- Barbara Walters turned down an interview with George Zimmerman because he demanded a month-long stay in a hotel in exchange for talking to her.

- Only 7.5 million viewers watched America's Got Talent on Wednesday. 5.6 million watched Big Brother. That's down 27% from last week's shows.


- 150,000 condoms are being distributed to Olympic athletes. That's 15 per athlete and 50% more than the number given out at the 2008 games.

- PBS has fired Fred Willard as the narrator of the Market Warriors series following his arrest on lewd conduct charges. He was caught in an adult theatre with his pants down on Wednesday.

- Cheryl Burke is dating Toronto Maple Leafs star Joffrey Lupul. They met at the 2012 NHL Awards.

- Katie Holmes is going to star in a new Broadway play called “Dead Accounts.”

Mid Knight Showing: Some people attended midnight showings of The Dark Knight Rises dressed in Batman and Bane costumes. Others, who started camping out on Tuesday to see last night's show, were mistaken for homeless people and asked to move by police. Some people stood outside theatres and scalped seats to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises for $200. Some theatres, in an effort to stop bootlegging, sent undercover security guards into midnight showings of The Dark Knight Rises.

What It Costs To Be Batman from the economics blog Centives, run by students at Lehigh University

$74,880 for a year of martial arts training ($60 an hour)

$20,150 for private jet flight to U.S. from Orient

10,000 graphite helmets at $200 a piece = $2 million.

Kevlar Utility Harness ($337.39)

Gas-powered magnetic grappling gun (you’ll have to do with a simple grappling hook $26.95 – although you could try launching it out of a gas-powered t-shirt cannon for $1,750.00)

Nomex survival suit for advanced infantry. Kevlar bi-weave, reinforced joints, tear resistant and bullet proof. (Lucius Fox tells us that it costs $300,000)

Memory cloth. (Look you won’t find some fabric that will allow you to fly. Your best bet is a hand glider and the cheapest is $3,390)

The Tumbler. (The closest analogue we could find is a Humvee. You won’t be tearing around roof tops in this $140,000 vehicle, but slap a bat sticker on it, make sure you stay on dark roads, and nobody will know the difference. It comes in black for an additional $1,500.)

$262,800 for Alfred the Butler's services ($30 an hour. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

10 hunting boomerangs = $281.30

five riot grenades = $875.

20 cans of black spray paint = $121.60.

Dark Knight Rises Costume Facts

The Batman suit:

- The Batsuit in The Dark Knight Rises is unchanged from the design used in The Dark Knight.

- It is comprised of 110 separate pieces.

- Semi-flexible Urethane-molded pieces are all suspended on a polyester mesh called 3D spacer mesh, which is sold to the military, medical and hi-tech sports manufacturers as a neoprene replacement as it is very breathable. It is knitted and not woven.

- Carbon fiber panels-strong, light and incredibly resistant-can be found inside a number of the Urethane-molded pieces around the suit's legs, chest and abs for added protection.

- Production created 50 capes in total, varying in length, shape and size to reflect different functions such as trailing, walking, action/fighting and mechanical.

- The cape is made from a fabric which is electro-statically flocked, taking advantage of a process used by the UK's Ministry of Defence when minimum night vision detection is required.

- The Special Effects department has invented a brand new type of silent, directional wind machine for use in creating the billowing cape image inspired by iconic comic book illustrations.

- The weight of the suit, cowl and cape together is about 14 kilograms.

The Catsuit:

- 20 costumes were made for cat-burglar Selina Kyle.

- There are two pieces to each suit for practical reasons, with the belt positioned to give it the look of a one-piece Catsuit.

- The suit is made up of a utility belt, elbow length gloves, thigh length boots, and goggles. Costume designer Lindy Hemming designed the goggles to look like cat ears when flipped up.

- There are seven different boots with varying height heels for action such as running and riding the Batpod, but the 'hero boot' has a high-blade heel for fighting and slashing.

- The suit is made of embossed carbon fiber laminate. It is made up of two layers, the outer one being polyurethane-coated spandex with the texture of a carbon fiber hexagonal weave.

Bane's Costume

- Seven costumes in total were created for Bane, comprised of combat boots, combat pants and body armor. The costume is made up of natural materials and fashioned with scavenged bits and pieces.

- Bane's mask is made out of ABS polymer, which was built by the Costume Effects department using a 3-D printer

Grey Area: London moms Lara and Zara have created a new company called Box of Grey. They sell adult toy gift boxes inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey. Boxes include bondage cuffs, a grey silk tie, a feather and a candle that melts and can be used as massage oil. The Playroom Box costs $1,000 and features whips, sex toys, swings, suspension bars and champagne.

Website: http://www.boxofgrey.com

Spellcheck: Jerri Peterson recently carried the Olympic torch through Derby, England. When she returned to Atlanta, she got a tattoo to commemorate her feat. It was misspelled and reads: "Oylmpic Torch Bearer 2012." Jerri says, "I looked at it was so disappointed. I called my husband and he giggled a little bit. Then I started laughing about it and I've been laughing ever since. The artist felt so bad when he found out. He wanted to fix it but I decided to keep it. It's the Oy-lmpics. It's a unique as I am."

Anne Hathaway bought a safe for her Dark Knight Rises script. She says, "I did actually. I felt nervous having a script. I wound up getting a safe just to put it in because I was so scared that I was going to be the one to lose it".

Casper Smart is saving for an engagement ring for JLo. A source says, “He’s smitten, but said to pals recently, ‘How am I going to find the money to buy Jen a good enough engagement ring?’ Everyone was stunned because the relationship seems to be moving so fast, but his friends and family love Jen.”

Tom Cruise cried after opening Suri's handmade birthday card. A source tells NOW magazine, ''Poor Suri wanted to do something special for her dad's 50th birthday, So she sent Tom a drawing of her step-siblings Isabella and Connor, herself and Mommy Katie Holmes and Daddy all holding hands. He was really moved.''

Mariah Carey will judge American Idol for $100 million. Nick Cannon says, "They want her, I know that... but I ain't letting her outta the house for less than $100 million. They've (producers) got to step up if they want that. That's Mariah Carey, she's got more number ones than anyone ever. She's the biggest singer/songwriter in the history of music; that's worth something. And who's gonna watch my kids if she goes on American Idol?"

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are talking marriage. A source tells RADAR Online, “Blake and Ryan are so in love with each other. They’re really cute and sweet and they’re always talking about how they want to be together forever. I can totally see them getting married; she is different with Ryan than with any of the other guys she’s ever been with. Blake is perfect for Ryan. She loves his family, his mom loves her and they’re totally normal and down to earth, they are such a cute couple.”

Lady Gaga and boyfriend Taylor Kinney recently had dinner together on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center. The couple was in Chicago to celebrate his 31st birthday

Adam Levine poses naked in the new Cosmopolitan UK. He did it to encourage men to check for signs of prostate and testicular cancer. Adam says, "I spend most of my life naked. In fact, I often have to be told by the people around me that it's inappropriate to be as naked as I am. But I live in California, where it's always warm, so why not?"

Jon Bon Jovi won't be judging American Idol. A source tells TMZ, "With all systems go for a new album and a mega-tour on the horizon, Jon wouldn't be able to give those aspiring singers the guidance they deserve. Jon wouldn't commit to anything unless he can give 100%. With planning for the next album already underway, he's focused on the band."

Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler's duet will appear on Aerosmith's new CD, Music From Another Dimension.

FRED WILLARD ARRESTED FOR LEWD ACT IN LA PORN THEATER!

Funnyman Fred Willard was literally caught with his pants down at an adult movie theater in Los Angeles. According to TMZ, cops were making a “random walk-through” of the Tiki Theater in Hollywood when they found the 78-year-old actor with his penis exposed and in his hand.   The Best in Show star, whose next film is reportedly called The Yank,  was arrested and booked for lewd conduct.  As for what he was watching, the theater was airing a triple feature, Follow Me 2, an adult version of The Client List and something called Step Dad No. 2. Willard's  lawyer  released a statement proclaiming the actor's innocence.  " With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law,” read the statement from the actor’s lawyer Paul Takakjian. "We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter." Later, Willard was cornered by TMZ coming out of his lawyer’s office where he told photographers the whole thing was a “big misunderstanding,” adding, “it didn’t happen. He said he and the cops have “a difference of opinion” and, “it’s all being straightened out.”

In related news...according to TMZ, only hours after his arrest, Fred was fired from his PBS series Market Warriors. The network is reportedly telling affiliates not to air any unaired episodes featuring the actor.

Q-One of Willard’s most recent roles was playing Phil Dunphy’s father on ABC’s Modern Family.  Can you name the actor who plays Phil? Ty Burrell

MAD MEN, AMERICAN HORROR STORY TOP EMMY NODS!

Nominees for the 2012 Emmy Awards were announced yesterday, with Mad Men leading the pack with 17 nods including Best Drama, Best Actor, Jon Hamm and Best Actress, Elisabeth Moss. The AMC series already has four Best Drama wins under its belt and if it wins its fifth, it will be the most-honored drama in TV history, surpassing L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues and The West Wing (they’ve all won four times). Mad Men will compete in the top category with Homeland, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones. It is the first time ever the category does not include a network show.  Tied with Mad Men for the most overall nominations is FX’s American Horror Story, which is up for Best Miniseries, as well as several acting nods. On the comedy side, Modern Family received the most nominations with 14, including Best Comedy, with all the main stars being recognized in either the Best Supporting Actor or Actress category. The 64^th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airs September 23^rd on ABC. [See Spotlight On for more, and Special Coverage for a list of the nominees.]

Among this year’s snubs: for the first time since 2006, The Office received no nominations; Survivor’sJeff Probst, who has won Best Reality Show Host for the past four years, was left out of the category this year and American Idol, which has been nominated for Best Reality Competition every year since the category was created in 2003, wasn’t nominated (its rival The Voice was, however).  And on an odd note, Ashley Judd was nominated for Best Actress in a Mini-Series for ABC’s Missing, which was really a regular series that got cancelled after one season.

KATIE COMING TO BROADWAY!

Looks like Katie Holmes has no plans to leave New York anytime soon.  Tom Cruise’s ex has signed on to star on Broadway in the play Dead Accounts, which will premiere this fall.  Holmes will play an unglamorous woman living with her parents in Cincinnati as she tries to get her life in order.

WAS SLY’S SON A DRUG DEALER?

TMZ reports that law enforcement in LA is looking into whether Sylvester Stallone’s son Sage was a drug dealer. Sources tell the site cops think it’s a “likely scenario” that he was dealing Vicodin but wasn’t an addict himself because at 188 pounds, he didn’t have the thin frame most addicts have. According to reports, cops found 60 empty prescription bottles at Sage’s home. Each of these bottles would have held about 500 pills. Sage, 36, was found dead in his LA home Friday. Radaronline reports his funeral is set to take place Saturday.

HOUSEWIVES FIGHT TO BE SETTLED IN COURT?

The fighting on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.  Radaronline reports that Lisa Vanderpump and Brandi Glanville are at odds with Adrienne Maloof and things have gotten so bad, Adrienne decided to skip the group’s recent trip to Paris. A source told Radaronline, “(Adrienne decided) not to go to Paris because she just didn't want to be in a foreign country with Lisa and Brandi.” According to the insider, Brandi has been constantly picking fights with Adrienne and Adrienne recently had her lawyer send Brandi a cease and desist letter “because of the outrageous things she was saying.” That led Brandi to tell the other girls Adrienne was suing her, although it hasn’t come to that yet. The insider adds that Lisa has actually been using Brandi, encouraging her to fight with Adrienne, so she doesn’t look like the bad guy.

Q-What is the name of Lisa Vanderpump’s husband, who she’s been married to for almost  thirty years? Ken Todd

DEPP & HEARD ROMANCE COOLING!

Looks like Johnny Depp may be back on the market. Since splitting with his partner-of-13-years Vanessa Paradis, the Pirates of the Caribbean star has been linked to actress Amber Heard. But now Radaronline reports things between the new couple have “cooled down,” because Amber is over the “drama” surrounding their pairing. “Amber has never wanted that sort of attention. She really likes Johnny, but she doesn’t like the drama,” claims a source. “She isn’t really sure what is going to happen with them, but just wants the attention to cool down before anything progresses.”

PARIS JACKSON BLASTS UNCLE RANDY!

Paris Jackson is not happy with her father’s siblings.   Randy Jackson, along with siblings Jermaine, Janet, Tito and Rebbie, recently wrote a letter demanding the resignation of John Branca and John McClain as executors of Michael’s estate, claiming the two men caused so much stress to their mother Katherine she suffered a “mini-stroke.” Randy later verified on Twitter the letter was true, which made Paris furious. Worried authorities may think Katherine wasn’t able to care for her and her brothers, Paris took to Twitter blasting her uncle, writing, “I am going to clarify right now that what has been said about my grandmother is a rumor and nothing has happened, she is completely fine.” She later wrote, “…i will defend my beloved family member with all i have, even if it means from other family members.” She then sent a message directly to Randy, writing, “@randyjackson8 hello dear FAMILY member i don't appreciate you telling everyone things that aren't true thank you very much.” That tweet was later deleted, but when one follower said she should have respect for her uncle, Paris responded, “Maybe he should have respect for his mother.”

GUY RITCHIE & GIRLFRIEND EXPECTING!

Guy Ritchie is going to be a dad again. The Sherlock Holmes director and girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley are expecting their second child later this year. The couple broke the news on the red carpet at the London premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, with Jacqui showing off her baby bump in a black dress. The couple welcomed son Rafael in September. Guy is also dad to 11-year-old Rocco and six-year-old David with ex-wife Madonna.

Q-What is the name of Guy’s first feature film, which was released in 1998? Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

GELLAR & PRINZE EXPECTING A BOY!

Sarah Michelle Gellar and husband Freddie Prinze, Jr. are reportedly adding a boy to their family. The couple announced in April that they were expecting their second child. Their daughter Charlotte turns 3 in September.

MAKING OFF WITH THE HOFF!

David Hasselhoff sure has some odd fans. The actor currently is featured in cardboard cutout ads for the convenience store chain Cumberland Farms, and the life-size ads seem to be a hot property. According to the company,  over the past few weeks, about 550 of the cutouts have been stolen from outside stores in New England and Florida.  The ads feature the 60-year-old in a tank top, promoting iced tea for the Massachusetts-based chain.  In addition to the thefts, a store employee said he gets customers offering to buy the cutout, “probably every night.”

CLOONEY & KEIBLER VACATION WITH THEIR PARENTS!

Things must be going well between George Clooney and Stacy Keibler because it looks like they’ve introduced each other to their parents. The couple is currently vacationing in Italy with both families.  Stacy was seen giving dad Gary and mom Patricia a grand tour of Lake Como, while later Gary was spotted getting ready for a boat ride with the Ocean’s Eleven star. Clooney’s parentsNick and Nina are also at the villa, getting to know their son’s current girlfriend and her family.

BEATTY & BENING’S TRANSGENDERED SON DISCUSSES TRANSITIONING!

Warren Beatty and Annette Bening’s transgendered son Stephen Ira (born Kathlyn Elizabeth) talks about transitioning to a boy in a new video posted on the transgender support website [NOTE CONTENT] WeHappyTrans.com. “My name is Stephen. I identify as a trans man, a faggy queen, a homosexual, a queer, a nerd fighter, a writer, an artist and a guy who needs a haircut,” the 20-year-old explains. It has been reported that Stephen’s famous parents have had a hard time accepting his transition, and it sounds like it may be true. When asked about the people in his life who have been the most supportive he doesn’t mention his family, only saying, “My friends, my peers who I'm lucky to have relationships with a lot of, ever since high school, when I came out and transitioned socially when I was 14 or so.”

Q-How many other children do Warren and Annette have? Three [Benjamin (17), Isabel (15), and Ella (12)]

FREEMAN DONATES TO OBAMA CAMPAIGN!

The Dark Knight Rises’Morgan Freeman has donated $1 million to President Obama’s re-election campaign. The actor’s donation went to Priorities USA Action, a Democratic super PAC supporting the president. In a statement, Freeman credited Obama for doing “a remarkable job in historically difficult circumstances.”

MICHAELS WANTS LOSER JOB BACK!

 Jillian Michaels reportedly wants back on The Biggest Loser. The fitness expert has quit the show twice, the last time in 2011 for a gig on The Doctors, which didn’t really pan out. After getting her own segment, “Ask Jillian,” she was dropped from the show in January after only six months. Now the New York Post claims Michaels wants her old job back. “She sees the sweet gig she had on Loser,” said a source.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS!

● Sony has announced that a sequel to 21 Jump Street will start shooting in the fall. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum will both return for the film.

● Robin Williams will play President Dwight D. Eisenhower in The Butler, the true story of Eugene Allen, a longtime White House servant who worked for eight First Families over three decades. Shooting on the film begins  in New Orleans later this month.

● Gwyneth Paltrow is in talks to star in the indie flick Blood, Bones & Butter, based on chef Gabrielle Hamilton’s 2011 memoir. Hamilton is the owner and chef of the Manhattan restaurant Prune.

TV TIDBITS!

● Ryan Reynolds will voice a character on the Christmas episode of Family Guy.   His character is being described as a precursor to Jesus. Explains executive producer Mark Hentemann, “He’s God’s previous attempt at an immaculate conception – his first son that didn’t quite work out.”

● Former Criminal Minds star Paget Brewster will guest star on the two-hour season premiere of Law & Order: SVU. She’ll play the DA in charge of handling Captain Cragen’s (Dann Florek) murder case. The SVU season premiere airs September 26^th on NBC.

● Camilla Luddington, who currently plays Claudette on True Blood, has landed a recurring role on Grey’s Anatomy. Luddington, who also played Kate Middleton in Lifetime’s William & Kate, will play a new doctor at Seattle Grace.

● Us Weekly is reporting that ABC is considering, Sean Lowe, the 28-year-old cast off by Emily Maynard in the current season of The Bachelorette, to be the next Bachelor. Initially the network wanted Ali Fedotowsky’s ex-fiancé Roberto Martinez for the show, but he has reportedly turned them down.

QUIKKIES COURTESY OF SHEETHAPPENS.