GIN INC JOURNAL

Oscar organizers on Wednesday unveiled plans to expand their list of best film nominees to 10 from five, broadening the group of contenders for the world's top film honors. The Beverly Hills-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which gives out the Oscars, or Academy Awards, annually honors the best movies, actors, actresses, directors and other filmmakers in a gala ceremony that is watched by tens of millions of people around the world.

Sexy? Yes. Megan Fox says it's part of "Transformers"

LOS ANGELES - Two years ago few people knew her face, much less her name. But now Megan Fox of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," is among Hollywood's hottest actresses whose sex appeal has won millions of fans. While many of the 23-year-old's peers might want to avoid the label "sex symbol" for fear it would obscure their acting talent, Fox, whose new "Transformers" sequel debuts in theaters on Wednesday, is just the opposite.
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Paisley considers "Then" and now on new album

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - In a scene that evokes visions of a backwoods Brill Building, several of Nashville's top songwriters have retreated to a rural outpost to write what they hope will be country radio hits. Their ringleader is Brad Paisley, who, with his co-writers, worked on songs for his new album, "American Saturday Night," in the guest house on his farm outside Nashville. Paisley has horses, cows and a couple of ponds on the property, where Grand Ole Opry star and Paisley's friend Little Jimmy Dickens comes over to fish. "It's a great place to get away," Paisley says. "You're nowhere near Music Row. We called it 'the dream factory' there for a while."

Daniel Craig eyes psychological thriller

NEW YORK - Daniel Craig can shake, but can he stir? The latest James Bond has proved a critical and commercial success in his two turns in the iconic role, for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." But he has been deliberate in choosing his next live-action role.

"Friends" stars reunite online

LOS ANGELES - A "Friends" reunion of sorts is coming to the Internet courtesy of Lexus. The carmaker is launching a second season of "Web Therapy," an online comedy series starring Lisa Kudrow for its branded-entertainment network, L Studio. Returning June 23, "Therapy" will feature Kudrow's fellow "Friends" alum Courteney Cox as a guest star. Don Roos directs.

Sarah Jessica Parker has twins via surrogate

NEW YORK - "Sex and the City" actress Sarah Jessica Parker and her actor husband Matthew Broderick had twin daughters via a surrogate mother, the couple's publicists said on Tuesday. Parker, 44, and Broderick, 47, who already have a six-year-old son said their daughters -- named Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge -- were born on Monday in Ohio.

"Jon & Kate" breakup wins large TV audience

LOS ANGELES - If misery loves company, then reality TV couple Jon and Kate Gosselin had plenty of both Monday night when millions of viewers watched on television as the parents of eight announced they were breaking up. Cable channel TLC, which airs reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8," on Tuesday said that the previous night's episode attracted its biggest prime-time audience ever at 10.6 million total viewers with 6.5 million of those in the key 18-49 age group, a demographic sought by advertisers.

Heather Graham, Johnny Knoxville join Spacey film

LOS ANGELES - Kevin Spacey will star in and produce "Father of Invention," an ensemble comedy whose cast includes Heather Graham as a lesbian who sleeps with his character. The story follows a humble inventor-turned-egomaniacal billionaire (Spacey) who spends eight years in prison when one of his inventions goes awry. Upon release, he is seeks to rebuild his reputation and fortune but finds that easier than salvaging his relationship with his family.

Beastie Boys pouring "Hot Sauce" on September 15

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Beastie Boys have confirmed that their eighth studio album, "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1," will be released September 15 by Capitol. The set will include 17 tracks, including "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" featuring Santigold and "Too Many Rappers" featuring Nas, which the artists performed together at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tenn. on June 12. The album will be available in multiple configurations, including a 5.1 surround mix.

Ed McMahon dies at 86

LOS ANGELES - Ed McMahon, a fixture on U.S. late-night television for 30 years as the full-throated announcer and sidekick for Johnny Carson on NBC's "The Tonight Show," died on Tuesday at 86 after battling a series of illnesses in recent months. The veteran TV personality best known for his nightly introduction of Carson in a deep, booming voice with the drawn-out line, "Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" died at a Los Angeles-area hospital, and was immediately hailed by friends and former colleagues as an icon of American popular culture.