There's been a lot of talk recently about how Uggie, the canine star of French film "The Artist" should have been nominated for an Oscar. Instead, he's been nominated for a new doggie acting award, The Golden Collar.

Veteran actor Christopher Plummer has been campaigning for a nomination for his "Beginners" canine co-star Cosmo, and now Martin Scorsese has launched a cheeky "For Your Consideration" campaign asking for a Golden Collar nod for Blackie, the Doberman Pinscher in his film, "Hugo."

As Scorsese told "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (Weeknights, 12 a.m. EST on ABC), even with 11 Oscar nominations for "Hugo" he still feels bad because Blackie was snubbed. Why was he snubbed? Awards voters obviously didn't appreciate his acting skills.

He praised Blackie's ability to under-play a scene, "and the muzzle that came out in 3D? It's genius!" So, how, wondered Kimmel, did directing Blackie compare to directing, say, Don Rickles in "Casino?"

"Well, the Doberman had more flair to him."

Good news for Scorsese: The Golden Collar organizers have now confirmed that Blackie is the sixth nominee for this year's inaugural award.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs Weeknights at 12 a.m. EST on ABC.

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Actor Sean Penn has been named ambassador at large for Haiti in recognition of his humanitarian work since the 2010 earthquake.

The Hollywood star received the honor from Haitiian President Michel Martelly at a special ceremony Tuesday evening at the National Palace.

Martelly thanked Penn for keeping the spotlight on the Caribbean nation.

The president joked that the "only downside" to Penn's new position is that he can no longer call the actor by his first name. Now Penn will be called "Ambassador."

Penn's J/P Haitian Relief Organization was set up a few months after the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake to oversee a settlement camp where thousands of people displaced by the disaster lived.

More like big-screen dream, amirite? (What.) According to THR, Paramount -- buoyed by strong box-office returns for "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" -- is in discussions with Imagine Entertainment to create a "documentary-style film" about pop star Katy Perry. In 3D, of course.

No deals are in place, but this will obviously be the greatest concert movie ever. Perry has unleashed a bevy of massive hits onto Top-40 radio over the last four years, including "I Kissed A Girl," "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "Last Friday Night," "E.T.," and "The One That Got Away." As you may have heard, she also experienced a bit of personal life turmoil when her marriage to Russell Brand ended in December of 2011.

Concert movies have become du jour again in Hollywood following the successes of "Never Say Never," Michael Jackson's "This Is It" and "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour." Of course, the genre has also seen some notable flops, including "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie," which grossed an underwhelming $11 million last August.

Whether Kitty Purry fans will pay to see the flamboyant pop staple on the big screen -- especially when the film will be upcharged thanks to 3D -- remains to be seen. Though, really, who could pass up the chance to see something like the video for "California Gurls" in three dimensions? Exploding whipped cream cannon bras, y'all!

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[via THR]

A-list stars, they're just like the rest of us really. Take Ringo Starr, for example. Forever immortalized as a member of The Beatles, yet he loves to kick back and watch "The Price Is Right."

Chatting to Craig Ferguson on "The Late Late Show" (Weeknights, 12:30 a.m. EST on CBS) Ringo joked about how musician and producer Joe Walsh talked him out of naming his latest album "Motel California."

Of course, because everyone in Hollywood knows everyone else, Ferguson knows Walsh from his regular guest spots playing Ed the guitarist on "The Drew Carey Show."

When the talk turned to Drew Carey's post-sitcom gig hosting "The Price Is Right," Ringo said "I love that show! I love it!" He went on, "Drew is now so slimmed-down ... He looks gorgeous!"

Fergsuon's robot sidekick Geoff Peterson concurred: "He looks very svelte."

"The Late Late Show" airs Weeknights, 12:30 a.m. EST on CBS.

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This post is part of a series on childhood poverty in the United States in partnership with Save the Children and Julianne Moore. Moore leads the organization's Valentine's Day campaign, through which cards are sold to support the fight against poverty. To learn more or to purchase the cards, click here.

I grew up traveling all over the United States, Central America, and Europe. My father was in the U.S. Army, so we never stayed any place for very long. For the most part, I didn't mind it -- changing environments and schools was simply a fact of life for us -- I learned not to depend on environment for consistency. Instead, I found it in my family, in my interests, and most of all in literature, my most constant of companions.

The one place I absolutely did not rely on consistency was in my public school education. It was evident to me very early on that my educational experience in the U.S. was directly related to the tax bracket of the county in which we were living. I was growing up in a culture and an educational system that preached fairness and equal opportunity and yet my personal experience within it was wildly erratic.

And so what if I was in a bad school for a year or two -- I'd move. But what about the kids that were stuck there? They'd never even know that the education they were receiving was not equal to the one that more affluent children were receiving. And the thought that I was left with was that it was NOT FAIR.

Anyway, I grew up, carrying with me the knowledge that what we professed to be equal was not, and always remembering the disparities in income and education I saw in my travels around the United States.

In 2006, I was invited to a benefit for Save the Children and was very impressed by the organization and their efforts around the world. The recession had yet to hit, people in the U.S. were feeling confident and affluent -- yet at that time 1 in 5 children in the United States was living in poverty, and virtually no attention was being paid to poverty here in the US.

I felt that though there was tremendous need worldwide, my area of interest and knowledge lay in the United States, and so I signed on as an artist ambassador to U.S. programs. I was impressed to learn that Save the Children goes into schools where kids are most affected by poverty and picks up the slack where tax dollars aren't enough. They provide literacy programs, books, preschool and after school programs, nutrition, exercise programs, and jobs in areas where sometimes the local school is the only source of employment in the county. In effect, they attempt to make it more FAIR.

I founded the Valentine's Day program with exactly that tenant in mind, that children have an innate sense of fairness, and will want to help those less fortunate than themselves. I was very influenced by trick or treat for UNICEF and wanted to find a holiday where we could talk to U.S. school children about poverty among school children in their own country. I wanted kids to be able to help kids.

Valentine's Day has become a major children's holiday, and is for them, about friendship. And as for us parents, we have to buy these Valentines anyway, why not send the money to children and schools less fortunate than our own?

It is now the fifth year of our Valentine program and the numbers of kids in poverty has grown to 1 in 4. Our recession continues and there is an ever widening income disparity in our country. Sometimes this program feels like we are spitting in the wind, that there is no way we can possibly make a difference for kids in the US. by selling Valentines. But by recognizing the problem and addressing it in any way we can -- especially through love and friendship and a sense that we should all have an equal shot at life and education here in the United States - well, it can't hurt, can it? Please buy some Valentines.

Xxx Julianne Moore

"Late Show With David Letterman" (Weeknights, 11:35 p.m. EST on CBS) celebrates an incredible 30 years on the air Wednesday, February 1st.

Ahead of the big day, host David Letterman was joined by his first-ever guest on the show, Bill Murray, plus Regis Philbin, who has appeared on the show a whopping 43 times.

How better to celebrate than for the three showbiz veterans to indulge in some football in honor of Sunday night's big game?

The hair may be whiter and more sparse than in 1982, and the knees may have been creaking, but Murray gamely pulled on a uniform to show off his placekicking prowess.

As the pipes swirled outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, the irrepressible Reege ran out in his referee's uniform to take charge of proceedings. With a besuited Letterman looking oddly out of place kneeling down on 53rd Street as placekick holder, Murray ran up for three place kicks.

The crowd is on its feet ... He hit the upright on the first attempt and misjudged his second kick. However, on the third try, tears in his eyes as he lines up this last kick, Murray scored. The crowd goes wild ...

He didn't exactly threaten Lawrence Tynes or Stephen Gostkowski for a place at the Super Bowl, but one from three wasn't too shabby for a 61 year-old.

The celebrations continue on "Late Show With David Letterman," Weeknights, 11:35 p.m. EST on CBS. "Super Bowl XLVI" airs Sunday, Feb. 5, from 6 p.m. EST on NBC.

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"Star Trek" star Avery Brooks was busted for DUI ... TMZ has learned.

63-year-old Brooks -- who played Benjamin Sisko on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" -- was arrested Sunday in Wilton, Connecticut after someone complained he was driving erratically.

Carmageddon should have been a day of disaster for Liam as that was the day he had planned to relaunch his bar. However, the fates often smile kindly on the residents of "90210" (Tue., 8 p.m. EST on The CW), and so the event turned out to be just about the best one he could have ever hoped for.

Multi-platinum-selling super band The All-American Rejects just happened to be stuck in traffic three blocks away from the bar and Naomi managed to talk them into coming over and headlining the relaunch.

The episode featured the Rejects' new single, "Bee-Keeper's Daughter," which is taken from their upcoming studio album, "Kids In The Street."

The drama continues on "90210" every Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.

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When it comes to the Golden Collar Awards race, how could not only Puss, but all felines, be shut out? Cats wear collars too.

While I am thrilled that this has been a fantastic year for many talented canines in film (some of my best friends are dogs), I can't help but express my disappointment that my old friend Puss in Boots has been overlooked.

Not only did Puss bring wit, adventure, dance, and soul to the big screen last year, but he also won the heart of that saucy minx Kitty Softpaws, escaped prison, saved the town with his brother Humpty, and made his mother proud, all in one pounce. As Puss would say, his name should become legend.

Yes, the dogs have done well this year, but dogs will do anything for a sausage treat, cats do everything out of love.

Giggy may look dapper in his Beverly Hills ensembles, but he will never wear a sword like Puss does. Chunk may have won over Chelsea Handler, but Puss has the heart of thousands of ladies across the globe. And oh Uggie, he really is the cutest canine around and so very talented, two nominations... bow wow, but wasn't Puss' performance just as purrrfect too?

The fans heard your cries Mr. Scorsese (take a drink Melissa McCarthy), and I congratulate you on Blackie's belated nomination, but put her on the dance floor against Puss at the Cat Cantina and it's no contest.

Puss' sass, style and swag should not be overlooked alongside these canine creatures. They may hide them better, but cats have feelings too. Please overcome this anti-feline-ism, Hollywood, and give my dear friend the recognition he deserves. Don't make the cat angry!

NEW YORK — Billy Ray Cyrus is the latest celebrity to sign up with Amazon.com

The singer of "Achy Breaky Heart" and father and former co-star of Miley Cyrus has a memoir, "Hillbilly Heart," coming in spring 2013.

Amazon.com, which has been aggressively expanding its publishing operation, announced Thursday that Cyrus would discuss with "great candor" everything from his early years to life as the parent of a teen superstar. Cyrus and his daughter starred together in the hit TV series "Hannah Montana."

Others with Amazon deals include actress-director Penny Marshall and actor James Franco. Those books, however, will not be available everywhere. Barnes & Noble Inc. announced earlier this week that it would not stock releases from its rival retailer.

Hey girl, now you can have Ryan Gosling in your home anytime, day or night.

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Time Warner Cable is making eight of the Oscar-nominated actor's films available On Demand for all of February. LA Weekly reports that for prices between $1.99 and $4.99, viewers can instantly order some of Gosling's biggest hits, including his three 2011 movies: "Drive," "The Ides of March" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love," the latter two of which earned him Golden Globe nominations.

Also including in the Gosling line-up are "Remember the Titans," "Murder By Numbers," "Fracture," and "Lars and the Real Girl." But the one film for which he was nominated for an Oscar, "Half Nelson," is not available and "Blue Valentine," the drama with Michelle Williams that earned her an Oscar nomination, is also missing.

Still, fans of the actor will likely not be disappointed by the all Gosling, all the time opportunity.

Martin Sheen, who has been both honored and arrested protesting on behalf of humanitarian causes, found out where his passionate sense of social justice came from in the Season 3 premiere of "Who Do You Think You Are?" Thursday on "Good Day LA" (weekdays, 9 a.m. PST on Fox), Sheen talked about the insights he gained about his ancestry from participating in the show.

Sheen told host Steve Edwards about an uncle from his Irish mother's side of the family who fought for Ireland's independence and later in the country's civil war. He also discovered a Spanish uncle from his father's side who opposed the dictator Francisco Franco and was sentenced to life in prison in Pamplona, Spain. "I had no idea from whence I came," Sheen said. "I don't think my father knew a lot of the history I discovered doing "Who Do You Think You Are?"

The search four generations back on the Spanish side of his family led Sheen to a relative named Don Diego Francisco-Suarez, who was a judge, but also a "Don Juan" who had two families in separate villages. Sheen laughed and noted, "He was a rascal." This may explain where his son Charlie gets it.

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The last thing a moviegoer might expect from W.E. is that the film is more Merchant-Ivory than Material Girl. Because the director is Madonna -- who will be a magnet to the media when she performs the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday -- it has been easy for some critics to take cheap shots at her directorial aspirations. But W.E. turns out to be a surprisingly classical -- and satisfying -- drama that cross-cuts between 1998 Manhattan and Europe 60 years earlier. It even overlaps with The King's Speech via scenes of the royal family, especially when we see Bertie stammering in 1936.

It's not surprising that Madonna was drawn to the story of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor who famously said, "A woman can never be too rich or too thin."  The film is anchored in her riveting character -- someone who (like Madonna) has a gift for reinventing herself -- a chic, smart American transplanted to England, a glamorous celebrity who pays a price for fame. "Men are such visual creatures, darling," she says in a mirror, after confessing that she wasn't beautiful but made the most of what she was given.

Wallis is superbly played by Andrea Riseborough, who is likely to be this year's Jessica Chastain: in addition to W.E., the versatile British actress will be seen in such disparate films as Shadow Dancer and Disconnect. (And whereas Chastain was announced as the female lead of the Tom Cruise-starring Oblivion, when she left the project, Riseborough entered.)

Both Wallis and her counterpart in the present of W.E. -- Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) -- are shown applying make-up for male eyes and getting gussied up. Who better than Madonna to show/know from the inside how a woman puts on her public self?  (How appropriate in this regard that cinematographer Hagen Bogdanski--acclaimed for his work in The Lives of Others and Young Victoria -- captures the allure of gleaming surfaces, including diamonds. In flashbacks that are exquisitely detailed and voluptuously dramatic, one feels the intertwining of Merchant-Ivory and that Material Girl.)

In a wonderful scene that seems to refer as much to Madonna as to the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis tries to flee photographers after the Duke abdicates the throne to remain with her: hoping to get them off her trail, she dashes from her car into the Claridge Hotel, but then out the back entrance and into another car. "My privacy, freedom, reputation" are the things Wallis says she lost, adding, "They can't hate you unless you let them."

Let's not forget that Madonna has already directed another feature, Filth and Wisdom (2008), a shaggy-dog tale set in London, narrated by and centered on A.K. (Eugene Hutz of Gypsy Bordello), Ukranian immigrant rock musician and male dominatrix.  Whereas one of his pungent perceptions could have been in W.E. -- "The road to success is paved with humiliation. The earlier you accept that, the easier the road will be" -- Filth and Wisdom is scruffily independent where W.E. is elegantly polished.

Some of the criticism to which Madonna has been subjected is reminiscent of the barbs that were aimed at another singer-turned-actress-turned filmmaker, namely Barbra Streisand. While one can argue about degrees of talent, there is no question that determination and chutzpa characterize both pop icons.

A telling anecdote was related by Milos Forman when he was an onstage guest in my "Reel Pieces" series at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y. The filmmaker recalled that when he was casting Hair in the late 1970s, a very long line formed in Central Park for the open call for performers. The first person to audition -- the one who had stood on line longest -- was a young woman named Madonna.

Yes, W.E. could benefit from losing some of its arty shots; yes, the past tense story is far more compelling than the present one (not unlike Julie and Julia); yes, Abel Korzeniowski's swirling score is often redolent of Philip Glass. But the film's Wallis is a knockout. When it comes to female portraiture, Madonna has a knack that goes beyond crafting her own image.

Annette Insdorf is director of undergraduate film studies at Columbia University, and the author of books, including the upcoming "Philip Kaufman."