Tyler Perry is pretty much a punchline as far as I’m concerned, but I am sad to share the news that his mother, the inspiration for his character Madea, has passed away. No cause of death has been released yet, but Perry did post the following message on his website: “Willie Maxine Perry. February 12, 1945 to December 8, 2009. Thank you for all your prayers.”

It’s been a rollercoaster year for Perry, who professionally is shining (his last project, Precious is getting all kinds of Oscar buzz), yet also shared with the public just a few months ago that he spent most of his childhood in fear of his abusive father.

I’m definitely not a fan of his films, but this is sad news.

Billy Corgan and Jessica Simpson are two of my favorite people on their own, but the idea of the two of them as a couple? Not so much. I suppose I’ll have to get used to the idea because E! News is reporting that the two are dating and that Jessica is “smitten” with Billy. Smitten, you say? That doesn’t sound like a word that real people use unless they are selling a story to a gossip rag, but whatever.

While it seems that the two may not have much in common, there’s actually quite a bit for them to talk about. For one, there’s the obvious musical connection and also? They’re both devout Christians. E! didn’t pick up on this or remember it, but since I read about Billy Corgan the way he reads about Jesus, I remember Jessica giving him a shoutout on her Twitter a few months back.

Maybe Billy Corgan is the nice Christian boy that Jessica Simpson’s been looking for?

“I’d love to be an assassin. Either that or a lesbian. Maybe both! Hey, a gay assassin, there’s nothing hotter than that.” Ri joked. “Megan Fox would play my girlfriend – hands down. She’s yummy. She’s hot.”

– Rihanna on what kind of roles she’d like to play in the future.

Rihanna just called Megan Fox “yummy”. Haha.

I’ve always heard rumors that John Stamos was a sexaholic and would hold two day swinger parties in the Chateau Marmont and his freaky side was what eventually led to the demise of his marriage with Rebecca Romijn. When I saw today that he was the victim of an extortion scandal over some photos I was like “Damn! We’re finally gonna get to see some Uncle Jesse dick!” My eight year old self who was in love with him wouldn’t even understand what that means. Turns out though that the pictures are actually nothing, just a fan posing with him on vacation.

From People:

“John Stamos was the target of an extortion attempt,” says Matt Polk, a rep for the actor, who is currently starring inBye Bye Birdie on Broadway. “The U.S. Attorney and the FBI handled the investigation swiftly and with great expertise.”

Stamos, 46, described only as “Mr. X” in a Dec. 3 FBI affidavit, was vacationing in Florida in 2004 when he met Coss. At the time, the pair and another friend attended a party where photos were allegedly snapped of the actor.

It remains unclear if the party occurred before or after Stamos and actress Rebecca Romijn announced their split that year.

So maybe what this Alison person had going for her was the allegation of a marriage-ending affair. Geez, I wonder where she got the idea that that might be lucrative?

Lady Gaga bowed before Queen Elizabeth after performing in her Royal Variety performance. Is this what Lady Gaga wears to meet the Queen? I suppose for her this is tasteful, but I don’t know how many of us would have the balls to greet royalty wrapped in red plastic with red sequins glued to our faces.

Unless Jon Gosselin is ramming his crusty dick in to something scandalous, we don’t hear nearly as much enough about the Gosselins anymore. I’m sure most of you are happy about that and think that means they’re going away, but oh no! No they ain’t! Kate even spent her morning today working at a restaurant in North Carolina where she was being filmed for a test tape.

Geez, let me guess what that show would be about. I’m guessing that it’s going to follow Kate on her wacky and endearing journey to find a job to support her kids. It’ll be like The Simple Life  minus the rich chicks and plus a notoriously bossy woman with eight kids. Sounds like something to TiVo!