Lauren LC Conrad debuted her new Spring/Summer 2009 fashion collection at Smashbox Studios at LA Fashion Week last night (you may recall we got a preview of her collection yesterday afternoon) and decided to head out to STK restaurant to celebrate afterward. Coincidentally, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — her avowed nemeses (or is it nemesises?) — were also dining at STK at the same time. After emerging from the restaurant, Speidi spoke to Extra TV and publicly gave their congratulations to LC on her new collection with Heidi adding, “I love Lauren”:

Frenemies Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag kiss and make up — and “Extra” made it happen! The “Hills” starlets ran into each other at STK, where “Extra” was with Conrad at the exclusive after-party for her fashion show — when nemesis Heidi and beau Spencer Pratt suddenly showed up! Speidi tells “Extra” they were unaware of Conrad’s party and were just stopping in for a drink on their break from shooting “The Hills” down the street. When Montag saw Conrad arrive, “Extra” witnessed the former BFFs exchanging a polite “Hi” before Lauren went into her separate party room. At the fashion bash, L.C. revealed to “Extra” that Heidi was “cool” — and “it was no problem she was there” just as long as Spencer didn’t cause any trouble. Heidi then pulled an “Extra” producer aside to say she wanted to chat with her old roommate — and “Extra” brought them together! The girls chatted for a moment — then both suddenly burst into tears and HUGGED! After the tearful reunion, Heidi personally thanked “Extra” for arranging the impromptu meeting, and said of Lauren’s clothing, “It’s a great line and I love Lauren, so congratulations.” Even Spencer expressed his support of Conrad, saying, “Congratulations, L.C.”

Say what? I find it so interesting that we, the TV viewing audience, are shown one thing on The Hills (ie. Spencer Pratt’s venomous ire for his enemy LC) and then in real life we see something very different. Click HERE to watch video of Speidi offering their congrats to LC. HMMM. Here is the composite shot that Extra TV pieced together of Speidi and LC “standing together” at STK last night, all smiles:

Does this mean that the bitter feud is finally over? I doubt it. Does this mean that both Team Heidi and Team LC know the value of publicity? You betcha [insert eye wink HERE].

But anyways, LC debuted her new collection at LA Fashion Week last night and managed to fill the front row of her runway show with some very special friends … that didn’t include Heidi or Spencer. After the jump, check out some pics from LC’s show last night …

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Earlier this week we saw a photo of Matthew McConaughey doing, what appeared to be, prep work on a motor home (as well as a not so bad impersonation of Conan the Barbarian) that will, most likely, be used by his new family on an upcoming family vacation. Today we have more photos of Matthew and babymama Camila Alves continuing those preparations on said motor home … behold:

Matthew McConaughey strikes me as one of those “real as they come” celebs that is pretty focused on enjoying the “regular” things about life, rather than just the finer things. I can absolutely see how Matthew might want to pack up the motor home, pack up his new family and hit the open road to embark on a family vacation … to the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore or even to see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine. Matthew strikes me as just the kind of guy who would want to give these sorts of family bonding memories to his newborn son Levi Alves. I gotta say, tho, that I hope that the poor family isn’t followed across the country by the paparazzi should they actually embark on a trip like this. Hopefully they’ll be able to enjoy their bonding time together without much interference. Happy Trails, McConaugheys! And remember to secure those picnic baskets … you wouldn’t want any unwanted bears treading upon your campgrounds ;)

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Sad news for fans of the ’60’s hit TV series Batman today … Neal Hefti, the composer of the iconic Batman theme song, passed away over this past weekend. The sad news of Hefti’s passing was released by his son Paul who reveals that his father was 85 years old at the time of his death, no cause was reported:

Neal Hefti, a Big Band trumpeter, arranger and composer of themes for the movie “The Odd Couple” and the “Batman” television series, has died. He was 85. Hefti died Saturday at his home, said his son Paul Hefti. Neal Hefti’s notable achievements include the iconic theme of the 1960s superhero series “Batman,” which became a Top 40 hit and won a Grammy Award in 1966 for best instrumental theme. He also composed music for “The Odd Couple,” “Barefoot in the Park” and “Harlow,” which featured his classic track “Girl Talk.” His son said the “Batman” theme was Neal Hefti’s most difficult piece, taking him at least one month to compose the driving bass and explosive trumpet bursts. “He threw away more music paper on this thing than any other song,” Paul Hefti told The Associated Press. “It got down to the blues with a funny guitar hook, the lowest common denominator and a fun groove.” … “He was one of the really great arrangers and composers of all time,” radio and television personality Gary Owens, a longtime friend, told the Los Angeles Times.

You know, the Batman theme song from the 1960’s is one of those iconic hallmarks of pop culture that will live on far into the future, well beyond Hefti’s passing. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t recognize the Duh-na-na-na-na-na-na-na cadence as the Batman theme song. I’ve always marveled at how something so simple could make such an impact on pop culture. The Odd Couple theme song is another bit of music that is very recognizable and also has its place in pop culture history. It’s always very sad to learn of anyone’s passing but Neal Hefti is one of those people who made such an impact on pop culture that his passing seems especially sad for me. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.

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Director Oliver Stone premiered his controversial new movie W. at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City last night to a star-studded audience that included the film’s stars Josh Brolin, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks, Thandie Newton and more. As you may know, W. is Oliver Stone’s take on the rise to political power of George W. Bush which, I understand, doesn’t really paint the sitting president in the best light. Here are a few pics from last night’s red carpet arrivals:

Try as he might, I don’t think that Oliver Stone is going to be able to explain away the fact that his portrayal of GWB isn’t tinged with just a touch of his political bias. That being said, I know that there are quite a few skeletons in GWB’s closet that are ripe for the exploiting. GWB has gone on the record about his past substance abuse and I understand that that part of his life features heavily in this new film. I think it’s safe to say that fans of GWB, the man and his administration, might want to take a pass on this film as I don’t really believe it is geared for their entertainment. When it comes to Oliver Stone films, it’s kind of hit or miss for me. Some of his films are amazing, others I didn’t really care for. But I am very intrigued by this one. I know I’ll be making my way out to the theater to see this movie once it opens on Friday. Josh Brolin was superb in the Academy Award winning No Country For Old Men so I’m confident he will deliver another amazing performance. Ellen Burstyn is, IMHO, one of those unsung actresses who deserves more credit than she receives (her performance in Requiem for a Dream is stunning). I’m not sure how many of y’all are looking forward to the release of this film but I deffo am. I’m curious to see what Stone will do with the story of GWB. The tagline for the film is “based on a true story”. I can’t wait to see this truth that Oliver Stone speaks of.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Yesterday we saw photos of 20-year old underwear model Justin Gaston spending some quality bike-riding time with 8-year old Noah Cyrus (Miley’s youngest sister) which I found an odd pairing but today things appear to be back to normal. Well, as normal as a 20-year old man hanging out with a 15-year old girl can be. Miley Cyrus has returned to SoCal after a quick trip to London, England over the weekend and made a beeline to an ice cream shop in Beverly Hills, CA bringing along her 20-year old friend Justin Gaston. Justin was snapped trying to feed some ice cream to Miley in the backseat of their car as they drove away from the shop but Miley didn’t seem to keen on what he was trying to feed to her:

I mean, the couple says that they are “just friends” but … I dunno. They look awfully couply to me. It should be reiterated that both Cyrus parents have put their stamp of approval on this relationship, whatever it is. I guess, in the end, if her parents are cool with this relationship then there really is no problem here. Even still … doesn’t the whole thing strike you as really weird tho?

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Despite the fact that Britney Spears’s new single Womanizer was accidentally removed from the iTunes online music store for a 24 hour period (and has since reappeared on the site), the single still made a record-breaking leap to the #1 spot on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 singles chart to become the #1 song in the country:

Another week, another record-breaking jump to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Britney Spears makes a near-maximum 96-1 rise with “Womanizer,” returning to the top of the list for the first time since her debut single “…Baby One More Time” hit No. 1 in January 1999. This is the third time in the past two months that the mark for the biggest jump to No. 1 has been shattered. On the Hot 100 dated Sept. 6, T.I. soared 71-1 with “Whatever You Like” and last week he sprinted 80-1 with “Live Your Life.” Spears’ single is spurred by first-week download sales of 286,000, the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003, besting Mariah Carey’s take for “Touch My Body” by just over 200 units. In between her nearly 10-year gap between No. 1s, Spears has placed four other top 10s on the Hot 100, the last being “Gimme More,” the first single from her last set, “Blackout.” That song jumped 68-3 last October with first-week download sales of 179,000. “Womanizer” previews Spears’ sixth studio set “Circus,” due Dec. 2 via Jive.

Sooo … according to Billboard magazine, Womanizer becomes Britney’s second #1 song on the Hot 100 chart?! I guess I never really paid attention to her chart success considering all of the amazing singles she has put out over the years. I am pretty geeked that Britney’s song made a record-breaking jump from the #96 position to the #1 position — especially when you consider the song charted even before it was available for sale and managed to make its mark based solely on radio play. I think it’s quite clear that Britney’s comeback is in full swing with this news … now the question becomes, to what heights will Britney continue to soar as she continues to release new material?

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It’s been about 3 months since the last round of divorce rumors made the rounds about Madonna and Guy Ritchie. Back in July, the word was that Maddy and Guy were planning to divorce after allegations surfaced that she was having an extra-marital affair with New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez. At that time, Madonna issued a statement that denied the affair and also denied that the couple were splitting up (actually, the statement read “there are no plans for Madonna and Guy to divorce”). After the denial came the necessary show of unity from the couple as Guy flew to Madonna’s side in NYC to show the world they were happily attached. Guy was with Madonna in August to celebrate her 50th birthday and she was with him in September for his 40th birthday. But last night The Sun reported that divorce is imminent and reported that word would come from the couple as soon as today that they are, in fact, splitting up. Just now, BBC News posted a report that the couple have, indeed, confirmed the split. It really looks like they are dunzo:

MADONNA and GUY RITCHIE are to divorce, The Sun can exclusively reveal. A statement confirming their marriage is over has been prepared and is set to be released imminently. The couple are going public with their split because they “can’t bear to live with the pretence any longer”. They have had a string of shouting matches about the amount of time each devotes to their careers, and over Madonna’s desire to adopt another child. These arguments smashed through their attempts at reconciliation “like a sledgehammer”. A highly-placed source told The Sun: “It’s very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn’t live together any more.” Pals say Madge, 50, initially wanted to wait until next year to announce their separation — after her Sticky and Sweet global tour is finished. But now she and Brit movie director Guy, 40, want a divorce finalised before Christmas — which would have seen the eighth anniversary of their fairytale wedding in a Scottish castle … The source said: “Despite huge attempts to patch things up they both knew deep down that divorce was on the cards. It wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. They tried hard over the last few months but their fighting was getting out of control. “The final straw came before Madonna started her US tour. “Madonna wanted a highly stage-managed separation, with their split being announced when it was convenient for her. She didn’t want the distraction while she is trying to concentrate on her tour. But a series of rows around Guy’s 40th birthday last month were so bad that Madge ended up storming out of the house and Guy’s had enough. Guy said if they were going to split, it has to be now — and their marriage will finally be over in a matter of weeks. Madonna was dithering at first about whether a separation would be best or whether to go ahead with the divorce. She has now agreed with Guy that a divorce is the best thing to do.”

BBC News is reporting that Madonna’s spokesperson has confirmed the couple’s dunzoness:

Pop star Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage, their spokeswoman has confirmed. The announcement follows months of speculation that the couple’s relationship was in trouble. In July, Madonna’s publicist denied the pair were planning to divorce, saying their marriage did not “need saving”. They appeared together at last month’s premiere of Ritchie’s RocknRolla in London and posed for photographs.

Indeed, last month’s RockNRolla premiere in London was the last time the couple were seen together in public. I understand that Guy has halted filming of his new Sherlock Holmes movie so that he can break the news to his family in person. Madonna, as we all know, is in the middle of the US leg of her Sticky & Sweet World Tour. You know, as many rumors that have gone around about the couple breaking up over the years, I confess that I am still shocked by this news. I cannot believe that the naysayers are right about these two. Madonna and Guy are dunzo … and it is really, very sad. Did any of y’all see this coming? What do y’all think?

UPDATE: Here is the full text of the official statement from Liz Rosenberg, Madonna’s publicist:

Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage. They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time.

I understand that the statement was signed by both Madonna and Guy and no settlement has been agreed to. It is my sincere hope that this divorce doesn’t turn ugly but considering the vast amount of wealth involved here, it remains to be seen how friendly the couple will remain thru out the course of this monumental split. Wow. Just sad :(

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