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New York, NY, United States (CNS) – Marvel Entertainment, LLC is suing the heirs of the late comic book artist Jack Kirby over the rights to superheroes Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and X-Men.

The company has filed a suit on Friday in New York in response to the notices sent by Kirby’s four children that said the rights to the characters would revert from Marvel to his estates in 2014 to 2019.

Kirby, who died in 1994, co-created many of Marvel’s major comic characters in the ’60s, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and X-Men among many others.

Marvel wants a judge to invalidate the notices, claiming Kirby’s works were merely “work-made-for-hire,” meaning the company is the real author of the superhero characters under the 1909 Copyright Act.

But the heirs maintained that Kirby authored the characters under his own team and were subsequently published by Marvel.

It was not until 1972 that Kirby granted Marvel the copyrights to his works, and by the same grant, Kirby’s family sent statutory notices of termination.

The worse kept secret in show business was confirmed today with official news that Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol.

Cowell, who’s contract is up with American Idol at the end of the 2010 season, said in a statement that he is leaving the show to launch the American version of UK talent show The X Factor.

“The X Factor will launch in 2011,” Cowell told the media. “Because of that, this will be my last season on American Idol.”

“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of The X Factor, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX,” Cowell said. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this.”

Notably Cowell owns the exclusive rights to the show.

I have to admit, even as an ostensibly grown up girl with a real life and responsibilities, I’ve been totally sucked in by Glee.

I’m not alone in my gleekiness, and one of the things that’s the most fascinating about the show is that it’s captivated tweens, teens, adults and even old people. The show is, in part, wildly popular for the kitschy musical arrangements of popular songs like “Golddigger” and “Bust Your Windows.” The show’s second season has been confirmed (a traumatic wait for those of us who got attached to the Eddie Izzard/Minnie Driver show The Riches only to have it yanked on a stressful cliffhanger) and Glee fans will be very pleased to hear that the show is seeking new cast members for season two.

Think you’ve got a shot? Fox put out the following casting call, and if you’re stuck out in the sticks with no bus into New York City to fetch you, you can even submit your audition online:

The executive producers of Glee will begin a nationwide casting search this February to fill three new roles that will be added to the show’s second season.

Auditions will be open to professional and amateur individuals between the ages of 16-26. All hopefuls will be able to submit auditions online. Additional details to be announced soon.

Well, we know what some of Sarah Palin’s post-gubernatorial plans entail after cutting and running on her home state of Alaska.

Palin has signed a multi-year deal with the conservative news network Fox after flat leaving her constituents, the network has confirmed. Palin’s not getting her own show yet, but it seems she’ll be hosting a “series” of some sort- the parameters of the program have yet to be defined because Fox hasn’t got one like it in its format. Palin’s plans have been much speculated upon since her sudden departure from her post in state government, but her deal seems to be loose enough to allow her to pursue some other ventures, too. So it’s a win win for everybody, except those chumps that voted her in and like, expected her to serve or something.

Palin commented on her new gig in a statement:

“I am thrilled to be joining the great talent and management team at Fox News. It’s wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news.”

Financial terms have not been disclosed, but who wants to bet that talking head positions on the news pay substantially more than civil service?

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Michael Buble has got engaged.

The ‘Home’ singer popped the question to Argentinean girlfriend Luisana Lopilato in November and presented her with a unique ring he designed himself.

His representative Liz Rosenberg said, “Michael proposed to Luisana in November, in front of her family in Argentina. They’re ecstatic. They’re adorable, in love and laugh all day long.”

The couple, who began dating in 2008, are yet to set a wedding date.

Luisana was thrilled with her ring, which was made by Vancouver jewelers Minichiello.

A friend added, “He designed the setting himself. He’s very proud to be engaged to her.”

Michael, who previously dated actress Emily Blunt, recently revealed how Luisana thought he was gay because he spent most of the night talking to her male friend when they first met.

He said, “I don’t speak Spanish and she had no English. But the guy did so I just spoke to him. I was a bit nervous because of how beautiful she was.

“I later found out she was on the phone to her mother the whole time saying, ‘Buble’s gay. He’s hitting on my friend.’”

Lindsay Lohan is to be sued by a photographer who was allegedly hit by her car.

The unnamed paparazzo was hurt as the vehicle carrying Lindsay accelerated away from Hollywood bar the Hotel Cafe. The 23-year-old actress was not driving.

Although the man did not go to hospital, he claimed he was “lucky to be alive” after the incident.

The photographer also claimed the driver of the car, who now faces a criminal probe, was wearing sunglasses while driving down the dark alley.

He reportedly added, “I’m going to sue them, but I don’t care about the money. I want to press charges so badly – she’s going to jail.”

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, Sergeant Vasquez, said: “I was informed by an officer that a vehicle had sped away at a high rate of speed and hit a paparazzi photographer causing an injury to his hand, his wrist.”

Authorities are investigating the incident, but are not treating it as a hit-and-run.

‘Mean Girls’ actress Lindsay is currently on three years’ probation, after pleading guilty to drink driving and drug charges, part of a plea bargain made by the star in August 2007.

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton have split up.

The Pussycat Dolls star and her 25-year-old British racing driver lover have ended their 20-month romance because they want to “focus fully” on their own careers.

A statement from their spokesperson said, “They have decided to go their separate ways. They want to focus fully on their careers and will remain close friends.”

Friends of the famous couple are shocked because Nicole and Lewis loved each other implicitly and were very happy.

One told the Daily Mirror newspaper, “It’s sad because they did love each other. When you saw them trackside together they were always laughing and Nicole would give him a little peck on the cheek before the race. But they had to be realistic. There was no way they would continue their careers and stay together – it was too stressful. No one else is involved – their careers just got in the way.”

In December, it was reported the couple hadn’t seen each other in almost a month and even scrapped plans to spend Christmas Day, December 25, together.

At the time, a source said, “Lewis and Nicole have had a few problems for a while now. They love each other dearly but have incredibly busy schedules.

“Hopefully after a month apart, they will come to their senses and give things another go.”

Lewis – who lives in Switzerland, while Nicole is based in Los Angeles – has previously blasted speculation their relationship was in trouble.

The Formula One ace said, “This is bulls**t. We are still together.”

The couple first met at the MTV Europe Music Awards in November 2007 and started dating in May 2008.

Mel Gibson’s new film has caused over 200 prisoners to be moved around Mexico.

The 54-year-old actor sparked protests over his plans to shoot scenes – believed to be for ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’, a movie he has written and stars in – at the Ignacio Allende prison in the eastern state of Veracruz, after 214 inmates had to be sent to at least four other detention centres in the country to accommodate the set.

The prisoners were escorted from the jail – which usually houses 1,000 convicts – by police and soldiers between midnight on Friday, January 8, until roughly 3am on Saturday morning, January 9.

Despite the early hours, the move resulted in furious scenes of protest from friends and relatives, who claimed they would have to travel further to make their regular visitations to their loved ones.

Those transported during the operation have been held on murder, robbery, drug trafficking, kidnapping and other serious charges.

In ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’, Mel portrays a career criminal caught in Mexico and placed in a tough prison, learning to survive after a nine-year-old boy offers him help.

The film is due for release in 2011.

Amy Winehouse has blasted her father for talking about her problems in public.

The troubled ‘Back To Black’ singer is furious with her “embarrassing” dad, Mitch, after he appeared on British TV documentary ‘My Daughter Amy’ last week, and spoke about her battle with drug addiction, relationship woes with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil and other struggles.

She wrote on twitter, “Why don’t my dad write a song when something bothers him instead of going on national tv? And you thought your parents were embarrassing. (sic)”

Taxi driver-turned-TV presenter and swing singer Mitch, 58, has been vocal about Amy’s problems in recent months, revealing she is now struggling to curb her spending.

He said, “Amy quit the drugs in her own way. In 2008, she said to me,

‘Dad, I don’t want to do this any more.’ And she hasn’t. I’m more proud of her for that than for her music – she’s done it all herself.

“But she’s not out the woods yet. She’s a recovering addict and other problems have developed.

“Shopping is a problem. She’ll go into Agent Provocateur and spend £3000 on underwear in one go.”

He also blasted 26-year-old Amy’s ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, 31 – who is currently undergoing court-ordered treatment for his own drug problems – and admitted he is worried they have reconciled.

He said, “Their relationship was a disaster. It was destructive and they’re lucky one of them didn’t die. Two addicts can’t be in a relationship.”

Dolly Parton thinks she is a cartoon character.

The ‘Islands In the Stream’ singer, who lives in Nashville with her husband of 43 years Carl Dean, said she doesn’t want to change the way she looks.

She said, “I am kinda like a little cartoon character, and cartoon characters don’t get old. I am animated and over-exaggerated and I will never change. “I will probably just be a silly little 85-year-old looking exactly as I do now. People will look at me and ask each other, ‘How old is she?’ ‘I don’t know: she has looked that way for 100 years’.” The 63-year-old also said she doesn’t want to have more surgery.

She revealed, “I don’t do major things, just little things here and there, because you don’t know how you’re going to turn out. I have only had my eyes done once because they are such a sensitive area, I’m scared. Mostly now I just do fillers and Botox.