Tom Hanks is one of few actors to receive the honor of getting a Time Magazine cover this week. In his interview, he talks about his upcoming projects, including the HBO World War II miniseries, The Pacific and a TV project about the JFK Assassination, which he claims is one of “the most controversial things that has ever been on TV.” Wow!! We are definitely intrigued. Here are some highlights from the interview: On growing up around the military: “Growing up I always knew Dad was in the Pacific somewhere fixing things. He had nothing nice to say about the Navy. He hated the Navy. He hated everybody in the Navy. He had no glory stories about it. My idea of history was just a course you had to take. Strange to think I’ve become the World War II guy. We all lived in naval housing and everybody who was like a primary care giver to me talked about The War. But when it came to understanding the history, I nodded off.” On the correlations between WWII and today: “From the outset we wanted to make people wonder how our troops can reenter society in the first place. How could they just pick up their lives and get on with the rest of us. Back in World War II we viewed the Japanese as ‘yellow slant-eyed dogs’ that believed in different Gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. Does that soud familiar by any chance to what’s going on today? At least the Pacific War Soldiers coming back form WWII decompressed on ships for weeks. And then once the troops arrived portside it was often a long train ride home to Peoria. Today these guys in Afghanistan fight in bloody hell and then are flown back in 18 hours. How can they cope with that? How can they suddenly go from Tora Bora to Peyton Place?” On his JFK Assassination Project: “We’re going to do the American public a service. A lot of conspiracy types are going to be upset. If we do it right it’ll perhaps be one of the most controversial things that has ever been on TV.”

Taylor Lautner at the Acadamy Awards! The “New Moon” stud did present with Kristen Stewart last night.

  Mariah Carey was booed after being an hour late for her final concert on the Angels and Advocates tour in Las Vegas. Mimi gave the following BS excuse: “I’d like to apologize for my tardiness. You probably won’t believe me, and they’ll probably make a big thing of it, ‘oh Mariah had to get her doctor in’, but I got sick yet again because it’s winter, I didn’t think I could come out here tonight. “But I was very grateful I could get some sleep and we could pull it together. It’s not so glam at 6.30 in the morning when you’re coughing and sounding like a frog.” I think she’s full of it, but it’s Mariah Carey — what did the audience expect! She wouldn’t be a diva if she showed up on time!

  BBC presenter Kristian Digby was found dead at the age of 32 in his East London apartment on Monday. The cause of death is said to be the result of auto-erotic asphyxiation, the act of cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. Authorities are classifying his death as “unexplained” since detectives do not think it was suicide. Kristian was pronounced dead at the scene. Here’s what Kristian’s agent, Jo wander had to say: “I am devastated by the loss. He was a lovely guy and a very talented presenter,” Here’s what BBC had to say concerning Kristian’s death: “Kristian was a much-loved and talented presenter. He brought a real sense of energy and warmth to all the shows. Our thoughts are with his family.” Digby started hosting To Buy Or Not To Buy in 2003 and moved on to present Holiday , Living In The Sun and That Gay Show . That must be one awesome way to die. Nevertheless it is still very sad.

  Here’s Lindsay Lohan at the Roberto Cavalli  Fashion Show in Milan on Feb. 29 looking absolutely stunning. Could Lindsay be trying to make a come back? We all have to wait and see.

  Rihanna was recently asked if she would ever do a collaboration with Lady GaGa. Here’s what she had to say: “A collaboration between GaGa and myself would be really cool because we do a similar type of music and we both really love fashion, so I’m sure it’ll be a hot video. I would love to collaborate with her.” Rihanna also said she would like to do a duet with cutie pie Taylor Swift, but we think it would probably take a little more of the safe route than with Lady GaGa.

  As if he hasn’t said sorry enough! Tiger Woods knows the paparazzi storm that he’s caused at the Florida pre-school where their toddler Sam attends day care classes. That’s why the Tiger and Elin address the following apology letter to the parents of Premier Academy in Windermere. It reads: Dear Premier Academy parents, We would like to share our appreciation for your support over the past several months and offer our personal apology for any inconvenience you are experiencing due to the increased media scrutiny surrounding our children. We truly understand how frustrating it can be. We hope that the paparazzi will find something better to do with their time in the near future. In the meantime, it is our goal to keep life as normal as possible for our children. We are sure that as parents you can appreciate that. For Sam, that normalcy means attending the school that she enjoys so much. Again, we truly appreciate the support from the entire Premier Academy family. Kind regards, Elin and Tiger Woods

  Johnny Depp recently revealed that his two kids Lily-Rose and Jack love their dad’s iconic title role in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands. He says: “It’s funny because they’ve seen it but they have a difficult time watching it because it’s their dad and they make that connection, but its Edward Scissorhands. That’s by far my kids’ favorite. They just connect with the character and also they see something, their dad feeling that isolation, feeling that loneliness. He’s a tragic character and so I think it’s hard for them. They bawl when they see that movie.”

  Check out what Elton John stated to Parade magazine: “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East — you’re as good as dead.”  I truly hope he meant gay as in happy. Otherwise this dude is going to get some serious heat over this comment.

  Brittney Spears has finally made the announcement that she would again partner up with Iconix Brand Group to be the face for Candie’s and Kohl’s. The ads will officially launch in a four-page insert in the April issue of Seventeen as well as in a one-page ad in Teen Vogue and on other media outlets.

  Evander Holyfield believes the only way he can save his marriage is with the help of one Dr. Phil McGraw. Just days after Candi agreed to drop her request for a protective order against Evander, the two issued the following statement: “We are in agreement that we both are moving forward to reach out to meet with Dr. Phil one-on-one as we believe he is the one who can help us at this time. We each admire and respect Dr. Phil for his down to earth and heartfelt approach in working with couples and relationships in a positive and uplifting way.” All I can say is be careful Dr. Phil. This guy is a complete lunatic.

  Nas and Kelis are far from friends after their marriage of four years ended! And it just escalated after he was ordered by the court to pay $51,000 per month to his baby momma for child support. The rapper has finally broken his silence about the situation in a new, unreleased verse from his Strong Will Continue collaboration song. He raps:     “How in the hell am I supposed to stay comfy/ When I pay child support, alimony monthly.     So I’ve stuck with some married women so fine, cheating while their husband rushing on the 40-yard line/ Wonder if this is what my ex did the whole time.” Ouch! We’re sure Kelis is crying all the way to the bank!

  It’s the end of an era! This year will mark the end of Barbara Walters’ annual Oscar special. She explains:     “ABC has asked me to keep doing these specials as they have been so successful — and I’m thrilled we have such great stars and have such a wonderful show — but to be honest, I feel like I’ve ‘been there, done that.’     This special has been a labor of love for 29 years. I will always remember when Hugh Jackman gave me a private lap dance or sitting down with the legendary Bette Davis or being taught to tango by Al Pacino. It’s those priceless moments that have made this special the Oscar tradition that it has become, but I truly feel enough is enough.” How could you get enough of Hugh Jackman lap dances?!

  The new version of We Are The World finally debuted on Friday during the opening ceremonies at the Olympics. And although everyone’s intentions to remake it were good, the new song has gotten some mixed reviews, with many thinking the original should have remained untouched. One of those is Jay-Z , who admitted:     “I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: ‘We Are the World,’ I love it, and I understand the point and think it’s great. But I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson’s] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched.     I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but ‘We Are The World’ is [musically] untouchable like ‘Thriller’ is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.”

Sade may have been M.I.A. for close to a decade, but proves she is still number one! According to one-day sales reports, her new album Soldier of Love will debut at the top spot next week totaling between 400-425 thousand copies sold. It could go even higher depending on the snow storms back east and Valentine’s Day weekend. Wow!

Former President Bill Clinton was rushed to the hospital yesterday due to problems with his heart. After being admitted to the hospital for chest pains, former President Clinton’s counselor, Douglas Band, has released a statement: “Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts.” Get well soon!

  Lionel Richie has revealed that Michael Jackson will posthumously appear in the 25th anniversary remake of We Are The World with his vocals and video footage from the original remastered for the new version. What is particularly touching is that the video will feature Michael in a split-screen with sister Janet Jackson. Janet will singing with Michael. It will all put together with fabulous choreography. Here’s what Lionel had to say: “When you say you’re going to redo, it conjures up all kinds of terrible images of what could go wrong. Everything could go wrong! Once we got there, we realized, who do we give the power to? A totally new group. And we put the icons in, of course — Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion — because that’s the ground floor of what will make the excitement come from the newer people, to stand next to those people. Snoop was having the best time of his life, just standing there next to Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. It was just a wonderful group of people together.”  The single to benefit Haiti is due out shortly.

Kirstie Alley’s new reality show Big Life will be premiering on A&E on March 21. Check out the preview. You are going to love it.

  TMZ has obtained a copy of the full L.A. County Coroner’s report in the death of Michael Jackson , which until now was under seal. The document clearly states that Propofol was the cause of death and the manner of death was homicide. The conclusion is based on the following for things: 1. Circumstances indicate the Propofol and the benzodiazepines were administered by another. 2. Propofol was administered in a non-hospital setting without any appropriate medical indication. 3. The standard of care for administering Propofol was not met. Recommended equipment for patient monitoring, precision dosing and resuscitation was not present. 4. The circumstances do not support self-administration of Propofol. Dr. Conrad Murray will surrender today and face charges of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

Hoarder Alert!! Check out the second installment of Lindsay Lohan’s 3-part interview with The Insider.