‘Lost’ actress chooses jail over community service

Honolulu – Michelle Rodriguez lost Tuesday, pleading guilty to driving under the influence and choosing to pay a $500 fine and spend five days in jail.

The star of the TV show “Lost” could have avoided cell time but would have had to perform 240 hours of community service.

“I would suspect that because she has a hard time even going out for a meal without being intruded upon for an autograph or photograph, it’s really difficult for her to do community service,” said her attorney, Steve Barta.

Rodriguez had a blood alcohol content measured at 0.17 when she was pulled over in December, more than twice the legal limit of .08.

Smithsonian unveils portraits of Clintons

Washington – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Clinton unveiled their National Portrait Gallery portraits at a private ceremony Monday night at the Smithsonian Institution.

Bill Clinton’s 8 1/2-by-5-foot canvas, which will be part of the America’s Presidents exhibit, was painted by portraitist Nelson Shanks, who has previously been commissioned to paint Pope John Paul II, Princess Diana and President Reagan.

Hillary Clinton chose Ginny Stanford to paint her. She’ll be part of the “Americans Now” exhibit.

“If you grew up as I did, portraits were pictures of dead people,” her husband quipped.

He says, she says

New York – “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest says he and judge Paula Abdul aren’t speaking to one another, but Abdul calls reports of a feud “ridiculous.”

Seacrest told People magazine last week that his relationship with Abdul was “awkward.”

“I don’t know what the deal is. It’s very awkward,” he was quoted as saying.

The 31-year-old Seacrest, who openly spars with “Idol” judge Simon Cowell, told the magazine: “Simon and I go back and forth with each other, but it’s in a different way.”

Asked whether he was speaking to Abdul, Seacrest answered, “No.”

Seacrest also said he hadn’t talked to Abdul about the apparent rift.

Abdul dismissed reports of off-camera animosity in a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press.

“Reports of a feud are ridiculous,” the 43-year-old former pop star said. “We are one funny dysfunctional family. There’s nothing but love.”