Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin attend the premiere of 'Walk Hard' in Hollywood. (photo: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage.com)

All Out of Love

Jeanne Tripplehorn, who plays boss-wife Barb on 'Big Love,' has found herself in a broken home now that production on the show's third season has been postponed because of the WGA strike. Tripplehorn, however, says she saw it coming. "I knew there was no way we were going to be able to get around the strike," she told the L.A. Daily News. "A lot of shows were stockpiling scripts, but we just couldn't do that. They are writing literally until right before we step in front of the camera. ... I think that's what makes it so palpable and tense because, as actors, it keeps us on our toes." (photo: Vera Anderson/WireImage.com)

[L.A. Daily News]

Arte del Ari

Jeremy Piven must put a lot of stock in Tim Robbins' opinion because, despite just getting word about his own Golden Globe nomination, the 'Entourage' star told Variety, "The greatest compliment I've received was from Tim Robbins who taught me comedia del arte, and it's this kind of method of acting that allows me to fully enter the character and get pretty big and expansive with him. He works all aspects of the spectrum." (photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com)

[Variety]

Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Hudson ('Sex and the City: The Movie') at the premiere of 'The Great Debaters' in Hollywood. (photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com)

Party Like a Rock Star

Life is full of surprises for 'Flight of the Conchords,' who caught a Grammy nomination for their EP, The Distant Future. "I didn't even know there was a comedy section," says Bret McKenzie. "I don't think the comedy award is part of the main ceremony. But there is definitely an award ceremony ... There could be some spectacular parties to go to. Hopefully we get to meet Jay-Z and the like." Lucky for McKenzie, he's no stranger to the high life of Maybachs and Cristal: "I'm living at my mum's place at the moment," he says. "It's glamorous." (photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic.com)

[Stuff.co.nz]

Dr. Burn

Gabriel Byrne was pleased to receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts at the National University of Ireland in Galway — which he called a "sentimental honour." But the actor, who has family living in the area, wasn't shy about criticizing the planners who have been developing the charming town of Galway into a city. "From an aesthetic point of view, I've always had a problem with the planners and the lack of sympathy shown for the environment. ...I was beyond disappointed with what they've done to the Great Southern Hotel. It's hideous and tasteless," he said. (photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage.com)

[Independent.ie]

'John Adams' Executive Producer Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson arrive at the premiere of 'Charlie Wilson's War' in Los Angeles. (photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic.com)

Hold the Phone

Russell Crowe isn't all romper-stomper and bloodthirsty gladiator. 'Six Feet Under' veteran Ben Foster worked with the famously pugnacious Aussie on '3:10 to Yuma' and told Variety that Crowe's a real sweetheart: "He really is misrepresented in the press. He doesn't suffer fools well, but if you're ready to work and care about what you do... . He was incredibly over-the-top generous with me." Then again, you're taking this assessment from a guy whose résumé ('Alpha Dog,' 'Hostage') reads like a parole application. Even his favorite young actor — 'Juno' star Ellen Page — spent her last film trying to castrate a photographer in his kitchen. (photo: Michael Bezjian/WireImage.com)

[Variety]

Shocking Farewell

Gervais says C you later

On December 16th, Andy Millman gives his notice; 'Extras,' will air an 80-minute series finale. Unlike Millman's, Ricky Gervais' career has taken off. Sitting on the set of 'Ghost Town,' his first leading-man film role, Gervais indicated that he has no trouble forgetting all about the little people. Referring to the background players milling behind a nearby rope barrier, Gervais said, "They're not allowed to mix with me. That's electrified. If they get anywhere near me, 40,000 volts go through them. It's true."

As for what's up next, Gervais is keeping his options open: "On the street this guy once said, "I'm a producer on 'Sesame Street.' Would you like to come on?" That's a cool thing to do, isn't it? As long as I'm not sat in a dustbin. [And] I don't want to sing a song about the letter C — although, I just thought of one."

[The Chornicle Herald]

[Time.com]

Lisa Kudrow arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of 'P.S I Love You' at Grauman's Chinese Theater. (photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com)

Going Public

Most film and TV stars send their kids to private school, but not Cynthia Nixon. "I'm a very big public school advocate. I try to bring public awareness to increase funding," Nixon told People magazine. "My kids go to public school. I grew up here [in New York], went to public school, got a great education. It wasn't a tough decision." Her kids' P.S. progress report? Samantha, 11, is "a very good writer," while Charles, 4, is "very into building and dinosaurs." (photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com)

[People.com]

It Takes a Village ...

It turns out that 'Deadwood' star Ian McShane had a serious leg up when it came to hanging with hard-drinking hookers and low-lifes. Early in his career, when a Manhattan production of Alexei Arbuzov's 'Promise' fell apart, he inadvertently began training for the role of Al Swearengen: "It was a disaster, but man, what a great time to be in New York," he says. "It was the Summer of Love, babe, one big party. The Electric Circus down in the Village was the club we used to go to. 'Hair' was playing. It was a wacky, frenetic place. I couldn't get enough." (photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com)

[New York Times]

Rebecca DeMornay arrives at a screening of 'Sweeney Todd' in Los Angeles. (photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic.com)

Larry is a Good Thing

Martha Stewart enjoys long walks through the rolling countryside, muffins baked from the finest fruits and grains — and socially-impaired shmendricks who steal flowers from roadside memorials. Martha made her crush known when 'Curb' star Susie Essman stopped by her show to cook a Simple Supper. "He could be a funny boyfriend," Martha said. "[You should] invite me as a houseguest or something." When Essman replied that David is newly single, Martha turned up the heat. "I know. That's why I'm interested ... that's why I keep mentioning him." (photo: Eugene Gologursky/WireImage.com)

[San Francisco Chronicle]

Luis from Loisada

Maintaining Imperial Beach's Snug Harbor Motel on 'John from Cincinnati,' Luiz Guzman tolerated his share of misfits and lowlifes. The actor, who grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side long before the invasion of $800 mohair sweater boutiques and hipster hangouts, has experience coexisting with the seamier element. Guzman explained: "You [would be] walking down the street, you walk into a corner and you hear bop-ba and you come around the corner and there's someone there with a bullet hole in their head. Somebody got blown away."

Now the actor divides his time between his Grand Street apartment and a horse farm in Vermont. But habits of self-preservation die hard. When asked how much time he spends in the country, Guzman says: "I'm not going to tell you that because then someone's gonna come and raid my apartment!" (photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage.com)

[Grand Street News]