In a powerful testament to its gargantuan power and popularity,
American Idol
this week raised a staggering $60 mil for charity through the two-night "Idol Gives Back" extravaganza. Hosted by
Ellen DeGeneres
, the show featured gaggles and gaggles of glittery guests (live and taped), including
Bono
,
Madonna
,
Ben Stiller
,
Jack Black
,
Gwyneth Paltrow
and
Tom Cruise
. The money raised will be split between orgs that help needy children in America and Africa.
What's more, Bono said 70,000 people signed up for his global consciousness-raising ONE Campaign in response to his on-air plea on Idol.
Larry Birkhead
was cleared yesterday to prosper and seek happiness with a decision by a Bahamian court that he and
Dannielynn
, his 7-month-old daughter with the late
Anna Nicole Smith
, can fly back to the States, despite an appeal by Smith's mother,
Virgie Arthur
, who seeks custody of the baby. The judge said a U.S. court would have to make the final ruling in the custody dispute, though it looks as if Birkhead will win hands down. (The judge also ordered Arthur to pay Birkhead $3,000 in legal costs.)
Birkhead must return to the Bahamas for a June 8 hearing.
"We're not denying it. It happened," said
Robert Garlock
, rep for Brit actor
Hugh Grant
, finally addressing Tuesday's incident when Grant lashed out at paparazzo
Ian Whittaker
outside the actor's London house. Whittaker said Grant kicked him "three or four times," kneed him "in the groin," and lobbed a plastic container full of baked beans at him.
Garlock said, "It's up to the local council to decide whether they will press charges, which they will announce next month." As for Grant? "He prefers not to say anything."
MTV's college affiliate, mtvU, brings the Campus Invasion Tour, a six-hour benefit concert, to the Festival Pier at Penn's Landing tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the show, which will feature Dashboard Confessional, Gym Class Heroes, Augustana, K-os, Kidz in the Hall, and Kenna, will benefit the Save Darfur Coalition. Info and tix: www.mtvU.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Eager "to see Disney-Pixar's upcoming summer animated comedy
Ratatouille
?" a press release asks rhetorically. On Tuesday, you'll be able to go online (
) to taste a nine-minute slice of the film, which won't open till June 29!
It's all part of "an innovative cross-media promotion," which will also include a TV ad blitz debuting Tuesday and "a 90-second commercial during American Idol." Jim Gallagher, the Disney marketing prez is, like, "The synergy being executed between the Motion Picture Group and Disney.com is extraordinary."
People has reported that one
Marcia Valentine
, a known
Sandra Bullock
stalker, tried to kill the
Speed
actress' husband,
Jesse James
, with her motorcar Sunday morning. Valentine showed up at the James house in Orange County, and when Jesse asked her to vamoose, she jumped into her 2004 silver Mercedes and tried to run him over at least "three or four times," a police rep said.
Valentine, who was arrested the next day and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, has since posted $25,000 bail. She's due in court May 22.
The second annual VH1 Rock Honors this year will bestow laurels upon
Genesis
,
Heart
,
Ozzy Osbourne
and
ZZ Top
for their music and their influence on rock.
The show will be taped May 12 at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas. It'll premiere on VH1, VH1 Classic and MHD on May 24.