I believe this is Penn’s first starring movie role so we will soon know if he’s got the chops to carry a film almost all by himself. I don’t know much about Amber Heard’s work but I’m a big fan of Dylan Walsh (who plays Dr. Sean McNamara on Nip/Tuck) and I have no doubt he’ll play a great bad guy in this film. Penn’s costars Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick have already featured in their own big screen flicks (The Covenant and S. Darko respectively) so now it’s Penn’s time to shine. I hope he doesn’t disappoint … David and I have high hopes that this film will be a fun time at the movies. The Stepfather opens on Friday … I guess we’ll know soon enough if Penn’s got what it takes to thrill an audience.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Despite the fact that it is virtually impossible to know who this new dude is from just this censored photo, I challenge you to take a guess anyways. This new guy will play a character named Damien who will be a love interest for Little J. After the jump, find out who it is …

Jenny’s life is about to get a lot more complicated. Kevin Zegers has joined the cast of the CW’s “Gossip Girl” for a multi-episode arc. He will play Damien, an international bad-boy love interest of Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen). Zegers, who starred opposite Felicity Huffman in “TransAmerica,” was recently seen in “50 Dead Men Walking” and “The Narrows.” He will soon begin production on “The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.”

I *love* Kevin Zegers … he was really fantastic in TransAmerica. I’m sure he’ll add a lot to GG considering he has the acting chops to actually act. Mebbe Momsen will learn a thing or two from her new co-star. So … what do ya’ll think about this new addition to the show? Do we like?

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

I never knew that Taylor Momsen had any musical talent to speak of … and by the Courtney Loveness of the way she looked on stage last night, I’d say the jury is still out on her talents. But, she’s young, rich, famous and on a hit TV series … if she wants to play in a band, then she gets to play in a band. After the jump, check out a few photos of Taylor being presented with her pretty birthday cake at last night’s event — the poor dear didn’t even know what do with it … and video of the band performing their song Bleeding …

I understand that a few of Taylor’s GG co-stars came out for last night’s gig … including Chace Crawford, Jessica Szhor, Ed Westwick and Michelle Trachtenberg. It looks like it was a fun event … still, I’m not all that convinced that Taylor has the chops to be a rock star. She does have the cracked out look down, tho. Here is video of Pretty Reckless, fronted by T. Moms, performing their song Bleeding:

Original Melrose Place alums Laura Leighton and Thomas Calabro were on hand to rep their “new” show, the much talked-about new version of Melrose Place (Ashlee Simpson was on hand to rep the show, too, but she didn’t look nearly as fab as Laura did). Some of the Gossip Girls kids were there as well (both Ed Westwick and girlfriend/co-star Jessica Szohr looked extra crispy). The stars of The Vampire Diaries were in the hiz as well … Ian Somerhalder was lookin’ especially cheeky in his dressed down attire. The CW has got some good-sounding programs coming our way this Fall — we’ll just have to see if they deliver. With the line-up they’ve got planned for this coming season, could Fall 2009 be The CW’s best ever?

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

It’s been a heart-wrenching month for fans of the CW Network’s sexily subversive drama Gossip Girl while TV’s hottest show took a brief hiatus. But now Blair, Serena, Chuck Bass and Co. are back — and on the cover of the new issue of Rolling Stone. To get the dirt on what it’s like starring as beautiful young people in New York while being beautiful young people in New York, Jason Gay hung out with the cast on set and after hours, tagging along to their favorite drinking haunts — where the beverage of choice is the potent Golden Monkey — and catching the action as the show filmed on the streets of the Big Apple. “The outdoor sets were pretty fun, because the fans come out,” Gay says. “There were many kids from local private schools, foreign tourists and tons of paparazzi. It’s strange to to see a mob of paparazzi photograph Blake and Serena in character as they film an outdoor scene. It’s as if the reality of the show exists behind two lenses — in real time and TV time. All the actors enjoy the outside stuff because of the fans, too. It’s like playing on stage or something. More energy, more excitement and the sense that anything could happen. And sometimes it does. There is no such thing as a closed set in NYC!” Despite barely scraping together 3 million viewers a week, the show has become the most talked-about, culturally relevant series on television. “It’s not a conventional TV hit in terms of viewership. Its numbers are low and it loses to stuff like The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a far more wholesome show that runs on cable,” Gay says. “But in terms of having a ‘moment,’ however you want to define it, GG definitely is having one. It will be very interesting to see if the show grows, or remains a clubby, small hit. Teen shows seldom have long runs — and I don’t get the feeling this will turn into ER. But it seems to be here to stay as long as the principals involved want to keep doing it.” Part of the show’s appeal is its authenticity. “The show is sharp and connected to modern life, references, music and so on. Gossip Girl doesn’t feel like something that got drummed up in some network focus group by 55-year-old white dudes,” Gay explains. “No one’s going to accuse Gossip Girl of being The Wire or Mad Men, but if you roll with the fantasy/absurdity, it’s fun to watch, from the infighting to the insane clothes and snappy dialogue.” Right now, the stars who bring those tart lines to life — Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley — somehow haven’t let fame go to their heads, according to Gay. “They’ve all reached the point where they’re in the public eye, but they’re not rolling around in blacked-out SUVs or being chased around like Madonna. A lot of them take the subway and they still complain about the price of rents and monthly car parking,” Gay reveals. “They’re in a nice place in their careers. They’re now recognizable enough to get interest for other things, but not so recognizable that daily life is a drag.” Though he’s now a Gossip guru, Gay admits, “I didn’t jump on the bandwagon immediately. But by the end of the first season, I was getting so annoyed with the fuss I had to check it out.” So what’s his favorite Gossip Girl moment? “The scene in the ‘Non-Judging Breakfast Club’ episode where Blair, Chuck and Nate rally behind Serena after she confesses about her wild night with Georgina. Nate and Blair then confess regrettable things they’ve done, and when Blair asks Chuck to contribute, he just says, ‘I’m Chuck Bass,’ ” Gay says. “It’s the kind of thing that if you watched the show for the first time, it would mean nothing to do you, but if you’re a fan, you’re dying. I think that’s one of the shrewder things about Gossip Girl — it does reward its loyal viewers.”

My, my … what suggestive photos. The second photo, of the girls sharing an ice cream cone, is the one that is used as the magazine’s coverphoto. But, the entire young cast of the series is featured in the mag. After the jump, check out a few more photos of Gossip Girl gang — Blake, Leighton, Chace Crawford, Ed Westwick, Jessica Szohr, Penn Badgley and Taylor Momsen — together in bed …

“They didn’t tell us anything about the concept,” Blake Lively says. “We didn’t know we’d have any props, but we saw this big fun table — like a kid’s birthday party. Um, some of it was a little mature for a kid’s birthday party. Some of the … inflatable items. But it’s all been a surprise; it’s been really fun” … “There’s so many pictures I love,” photographer Richardson says. “The ice cream ones were amazing. The ones inside were awesome with everyone and the pillow fight and all in bed. It’s just been awesome — they’re great, wonderful. Two thumbs up.”

Hahaha … I love that Ed decided to show off his very hairy chest by exposing it almost fully in the bed shot. The photos look like a lot of fun and I bet the gang had a blast at the shoot. I’m actually surprised that it took this long for the cast of GG to make it to the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. They’ve deffo pushed their way into the current pop culture. I love these pics … do you?

[Source, Source]

I’m pretty sure that Joaquin’s ridiculously tiresome behavior is being paraded around town to try and inspire people to take notice and mebbe check out this film. For me, the opposite is true. I am so unimpressed by this bullshizz he’s trying to pull … his interview with David Letterman last night only made him look like a complete asshole. Sooo not impressed. I know that I will take a pass on seeing this film … despite all the pretty people who came out in support of it last night. And for the record, the woman in the third photo is NOT Hilary Swank … she’s just a creepy twin named Vinessa Shaw. But anyways, back on topic, I’m not sure if Joaquin’s antics are really resonating with anyone else but I’m not buying it. Andy Kaufman did it so much better … Joaquin, you are no Andy Kaufman.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

I am unhappy to report that Taylor appears unable to properly apply her make-up. Mebbe she was still feeling the strains of her illness or mebbe she was just trying to look like a clown? Perhaps she had a bad run-in with Heidi Klum’s Very Sexy Make-up?? I dunno. In any event, I’m glad to see that the lass is back up and around and looks to be on the mend.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Taylor Momsen was released Wednesday afternoon from L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after battling a “severe, potentially life-threatening throat infection. “I have been treating Miss Taylor Momsen for the last few days,” Momsen’s doctor, Shawn Nasseri, tells Usmagazine.com. “She has been hospitalized for a severe, potentially life-threatening throat infection since Sunday. “She has been an excellent patient, and after aggressive antibiotics and medications, she is expected to make a full recovery in the next three to five days,” the doctor adds. Momsen, 15, was in L.A. to take a school exam when she “woke up with a sore throat,” a source close to the actress tells Us. “She thought it was just a common cold, but was advised to see an ear, nose & throat specialist before getting on a plane back to New York,” the source adds. After discovering how serious the situation was, “her mom flew out to get her, and is flying back [to NYC] with Taylor this week. “She’s in unbelievable spirits” despite the diagnosis, the source says.

Aww … sorry to hear that Tay Tay is feelin’ under the weather but I’m happy that her life is no longer “threatened” by her ailment. A few years ago I suffered a heinous bout of strep throat and, let me tell you, there were days when I prayed for death. I can totally sympathize with a painful ailment like a throat infection so I’m glad to know that Momsencita is on the upswing. Get better soon, Taylor … we need your cute as a buttonness back on GG soon!

[Photo credit: INFdaily; Source]

Since 1978, Diesel has been producing (in my opinion) the most consistently cool fashions around. Year after year, season after season, Diesel has been designing and producing the hippest fashions, the coolest accessories and the best jeans around. While other fashion houses may have more caché, I find that Diesel manages to put out very cutting-edge fashions that are relatively inexpensive (at least, compared to the higher-priced fashion houses). I’ve been a Diesel fan for years and rarely ever go anywhere without wearing at least one piece from Diesel. But, I digress … last night’s Rock & Roll Circus soiree in NY was a balls-out shindig that really did bring out all the coolest kids in town. The concert was broadcast live online and performers included Chaka Kahn, Franz Ferdinand, T.I., Pharrell, Hot Chip and the always amazing M.I.A. — who also inadvertantly made an announcement while she performed on stage. She is pregs, y’all! After the jump, check out a few pics of M.I.A.’s very prominent baby bump …

Even while very pregs, M.I.A. still manages to bring the heat in her live performances. I had no idea that she was with child but I am very much looking forward to seeing her become a mom. Can you think of a cooler mother than M.I.A.? That kid is gonna be dope. In any event, Anniversary Lurve goes out to Diesel today! Here’s to at least another 30 years of fashion innovation and outright coolness.

[Photo credit: Splash News, Wireimage]

On the plus side, Leighton Meester was lookin’ very glam, very sexy … on the not so plus side, Taylor Momsen was trying to pull off an edgier look without much success. The new season of GG is nearly upon us … I know that excitement for new eps has hit a fever pitch among eager Upper East Siders. After the jump, you can watch the first 5 minutes of the season 2 premiere of Gossip Girl (and find out which of the show’s hotties starts things off this season with an older woman on top of him) which will debut on The CW next Monday September 1 …

[Photo credit: Splash News]