Apparently there were rumors flying that John Travolta was questioning his cult religion, Scientology, in the wake of his son Jett’s death. Since  I didn’t hear anything about his alleged defection in the first place, I suspect that the statement from John’s rep “reaffirming” his commitment to aliens, Xenu and space wars was placed by his Scientologist PR person to remind the world that John is no fair weather Scientologist.

Since his son’s January 2009 death, Travolta has been reclusive, thanking the public for their support once or twice but mainly grieving in private. In his few public statements broadcast via his website, not once did John talk about his faith or his reliance or non-reliance on it. For such an outspoken Scientologist, his silence on the subject is notable. Why, then,  should his “representative” so vigorously reaffirm John’s commitment to Scientology,”now and forever”? Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

Scientologists are notorious for surrounding themselves with fellow members of the intergalactic tribe, and it seems likely that John’s affirmation of faith did not reflect his words or his sentiment. Given that the church may have insinuated that John and Kelly Preston’s “negative influences” somehow contributed to Jett’s death, I would imagine that John is not in the mood to jump to his fake religion’s defense. If John is being blackmailed by Scientology, whatever “terrible” secrets he revealed in his conveniently videotaped confidential auditing sessions cannot be worse than the anguish of living with a gag order.

In an effort to become America’s #1 sleazebag, Jon Gosselin was photographed in St. Tropez with his new fling, Hailey Glassman. I realize that he and Kate are separated; I further realize that separated couples could and should get on with their lives, including their dating lives. But stepping out with the second 22-23 year old in 6 months, and one who also happens to be THE DAUGHTER OF YOUR SOON-TO-BE EX-WIFE’S PLASTIC SURGEON, is in pretty poor taste.

Hailey Glassman on left with BB gun aimed at friend's head. Admittedly mature for her age.

On Jon & Kate, Jon noted that now that he and Kate have filed for divorce, he finally feels free to be the man he always wanted to be. Judging by his NYC Trump Place bachelor pad, taste in barely legal women and ridiculous Ed Hardy t-shirts, that man is Night at the Roxbury. His attempt to recapture his youth is painful for viewers to watch and will be even more painful for his children to see when they get older. Jon may be young at heart, but at age 32 with eight children, hair plugs and an upcoming divorce, he can never be young again.

Slow celebrity news week(s) as all the best rags – Us, People, TMZ – continue to provide “breaking news” on Michael Jackson, even though the poor guy has been dead for two weeks. Despite the seemingly countless hours devoted to pouring over every aspect of Michael’s story, it is  impossible to get clarity on some of the  rumors still swirling. Was he tricked into 50 concerts? Was he addicted to Demerol? Is Debbie Rowe the biological mother of Prince Michael and Paris? Did Michael have Vitiligo or did he dye his skin white? Are there really 200 unrecorded songs hidden in a vault for the benefit of his children? Your guesses are as good as mine. continue »

Gwyneth Paltrow has been a jerk for some time now. In 2006, she allegedly told a Portuguese newspaper (probably in her Hint of Brit accent) that she loved the “English lifestyle” because “it’s not as capitalistic as America” and because the English “talk about interesting things at dinner,” whereas Americans talk about “work and money.” Gwyneth hates talking about these subjects because she in fact does very little work for very large sums of money, but get her on the subject of “lifestyle” and girlfriend has a ton to say.

In 2008, she launched her insulting weekly newsletter, GOOP , which recommends that readers “Make, Go, Get, Do, Be and See” various things with the goal of “nourish[ing] the inner aspect.” Things that help to nourish from within? Burberry trenchcoats, nautical stripes and cupping. continue »

By now, you’ve no doubt heard the news of the tragic passing of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Pop music has not not seen this kind of loss since the death of the other King, Elvis Presley, in 1977. If Elvis is really dead, that is.

It’s no secret that Michael faced serious financial problems in recent years and given Michael’s penchant for wearing wigs, sunglasses, face masks and new faces altogether, is it just a matter of time until true fans of MJ insist he’s still alive? Is he in New Orleans with Tupac?

People often don’t want to let go when a cultural icon dies because the death leaves a terrible void in pop culture. Nobody was there to take over grunge music when Kurt Cobain died, and nobody is here to assume the Pop throne vacated by MJ.

Many will find comfort in his amazing music, but for some diehard fans, myself included, that may not be enough. For the latter group, the only way to grieve is to give Michael immortality as best as we mortals know how – by hoping against hope that he is still here somewhere, alive and moonwalking.