castoff, the Sounds
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - (repeat) Ted Danson
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - (repeat) Seth Meyers, Chris Paul, Landon Pigg
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat) Katie Uhlaender, Amazing Baby
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Jennifer Burns
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Jerry Mitchell

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

DRUNK WOMAN PICKS UP FRIEND ARRESTED FOR DWI: Police in Lafayette, New York say they arrested a 22-year-old woman after she drove drunk to the state police barracks to pick up her friend, who had been arrested earlier for DWI and cocaine possession around 2:30 AM on Sunday morning. (AP)

ENTIRE POLICE FORCE QUITS AFTER WINNING LOTTERY: The entire 15-man police force in Budaors, Hungary has resigned after the group won the lottery on a shared ticket. The police chiefs are now frantically trying to assemble a replacement police force until new full-time officers can be recruited. Officials said it was the sixth largest lottery win in Hungarian history. (Telegraph)

TODDLER SURVIVES 30-FOOT FALL ONTO ROCKS: A California toddler somehow survived a 30-foot fall from an apartment window onto concrete and rocks below with only a cut, a bump on the head and a bruised lung. The 22-month-old boy was conscious and crying when help arrived. Firefighters say the boy was climbing on furniture and fell out of the window when he pressed against a window screen. (AP)

MAN TAKES CAR ON 1,000 MILE TEST DRIVE: A Massachusetts man who was pulled over for speeding and reckless driving was arrested when it was discovered that he kidnapped a car salesman and stole the car, driving over 1,000 miles before being arrested in Wisconsin. The man will be extradited back to Massachusetts where he will face charges of kidnapping, larceny of a motor vehicle and unarmed robbery. (AP)

DID YOU KNOW?

SURVEY FINDS THE HEALTHIEST PLACES TO LIVE IN THE U.S.: Listen up women: Self magazine recently examined 100 U.S. metro areas to find the fittest, healthiest and happiest women in the land. The magazine linked with Sperling's BestPlaces to analyze 7,700 bits of data in nearly 50 categories, including death and disease rates, environmental indicators, community resources and lifestyle habits. How does your city or hometown measure up? The Top Five include: Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont; Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland; Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine; Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, Massachusetts and San Francisco-Oakland, California.

CHECK IT OUT: Here's the entire list: http://tinyurl.com/yl6n62t

COLLEGE DEVELOPS ROBOT TO ASSIST SNACKING: "Snackbot is a mobile robot, about the size of a very small human, that rolls around on wheels, and will be delivering snacks to students, faculty, and office workers at Carnegie Mellon University. A Snackbot research team of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates from more than three departments at Carnegie Mellon created Snackbot as a platform for studying human-robot interaction in the real world." Check it out: http://www.snackbot.org/about-public.html

FLU VACCINATION TOP OF MIND THIS YEAR: A new study finds that parents are more aware about the flu this season and are also more likely to get their kids vaccinated compared to previous years. Concern over the H1N1 influenza -- swine flu -- has raised awareness about overall flu shots. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, more than half (53 percent) of the parents polled say they are interested in seeking seasonal influenza vaccination for their children this season, while only 35 percent say they got all or some of their children vaccinated regularly in the past years. Still, some parents are worried about vaccinating their children.

THE 15 HOTTEST MALE CELEBRITY BODY PARTS: Glamour magazine recently ranked the best body parts among male celebrities -- that means the most droolworthy biceps, buns, abs and more. On the list are Brad Pitt's abs -- think Fight Club circa 1999. Also making this is Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter's butt, George Clooney's eyebrows, Robert Pattinson's mouth, Ryan Reynolds's arms and Matt Damon's biceps, among others.

CHECK IT OUT: See the full list here: http://tinyurl.com/yhpvc5t

Prosecutors Worried About What Blagojevich Might Say on 'Celebrity Apprentice'

Federal prosecutors told a judge yesterday (October 19th) that they're worried about what ousted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich might say on the Celebrity Apprentice TV show that could taint the jury pool for his corruption trial. Blagojevich has already begun taping the show, which is set to begin airing next March, just around the time jurors would be getting qualified for the trial, which is scheduled to begin June 3rd. Prosecutors didn't ask the judge to bar Blagojevich from going on Donald Trump's reality show.

Saying he was also concerned, the judge told the former governor's attorneys to work out an agreement with prosecutors that would allow Blagojevich to appear on the show, but prevent him from saying things that might cause concern. But defense attorney Samuel E. Adam told reporters it would be unfair to prevent Blagojevich from publicly stating that he's innocent. He said that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald used such strong language in announcing Blagojevich's indictment that the jury pool was already tainted. Fitzgerald said at the time that that Blagojevich's crimes would make, quote, "Lincoln roll over in his grave."

Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office after being accused of corruption, including trying to sell or trade President Obama's former U.S. Senate seat. He has denied wrongdoing, pleaded not guilty and appeared on several TV and radio shows since his indictment to proclaim his innocence.

YOU THINK JASON'S BIG GREEN TRACTOR IS COOL? CHECK THIS OUT!

3%20guitars%20%26%20a%20tractor%21.wmv

KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Negotiations between hotel magnate Steve Wynn and Garth Brooks included Wynn's purchase of a brand new Challenger jet for Brooks to be able to get home to his family during his performance weekends in Las Vegas. Brooks will own the jet outright at the completion of the five-year gig at the Encore Wynn Hotel.

Brooks was almost as excited about the jet as he is the opportunity to perform for his fans again. The superstar told us all about his new "toy." "This thing has big wings and, man, it goes fast and it's awesome! Anytime you get to lease a private plane if you're goin' across the country you have to stop and refuel kind of thing. This thing evidently can go to like England, so this thing's a bad boy. It's great! So that's all I know. I kicked the tires on it -- yeah, I think it's alright. How the hell would I know, but it's beautiful, and it is a time machine for me, and it is what gets me to play music and gets me back to my kids, so I'm in love with it."

• While Wynn refused to release the total figure of the five-year deal with Brooks, it is reportedly the most lucrative deal in the history of Las Vegas entertainment.
• Brooks' first show at the Wynn Encore is on December 11th. Tickets to the four shows that weekend go on sale on Saturday (October 24th).

Brad Paisley is venturing into the TV business. The singer has partnered with Star Trek and Heroes star Zach Quinto, One Tree Hill producer Mark Schwann, and Neal Dodson and Matt Bomer, the writers of White Collar and Chuck, to create and co-produce a show. The drama, tentatively titled Nashville, is about an aspiring young female singer destined for stardom and a male songwriter whose career isn't as certain.

• The show will feature some of Paisley's hit songs, as well as those from other artists. Paisley will also appear in the show as himself from time to time. Nashville is scheduled to begin airing next season on the CW network.
• Paisley said, "I'm very excited to portray the country music world of my favorite town, Nashville, by showing the exciting life of musicians, songwriters and performers - all very talented people. Look for some of your favorite country music stars to make their acting debuts on the show -- either by playing themselves or as a character in the script. Country songs are like great scripts already and it's going to be fun to see how some unfold on the show."
• In other Paisley news, the singer surprised his one millionth concert attendee this year with a 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup truck on Thursday night (October 15th) in Jacksonville, Florida. The prize went to Tim Brown, who is in the Navy, and his wife, Amber. The couple are expecting their third child soon. Tim told Paisley, "You just don't know how much of a blessing this truck is to us."
• The American Saturday Night tour plays at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Wednesday (October 21st).

Sugarland's new single, "Keep You," takes a page from their former chart-topper "Stay." The song, as well as the video, is quite emotional, and requires a little, well, less, as Kristian Bush tells us:"The song musically is coming from a lesson we learned with 'Stay', that..." (Jennifer Nettles) "Less is more." (Bush) "Less is more. That your brain can really only handle and really understand a singer singing a lyric, an instrument and maybe some rhythm. And because of that, it really dictates an emotion when you try to write into that environment."

Bush explains that this song goes to an uncomfortable place. "In this case, it's the place where your heart, where your soul finds itself in crisis, where you become detached from yourself." (Nettles) "The numbing." (Bush) "Yeah, it's a pretty scary place because it's so emotional, yet there is no feeling."

• "Keep You" is the fifth single from Sugarland's Love On The Inside CD.
• The duo's new Christmas album, Gold And Green, is currently in stores.

The new Michelle Branch album is no longer scheduled come out on November 10th. Company-wide layoffs at her Warner Brothers record label have pushed the release date back to an unspecified date. Branch is upset about what happened, but says she hopes to release her new effort very soon, noting on her blog, "One person in particular has been a main part of my team for 10 years. He has been there since day one when I got signed and we had so much planned for this album and the future. This is just a result of the corporate world and the economic times we live in. So on a personal level this really sucks." Branch goes on to explain that they're going to put the team back together and make sure the album gets the attention it deserves. She adds, "We can't wait for everyone to see (and hear) all the hard work we have all put into this. It's my opinion that only then will you understand why we have taken so much time making this perfect. I need you guys to hang in there and not lose any faith. The album is coming out as soon as we get this all situated. But I need your support and your understanding."

• In the mean time, Branch continues to perform at various gigs.
• The set, called Everything Comes And Goes, features the lead single, "Sooner Or Later," and marks Branch's first new solo effort since 2003's Hotel Paper.

Craig Morgan and Tracy Lawrence each walked away from Thursday (October 15th) night's Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Awards with a trophy. Morgan won the Video of the Year honors for his poignant clip, "God Must Really Love Me." Lawrence claimed the trophy for Mainstream Inspirational Song of the Year for "Up To Him."

• Of "God Must Really Love Me", Morgan said, "I didn't write this song but the first time I heard it, I knew I had to record it. The message that there is somebody looking out for everyone, no matter what, really rang true, especially in these tough times we're having in this country. I wanted to share that inspiration with the fans, and Eric (Welch, the video director) did a phenomenal job of interpreting the song. I'm so honored that the ICM recognized us with this award."

FAST FACTS

• Morgan is currently on tour supporting his fifth studio album, That's Why.
• His current single, "Bonfire," is one of the fastest-rising of his career. It currently sits at Number 12 on the Billboard chart.
• "Up To Him" was the first single from Lawrence's first inspirational album, called The Rock. The project was released back in June.

Jewel is one of the latest artists to team with Denny's for its new late-night dining menu called "Unstoppable Breakfast." She now has her own item on the menu as part of the restaurant chain's ongoing "Allnighter" program, a sub-brand launched last spring that provides late-night customers with shareable food from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Jewel's food item of choice is the Acoustic Smoked Chicken Quesadilla.

• Jewel kicks off a tour on October 27th in Baltimore.

CHECK IT OUT: Here's Jewel making her meal:
http://tinyurl.com/ylxrx34

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS TODAY!

• Chris Kattan (comedian, Saturday Night Live, A Night At The Roxbury) (39)
• Jon Favreau (actor-director, Swingers, Made, Daredevil, Iron Man, Iron Man 2) (43)
• John Lithgow (actor, 3rd Rock From The Sun) (64)
• Evander Holyfield (former heavyweight boxing champion) (47)
• Trey Parker (South Park co-creator) (40)
• Michael Gambon (actor; plays Dumbledore in the last three Harry Potter movies) (69)

ON THIS DAY IN COUNTRY!

• Red Foley and Jim Reeves were inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1967.
• Eddy Arnold was named the CMA's first Entertainer Of The Year in 1967.
• Keith Urban checked into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, to cope with a recurrence of substance abuse in 2006.
• Keith Urban began a six-week stay at Number One on the Billboard country chart with "Somebody Like You" in 2002.
• Keith Urban's self-titled debut album as a solo artist was released in 1999.
• John Berry made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1996.
• George Jones & Tammy Wynette performed the only full-fledged Nashville concert of their career at the Grand Ole Opry House in 1995.
• Buck Owens reached the Number One spot on the Billboard country chart with "Love's Gonna Live Here" in 1963.
• Brenda Lee recorded "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville in 1958.

CELEBRITY GOSSIP

KIM KARDASHIAN GETS PAID TO PARTY: Kim Kardashian is making big money for throwing herself a birthday party. The New York Post reports that the reality star, who has made herself a household name by doing nothing in particular while cameras follow her around, got $50,000 to party at Tao in Las Vegas on Friday (October 16th). A source told the newspaper, "Kim is worth the huge fee because she's so hot. The pictures of her party will go everywhere." The club footed the bill. Kim officially turns 29 on October 21st.

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN IS BURGLARY VICTIM: In other news about Kardashians who have way too much money, Kourtney Kardashian reported a loss of $108,000 worth of jewelry from her Calabasas, California, home. She is the latest in a series of Hollywood starlets to fall victim to a series of home burglaries. Los Angeles police are investigating. Maybe she should throw herself a birthday party?

RICHARD HATCH RELEASED FROM JAIL: Richard Hatch was freed from a Massachusetts jail on Friday (October 16th) after completing a sentence for tax evasion. The winner of The Survivor was imprisoned in 2006 for failing to pay taxes on the $1 million he won from the CBS show. He was released earlier this year to home confinement, but jailed again in August after giving unauthorized television interviews. He must still serve three years of supervised release, complete a mental health program and pay his back taxes.

TRIAL DATES SET IN BRODERICK-PARKER SURROGATE CASE: Two Ohio police chiefs accused of conspiring to sell items from Sarah Jessica Parker's surrogate to the tabloids have been given trial dates. Barry Carpenter and Chad Dojack appeared in court last Friday (October 16th) and were told to return on November 16th and January 12th, respectively. The surrogate gave birth to Parker and Matthew Broderick's twins in June.

SUSAN BOYLE REPORTEDLY RUSHED TO HOSPITAL: Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle was rushed to a hospital on Friday suffering from stomach pains, according to Scottish press reports. She was released hours later, and her management company played down rumours that she might have swine flu. "Susan is absolutely fine," her representive's statement said. The Britain's Got Talent star is expected to appear in an upcoming British holiday special, singing songs from her soon-to-be released album I Dreamed A Dream.

NO SHOW, SHIA: Shia LaBeouf didn't show up for the premiere of his new film New York, I Love You, and The New York Post blames director Oliver Stone. The newspaper says Stone kept him too busy shooting his Wall Street sequel to attend the event for I Love You, or the after-party at M2 Ultra Lounge. Scarlett Johansson didn't show up either, but who can blame her? The story she directed was cut from the picture, which is an anthology of short films. People who did show up included Cloris Leachman, director Mira Nair, Rocco DiSpirito, Peter Facinelli and porn star Savanna Samson.

ROMAN POLANSKI AILING: Movie director Roman Polanski, who has been jailed in Switzerland since late September on an American extradition warrant, has been moved from prison for medical treatment, according to his French lawyer. The lawyer said he expressed concern about Polanski's health after visiting him last week, and that the 76-year-old seemed tired and depressed. Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978 to avoid a prison sentence after pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

WEEKEND MOVIE WRAP-UP

Where the Wild Things Are, director Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, opened in first place at the weekend box office, combing live action, puppetry and computer animation. Newcomer Max Records stars as the young boy, also named Max, who travels in his wolf suit to a make-believe island of fierce yet cuddly monsters. The live-action and voice cast also includes Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini and Forest Whitaker.

• Jonze viewed his take on book as not necessarily being a children's movie, and in fact, the film was more popular with adults than with family audiences. Those 18 and older made up 43 percent of the audience, while parents with children made up 27 percent.

The vigilante thriller Law Abiding Citizen, starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler, debuted in second place, while the low-budget horror sensation Paranormal Activity moved up to Number Three as it expanded into more theaters.

• Last week's top movie, Couples Retreat, fell to fourth place.
• The thriller The Stepfather, starring Dylan Walsh, Penn Badgley and Sela Ward, debuted at Number Five.

THIS WEEKEND'S TOP TEN MOVIES -- OCTOBER 16-18

1. Where the Wild Things Are, $32.5 million
2. Law Abiding Citizen, $21.3 million
3. Paranormal Activity, $20.2 million
4. Couples Retreat, $17.9 million
5. The Stepfather, $12.3 million
6. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, $8.1 million
7. Zombieland, $7.8 million
8. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3-D, $3 million
9. Surrogates, $1.92 million
10. The Invention of Lying, $1.9 million

GROWNUPS ARE GOING WILD AT THE MOVIES

Where the Wild Things Are topped the movie box office this week, and it turns out that grownups are the most enthusiastic fans of the movie adaptation of the beloved children's book by Maurice Sendak. Moviegoers ages 18 and older accounted for 43 percent of the audience on the movie's debut weekend, while parents with children made up 27 percent, according to the film's distributor, Warner Bros. That's vindication for director Spike Jonze, who clashed with the studio over his vision of a movie that is about a child, but not necessarily a children's movie. The studio wanted a more kid-friendly and less scary film. In any case, they're probably happy with the $32.5 million in box office the film made this weekend. It's the biggest opening weekend ever for the studio.

• The story follows the adventure of Max, a little boy who dons a wolf suit and sails away to a wilderness inhabited by fanged and furry monsters, who might either hug him or eat him, or both.
• Sendak's 1963 is beautiful to look at but it's a quick read. It contains only nine simple sentences.

CHECK IT OUT: A parent and his kids review the movie for Popwatch, at http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/18/where-the-wild-things-are-kids-eat-it-up-they-love-it-so/

MAKES MAY DANCE WITH THE STARS AGAIN

He may have been eliminated, but Maksim Chmerkovskiy could be back in the mix on Dancing With The Stars tonight (Monday), according to fellow contestant Joanna Krupa. Krupa reports on Twitter that "Maks" stepped in to rehearse as her fill-in partner when Derek Hough got sick, apparently with a case of the flu.

• If he returns, viewers can look forward to a couple of awkward encounters between the returning Chmerkovskiy and other contestants. Karina Smirnoff is now his ex-fiancee. And fellow contestant Aaron Carter told Usmagazine.com that "the energy has definitely gotten a lot better" since Chmerkovskiy got booted.
• At least he's better off than poor Derek Hough, who staggered to his keyboard to enter the following Tweet: "My whole body is aching like crazy I can barely stand up . . . And I'm coughing like crazy."

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

MEGAN FOX GETS BIG BUCKS FOR MODELING GIG: Megan Fox has really hit the big time with her new modeling gig for the designer Armani. A person familiar with the deal said that the Transformers star will earn close to $2 million as the face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans in 2010. Fox's team had reportedly been working on securing the deal for several years. But Victoria Beckham's expired modeling contract, and Fox's movie success, finally sealed the deal for the collaboration.

LEIGHTON MEESTER TO STAR IN ROAD MOVIE: Leighton Meester has signed on to star in a new movie that is described as a "pre-menopausal version" of the gal-pal road movie Thelma & Louise. Production Weekly reports that the star of Gossip Girl will co-star with Pineapple Express's Amber Heard in the film.

KELLY RIPA AND HUBBY RETURN TO 'ALL MY CHILDREN': Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos are returning to their alma mater, All My Children, for the daytime soap opera's 40th anniversary show. ABC announced that the couple will appear on the show in episodes that are scheduled to air on January 4th and January 5th. It will be the first time the two have appeared on the show since leaving in 2002.

'GLEE' CAST PERFORMING DURING WORLD SERIES: The cast of Glee reportedly will perform during the World Series. PerezHilton.com reports that the performance is scheduled for Game Three of the baseball championship, which will take place in either Los Angeles or Philadelphia. It's tentatively scheduled for Halloween, but that's subject to change.

TLC SUES JOH GOSSELIN FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT

TLC is suing Jon Gosselin for breach of contract, claiming the reality dad failed to meet his obligations as an exclusive employee of the network. The lawsuit, which was filed in a Maryland court on Friday (October 16th), alleges that Jon violated his contract appearing on rival networks' programs for pay and making unauthorized public disclosures about the show.

The network is seeking unspecified compensatory damages from Gosselin and is demanding that he return income gained as a result of his breaches of the agreement. They also want him to refrain from future violations of his contractual agreement.
TLC said in a statement, "The network has been trying privately and patiently for months to get Jon to honor the contract he signed and to comply with his obligations relating to public appearances and statements. Those efforts have been unsuccessful."

• Jon's lawyer Mark Heller responded to the suit, saying, "We believe that the contract will be unenforceable in light of the fact that Discovery and TLC initially had Jon execute a complicated, complex and sophisticated agreement at a time when he had no legal representative. In any event, when TLC and Discovery ended the program Jon & Kate plus eight they also effectively terminated the purported contract and accordingly, any rights or obligations they perceived existed concerning Jon's conduct or actions, rights or privileges from that point forward were also terminated."
• Gosselin has been a media target since announcing in June that he and his wife/co-star Kate were splitting. Despite the network's supposed requests, he's given television and magazine interviews ever since, and was reportedly pursuing an alternate reality show.

NICK CAGE SUING BUSINESS MANAGER

Nicolas Cage is suing his business manager, claiming that Samuel K. Levin's advice and mismanagement led him toward "financial ruin."

The lawsuit, filed on Friday (October 16th), stated, "Instead of protecting and preserving Cage's wealth during one of the greatest economic periods in the country's history, Levin placed Cage in numerous highly speculative and risky real estate investments, resulting in Cage suffering catastrophic losses."

• Court documents specify that Levin was Cage's business manager from 2001 to 2008 and collected millions of dollars in fees.
• Cage has recently been selling some of his properties, presumably to compensate for whatever losses he's incurred with Levin.

LINDSAY PROBATION EXTENED

Lindsay Lohan appeared in court on Friday (October 16th), where a judge ordered her to serve an extra year of probation because of absences from an alcohol education class she attends as part of the consequence she faced after pleading guilty to DUI in August of 2007

People magazine reports that the starlet looked "solemn and appeared gaunt" during the progress hearing. Her attorney said that the absences were the result of a miscommunication concerning her work schedule.

The judge warned her, "I ordered you into court today because I wanted to speak to you directly. I don't want to get any more notices again [that you might be in violation of probation], no warrants ... where you're thumbing your nose at the court."

• The judge also said, "I'm rooting for you to successfully complete probation."
• Another progress hearing has been set for December 15th.
• Lindsay's father, who recently went on record saying he believes his daughter is addicted to prescription drugs, said of the hearing, "I've just gotten off the phone with the judge and I'm not happy. She needs to put my daughter in rehab. How could that judge have let her just walk in to court and walk right back out? The least they could have done was give her a drug test at the door."

KHLOE AND LAMAR AGREE ON PRENUP

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have reportedly hammered out a prenup deal. TMZ.com reports that the couple have orally agreed on the document, but it's not yet signed.

Under their supposed agreement, Odom's Lakers contract if off-limits to Kardashian, but she will get an annual lump sum in the event of divorce, which will remain the same throughout the marriage.

• Odom has also reportedly agreed to buy a house for the couple, which will reportedly cost $5 million.
• The couple walked down the aisle on September 27th, but the marriage reportedly won't be legal until after the prenup is taken care of.

IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE SIMPSONS FAMILY

The creators of The Simpsons are holding a contest, and the winner gets to create a new bright-yellow bug-eyed person to join Springfield's most famous family. Entries must describe the character's traits, including his or her name or nickname; age; appearance; occupation, and favorite catchphrase. The new character will be featured on the episode on which Coldplay frontman Chris Martin makes an appearance. Entries are due by October 24th.

• The official Simpsons site explains: "The simple fact is, we're tired. Tired and, frankly, too rich to care anymore."

STEPHANIE PRATT ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DUI

Stephanie Pratt of the reality show The Hills was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Sunday outside a party in a Hollywood club. Pratt, who is 23, was booked at Van Nuys jail and was released about seven hours later. Ironically, only hours before, Pratt told E! News: "I'm a party-pooper tonight. I got bad news this morning. A friend passed away in a car accident, so everyone needs to drive safe." And just before she left for the party, she Tweeted that she was feeling tired, but still planned to go to a 26th birthday party for Heidi Montag.

• Police said Pratt was calm and cooperative--but a raucous argument broke out in the street among gawkers, some of them wielding cameras. No one in the crowd was arrested.

NOW IN THEATERS

Now in Theaters is the new thriller Law Abiding Citizen starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx and Leslie Bibb. Law Abiding Citizen follows Clyde Shelton, played by Butler, after his family is murdered during a home invasion. After the killers are caught, the prosecutor Nick Rice, played by Foxx, is forced to give one of the killers a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. After 10 years, the man who testified against his friend is found dead and Clyde casually admits his guilt and issues a warning: fix the justice system that failed his family or the key players in the trial will die.

• Law Abiding Citizen is rated R and has a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Now in theaters is the new thriller The Stepfather, starring Dylan Walsh, Penn Badgley, Sela Ward and Amber Heard. The film follows Michael Harding, played by Badgley, who returns home from military school and discovers that his mother has a new boyfriend named David, played by Walsh. Although Michael sees that David makes his mother happy, he has suspicious feelings about David and wonders if his pleasantness is just an act.

• The Stepfather is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Now in theaters is the highly anticipated adaptation of the children's book, Where the Wild Things Are, from director Spike Jonze. Where the Wild Things Are follows Max, a mischievous boy who escapes to a land populated by majestic, yet fierce, creatures called the Wild Things. When the Wild Things allow Max to become their leader and he promises that everyone will be happy, but Max soon finds out that being a king is not as easy as he thought. The film stars Max Records, Catherine Keener and Mark Ruffalo with Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker and Lauren Ambrose lending their voices.

• Where the Wild Things Are is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour and 35 minutes.

THE NASCAR REPORT FOR OCTOBER 19TH, 2009

SPRINT CUP: Jimmie Johnson builds on big Chase lead with win at Lowe's

Race Recap: Banking 500 - Charlotte, North Carolina

10 Kurt Busch

9 Martin Truex Jr.

8 Kyle Busch

7 Casey Mears

6 Clint Bowyer

5 Joey Logano

4 Jeff Gordon

3 Kasey Kahne

2 Matt Kenseth

VICTORY LANE

1 Jimmie Johnson wins his 6th race of the season and takes a 90-point lead over Mark Martin in the Chase for the Cup standings with five races left.

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY:

• Johnson's 46th Sprint Cup win ties him for 13th with Buck Baker on the career victory list
• Martin finished 17th after damaging the front of his car when he ran into the back of Juan Pablo Montoya's, who finished 35th, on an early restart
• Danny Hamlin and Carl Edwards both blew motors

NATIONWIDE RACING: Kyle Busch wins 7th race of the season in Charlotte

After going 11 races without a win, Kyle Busch returned to the top of the leaderboard with his 7th first-place finish of the season at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday. After leaving last weeks race with pneumonia, Busch led 137 out of 200 laps and took a 195-point lead in the Nationwide standings.

HEADLINES

IRAN SUICIDE BOMBING KILLS AT LEAST 42, INCLUDING TOP REVOLUTIONARY GUARD MEMBERS: At least 42 people were killed Sunday (October 18th) by a suicide bomber in southeastern Iran near the Pakistani border, including five senior commanders of the powerful Revolutionary Guard military force. The attack was the most high-profile in a lawless region that's home to Sunni rebels known as Jundallah, meaning Soldiers of God, who have carried out sporadic kidnappings and attacks over their claims of persecution by the Shiite government. The Revolutionary Guard commanders were entering a sports complex to meet tribal leaders to discuss Sunni-Shiite cooperation when the attacker detonated his explosives belt.

BALLOON BOY STORY A HOAX: The story that riveted millions of live viewers last Thursday (October 15th) of a six-year-old Colorado boy who his parents believed had floated away in a giant helium balloon was all a hoax, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday (October 18th), and the parents will likely face felony charges. According to Alderden, the stunt was a publicity ploy by Richard and Mayumi Heene, who have appeared on the ABC reality show Wife Swap and have reportedly been working on a reality TV deal for a show of their own. Alderden said he'll recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison. Child protective services have been contacted to investigate the well-being of the Heenes' three sons, who range in age from six to 10.

NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA POLICY FROM ADMINISTRATION: The Obama administration will no longer seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they follow state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors today (October 19th). That's a departure from the previous administration of George W. Bush, which said it would continue to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws despite state laws legalizing the drug for medical purposes. Fourteen states currently allow some use of medical marijuana. The new federal guidelines will emphasize that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and say it's not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who follow state law. However, the government will still pursue those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity, including selling the drug for recreational use, and particularly urges the pursuit of cases that involve violence, the illegal use of weapons, selling pot to minors and money laundering.

POWERFUL HURRICANE RICK HEADED TOWARDS WESTERN MEXICO: Hurricane Rick, a powerful Category 5 storm that's the strongest eastern North Pacific hurricane since 1997, weakened slightly Sunday (October 18th) as it continued to head towards western Mexico, and forecasters said it could hit the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula by the middle of the week. The hurricane's winds were blowing at 160 miles per hour Sunday, down slightly from 180 miles per hour, and were expected to weaken to between 109 and 86 miles per hour before hitting land. It's still unclear where Rick will come ashore, but the early forecast path would take it almost directly into the resort city of Cabo San Lucas Wednesday (October 21st). Forecasters said it could carry enough force to continue past the Baja peninsula and slam into Mexico's mainland as a hurricane somewhere near Mazatlan on Thursday.

TODAY'S FYI:

EL NINO HAS LED TO QUIET ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON: The Atlantic hurricane season has been especially calm this year thanks to El Nino, the Pacific Ocean's periodic warming phenomenon along the equator. There have been only two hurricanes so far during the 2009 Atlantic season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th, and eight tropical storms. Hurricane Bill was a mid-August Category 4 storm that bypassed most of the Caribbean and the eastern coast of the U.S., making landfall in southeastern Canada, where it caused modest damage. Hurricane Fred formed in the Atlantic in early September, but died out over the ocean before making landfall.

PRETEND 'TONIGHT SHOW' FEUD WITH NEWARK LEADS TO $100K DONATION: The humorous pretend feud between Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien and Newark Mayor Cory Booker culminated Friday (October 16th) with an appearance by the New Jersey mayor on NBC's late night show and a $100,000 donation from O'Brien and NBC to Booker's Newark Now charity. The supposed feud began on September 23rd, when O'Brien joked during his monologue that Booker's new health care program consisted of a bus ticket out of Newark, which has long been an icon for urban decay and violence. Booker responded with a humorous YouTube video in which he banned O'Brien from Newark Liberty International Airport. O'Brien and Booker traded jokes on the Tonight Show Friday, before O'Brien admitted admiring the 40-year-old mayor, a former Rhodes Scholar, who's been trying to create a national blueprint for urban transformation in Newark.

HUNTING, FISHING GROUPS PUSHING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE BILL: Hunting and fishing groups are usually a solidly Republican constituency, but they are siding with Democrats on climate change, fearing that the effects of global warming on animals and fish could hurt their sport. Twenty national hunting and fishing groups urged senators in a letter last month to ensure, quote, "the climate legislation you consider . . . both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and safeguards natural resources." Jeremy Symons, senior vice president for conservation at the National Wildlife Federation, told Reuters, "If you go out and hunt at the same time in the same season and the same place every year, then you understand the changes that are happening."

• Passing legislation to reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, which is linked to global warming, is one of President Obama's top domestic priorities.

THIRD SWEAT LODGE VICTIM DIES: A 49-year-old Minnesota woman died Saturday (October 17th) of multiple organ damage, more than a week after she was overcome in an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony in which two other people also died. Liz Neuman was among 55 to 65 people crowded into a makeshift sweat lodge over two hours on October 8th for a New Age ceremony near Sedona. Self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray had rented the Angel Valley Retreat Center for his five-day "Spiritual Warrior" event that culminated in a sweat lodge ceremony. In addition to the three people who died, 21 others were taken to the hospital with illness ranging from dehydration to kidney failure. Sheriff's investigators are treating the deaths as homicides, and investigating to see whether criminal negligence contributed to the deaths and illnesses. Neuman's family is planning a lawsuit.

SPORTS:

PHILLIES BEAT DODGERS 11-0 TO TAKE 2-1 NLCS LEAD: The defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies blew out the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-0 last night (October 18th) to take a 2-1 lead in the National League Champion Series as they returned home to Philadelphia. The Phillies jumped on Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda right from the start, and by the second inning they were already leading 6-0. Meanwhile, Cliff Lee dominated the Dodgers, as the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out 10 and allowed just three hits in eight innings. The two teams will meet again tonight in Philly for Game 4.

• In the American League Championship Series, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels will meet in Game 3 this afternoon (October 19th), with the Yankees holding a 2-0 series lead. The teams are playing in California after the first two games at a chilly Yankee Stadium, which New York won 4-1 Friday and 4-3 in the 13th inning Saturday.

NFL SCORES -- WEEK 6: Here are the results of this week's National Football League games (Home teams are listed in italics):

• Minnesota Vikings 33, Baltimore Ravens 31
• New Orleans Saints 48, New York Giants 27
• Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 14
• Carolina Panthers 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
• Kansas City Chiefs 14, Washington Redskins 6
• Houston Texans 28, Cincinnati Bengals 17
• Jacksonville Jaguars 23, St. Louis Rams 20
• Green Bay Packers 26, Detroit Lions 0
• Oakland Raiders 13, Philadelphia Eagles 9
• Arizona Cardinals 27, Seattle Seahawks 3
• New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0 -- Pats quarterback Tom Brady set an NFL record by throwing five touchdowns in one quarter, the second. The 59-point winning margin tied the highest since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
• Atlanta Falcons 21, Chicago Bears 14
• Buffalo Bills 16, New York Jets 13 -- Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was knocked out with a concussion by a sack early in the second quarter.

Tonight's Monday Night Football game on ESPN:

• Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (8:30 p.m. ET)

UCONN FOOTBALL PLAYER HOWARD STABBED TO DEATH: Jasper Howard, a 20-year-old football player at the University of Connecticut, was stabbed to death early Sunday (October 18th) at an on-campus dance, just hours after helping his team to a homecoming victory over Louisville. Howard and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during the dance at the UConn Student Union. Police hadn't identified a suspect. Howard, a junior who was the team's starting cornerback, had a career-high 11 tackles Saturday against Louisville. His coach, Randy Edsall, said Howard's girlfriend is about to have a baby.

THREE RUNNERS DIE DURING DETROIT MARATHON: Three runners died during the Detroit Marathon Sunday (October 18th), two of them soon after 9 a.m. between the 11- and 12-mile markers, and the other around the same time just after completing the half-marathon. It was unclear whether the first two runners were competing in the half-marathon or full race. The weather was cool, 28 degrees at the start of the race, and likely had nothing to do with the deaths of the three men, ages 36, 65 and 26. Deaths at marathons are relatively rare.

(Headline News, FYI and Sports stories were compiled in part from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters.)

ON THE TUBE TODAY!

CBS

• HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - Barney wants Robin to become an American citizen; Lily joins Marshall and Ted on their road trip.
• ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE - Billie tries to live vicariously through David and Zack by giving them relationship advice.
• TWO AND A HALF MEN - After they embarass him in public, Jake refuses to stay with Charlie and Alan.
• THE BIG BANG THEORY - Sheldon seeks revenge on his nemesis; Wolowitz wants Penny to set him up with one of her friends.
• CSI: MIAMI - Alexx Woods and Delko try to help the team stop a deadly outbreak in Miami.

NBC

• HEROES - Sylar starts on a path to rediscover his true identity; Peter tries to find a healer for Hiro.
• TRAUMA - Tyler and Boone respond to an explosion at a Chinese restaurant; Rabbit has a bumpy flight.
• THE JAY LENO SHOW - Rod Stewart

FOX

• HOUSE - The team takes on the case of a police detective whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather all died of sudden heart failure at age 40.
• LIE TO ME - The Lightman group questions a man suspected of killing his wife; the man takes drastic measures that put the team's lives in danger.

ABC

• DANCING WITH THE STARS - The remaining teams perform.
• CASTLE - Castle's book agent (Debi Mazar) offers him a career changing opportunity, but accepting it would end his relationship with Beckett; a woman is found dead in a manhole.

CW

• ONE TREE HILL - Nathan's scandal threatens his endorsment deals; Julian gives Alex another chance; Brooke reconnects with Chase.
• GOSSIP GIRL - Vanessa competes with Blair for the honor of delivering the freshman toast at NYU; Dan invites Olivia to meet Rufus and Lily; Serena and Nate try to help Carter.

TLC

• JON & KATE PLUS 8 - Kate and the girls go on a trip to Florida; Jon and the rest of the kids launch water rockets.

DAY TIME TALK SHOW

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - Hayden Panettiere, Angel Taylor, Aaron Carter & Karina Smirnoff
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - Nate takes over for a stay-at-home Mom
THE VIEW - A day of Hot Topics

LATE NIGHT TALK SHOWS

THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (CBS) - (repeat) Vince Vaughn, Carey Mulligan, Rosann Cash
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC) - Rod Stewart
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIEN (NBC) - (repeat) Sienna Miller, Steve Schirripa, Deon Cole
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC) - (repeat) Julie Bowen, Rumer Willis, the Used
THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON (CBS) - (repeat) Jason Schwartzman, Angela Kinsey
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON (NBC) - (repeat) Tracy Morgan, Neal Brennan
LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY (NBC) - (repeat) Stan Lee, Alex Alvarez
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Barbara Ehrenreich
THE COLBERT REPORT (COMEDY CENTRAL) - (repeat) Amy Farrell, The RZA

OFF BEAT BRIEFS

VICTIM FINDS ROBBER APPLYING FOR JOB: A woman who was robbed at bus stop while holding taking out money for her fare ran home to her boyfriend and got into a car to follow the bus. They spotted the robber getting off the bus and entering a restaurant where he was applying for a job. When the robber saw the woman he ran away, but the application led police to the man who was later arrested. (AP)

BEAR HEADS FOR BEER COOLER: A 125-lbs black bear entered a Wisconsin grocery store and headed straight for the cooler. Employees and customers said the bear then climbed 12-feet onto a shelf in the cooler where it stayed for about an hour while the store was evacuated and wild life officials were called to tranquilize the animal. (AP)

GERMAN POLICE INVESTIGATE SPICY SAUCE: German police are investigating a kebab stand after the owner threw chili sauce into the face of a customer
during a dispute. Police want to know if the chilli sauce was abnormally spicy and meant to be used as a weapon. The dispute took place after the customer wiped his hands on the kebab stand when the owner refused to give him napkins. Both men could face charges. (Reuters)

NEPALESE MAN WORLD'S SMALLEST: Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal has applied with the Guinness Book of World Records to be the worlds smallest man at 22-inches tall, and only 10 pounds. The record is currently held by 28-inch tall He Pingping of China. Magar says he is glad that people are now congratulating him instead of making fun and hopes his new celebrity will help him find a "small wife." (Daily Mail)

DID YOU KNOW?

HUMANS TODAY WEAKER THAN ANCESTORS? An Australian anthropologist claims that today's human is far weaker and less athletic than our ancestors. Asylum.com reported that Peter McAllister concluded the typical tribesman was as fast as current 100-meter-record-holder Usain Bolt. He also discovered that during an ancient Tutsi jumping ritual participants would sometimes beat the current world record in the high jump. He also contends the average Neanderthal women could beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in an arm wrestling match.


CHECK IT OUT: Most offensive Halloween costumes for 2009: http://tinyurl.com/mostoffensivecostumes


MALE POT-SMOKERS SUFFER SEXUAL PROBLEMS: The Australian Associated Press reported that men who regularly smoke pot are more likely to suffer sexual problems than men who don't. The university study found that men who smoke pot daily are four times more likely to have trouble climaxing than men who don't light up. The study also found that men who smoke pot are more likely to experience premature ejaculation than other men.


CHECK IT OUT: LockerBlogger.com -- The goal is to provide sports fans with ultimate access to their sports' heroes. According to TechCrunch.com, "The social network's hook is to get pro and famous athletes to create profiles where they can blog, post video content and give fans an inside look into their lives and training. In turn, fans can connect with professional athletes in a more engaging way. "

The weekend update on SNL this weekend.

http://hometownhollywood.com/2009/10/snl-weekend-update-seth-meyers-interviews-tamara-parks-gerard-butler/

MOST ANNOYING THINGS ON THE INTERNET:

For the full list, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yj38tdv

• Messages alerting you to messages: Email inboxes are becoming clogged with non-urgent alerts from Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites. How long before someone invents an app to alert Twitter and Facebook users when they receive an email, creating a never-ending spiral of needless messages?
• The next big thing(s): Remember Friends Reunited? Friendster? Faceparty? The shelf life of social networking websites seems to be around two years, forcing members to transplant their internet personas just to keep up to speed with their contacts. This would be easier to stomach if it wasn't so tough to differentiate between next big things and white elephants.
• Pop-up adverts: Websites need to make money and static adverts don't bring in enough revenue. But that knowledge doesn't make invasive pop-ups - particularly those that hide their close buttons - any less annoying.
• Rickrolling: Hugely over this, now.
• Compulsory fields on forms: "You did not fill out these required fields: home phone number, cell phone number." The more hoops companies make people jump through, the less willing they are to hand over their money.
• Comment pedantry: If the US Constitution had been published online, you can be sure that the first comments would have picked apart the spelling mistakes, and blamed the slapdash attitude of Adams, Jefferson et al for undermining the prospects of the nation. Some commenters seem blinded to the essence of online offerings by their irresistible urge to mark.
• Corporate email signatures: Would anyone have assumed that the jottings of a junior account executive reflected the views of an entire multinational company, or that her winking emoticon sign-off was legally binding?
• Virus and scam alerts: Hardly a morning goes by without reports of new phishing or malware scams popping up in your RSS reader, complete with exhortations to strengthen passwords and update anti-virus protection. While the threats are real and the warnings well meant, it can't be healthy to dwell on attacks that almost certainly didn't affect you. The internet, like life, is best approached with a little derring-do.
• PDFs: The information could usually have been presented much more accessibly on a web page.
• Frame bars: The leash used by recommendation websites like Digg to keep hold of logged-in users while showing them external sites. Ugly, clunky, and of little benefit to the user.
• WrItInG In A MiXtUrE Of UpPEr CaSe AnD LoWeR CaSe: It's not useful, attractive or funny. How on earth did it take off?

Sheriff Says Balloon Boy Story a Hoax, Parents Likely to Face Charges

The story that riveted millions of live viewers last Thursday (October 15th) of a six-year-old Colorado boy who his parents believed had floated away in a giant helium balloon was all a hoax, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said Sunday (October 18th), and the parents will likely face felony charges. According to Alderden, the stunt was a publicity ploy by Richard and Mayumi Heene, who have appeared on the ABC reality show Wife Swap and have reportedly been working on a reality TV deal for a show of their own. A man named Robert Thomas claimed in a story he sold to the website Gawker.com that Heene told him he was planning a media stunt to promote a proposed reality show described as "mythbusters-meets-mad-scientist."

Thursday's balloon hoax temporarily shut down Denver International Airport and caused the National Guard to send up two helicopters in an attempt to rescue the boy, who supposedly was believed by his parents to be inside the flying-saucer-shaped homemade balloon that flew more than 50 miles. When the balloon finally landed without the boy in it, officials thought he had fallen out and began searching for his body. The Heenes later said that the boy, named Falcon, was hiding in the family's garage, but Alderden said yesterday that might not even be true. The sheriff said all three of the Heenes' sons, who range in age from six to 10, knew about the hoax, but likely won't face charges because of their ages.

The Heenes' attorney said Sunday the couple is willing to turn themselves in to face charges. Alderden said he'll recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison. Alderden also said they would be seeking restitution for the costs involved in the attempted rescue.

Alderden said investigators got suspicious during a CNN interview Thursday night, when Falcon, when asked why he didn't come out of his hiding place, said to his father, "You had said we did this for a show." The next morning, Falcon vomited twice during interviews on two separate morning TV shows. Child protective services have been contacted to investigate the well-being of the Heenes' children.

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KFLAG COUNTRY MUSIC UPDATE

Garth Brooks will make a big announcement during two press conferences in two different states today (Thursday, October 15th). The superstar will reportedly share details