ROLL CALL: Is Papa Simpson Bringing Britney Over To Play?

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

April 25, 2007

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD: Ashlee Simpson has been the subject of speculation about plastic surgery ever since she got a reported nose job last April, but she doesn’t mind that people talk. “I don’t get bothered by people saying what they say,” she reportedly tells Harper’s Bazaar magazine in its May issue. “I’m a happy person, and I’m happy with my looks.” PEOPLE reports on the upcoming interview, in which Ashlee reportedly responds to people who claim that she’s trying (through plastic surgery) to look more like her sister, Jessica. “Of course I look like her. She’s my sister,” she reportedly says. “It’s like, God, please! We think it’s quite funny.”

FAMILY (MEDIA) CIRCUS?
: Ashlee and Jessica may be getting another addition to their “family,” claims the THE NY DAILY NEWS’ RUSH & MOLLOY. According to their report, the girls’ father, Joe Simpson, is considering managing Britney Spears’ career, just as he has done for Jessica and Ashlee. A source claims that Mr. Simpson allegedly tried to set up a meeting over the weekend with Spears (who recently fired her manager, larry Rudolph). The source adds that Jessica would be okay with the arrangement, and even offered to put out a call to Britney. When contacted by RUSH & MOLLOY, Jessica’s rep, Cindi Berger, denied the claim, and Spears’ spokeswoman wouldn’t comment.

More Celebrity Scoop After the Video!

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK: E! ONLINE’s MATT DONNELLY spoke with R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo, who is reportedly writing songs for Whitney Houston’s new album, and has liked what he’s heard from her in the studio so far. “It’s all good,” he reportedly says, but stresses that the production team is trying to avoid songs that scream “My name is Whitney Houston and this is my triumphant comeback.” “My contribution is just going to be regular songs,” he is quoted as saying. “You been through this, you been through that?cool! We feel you on that. But two songs of that is really all you need.”

MAMA SAID TAKE A BOW: Rap star and actor LL Cool J is reportedly following in Sean Combs’ footsteps with a role on Broadway stage, reports THE NY POST’s PAGE SIX. According to the report, he is in talks to land the role of Brick in a revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” The show will reportedly be produced by Stephen Byrd and directed by Debbie Allen. Others said to be in talks with Byrd for roles include Allen’s sister, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and Louis Gossett Jr. THE NY POST’s MICHAEL RIEDEL previously reported that Forest Whitaker had been attached to star, but pulled out of the production over alleged clashes with the producers.

A JACKASS, OR JUST MISUNDERSTOOD?: Johnny Knoxville raised some eyebrows in LA on Monday, when he was photographed wearing a T-Shirt with a controversial slogan on it. According to US WEEKLY, the “Jackass” star was celebrating his agent’s birthday at the restaurant Mr. Chow, wearing a shirt that featured a photo of his agent’s face with the slogan “Happy Birthday Homo” on it. US asked Knoxville if he was concerned that people may think he’s homophobic, to which he reportedly replied, ?Homophobic? Because I use the word “homo” on a shirt?! Puh-lease!… In the group I run with ‘homo’ is a term of endearment. It’s a compliment. I mean you’ve seen “Jackass”: The hot pants, the oiled young men, the rainbows. Me calling somebody homo is like Weeman calling someone short.?

MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER announced a new special being made for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, entitled “Robot Chicken: Star Wars.” “Robot Chicken,” the popular stop-animation series created by Matt Senreich and Seth Green, is working with Lucasfilm to produce the 30-minute special, which will lampoon the “Star Wars” franchise. George Lucas has reportedly approved the project at every step, and will even voice the animated version of himself in the project. Mark Hammill will also supply the voice for Luke Skywalker, according to the report. Other stars reportedly lending their voices include Conan O’Brien, Hulk Hogan, and Joey Fatone.

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