Meredith Vieira to Replace Katie Couric  —  NEW YORK - A day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the "Today" show.  —  NBC chose Vieira over several internal candidates, including weekend "Today" anchor Campbell Brown …

Paula Abdul Files Assault Claim  —  Paula Abdul filed assault charges with Hollywood police on Tuesday against a man who allegedly slammed her into a wall, the Associated Press reports.  —  The American Idol judge told police she was at a private party at about 1 a.m. on April 2 when a man …

Ciara, Bow Wow Call It Quits … Ciara and Bow Wow, the popular R&B and hip-hop artists who collaborated on the hit "Like You," have ended their one-year relationship, TEEN PEOPLE reports.  —  A New York City DJ first reported the split after Bow Wow was spotted with another woman in Los Angeles …

Spielberg joins Fox network for reality TV show  —  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Steven Spielberg has joined with the Fox television network for his first reality show, an "American Idol"-like contest to find the nation's next great filmmaker, Fox said on Thursday.

Will Paris burn?  —  A bestseller.  Nightclubs.  TV.  Reality porn.  Paris Hilton, the ubiquitous heiress-as-brand, conquers genre after genre.  Next up on her radar?  Song.  —  SHE tools around Hollywood in a Batmobile-like $500,000 Mercedes-Benz, squired by various Greek shipping heirs, swarmed by paparazzi.

Eminem, Ex Wage War of Words  —  The Eminem-Kim Mathers split got nasty - and public - on Thursday when Kim called a Detroit-area radio station to tell her story, the Associated Press reports.  —  Eminem, 33, and Kim, 31, were married on Jan. 14 for the second time, and the rapper (real name …

Eva in space  —  For air travelers flying over southern Nevada this week, the view offers more than miles of dusty desert.  —  A giant, bikini-clad Hollywood star perched on the desert sands isn't a mirage, but a recreation of a Maxim magazine cover.  —  The picture, which is so big …

Nick Lachey: "Jessica Can't Do It On Her Own"  —  Adopt a baby that is...  After reports that his soon to be ex-wife Jessica Simpson was thinking of adopting child Nick Lachey has claimed she does not have what it takes to be a good mother.  —  According to Life & Style Weekly …

To sing, Madonna needs lots of notes  —  Madonna fans who'll shell out up to $384.50 a pop for her June shows at Madison Square Garden can at least take solace that the do-re-mi is going to a good cause: Madge's creature comforts on the road.  —  The tireless terpsichorean …

Backstage Buzz: Mandisa's Anti-Gay Affiliation May Have Done Her In  —  'Idol' finalist got the boot Wednesday night  —  (April 6, 5:20PM ET) — America's shocking decision to vote Mandisa off 'American Idol' Wednesday night was not a shock at all to those backstage.

Keira Knightley donates Oscar gown to Oxfam  —  LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Keira Knightley, who was nominated for a Best Actress award at last month's Oscars, has donated the Vera Wang dress she wore at the ceremony to Oxfam to raise money for their work in East Africa.

Alec and Ann both vote to abstain  —  Will Hollywood Democrat Alec Baldwin ever crossbreed with right-wing provocateur Ann Coulter?  —  It can't be ruled out - but judging by their reactions to the possibility, it would sure be an angry coupling.  —  "Would you rather sleep with Ann Coulter or Dianne Feinstein?"

Paris blasts Nicole as 'jealous' and 'pathetic'  —  Plus: Will Britney Spears seek a career as an actress?  —  Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are starring in the fourth season of their reality show ("The Simple Life 4: Till Death Do Us Part") - but don't expect to see the feuding former friends cozy again.

Mollie pardoned  —  Everyone, play your copy of Michael Jackson's "Gone Too Soon" ('cause I know you own it) to mourn Mollie Sue's untimely departure.  When you've wiped up your tears, please realize that this was inevitable.  She suffered from what we (y'know, Tyra and I) call "lack of persona" …

Mariah Gets Her Own Perfume  —  Apr 6, 2006 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - Elizabeth Arden Inc., which already sells Britney Spears perfumes, will add fragrances endorsed by singer Mariah Carey to its celebrity lineup, the company said on Thursday.  —  Under a licensing agreement …

Mischa Barton wants O.C exit?  —  LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - 'The O.C' beauty Mischa Barton is allegedly trying to get fired from the hit show by pulling a host of sickies.  —  The 20-year-old star has allegedly been worried about the show's spiralling ratings and is concerned about being typecast as a teen brat.