THREE'S A CHARM: ABC President Stephen McPherson vowing that the third season of Desperate Housewives will be stronger than the second, which was slammed by critics and overlooked for Emmy noms. At least there's plenty of room for improvement.
SAY WHAT?! "I'm mesmerized by tigers...They pull you in and make it difficult to look away. They make you wonder what is behind their gaze. A sense of eerie awe comes over you in their presence."
--deep thoughts by Britney Spears, on her official Website
CHOOSE OR LOSE: Dane Cook cohosting the Teen Choice Awards 2006 with Jessica Simpson, while Kevin Federline will perform his song "Lose Control" off his upcoming Playing with Fire album. Won't somebody please think of the children?
HOT DATE: A man named John bidding $30,000 for a lunch date with Jessica Biel at an auction to raise money for the medical expenses of a Denver teen who was critically injured when she was run over by a limo on her way to the prom. We just hope this "John" realizes Biel's not required to put out.
WALK THE PLANK: The Walt Disney Co. firing its longtime head of live-action production, Nina Jacobsen. Jacobsen reportedly got the news while at the hospital where her partner was delivering their third child, per the Los Angeles Times. Bummer.
SHIFTING GEARS: Matthew McConaughey selling his 1971 Corvette on eBay and donating 100 percent of the profits to Oprah Winfrey's Angels Network Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief funds. If only 100 percent of McConaughey came with the car...
PARDONED: The state of Arkansas preparing to forgive Keith Richards for a reckless driving charge he received 31 years ago. Richards preparing to pretend to be grateful.
CHART ATTACK: Now That's What I Call Music! 22 topping the record charts with 398,000 copies sold, per Nielsen Media Research.
SLITHERING OUT FROM UNDER: New Line deciding against allowing critics to preview the upcoming Snakes on a Plane, stating that the studio felt that fans should be the first to see the film, which premieres in late-night showings on Aug. 17. "Understanding that [fans] would be the driving force behind the film, we decided early on they should be the first to see it," the studio said. Translation: critics are going to slaughter this movie.
PROJECT COPYCAT: The third season of Project Runway already facing scandal after sharp-eyed fans accused contestant Keith Michael of plagiarizing the design sketches he submitted with his portfolio to audition for the show. Bravo declining to comment, but Michael responding to the accusations on a blog, calling the sketches "a research assignment I did for a client in which I reviewed key fashion trends." So, basically he's saying he was paid to trace pretty fashion show photos?
KUDOS: NBC News receiving 19 nominations for the News and Documentary Emmy Awards, including eight for NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams. At least something's working for the Peacock.
OFF THE HOOK: Mindy McCready found not guilty of driving under the influence Wednesday, though she was found guilty of driving with a suspended license. The judge also dropping a contempt of court charge against the country singer. Things are looking up.
SURI LIVES! (MAYBE) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' fellow Scientologist Leah Remini telling Us Weekly that she met baby Suri weeks ago. Perhaps she's only visible to disciples of L. Ron Hubbard?
WEDDING BELLS: Pamela Anderson announcing plans to wed Kid Rock. "Yes. I'm finally getting remarried...it's been a whirlwind...spontaneous but well thought through," the curvaceous actress wrote on her Website. (Maybe this time they'll actually make it down the aisle.) Per Us Weekly, the two will wed July 29 on a yacht near St. Tropez, France.