George Clooney Headed Back to ER  —  George Clooney has agreed to come back to the show that launched his career: ER.  —  Sources close to the series tell PEOPLE that ER co-creator John Wells has ordered a closed set to keep Clooney's appearance under wraps.

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Score Oscar Nods  —  Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt both scored Academy Award nominations for their dramatic leading roles, it was announced Thursday.  —  In the Best Actress category, Jolie will face off against Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married); Melissa Leo …

John Travolta threatened by alleged extortion plotters over a photo of his dying son, Jett … Grieving John Travolta is the centre of an alleged extortion plot that is said to involve a photograph of his son Jett that was taken as he was dying.  —  He was contacted by a pair of alleged extortionists …

New Moon Casting Scoop!  Dakota Fanning as Jane?  —  Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Peter Sorel / Summit Entertainment  —  Dakota Fanning...with fangs?  —  It's possible.  I can exclusively report that the 14-year-old child star—she turns 15 on Feb. 23—is in talks to play Jane opposite …

Heroine Amy  —  A TOURIST told yesterday how recovering junkie AMY WINEHOUSE became her heroine — as she performed a Baywatch-style rescue on a beach.  —  Louise Williams, 39, was having a sailing lesson in the Caribbean when she was thrown out of her boat by a 6ft wave.

Sex and the City Stars Commit to Sequel!  —  Big news, Sex addicts!  —  Us Weekly reports in its newest issue that Sarah Jessica Parker, 43, Kim Cattrall, 52, Cynthia Nixon, 42, and Kristin Davis, 43, have agreed to appear in the sequel to Sex and the City: The Movie.

Heath Ledger Earns Oscar Nom A Year After Death  —  LOS ANGELES, Calif. — One year to the day after his death, Heath Ledger is an Oscar nominee again.  —  The late actor has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 81st Academy Awards for his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” it was announced on Thursday morning.

Source: Jennifer Hudson ‘Knew it Was Time’ to Perform Again  —  After dropping out of the public eye following her family murder tragedy, Jennifer Hudson now has the strength and the will to give three high-profile performances next month, a source close to her tells PEOPLE.

Sundance Fistfight!  DIRT Gets Dirty.  —  About an hour ago, text messages started to fly around Park City, regarding an altercation between film critic John Anderson and producer (and Big Lebowski inspiration) Jeff Dowd in the restaurant at the Yarrow Resort.

Katy Perry Takes a Vow of Celibacy  —  Katy Perry won't be kissing a boy — or girl — anytime soon.  —  “I've actually taken a vow of celibacy this year,” she tells the new issue of TV Guide.  “No kissing anyone.  Just my cat, Kitty Purry.”  —  The singer, 24, and her beau …

No Doubt Announces 2009 Summer Tour  —  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 21, 2009  —  No Doubt Announces 2009 Summer Tour With Special Guest Paramore  —  The Sounds, Janelle Monae and Bedouin Soundclash To Support on Select Dates

Kennedy Withdraws Senate Bid  —  Caroline Kennedy announced early Thursday that she was withdrawing from consideration for the vacant Senate seat in New York, startling the New York political world after weeks in which she was considered a top contender for the post.

“Gossip Girl” Star — My Show or My Kid  —  A main character in “Gossip Girl” may be killed off, depending on what a judge rules tomorrow.  —  Kelly Rutherford, who plays Lily van der Woodsen, was in court this morning, asking an L.A. County Superior Court judge to green light her request …