Buzz Briefs: Rosie O'Donnell, Paris Hilton
Rosie O'Donnell May Come Back To Host Talk Show
Rosie O'Donnell, who famously clashed with a co-host on "The View," is close to being her own boss again.
The acid-tongued talk-show host whose dispute with Elizabeth Hasselbeck hastened her departure from ABC's daytime gabfest is reportedly in negotiations to host a prime-time talk show on MSNBC five days a week.
An NBC executive familiar with the discussions confirmed the two sides had talked, but cautioned that "we're far from a done deal." The executive spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were ongoing.
The cable news channel owned by NBC Universal would not officially comment on the discussions. A spokesman for O'Donnell could not be reached for comment.
Photos: The Famous & Their Feuds
The reports, which first surfaced in the New York Times, suggested O'Donnell would take over the 9 p.m. slot currently occupied by "Live with Dan Abrams." That would put her show in competition with CNN's "Larry King Live" and Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes."
Fox News dominates primetime ratings for cable news channels, averaging 1.5 million viewers this year, according to Nielsen data. MSNBC is a distant third with 505,000, behind CNN's 755,000.
O'Donnell hosted her own daytime talk show from 1996 to 2002. She also produced a Broadway musical and founded a short-lived, namesake magazine before her tempestuous run on "The View." Although she was there for less than a year before leaving in May, her boisterous, opinionated style was credited with boosting the show's ratings.
Paris Hilton Gets To Be The Judge This Time
But the reality star had no problem visiting Tokyo to judge a beauty contest Tuesday.
Hilton, 26, and her younger sister, Nicky, each chose one finalist for the Miss Universe Japan contest. A dozen or so more will be selected next month.
"I love Tokyo," Hilton said Tuesday. "The shopping is great."
Photos: The Hilton Sisters
Hilton has promised to improve her bad-girl image since she finished a jail term this June for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. She had announced plans to do charity work in Rwanda this month for the Playing for Good Foundation, but the trip was postponed until next year.
Her appearance at a Tokyo fashion boutique to judge the contest packed the room with photographers and TV cameras. Gawking bystanders lined the street outside.
Japan has the reigning Miss Universe, Riyo Mori, the first Japanese to win the pageant since 1959.
Rosanne Cash To Undergo Brain Surgery
Singer Rosanne Cash announced Tuesday that she is facing brain surgery and must cancel the last four concerts of her current tour.
Cash will be treated for a "rare but benign" condition at New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to a news release from her label, Manhattan Records. A spokeswoman with the record company didn't immediately return a message seeking further details.
Cash, who lives in New York, is expected to make a full recovery, resume recording and resume touring next spring in support of her Grammy-nominated album "Black Cadillac," the company said.
"Dog" Avoids Extradition
The U.S. government was trying to send Chapman, his son, Leland Chapman, and a third man to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, where they were charged with kidnapping Andrew Luster, a Max Factor heir who had jumped a $1 million bond on charges that he drugged and raped three women. Luster's disappearance during his trial in Ventura set off an international manhunt by police, FBI and bounty hunters trying to recoup some of the bond money.
Photographer: Keanu Reeves Hit Me With A PorscheStory: Judge Halts Bounty Hunter's Extradition
The lawsuit said Reeves struck Alison Silva on March 19 and alleges that Silva suffered shock and serious injuries. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages.
According to reports at the time of the accident, Reeves was leaving a parking space in a residential area near Los Verdes County Golf Course, about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
Authorities said at the time that the person Reeves struck was a paparazzo.
An attorney for Reeves said then that Silva was blocking Reeves' way and that if there was a collision, it was not hard enough to injure him.
Katie Holmes Out With Hubby Hours After MarathonStory: Keanu Reeves Car Allegedly Grazes Photographer
The 28-year-old actress -- who finished Sunday's race in 5 hours, 29 minutes and 58 seconds -- accompanied Cruise to the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan that evening, telling the TV show "Access Hollywood" that she was glad she stayed the 26.2-mile course.
"It was great," she said. "I'm a little tired, but it was worth it."
Cruise chimed in, saying: "She was impressive. She trained just a little over two months. ... It's impressive, so much fun today."
Photo Essay: TomKat: Wedding Morning
