Comedy Central has teamed with Kanye West for a project described as hip-hop meets the Muppets. A half-hour pilot has been shot for the project, tentatively titled "Alligator Boots."  The project, which is under consideration for 2009, would feature music produced and performed by West and fellow rapper Rhymefest.

Clay Aiken, on the cover of the latest People magazine, is confirming what many already suspected, that he is gay.  Aiken appears on the cover holding his infant son, with a headline that reads "Yes I'm Gay" and includes the quote "I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things."

A week after they launched their "Text CHILD to 90999 campaign", the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation has raised close to $10,000 toward their goal of $35,000 to build a playground for the children at Beyond Shelter in Los Angeles.  The funds came in via 1,825 text messages, each donating $5, from donations in 48 states.

Britney Spears has put her estate in the gated Beverly Hills community on the market for $7.9 million.  She bought the house in December 2007 for about $7 million.  The Mediterranean-style mansion measures 7,500 square feet, comprising six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, as well as a library, media room and maid's quarters. A second-floor balcony overlooks an open living room and kitchen with an adjacent screening room. There are also a pool and hot tub in the backyard

Travis Barker and DJ AM survived a plane crash Friday night as the Learjet they were in burst into flames on takeoff from Columbia, SC on its way to Van Nuys.  They are in critical but stable condition in a burn center in Augusta, GA with 2nd and 3rd degree burns - Barker has burns to his torso and lower body, while DJ AM suffered burns to his hands and part of his head.  They are expected to make a full recovery. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the accident from smoke inhalation and burns.  Barker's assistant Chris Baker and his security guard Charles Still were killed from impact-related injuries.  According to reports, the pilot believed the plane had blown a tire and was attempting to abort take-off when they plane hit an embankment about a quarter-mile from the end of the runway.  Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler and DJ AM's ex-girlfriend Mandy Moore have both reportedly flown to Georgia to be by their sides.

Selena Gomez and Nick Jonas, were spotted on a Sunday night dining at Osteria La Buca, a fancy Italian eatery right near Paramount Studios.  They sat in the secluded upstairs section that only holds about four tables.

According to a rep for Jamie Lynn Spears, pictures of her breastfeeding her daughter are being shopped around to the highest bidder.  The photos, which include pictures of the Spears family at the hospital when Maddie was born, were allegedly stolen from Casey Aldridge's digital camera when he took the card to his local WalMart to have copies printed.  According to authorities, since Jamie Lynn is 17-years-old, selling the photos could be considered a case of child pornography and anyone purchasing the pictures would also be guilty of receiving stolen goods.

Rachel Bilson will star in "Waiting for Forever" as a 25-year-old TV actress in Hollywood whose boyfriend quits his job with the idea of spending the rest of his life with her. Cameras roll in September in Salt Lake City.

Kevin Jonas was spotted=2 0test driving a white Lamborghini Monday - no word if he purchased the car.

Britney Spears is auditioning dancers at the International Dance Academy in Hollywood for her upcoming music video for "Womanizer" from her upcoming album "Circus".

According to online reports, Paris Hilton lost 2 of her 17 dogs Wednesday to a vicious coyote attack.  She is said to be "devastated" at the loss of her tiny friends and has been crying all day.

Moving vans were seen outside of the L.A. home of The Hills Lauren Conrad and boxes were dropped off on Thursday as Audrina Patridge prepares to move out of the guesthouse.  Patridge's decision comes after weeks of awkward tension between her, Conrad and Lo Bosworth.

Joe Jonas got a new golden retriever puppy named Elvis (named for his 2 favorite artists Elvis Costello and Elvis Presley) from his family for his 16th birthday on Tuesday.

People magazine has named its best and worst-dressed lists.  On the Best Dressed:  Fergie, Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, Eva Mendes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Heidi Klum and Michelle Obama. 

Miley Cyrus has signed on to star in an untitled film by "Notebook" and "A Walk to Remember" author Nicholas Sparks.  The role is being written especially for her.  The book is due out in the fall of 2009.

Barack Obama and John McCain fighting over Lindsay Lohan?  well...sort of.  Seems Lohan offered to host a fundraiser for Obama to attract the younger voters, but Obama's camp turned down her offer because she "is not exactly the kind of high-profile star who would be a positive for us."  A spokesperson for McCain seemed shocked by the rejection saying "maybe LiLo is just too upstanding for Obama."  Obama's spokesperson's reaction:  "Glad to see they're focused on the important issues over in McCain HQ."

Billboard Music Chart:
#1:  Metallica - Death Magnetic - 490,000 copies
#2:  Young Jeezy - The Recession - 90,000 copies
#3:  Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus - 75,000 copies
#4:  Jessica Simpson - Do You Know - 65,000 copies (debuted at the top of the country chart)
#5:  Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone - 52,000 copies

Ben Affleck's triple duty - he is retooling the script for his latest movie "Town" in which he is set to play a career thief who falls for the manager of a bank and who must compete for her affections against the FBI agent trying to take him down.  And if that wasn't enough - Affleck will also direct the movie, which is based in the gritty blue-collar Boston suburb of Charlestown, MA.  No start date has been set yet.

Rumer Willis has signed on to star in the 100th episode of CSI: NY, playing the victim of a serial killer who targets people with the name Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise's character's name on the show). The episode will air November 19th.

Ellen DeGeneres has signed on as the latest face of CoverGirl Cosmetics and will star in a new print and commercial ad campaign that's rolling out in January.

Lil Wayne has re-signed his contract with Cash Money Records for an undisclosed number of albums. He has recorded for the Universal-distributed label since he was a teenager.  In addition to being its biggest recording artist, Wayne also serves as Cash Money's president.  He also runs his own independent imprint, Young Money.

Rapper Webbie was charged with felony eluding, driving under the influence and misdemeanor possession of marijuana after a high-speed police chase in Hattiesburg, Miss.  He was being held Tuesday at the Forrest County Jail pending an initial court appearance.

Lily Allen has penciled in a Feb. 9, 2009, release date for her as-yet-untitled sophomore album

Tom Cruise's rep is shooting down online rumors that he is set to voice a villain in "Shrek Goes Fourth."  The movie, which will feature the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, is currently in the early production stages and expected to hit theaters in 2010.

Hip-Hop legend Nate Dogg suffered a stroke 11 days ago -- his second in the last year.  He is in stable condition in a hospital ward, but is using an assisted breathing tube.  Currently sedated, it is being reported on tmz.com that he did not suffer any brain damage.  No word yet how this 2nd stroke has affected his limbs (his arm and leg were affected by the 1st stroke)

Amy Poehler is leaving "Saturday Night Live" this fall after 7 seasons in order to have her first baby, with husband Will Arnett, and concentrate on a new show for NBC (no details on the show have been released yet).