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HILARY SWANK’s estranged husband CHAD LOWE’s flagging career has been given a boost - he’ll join the cast of hit drama 24 next season.
The acting brother of movie star ROB LOWE will play politician REED POLLOCK when the sixth season of 24 debuts in America in January (07).
Lowe won’t be the only big name new face in the cast - he’ll be joined by former ALLY McBEAL star PETER MacNICOL, REGINA KING, JAMES CROMWELL and KAL PENN.

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Former ALLY McBEAL star ANNE HECHE credits her weekly poker nights for helping her land the lead in hit new US show MEN IN TREES - because they help her understand men.
The actress plays a relationship counsellor who finds herself stranded in a remote Alaskan town, where men outnumber women 10 to one.
And Heche thinks her testosterone-fuelled playing card contests gave her the edge when she was auditioning for the role.
She says, "Guys talk differently than women and I’m able to communicate with them.
"I play poker when I’m not working, so I’m often at a table full of men. I think that helped me with this show."

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Colourful movie ogre SHREK is set to hit the Broadway stage as the star of his own musical.
SHREK: THE MUSICAL is DreamWorks Animation’s first venture in legitimate theatre and follows an ambitious project helmed by British director SAM MENDES.
The score and story for the new production have been penned by JEANINE TESORI and DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE. JASON MOORE, the brains behind hit musical puppet show AVENUE Q, is slated to direct the musical, which is set for an opening in 2008.

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NICOLAS CAGE, director GUY RITCHIE and former EURYTHMICS star DAVE STEWART are turning movie ideas into new comic books as part of a new venture sparked by RICHARD BRANSON and DEEPAK CHOPRA.
Entrepreneur Branson and spiritual guru Chopra have formed a wing of Virgin Comics, called Director’s Cut, which aims to give celebrity comic fans the chance to turn their story ideas into cartoon strips.
ELIZABETH director SHEKHAR KAPUR kickstarted the new venture with two comic books, DEVI and SNAKE WOMAN, this summer (06), and action film director JOHN WOO will continue the run with his new series, 7 BROTHERS, which debuts in comic book stores on Wednesday (18OCT06).
Meanwhile, Cage and Ritchie’s projects are being kept under wraps, although British director Ritchie’s comic book series will be called GAME KEEPER.
Stewart’s quirky Virgin Voices comic series, which hits stores in December (06), will be called WALK IN and will focus on an alien who is sent to earth as a prisoner and discovers the planet is a penal colony.
Virgin Comics spokesman MARK FRANGOS says, "The story ideas have been scripted and our artists in Bangalore (India) have created the artwork."

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LATEST: CROCODILE HUNTER STEVE IRWIN’s eight-year-old daughter BINDI will continue her father’s legacy by taking over where his career left off.
The animal lover is currently shooting BINDI, THE JUNGLE GIRL, a 26-part wildlife documentary show, that is set to debut in January 2007.
Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray barb off the coast of Queensland, Australia in September (06) while filming a segment for his daughter’s new show.
Bindi gave her first interview since her father’s death to Australia’s ABC network saying, "I’m trying to get across the message that don’t be afraid of animals, they’re just put on this earth to help the environment and everything like that." Her late father will appear with her in scenes filmed before his death.
Steve’s manager JOHN STAINTON explains, "We’ll never refer to the fact that Steve is no longer with us. The way it works is that Steve plays co-star to Bindi.
"It’s just the little reactions that she gives to her Dad, who’s, you know, doing sort of silly stuff." Responding to critics who say Bindi is too young to be in the spotlight so soon after her father’s death, Stainton says, "I think they don’t understand that this little girl is very much enjoying what she’s doing.
"She is in control."

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NIP/TUCK star JULIAN McMAHON shocked THE VIEW co-host ROSIE O’DONNELL this morning (16OCT06) by appearing on the US chat show with the zebra skin rug the two shot a love scene on and preceded to recreate the scene.
O’Donnell made a guest appearance on Nip/Tuck when it was screened on US TV last Tuesday (03OCT06). She appeared as a lottery winner who paid McMahon’s character to have sex with her for $100,000 (£55,000).
McMahon unfurled the rug and jumped on top of O’Donnell after she sprawled out on the carpet, to the delight of the studio audience.
Co-host JOY BEHAR also had a turn on the rug with McMahon after musing that she was missing out on all the fun.
O’Donnell’s character DAWN BUDGE was such a hit on the show producers are considering giving her her own spin-off show.
She will appear again on the plastic surgery drama for another guest appearance in tomorrow’s episode (17OCT06).

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Rock star and director ROB ZOMBIE picked up a Chainsaw Award for Best Movie for his horror flick THE DEVIL’S REJECTS last (15OCT06) night in Los Angeles.
The Killer Movie award was presented by ROBERT ENGLUND, best known as A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET villain FREDDY KRUGER, as part of the first televised Fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, which honour the best films and actors in the horror genre.
Zombie’s wife, SHERI MOON, and actor BILL MOSELEY won the Relationship From Hell award for The Devil’s Rejects.
SAW II also won two awards, for Best Butcher (Best Villain) and Looks That Kill (Best Make-Up).
The ceremony airs in the US on cable TV channel Fuse on 22 October (06) and will feature "black carpet" arrivals before the show.

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OLIVER STONE is set to direct another movie based on the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America following his recent film WORLD TRADE CENTER.
The director’s next film, JAWBREAKER, will focus on America’s response to the terrorist attacks with the invasion of Afghanistan and hunt for 9/11 mastermind OSAMA BIN LADEN.
The script will be based in part on a memoir of the same name by GARY BERNTSEN, the Central Intelligence Agency’s point man during the invasion and the man who coordinated the efforts of the CIA and Special Operations Forces to end Taliban rule.
Stone secured the rights to the book months ago and kept it a secret so that World Trade Center could open unencumbered in the US and overseas.
He says, "We’ve been discreet because we didn’t want World Trade Center to be affected unnecessarily by political bulls**t about Afghanistan." The PLATOON director said the intention of Jawbreaker will be to create compelling drama, not spark political controversy.
He adds, "I’m not looking to make a political movie, but it always seems to come down to that with me."

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LATEST: Country star SARA EVANS has taped a short TV interview to explain her reasons for pulling out of US reality show DANCING WITH THE STARS.
The singer quit the show after news of her impending divorce from CRAIG SCHELSKE broke last week (beg09OCT06) and she has since spoken little of her personal problems.
Meanwhile, her Dancing With The Stars rivals are supporting Evans’ decision to leave the show.
Actor JOSEPH LAWRENCE says, "I respect her because she puts her family first.
Nothing is more paramount than that and I couldn’t agree with her decision more." And MARIO LOPEZ also offers his support: "Sara’s a wonderful person. I love her." The troubled singer is also receiving notes of support from her peers in country music.
Pal TIM McGRAW tells US news show ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, "I’m friends with her and her husband. It’s none of my business but I wish the best for them." In court papers filed last week, Evans alleges verbal abuse, harassment, excessive consumption of alcohol and adultery for the reasons behind her decision to divorce Schelske.
She claims her husband has been storing personal ads looking for sex from website Craigslist.com on his personal computer.
As the couple prepare to wage a war for custody of their kids, Schelske has spoken out, stating, "Sara and our three children are the most important people in my life. I have made the decision to forgive Sara for the unfortunate campaign that she and her publicity advisors are currently waging.
"I adamantly deny the allegations that are being made. As distressing as it is to have to communicate about this matter publicly, Sara has unfortunately become a dramatically different person over the last year and it is something we have struggled to deal with. Sadly, it appears we have failed."

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The original members of ’80s girl group EXPOSE are officially back together and preparing for their first tour in more than a decade.
The band members, including JEANETTE JURADO, ANN CURLESS and GIOIA BRUNO, had 10 top 10 charts hits in the US, including LET ME BE THE ONE, POINT OF NO RETURN, COME GO WITH ME and SEASONS CHANGE.
Their first concert appearance is scheduled for 21 October (06) in Miami, Florida, where they will be headlining the Freestyle Explosion event along with LISA, LISA & CULT JAM.
According to Jurado, "It’s really cool to be back working with the girls.
"There are so many reasons why Expose should reunite, but what excites us most is that we’ll be back on stage performing together again." Curless adds, "The chemistry between us is pure magic, plain and simple. It’s such a fabulous experience to be back working with these incredibly talented ladies. I’ve got goosebumps already!" KELLY MONEYMAKER, who replaced Bruno in 1992, will also make several appearances with the group during the tour.

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BRITNEY SPEARS’ husband KEVIN FEDERLINE stepped into the ring with World Wrestling Entertainment star JOHN CENA yesterday (15OCT06), in a stunt to promote his new album PLAYING WITH FIRE.
The aspiring rapper made a surprise appearance during a taping of wresting show MONDAY NIGHT RAW in Los Angeles.
Federline appeared before the sold-out crowd at the Staples Center and received a rounding chorus of boos from the fans.
Cena and Federline pretended to exchange words, which ended in Cena unleashing his signature move - the F-U slam on the former back-up dancer.
Rappers THREE 6 MAFIA, JACKASS stars STEVE-O and CHRIS PONTIUS, and pop stars NICK and AARON CARTER were in the crowd witnessing the action.
Federline’s fight will be broadcast tonight in the US (16OCT06) on the USA Network.

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LOST IN TRANSLATION star SCARLETT JOHANSSON has signed a deal to make her first record, SCARLETT SINGS TOM WAITS, according to media reports in the US.
The album is being recorded at the moment and sessions will continue through the winter, with a possible release next spring (07) from Rhino Records’ currently re-activated Atco label.
According to Fox News, the 21-year-old is recording a whole album of songs by premier singer/songwriter Waits.
Sources says the eventual release date will be coordinated to coincide with Johansson’s movie schedule.

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Actor JASON SCHWARTZMAN prefers working with his famous film-making family because they understand his feelings better.
The 26-year-old star, whose mother is TALIA SHIRE and uncle is director FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, admits being directed by his cousin SOFIA COPPOLA in new period drama MARIE ANTOINETTE had its advantages.
Schwartzman tells British magazine Hotdog, "Its just that you’ve got a library that’s bigger in terms of people that you can reference. Sofia and ROMAN (COPPOLA, his cousin) are able to reference things from the past that I’d forgotten about.
"Like I would say to Sofia, ‘I don’t get how I’m feeling,’ and she would say, ‘It’s like when you were seven and you were at that place.’ "Most directors don’t know me when I was seven. For Sofia, my index is much more available to her."

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LATEST: MADONNA’s bid to adopt a baby in Malawi looks to have been successful after the boy flew out of the African country on a private jet earlier today (16OCT06).
An immigration official has confirmed that the passport of 13-month-old DAVID BANDA has been approved, writes website BBC.com.
Earlier, the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) was reported to have ruled the adoption of Banda goes against state laws because Madonna is not a Malawi citizen.
However, the baby has since been spotted leaving the country accompanied by Madonna’s bodyguard.
The MATERIAL GIRL and her husband GUY RITCHIE returned to the UK at the weekend (14-15OCT06), after being granted an interim court order approving the adoption.

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British actor RAY WINSTONE has rubbished reports of a major bust-up with his co-star ANGELINA JOLIE on the set of new movie BEOWULF.
THE DEPARTED star Winstone was surprised to read the media stories, especially considering he had yet to start working alongside Jolie.
Winstone says, "I was in America and she hadn’t even arrived yet, and there was a report saying we’d had a big bust-up on set.
"When she got there I said, ‘Watch out. Me and you have fallen out. We’ve had a row. We can’t talk to one another.’"

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Actor JEREMY IRONS pleaded to a celebrity-packed audience to join human rights group Amnesty International and end world suffering, during a speech at London’s The Secret Policeman’s Secret Ball on Saturday (14OCT06).
The DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE star made the impassioned plea amid a night of star-studded entertainment, which featured the likes of CHEVY CHASE, EMMA THOMPSON, JIMMY FALLON and EDDIE IZZARD.
Irons told the gathering, "Amnesty International is a movement of ordinary people.
"People like us from around the world who stand up for humanity and human rights wherever truth, freedom or justice are denied." The Secret Policeman’s Secret Ball, in aid of Amnesty International UK, was the first in 17 years, and is credited for inspiring Live Aid and many other charity fundraisers.

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Actress BLYTHE DANNER has slammed the paparazzi for constantly hounding her Oscar-winning daughter GWYNETH PALTROW.
The 63-year-old MEET THE FOCKERS star is fiercely protective of her family, and admits to being "like a mother eagle with my talons out".
She says, "One time they came to our door when Gwyneth’s family were visiting. This guy was really obnoxious. I pushed the camera away and he came back with it.
"I had a tea towel over my shoulder. So I started flicking it at him and he actually called the police and said, ‘A woman is beating me!’"

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THE BIG CHILL star MEG TILLY has spoken candidly about the horrible sexual and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of several male relatives and acquaintances throughout her youth.
The 46-year-old star turned her back on Hollywood in 1994 and moved to Canada to raise her family out of the spotlight.
Her fictional book GEMMA is based on her own experiences as a young girl, and Tilly hopes that by coming forward she can help others.
Tilly, whose sister is actress JENNIFER TILLY, says, "I remember being scared when I hear the sound of the belt coming out. I said to my husband I remember wearing certain types of clothes that don’t chaff against the welts I have.
"I remember not leaning back (in my chair) in school sometimes because it was too sore and very painful to sit, to lean your back against the back of the desk. I remember being scared and when he’d shake his belt at me, but I don’t remember the feeling of it.
"My husband says, ‘Well how do you think you got the scars on your back?’ I know, but sometimes I wonder if all this actually happened especially when you get older and older but it did and other people (in my family) remember it too.
"There are scars you can’t explain and you do remember the before and the after. It’s so important to acknowledge it because you’re always told that’s in your imagination." Tilly also reveals how her behaviour changed dramatically as she entered her teenage years.
She says, "I was 13 and acting out (against) all the bad things that were happening to me I started drinking and smoking pot and telling teachers, ‘F you’ and thinking I was this hot shot.
"I was out back behind the gym and getting drunk and coming to class staggering around and barfing into garbage cans. I started to act with boys. I smoked pot with some guys who I thought were my friends and they tried to gang bang me and it was a wake up call.
"I thought, ‘What am I doing?’ The more bad things were happening (at home) and I drank five glasses of red wine and then saw something disturbing with my parents and ran out on the beach just running and running and everything was spinning. I just sat there for a long time and I got cold."

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