Celebs leave their hit TV shows to pursue bigger and better things

Celebs leave their hit TV shows to pursue bigger and better things

(The Frisky) -- I know you are really, really upset -- but can you stop crying for a second so we can talk about the fact that Katherine Heigl is finally leaving "Grey's Anatomy?"

Long overdue, as far as I'm concerned. She has been annoying me since day one. How bad can the job really be? Hmmm, let's see. You get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to show up on set for 12 episodes -- then you get half the year off. Yeah, I think I'd quit too.

DioGuardi's dad runs for office

(PEOPLE.com) -- We know she can stand up to Simon Cowell, but how is Kara DioGuardi at kissing babies?

The "American Idol" judge -- and professional songwriter -- may soon be a senator's daughter.

White House crashers to be on reality TV show

Washington (CNN) -- White House "gate-crashers" Michaele and Tareq Salahi are slated to be featured in the upcoming series "Real Housewives of DC," according to their media representative.

Max Markson, who is based in Australia but handles worldwide media for the couple, said they have landed roles on the Bravo series for which they were auditioning in November when they attended a White House state dinner without invitations.

Actor Dennis Hopper's health failing, lawyer says

Actor Dennis Hopper's health failing, lawyer says

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- If Dennis Hopper attends the dedication of his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame Friday, it may be the last time his fans see the actor alive.

Hopper is dying of prostate cancer, according to documents filed in his divorce case this week.

Author's mash-ups head to the big screen

Michelle Obama to star on Nickelodeon

(PEOPLE.com) -- Robert Downey Jr., Katy Perry and Tina Fey: Get your Secret Service clearances ready. You're about to share the spotlight with Michelle Obama.

When the stars gather for Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards this Saturday, the First Lady will also be honored for her "Let's Move" campaign to help cut down on childhood obesity, Nickelodeon announced first thing Thursday.

Sarah Palin to host reality TV series

(PEOPLE.com) -- Good news for those who can't get enough of Saran Palin: The former Alaska governor -- who's now a Fox News commentator, best-selling memoirist and Republican campaign machine -- has a deal in the bag with the Discovery Channel, a source at the network confirmed to PEOPLE.

According to everyone from Variety to The Washington Post, the series "Sarah Palin's Alaska" has been picked up for a reported $1 million-plus per episode.

Gallery: Heigl's life in the spotlight

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Katherine Heigl's time in the spotlight

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Jesse James hopes to reconcile with Sandra Bullock

(PEOPLE.com) -- As Jesse James struggles to cope with a family crisis he admits to creating, his top priority, a friend tells PEOPLE, is maintaining some normalcy in the lives of his three children.

He's "spending every free moment with his children," says his friend, "taking them to school and doing the things they love to do, so this doesn't disrupt their lives too much."

Author's mash-ups head to the big screen

(CNN) -- In the past year, Seth Grahame-Smith has gone from writing on nights and weekends, hoping his books break even, to becoming a best-selling author with two movies in the works.

What changed? Adding the undead.

Michelle Obama to guest star at Nick Kids' Awards

(PEOPLE.com) -- Robert Downey Jr., Katy Perry and Tina Fey: Get your Secret Service clearances ready. You're about to share the spotlight with Michelle Obama.

When the stars gather for Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards this Saturday, the First Lady will also be honored for her "Let's Move" campaign to help cut down on childhood obesity, Nickelodeon announced first thing Thursday.

'DWTS' returns tonight

'DWTS' returns tonight

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- When Buzz Aldrin danced on the moon 40 years ago, an estimated 600 million people watched it live. The Apollo 11 astronaut will dance again on live television Monday night as a contestant on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

"When I prance out there with the cha-cha step, I've got to be filled with far more confidence than I was when we began to land on the moon," Aldrin told CNN before Friday's rehearsal.

Reese Witherspoon's birthday with Jim Toth

(PEOPLE.com) -- Reese Witherspoon looked relaxed and happy as she celebrated her 34th birthday with her new man, Hollywood agent Jim Toth, on a low-key visit to Ojai, Calif., this weekend.

Smiling, holding hands and sporting baseball caps and sunglasses, the couple were spotted on Saturday at a farmer's market in Ojai, which is in Ventura County, near Santa Barbara.

'Alice' is No. 1 movie; 'Wimpy' surprises

(EW.com) -- Disney's 3-D juggernaut "Alice in Wonderland" continues to surpass expectations with a top spot at the box office its third weekend in theaters.

With only a 45 percent fall, the CG spectacle starring Johnny Depp grossed an additional $34.5 million to put its total take at $266 million.

Real moonwalker on 'Dancing'

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- When Buzz Aldrin danced on the moon 40 years ago, an estimated 600 million people watched it live. The Apollo 11 astronaut will dance again on live television Monday night as a contestant on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

"When I prance out there with the cha-cha step, I've got to be filled with far more confidence than I was when we began to land on the moon," Aldrin told CNN before Friday's rehearsal.

Who Is Jesse James's Alleged Mistress?

Joan Jett has advice for Lady Gaga

(PEOPLE.com) -- If there's anyone who could give sage advice to Lady Gaga, whose over-the-top outfits and performances seem to be wearing her down, it's veteran rockers Joan Jett and Steven Van Zandt.

And though times may have changed, they have some tips for the pop star after her recent near collapse onstage in New Zealand.

Who Is Jesse James's Alleged Mistress?

(PEOPLE.com) -- America's sweetheart, she ain't. Michelle McGee is covered in tattoos -- one on her forehead reads, "Pray for Us Sinners" -- works as a stripper, chats and poses on an adult Web site, and uses a lewd phrase for her Twitter page. Her nickname is "Bombshell."

A San Diego-based tattoo model, McGee claimed to have had a months-long affair with Jesse James, the husband of recent Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock.

CNN headlines

Hugh Hefner: 'I will definitely not be celibate'

London, England (CNN) -- Despite turning 84 this year, Playboy kingpin Hugh Hefner rejected suggestions that he was getting too old to make love.

The Hef, as he is more commonly known, told CNN's Becky Anderson that celebrations of his April 9 birthday will happen over a number of days, with festivities coming culminating in Las Vegas, Nevada.

'Daniel Boone' star Fess Parker dies

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Fess Parker, best known for playing Daniel Boone in a 1960s television series, died Thursday at his home near Santa Barbara, California, his publicist said. He was 85.

Parker followed his acting career with successful hotel and winery ventures around Santa Barbara.

Review: 'Runaways' rocks, most of the time

(CNN) -- When the Runaways cut their first LP in 1976, producer Kim Fowley made sure their ages were printed on the sleeve.

It wasn't enough that he had the first all-girl rock band on his hands. These were also the girls Chuck Berry used to sing about, 16 years young (if not so sweet).

Ex-boyfriend sues Lady Gaga for $35 million

(CNN) -- Lady Gaga's former boyfriend, producer and business partner, is suing the pop star for $35 million, claiming he was pushed away after their failed romance.

Songwriter-producer Rob Fusari's lawsuit contends he transformed Stefani Germanotta into "Lady Gaga" and switched her rock riffs with dance beats to make her songs commercial hits.

Top CNN news of 3/18/2010

Kirstie Alley promotes her newest diet, reality show

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Kirstie Alley describes herself as "that fat actress who gained weight and then lost it, and then gained it again."

The former "Cheers" star told CNN's Larry King, in an interview to air Thursday, that she's "really hard-headed," so it always takes her two times to kick a bad habit.

Funny texts lead to TV show

(CNN) -- When some people find out that Lauren Leto quit law school at Wayne State University after her first year to focus on her Web site, they lecture her about responsibility and planning for her future.

And then they find out that little Web site of hers averages about 4.5 million hits a day.

Michael Jackson's sister: We miss him so much

(PEOPLE.com) -- From her seat in the Beverly Hilton International ballroom, Rebbie Jackson watched a big screen quietly with her brother Randy as the Oscars paid tribute to members of the Hollywood community who passed away in 2009.

Then the image of her brother Michael appeared.