Gretchen Wilson Rips Off The Black Crowes?

It’s surprising that ’70s rock revivalists The Black Crowes would be suing anyone for copyright infringement (Rod Stewart might get ideas), but the verse of Gretchen Wilson’s “Work Hard, Play Harder” — prominently featured in ads for Holly Hunter’s Saving Grace — sure sounds a lot like the verse from the band’s 1990 hit “Jealous Again”. The band —  they’re still around! — has filed suit, but their manager hopes they will be able to reach an agreement without going to a judge (either way, ch-ching!). We just hope this drama won’t delay the release of Wilson’s awesomely titled I Got Your Country Right Here, due in October.

John Edwards‘ alleged mistress and mother of his love child is getting $15,000 per month to keep her mouth shut, according to a report in the National Enquirer. The money is being given to Rielle Hunter through Edwards’ pal Andrew Young, who attempted to take the heat off the ex-presidential hopeful by claiming the baby was his. According to the Enquirer:

“A super-rich pal – who was closely involved with the campaign finances – is helping John. It’s likely this man doesn’t know all the dirty details of John’s extramarital affair, but is acting out of loyalty and is not asking a lot of questions – only writing the checks.”

Rielle, 44, is a videographer. The hard-partying cocaine-loving character Alison Poole in Story of My Life by Jay McInerney is based on her. Edwards is allegedly getting total silence from the babymama for his $15,000. That may not last as long as other things dirty money can buy, such as, say, a ski palace in Alaska. Allegedly, babymama is discussing a tell all with a major network.

Wow. We had no idea things had gotten so bad for Freddie Prinze Jr., but when the only money you’ve got rolling in is from She’s All That residuals (not that we watch it whenever it’s on USA), you take what you can get.

Faded Youth Blog (indeed) is reporting that FJP will be working with the World Wrestling Entertainment group in a strictly behind-the-scenes capacity. A long time wrestling fan, Prinze will advise the group’s creative team for television and pay-per-view programming.

It’s only a matter of time before Sarah Michelle Gellar leaves him.

When it comes to bling, Wyclef Jean must make up in quality what he lacks in quantity. How else can you explain Jacob The Jeweler suing the former Fugee for the $300k+ he still owes from $765,100 in purchases made between 2002 and 2006? You rarely see Jean flashing ice when he’s strumming his guitar onstage, or even when walking down the red carpet. Did he buy one hell of a shiny watch? Does he bathe in diamonds? We need to see an itemized list here.

Flavor of Love 3’s Seezinz follows the lead of other FOL greats and shows us some skin. Thanks. [Bossip]

Amy Winehouse’s dad is in denial, and thinks a “friend” spiked his daughter’s drink with the drug ecstasy. And the friend’s name rhymes with Mamy Minemouse. [DListed]

Yes, we are made of stone, but even we cracked at the cuteness of Matthew McConaughey and his baby. [Seriously? OMG!]

These Gossip Girl guys might be getting all LoRonSon on each other. Or maybe we all just wish they were. [WWTDD]

Hef’s girlfriends look really…plastic. Still. [ONTD]

We have to hand it to Kevin Federline. He didn’t seem that smart back in the day when he was giving Britney piggyback rides on the beach while chain smoking Salems, but his master plan of knocking Brit up with some cute kids, makin’ her crazy, and then dumping her ass and stealing her millions really worked! Bravo, young man.

K-Fed was busy getting his golf on this weekend - where he smoked cigs on the course like the class ex Mr. Spears that he is - and told People, “Been having a good summer, I can’t complain.”

He declined to comment on his recent “raise” in child support from $15,000 a month to $20,000, of course, but we’d guess it’s pretty damn awesome. He did say his kids are “good,” which is obvious to anyone with a brain. They don’t have to live with crazy mommy anymore, which sounds pretty good to us!

Kanye West finally clears up what the hell Kim Kardashian does on his blog today, if by “American Stylist, apparel retailer, and television personality” he means “big-assed sex tape star who shows up to the openings of envelopes.” Because we’re sure her “style” was why he put this shot of her up.

Thanks Yeezee!

Soulja Boy, the enterprising young snap star who tought the world to “Crank That” became a Soulja Man last Monday. Remember when you used to “Superman that ho” and then accuse her of statutory rape, Soulja? Well the shoe’s on the other foot now. Happy birthday to YOUUUUUUUUU!

Call the Academy: Black Eyed Pea Fergie will play a prostitute in the film adaptation of the musical Nine. The pants-wetting glamorous one has been cast as Saraghina, “basically a prostitute on the beach,” Fergie tactfully explained in an interview.

After cutting her teeth on Kids, Incorporated, Fergie wouldn’t return to the big screen until 2006, when she showed serious range by playing…a sexy singer, in the nearly-straight-to-DVD remake Poseidon. Fergie then played lesbian zombie bait in Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror.

Fergie had some choice words to describe what she’ll be doing in the film: “I’m just thrilled I get to play a character. I’m singing, but I’m not singing as myself. I’m going to be singing as a character, and that’s what’s really exciting to me.” Sounds like acting, Ferg.

The police officer taped pushing a Critical Mass demonstrator off his bike in downtown NY last Friday (it happens at 0:24) has been stripped of his badge and given desk duty while the incident is investigated. The bicyclist is still charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, but one assumes the charges will be dropped. No one wants to give bicycle demonstrators their own Rodney King, right?

It’s a tough year to be a Republican. First there was the Larry Craig sex sting, and now this: the longest sitting Republican senator, Ted Stevens of Alaska, has been indicted on seven counts of failing to disclose financial records. The 83-year-old allegedly received bribes from Alaskan oil contractors VECO Corp. in the form of the remodeling of his vacation home. Stevens denies any implication of wrongdoing, even though VECO’s CEO testified to bribing the government official, and performing work on the senator’s home.

So what did the crazy old coot from Alaska get? His once modest 1200-square-foot home in Anchorage was expanded into a 10-bedroom, 3-bathroom ski palace with a wraparound deck and brand new furniture. Agents from the FBI and IRS arrived with a warrant to investigate the contents of the house.

In a statement on his website this morning, Stevens said “It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator.” Maybe he’s so old he forgot?