This one isn't from Wikipedia, but rather a tidbit sent in by a showbiz journalist type, so we are absolutely certain it's true because proper journalists don't make stuff up, ever. Did you know...

... that Aus-Sci Kate Ceberano has a pet Chihuahua gifted to her by Kirsty Alley? And that her grandmother was a governess for Ron L Hubbard? (Disclaimer: I only know these things cuz I had to interview Kate, not cuz I'm a batty fan of hers).

I had no idea about the Chihuahua, but I was aware of the governess business.

And there you have it.

While us country cousins here in little ol' Australia wait patiently for the premiere of the Sex & The City movie (the partay for which will, incidentally, not feature any of the stars), America is naturally going apeshit for the flick.

Thus, you'd expect the local press to report on such excitement, no doubt to build momentum for the film on our shores. It's just that the Herald Sun chose such a "well derrr" way to do it:

An online ticketing service said 94 per cent of US ticket buyers were women.

Reaaaallly? After such incredible scoops, you half expect them to go on to say that they can "exclusively reveal" that the stars of the movie are Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis!

· There is no denying that chimpanzees have a proud tradition of cinematic excellence. From BJ And The Bear to Project X, the little rapscallions have earned their place as our favourite animal actors (especially since the bear species has proven themselves to be less than reliable). But as rad as it was when those chimps drove airplanes with Matty Broderick, it doesn't hold a candle to the utter domination of this little chimp playing Jenga on Japanese television. Yes, we said Jenga! [YouTube via AOTS]
· If you are offended by the sight of Robert Downey in blackface in Tropic Thunder, wait til you get a load of an overweight Japanese guy in blackface pretending to be Stevie Wonder in this bizarre tribute to "We Are The World." [Gheorge: The Blog]
· In what will certainly go down as the worst atrocity to happen to the Batman franchise since Joel Schumacher got kicked to the curb, we are disappointed to report that The Dark Knight's got milk. [FilmDrunk]
· "Here's a napkin someone wrote on for me: 'I will give you a blow job on your break, so sexy! Kim--714-XXX-XXXX.' I would also get offers from women in my ear: 'Anything you want, just find me.' I had a girl who had turned 18 the day before. She was with a high school group, and she wrote down her room number at the Downtown Disney hotel. I had a lady hump my leg one day in the park." Excerpts from Charlie Sheen's post-Denise diary? Nope. Just a day in the life of a Disneyland Jack Sparrow. [LA Mag]
· We're not quite sure exactly why every episode of Twin Peaks is available on CBS.com — considering the show aired on ABC — but that doesn't mean that we're not grateful. How's Annie? [CBS.com via Thighs Wide Shut]

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What's the bigger scandal in Kim Masters' recent rundown of the kerfuffle between Ari Emanuel and Ben Silverman: That Slate published the whole thing with Emanuel's name repeatedly misspelled "Emmanuel," or that Silverman would dare stand Emanuel up not once but twice in meetings with Marvel boss David Maisel and producer/director Peter Berg? We honestly don't know, but for sheer cafeteria-slapfight drama, we're leaning toward the latter:

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This is some news that will no doubt make the author of this tribute video very happy indeed: if we are to believe Peter "Look Ma, I Made A Real Live Career Out Of This!" Timbs' entertainment reportage, Portia de Rossi plans to bring her fiancee Ellen DeGeneres to meet the family in Geelong over summer before they wed.

This is also good news for the Australian tabloid media, who are always keen to claim a celebrity as "ours" after tenuous connections to the country are established - welcome to the crew, Ellen!

TV Week writer Peter Timbs appeared on Fox FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday where he announced the news.

He told radio listeners de Rossi, who grew up in Grovedale, would introduce DeGeneres, a US talk show host, to the family on their first trip Down Under as a couple. But it is de Rossi's Geelong-based grandmother who is set to get the first visit.

"She (Ellen) actually wants to meet the grandmother," Timbs said.

"Portia is quite close with the grandmother in Geelong and Ellen talks to her on the phone all the time but hasn't met her face to face.

"But she is coming over at Christmas time to meet granny at last."

Aww, dear old nanna Rogers will likely be thrilled to be in the papers, and we hope Ellen enjoys her time in G-Town. Maybe she can visit the National Wool Museum!

NB: that is not some sort of celebrity lesbian in-joke/code, it's just something to do in Geelong.

Even though Rose McGowan and Robert Rodriguez have yet to shoot their planned Barbarella remake — which is going to start any day now if McGowan's recent fantasy promise holds — they're wasting little time moving forward with their next classy genre collaboration: Women in Chains! No, seriously, that's what they're actually calling it:

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At this point, seeing photos of 15-year old Miley Cyrus posing topless or seductively baring her taut tummy for rumoured paramour Nick Jonas is the very definition of old news. But when it comes to the tween millionaire appearing in photos actually kissing a boy (or, gasp, a girl!) in public, these photos would likely tighten a few paparazzo's trousers. As the LA Times reports today, pictures of Miley's "first kiss" could potentially earn one lucky photographer anywhere between $30k to $150k. And we are officially confused. Why? Well, we happen to have more than a few pictures of Miley making out with all kinds of suitors, starting back when she was 14. So where's our cash? After the jump, see how the magic of Google can instantly debunk all the heated speculation on when Miley will have her first kiss, and when, oh when, will we get to see them. The time is now, Defamer readers:

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Unfortunately there will be no quote round-ups or hilarious anecdotes about Seany B apparently touching Rebecca and Alyce in their secret treasures, because I think my postie (the same one who likes to fold envelopes marked "DO NOT BEND" in half) stole Episode 6 from my mail box.

However, I can inform you that it was a double eviction this week, and Leiden and Jamie got the boot. Personally, I'm gobsmacked that Jamie lasted as long as she did - normally they're quick to euthanize the FHM/Victoria's Secret girls before they get some misguided idea that they're lYk OmG rEaL mOdLes!1 (which is highly likely to be roughly the inner monologue experienced by Jamie from week to week.

Anyway, apparently Leiden has been moaning about how she can't get a job to save herself (I'm sure the regular footage of her swearing and belching has nothing to do with this predicament):

"Because I've only ever worked in part-time jobs, no one wants to hire me for full-time work," Kronemberger told Confidential.

"I haven't got an attitude problem and I think I'm a hard worker - I just can't find employment."

The leggy blonde panned the suggestion of signing up for Centrelink, saying she won't be dependent on Government hand-outs because "I'm capable of getting a job".

Hang on, first she says she can't get a job, then she says she can - she's soy confliction!

Anyway, stay tuned for Episode 7 recap, which I have seen, and has some corker bits. And if anyone wants to give Leiden a job, get in touch with FOX8.

Praise the heavenly chorus above! Sam Newman has been "removed" from The Footy Show!

Official word is that Channel Nine are giving Newman time to recover from his prostate surgery, and to be counselled as to appropriate gender politics and treatment of women.

So we'll be seeing him again in about three years then, right? That should give him the time to cover it all amply.

Nine has told its star of 15 years he needed time to "recover and convalesce" from two major operations, including the removal of his prostate.

He was also told to attend counselling about behaviour that critics say has marred his recent performances on the longtime ratings winner.

Nine's executive director and GTV9 managing director, Jeffrey Browne, said the station should not have allowed Newman back on air so soon after a life-threatening illness.

"In order to allow Sam to return to full health without the stress of having to perform on live television each week, I have directed him to take a break from The Footy Show," Mr Browne told the Herald Sun.

"As a component of this rehabilitation, I have arranged for Sam to undergo counselling to address, with professional assistance, the behaviour and issues that have attended what I now believe to be his premature return to the program."

So hang on, are they trying to spin it like that episode of Law & Order: SVU where the dude started killing prostitutes because "God" told him to, only it turned out his doctor hadn't told him that syphilis was rotting his brain - are they saying Sam only started ragging on women because he hadn't had enough bed rest or something?

Good one, guys!

While TMZ isn't exactly known for being on the cutting edge of originality, a segment that aired on last night's program came uncomfortably close to pushing the boundaries of brand (if not copyright) infringement. As we show in the attached video, TMZ aired a segment featuring American Idol finalists David Cook and David Archuleta being mobbed by a posse of paps while making their way through New York's JFK Airport. And, as you might expect, Idol winner David Cook drew the lion's share of the attention, while David Archuleta was left fending off the advances of one particularly enthused paparazzo. TMZ called this moment of potential embarrassment for Cook their "D-Listed Moment Of The Day." This immediately caught our eye because, naturally, we have been longtime fans of the catty gossip blog D-Listed. We reached out to that site's proprietor, Michael K, to find out whether or not he had any knowledge of this usage and he had this to say: "No. I have no idea what that shit is. I'm not involved in it." This news is a tad ironic, considering that D-Listed began its life as The D-List before "Kathy Griffin threatened to kill [their] asses", but it's interesting nonetheless. Making matters even more compelling, it's not exactly like TMZ can claim that they have never heard of the blog, considering it currently occupies a space on their blogroll. As they say, developing...

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Confession time. Over here at Defamer HQ, one of our guiltiest pleasures is the Miley and Mandy Show. There's just something about their millenial exuberance that warms our creaking Gen X bones. While we wait with breathless anticipation for M&M's next video (coming to a YouTube near you on June 10th!), we have the next best thing ... Molly and Edward! While Milers and Manders may have a better production budget for their videos, we've got hula hoops, CeCe Peniston and Wagandstuff.

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And here we thought Che had it rough with critics at Cannes. Enter Wim Wenders, the New German Cinema pioneer whose Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire were among the fest's most beloved films of the '80s, but yet who's fallen on hard times of late with a string of dodgy bombs including Don't Come Knocking and Land of Plenty. His return to the Croisette with Palermo Shooting, about a fashion photographer who comes face-to-face with death, isn't likely to help matters much — particularly not with the Absolute Worst Review of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival now making the rounds.

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Meet Andy Fiscella. Andy owns the Lohan- and Dunst-infested Crown Bar, as well as the Dime and Winston's. Andy's likes include: brown corduroys, Brett Ratner, and knocking on wood for good luck. Andy's dislikes include: Britney Spears, grade-school bullies, and anyone who would dare compare him to Troy Duffy. Which, of course, means he also dislikes us. You see, like Duffy, the rags-to-riches-to-rags former bartender who penned Boondock Saints only to wind up screwed over by Darth Weinstein, has an eerily similar trajectory as Andy — though Fiscella's inevitable downfall still lies on the horizon. In a Metromix profile on the poor man's Brent Bolthouse, we're given the chance to dive inside of a "hot spot" club owner's mind grapes. And predictably, they're rotten, sour, and likely to cause you to vomit.

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At some point in all our lives, we must ask ourselves: to tattoo or not to tattoo? We have yet to take the plunge, but when and if we do, we most certainly will not be inking our bodies with Pee Wee Herman, Bald Britney or (gasp!) Patrick Swayze as a centaur. But as a photo gallery over at EW proves, there are more than enough insane fans out there who are so in love with their favourite stars that they've etched a permanent image of their visage on their bodies. One might think a popular celebrity tat would be, say, Pamela Anderson or Scarlett Johansson, or maybe even Brangelina. But, sadly, it seems the sort of fan who goes through the pain of imprinting rainbow-coloured images of their idols are mainly of the Jack Jordan stalker variety. The bad, the ugly, and the downright nightmarish tattoos in question, after the jump.

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What would a Sex And The City movie premiere be without bouts of drama worthy of the show itself? While last night's premiere in New York looked glamorous on camera, on the scene it was another story entirely. From a controversial remark made by the franchise's token villainness to fashion mishaps to thousands of ticketless die-hard fans ending up in tears, the scene outside Radio City Music Hall last night was chaotic and Cosmo-drenched. And that was just the crowd! As for the stars of the film, there were signs that sex-despising Sarah Jessica Parker's co-stars weren't entirely pleased to pose in front of the movie's poster (you know, the one that they don't even appear on). All the scandals and controversy, plus the highs and lows of the cast's fashion choices, after the jump.

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Amid all of Tuesday's post-holiday hustle and bustle, we regrettably overlooked perhaps the most profound news item of the day: Harvey Weinstein indirectly hopped in the Valkyrie fray at Cannes by picking up US theatrical/DVD rights to Operation Valkyrie, a 2004 German retelling of the failed plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It's the same film Tom Cruise and Bryan Singer made (or are making, with worse accents) only to see it bumped twice to a Feb. 2009 release-date Siberia by Cruise/UA's partners at MGM — oddly the same folks with whom The Weinstein Company shares its own distribution deal. Small world, eh? It gets even weirder — kind of.

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It's a rare day at Defamer HQ when we receive a denial from an A-lister's publicist that actually makes us fall in love with them a little. Referring to our post last week suggesting Nicole Kidman may be posing nude and pregnant for a major glossy magazine cover (à la Demi Moore), we received the following note in our inbox from her rep, Catherine Olim of PMK: "Nicole is amused at this story, but it is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. She is not posing nude for any magazines, has not done so, will not be doing so, pregnant or otherwise. Heaven only knows where this came from! Seriously. Do quote me." And quote you, we will. Our apologies, we should've never assumed that Nicole Kidman would drop trou for anyone other than Stanley Kubrick. Or Steven Shainberg. Or Jonathan Glazer. Or Anthony Minghella. We could keep going, but that's what Mr. Skin is for. [Defamer]

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A hearty morning "Congrats" goes to the gang at New Line Cinema, which, in lame-duck fashion even more stylish than Carrie Bradshaw, sent its final film as a stand-alone studio into Publicity Hell when thousands of ticket-holding fans were turned away from last night's Midtown Handjob Market Sex and the City premiere in New York. Complaints have been aired everywhere — from the "near riot of Louboutin clicking girls" noted by our colleagues at Gawker to the bereft throat-cancer survivor in the Daily News — and we expect heads to roll within the hour at New Line HQ. Except, wait! They already have!

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Happy news emerged this morning from the deep, dank reaches of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers headquarters, where it was announced the major studios have come to last-minute terms with AFTRA on a new three-year contract. Conveniently or not, the report comes a few hours before AFTRA's former negotiating partners in the Screen Actors Guild were set to resume their own talks with the majors. And with AFTRA reportedly agreeing to conditions on new-media residuals similar to those accepted by the DGA and WGA during the latter union's strike, SAG has until June 30 to determine if the terms are good enough for itself — or detonate! The! Industry! with another labour stoppage.

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