LOS ANGELES – Will new “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi halt the show’s slide in the ratings? Not if history repeats itself. Back in July 2006, DioGuardi was the female judge in an “Idol” rip-off show called “The One: Making a Music Star.” It was given primetime position on ABC …

Actor: Scientology Is ‘Brainwashing’ | Clive Davis Has His Own Cult Actor: Scientology Is ‘Brainwashing’ Jason Beghe is the bravest actor in Hollywood. He’s come clean about his 14 years in Scientology, the religion that Tom Cruise reveres. He says the purpose of Scientology is to create a “brainwashed, robotic …

Sometimes, simpler is better — even in war and counterterrorism. Who would have guessed that a secret weapon in the fight to defeat terrorists and insurgents would turn out to be … the mundane cell phone? As a general rule, insurgents worldwide don’t much like the sight of a civilian …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Berlin Backlash? It seems not everyone in Germany was ecstatic about Barack Obama’s speech in Berlin. German broadcasting station Deutsche Welle reports that those attending were told to leave their placards and posters at home. The move came under criticism, especially from …

LOS ANGELES – Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake have worked pretty hard over the past year to keep their passion private, so Pop Tarts was pretty surprised to see them emerge for the opening of Hollywood’s latest hotspot Kress on Friday night. Justin drove his leading lady to the venue …

Oscars: ‘Juno’ Leaps; ‘Sweeney,’ Sean Penn Snubbed | First Dakota, Now Sister Elle | Coogan’s Bluff: Brit Star in Comedy Hit | Jacko Alert: Manager Gone Baby Gone Oscars: ‘Juno’ Leaps; ‘Sweeney,’ Sean Penn Snubbed The 80th annual Oscars bear some big snubs: No major nominations for Sean Penn’s much-admired …

LOS ANGELES – Carrie Underwood is certainly living the fairy-tale existence most young women can’t even dream about. She’s got the looks, the money and the career — but while she doesn’t have the man, Underwood says she is more than happy to stay single. “If I found something worth …

Last week while I was on vacation, the White House issued an extraordinary letter chastising NBC News for dishonestly editing an interview with President Bush. The interview was conducted by NBC News correspondent Richard Engle, who consistently demonstrates an anti-Bush posture in his reporting, as we’ve pointed out. Reaction from …

According to CBS News, Israel is telling President Bush that if he doesn’t do something to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability, Israel will attack the Iranians. CBS analyst Michael Oren says that Israel does not want to wait for the new American president to be elected before action …

Rosie O’Donnell: ‘The View’ Like a Women’s Prison Film | Brangelina Twins: ‘ET’ Debacle | Another Indie Bites the Dust | ‘Valkyrie’ Proceeds; Real Rock Lives; No Recession Here Rosie O’Donnell: ‘The View’ Like a Women’s Prison Film Rosie O’Donnell is still at the top of her game when she’s …