Celebs

Can a two-year-old choose an NCAA bracket better than a seasoned sports reporter?

NBC Chicago sports reporter Paula Faris decided to challenge her daughter Caroline to a bracket throwndown.



Here's a sample of their intense selection strategy discussion:

Paula: "Georgetown or Iowa, honey?"

Caroline: "Daddy!"

In the Robert Morris-Villanova match-up, Paula picked Villanova, the two seed, and Caroline went with the underdog. Mom was right, but it looks like neither of them predicted that Ohio University would upset Georgetown.

Related: Grown-up Reporter Dunks on Little Lad and Makes Him Cry

Sandra Bullock has moved out of the home she shares with husband Jesse James, allegedly because she found out he was cheating on her. Bullock has also pulled out of the London premiere of "The Blind Side," due to "unforeseen personal reasons."

Uh oh. That doesn't sound good.

While most Hollywood marriages seem to come stamped with expiration dates, something about Bullock and James' relationship seemed more solid, more "normal" than the typical Tinseltown union. Maybe because they seemed like such an unlikely pair.

Hollywood loves a good opposites-attract story and, obviously, so do we, the movie-ticket-buying public. So the union of a silver-screen sweetheart and a motorcycle-riding bad boy was incredibly intriguing, especially given their past relationships. Bullock had dated pretty-boy movie stars like Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Gosling, and James seemed to prefer heavily-tattooed porn stars like Jenna Jameson and Janine Lindemulder.

Ridiculously hilarious couple Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are going to be parents again.

Poehler confirmed to E! Online that she's expecting a sister or brother for the couple's first child, 16-month-old son Archie Arnett.

Her pregnancy isn't expected to interfere with her NBC show, "Parks and Recreation."

An NBC rep tells E!, "We'll continue production of season three as soon as production of season two concludes. And we'll be back next season with new episodes."

As for Will Arnett, the "Arrested Development" alum is slated to shoot the new Fox pilot, "Wilde Kingdom," which costars Keri Russell. We have no idea how Fox is getting away with riffing a name from the famed NBC show of the '60s, but we'll just wait and see.

In the meantime, here's a look back at a very-pregnant Poehler rapping with Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live in 2008:




Related: Will Arnett Talks Baby Helmets, 'Arrested' Secrets and Loving Conan

How do you rehab your image after a high-profile, scandalicious affair with a former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate? In the case of John Edwards' babymama Rielle Hunter, that meant doing a nothing-is-off-limits interview with GQ.

When asked, in a roundabout way, why she told her story for free, rather than making money on it , Hunter says:

"I could have cashed out big. But that's not what I'm about. I love Johnny and I love my daughter more than anything in the world, and I don't want to ever do anything to hurt them or hurt their relationship."

Like, say, posing on a bed sans pants and revealing the intimate details of your relationship in a national magazine?

But maybe we're being too hard on her. Does Rielle Hunter deserve some sympathy?

Related: The Ends of the Affairs - When Political Men Cheat

In Style from Dusk to Dawn: We fully admit it -- we're feeling more than a little jealous of Salma Hayek right now.

Only the beautiful, talented Hayek could be this chic and fashionable as she walks with her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, 2, through the Los Angeles International Airport.

We're quite certain our traveling style has never come close to Hayek's, but now we have something to aspire to: A classic black sweater and white button down blouse tucked into lovely wide-leg jeans and topped with a sleek black coat (complete with leopard print lining). And, oh, the accessories! The black belt, black shades, black boots and black hat. Not to mention that sleek, straight bob.

And as classic as Mom is, Valentina is kid trendy cute. The fuzzy faux fur vest, cardigan, flowered top and light blue pants are darling.

See why we're jealous?

Related: Salma Hayek to Launch Anti-aging Cosmetics Brand

Fashion Gold: Talk about your model families. Actor Matthew McConaughey ("Fool's Gold," "Tropic Thunder"), his love, supermodel Camila Alves, and their son, Levi, 20 months, personified pretty as they strolled through New York's Soho neighborhood recently.

True, we're used to seeing McConaughey shirtless on the beach -- and we're not complaining here -- but it's nice to see him all bundled up in the city, too. We like his newsboy cap and dapper jacket.

As for Mom's style? Well, we must say the "Shear Genius" host looks, well, genius. Chilly weather doesn't get in the way of her fashion sense: open-toed sandals, bare legs and a short purple dress laugh in the face of low temps. And that gorgeous mane of hers? We suppose when you're on a TV show about hair, throwing your tresses into a messy ponytail just won't do.

Then, there's little Levi. Rolled up jeans, hiking boots, adorable hat. And the sweetest face. But, really, what else would you expect with DNA like that?

Related: Meet Matthew McConaughey's New Daughter Vida

In the immortal words of Don Henley, "All she wants to do is dance."

Now, Kate Gosselin, the original Octomom, is taking heat from critics after signing on for the new season of "Dancing With the Stars." Accused of neglecting her kids to pursue her celebrity ambitions, Gosselin is striking back and defending her position.

"If I was financially able to provide for eight kids on my former salary as a nurse, I would do it ... but that's not possible ... I cannot rely on the fact that Jon will be there to help support the kids, so I approach it as if I am the sole provider," Gosselin tells People magazine.

"If I last two weeks on the show, I've shown my kids that hard work and perseverance pays off," Gosselin tells People, adding, "and if I don't win, I've shown them you don't always have to come in first. You just have to keep on trying."

Last Fashion Hero: When your dad is the Governor of California -- not to mention the Terminator -- and your mom is a TV journalist -- not to mention a Kennedy -- it makes perfect sense that you'd score a front row seat at Paris Fashion Week.

Christina Schwarzenegger, 18, attended Stella McCartney's fall 2010 ready-to-wear collection with her famous mother, Maria Shriver, earlier this week. The Georgetown University student [Shriver went there, too], is collegiate chic in dark denim, a striped shirt and a cool black coat. We're loving that long side braid, too.

We wish we could pull off Shriver's classic white slacks/white handbag combo, but they'd be covered in our kids' fingerprints, coffee stains and chocolate frosting from that donut we called lunch.

We're guessing that the stylish duo got in some mother/daughter shopping while visiting Paris. Hasta la vista, baby!

Related: Maria Shriver Stuns at 55 - See Her Red Carpet Look!

Related: Oscars 2010 Show Review: Decent, But What a Drag

Designing women: Fashion designer Vera Wang has dressed oodles of A-list celebrities -- from Cate Blanchett to Jennifer Hudson -- on the red carpet. And that's not to leave out her brides [think Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Uma Thurman, just to name a few]. Or the famous figure skaters: Nancy Kerrigan, Evan Lysacek, Michelle Kwan, Sasha Coen ... this list goes on and on.

So, yeah, it was no surprise her store opening in Los Angeles this week drew Hollywood heavyweights including Renee Zellweger, Reese Witherspoon, Kara DioGuardi and Mila Kunis, who were all on hand to fete the designer.

But our fave photo from the event is this picture of Wang with her gorgeous daughter, Josephine Becker, 16.

How great would it be to have access to one of the world's most fabulous designers' wardrobes? Josephine looks cool in a gray belted dress worn with a black jacket. Of course, it's hard to compete with Mom, in an of-the-moment feathered, sleeveless blazer.

But, Josephine has some fans of her own -- The New York Post named her one of 20 "It Girls" to watch in 2010, along with other daughters of famous mothers like Lourdes Leon and Zoe Kravitz.

Related: Runway Review - Vera Wang Pre-Fall 2010

First, it was Tori Spelling who announced she'd be penning a children's book. Now, Jennie Garth, her "90210" co-star, says she'll also be writing stories for kids.

Somewhere, Brenda Walsh is silently shedding a tear.

Garth, a.k.a. Beverly-Hills-teen-temptress-turned-high-school-guidance-counselor Kelly Taylor, tells Us Weekly she recently signed a two-book deal that will be aimed at 3- to 8-year-olds.

Mom to three daughters -- Luca, 12, Lola, 7, and Fiona, 3 -- Garth, 37, says to look for the books in stores in February 2011.

The actress, who also starred in the TV series "What I Like About You," married "Twilight" actor Peter Facinelli in 2001.

"We are really great parents, if I do say so myself!" she tells Us Weekly. "We really take it as a full-time commitment and job ... We take it very seriously."

Related: J.K. Rowling Accused of Plagiarizing 'Harry Potter'

Walking Wonderland: "Alice in Wonderland" director Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, his partner of nine years, were photographed as they strolled and shopped for toys in London earlier this week with their children, Billy Ray, 6, and Nell, 2.

The Red Queen showed mamas really do wear combat boots, as she paired her chunky shoes with one of her typically -- um, shall we say -- eclectic outfits. The floral skirt and legions of layers may have some fashion critics crying, "off with her head!" but we like the black jacket's fit and flare. And the pink balloon just makes us happy.

Burton, is, as usual, a bit disheveled [dare we call him the Mad Hatter of the family?], but we kinda need those blue-lensed glasses he's wearing. And the kids? Well, they're just cute and cuddly as a white rabbit. Nell is a mini me of Mom with her animal print coat, swingy dress and Uggs. And Billy Ray's toggle coat is too cute.

They're invited to our tea party any time.

Related: Stella McCartney Teams Up With Disney for 'Alice in Wonderland' Jewelry

When Brad Pitt was spotted in Paris on Feb. 23, it looked like he and Angelina Jolie had adopted a new child -- an adorable blond boy. Instead, it was the couple's 3-year-old daughter, Shiloh, sporting boys' clothes and a new haircut so shockingly short it immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy.

"It's a drastic change," says an eyewitness. "The last time we'd seen her, her hair was longer and blonder, and she was more girlie. We were surprised Angelina dressed her so much like a little boy."

Reaction on the Internet was far harsher and even some seen-it-all celebrity stylists were stunned by the transformation. "Shiloh is pushing the boundaries of a tomboy look and crossing over to cross-dresser territory," Alana Kelen, senior fashion stylist at VH1, tells Life & Style. "Shiloh is looking more and more like her daddy these days," agrees celebrity stylist Gili Rashal-Niv.

This morning, I woke up to learn that Marie Osmond's teenage son had jumped out a window, leaving behind a suicide note. As a member of the editorial team of this parenting Web site, my first thought was, "That poor mom. How is she going to get through this? Forget that she's a celebrity. She's a mom first."

My next thought was that we were not going to run a news story about it.

Fresh out of journalism school years ago, I learned about something called copycatism. There had been a number of kids who'd killed themselves and my boss explained to me that that's what happens when teen suicides hit the front pages. It was then, as a cub reporter, that I decided I would never cover such a story.

The number one worst thing that can happen to a parent is her child dying. Only one thing makes it worse: If that child took his own life.

A friend, who lost his beautiful daughter to brain cancer in 2006, suffered terribly. Three years later, when he heard that his friend's child had tried to commit suicide – and, thank God, failed – he had a most surprising reaction.

"I didn't know what to say to her," David explains. "My daughter's death was not her fault. I just can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child by her own hand. There are no words that can ease that pain." And this from a guy – a salesman -- who talks for a living.

So, Parents, in our small attempt to help, here's a list of some of the warning signs. A more comprehensive suicide prevention guide can be found at HelpGuide.org.

1) If your child says, "I want to kill myself," or some variation thereof, even if it sounds like a snarky joke, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. Talk to your child and find out what's going on. Don't dismiss any kind of struggle that he's having as mere growing pains. Listen to what he's saying .

2) Don't wait to seek out professional help. Talk to a psychiatrist or another mental health professional to get advice on how to handle it. Or, better still, bring your child to that therapist. If your child is saying, "I am going to kill myself," get him to an emergency room immediately.

3) Take your child's other kinds of comments seriously as well. If your child says things like, "Life is not worth living," or "I don't see the purpose to life," or "You won't have to worry about me anymore," unpack that with him. Ask him what he means. When you dig deeper, you might discover a desperation hidden under the surface. Get help immediately in the form of a psychiatrist.

4) Don't leave your child alone if you suspect that he's even the least bit suicidal.

5) Irritability or an angry mood for no apparent reason is another biggie. Don't dismiss it as typical teenage behavior.

6) Withdrawing. Is your child isolating himself from people? It doesn't have to be everyone, but if he's keeping away from some people, that's a sign that there's something serious going on.

7) Substance Abuse. If you suspect your child is using alcohol or drugs -- prescription, over-the-counter or illegal drugs --seek help immediately.

8) Reach out to the pros. If you have any questions, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255.

For more on this subject, visit helpguide.org. Click here for the section for parents.
Click here for the section for teens. For those outside the United States, contact Befrienders.org.

Caught dealing drugs? Blame Mom and Dad, if they're famous.

That's what Cameron Douglas, son of Michael Douglas, is doing. Or at least, his defense attorneys are.

In January, Cameron pleaded guilty to dealing crystal meth. Last year, while under house arrest after selling several pounds of the stuff to an informant, his girlfriend tried to smuggle 19 bags of heroin to him in an electric toothbrush. It seems safe to say that the guy is a mess. In court this week, lawyers attempted to blame Cameron's dope habits on "notoriety that is not due to any acts of his own but by dint of birth and a difficult upbringing," according to a report in the New York Daily News.

I guess when you're facing 10 years behind bars and trying to cut it down to house arrest, you'll try anything.