FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, July 5, 2006

Keira Knightley denies she is anorexic, Ashley Judd's emotional rehab, Jake and Heath invited to join the Academy, more

By Sarah Hall Jul 05, 2006 9:10 PMTags

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT: Keira Knightley denying that she suffers from anorexia, but revealing that her grandmother and great-grandmother both battled the eating disorder. She, on the other hand, is just really, really skinny. Get it straight.

AHOY! Johnny Depp telling reporters that the chances of Keith Richards appearing in the third Pirates of the Caribbean film are "very, very good." As long as the rocker doesn't suffer any freak accidents before production begins, that is.

SURVIVAL OF THE SICKEST: Brian Heidik, winner of Survivor: Thailand, arrested for allegedly hitting his wife and shooting a puppy with an arrow. Maybe he was hoping to get some camera time on Cops?

CURE FOR THE BLUES: Prosecutors deciding against pressing charges against Rush Limbaugh for the bottle of Viagra found in his suitcase that was prescribed in his doctor's name. We presume he's learned a valuable lesson about securing potentially embarrassing medications in his own name.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences risking the wrath of Rob Schneider by once again neglecting to invite the Deuce Bigalow star to join. Among the 120 lucky invitees: Heath Ledger (but not Michelle Williams), Dakota Fanning and Joaquin Phoenix.

DIVORCE DETAILS: Hilary Swank telling Vanity Fair that her marriage to Chad Lowe ended in part because of a "substance-abuse" problem he's been battling for years, according to portions of the interview published by the New York Post. Not thanking him during her Oscar speech doesn't look so bad now, does it?

EMOTIONAL MESS: Ashley Judd revealing to Glamour that she entered a 47-day treatment program at a Texas rehab center last February to seek help for issues including depression, isolation and codependent relationships, according to portions of the interview obtained by USA Today. "I was unhappy, and now I'm happy," she said. Mission accomplished.

HOME SWEET HOME: Angela Borlaza, Marlon Brando's self-described "major domo," suing the executors of the late actor's estate, claiming that she is the victim of a broken oral contract with Brando, who she said had promised to give her a house.

THUMBS UP: Roger Ebert's wife reporting that the film critic is doing well after undergoing an emergency operation to repair complications from an earlier cancer surgery.

SETTLED: Michael Douglas settling his lawsuit against a pair of Florida companies that he claimed improperly used his name and image to promote their products. The sealed settlement was reached last month and the case closed June 27, per court records.

SHUTTERBUGGED: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline claiming to be "outraged and saddened" that photos of them with Sean Preston on a recent family vacation were supposedly stolen and then published by Us Weekly. We'd be more willing to believe their fervent need for privacy, had a little gem called Britney & Kevin: Chaotic never appeared on our airwaves.

FREE WOMAN: Lil' Kim released from prison Monday in time to celebrate Independence Day with her friends and family. "I am looking forward to adjusting to back to my normal life and getting back to work," the pint-sized diva said in a statement. First on the list, we presume: swapping her prison duds for flashier attire.

FREE MAN: Grammy-winning R&B producer Dallas Austin released from a Dubai prison after being pardoned on drug charges by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Ben Stiller teaming with CBS for a comedy project starring his wife, Christine Taylor, that will be based on her life, per the Hollywood Reporter. A potential episode plot: less famous spouse can't find work, forces more famous spouse to pitch project in which she can star. Hilarity ensues. And scene.

ON THE MEND: Kylie Minogue telling Sky News that she and her family "fell to pieces" upon learning of her breast-cancer diagnosis last year but that she still wanted to continue her Showgirls world tour and had to be talked out of it. After completing chemotherapy in December, the Australian singer is preparing to resume the tour, now called the Showgirls Homecoming Tour. "I feel like I've got a second chance at life. It's like a new life," Minogue said in the interview, which airs July 16.

BADA BLING! Sopranos stars Tony Sirico and Steven Van Zandt finally reaching a deal with HBO to continue on the Emmy-winning series' final eight-episode season, per the Hollywood Reporter. The actors will reportedly be paid about double their previous salary of $85,000 an episode--an offer they apparently couldn't refuse.