Usher has urged the media not to join his girlfriend Eisha Brightwell's campaign to persuade him to marry her. Brightwell is constantly nagging the singer to propose to her.

But he's not ready for marriage, and has begged the press not to add to the pressure he's under by writing articles speculating when they will get engaged. He says, "Don't put any more pressure on me than she has, man." "We've been dating a while, but you've got to give us a little time." "I try to keep my relationships private - it's hard having a relationship as an entertainer in the public eye."

--How pathetically unattractive--get a grip, girl! If you have to nag and beg, there's a problem.

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Instead of a small token of appreciation given to celebrities at parties, now it's a "swag suite" full of long tables of iPods, digital cameras and designer clothes, which VIPs stuff into luggage. The goodie bag has come a long way. The practice has become so excessive, so key to luring stars to awards shows and parties, that there's now a college class devoted to it.

"The Art of the Goodie Bag," a three-hour, four-part class at the Fashion Institute of Technology, teaches budding publicists how "to procure goodies with ingenuity and creativity." "It's becoming a serious industry now," says Jane Ubell-Meyer, a former TV producer who teaches the class and owns goodie bag company Madison & Mulholland. "A great goodie bag is a fabulous event. An OK bag is an OK event. And a terrible bag is a forgettable event."

As such, every event tries to top every other. Even Live 8, a free concert to battle African poverty, gave its participants $4,000 gift bags. Ubell-Meyer is responsible for the Hamptons Jitney gift bags, where certain lucky riders get a cushy Vera Bradley travel case filled with an Equinox membership, Everlast boxing gloves and knitting kits. The spunky former TV producer also designs "The Ultimate Nominee" bag for the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tonys, as well as the VIP goodie bags during Fashion Week.

Ubell-Mayer explains that every successful goodie bag must have three essentials: the Wow factor (a BlackBerry), the Oh My God I Need That factor (Bose headphones) and the Filler (candy, pens, gift certificates, makeup).

She teaches how to pitch big corporations and persuade them to donate their products. She emphasizes the power of trade shows. And she has the students role-play, pretending they are executives at Clarins or Estee Lauder.

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She's one of the woman Tom Cruise is said to have wanted to "audition" as his girlfriend, days before he plumped for virginal Katie Holmes.

But now Jessica Alba has taken a swipe at the twosome. The star of new superhero flick Fantastic Four said: "I don't date actors and I don't date people to get ahead in my career."

She also spoke out about the public nature of Tom and Katie's stomach-churning lovefest, which reached a peak with his announcement of undying love on Oprah. Jessica, who is dating director's assistant Cash Warren, said: "I'm madly in love with Cash but I don't feel the need to talk about it. "I don't want to comment on Tom's relationship with Katie... But, I'm a private person and I don't feel you should talk about your private life. I think it's best to keep this sort of thing to yourself."

Alba also suggested, "It's about time there was a female Bond. Women should get to kick ass like him. "It would be great for us to have hordes of men around instead of the women flocking to some guy. "I'd love to have Bond men like Michael Caine, Clive Owen, Jude Law and Ioan Gruffudd," added Jessica.

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It's been a long time since we saw any new adventures from the small blue gnome-type things called Smurfs. But all that is about the change, with the news that the Smurfs, like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before them, are about to make the leap from the small screen to the big, in CGI form.

The Smurfs are small blue creatures "three apples high" who live in a town of mushroom shaped houses in the woods. There, they hang out in their nifty white trousers-and-hat combos – except for Papa Smurf, who wears red, and Smurfette, who wears whatever she wants – and try to avoid the attentions of the dastardly sorceror Gargamel, who's determined to wipe them out.

--La la la-la la la, Sing a happy song. La la la-la la la, Smurf your whole day long.

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Eva Longoria and Nicolette Sheridan were snubbed by Emmy Awards judges because they play loose women on Desperate Housewives, according to US awards buff Tom O'Neil.

O'Neil, who runs entertainment industry website GoldDerby.com, insists the Emmys panel often ignore "floozie" characters in hit shows because they're prudish. And he's certain that's why Sheridan and Longoria were left off the list this year. He says, "All three of the other Housewives got nominated. The two who got slapped have one thing in common - they play hip-wiggling tarts with loosey-goosey morals.

Emmy voters may be regarded as typical Hollywood hedonists, but, in fact, they're older TV industry veterans who can often act like prudish snobs. Look at Heather Locklear, who was nominated six times for Golden Globes, but never earned a bid at the Emmys for Melrose Place or Spin City. And the only cast member of Frasier who was never nominated was Peri Gilpin, whose character, Roz, was accused of bedding everyone at Frasier's radio station."

--Yeah, but wasn't it the least slutty character of Charlotte on Sex and the City the one who didn't get nominated until the last season?

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Lil' Kim has filed a $6 million lawsuit against one of the two men who gave wounding testimony at her recent trial on perjury and conspiracy charges.

Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for lying to a federal grand jury about her involvement in a 2001 gun battle outside a Manhattan radio station. The 30-year-old rapper, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, has been ordered to report to prison Sept. 19.

In a lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court, she accuses James "Lil' Cease" Lloyd of preparing to release an unauthorized DVD, "The Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A. Part II: Reloaded." Lil' Kim says she left Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Lloyd, in 2001. She says the DVD, like a predecessor, was unauthorized and improperly uses her name, image and likeness, amounting to false advertising and false endorsement.

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Movie star Helena Bonham Carter loves starring in boyfriend Tim Burton's films but wishes he would give her more glamourous roles.

Burton's latest movie Charlie And The Chocolate Factory sees Bonham Carter toning down her Hollywood beauty to play Charlie's bedraggled mother.

The couple found love when they first worked together on Planet Of The Apes where the actress had to spend hours in make-up to achieve the wrinkly primate look. She says, "It was a very small part so it's hardly a career move." "When I had a word every now and then I got really nervous. I also had to put these fake teeth in, which made me look like a chipmunk."

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Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock will team up in a new as-yet-untitled comedy heist drama.

Rush Hour director Brett Ratner will helm the movie. Brian Grazer (8 Mile, The Nutty Professor) will produce.

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The Rolling Stones are finalizing plans for their first studio album in eight years.

Expected to be released on September 5, itÂ’s believed the band recorded 18 tracks from which the final album will be selected.

The album was recorded in France during late 2004 and spring 2005 with producer Don Was. Mixing took place in Los Angeles earlier this summer.

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For Sienna Miller on Monday night, the show went on – but can the same be said of her engagement to Jude Law? Arriving for work in the London West End production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It with her flashy engagement ring missing from her left hand, Miller is spurring rumors that she has split with fiancé Law, who has publicly admitted to a steamy affair with his children’s nanny.

Despite personal drama, the 23-year-old actress – with two bodyguards at her side – arrived at Wyndham’s Theatre around 6:20 p.m., more than an hour before showtime, using a front entrance to outwit paparazzi gathered at the back. Onstage, her voice seemed strained at times, but Miller remained poised through all three hours of the sold-out performance. The New York-born and classically trained Miller plays Celia, the cousin and friend of main character Rosalind.

After receiving a warm ovation during the curtain call, Miller smiled slightly and quickly wiped her face with both hands as she hurried off stage. Draped with a towel, she fled the theater without comment only minutes later.

This weekÂ’s Sunday Mirror first reported that Law, 32, and Daisy Wright, a 26-year-old au pair, had a steamy affair in March while Law was filming All the King's Men in New Orleans. In an eye-opening statement that followed the story, Law expressed his "sincere regret" over the relationship, saying: "I am deeply ashamed and upset that I've hurt Sienna and the people most close to us. Â…There is no defense for my actions, which I sincerely regret and I ask that you respect our privacy at this very difficult time."

Click here for a story on the diary of the affair that the nanny kept. Oh, and here's a pic of her:

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Pamela Anderson is hoping her third wedding with Tommy Lee will be the charm.

Lee — who has already walked down the aisle twice with Anderson — popped the question again on Friday at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, a spy reports. "He got her a black diamond with two gray diamonds on the side. After she said yes, they flew on the Palm's private jet back to L.A. — but they crossed out the 'l' on the side of the jet so it said 'Pam's.' "

The couple then shacked up at the Mondrian for the weekend and told pals the wedding would happen "this week."

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Is Owen Robbing the Cradle?

Owen Wilson celebrated his "Wedding Crashers" success on Saturday by being the guest of honor at Mercedes Benz Polo in Bridgehampton, N.Y., with Woody Harrelson.

But more interesting about the polo matches was a young lady who turned up as a guest. 20-year-old Nicole Shabtai is the daughter of Benny Shabtai, the president and marketing genius behind watch makers Raymond Weil. Shabtai is a longtime fixture on the Hamptons party scene. Nicole is a sophomore at Duke University, but she's also said to be — if not Wilson's official girlfriend — one of his favorite coeds.

Wilson is 36 years old. The age difference is not exactly Jerry Seinfeld and Shoshanna Lonstein or Woody Allen and Soon Yi, but it did have Duke students in a tizzy when Wilson showed up on the North Carolina campus to see the beautiful brunette.

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Rumors have been swirling that Matt Lauer and his wife, Annette Roque, were headed for splitsville.

A spy for The Post now reports that Lauer has been living alone in a two-bedroom apartment at Trump Park Avenue for more than a month.

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Evidence that you should have to take an exam to procreate:

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Drew Barrymore and director Steven Spielberg are in talks to make a sequel to Hollywood classic ET.

Barrymore is anxious to resume her role as Gertie Elliot, but only if Spielberg, who directed the first film, agrees to oversee the project. Barrymore was six-years-old when ET: The Extraterrestrial shot her to fame in 1982.

According to reports the sequel will see ET return to a now grown-up Gertie, desperate for help saving his family from extinction. "Drew has spoken to Steven about it," a Hollywood insider said. "Although he thought she was joking at first, he's actually giving it serious thought." "Drew thinks the world needs another feelgood movie like ET right now and she's prepared to work with Steven to make it happen."

--This is just wrong. Let it go, Drew. You'll ruin it.

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Jessica Biel is convinced her new role in period romance The Illusionist will stop her becoming typecast.

The actress had been concerned her parts in Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Rules Of Attraction would deter film-makers from offering her more challenging roles - but he latest project has allayed her fears.

Biel says of her role as Princess Sophie, "I couldn't have asked for better, because you can get pigeon-holed. You do action and horror and they're great, but it was nice to do something like The Illusionist and be taken seriously - not just be the hot American girl."

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David Beckham caused a stir this weekend when he discarded his shirt to reveal he's shaved his armpits.

Becks - who has a sponsorship deal with razor firm Gillette - showed off his smooth-as-an-eel pits while playing soccer for Real Madrid in the US. He has already revealed he loves to wax his chest, but the "experts" are not happy about it one little bit.

Consultant Dr. Derek Dane told the Mirror: "Even just trimming your armpit hair could lead to problems. "The hair is there for a specific purpose - to allow the air to circulate freely and keep you cool."

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The ears and revealing outfit not enough? Paint on your inner bunny!

Now you can up your allure with the new Playboy Beauty Collection. Sheathed in sleek gold, black and fuchsia casing embossed with the iconic Playboy Bunny logo, the lineÂ’s tantalizing textures and covetable colors are designed to make heads turn. Longing for that vampy-vixen look? Lacquer your lips with luscious Centerfold Red lipgloss. Want a more sex kitten style? Dust your cheeks using the shimmering Pink Pussycat blush. The line includes everything a playmate could desire from liquid eye shadow to pearlescent body balm. Bonus: since the products are infused with vitamins, conditioners, and anti-oxidant ingredients, this flirty collection is no guilty pleasure.

Price: $12.50—$36

Available: Playboy Concept Boutique, The Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. So., Las Vegas, NV, 702-893-4800 and www.beauty.com

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Cuba Gooding Jr. and his wife Sara, 35, are expecting a baby.

The couple, who already have two children – Mason, 8, and Spencer, 10 – are expecting their third this fall, according to the actor's rep.

We are "thrilled to be adding another addition to our family," Gooding Jr. said in a statement. The couple wed on March 13, 1994, and dated for seven years before getting married.

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Colin Farrell slapped his Playmate former gal pal with a lawsuit to try to block her from peddling their raunchy sex tape yesterday.

Nicole Narain and the Irish actor filmed some steamy sexcapades for a 15-minute video more than two years ago — "solely for their private use and enjoyment," Farrell's suit claims. But now, Narain has allegedly joined forces with two men to sell the footage.

One of the men, Paul Nash, told The Post he has yet to see the tape and denied trying to sell it, at least for now. "If it's deemed legal, sure, we'd be interested in making a purchase," said the bizman, who distributes celeb footage.

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