Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are keeping quiet, but the gossip is getting louder. The Daredevil costars, both 32 and newly single, spent time together in Vancouver. Then they were spotted at a Starbucks in Savannah, 38 miles from the estate Affleck bought while engaged to Jennifer Lopez last year. Next Bennifer 2.0 (or, if you prefer, Bengar) sighting? Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, where they’ll cohost a children’s fund-raiser.
Why not just call it Everybody Loves Oprah? The talk-show host opened her 19th season Sept. 13 with 276 new biggest fans – and her most successful debut since 1996 – by giving each studio audience member a Pontiac G6. But the grand gesture prompted CNN host Anderson Cooper to quip: “Hey Oprah, thanks for making all the rest of us on television look like pikers. I guess we know what we can do with our tote bags and our laminated posters now.”
Speaking about his near-fatal tiger attack, Roy Horn, 59 (left), insisted to PEOPLE that 600-lb. Montecore “saved my life.” The Las Vegas showman, who lost most use of his left side, says the animal dragged him to safety after what he thinks may have been a stroke. Horn is now at home with partner Siegfried Fischbacher, exercising regularly, reading scripts and slowly recuperating. “Thank God I’m a cat with nine lives,” he says.
Jessica Simpson, 24, can finally break out her Daisy Dukes: The pop star announced Sept. 14 that she’ll fill the role of the buxom cousin (originally played by Catherine Bach, top) in the big-screen adaptation of TV’s The Dukes of Hazzard. This will be the first big-screen character for the Newlyweds star, who will share the marquee with Johnny Knoxville (bottom left) and Seann William Scott.
Topping the list of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were Bono and the boys of U2, who’ve been at work on their 11th studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (due Nov. 23). But the real bombshell: The list of nominees, including the Pretenders, Buddy Guy and Conway Twitty, for the first time recognized a rapper, Grandmaster Flash amp the Furious Five.
Please don’t call her little girl “trashy,” that’s all Lynne Spears is asking. Britney’s mom defended the star’s habit of going barefoot in public spaces (including restrooms) on her daughter’s Web site, explaining that it’s too hot to wear the sneakers her doctor ordered to help heal her knee injury. But still, what about that panty flash? “She stepped on her floor-length skirt and, of course, it pulled down too low in the front. She looked absolutely adorable.”
He’s got the mansion, the bunnies, and now a very nice oil painting. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner proudly became the first inductee into the Erotic Museum of Hollywood’s hall of fame. “They have a pair of my pajamas, slippers, a pipe and a bunny costume,” the 78-year-old bachelor said. Soon to join Hugh in Erotic’s bliss: Mae West, Dr. Sigmund Freud and Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
Michael Bergin, the Baywatch hunk who claims to have had a long-term affair with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, was charged with drunken driving in L.A. on Sept. 14 after allegedly striking a skater in July. Then came the news (and mug shot, right) that former Growing Pains star Tracey Gold, 35, was charged Sept. 3 in Ventura County, Calif., with a felony DUI. The actress, driving with her husband and three sons, had rolled her SUV, leaving 7-year-old Sage with a broken clavicle. She’s due in court Oct. 19.
Like a good Kabbalist, Madonna trekked to Israel Sept. 15 with about 2,000 fellow students of the Jewish mysticism. The singer, who adopted the Hebrew name Esther, arrived in Tel Aviv by private jet just before Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish new year. While tourism officials said they were excited, some Israelis weren’t so happy. “I hope she’s aware of where she is going,” said one protester outside Rachel’s Tomb on the West Bank, a religious site on Madonna’s itinerary.
Johnny Ramone (far left), the pioneering high-velocity guitarist of New York punk band the Ramones, died Sept. 15 at his L.A. home after a long struggle with prostate cancer. At the time of his death, the musician – who once explained his rapid style as the only way he knew to play – was surrounded by rockers, including Eddie Vedder, Pete Yorn and Rob Zombie, who that week had performed a tribute show for the band’s 30th anniversary.
BEST EXCUSE TO SAY 'BENNIFER'
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are keeping quiet, but the gossip is getting louder. The Daredevil costars, both 32 and newly single, spent time together in Vancouver. Then they were spotted at a Starbucks in Savannah, 38 miles from the estate Affleck bought while engaged to Jennifer Lopez last year. Next Bennifer 2.0 (or, if you prefer, Bengar) sighting? Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, where they’ll cohost a children’s fund-raiser.
LUCKIEST AUDIENCE
Why not just call it Everybody Loves Oprah? The talk-show host opened her 19th season Sept. 13 with 276 new biggest fans – and her most successful debut since 1996 – by giving each studio audience member a Pontiac G6. But the grand gesture prompted CNN host Anderson Cooper to quip: “Hey Oprah, thanks for making all the rest of us on television look like pikers. I guess we know what we can do with our tote bags and our laminated posters now.”
MOST IMPRESSIVE RECOVERY
Speaking about his near-fatal tiger attack, Roy Horn, 59 (left), insisted to PEOPLE that 600-lb. Montecore “saved my life.” The Las Vegas showman, who lost most use of his left side, says the animal dragged him to safety after what he thinks may have been a stroke. Horn is now at home with partner Siegfried Fischbacher, exercising regularly, reading scripts and slowly recuperating. “Thank God I’m a cat with nine lives,” he says.
HOTTEST SEAT IN THE GENERAL LEE
Jessica Simpson, 24, can finally break out her Daisy Dukes: The pop star announced Sept. 14 that she’ll fill the role of the buxom cousin (originally played by Catherine Bach, top) in the big-screen adaptation of TV’s The Dukes of Hazzard. This will be the first big-screen character for the Newlyweds star, who will share the marquee with Johnny Knoxville (bottom left) and Seann William Scott.
MOST RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS
Topping the list of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were Bono and the boys of U2, who’ve been at work on their 11th studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (due Nov. 23). But the real bombshell: The list of nominees, including the Pretenders, Buddy Guy and Conway Twitty, for the first time recognized a rapper, Grandmaster Flash amp the Furious Five.
SWEETEST 'MOTHER KNOWS BEST' MOMENT
Please don’t call her little girl “trashy,” that’s all Lynne Spears is asking. Britney’s mom defended the star’s habit of going barefoot in public spaces (including restrooms) on her daughter’s Web site, explaining that it’s too hot to wear the sneakers her doctor ordered to help heal her knee injury. But still, what about that panty flash? “She stepped on her floor-length skirt and, of course, it pulled down too low in the front. She looked absolutely adorable.”
MOST OVERDUE AWARD
He’s got the mansion, the bunnies, and now a very nice oil painting. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner proudly became the first inductee into the Erotic Museum of Hollywood’s hall of fame. “They have a pair of my pajamas, slippers, a pipe and a bunny costume,” the 78-year-old bachelor said. Soon to join Hugh in Erotic’s bliss: Mae West, Dr. Sigmund Freud and Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
WORST ROAD TRIPS
Michael Bergin, the Baywatch hunk who claims to have had a long-term affair with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, was charged with drunken driving in L.A. on Sept. 14 after allegedly striking a skater in July. Then came the news (and mug shot, right) that former Growing Pains star Tracey Gold, 35, was charged Sept. 3 in Ventura County, Calif., with a felony DUI. The actress, driving with her husband and three sons, had rolled her SUV, leaving 7-year-old Sage with a broken clavicle. She’s due in court Oct. 19.
BIGGEST TANGLE OF RED STRING
Like a good Kabbalist, Madonna trekked to Israel Sept. 15 with about 2,000 fellow students of the Jewish mysticism. The singer, who adopted the Hebrew name Esther, arrived in Tel Aviv by private jet just before Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish new year. While tourism officials said they were excited, some Israelis weren’t so happy. “I hope she’s aware of where she is going,” said one protester outside Rachel’s Tomb on the West Bank, a religious site on Madonna’s itinerary.
BEST REASON TO RAISE YOUR LIGHTER
Johnny Ramone (far left), the pioneering high-velocity guitarist of New York punk band the Ramones, died Sept. 15 at his L.A. home after a long struggle with prostate cancer. At the time of his death, the musician – who once explained his rapid style as the only way he knew to play – was surrounded by rockers, including Eddie Vedder, Pete Yorn and Rob Zombie, who that week had performed a tribute show for the band’s 30th anniversary.