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Moviemaker KEVIN SMITH has vowed never to fly the unfriendly skies with b= udget U.S. airline Southwest again after he was asked to leave a plane on= Saturday (13Feb10) because he was too fat.
The Clerks director was offended when airline staff asked him to vacate= his seat on a flight bound for Los Angeles from Oakland, California - an= d, despite two public apologies, Smith insists he’ll never fly with South= west again.
In a post on his popular website, the humiliated filmmaker has promised= to "scorch the earth" with his complaints against airline bosses.
Smith suggests he may have been kicked off the flight by a disgruntled = airline employee who did not like his films.
And the director, who reportedly bought 10 Southwest tickets so far thi= s month (Feb10), insists, "I’m never going on Southwest again." In response, a spokesman for the airline tells CNN.com, "We want to ass= ure everyone that has expressed concern over the situation that we will u= se this experience in our customer service program when training our empl= oyees on the correct way to apply the policy."

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SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS will forever be indebted to ALEC BALDWIN for insistin= g that filming on their 1997 movie THE EDGE was halted so the SILENCE OF = THE LAMBS star could have surgery.
Hopkins herniated a disc in his neck just before filming started, but f= elt "duty-bound" to complete the wilderness adventure.
When his co-star discovered why the actor was in so much pain, he instr= ucted director Lee Tamahori to cease filming, so Hopkins could get the me= dical attention he needed.
The 72 year old star recalls, "Alec just stopped everything one day and= said, ‘This is crazy; you’re going to the hospital.’ "They found I had a herniated disc, they operated, and I was back at wo= rk within three days.
"I admired Alec for being tough. Maybe a lot of people don’t like that,= but I do because he’s been very forthright, very honest and faithful." (=

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HARRISON FORD has beaten MICHAEL DOUGLAS and BILL PULLMAN to the top of a= new Internet survey to find the best Hollywood president.
Ford’s turn as President James Marshall in Air Force One landed him 38 = per cent of the vote in the MovieTickets.com poll, held over the weekend = (13-14Feb10) to mark Presidents Day in America on Monday (15Feb10).
Douglas’ portrayal of President Andrew Shepherd in 1995 film The Americ= an President earned him second place with 21 per cent of the 30,000 votes= cast.
Bill Pullman’s Independence Day leader, President Thomas J. Whitmore, c= ame in third ahead of Morgan Freeman (Deep Impact) and Jack Nicholson (Ma= rs Attacks!).

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KINGS OF LEON have lined up their biggest gig to date - at London’s Hyde = Park this summer (10).
The U.S. rockers, who have become one of Britain’s most popular live ac= ts in recent years, will follow headlining slots at the Glastonbury and R= eading & Leeds festivals with a showcase at one of the U.K.’s most revere= d locations on 30 June (10).
The band will take time out from recording a new album to headline the = London summer show, and bass player Jared Followill can’t wait: "It’s a g= reat honour to be playing Hyde Park. It’s something that a band can only = dream of. To be put in the same category as the groups that have played b= efore us is just unbelievable. Bring sun block and your earplugs." (KL/WN=

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BAD COMPANY and FREE rocker PAUL RODGERS has confirmed he was considered = as a replacement for STEVEN TYLER after the frontman exited AEROSMITH las= t year (09) - but chose to tour the U.K. with band guitarist JOE PERRY’s = side project instead.
Rodgers explains he spoke with Perry shortly after Tyler announced plan= s to take a two-year hiatus in November (09) and the Aerosmith star offer= ed him the job of stepping in for the departing singer.
The All Right Now singer, who previously fronted Queen for a world tour= , declined the offer.
He says, "I’ve never really joined a band other than joining forces wit= h Queen, during which we were playing my songs and their songs.
"I did speak to Joe in London. He discussed some of the problems and we= talked about music.
"The upshot is that he’s gonna be bringing his solo band in support of = the Bad Company tour in the U.K." Rodgers admits he’s glad to hear that Tyler, who is currently undergoin= g treatment for a painkiller addiction in a California rehab, could be ba= ck behind the microphone for Aerosmith as early as this summer (10), when= the group co-headlines Britain’s Download festival.
He adds, "I have enormous respect for all those guys and I really hope = that they iron out their problems and Aerosmith sticks together because t= hey’re such a great band." Meanwhile, Rodgers might not be hooking up with Aerosmith, but he does = have other supergroup plans.
He tells TheRockRadio.com, "I was just down in Maui and I had a jam ses= sion with Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. We just did whatever came to min= d, a lot of blues, actually.
"I remember watching Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac at the Marquee and clu= bs all over London way back in the old days… and we did exactly that th= ing. We just played and jammed. Maybe it is on the cards to do something = very stripped down and basic (with them)."

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BEYONCE’s manager father MATHEW KNOWLES has handed over $10,000 (=C2=A36,= 250) to the woman who alleges her newborn son is his lovechild - to help = cover her hospital costs.
Knowles was named the father of the child in legal papers Alexsandra Wr= ight filed in Los Angeles in October (09).
She alleges baby Nixon, who was born earlier this month (04Feb10), was = conceived during an 18-month fling she had with Knowles, while he was sti= ll married to Beyonce’s stylist mum, Tina. They have since separated.
Mathew Knowles has promised to undergo a DNA test to determine paternit= y of the baby, and his lawyer, Lance Spiegel, and Neal Hersh, Wright’s le= gal representative, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday morning (1= 6Feb10) to negotiate child support should the music mogul prove to be the= father.
Spiegel told the court his client had already paid thousands of dollars= to Wright to contribute to medical costs.
The lawyers are reportedly looking to settle child support at around $2= 0,000 (=C2=A312,500)-a-month, according to TMZ.com.
The DNA test will be performed on 1 March (10).

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LIAM GALLAGHER made sure fans knew his feud with brother NOEL was far fro= m over by refusing to thank him while collecting an award on behalf of OA= SIS at the BRIT Awards in London - before hurling the trophy into the aud= ience.
Oasis’ 1995 classic (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? album was voted t= he Best Previous BRIT Award-winning Record as part of the ceremony’s 30th= anniversary celebrations on Tuesday (16Feb10).
Fans were stunned as Gallagher strolled onstage to collect the award on= behalf of the now defunct band, which split last August (09) after Noel = Gallagher walked out following a blazing row with his sibling.
He went on to thank all his former bandmates, before adding, "Listen ki= ds… the best bands in the f**king world live forever." The unpredictable rocker then threw the prize into the crowd.
The stunt didn’t impress host Peter Kay, who labelled the star a "k**bh= ead" after he left the stage.
Oasis beat out competition from Coldplay, Dido, Dire Straits, Duffy, Ke= ane, Phil Collins, Sade, The Verve and Travis to win the award.
The win comes a day after Oasis fan Robbie Williams named the album the= best of the last 30 years. He said, "You can’t argue with how fantastic = that album is."

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American pop sensation LADY GAGA continued her quest for world domination= on Tuesday night (16Feb10) - by walking away with a trio of major trophi= es at the BRIT Awards in London.
The Poker Face hitmaker was the big winner at the event, walking away w= ith prizes for all the international categories she was nominated for.
Her record The Fame was named Best International Album and she also col= lected awards for Best International Female Solo artist and Best Internat= ional Breakthrough.
A teary-eyed GaGa thanked her U.K
. fans, and provided the audience with= a moving yet sombre tribute performance to late fashion designer Alexand= er McQueen, who died last Thursday (11Feb10).
Tour collaborators Lily Allen and Dizzee Rascal took home the Best Fema= le and Male Solo Artist awards respectively, while Jay-Z collected the pr= ize for Best International Male Solo Artist.
Boyband JLS were also celebrating after winning the Best British Breakt= hrough and Best British Single honours.
Florence And The Machine were the recipients of the night’s revered Mas= tercard British Album of the Year honour for their acclaimed debut, Lungs= ..
And the 1990s were alive again as two of the decades biggest acts, Oasi= s and the Spice Girls, were honoured with special trophies in recognition= of the event’s 30th Anniversary.
The Wannabe hitmakers BRITs performance in 1997 was voted the event’s b= est ever live routine, while Liam Gallagher stirred controversy by throwi= ng Oasis’ award for BRITs Album of the Last 30 Years - for 1995’s (What’s= The Story) Morning Glory? - into the audience.
Former Take That star Robbie Williams concluded the show with a medley = of hits after he was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award.
The full list of winners is as follows: British Female Solo Artist - Lily Allen British Male Solo Artist - Dizzee Rascal British Breakthrough Act - JLS British Group - Kasabian MasterCard British Album - Lungs by Florence & the Machine British Single - Beat Again by JLS Critics Choice Award - Ellie Goulding BRITs Album of 30 Years - (What=E2=80=99s the Story) Morning Glory? by = Oasis The BRITs Hits 30 Award - Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are by Spice Gir= ls International Female Solo Artist - Lady GaGa International Male Solo Artist - Jay-Z International Album - The Fame by Lady GaGa International Breakthrough Act - Lady GaGa Outstanding Contribution Award - Robbie Williams

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Wrestler-turned-rocker CHRIS JERICHO almost found himself behind bars on = Tuesday (16Feb10) after failing to show up in court to answer a charge of= public intoxication.
Jericho, the frontman of heavy metal band Fozzy, and fellow wrestler Gr= eg Helms were arrested in Kentucky last month (27Jan10) after they were a= pprehended for "alcohol intoxication in a public place".
The stars were summoned to appear in court on Tuesday, and when Jericho= didn’t show for the hearing, the judge issued a bench warrant for his ar= rest.
He recalled the order when the fighter turned up hours later, reports T= MZ.com.
Both Jericho and Helms, who turned up to court on time, settled the cas= e by pleading guilty to the count and paying a fine of $159 (=C2=A399). (=

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Embattled reality TV star TILA TEQUILA and ex-boyfriend SHAWNE MERRIMAN h= ave settled their legal disputes with each other.
Pregnant Tequila accused the San Diego Chargers footballer of assaultin= g her during an altercation at his home in November (09).
She claimed the sportsman tried to choke her and threw her to the groun= d. She also accused Merriman of false imprisonment.
He insisted he had simply tried to prevent Tequila, real name Tila Nguy= en, from leaving his house after a row because she was "inebriated".
Merriman countersued his ex for intentional interference with a contrac= t, claiming that her allegations cost him a lucrative business deal. He a= lso accused her of spreading lies to damage his reputation and ruin his c= areer.
The terms of the settlement between the former couple are confidential.=

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Florida prosecutors have dropped a felony citation against actor/singer T= YRESE GIBSON over a car accident last month (Jan10).
The R&B singer was involved in a collision with Sheena McCreary in Miam= i, Florida on 4 January (10), and both drivers were cited for allegedly l= eaving the scene of an accident "on public or private property".
Gibson’s lawyers contested the charge against their client, insisting G= ibson star followed protocol by filing a report with cops. The attorneys = filed papers on 18 January (10) entering a not guilty plea on their clien= t’s behalf.
Gibson and McCreary left the scene of the accident in a taxi together a= fter reporting the crash to cops, according to TMZ.com.
Prosecutors officially dropped the case on Tuesday (16Feb10). (JMA/WNWC=

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Pop superstar MADONNA is set to cash in on her status as a fashion icon -= she’s in talks to design her own clothing range with bosses at U.S. depa= rtment store Macy’s.
The Material Girl established herself as a trendsetter early on in her = career when she became known in the 1980s for her bleached blonde hair, f= ishnet stockings and her famous coned bra.
Now Madonna is negotiating a lucrative deal with Macy’s bosses to bring= her style vision to life in a collection of apparel, accessories, underw= ear and footwear, reports industry publication Women’s Wear Daily.
Executives at clothing company Iconix Brand Group Inc. - the same firm = which bought Jay-Z’s Rocawear line for $204 million (=C2=A3127.5 million)= in 2007 - is believed to be involved in the venture, although a represen= tative has refused to confirm or deny the reports.
Madonna has previously designed a fashion line for high street retailer= H&M, which went on sale worldwide in 2007, and she was due to team up wi= th Christian Audigier last year (09) but pulled out of plans at the last = minute.

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MICHAEL JACKSON is set to be honoured by New York City transit officials = with an artistic tribute in the subway station where he filmed the promo = for BAD with MARTIN SCORSESE.
A proposal to rename Brooklyn’s Hoyt-Schermerhorn station and erect a p= laque in Jackson’s honour was rejected last year (09), amid fears commute= rs would be confused by the name-change.
But now organisers at the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) local dev= elopment corporation have agreed to have a mural designed to highlight th= e significance of the station in the 16-minute music video, which was sho= t in 1987.
Partnership President Joe Chan confirms: "We see this as a great opport= unity to potentially establish Hoyt-Schermerhorn’s role in American pop c= ulture and as a tourist destination to attract people to a part of Downto= wn Brooklyn already rapidly growing." DBP has yet to select the artist who will create the music tribute, whi= ch will replace the subway station’s blank facade.
Chan adds of the planned work: "The art could be the size of a huge mur= al and possibly rely on lights and projection at night time." The Bad video featured Jackson dancing with pals, and also starred a yo= ung Wesley Snipes at the start of his Hollywood career.
Jackson died last June (09), at the age of 50.

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JESSICA SIMPSON has played down rumours she’s dating SMASHING PUMPKINS fr= ontman BILLY CORGAN, insisting she’s enjoying life as a single girl.
The odd couple sparked reports of a romance in December (09) after the = stars were snapped together during a night out.
Simpson later revealed they had teamed up in the studio to record a new= song, but refused to publicly address the dating claims.
Corgan also failed to put a stop to the rumours last week (11Feb10) whe= n he dodged questions about the status of their relationship.
When asked if he was dating "Jessica", the 42 year old told Eonline.com= , "Jessica Rabbit? She’s a cartoon character. I don’t know if you knew th= at. They did such a good job on the movie that you swore she was real." But Simpson has dismissed the speculation in a new interview, telling A= llure magazine, "I’m on my own, and it’s nice." The singer/actress, whose previous partners include Nick Lachey, John M= ayer and American footballer Tony Romo, admits she is looking for "an art= istic man" to date.
She says, "It will show you the colours of my character, the person tha= t I fall in love with next. I don’t even have a type! I don=E2=80=99t hav= e a physical type. I have an emotional type."

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British singer ROBBIE WILLIAMS has credited his life in Los Angeles with = helping him beat his long-running drug and alcohol demons.
The Angels hitmaker has struggled with substance abuse, and famously ba= ttled an addiction to painkillers including Vicodin during the mid-2000s.
Williams endured several stints in rehab, most recently when he was adm= itted to a facility in Arizona in 2007, but eventually managed to overcom= e his demons - and is adamant he has the L.A. lifestyle to thank for his = recovery.
He tells Britain’s OK! magazine, "I can say it’s easier in Los Angeles = - everybody talks therapy out there. There’s a much better understanding = of addiction, depression and ailments in general. There’s very much a sti= ff upper lip in England. These days people are softening, people are goin= g to Alcoholics Anonymous and rehab, but it’s taken us a long time to sto= p the stiff upper lip." Williams also credits his longterm girlfriend, Ayda Field, with aiding = his recovery: "It’s a perfect headline and I don’t say it because it soun= ds trite but she certainly hasn’t hindered my recovery process and my men= tal stability. She’s wonderful."

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LIONEL RICHIE is hoping his daughter NICOLE RICHIE and new fiance JOEL MA= DDEN have a short engagement - because he "cannot wait" to walk her down = the aisle.
The happy news broke this week after the socialite and former reality T= V star showed off her new ring while dining out with rocker Madden in New= York on Monday night (15Feb10).
Confirming the engagement during a taped appearance on U.S. talk show L= ate Night with David Letterman, set to air on Friday (19Feb10), Richie sa= ys: "We actually recently got engaged." And the 28 year old’s proud dad wants the couple to exchange vows as so= on as possible after dating for three years.
The soul legend tells People.com, "My happiness for Nicole and Joel kno= ws no boundaries. They have given me two beautiful grandchildren, Harlow = and Sparrow, and have proven to be great parents.
"I am not sure who is luckier, Nicole and Joel to have each other, or m= e, to have both of them in my life. I cannot wait to give away the bride!= "

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NICOLAS CAGE has been dealt a blow by Hollywood movie bosses - they have = postponed the release of his forthcoming film SEASON OF THE WITCH just fi= ve weeks before it was set to hit cinemas.
The drama, based on Bragi Schut’s script about a girl suspected of bein= g a witch, was scheduled for U.S. release on 19 March (10).
But executives at Lionsgate have pulled plans to feature the film State= side until further notice, according to Daily Variety.
A reason for the delay has not been revealed and a new launch date has = yet to be scheduled.

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LEONARDO DiCAPRIO’s close pals have shot down rumours he’s engaged to sup= ermodel BAR REFAELI.
German newspaper Bild sparked fresh speculation of an impending wedding= after publishing photos of Refaeli wearing a gold band on her ring finge= r on Monday (15Feb10).
The tabloid claimed DiCaprio had proposed to the Israeli beauty on Vale= ntine’s Day (14Feb10) after spending the romantic date at the Berlin Inte= rnational Film Festival, where the actor’s new movie Shutter Island was p= remiered.
But sources close to the Titanic star have dismissed reports the on/off= couple is set to exchange vows.
One insider tells UsMagazine.com the claims are "not true".
It’s not the first time the stars have been rumoured to be heading to t= he altar - last March (09), the couple was alleged to have cemented its f= our-year romance with a low-key wedding. The reports were subsequently de= nied.

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