Heroes‘ Milo Ventimiglia (formerly of Gilmore Girls) spars with Sly Stallone in the new Rocky Balboa, out in time for the holiday season (Dec. 22). Here is his interview with Men’s Fitness in the December 2006/January 2006 issue:

What’s it like playing the son of the iconic Rocky Balboa? Definitely some big shoes to fill. It was hard for me to enter into 30 years of legacy and shoulder the burden of not screwing it up. And meeting Sylvester for the first time was kind of intimidating. He’s a pretty ****in’ big presence with a deep, booming voice, but he’s actually very kind and very professional.

Did you pick up any boxing from Sly? No, man-not for me. I watched Antonio [Tarver] and Sylvester kick the shit out of each other for eight days when filming the Vegas fight scenes, and they were really connecting punches. I guess what I learned was I didn’t really want to get hit in the face.

You also star in the NBC hit Heroes, which isn’t just another X-Men, right? There’s no tights or masks, just everyday people dealing with the fear and exhilaration of having superpowers. But people have a good time watching it. Lots of screaming at your TV.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Power of persuasion. Think about it-it’s a cerebral power. You can persuade someone to start a war or end a war. You could really do some good with it, or some major bad for the world, if you’re so inclined. But there’s good and bad in everybody. It just depends on what you tap into and when.

Who would you pick to win in a fight — Rocky 2006 or Rocky 1976? That’s a really tough question. It’s the same guy! They’d be throwing the same punches. Maybe Rocky ‘06 would have a lot of hunger behind him, but I gotla go with the original.

Jude Law is a big Spurs fan, so it’s no wonder that he took his his eldest son Rafferty Law, 10, to cheer them on Sunday night as they defeated Chelsea at White Heart Lane. The father-son pair sat front row, cheering on the Spurs during the big London Derby match.

In a recent interview with Marie Claire France, Jude 33, was asked, “Now you are separated from the mother of your children, Sadie Frost. Don’t they suffer from the changes?” He answered, “I am like all divorced fathers. How to explain to them that their parents are separated and for what reason? In a divorce there isn’t a winner and a a loser, only two victims.”

Brad Pitt was spotted campaigning for Proposition 87, which would tax domestic oil production in California, raising $4 billion to fund alternative energy research. Brad, 42, was joined by Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary, Treasurer Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO at a news conference earlier tonight at the County Federation of Labor headquarter in Los Angeles.

Angelina Jolie has abandoned plans to adopt an Indian baby because of the controversy surrounding Madonna's recent adoption.

The Hollywood star - who has a baby daughter Shiloh and two adopted children, five-year-old son Maddox, who is Cambodian, and Ethiopian daughter Zahara, who is 22-months-old - planned to give a home to an Indian orphan but has been put off by the criticism Madonna has received for adopting a 13-month-old Malawian boy.

A source said: "No one wants to be dragged through the heartache that Madonna has. It's a real shame.

You write screenplays. Have you ever suffered from writer's block?
What I tend to do is lie in a fetal position under my desk and weep for a while. Then I get bored with that and I write something.

How many points did you score with your daughter when you did "Harry Potter"?
I'm in big with my daughter. In fact, I'm taking her to the set at half term. So I'm in with her and her friends.

Do you use it as a threat?
Yep. It's a great threat to have. "I will not take you to the premiere. I will not give you Daniel Radcliffe's number."

Is it fun to dress up for premieres?
It is quite fun, although I think the people who dress me have more fun. They kind of look at me and watch and laugh and point and send me off tottering on high heels that become very painful.

Do you get upset when you see all these skinny young actresses?
I can't bear it. When I come to L.A. next week I'm planning to wear very tight dresses that emphasize my behind enormously and sashay around, wiggling my large bottom, saying, "This is normal and what it should be like."

I saw photos of you in your dressing gown, sending your daughter off to school. Does that bother you?
Of course not. Basically I live in the street because my mother lives opposite and our friends live down the road. We treat the road as a sort of corridor. Everyone's always rushing around in their dressing gowns.

The young hot ladies of One Tree Hill are at it again! This time, shilling for Caress — Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Bethany Joy Galeotti.

The country music superstar says she was just joking when cameras showed her screaming "WHAT?" in apparent anger when she lost the female vocalist of the year award to newcomer Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Association Awards ceremony Monday night in Nashville.

"The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me," Hill said in a statement. "For this to become a focus of attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a talented and deserving Female Vocalist of The Year."

Media outlets zeroed in on Hill's reaction after Underwood's name was announced at the ceremony. While other nominees -- Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride -- gave the typical gracious loser smile, Hill, who was standing backstage, turned to the camera and shouted "WHAT?"

Although her voice could not be heard, it was clear from her lips what she said. She looked visibly upset and then it looked as if she was storming off.

However, Hill said it was all a joke, and her manager, Gary Borman, echoed that: "I've worked with Faith for many years now and the idea that she would ever insult or undermine another artist, let alone another human being's success is absolutely preposterous. Those who know her know that she's incapable of such actions," he said in a statement.
"She was being playful while the nominations were being read and playful after."

Underwood, the 2005 "American Idol" champ, has become a triple platinum success since releasing her debut album late last year. Hill is a longtime darling of country music with crossover pop appeal.
This is the second time in less than a week that an awards show loss has resulted in an (apparent) on-camera freakout by a loser. Last week, Kanye West stormed the stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards and interrupted the speech of the winners, claiming his video deserved the honor.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has weighed into the debate on gansta rap, dance hall lyrics and the way some people feel they impact on the lives of young people.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer spoke rap stars 'dropping such lyrics' in reference to rap songs that he felt promoted violence and lewdness.

That's seen as an apparent attempt to confirm his credentials as a having a connect to - or at least an understanding of - urban street culture.

Speaking at a youth rally the prime minister read out selected lyrics from songs by American rapper 50 Cent and Jamaican dance hall star Elephant Man as examples of songs the young people of Antigua and Barbuda should shun.

"Lyrics from such songs are negative influences not only you but also on your school community. They can only corrupt your mind and give you a false sense of security.

"Music that preaches violence and hate for each other serves no other purpose but to destroy."

"You must remove these vices from your lives," the prime minister admonished the young people.

Although not making a clear link to gangsta rap link the Prime Minister said his government is concerned about outbreaks of violence in the island's schools.

Could an imposing medieval castle near Rome be the secret location for the wedding of Hollywood hunk Tom Cruise and his actress fiancee Katie Holmes?

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero emerged from the frenzy of a media hunt for a celebrity wedding site to report on Tuesday that the "Mission: Impossible" star and his future bride plan to marry at Castello Odescalchi on the shores of Lake Bracciano.

Britney Spears made a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance on last night’s taping of The Late Show with David Letterman. Britney, 24, sported a fresh new ‘do — short and sweet.

Britney Spears has filed for divorce from Kevin Federline.

Spears filed legal papers today in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing "irreconcilable differences." In her petition, Spears asks for both legal and physical custody of the couple's two children, one-year old Sean Preston and two-month old Jayden James, with Federline getting reasonable visitation rights.

As for money, sources say the couple, who married in Sept. 2004, has an iron-clad prenup. Not surprisingly, Spears is waiving her right to spousal support. She's also asking the judge to make each party pay their own attorney's fees.

Spears gives the date of separation as yesterday, the same day she flaunted her incredible revamped physique during a surprise appearance on David Letterman's show. Sources say there was no single reason for Britney pulling the plug, rather, it was "a string of events."

Spears has hired celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who has repped a number of celebs, including Angelina Jolie, Nick Lachey and Kiefer Sutherland. We're told Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe asked Wasser to rep both of them in their split, but Wasser declined for personal reasons.

Alicia Keys with children of the Agape orphanage in Durban, South Africa, in early summer 2006. Keep A Child Alive is constructing a building to house children who have lost all of their known relatives to AIDS.

As more celebrities get involved in helping African nations overcome debt, AIDS and poverty, some cynics have questioned whether their motives are spurred by good intentions or publicity — most notably, with Madonna's recent trip to Malawi to adopt a child.

Alicia Keys, who is hosting her annual Black Ball charity concert in New York City on Thursday, says such criticism is unfair and a disservice to those in Africa who need help.

"I think that's horrible, and I think that really degrades and tries to discourage people who do have a voice, who do have power, who do have money, who do have the ability to reach out to people and get involved in situations," the 25-year-old R&B singer told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

"I think if you make a choice to do something positive, that shouldn't be diminished. I think that takes away from what's actually going on."

Keys, who has been involved in African causes for years, said celebrities have been in the forefront of charitable and political causes, and that's how it should be. She also said celebrities have helped direct attention to the problems in many African nations.

"I do think that it has become more on people's radars, whereas before it kind of came across as, `Oh, it's so far away,'" she said. "It's really positive to know that it is a global community."

Keys is hosting the Black Ball concert with supermodel Iman to benefit Keep a Child Alive, which provides drugs for AIDS and HIV patients. The event will include performances by Keys; Iman's husband, David Bowie; Damian Marley; and Angelique Kidjo.

Keys, who visited Africa earlier this year, said the problems that beset some countries can seem insurmountable, but she's seen how charity can save lives.

"That's why when I speak and I use my voice, I like to emphasize the way that everyday people like you and me ... can really be a huge hero," she said. "If you don't do anything else in your life, if you can save one life — one life? It's amazing. Imagine saving 10 or 20 or 50 or 100."

Kirsten Dunst is planning to both star in and produce an adaptation of A.N. Wilson's novel A Jealous Ghost.

The Hollywood Reporter states that the supernatural drama will be adapted by screenwriter Megan Holley and will feature Dunst as a London-based student who begins to see demonic figures. Film studio Paramount Vantage will be funding the production.

Dunst, currently starring in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antionette, made a previous foray into the horror genre in 1994's Interview With A Vampire.

Director George Miller has stated that Mel Gibson will not be appearing in the proposed Mad Max 4 film.

Speaking to Moviehole, Miller said: "Though I think there will be another Mad Max, the time has gone where Mel can be in it. I think the last opportunity was about four years ago and you know the character's lean and hungry. He was twenty one when he first played Mad Max and he's now in his fifties."

The original Mad Max director, who also helmed Babe and The Witches of Eastwick, believes that Gibson is "not into acting so much anymore and I think he just loves producing, writing and directing... the time's gone when Mel can run around the wasteland."

Miller also revealed how close he came to shooting a fourth film in the post-apocalyptic series with Gibson involved: "We were about three months off shooting when the Iraqi war came and the American dollar collapsed against the Australian dollar so we lost our budget."

Sir Elton John shocked fans with a furious mid-show outburst at his record company.

The famously temperamental singer launched into an attack, using the F-word 15 times in a minute, during a performance in New York.

He was about to begin a performance of a new song, when he began: "I'm going to play a song but I'm sure you haven't heard it because the fuckers haven't promoted it.

"My record label isn't doing anything to help. Fuck Universal," he said, as the tirade continued.

He claimed Universal Records had not spent "a dollar" advertising latest album Captain And The Kid, which was released in September.

"They're useless," he added. "Here's a message to Universal Records: Please drop me. Just let me go somewhere else."

A fan told the Daily Mail: "What is wrong with Sir Elton? He needs an ego check. What has got into him?"

However, Sir Elton's agent Gary Farrow insisted the attack was not serious.

"I think you'll find it was tongue-in-cheek over the record company," he explained. "You have to look for the humour. If you look at the reviews Elton's had over the past six months, they have been the best he's ever had for a record for ten years."

Pete Doherty has followed in girlfriend Kate Moss's footsteps by signing a modeling deal.

Fashionable Manchester label Gio-Goi has hired the rock star - who has been struggling with drug addiction - to design and sell a range in its Summer 2007 collection.

The singer has designed a t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Drug Free", in which he has appeared wearing.

Anthony Donnelly, for the label, said he was delighted with the result. "Pete looks fantastic as a model," he commented. "We are very excited and we look forward to having Pete's influence as a rock icon in the design process."

Gio-Goi has worked with British rock icons including Oasis and New Order in past years.

Leslie Grantham has been thrown out of his home after rowing with his wife and children, according to a report.

Neighbours saw the former EastEnders star packing his car and leaving his London home after being woken by a row with his wife Jane Laurie and sons Spike, Jake and Danny.

The family has "had enough" of Grantham, according to reports, and he is said to be staying in a London bed and breakfast.

His career has struggled since 2004 when Grantham was revealed to have engaged in online webcam sex from his soap dressing room.

“He’s become an increasingly difficult man to live with in the last few years," a source told a paper. “His family stood by him after the internet fiasco, but after he was kicked out of EastEnders he has struggled to find regular work.

“When he returned on Friday night he was in a foul mood. An argument broke out and his wife and kids decided they had had enough. His own sons packed up his suitcases and showed him through the door."

A judge in the States has dismissed a libel action brought by Britney Spears against magazine US Weekly.

The magazine claimed that Spears and husband Kevin Federline had made a sexually explicit video, but the Supreme Court Judge ruled that the story was in no way defamatory.

Both Spears and Federline denied the claims.

Judge Lisa Hart Cole explained her verdict: "The issue is whether it is defamatory to state that a husband and wife taped themselves engaging in consensual sex."

She added that because the pop star "put her modern sexuality squarely, and profitably, before the public eye" the articles could not be considered defamatory.

Former EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth has reportedly been punched by her boyfriend, with police called to their home.

Reports claims that the alleged incident took place on Saturday night, with 53-year-old Geoff Knights said to have hit Taylforth at their residence in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. The paper states the the actress required three stitches in her scalp after she fell and hit her head on a coffee table.

The Sun also report that Knights was subsequently held in a police cell for 18 hours, but released when Taylforth chose not to press charges.

Since leaving the popular BBC One soap, 51-year-old Taylforth has made appearances in ITV dramas Footballers' Wives and Jane Hall.