A new opera based on the life of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, featuring a rapper as Gadhafi and a chorus of all-female bodyguards, highlights the new season of the English National Opera.

The program of London's second-largest opera company will be the first season fully curated by the company's new artistic director, Sean Doran. The Gadhafi opera, created by the dance-hip-hop collective Asian Dub Foundation, and an opera based on Rainier Werner Fassbinder's film "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant," are among new works scheduled.

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My votes for Golden Globe worst dress and worst hair:

Worst Dress: Paula Abdul

Worst hair: Charlize Theron (I actually think her dress is quite pretty, but DAMN that hair is gross!)

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Willie Nelson and three business partners recently formed a company called Willie Nelson's Biodiesel that is marketing the fuel to truck stops. The fuel is made from vegetable oils, mainly soybeans, and can be burned without modification to diesel engines.

"I got on the computer and punched in biodiesel and found out this could be the future," said Nelson, who now uses the fuel for his cars and tour buses.

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This one's for Chuck--no shock as to what disastrous ensemble Diane Keaton wore last night:

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What's the hot must-have for spring? The shrunken jacket.

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--Kim Basinger could soon be taking on a more conservative role than usual. She is in negotiations to star as the First Lady in a new political thriller called 'The Sentinel,' according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Michael Douglas is already signed on to play a Secret Service agent who has an affair with the First Lady, thus becoming a suspect in a plot to assassinate the president. Kiefer Sutherland of Fox's "24" is also reportedly in talks to join the cast as an agent in the upcoming movie.

--Northern Ireland native Liam Neeson is set to take star in another biopic - as celebrated American President Abraham Lincoln. The actor is currently in talks with director Steven Spielberg to take on the lead role in the film, which will follow the US leader as he guides the North to victory in the Civil War.

Spielberg, currently working on War Of The Worlds with Tom Cruise, has expressed a desire to make a movie about Lincoln since 2001, when the rights to the upcoming biography The Uniter: The Genius Of Abraham Lincoln were bought by Dreamworks.

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Some early morning hanky-panky nearly proved deadly for a 32-year-old Manhattan woman when a candle ignited a comforter while she and a neighbor were in bed, witnesses said.

While I realize this is a very serious situation, this quote in the article made me laugh: "This is so embarrassing," said Leo. "We had never done that before and now she's in the hospital and my cat's dead."

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Here's your complete list of Golden Globe winners.

I can't give my usual award show long-winded commentary because I missed most of the show.

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I had a fabulous weekend in Chicago. A group of us from undergrad got together for T's Bachelorette Party/Wedding Shower Weekend.

I flew in to Midway (which, by the way, is so much nicer now that it's re-done) on Friday night. We had a low-key night in order to save our strength. We just chatted, had some wine, and ate some homeade guac and chips, and baked gouda prepared by T and her husband-to-be.

Starting at 3 on Saturday, we headed to another girlfriend's house for T's shower. Lots of good food and wine to be had. And lots of gifts, of course. We then went to 1154 Lill, which we had closed down for our group. It's a cute little store where you can design purses, and they make them and ship them to you. You should really check it out the next time you're in Chicago.

We then journeyed on to a sports bar-type place where we had an area blocked off. All you can drink for $25. Everyone got T a pair of underwear that she opened at the bar, and she had to guess who they were from. I got her these with a note that read, "A little bit Charlotte, and a little bit Samantha." Needless to say, she knew immediately who they were from.

Next stop was a great dance club that played all 80's music. We danced until about 2:30, and then decided it was time to head home.

It was a great weekend, and just what I needed: Some girl time. Congrats, T!!!

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Looks like Ben's a "trekkie:"

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Jennifer Aniston has left the Hollywood mansion she shared with Brad Pitt before their marriage break-up - and moved in with her hairdresser. The former Friends beauty - who confirmed her marriage was over last Friday - has reportedly formed such a strong friendship with stylist-to-the-stars Chris McMillan, he was the first person she turned to for advice and comfort.

Aniston's confidante was responsible for her Friends character Rachel Green's hairstyles - which led to millions of imitation cuts around the world - and the actress' locks on her wedding day four-and-a-half years ago.

A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "She went straight to Chris' house when she got back to LA. She couldn't face going back to the house she shared with Brad. She found the idea too upsetting. Chris has been a great shoulder to cry on for her over the years and he's there for her now. They first met in the set of Friends ten years ago and have been best pals ever since."

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Affirmative American Idol Action:

"American Idol" turned into the battle of the divas last season. This year, male contestants are getting a little help.

In a bid to freshen the Fox series as it begins its fourth season Tuesday - and to even the playing field dominated in 2004 by female songbirds - half of the 24 semifinalist spots are promised to men.

--Oh come on!

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"A Current Affair" is coming back to television.

The syndicated news magazine show, which ran from 1986 to 1996, will return this spring with former NFL player, author and Fox Sports commentator Tim Green as host, Twentieth Television announced Thursday.

"I heard people describe it as an everyman's `60 Minutes,'" Green told the AP. "In the script I read for the show, the content seemed sort of Shakespearean with both the comedy and the tragedy."

--Are you kidding me with that Tim? Maybe my memory is failing me, but I recall the quality being a step above "Jerry Springer" and a step below "Inside Edition."

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To the ladies:

Ever get annoyed how you can be 3 different sizes at 3 different stores? This article sheds some light on how clothing in some stores run.

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Disney has commissioned a remake of Steven LisbergerÂ’s "Tron."

“We are contemporizing it,” screenwriter Brian Klugman told Variety, “taking these ideas that were ahead of the curve and applying them to the present, and we feel the film now has a chance to resonate with a young audience."

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Condolences to Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper and his wife Marianne.

They lost their only child, 17-year-old son Jesse, on Monday night. He died of complications due to cerebral palsy. The Coopers had moved to the South Shore area of Boston from New York because they felt Massachusetts was more progressive about mainstreaming kids with disabilities, according to the Boston Herald.

--Sad. On a Chris Cooper note, while he rarely has main lead roles, I think he is one of the finest actors on the screen today.

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London Underground is to pipe endless recitals of "uncool" music into trouble-prone tube stations in an attempt to encourage disorderly teenagers to go away.

Tube bosses intend to use recordings of Pavarotti recitals, Vivaldi and Mozart in a battle against anti-social behaviour at 35 stations on the District, East London, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines.

The initiative, announced yesterday by Metronet, LU's maintenance contractor, follows a trial at four east London stations which prompted a 33% drop in abuse against staff.

--Mozart? I thought they would have gone with Captain and Tenille or something.

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Is it me, or does this Million Dollar Baby appear to have some new million dollar cleavage?

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Pamela Anderson was offered the lead role in the series Desperate Housewives, but turned it down after producers asked her to dye her hair brown.

“Blonde is my trademark so I said no,” explained the 37-year-old former Baywatch star. “Now I could kick myself as the show is simply great. I am hoping to persuade them to give me a guest star role.”

Pam could have starred as Susan Mayer – the divorcee and single mother, struggling to find love with the perfect man. The part eventually went to former Lois And Clark star Terri Hatcher.

--Um, Pam--if your agent advised you on that one, fire him. However, I think we're all relieved Teri Hatcher has the part.

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To the cheers of male co-stars everywhere:

According to Harpers and Queen magazine, Scarlett Johansson, who refers to her breasts as the "girls," claims she is happy for her male co-stars to see her breasts.

"A lot of people get nervous. I try to be relaxed," says the actress. "There are those first few takes where you're like, 'This is awkward', and it's hot and you're almost naked.

"But if someone catches sight of your bare breasts, you think: 'Let them have it and enjoy it for the day.'"

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