Tom Cruise and litigation are familiar bedfellows.
So it comes as no big surprise to learn that the image-conscious Scientology stalwart is considering suing over his image being used to promote marijuana, of all things.
News reports claim that licensed cannabis clubs in Northern California are selling vials of pot called "Tom Cruise Purple". And in a stroke of marketing genius, the vials reportedly feature a picture of Cruise laughing hysterically.
Amazingly enough, Cruise is now said to be seriously considering suing. Funny that.
The marijuana link has no doubt incensed the actor something chronic - like his fellow Scientologist disciples, Cruise is staunchly opposed to psychotropic drugs.
Oh, the irony.
The NY daily news.com reports that staff members they contacted at various California clubs were forbidden to discuss any of the herbal varieties in their "inventory".
However, one weed devotee they interviewed imparted this gem: "I heard it's the kind of pot that makes you hallucinate."
Stand by for the fireworks, folks.
We're all obsessed
Songbird Natasha Bedingfield hates the media's obsession with Amy Winehouse.
The Single singer has slammed the media (that's me) and the public (that's you) for their morbid fascination with the private lives of fallen singers like Wino.
The 26-year-old believes the public (you again) has an "unhealthy obsession with stars who use drugs" (seriously, is there any other kind?) and the likelihood that they will lose the plot under the media spotlight.
And her point is?
This is the good bit... In a move that is bound to come back and haunt her, Bedingfield says she'll never appear in celebrity mags intoxicated.
She says, "We've had a lot of artists taking drugs recently and people have been very excited by that. People have a certain nostalgia for the Jimi Hendrix days. And there is a circus mentality going on where people want to watch stars mess up their lives.
"They are drug addicts - it's not right to point the finger and laugh at someone who is not well. People can be vultures. I am so glad Amy got a Grammy, because it's so good to have that support. The reason I've never done drugs is that I grew up with a lot of drug addicts."
That's some pedestal you've built yourself, darling.
Just watch as the paparazzi interpret her piety as a challenge to snap her when she's "messed up" herself.
Source: starpulse.com
Big fat lie
Remember when actress Kathleen Turner infamously accused Nicolas Cage of being arrested for DUI and nicking someone's Chihuahua?
Turns out she was telling porkies after all. The silly mare.
The Hollywood star made the astonishing claims in her book Send Yourself Roses, and pulled no punches when it came to scribing anecdotes about Cage's alleged antics while they worked together on the set of Peggy Sue Got Married in 1986.
Turner stated that Cage was: "arrested twice for drunk-driving and, I think, for stealing a dog. He'd come across a Chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket".
Cage filed a libel lawsuit against Turner in the UK, and this week she was made to apologise to the actor.
The old bat will have to reimburse Cage's legal costs and also make a donation to a charity as part of the apology settlement.
Cage's legal rep said: "My client is extremely pleased with the outcome, which sets the record straight, since he has never been arrested for drunk driving, dog theft, or anything else."
So there you have it - don't believe everything you read in print. Except this, obviously.
Demented dog devotion
I could sniff this one coming a mile off.
I reported to you a couple of weeks ago that Oprah Winfrey's prized pooch had snuffed it/gone to the great dog biscuit maker in the sky/given itself a bone (delete as appropriate).
Well, the TV mogul dedicated a whole episode of her show to her "one true love" - Sophie the dead dog last week.
Cue Oprah crying a river and disappearing so far up the dog's ass, she practically starts yelping like a crazed canine on heat.
Witness the dog madness here.
Blame the baggage
Never underestimate the power of denial.
More details are emerging about superwaif Naomi Campbell's airport arrest last week.
The model's rep is now trying to play down the arrest by questioning Heathrow Airport's new terminal staff for losing her luggage.
The airport officially opened its fifth terminal last week, and has been besieged with problems - one of which involved losing 20,000 pieces of luggage; Campbell's bag being one of them.
Campbell's press agent said: "She [Campbell] arrived in plenty of time at Heathrow Terminal 5 with two bags, checked them in, and told they were take [sic] the flight.
"Once on the flight, she was told one bag could not be found and was missing.
"British Airways decided to resolve this by insisting she leave the flight, calling the police, and forcibly ejected her from the flight.
"So far as we are aware, BA has still failed to offer any explanation as to why her bag went missing at Terminal 5."
When questioned about allegations that Campbell threw an almighty tanty and spat in a copper's face. She added: "I can not comment further."
However, a witness who saw the alleged temper-tantrum tells The Sun: "She was screaming, 'Get off, get off, don't touch me - leave me alone'."
Sources: entertainmentwise.com, thesun.co.uk
It's official
Here's a video of the New Kids on the Block announcing their reunion on the Today Show on Friday.
It's all pretty lame stuff, up until the interviewer quizzes the group about what fans should expect from them this time.
Joey McIntyre responds: "The economy, healthcare and job security."
WTF?
Ooh, and is this their comeback single?
Ledger's legacy
More
poignant piccies have emerged of Heath Ledger as The Joker in new Batman flick, The Dark Knight.
Diva demands
For such a wee thing, Mariah Carey sure packs a punch when it comes to personality.
The notoriously quirky and stroppy songbird is currently in the UK promoting her new album, and she's making sure she lives up to her diva reputation proper.
According to various sources:
? This week during her trip overseas, Mariah rented out all the penthouses in her London hotel to ensure her absolute privacy.
? In 2005, she had her assistants prepare for her arrival at a London hotel by rolling out a red carpet lined with white candles. During the wait, she was driven around in her limo.
? After accepting a role in the upcoming independent film Tennessee, she was told budget constraints required her to travel to the set on an economy-class ticket. She happily obliged and then purchased every economy seat on the flight so she could.
Viva la diva!
Mighty Madge
Another track off Madonna's upcoming album Hard Candy has been leaked online.
This time it's a track titled Miles Way, which is rumoured to be the follow-up single to Four Minutes.
What's with the measurement theme, Madge?
Anyway, here's an audio clip of the leaked track.
Enjoy it while you can - the fun police are watching.
And here's People.com's preview of the Queen's new album.
Pregnant pause
Honestly, what's all the fuss about this "pregnant man", Thomas Beatie?
It's not a dude, people - he is still a she... well, as far as the bits under the bonnet are concerned anyway.
Beatie still has a womb and can reproduce at leisure.
Enough with the circus freakery - live and let live.
Wino's on track
Amy Winehouse is set to record the theme song to the new James Bond flick with her impresario buddy, Mark Ronson.
A source tells The Sun: "Amy and Mark are really excited. They see this as the biggest thing they have ever done.
"They have no idea what they're going to do. In true Amy fashion, they're going to busk it. But I'm sure it will be brilliant. The new Bond film is supposed to be really dark so Amy will fit the bill perfectly."
Source: nowmagazine.co.uk
No more, dude
Hold the phone: Keanu Reeves has vetoed any plans for an Excellent Adventure reunion.
Speaking at a premiere last week, Reeves confirmed that he has no intention of reuniting with buddy Alex Winter for another Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure flick.
"If there is [plans for a sequel], I'm not there. I don't know. Alex [Winter, co-star] and I are still friends. But I don't think so."
Source: Ok! magazine
Potty mouth Clinton
Is Hilary Clinton doing the unmentionable with Barack Obama?
Watch this clip and you'd be hard-pressed not to think so.
Quote of the day
"I'm not against plastic surgery; I'm just against discussing it."
Is that a thinly-veiled admission that you've been under the knife, Madonna?
Clooney's crank caller
Gorgeous George Clooney has reportedly been bombarded with a series of threatening calls urging him to dump his girlfriend Sarah Larson, or he'd be sorry.
Clooney's security team were instructed to trace a call made to his mobile saying: "Dude, your friends asked me to give you a message: Dump the bitch before you're sorry!"
Page Six reports that the anonymous caller claimed Clooney's pals don't approve of his relationship with 29-year-old former cocktail waitress Larson.
The Ocean's actor, 46, has dismissed claims that it could be one of his mates playing a prank.
"It's not a prank - none of my friends would do that," he said.
Clooney enlisted the fuzz, with the help of his rent-a-cop chauffeur, to track down the callous caller.
It's reported that the calls were made via a pre-paid mobile, so Clooney's team tried to find out if the suspect had paid by credit card, so they could trace him.
But that's where the trail ran dry. They have no suspects.
Sinister stalker behaviour like this is wrong. But I can half-heartedly understand the crank's reasoning: "if I can't have George, nobody else can!"
Muppet parody
I heart this. It makes me feel warm inside.
The Muppets do 80s pop icon Rick Astley.
Fast gossip
Give me five minutes and I'll tell you everything...
All the gossip that's fit to dish: We Smirch.
Cameron Diaz in GQ UK: Egotastic!
50 Cent wants his own son evicted: Hollywood Rag
There's a rumour going around that Sonny Bono was assassinated by hit-men: GH
Teri Hatcher might be singing on American Idol soon: GB
Oh thank God: Paris Hilton's chin is healing: RR
Whitney Houston responds to Bobby Brown's allegations: POP
Britney Spears is trying to be healthy: IDLYITW
Jordan's turning into a man: Seriously? OMG! WTF?
Details about Beyonce & Jay-Z's wedding: Allie Is Wired
Something Lindsay Lohan wants you to look forward to: The Evil Beet
Celebrities who look like Muppets: GH
Steven Spielberg scares people: The Bad and Ugly
* nzherald.co.nz is not responsible for the content of external websites.