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A few weeks ago, Gossip Cop questioned a Scottish Sun report that claimed while filming World War Z in Glasgow, Brad Pitt rescued a female extra who had slipped and fallen during a scene in which hundreds of people are seen stampeding during a zombie invasion.

According to the tab, approximately 700 extras were in the city’s George Square for the sequence when the woman fell and risked being trampled before Pitt scooped her up.

Now Pitt says he’s no hero.

When asked by Entertainment Weekly about having saved an extra’s life, Pitt responded, “That’s bulls**t,” adding, “I have not saved any lives, okay?”

He did acknowledge, though, there have been “several scenes where people have fallen down,” and “when someone falls down, you’re going to help.”

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Jon Cryer dishes on the new season of “Two and a Half Men” with Ashton Kutcher in a revealing interview with Entertainment Weekly.

The actor, who plays Alan Harper on the hit sitcom, says Charlie Sheen‘s character will not simply go away after his tragic death on the season premiere.

“The history of the show does not go away at all,” says Cryer. “It will be dealt with all through the first season. It’s not, ‘Oh, that character’s gone, let’s forget completely about him.’ There will be ramifications all through the season.”

As for his dynamic with Kutcher’s character, Internet billionaire Walden Schmidt, Cryer says, “I can only say my character ends up being the more romantically experienced one of the two of them. So Alan becomes sort of a mentor character to Ashton’s character. And as bad as an idea as that sounds, it’s just as bad on the show — I’m a terrible mentor.”

Cryer also tells the mag the plot details of the upcoming season are highly secretive, and that producers have only “cryptically hinted at stuff,” such as that “One of the characters will be institutionalized, but they don’t say which character or what kind of institution.”

“I don’t mind that because to me that feels like life — you never know what’s going to happen next. And God knows last year proved that to me,” notes the actor, referring to Sheen’s notorious meltdown and subsequent firing from the sitcom.

But will Cryer be tuning into Sheen’s Comedy Central roast?

“I’ll DVR it, out of curiosity,” he says.

The new season of “Two and a Half Men” debuts on September 19.

Will you be watching?

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Entertainment Weekly‘s eyes were focussed on Prince William and Duchess Kate at Saturday evening’s BAFTA event in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, the outlet’s “ears” wandered off.

Jonah Hill says EW fabricated quotes from him in their round-up from the night, and Zooey Deschanel claims her own words were taken out of context.

“I have to be on my best behavior tonight,” the site quotes Hill as saying of the William and Kate gala. “Hopefully they don’t put me at the kid’s table based on the type of movies I’ve made.”

Referring to the Belasco Theater’s metal detectors, Hill supposedly said, “I guess they don’t care how many hit singles J. Lo has had or how many Oscars Tom Hanks has or how many people saw Superbad. We all had to get the shakedown.”

One tiny problem.

Hill didn’t say those things.

“Entertainment weekly made up quotes from me,” tweeted the actor. “Never said a word of this.”

Deschanel echoed Hill’s sentiments, tweeting at him, “You’re not the only one! Half the stuff I said last night was taken completely out of context.”

The EW article quotes Deschanel as questioning the choice of venue (“This seems like a strange place to do it… there are parking lots filled with trash around the corner”) and talking about how she responded to her BAFTA invitation. Deschanel doesn’t mention on Twitter which portion was taken out of context.

Jason Bateman is also quoted at length in the piece.

EW is usually a source of very solid reporting and attention to detail.

But it looks like something went haywire last night.

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(Entertainment Weekly)

In a piece titled, “Nobody misses Simon,” the New York Post quotes Ryan Seacrest taking verbal jabs – in an Entertainment Weekly cover - at former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell.

The Post writes, “The put-down war between Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest hasn’t stopped just because Cowell quit the show.”

As an example, the paper quotes Seacrest telling Entertainment Weekly, “He was just so jealous of me. From day one, he was envious of my career at such a young age.”

The Post also has Seacrest saying that without Cowell on the program, ”It’s aged the show down a bit. There are less clouds of smoke. We start earlier. There’s less – what’s that English dish he always ordered for lunch? – Shepherd’s Pie.”

But what the tabloid shockingly neglects to mention is that Seacrest was joking.

Even the Entertainment Weekly story notes, “[Randy laughs.]” after Seacrest says, “It’s aged down a bit.”

And if you read the whole EW piece, it’s beyond obvious that Seacrest – who acknowledges “we learned a lot from [Cowell]” – is kidding about the Brit judge being “jealous” of him.

In fact, the entire article is a series of jokes made by, and at the expense of, the full “American Idol” team, including Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson.

Before the “jealous” remark, when Seacrest is asked if the new judges had to go through any rites of passage, Seacrest cracks, “We Saran-wrapped Steven to a tree naked.” He also jokes, “Jennifer sent us the paragraph that we have to memorize when we greet her every day. It’s just full of compliments.”

While the Post claims, “Nobody misses Simon,” in reality, the paper simply misses Seacrest’s humor.

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UPDATE – 1/21/11

Kiefer Sutherland now says it’s been difficult putting a script together, but production will begin in eight months.

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Fans of Kiefer Sutherland‘s “24″ had hoped there would be a big screen version of the hit TV series.

And it seemed like it was going to happen.

When the show ended last spring, Sutherland himself said, “We wanted to create a definitive end for [his character] Jack Bauer… Since we do have the intention to make the feature film, it would lead into that and certainly set that up.”

But now comes word that 20th Century Fox turned down a screenplay for the film adaptation.

Howard Gordon, who produced the show, told Entertainment Weekly, “As far as I know, it is in suspended animation… There is talk about re-approaching it. I understand [director/producer] Tony Scott is meeting with Kiefer to talk about ideas. People are still talking about it.”

Hopefully, whatever issues there are with the plot can be resolved.

Are you still interested in seeing a “24″ movie?

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In today’s line up, one reality personality gets waxed up, another is asked to strip down and a top TV star is heading to a new network.

1. Kim Kardashian gets waxed. (CNN)

2. Playgirl wants to see Jake Pavelka naked. (Us Weekly)

3. Is Scream 4 in trouble? (Zap2it)

4. “Glee” star Jane Lynch is headed to Nickelodeon. (Entertainment Weekly)

5. Drake cancels summer tour. (E! Online)

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Royalty falls, comedy rises, and a rock star talks about dropping out while another singer makes a comeback.

1. Prince Harry was thrown from a horse during a charity polo match. (People)

2. Chris Brown broke down while getting down during a tribute to Michael Jackson at the BET Awards. (PopEater)

3. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” nabs its fifth Daytime Emmy for being the best entertainment talk show. (Entertainment Weekly)

4. Steven Tyler opens up about how things got “very ugly” with Aerosmith. (AP)

5. Jessica Simpson tried cupping… and it has nothing to do with sports. (Us Weekly)

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“Courtney Love is dead,” said Courtney Love in a recent interview with NME.

According to the music magazine, the Hole singer and widow of Kurt Cobain wants to now go by the name of Courtney Michelle. (The rocker was born Courtney Michelle Harrison.)

The news of the name change was picked up everywhere, including TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, and CNN.

“We’ve all decided we don’t like [Courtney Love] anymore,” “Michelle” tells NME. “We love her when she goes onstage, but I don’t need her in the rest of my life.”

“The name Courtney Love is a way to oppress me,” she goes on to say.

That said, Love is NOT changing her name. “Not at all,” says her rep, who tells Gossip Cop, “She said it metaphorically.

OK, everyone – group sigh of relief!

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Katherine Heigl is close to jumping from “Grey’s Anatomy.”

After six tumultuous years on the ABC medical drama, the actress will part ways with “Grey’s” pending a final exit agreement between ABC Studios and Heigl’s camp, according to EW.

Series creator Shonda Rhimes has reportedly agreed to release the star from her contract.

Heigl was scheduled to come back to the show on March 1 following a personal hiatus to shoot a film and spend time with her adopted daughter.

But Heigl has not yet returned to work to make the final five episodes of the season, and sources say the two sides have mutually decided to terminate the relationship now.

It’s likely Heigl’s final appearance on “Grey’s Anatomy” already has aired.

Gossip Cop will have an update as soon as a final agreement is reached.

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In Entertainment Weekly‘s cover story, featuring “American Idol” judges Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell, when the rumor is brought up that Cowell may leave the show when his contract expires later this year, DeGeneres says “If Simon goes, I go!”

The article notes that DeGeneres’ comment prompted Cowell, in their joint interview, “to laugh — and squirm a bit. ‘Oh, Ellen!… That’s quite a tricky situation you’ve put me into!’”

Despite Cowell’s reaction, it’s not a laughing matter.

Gossip Cop knows for a fact that DeGeneres is having second thoughts about joining the hit competition show. An insider recently told Gossip Cop that DeGeneres is concerned about the time commitment and added work. In fact, she now has to tape “Ellen” earlier because of the demands of “American Idol.” And, said the source, “she doesn’t want to do it if Simon isn’t on the show.”

For the time being, however, we’ll at least have one season with both DeGeneres and Cowell. The new season kicks off on January 12, but DeGeneres won’t be on until the contestants hit Hollywood on February 9.

Gossip Cop would like to know if you’re looking forward to the new season, and would you still watch “American Idol” is Cowell leaves.

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And now a few words on Kristen Stewart.

Entertainment Weekly had the opportunity to speak with Stewart (and Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner) in Vancouver before “Eclipse” wrapped. As everyone now knows, during the conversation Stewart “got nicely fired up” about constant questions concerning the nature of her relationship with Pattinson.

“I probably would’ve answered it if people hadn’t made such a big deal about it,” Stewart told the magazine, going on to point out that people seem to assume that the choice to become an actor erases one’s right to privacy. Then Stewart gave the comments headlined around the world, “There’s no answer that’s not going to tip you one way or the other. Think about every hypothetical situation: ‘Okay, we are. We aren’t. I’m a lesbian.’ I’m just trying to keep something.”

Smart and media savvy, Stewart knew which word would rock the blogosphere.

And it did.

While it’s surprising that the majority of outlets actually took the time to read two paragraphs and understand the comments’ context, the fact that these same outlets used Stewart’s plea to leave her personal life alone as just another opportunity to keep it in the news cycle is all too predictable.

Of course blogs are going to run with the “lesbian” headline. Few words will grab more eyes. If those eyes happen to read enough of the article to understand Stewart was joking, great. If not – well, they don’t care. They got you to click.

We understand why the media does what it does. Phenomena like “Twilight” and celebrities like the series’ stars are huge moneymakers for the gossip biz. That’s why an entertainment-focused publication like EW raises the “who’s dating whom???” question in the first place, acting, as one of its own commenters pointed out, more like Tiger Beat. And many fans – not all, but MANY – want very intimate details about those stars’ personal lives. If there were not millions of fans who DID care about Stewart’s relationships, the tabloids and the sites Gossip Cop monitors would have no incentive to badger her.

But it doesn’t make it right for them to do so. It just doesn’t.

What Gossip Cop wants, and what we think nearly all of our readers want (judging by your comments and e-mails) is not just honesty in reporting, but also civility and respect.

We don’t think that’s preachy. We think it’s journalism.

We’ve seen the paparazzi’s destructive behavior with Pattinson, Stewart, and dozens of other young celebrities. We’ve seen the relationship between stars and the people who cover them deteriorate. We see increasingly antagonistic bloggers turning otherwise charismatic actors and actresses into pin cushions less willing to open up when it is appropriate and when they do feel comfortable.

And when someone like Stewart speaks out like she did, sites miss the point and keep stoking speculation.

Stewart hinted at as much in the interview. “I’m not going to give the fiending an answer,” she explains.

Her private life – like Pattinson’s, like Lautner’s, like everyone’s – is private. The celebrities who let fans get a glimpse of their lives are the ones who do so willingly and happily. They are not browbeaten or blackmailed into it.

The outlets that circle Stewart like wolves and pounce at every movement bear an unflattering similarity to Bella’s foes.

Let us know what you think.

For accurate celebrity reporting that values information over invasion, check out GossipCop.com, and follow us on Twitter – @GossipCop.

(Vanity Fair)

Love & lies, rumors & romance, satire & Scream … it was another busy week for “Twilight” fans hoping to stay on top of what was real – and what wasn’t. Gossip Cop recaps it all …

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Werewolf Taylor Lautner will be on hand at the Scream 2009 Awards (taping tonight for broadcast next week), and the ceremony will show new “New Moon” footage, but neither Robert Pattinson nor Kristen Stewart is expected to attend.

All three stars WILL be on the cover of an upcoming Entertainment Weekly, as Gossip Cop was first to confirm.

One magazine NOT impressing Gossip Cop with its “Twilight” cover this week was OK! – whose deceptive Rob and Kristen “Inside Our Home” exclusive just plain bites.

We also busted a supposed “satire” on Reel Loop that invented Chris Weitz quotes to make it look as though he had outed Pattinson and Stewart as a real-life couple. (Um, we’re still not sure the site understands what “satire” is. Or journalism.)

There were also rumors of romance between Lautner and superstar singer Taylor Swift, and between “New Moon” newbie Jamie Campbell Bower and Bonnie Wright of “Harry Potter” fame. Gossip Cop thinks one is more likely than the other.

We’ll end the week where we began: with caution about buying (yet) any detailed reports of “Breaking Dawn” being officially greenlit as a two-movie Portland production. Last Sunday a rep for Summit told Gossip Cop no decisions about location or start date had been made, and our sources confirmed to us again today that subsequent reports professing to break “Breaking Dawn” news are premature.

As always, we’ll work to give you accurate “Twilight” updates as soon as they’re available. Follow us on Twitter – @GossipCop.

(Vanity Fair)

In recent days Gossip Cop has been breaking and confirming news about “Twilight” magazine coverage.

Today our good friends at Mediaite look at some covers past and present in order to pick “The All-Time Greatest Cover in the Twilight Saga So Far.”

While they obviously couldn’t do every cover, they picked a few notable ones. Check out their selection and vote for your favorite!

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Well, “Twilight” fans … thought you’d want to hear this one.

In addition to Kristen Stewart‘s Allure cover, the Harper’s Bazaar with Stewart and Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner‘s Rolling Stone cover, Gossip Cop is told that all three are slated to appear together on an Entertainment Weekly cover to hit newsstands the week “New Moon” opens. 

Gossip Cop will bring you additional details as soon as we can. 

Keep it on @GossipCop on Twitter for details …