FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, May 23, 2006

UNFRIENDLY SKIES: Dr. Robert Rey, star of E! Entertainment's Dr. 90210, helping to restrain an agitated passenger on an American Airlines flight from Austin to Los Angeles. "When you get a black belt, at that stage your brain just clicks into action," Rey told the AP. The passenger, an 80-year-old man who was described as "very frail," was taken to a hospital for a 72-hour mental observation, according to an airport spokeswoman.

NO CANNES DO: Brad Pitt skipping the premiere of Babel at the Cannes Film Festival Tuesday, citing "the imminent arrival of the newest addition to our family," in an email that was read aloud at a press conference after the screening. Paparazzi types immediately beginning to salivate at the words "imminent arrival."

NEED SOME SPACE: Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn making sure to keep a good distance away from each other at the premiere of their latest film, The Break-Up, on Monday, presumably so no one would question them about their relationship. (How very Brad and Angelina, circa Mr. and Mrs. Smith.)

CURTAIN CALL: Julia Roberts, whose less-than-impressive performance in Three Days of Rain was passed over for a Tony nomination, still managing to wrangle an invitation to the ceremony by serving as a presenter.

PAS DE SATISFACTION: The Rolling Stones indefinitely postponing a pair of Paris concerts scheduled for June 3 and July 2, French organizers said. No word if Keith Richards' head wound had anything to do with it.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Nicole Richie and DJ AM releasing a joint statement confirming they have amicably separated and calling rumors and speculations about the reason for their parting of ways "false and hurtful."

OH, BABY! Penn Jillette and his wife, Emily, setting a second child up for a lifetime of teasing by naming their newly arrived son Zolten Penn. Their daughter, Moxie CrimeFighter, was born last June.

ON THAT NOTE: Speaking of names that'll get a kid smacked on the playground, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell naming her baby girl Bluebell Madonna.

GOOD EVENING AMERICA: ABC naming Charles Gibson anchor of its struggling World News Tonight broadcast, replacing Elizabeth Vargas, who goes on maternity leave later this summer, and putting him up against the ever perky Katie Couric. Diane Sawyer somehow managing to grin and bear it.

STAY AWAY: Sandra Bullock remaining firm in her resolve not to become better acquainted with a man she accuses of stalking her across three states. The actress seeking an extension of a three-year restraining order that expires June 5, according to court documents.

STRIP SHOW: Brooks & Dunn on a mission to make Las Vegas a little more country. The twosome announcing a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Hilton that will bring them to Sin City in March, July and December.

BAD SEED: A man claiming to be Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' illegitimate son arrested after allegedly trying to extort $9 million from the Grammy-winning star by threatening to go public with the story. Babyface apparently not bothered enough by the world knowing he potentially fathered- a son out of wedlock to shell out the dough.

YOU'RE SETTLED: A man who sued Donald Trump, Mark Burnett and NBC for allegedly stealing his idea for The Apprentice, settling his lawsuits in state and federal court, his lawyer said Monday. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but we're guessing they didn't include a cushy position at one of Trump's numerous self-named ventures.

BACK TO JAIL: Michelle Rodriguez sentenced to 60 days in Los Angeles County jail Monday for violating her probation on two separate driving-related charges from 2003. Hey, it beats community service, right?

CRUCIFY HERSELF: Christian groups blasting Madonna's use of a cross and crucifixion imagery in her newly launched world tour, calling it offensive and demanding the singer drop it from the tour. Apparently, she's still got what it takes to shock the masses.