Melissa Gilbert: Now that the former Little House on the Prairie star is not bogged down with being President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), she has time to devote to more important matters, like the Children's Hospice Coalition (web site). She is asking her friends in the entertainment community to donate items that can be sold on eBay to benefit the Children's Hospice and help the organization provide support to families when a child is diagnosed with a major illness. Such efforts improve the well-being of the children by promoting compassionate, family centered care from the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of treatment. Gilbert says, "This auction is a great opportunity for fans to get connected with their favorite stars while providing much needed help to one of the country's most worthwhile causes." Some of the celebrities participating include Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Peter Max, Jennifer Garner and Mandy Moore. The auction (web site) will begin on eBay on December 4 and continues until the 14th. All of the proceeds go directly to the Children's Hospice Coalition.

Daniel Craig: When Albert R. Brocolli's Eon Productions first announced that the English actor had been promoted to 007 status in order to star as James Bond in Casino Royale, Bond purists around the world screamed his hair is too light and he is not big enough to wear Sean Connery's shoes, much less fill them. They are re-thinking their position now. After the movie was shown to critics, The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw wrote, "Daniel Craig is a fantastic Bond." Variety's Todd McCarthy wrote. "Craig comes closer to the author's (Ian Fleming) original conception of this exceptionally long-lived male fantasy figure than anyone since early Sean Connery." The pessimists were wrong. American moviegoers decided to judge for themselves. With an estimated $40.6 million in ticket sales over the weekend, the movie barely lost top billing to the weekend box office winner, Happy Feet ($42.3 million), an animated tale about a penguin that makes up for the fact that it can't sing by being a tap dance master. The top five earners also included Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan with $14.3 million, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause with $8.2 million and Flushed Away with $6.8 million.

Doris Roberts: When I interviewed the actress in March, she said that she played the mother on Everybody Loves Raymond as if everything the character did "stemmed from love." I wonder what her motivation will be today when she helps Charmin unveil the first ever fully-staffed public restrooms in New York City's Times Square. The deluxe johns even have attendants to service each stall after every use. Additional luxuries include baby changing stations, stroller parking, seating areas, tourist information and aromatherapy. Roberts will inaugurate the stalls with the ceremonial "first-flush" and ribbon cutting. Charmin expects more than 330,000 people to visit the Restrooms during the holiday season. None of them will expect the actress to be their personal flush assistant. The Charmin Restrooms are located at 1540 Broadway in Times Square between West 45th and West 46th Street.

Gillian Anderson: The truth is still out there. Just ask Mulder if you don't believe me, or Anderson's estranged husband Julian Ozanne, who let reporters know last month that he plans to ask for a paternity test after the actress gives birth to her second child. It's time to call the lawyers. Anderson and her current beau, Mark Griffiths, announced over the weekend that they became proud parents of a six pound eight ounce son on November 1. Oscar was born three weeks early and needed to be kept in intensive care. The birth was publicized late because the couple didn't want to deal with reporters while Oscar was receiving special treatment. Ozanne has not commented on the news yet. Will the next words we hear from his side of the table come from his attorney's lips?

David Blaine: The last time the magician was featured in the TVNow news, he was living in a see-through box over the River Thames in London - - nice location, lousy digs. Blaine makes our news today because on Tuesday (November 21), he will be hoisted by a crane forty feet above the ground adjacent to Manhattan's Times Square -- on West 46th Street near Eighth Avenue. Once in position, he will try to escape from shackles while dangling five stories above New York City's Times Square. The promotion is sponsored by Target in order to shine the press spotlight on the company's two-day holiday sale that begins on Friday, November 24. According to the event press release, Blaine "will be spinning continuously, in all directions, while secured in a giant, three-ringed gyroscope. There will be no barriers to protect him from elements like wind, rain, snow or freezing temperatures." Since the star of the show plans to escort 100 deserving children and their families to Target on the 24th to buy gifts courtesy of the Salvation Army, it's safe to assume that his stunt will end in success. Each family will receive a $500 Target GiftCard to help begin their holidays.

Jessica Alba: Most folks in America know that the education system is in trouble, especially in public schools that are underfunded. One way to create excitement in the learning experience would be to have celebrities act as substitute teachers for a day. According to an online poll by the National Education Association, Alba is the star most kids want to educate them for a day. With 46 percent of the vote, the former Dark Angel easily beat out Oprah Winfrey (24 percent), Angelina Jolie (14 percent) and Will Smith (12 percent) for the top spot. What's not known is what the poll responders want Alba to teach them if she ever does show up at school ... get your head out of the gutter.

---SUGGESTED READING----
Fox News Considers Right-Leaning Satirical Show
Malawian Judge Postpones Madonna Adoption Hearing
The John Lennon and Yoko Ono Art Space Recreated
Sports Divas Have Bats, Balls and Bad Attitudes
Townsfolk Disappointed with Cruise Wedding Access
Several Affiliates Axing O.J. Simpson's TV Show

The last seven days of news can be viewed in the Archives Section.

John Wayne rides the range again. Click here for details.

Email TVNow@tv-now.com if want the Celeb News running on your internet site.

Copyright 2006: TVNow Syndicated News.
Your source for complete entertainment.
Visit TVNow soon.