CelebSpice

Mary Hart is thrilled by "Entertainment Tonight's" record-breaking run as the top-rated syndicated magazine show for 700 weeks straight -- "a big, round, beautiful number," she calls it.

The ratings, reflecting some 35 million viewers a week, also stand as a vote of confidence that's especially welcome now. The 28-year-old program has definitely faced new challenges in recent times, with the rise in "celebitchy" reporting on the Internet, as well as other TV shows. (Indeed, Nancy O'Dell's recent departure from "Access Hollywood" after 13 years reportedly has much to do with her displeasure over that show's veering into tabloid-style sensationalism.)
Hart says that she and exec producer Linda Bell Blue and the rest of the "ET" team talk about the tabloidy trend "all the time -- but it has never been anything other than 'We have to take the high road' with us," she contends. "It's really important. Stations give us that feedback all the time; they appreciate it. So do people in the industry. We do get people bent out of shape with us, of course. We cringed when Charlie Sheen got into trouble again. But we had to cover it."
Covering entertainment "is more work now," points out Hart. "We had to make that adjustment a few years back, realizing that on the Internet, stories come out instantaneously. There are so many stories that turn out to be absolutely untrue every day. We have to weed through everything that is out there and make sure we know what's accurate."
And then, of course, "Just in terms of following the news, it's a different world. When I started out, it was all about movie stars and TV stars and music stars. Today, it's a lot of reality television. You see the numbers."
This week, Hart hosted the Palm Springs International Film Festival black-tie awards gala for her seventh year -- which certainly gave her another chance to get a movie star fix. "This festival has grown so immensely," she notes. "It's really one of the biggest international festivals in North America now, with an A-plus list -- Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Jason Reitman, Uma Thurman ... It just goes on and on."
ON THE PERSONAL SIDE: Kristen Bell, who is currently working on the movie "Burlesque," has become increasingly popular over the last few years, but she admits to preferring a much quieter existence outside of work.
"I'm a homebody by nature. When I'm not working, I rarely leave my house," says Bell, who is enjoying a nice, low-key relationship with Dax Shepard. "I'm very territorial about my private life and I think by keeping it so close to me and not compromising it, it makes me a healthier person when I'm at work."
THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: Regina King admits she was surprised by NBC's cancellation of her "Southland" cop series. "When you have so many critics applaud a show, usually that's not the case," she points out. Fortunately for her and the rest of the series' team, TNT was able to purchase 'Southland' and will begin airing the first season Tuesday (1/12). It will then be followed by six brand-new episodes. "There were a lot of interoffice things that were going on at NBC that had nothing to do with 'Southland.' We kind of just got caught up in the middle of it. When I got the call that the show was canceled, I always felt there was another place for us to go. I didn't know where it was," she recalls. "In all honesty, the first places I started thinking of were TNT and FX. They seem to want to do television that is more aggressive and not the normal, so to speak, type of TV that we're seeing all the time. They want to do narratives that push the envelope."
It seems to her the show has finally found its right fit. "One man's trash is another man's treasure. I do feel like we're in a better place now. We're at a network that understands the show more. They're actually promoting the show, unlike NBC," says King. However, TNT brass won't make a decision about shooting a second season until they see how the first season fares there. Says King, "I think we'll find out prior to the final airing of the entire 13 episodes of season one. They want to see if the audience finds us -- the ones who were already fans, as well as if more will come on board. We have a great show on our hands so I hope they do."
HE'S GOT THE LOOKS: Peter Facinelli is proud that he changes his appearance character by character -- including his ongoing role as head vampire Carlisle Cullen in the "Twilight" movies, and his part as out-there Dr. "Coop" Cooper on "Nurse Jackie." Looking back, there were "Van Ray from 'Fastlane' and Takmet from 'The Scorpion King,' Bob from 'Big Kahuna' and the 'Damages' character ...They're all very different," says the handsome 36-year-old, whose wife is Jennie Garth. "I don't like turning in the same person all the time, so I try to make sure all the characters I do are very different. So when I was able to dye my hair blond and look vastly different from myself to play Carlisle, it kind of went along with what I've been trying to do in my career."
With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster.

Always up for a night of fashionable fun, Shenae Grimes attended the 16th Annual Elle Women in Hollywood Tribute at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on Monday (October 19).

Looking cute in an all-black ensemble with leopard-print booties, the "90210" hottie happily posed for pictures in between mingling with fellow guests including Katie Cassidy and Jenna Dewan.

As for her hit CW show, you can catch Shenae and the "90210" gang in action in an all-new episode airing tonight (October 20) at 8/7C on the CW.

Titled "Unmasked," a synopsis of the new installment per the show's Web site reads: "It's Halloween at the Beverly Hills Beach Club and Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) channels Marilyn Monroe to help her deal with the end of her relationship with Navid (Michael Steger). Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Kelly (Jennie Garth) continue to have differing opinions about caring for Jackie (Ann Gillespie). Silver is overloaded with school work and caring for her mom, but soon learns that she and Teddy (Teddy Donovan) have more in common than a class project. Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) continues her relationship with Richard (guest star Jonathon Trent, "CSI: NY"), but when she and Jamie (guest star Travis Van Winkle, "Meet the Spartans") share an intimate conversation, her plans to schmooze with the dean of CU come to a screeching halt. Dixon (Tristan Wilds) realizes he and Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox, "Bones") are in two different places in their life and decides to end their relationship, but she ends up delivering life-changing news. Tensions rise between Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and Harry (Rob Estes) when she walks in on Harry and Kelly in his office. Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Jasper's (guest star Zach Sherman) relationship is put to the test when he attempts to convince her to steal a car while shooting a scene for his student film. Liam (Matt Lanter) butts heads with the newest member of the surf team, Ivy (guest star Gillian Zinser)."

Tending to her motherly duties, Jennie Garth was spotted out with her daughters in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon (October 14).

The "Beverly Hills 90210" beauty and her brood braved the rainy weather, with Miss Garth toting an umbrella as the happy family ran the day's errands.

The day's outing comes as Miss Garth takes over the head of the household role while hubby Peter Facinelli is hard at work.

Facinelli jetted out of town after spending the weekend with the family, going back to Vancouver to continue work on "Eclipse".

Out taking care of the day's errands, Jennie Garth was spotted running to her car after picking up a few items from a local store in Los Angeles on Sunday (October 11).

Dressed down in black pants and a loose grey shirt, the "90210" hottie offered up a quick smile to awaiting paparazzi as she continued along with the day's agenda.

As previously reported by Gossip Center, Jennie spent the previous day fitting in some quality time with hubby Peter Facinelli.

The “90210” actress and her “Twilight” hubby stepped out with the family as they cheered on one of their daughters during a big soccer match.

While they're often apart due to busy work schedules, Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli were able to enjoy some quality time in Los Angeles over the weekend (October 10).

The "90210" actress and her "Twilight" hubby stepped out with the family as they cheered on one of their daughters during a big soccer match.

As far as work is concerned, Peter has been busy as of late filming the "Twilight" saga's third installment, "Eclipse," up in Vancouver.

Meanwhile, Jennie is fresh off of an appearance on “The Doctors” on Thursday as part of her efforts to promote the importance of children’s oral hygiene via a partnership with Trident and Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America program.

Taking care of her motherly duties, Jennie Garth was spotted out and about in Beverly Hills, California yesterday afternoon (September 29).

The “90210” actress took her daughters to school before grabbing a cup of coffee, sporting an Ed Hardy t-shirt with khaki trousers and flip-flops.

And it seems the Twitter bug has bitten Ms. Garth, as she has been busy updating her Twitter page from the set of her CW gig.

Last week she tweeted, “Back at 90210. Things aren't looking good for Jackie Taylor. Actually filming on original 90210 stages! Weird!”

Making the most of the pomp and circumstance of Emmy weekend, Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty were spotted hanging out at the Entertainment Weekly and Women in Film Pre-Emmy Party last night (September 17).

The “Beverly Hills 90210” alum looked to be having a great time chatting and laughing as the paparazzi snapped up pics of them.

Looking back at her time on the hit ‘90s nighttime drama, Ms. Garth told press that she took a risk by getting pregnant with her daughter Luca Bella.

“There weren’t many actresses willing to have kids, because they thought it would jeopardize their career or their desirability. There was an actress on an Aaron Spelling soap opera who got sued for getting pregnant. I got pregnant right after her, while I was on an Aaron Spelling show. But I knew he’d be supportive; [90210 was such a hit] he couldn’t be anything but.”

She’s no stranger to the red carpet, and last night (September 9) Jennie Garth attended the premiere of “The Broadroom” at Fred’s at Barneys in New York City.

The “90210” actress was turning heads all over the place as she sauntered past the paparazzi in a 1940s-style dress with a long silver necklace and silver strappy heels.

“The Broadroom” is a web series that serves as a humorous look at women in the workplace, produced by Maybelline cosmetics.

Jennie told press, “You get to see inside these women’s heads. And that’s what’s so interesting about it.” She also noted that her character Natasha is “very different from me.”

She’s always up for a high-profile industry event, and yesterday Jennie Garth was spotted arriving at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

The “Beverly Hills 90210” babe looked lovely as she strolled through the arrivals area outside the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, sporting a floor-length orange gown.

Once inside, Ms. Garth was more than just a spectator - she joined fellow actress Lori Loughlin onstage to present one of the event’s illustrious awards.

And it was a big day for “The Bold and the Beautiful” which took home its first Best Drama Series Daytime Emmy of all time.

Enjoying another family outing, Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth were spotted out with their three children in Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon (August 19).

The happy family strolled about the Canadian city as Peter begins work on the third installment of the "Twilight" saga, "Eclipse".

Over the past weekend, Facinelli, who plays Carlisle Cullen in the hit movie series, flew from Vancouver to Virginia to raise money for the American Red Cross.

After spending four hours at Virginia Beach’s Pembroke Mall, Peter proudly tweeted, “Thanks to all the fans who came to see me in Virginia today. The Red Cross collected over 100 pints of blood. Double what they expected.”