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The celebrity fertility doctor who treated singer CELINE DION and actress LIV ULLMAN has been sentenced to probation for failing to repay nearly $3.2 million (£2.3 million) to patients and insurers he defrauded.
Federal Judge William Pauley ordered New York-based doctor Niels Lauersen to do 60 hours of community service, nearly eight years after he was convicted of insurance fraud.
The 72-year-old doctor was ordered in 2001 to submit to two years of strict supervision following completion of his 70-month prison term in 2006.
According to the New York Post, Lauersen was brought back to court when prosecutors accused him of violating his original probation terms by failing to pay restitution and hiding nearly $270,000 (£192,860) in rental income.

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American theatre producer ROY A. SOMLYO has died, aged 83.
Somlyo passed away on Thursday (29Jan09) in Manhattan after losing his battle with cancer, his daughter Lauren McGowan said.
He managed more than 100 shows in his career, including Broadway’s 6 Rms Riv Vu, a revival of Anna Christie, and I Remember Mama in the 1970s.
His later shows A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and 84 Charing Cross Road hit the Broadway stage in 1980 and 1982 respectively.
In 1982, Somlyo celebrated his first Emmy Award win, for his television special Night of 100 Stars - one of several others he produced.
Serving as the managing producer of the Tony Awards telecast for more than 10 years, from 1987 to 1998, he earned another three Emmys for outstanding variety, music or comedy specials in 1980, 1998 and 1999.
In 2007, Somlyo was acknowledged once again, as the recipient of the Theater Hall of Fame Founders Award.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, the former Nancy Rifici, two sisters - Caroline Miller and Emily Somlyo - a son, David, and four grandchildren.

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CALIFORNICATION actress NATASCHA MCELHONE has been unveiled as the new spokesmodel for beauty treatment company Neutrogena.
The British star admits the brand, which specialises in facial moisturisers and treatments, appealed to her because the widowed mother-of-three has little time to worry about her beauty regime.
McElhone lost her husband, plastic surgeon Martin Kelly, last May (08) after he collapsed on the doorstep of the couple’s London home following a heart attack.
The actress, 37, gave birth to their third son, Rex, five months after Kelly’s death.
And she feels fronting Neutrogena’s latest ad campaign is a good fit for her hectic lifestyle.
She tells People.com, "Neutrogena appeals to me because it’s unpretentious and pure.
"Right now with a newborn and with my two other sons adjusting and adapting to this new life, I have to be honest, there really isn’t much time for myself. I don’t have a particular (beauty routine) because I don’t really have time for one. Which is why products like Neutrogena are essential." McElhone - the face of Neutrogena’s new Ageless Essentials Continuous Hydration product line - follows in the footsteps of actresses Diane Lane, Jennifer Garner, Hayden Panettiere and Vanessa Hudgens, who have all fronted campaigns for the brand.

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EMILY BLUNT and JASON SEGEL have been tapped to join funnyman JACK BLACK in a new movie version of fictional adventure book GULLIVER’S TRAVELS.
The pair are reportedly negotiating with bosses at Twentieth Century Fox to co-star with Black, who signed on in November (08) to play a travel writer who gets lost in the Bermuda Triangle and washes up on an island of tiny people.
The film, to be directed by Shark Tale’s Rob Letterman, will give a modern spin to Jonathan Swift’s classic 18th century tale.
But the role may mean Blunt will have to give up a potential role as femme fatale the Black Widow in the forthcoming Iron Man sequel opposite Robert Downey, Jr, amid scheduling concerns from her bosses at Fox studios.
Shooting for Gulliver’s Travels is scheduled to begin in March 2009.
Ted Danson was the last screen Gulliver, starring in a 1996 TV miniseries.

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Actress CHLOE SEVIGNY has launched a verbal attack on a grumpy New York retailer, comparing him to the SOUP NAZI in hit TV comedy SEINFELD.
Marty Rosen, owner of The Sock Man in the Big Apple’s East Village, came under attack from Sevigny after she encountered the moody manager during a recent shopping trip to his store.
Likening him to the rude chef on comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s show, she says, "I love that place, but the guy’s the grumpiest man on Earth. He’s like the Soup Nazi, but he sells socks." But Rosen, who reportedly raises his voice at customers who take too long browsing or ask too many questions, is refusing to change his ways - suggesting Sevigny was only offended because he had no idea she was a star.
He tells the New York Daily News, "I have my moments. I’m from New York, we all have our moments.
"Dealing with retail isn’t the easiest thing, and maybe she came in when I was grumpy. Maybe she was upset that I didn’t know who she was.
"(Sevigny) still shops here, so I’m not going to say anything to dis (insult) her. I’d rather let it go and say I’m the grumpiest sock man in New York City. I don’t care. I’m the Sock Nazi."

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The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) will resume talks with movie studio bosses next week (03Feb09) in a bid to end a dispute over royalty payments.
Officials at the union fired their chief negotiator, Doug Allen, earlier this week (26Jan09), blaming him for months of stalled contract talks with studio heads.
The 120,000 SAG cardholders have been without a film and prime-time TV contract since their old labour pact expired in June 2008, after negotiations collapsed and the studios presented what they called their "final" offer.
The threat of a walkout by members has been hanging over the industry since the contract’s end, but the SAG leaders are now ready to restart negotiations with film bosses.
John McGuire will replace Allen when he meets with studio representatives on Tuesday (03Feb09) for a two-day discussion at the California headquarters of The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

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BUSTA RHYMES has cleared up rumours surrounding his departure from Interscope Records, explaining he parted ways with the label after a "mutual agreement" with chairman JIMMY IOVINE.
The Touch It hitmaker - real name Trevor Smith - announced he was walking away from his contract with Interscope and Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records in September (08) to release future projects under Universal Motown.
The move sparked speculation Rhymes had been dismissed by boss Iovine after a heated argument over the delay of his album, then titled Blessed.
But Rhymes has now spoken out to address the situation - insisting it was a joint decision that led to him finding a new label.
He tells Complex Magazine, "Just for the record, there was no heated argument with me and Jimmy Iovine. When I realised that I wasn’t getting the things that I felt that I needed facilitated from the record company at the time, I set up a meeting to speak with Jimmy Iovine and we had a sit-down with each other.
"It was kind of a mutual agreement and a mutual understanding. And with that kind of support and understanding, I actually sing Jimmy Iovine’s praises because not only did he let me leave, but he let me leave with my album." And Rhymes is adamant the move was for the best - because he is now producing some of his best ever work: "I can honestly say that it feels like this is the album that is the more appropriate body of work for defining this moment in time for me as a man, for me as an artist, and also for the state of the music as far as hip-hop is concerned."

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PEARL JAM rocker MIKE MCCREADY is lending his star power to a new bill calling for emergency access to toilets for sufferers of Crohn’s disease.
The guitarist - who himself has been diagnosed with the painful gastrointestinal disorder - testified before a legal committee in Washington on Thursday (29Jan09) in a bid to convince state legislators to allow patients with the condition to use shops’ private restrooms.
McCready claimed there are several businesses he now refuses to patronise after they refused him permission to use an employee toilet, causing "hundreds" of accidents over the last 20 years.
But while he acknowledged the illness has caused him embarrassment, he urged officials to remember the devastating humiliation younger people who have similar disorders must endure.
He said: "I’m 42 years old. I’m doing fine. But when you’re 13 or 14 and you’re going through those years with the shame and indignation - it’s embarrassing…
"Imagine the worst diarrhoea you’ve ever had and then times it by 10, with a knife in it. You have maybe a half a second to find out where a bathroom is."

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Reunited boyband NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK have sparked a bidding war online after putting a self portrait up for auction - all in the name of charity.
Singer Donnie Wahlberg drew caricatures of the five-piece backstage at their O2 Arena concert in London last Saturday (24Jan09) and got all members of the band to sign it.
Wahlberg then donated the artwork, and the marker pen he used to create it, to the No Surrender Charitable Trust, a British organisation that provides support to young adult cancer sufferers.
And the 1990s teen idols have proved they’re still hot property with fans - bidding on the A3-sized picture had reached $1,505 (£1,060) by Friday (30Jan09).
The black pen used by Wahlberg, which the auctioneers state "has been kissed and rubbed all over the body of Donny Wallberg (sic)", is also attracting big bucks - bidding stands at $362 (£255) with five days to go.
The winning buyers will also receive a video blog of Wahlberg creating the artwork on CD to prove its authenticity.
The 11-day auctions will close next Wednesday (04Feb09).

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Rap mogul SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS is "devastated" following the break-up of his girl band DANITY KANE, according to former member DAWN RICHARD.
The group, put together by Combs for his reality TV series Making The Band, confirmed it was no more on Thursday (29Jan09).
Richard claimed she and remaining bandmate Aundrea Fimbres would try to "pick up the pieces" on forthcoming episodes of the show, following the shock departure of singers Aubrey O’Day, D. Woods and Shannon Bex from the group last year (08).
And while Richard insists Danity Kane’s collapse has been difficult to handle, she is adamant her boss Combs is just as hurt.
She tells MTV.com, "I think he’s devastated… He’s just confused. I think that’s what makes him crazy the most. He’s like, ‘I’m the master of all of this, and they totally pulled the wool (deceived me).’ I think he’s bitter and angry." And the star has also blasted rumours Combs kicked O’Day and Woods out of the group in October (08) because he was grooming Richard for a solo career: "No one is in cahoots with Puff (Combs). Puff is in cahoots with himself. Everyone who knows Puff knows Puff rolls with himself. His hustle is money. That’s what he does. I’m just devastated. I wish the rumours were true."

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ELLEN BARKIN’s new TV series about an older woman wrapped up in a bitter divorce is based on her own split from her billionaire ex RON PERELMAN, according to new report.
Hollywood sources reported on Thursday (29Jan09) the actress had been tapped to play a divorcee who finds herself newly single after ending her high-profile marriage in the as-yet-untitled HBO show.
But the project is actually a thinly-disguised series about her own life and her failed relationship with investor Perelman, who served her divorce papers in 2006 before evicting her from his mansion, according to the New York Post.
And the newspaper insists Barkin plans to use the show to exact revenge on her ex - by spilling all the details of their messy parting.
A source tells the publication, "There’s so much source material to work with. The first week, Ellen could be out on the sidewalk in her socks screaming as the movers are loading up her things. In the second week, she could soak Ron with water." Barkin was awarded $60 million (£42 million) after Perelman ended their six-year union - and reportedly pocketed another $20.3 million (£14.2 million) after auctioning off more than 100 jewels he had given her.

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50 CENT is hitting back at rival rapper RICK ROSS in a new song after the MC took aim at the IN DA CLUB hitmaker in a scathing track.
Ross first hit out at the G-Unit star - real name Curtis Jackson - in his song Mafia Music, when he referenced a fire which ravaged a home owned by 50 and lived in by the rapper’s son and ex-girlfriend last year (08).
He rapped: "I love to pay ya bills, can’t wait to pay ya rent/ Curtis Jackson baby mama, I ain’t looking for a cent/ Burn the house down, you gotta buy another/ Don’t forget the gas can, jealous, stupid muthaf**ker." But 50 Cent has refused to ignore the attack - and has now unleashed his lyrical wrath against Ross.
In the song, entitled Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me), the hip-hop star pokes fun at Ross’ history as a prison officer, a career move he initially tried to deny but eventually admitted to in October (08).
50 Cent’s response starts with him repeatedly chanting Officer Ricky, before he rhymes: "I put a razor through your face/I put a nine on my waist."

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British singer LILY ALLEN is back on the booze - because performing live is too nerve-racking without alcohol.
The Smile hitmaker vowed to stop drinking and curb her partying ways last year (08) after an onstage spat with Sir Elton John at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in Britain.
But Allen admits she needed alcohol to steady her nerves before her first London show in two years at the KOKO venue on Wednesday night (28Jan09) - and is now back drinking as she undergoes a tour of the U.K.
She tells British newspaper The Sun, "Yep, I am drinking again. Last night (Wednesday) I had my first drink. There’s no way I can get on stage without a drink. I think I’m funnier when I’ve had a few.
"I didn’t find it difficult to stop drinking, I didn’t even think about it. I haven’t really needed a drink but now I’m on tour, it’s fun drinking sometimes. But some things have changed. I’m not drinking any cheap stuff now - only expensive wine will do this time. I’ve gone upmarket."

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KATE BECKINSALE’s childhood dreams of becoming a big sister were ruined by her father’s untimely death.
Richard Beckinsale, beloved star of classic U.K. TV sitcoms Porridge and Rising Damp, died from a heart attack in 1979, when his daughter was just five-years-old.
And now the actress has revealed her parents were planning on having another child together just before her dad passed away, aged just 31.
And the star is proud of the fact she was the reason her actress mum Judy Loe wanted more kids.
The Underworld star, who has a half-sister, called Samantha from her father’s first marriage to Margaret Bradley, tells Hollywood Life magazine, "I used to pester my mother for another baby when my father was still alive. She ended up having an eight-hour operation to unblock her tubes and things like that.
"The operation was a success, but my father died while she was having it, so it was really ironic, terrible timing." The actress, who is a mum to nine-year-old Lily, admits she’d rethink her plans about having more kids if her daughter asked for a sibling.
She adds, "If Lily was begging me for a brother or sister I’d be more inclined (to have another)." Lily’s father is Beckinsale’s ex Michael Sheen. The actress is currently married to moviemaker Len Wiseman.
The actress’ daughter turns 10 on Saturday (31Jan09).

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WHITNEY HOUSTON is so happy, she has refused to record any sad songs for her comeback album, according to collaborator NE-YO.
The singer hasn’t released a record since her 2003 Christmas offering, One Wish: The Holiday Album. Her last original studio album was Just Whitney, released the same year (03).
The vocal superstar is currently working on an LP to relaunch her career, which is expected to hit record stores later this year (09).
And R&B star Ne-Yo, who has been helping the star put her new album together, insists it won’t feature any downbeat ballads - because of the improvement in Houston’s personal life.
He says, "People are expecting something fantastic and I think they are going to get it. Whitney doesn’t want any sad songs on this record. She isn’t going for tear jerkers. She’s happy raising her children and wants her music to reflect that. It’s already sounding great." Houston endured a messy public divorce in 2007 when she split with her husband of 15 years, Bobby Brown, as well as battling a string of alleged drug problems.
Houston has full custody of the former couple’s 15-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

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LEONARDO DiCAPRIO’s model girlfriend BAR REFAELI has been tipped to front a revival of the U.S. TV series HOUSE OF STYLE.
The popular show, which ran from 1989 to 2000, focused on fashion and design and was originally hosted by supermodel Cindy Crawford.
Now MTV is planning to bring the show back to the small screen - and producers hope to land the Titanic star’s lover or catwalk stunner Chanel Iman to take over presenting duties, according to New York gossip column PageSix.
Neither of the beauties has officially signed on to the project.

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KATE WINSLET was desperate to work with her husband SAM MENDES on a movie project after TOM HANKS lavished praise on the filmmaker.
Hanks worked with the director on 2002 drama Road To Perdition and was so thrilled by the experience, he urged Winslet to star in one of her spouse’s movies.
But the actress failed to find a film she and Mendes could collaborate on - until she came across the script for Revolutionary Road.
She says, "Wonderful actors like Tom Hanks would tell me that Sam was so great to work (with).
"I’d be telling them to shut up because I was starting to get a bit jealous. I wanted to experience the side of him and when I did it was as if the final piece of a puzzle of who my husband really is slotted into place." And it seems the husband-and-wife team’s efforts paid off for Winslet - she won a Best Actress Golden Globe and is nominated for a slew of prestigious industry awards for her turn in Revolutionary Road.

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JESSICA SIMPSON donned skin-tight leather trousers and blasted criticism of her weight gain during her first performance since the media mocked her fuller figure.
The singer made headlines after she was pictured looking notably curvier on-stage at a concert in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Sunday (25Jan09).
The photos prompted criticism of her weight gain - and the star’s sister Ashlee branded the media attention "embarrassing and belittling" in an angry rant on her blog.
But stepping to the stage again, Simpson seemed to take the controversy in her stride - strutting across the stage in black leather trousers as she opened for Rascal Flatts in Charlottesville, Virginia on Thursday (29Jan09).
She told the crowd: "I feel like in our world today we focus on so many things that are completely pointless. Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder. So just appreciate." And although the Irresistible singer avoided directly referencing her weight gain, she did thank fans for getting behind her.
She announced at the end of her set: "Thank you for your support. Stay positive, and pray out loud! I love you guys, good night."

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