Is NBC's Smash the Next Glee?

No doubt hoping to capitalize on Glee mania, NBC has ordered an hour-long musical pilot that follows a diverse cast of characters who come together to stage a Broadway show.

Titled Smash, the project boasts an impressive pedigree. Producers include Steven Spielberg, Chicago duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Hairspray songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Spring Awakening‘s Michael Mayer is in talks to direct, which pretty much guarantees that there’s a role in this for Lea Michele’s former Spring leading man (and ex-Glee costar) Jonathan Groff.

Elsewhere on the pilot front, NBC has greenlit I Hate That I Love You, a “twisty” single-camera comedy from Will & Grace scribe Jhoni Marchinko about a straight couple that set up two lesbian friends on a blind date, resulting in both an instant attraction and a pregnancy.

Elton John Slams Gay Marriage Opponents

New father Elton John has attacked opponents of gay marriage and backed efforts to overturn California's ban at a Beverly Hills event to raise funds for a legal challenge.

"It seems so ridiculous I could be with my partner for 17 years and we have a son, and my partner and I can't get married," Sir Elton, 63, said during the 90-minute set in which he banged out Your Song, Sixty Years On, Levon and other hits he wrote before he came out as gay.

Sir Elton disappointed some gay activists after the California ban, known as Proposition 8, passed in 2008 when he said he had no desire to get married and was satisfied with the civil partnership he and his long-time partner, David Furnish, had.

"If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership. The word 'marriage' I think, puts a lot of people off," he said at the time.

But Sir Elton was singing a different tune at the concert, which raised three million dollars for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

He praised the effort to overturn the ban and promised to do everything he could to support it.

"As a gay man I think I have it all," he said. "I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years and I have a son.

"And you know what, I don't have everything, because I don't have the respect of people like the church, and people like politicians who tell me that I am not worthy or that I am 'less than' because I am gay."

He then punctuated his remark with an expletive, to cheers and applause from the crowd.

Furnish and Sir Elton became parents to a baby boy on Christmas Day. Their son, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, was born in California through a surrogate mother.

Nathan Lane Will Return to “Modern Family”

Nathan Lane was truly hilarious as Cameron and Mitchell’s party throwing pal Pepper during the earthquake episode on ABC’s Modern Family last fall.

So it is such great news that he will returning for an encore guest spot this spring, according to TV Guide’s William Keck.

This time, “Mitch [Jesse Tyler Ferguson] and Cam [Eric Stonestreet] go out for a boys night with Pepper and a bunch of their other gay friends,” Modern Family executive producer Steve Levitan told Keck at Saturday’s Producers Guild Awards, just before going on stage to accept the award for Best Comedy Series.

The plot twist: “Jay [Ed O'Neil] stumbles in to the party,” teased Levitan. “We’re having a lot of fun playing with Nathan and this will be a very funny use of him.”

Elton John & Matthew Morrison 'Gleeful' Duet

Elton John was filled with 'Glee' to do this duet.

Speaking at his Wednesday gay marriage fundraising gala, John touched on the recent work he did with 'Glee' star Matthew Morrison on his upcoming solo album.

"I just did it! It's a duet. It's great, really fantastic. He sings great on it," he told Parade Magazine. "It's a medley of 'Mona Lisas and Madhatters' going into 'Rocket Man.' I did it on Monday."

John had spoken in October of his plans to do the project with Morrison, who attended the Wednesday soiree.

"I'm supposed to be doing something with Matthew Morrison for his album," the singer told Entertainment Weekly in October. "[Matthew and I] had a little meeting together, so hopefully that's going to happen when I get to L.A."

No word yet on whether the high school glee club show will cover one of his songs, but John was enthusiastic about that possibility, too.

Morrison's solo album will be released in February.

Fitness Guru Jack LaLanne Dies at Age 96

The godfather of physical fitness, Jack LaLanne, died at his coastal California home in Morro Bay from respiratory failure due to pneumonia. He was 96.

"He was surrounded by his family and passed very peacefully and in no distress ... and with the football game on Sunday, so everything was normal," his daughter Yvonne LaLanne, 66, told Reuters.

Only two years ago, LaLanne, still a poster boy for vitality, told People magazine that young stars such as Britney Spears – who was going through physical and emotional problems at the time – needed to "develop pride and discipline" and watch what they put into their bodies, or as he put it: "the right fuel in the machine."

As for keeping body and soul together, "It's got to start with young kids," LaLanne stated.

LaLanne, who stood only 5'6", didn't start watching how he lived until he was 15. Born Francois Henri LaLanne in San Francisco (his parents were French immigrants), he felt the effects of sugar and bleached flour in his diet. After hearing a health lecture, he devoted his life to following a diet of raw, unprocessed foods. His staples: two meals a day and no snacks.

And did he ever exercise, relentlessly. At age 60, noted The New York Times, he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf while pulling a 1,000-pound boat – and while handcuffed. At 70, shackled again, he pulled 70 people in 70 boats 1½ miles through Long Beach Harbor.

As he liked to say, "I can't die. It would ruin my image."

LaLanne opened the nation's first modern health club in California's Oakland, in 1936, and it featured exercise equipment, a juice bar and health food store. Eventually this developed into a 100-strong Jack LaLanne gym chain across the country. He would also market a highly successful juicer.

His syndicated The Jack LaLanne Show, which opened with his performing jumping jacks under the credits in his signature belted jumpsuits, debuted in daytime in 1959 and ran for 34 years, solidifying his reputation. After more than 3,000 shows, LaLanne, who owned all rights, repackaged the program and leased it to ESPN Classic.

Besides his daughter, Yvonne, he is survived by a son, Dan Doyle; his wife, Elaine; and their son, Jon.

How 'Glee' is Leading TV's Gay-Teen Revolution

Gay teens are suddenly popping up in major roles all over television, with Glee’s popular pairing of Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) leading the way.

How did gay teens go from marginalized outcasts and goofy sidekicks to some of the highest profile — and most beloved — characters on the likes of 90210, Pretty Little Liars, and Skins?

And more importantly, how is this affecting real-life teens still facing the daily high-school realities of bullying, discrimination, and ignorance?

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly investigates the history of gay teens on TV — from the angsty Rickie on My So-Called Life to sensitive-soul Jack on Dawson’s Creek to the slew of groundbreaking characters on Degrassi. We talk to the producers who fought for such progress, the actors who held the career-defining roles, and the activists who cheer recent advances — but are still pushing for more. Among them:

* Colfer, on his wildly flirtatious version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Criss, which became the most downloaded track off the Glee Christmas album: “That was by far the gayest thing that has ever been on TV, period,” Colfer says. “Forget AbFab, forget Beautiful People and Will & Grace.” Adds creator/exec producer Ryan Murphy: “I was proud of that. I think it pushed the envelope a bit.”

* My So-Called Life creator Winnie Holzman, on ABC’s reaction to Rickie as a character when the show premiered in 1994: “The thing I got the most pushback about was in the pilot, when he puts eyeliner on in the girls’ bathroom. I remember I mentioned The Crying Game, which had just come out, and Michael Jackson wearing eyeliner [to convince the network]. So they went with it.”

* The O.C. (and Gossip Girl) exec producer Stephanie Savage on the short-lived romance between Marissa (Mischa Barton) and girlfriend Alex (Olivia Wilde) in 2005, during the height of network censorship fears (after the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident): “We could’ve had more support in terms of making that a long-term story line. There were definitely some questions about how long we were doing this story. And we did have to do some editing to make kisses shorter and pull back on some physicality of the characters.”

Ricky Martin Confirmed for Evita

Rumors have been floating about for the last year, and now it has been confirmed that Ricky Martin will star as Che in the Broadway revival of Evita, opening Spring, 2012.

Argentine actress Elena Roger will star as Eva Peron, a role she played in London in 2006. Michael Grandage directed that production and will oversee the Broadway revival.

Martin said in a previous statement: I've been blessed with the opportunity to perform on many of the world's largest concert stages, but I've never lost my love for the intimacy of the theater. I'm delighted to know that after I've had the chance to share new music and tour over the coming year, that I will then return once again to Broadway. I'm looking forward to playing such an essential part in Michael Grandage's wonderful production and the chance to work with the tremendously talented Elena Roger."

Jennifer Lopez & Steven Tyler a Hit on Idol

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's debut as American Idol judges has proved a hit with the critics.

Season 10 of the TV talent show got underway on Wednesday night with Tyler and Lopez replacing Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell on the hit show - and the two superstars wowed contestants and TV critics with their enthusiastic response to wannabes at auditions in New Jersey, which were taped last year.

The Los Angeles Times' Mary McNamara writes, "Moments into Wednesday night’s season premiere, it was gratifyingly clear that for the first time in a long time the fumblings and flailings of contestants fighting to find their feet on stage will not be mirrored by the judges' table.

"Not only are they great to look at, Lopez and Tyler are long-time stars who have nothing to gain, or lose, by being part of American Idol."

She adds, "Their natural confidence in front of the camera was such a blessed relief that it was hard to miss even the bracing ballistics of Simon Cowell."

New York Post critic Linda Stasi agreed, calling the duo's "instant chemistry" with existing judge Randy Jackson "so right, they couldn’t have created it in a lab".

She continues, "Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are not and will never be Paula (Abdul, another former judge) and Simon. They didn’t do the brother/sister love/hate thing - and didn’t try to. And that was great. They did something completely different. They were themselves - two superstars fully engaged and absorbed. And not with themselves, but with the contestants. Perfect."

However, the show lost a few viewers - the premiere opened to the lowest ratings since season one.

Wonder Woman Project Finds a Home at NBC

The ol’ girl may fly this fall after all: NBC has picked up the Wonder Woman pilot from David E. Kelley. Ironically, NBC was the final network to pass on bringing back the superhero over a week ago, but that was before the new regime was officially in place in light of the impending Comcast takeover. Robert Greenblatt is now spearheading primetime as chairman. (On Thursday, head of programming Angela Bromstad announced she was leaving).

The pilot’s cost may not be a concern to Greenblatt, the wunderkind who revitalized Showtime with critical faves like Dexter and Weeds. One factor that seemed to have sunk the Wonder Woman project the first time around was the price of rebooting the series, with the studio requiring a rich license fee to bring the iconic character back to life. But then, NBC has been down this road before: It rebooted Bionic Woman. Kelley’s take incorporated the superhero’s signature lasso, cuffs, and plane in the script, and insiders said it was a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character. For years, various writers and producers (including Joss Whedon) have tried to bring back Wonder Woman, but the character has proved difficult to resurrect.

Kelley is already executive producing Harry’s Law for NBC, the new drama starring Kathy Bates. The pilot, like all the others ordered by NBC during the current development season, will have to pass the final smell test this spring before its ordered to series in May.

In other business Friday, NBC also ordered a drama pilot from Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City), dubbed Mann’s World. It chronicles a celebrity hair stylist in Los Angeles.

Robert Wagner is Angels' New Charlie

TV veteran Robert Wagner will replace the late John Forsythe as the voice of Charlie in a planned Charlie's Angels small screen remake.

Ironically, the Hart To Hart star owns 50 per cent of the original Angels series.

Drew Barrymore, who took the franchise to the big screen, will produce the new series. Casting is currently underway, but U.S. soap star Annie Ilonzeh is reportedly leading the race to land an angelic role.

The actress, who plays Maya Ward in General Hospital, is billed to play a martial arts expert.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mom Sought Gay Cure

Arnold Schwarzenegger tells the Austrian magazine Krone when he was growing up he had so many pictures of shirtless, oiled bodybuilders on his walls his mom took him to the doctor because she feared he might be gay.

Towleroad.com offers a Google translation of the interview, in which Schwarzenegger remembers that the doctor calmed her by saying, “As an athlete he surely won't start to smoke or drink.”

He said, “As a young boy my room was plastered with photos of bodybuilders. Naked, oiled male bodies. That got my mother so concerned, she asked our family doctor one day to take a look at that. 'Other boys put images of women on their walls, and mine does this!' She actually believed I was gay.”

Lady Gaga Previews New Song at Mugler Show

Lady Gaga fans love the star’s music and fashion sense, and now they can get their fix of both!

The house of Mugler, which retained the boundary-pushing pop star as its musical director for its Paris menswear presentation on Wednesday, has released a short film combining footage from the runway with a remixed version of a new track from Gaga’s hotly anticipated new album, Born This Way.

How did the singer get hooked up with Mugler? The brand’s new creative director, Nicolas Formichetti, is her personal stylist! “I love him, my friend the genius, my collaborator, more than any piece of clothing or closet I possess,” she gushed of the designer in a statement. “But don’t tell him I said that…He picked them all out!”

Find out more on Formichetti’s debut show and the making of the short film at www.stylelist.com.

George Clooney Contracts Malaria – and Beats It

George Clooney is known for his practical jokes but a recent bout with a serious illness was no laughing matter.

The actor, 49, contracted Malaria during a trip to Africa recently as part of a push for aggressive diplomacy to avoid another potential genocide in the Sudan region. But, his rep says, he's subsequently made a full recovery despite new reports to the contrary.

"George is completely over the Malaria he contracted while in the Sudan during the first week in January," his rep stated to People magazine. "This was his second bout with it. This illustrates how with proper medication, the most lethal condition in Africa, can be reduced to a bad ten days instead of a death sentence."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site, "Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans."

The news of his illness broke Thursday via the host of CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, who Tweeted that Clooney is still fighting the illness: "It's his 2nd bout of malaria. Taking medication but feeling rough," Morgan claimed.

Boy George Returns Stolen Art

This time, Boy George is on the right side of the law.

The Culture Club singer returned an icon to a Cyprus church this week, after learning the work had been stolen nearly 40 years ago. Boy George (real name, George O'Dowd) purchased the piece from a London art dealer in 1985.

As it turns out, the work – an elaborate depiction of Jesus Christ – was one of several pieces taken from the Church of St. Charalambos when Turkey invaded the island nation of Cyprus in 1974. The church's bishop just happened to be watching a recent interview taped in Boy George's home when he spotted the piece, and realized it belonged to his house of worship.

"I wasn't really surprised [it was stolen], because I always thought the icon I had was kind of special," Boy George told BBC News this week. "I'm happy the icon is going back to its original rightful home."

The singer returned the piece to church officials earlier this week, and said he received a "very sweet gift" in return. "I look forward to seeing the icon on display in Cyprus for the moment," he said, "and finally to the Church of St. Charalambos from where it was illegally stolen."

Oprah Winfrey Promises to Reveal Shocking 'Family Secret'

Next on Oprah … a miracle!

The talk show host is sparing no superlatives in hyping her show on Monday, promising to make a blockbuster personal revelation.

"I was given some news that literally shook me to my core," Winfrey, 56, says in a promotional spot. "This time, I'm the one being reunited. I was keeping a family secret for months, and on Monday you're going to hear it straight from me."

While no further details were released, there are many possibilities. Winfrey was born to unwed teens, had a baby who died, and was raised by various family members.

"I thought I'd seen it all," Winfrey continues. "But this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles."

Jason Priestley and Luke Perry Recall 'Homoerotic' 90210 Scenes

Reunited and it feels so good.

Beverly Hills, 90210 sensations Jason Priestley and Luke Perry shared a few laughs Wednesday, looking back on their small-screen bromance during the '90s as Brandon Walsh and Dylan McKay.

"It was bordering on homoerotic, wasn't it?" Priestley, 41, says with a laugh on Lopez Tonight of his character's relationship with Perry's character.

The talk show's host George Lopez – a self-proclaimed fan of the teen soap – says Priestley's iconic do during his time on the show paved the way for current signature celebrity hairstyles.

"Your hair was famous back then," Lopez said. "[You] had the classic hairdo."

Pulling up a photo of Jersey Shore's Pauly D alongside an old shot of Priestley, Lopez jokingly adds, "And the beautiful thing is, it's back in style on TV."

While there was no mention of fellow former costars Shannen Doherty or Jennie Garth, Priestley and Perry gave a nod to their pal Brian Austin Green.

When Lopez asked the guys if they ever thought Green's 90210 character David Silver would end up with Megan Fox, Perry, 44, responded with a laugh, "Oh, I trained him well. Absolutely."

Fans of Perry and Priestley haven't seen the last of the duo joining forces. Perry stars in Priestley's self-directed Western flick Goodnight for Justice, which airs January 29th on the Hallmark Channel.

Anne Hathaway to Play Catwoman in Next Batman Movie, The Dark Knight Rises

Anne Hathaway has reason to purr: She's landed the coveted role of Catwoman in the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises.

Hathaway, 28, will play Selina Kyle, whose other identity is Catwoman, and will join Christian Bale, who reprising his turn as Batman. Also joining the cast: Inception's Tom Hardy, who will play the villain Bane.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story," director Christopher Nolan said in a press release, according to Deadline Hollywood, which also reports that Keira Knightley ,Rachel Weisz, Blake Lively and Natalie Portman were also vying for the role.

In the meantime, Hathaway's next big role will be as co-host of the Academy Awards with James Franco.

Antonio Sabato Jr. Expecting a Son

The next Antonio Sabato will have a lot to live up to – and even more to learn to pronounce.

Antonio Sabato Jr. and his girlfriend, singer Cheryl Moana Marie, announced Wednesday they're expecting a child together, a son due in the spring.

They plan to name the baby Antonio Sabato III after his father and grandfather – both actors – and one of his middle names will be Kamakanaalohamaikalani, which means "a beloved gift from the heavens." (The other middle name is Harvey.)

Sabato, 38, and Marie met in Los Angeles two years ago after Sabato returned from Hawaii, where he failed to find lasting love through his reality show My Antonio.

The couple are "both very excited," his rep says. Sabato also has a son Jack, 16, whose mother is actress Virginia Madsen, and a daughter, Mina, 7, whose mother is Kristin Rossetti.

"The family is thrilled about the new addition," the rep adds.

Sabato next appears in the comedy Balls to the Wall and recently completed the indie drama A Mother's Secret.

“The A List: New York” Renewed for a 2nd Season

Logo’s reality series The A-List: New York will be back with second seasons episodes this fall, the cable channel has announced.

Production is slated to begin shortly on 11 new, 1-hour episodes of the series which currently ranks as the second most-watched series in Logo’s history.

The second season welcomes the return of the original cast of The A-List: New York: The Amazing Race winner actor/model Reichen Lehmkuhl, his Brazilian model boyfriend Rodiney Santiago, renowned celebrity photographer and RuPaul’s Drag Race and America’s Next Top Model staple Mike Ruiz, international model Austin Armacost, modeling agent Derek Lloyd Saathoff, and ultra-high-end salon owner Ryan Nickulas and his always quotable sidekick, TJ Kelly.

Additionally, there will be some fresh faces in the crowd as new storylines and cast members are introduced throughout the season which will pick up where the volatile first season left off, following provocative storylines like Reichen and Rodiney’s relationship, Austin’s attempts to stir the pot and Ryan and his partner’s struggle to adopt a child.

“The cast of ‘The A-List: New York’ burst onto the reality scene and grabbed everyone’s attention,” said Dave Mace, Senior Vice-President of Original Programming, Logo. ”The series topped many ‘guilty pleasure’ lists and we’re glad to bring the boys back for their fans.”

First Pics of Elton John's Son

OK! magazine has the first pictures of Elton John and David Furnish’s son, Zachary, who Elton says “shot out like a rocket” when he was born Christmas Day.

"He shot out like a rocket,” the rock star told the magazine. “There just aren't proper words to describe that feeling. It's indescribable. It was just, 'We have a son'!"

According to the article, Elton and David vow to lavish their son with love, not money. The child was carried by a surrogate mother.