Morning Briefing:
Federline selling out Britney? According to this week's Us Weekly, Britney Spears has noticed an internal security problem -- stories about her life being leaked from the inside -- and some quick detective work has uncovered the likely mole: hubby Kevin Federline. "Britney knows Kevin tells his friends information, knowing they will leak it to tabloids," a source tells Us. "They sell stories for money ... She is sick of him using her for them to profit." She's now reportedly taken to not sharing certain things with him -- like her intention to announce her pregnancy during a surprise appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman" a few weeks ago -- in order to make sure they don't get out. (Us via the Scoop)
Brad's handy with the scissors, too: More bits and pieces are floating out about the Jolie-Pitt baby's birth, but this piece of information, courtesy of the couple's obstetrician, Dr. Jason Rothbart, who traveled to Namibia from Los Angeles to deliver the baby, seems especially noteworthy: "Brad was with Angelina in the operating room the entire time and cut the umbilical cord of his daughter." (People)
Couric says adios: It was a long, long, long goodbye on Wednesday's "Today," as Katie Couric had her last day on the show. Many tears were shed, as when Tony Bennett came out to serenade Couric on Rockefeller Plaza with "The Way You Look Tonight." As Gawker points out, though, the big sendoff is more than just a nice gesture: NBC more than doubled its usual advertising rates for the special episode. (E! Online, Gawker)
Also:
Mira Sorvino gave birth to her second child, a boy named Johnny, on Monday in Los Angeles. (Associated Press) ... Ben Affleck was briefly hospitalized on Monday in Cambridge, Mass. -- where he's currently shooting his directorial debut, "Gone, Baby, Gone" -- for an intense migraine headache. (Star) ... Sources close to Michael Jackson say his recent tour of Japanese orphanages wasn't all just about publicity: He's reportedly interested in adopting a child. (Fox 411) ... Spies in Myrtle Beach, S.C., are fueling the rumors of Anna Nicole Smith's possible pregnancy. Smith has rented a house there, and has been spotted apparently trying to conceal a conspicuous bump. (Rush & Molloy) ... Former "Saved by the Bell" star Lark Voorhies -- who played Lisa Turtles on the high school show -- is now suing the National Enquirer for libel over a 2005 story that claimed she had a "terrible drug problem" in addition to being bipolar, neither of which, she says, is true. (TMZ)
Money Quote:
Elizabeth Taylor on the rumor she's dying of Alzheimer's: "Oh, come on, do I look like I'm dying? Do I look like or sound like I have Alzheimer's? If they want to hear I'm dead, I'm sorry folks, I'm not." ("Larry King Live" via the Associated Press)
Jon Voight on why he supports the war on terror: "There are cells that are waiting in our communities today. Their children are growing up with our children. This is a dangerous time. Do I feel that these people have to be met with military action by using our boys and girls? Yes, I do. I don't believe we can talk about a time of peace on Earth. It is not a time for that. It would be nice if all people got along." (Lowdown)
-- Scott Lamb
Turn On:
"Commander in Chief" (ABC, 10 p.m. EST) returns from its hiatus in a new time slot, and "Inked" (A&E, 9 p.m. EDT) starts a new season, while MTV premieres two new series, the "Laguna Beach" spinoff "The Hills" (10 p.m. EDT) and "Cheyenne" (10:30 p.m. EDT). Also, Ricki Lake hosts the inaugural "Gameshow Marathon" (CBS, 8 p.m. EDT), in which celebrities compete in a different game show each week, and Bravo kicks off another season of "Celebrity Poker Showdown" (9 p.m. EDT).
On the Talk Shows:
Larry King (CNN, 9 p.m. EDT): Dixie Chicks
Charlie Rose (PBS, check local listings): Guest host Mary Matalin
Jay Leno (NBC, 11:35 p.m. EDT): Tom Cruise, Michelle Rodriguez, Kanye West (repeat)
David Letterman (CBS, 11:30 p.m. EDT): Vince Vaughn, K.T. Tunstall (repeat)
Conan O'Brien (NBC, 12:35 a.m. EDT): Patricia Heaton, Alanis Morissette (repeat)
Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 11 p.m. EDT): Jonathan Alter (repeat)
Stephen Colbert (Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. EDT): Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review Editor (repeat)
-- Lamar Clarkson
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