Self-professed "airline geek" and licensed pilot John Travolta has signed on as ambassador-at-large for Australian airline Qantas. To help promote air travel post-Sept. 11, he'll fly his Boeing 707 on a "Spirit of Friendship Tour" around the world, making stops in 10 countries. No word on whether Qantas will pay the star for his PR services in cash or frequent-flier miles.
read more
Luciano Pavarotti plans to rest his pipes for good. The opera legend announced Tuesday on CNN's Connie Chung Tonight that he will retire on his 70th birthday, Oct. 12, 2005. "I [will] never even sing in the bathroom," he told Chung. "Not even when I'm taking the shower." Pavarotti canceled his last scheduled performance — a May date at the Metropolitan Opera — due to illness. Speaking of Chung, her new show is off to a good start: Monday's debut gave CNN its best ratings for a regular series in the 8 pm timeslot all year.
read more
Billy Joel is expected to leave a Connecticut rehab facility today, the New York Post reports. "He's doing very well," Columbia Records spokeswoman Claire Mercuri says. On June 17, Joel checked himself into Silver Hill Hospital for a planned 10-day stay "to deal with a specific and personal problem that had recently developed." According to the Post, the 53-year-old Piano Man was seeking help for a drinking problem.
read more
R&B star R. Kelly pleaded innocent to 21 counts of child pornography today in a Chicago courtroom. Kelly — who is accused of videotaping sex with an underage girl — faces 15 years in prison and $100,000 in fines if convicted. The 35-year-old "I Believe I Can Fly" crooner is due back in court on August 7.
read more
American Pie star Natasha Lyonne has agreed to plead guilty to a drunken driving charge stemming from a crash last summer in Miami. As part of the deal, the 23-year-old's license will be suspended for six months and she'll be required to perform 50 hours of community service.
read more
Angela Bassett's good buddy Halle Berry was named best actress at the second annual Black Entertainment Television awards, held Tuesday night in Hollywood. Other winners included Will Smith (best actor), Outkast (music group), Usher (male R&B artist), India.Arie (female R&B artist) and Alicia Keys (new artist). Earth, Wind & Fire received a lifetime achievement award and Muhammad Ali was honored for his humanitarian efforts.
read more
Fox's American Idol: The Search for a Superstar was the top-rated show last week among viewers aged 18-49. A repeat of CSI, meanwhile, was No. 1 among total viewers.
read more
VH1 wants to give newlyweds Liza Minnelli and David Gest the Osbournes treatment. According to Liz Smith, the music channel is developing a reality show that would chronicle the life and times of America's most eccentric couple. Let's pray there are no cameras in the bedroom.
read more
Pop diva Elton John's bid to reopen his $21 million lawsuit against former accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers was rejected Monday by Britain's Court of Appeal. John insists the company failed to keep track of his finances.
read more