Ask the Answer B!tch

She's here to help

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.

Podcasts

Does Uggie the Dog Ever Have to Work Again?

  • And other great mysteries of Hollywood, beheaded for your pleasure in our weekly podcast!

Does Jim Carrey's Daughter Have an Edge on Idol?

  • And other great mysteries of Hollywood, beheaded for your pleasure in our weekly podcast!

Could Brad Pitt Wear Jeans and a T-shirt to the Oscars?

  • And other great mysteries of Hollywood, beheaded for your pleasure in our weekly podcast!

What's All This About a Kate Gosselin Cruise?

  • And other great mysteries of Hollywood, beheaded for your pleasure in our weekly podcast!
Got a query about how Hollywood works? Ask it!
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.

Could Her Label Have Prevented Whitney Houston's Death?

Whitney Houston BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images

Aren't famous singers supposed to have handlers who keep them out of trouble, like the character Jonah Hill played in Get Him to the Greek? Why wasn't someone like that looking after Whitney Houston?
—Concerned, via the inbox

This question feeds into the myth that someone could have somehow prevented Houston's death—stopped her from taking whatever she took (or didn't take) before she headed to the bathroom and filled up the tub. It's delusional thinking...

KEEP READING +

Why Were the Grammys Such a Chris Brown Lovefest?

Chris Brown Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Why is the music industry so set on giving Chris Brown a big comeback?
—Dally, via the inbox

It does seem like collective amnesia has swept over musicland, given the number of artists dying to feature Chris Brown their tracks, the Grammy he just won, and those two big numbers he performed in last night's show.

You're not alone in your curiosity. Plenty of fans and journalists are wondering why the industry still gets behind this guy, given his not-quite-repentant attitude, homophobic rants and endless self pity.

Well, there's a good reason for the support:

KEEP READING +

How Much Do Those Dogs From The Artist and Hugo Get Paid?

Jean Dujardin, Uggie, Missi Pyle ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

How much do all these movie dogs—Uggie in The Artist, Blackie in Hugo—get paid? Are they as pampered human movie stars?
—Janice M., via the inbox

If you're asking whether the Uggies of the world get their own air-conditioned trailers on location, the answer is: Often!

And in those cases, yes, there is a star on their front door and the dog's name in gold foil, or, at least, in paper made of succulent chicken livers.

However, a dog's Hollywood life isn't all treats:

KEEP READING +

Why Does Beyoncé's Baby Need a (TM) After Her Name?

Beyonce Knowles beyonceonline.com

Why would Beyoncé trademark her baby's name? Are we about to see an onslaught of Blue Ivy products?
—Squawk, via the inbox

Well, the baby already has a spot in music history thanks to her debut on Billboard, so would a line of Blue Ivy binkies and booties really shock you—binkies and booties decked out in, well, blue ivy? Here's what I can tell you ...

KEEP READING +

Is M.I.A. in Trouble for Super Bowl Bird Flip?

M.I.A. Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Is M.I.A. in trouble for flipping the bird at the Super Bowl? Is she going to get sued or at least blacklisted?
—Bird Flyer, via the inbox

As of this second, M.I.A. and her fabulous faux-Egyptian wardrobe remain intact. However, I can tell you this: Maya "Middle Finger" Arulpragasam may not escape from this incident unscathed ...

KEEP READING +

Are Nicki Minaj's Backstage Demands Outrageous—or Super Reasonable?

Nicki Minaj, Stupid Hoe Video Cash Money Records Inc.

I just read about Nicki Minaj's backstage demands, like two dozen roses in her room and candles that smell like "baked goods." Is that normal for a pop star?
—Play4Food, via the inbox

For somebody whose debut album went platinum in a month, and whose track record includes having seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, Nicki Minaj's rider demands aren't even close to diva.

Seriously, she's quite tame:

KEEP READING +

Now That We've Seen the Ads, Will Anyone Tune In to the Super Bowl?

Matthew Broderick

Increasingly, Super Bowl commercials are coming out the week before the big game. Doesn't it hurt the Super Bowl ratings to have all the commercials revealed before they actually air?
—Barbara, via the inbox

You kidding me? If people fail to tune on Sunday, it likely won't have much to do with the resurgence of Ferris Bueller and his eternal day off. And I can prove it ...

KEEP READING +

Should the Demi Moore 911 Call Be Public?

Demi Moore National Photo Group

Hi A.B.! So Demi Moore's 911 call was the latest such call to be released to the media. While this is interesting to us, isn't there some sort of privacy act that forbids this? Is nothing sacred?!
—Freddie Ball, via Facebook

Of course some things are sacred...just not the things that celebrities think should be sacred, such as their desire to control what other people say about them at all times. George Clooney may be all a-bluster that the 911 call was released, too, but he and his powerful friends probably won't get their way on this one...

KEEP READING +

Does Jim Carrey's Daughter Really Need American Idol?

Jane Carrey, Jim Carrey John Shearer/Getty Images

Why is Jim Carrey's daughter auditioning for American Idol if her daddy is rich enough to pay for someone to produce a album for her?
Alissa M., via the inbox

As handy as it can be for a budding musician to have a famous dad (right, Willow Smith?) it's not so advantageous as you might think. There may be a good reason why for example, Tom Hanks' rapper son is not burning up the charts right now.

So why did Jane Carrey feel the need to audition? Let me give you some insider insight...

KEEP READING +

Heidi Klum, Drew Carey and More: Is January a Cursed Month for Celebrity Splits?

Heidi Klum, Seal INFphoto.com

Why are so many stars breaking up in January? Is it awards season stress?
—Honey,
via the inbox

Right, right, all the anxiety that comes with choosing between the chartreuse Hervé Léger gown and the ruby Hervé Léger gown—how do these poor waifs cope?

Yes, a whole crop of breakups have our E! News rabbits on overdrive, including Heidi Klum and Seal; K.D. Lang and her domestic partner; Drew Carey and That Lady He Dated For Five Years; Katy Perry and Russell Brand. (Well, OK, Brand filed for divorce Dec. 30, but close enough.)

So is January to blame?

KEEP READING +