Brad Pitt's Decision to Leave Jen  —  In a new interview with V magazine, Brad Pitt claims he maintains a "deep friendship" with his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston, 38, and defends how he ended their four-and-a-half year marriage in January 2005.  Among his bombshells: that he stifled his attraction …

Jenna Fischer and Her Husband Split  —  Jenna Fischer and her writer/director husband, James Gunn, have separated after more than six years of marriage, the couple tell PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.  —  "We have chosen to separate.  We are sorry for any pain this causes family and friends," says the statement.

Opera's Luciano Pavarotti Dies at 71  —  Luciano Pavarotti, the great Italian tenor who helped popularize opera in the 20th century, has died.  He was 71.  —  The singer, who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, passed away at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5 a.m. local time …

BRANGELINA'S KIDS GO FRENCH  —  GET ready to see a lot more of Maddox Jolie Pitt - and his famous parents - around Manhattan.  The charming little urchin who kick-started the Angelina Jolie adoption addiction started classes this week at the Lycee Francais de New York on the Upper East Side.

Cheeky Britney hits the junk food and flashes her bottom one more time  —  Singer Britney Spears may have won one battle - having been cleared of complaints of child neglect - but it appears she is in danger of losing another, the battle of the bulge as the singer flashed her ample bottom …

Sherri Shepherd Will Join The View Crew  —  ABC is adding the actress as a fifth co-host to the morning show on Sept. 10  —  Ending weeks of speculation, Sherri Shepherd will become a permanent member of ABC's The View on Sept. 10, PEOPLE has confirmed.  —  "It's her!" a source tells PEOPLE …

George Clooney's New Gal Turns Heads in Venice  —  George Clooney's bella nuova has made her public debut as his date at the Venice and Deauville film festivals.  And a source close to the actor says 28-year-old Sarah Larson is getting the thumbs-up from his pals.

Jessica Simpson Takes Over Balcony During Party  —  Jessica Simpson infuriated fashionistas at a W magazine bash in NYC on Wednesday night when she took over an entire balcony and barred guests from the area.  —  The party — which was honoring Simpson's new stylist Britt Bardo …

Shia LaPuff  —  In an effort to expedite the process of becoming more like the characters on his California Raisins t-shirt, former child star Shia LaBeouf puffed away on a cancer stick outside a Toluca Lake, Calif. restaurant yesterday.  What a role model!

Lauren Conrad: I'm Not Walking For Marc Jacobs  —  Lauren Conrad (in French Connection) arrives at LAX airport and sips on her Venti Starbucks drink while waiting for her luggage on Tuesday.  —  The Hills star just denied earlier reports that she would be walking the runway for Marc Jacobs.

Charlotte Church tells Gavin Henson to get "he's taken" tattoo  —  Charlotte Church has reportedly told boyfriend Gavin Henson that he should have a tattoo inked on his wrist to ward off other women.  —  According to the People newspaper, Charlotte has asked him to have her name and the phrase …

Usher's house on the market  —  You could call it the sale of the House of Usher.  —  Superstar singer and newlywed Usher has listed his house in the Country Club of the South for sale at $1.9 million.  —  In addition to five bedrooms and four full baths, the understated gray stucco comes …

Get Yourself Together Kingston!  —  Gwen Stefani showed off L.A.M.B.'s Spring '08 collection during New York Fashion Week yesterday.  She brought little Kingston out after the show.  He's a hot mess!  At first I was like "headphones on an infant, is that a new thing?" but I realized she was doing it, because of the noise.

What The.....  I wouldn't even call this airbrushing.  This is straight-up CUT and PASTE.  They took America Ferrera's head and put it on some skinny bitch's body.  They were probably just like "eff it, just cut the skank's head off."  —  Where are her breasts, ass and arm waddle?

Exclusive: Owen Wilson's Costar Sends Legal Letter to Courtney Love  —  As Owen Wilson struggles to recover from his suicide attempt on August 26, a battle is brewing between his friend, Steve Coogan and the British comic's ex-girlfriend, rocker Courtney Love.

Tommy Lee shocks fellow clubbers by having sex in a nightclub!  —  The Motley Crue drummer - who has two children with ex-wife Pamela Anderson - asked staff at Hamptons nightspot Dune if it he would be allowed to make love before doing so in full view of disgusted revelers on Sunday night (02.09.07).

Patrick Dempsey: Mood Is 'A Lot Lighter' on Grey's Set  —  He may not be getting much sleep, but Patrick Dempsey is having fun with fatherhood and filming Season 4 of Grey's Anatomy.  —  The actor tells Extra that his 6-month-old twin sons "are developing beautifully ... It's a lot of fun."

Venice honours director Burton  —  Director Tim Burton, whose films include Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow, has been honoured with a career award at the Venice Film Festival.  —  Festival organisers called Burton "one of America's bravest, most visionary and innovative film-makers".