Cowell describes relationship with ‘Idol’ winners as ‘tiny’

New York – “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell usually has big, bad words to describe the reality show’s wannabe pop stars. But the biting Brit sums up his relationships with past “Idol” winners with one little one: “tiny.”

As for the first “Idol” winner, recent Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson: “She would be like a stranger to me now,” Cowell said Thursday.

In January, Cowell criticized Clarkson for not allowing the use of her songs by contestants on the fifth season of the high-rated show. She later changed her mind. Then, during Clarkson’s Grammy acceptance speeches for best pop vocal album and female pop vocal performance, she never uttered the word “Idol.”

“Look, she doesn’t need to thank me and she doesn’t need to thank ‘American Idol,'” Cowell said. “She does need to thank the fans who voted for her on ‘American Idol.’ That’s all.”

‘Capote’ star thankful he sought early rehab

New York – Philip Seymour Hoffman, the favorite to take home the best actor Oscar next month, says he never would have reached such heights if he didn’t get sober 16 years ago.

Hoffman, whose performance as Truman Capote in “Capote” has drawn praise, speaks in an interview on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” to air at 6 p.m. Sunday about nearly succumbing to substance abuse when he was younger.

The 38-year-old actor says that after graduating from New York University’s drama school, he fell into a fast-paced city social life.

“It was all that (drugs and alcohol), yeah. It was anything I could get my hands on : I liked it all,” Hoffman says.

He changed quickly, however.

“I went (to rehab), I got sober when I was 22 years old,” says Hoffman. “You get panicked : and I got panicked for my life.”

French actress gets pick as ‘Royale’ Bond Girl

New York – The new James Bond now has his Bond Girl.

Eva Green, whose screen credits include Bernardo Bertolucci’s erotic drama “The Dreamers,” will co-star as the enticing Vesper Lynd in “Casino Royale” opposite Daniel Craig.

Craig is making his debut appearance as Bond in the film.

“Eva is one of France’s most accomplished young actresses, now receiving international acclaim,” producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said Thursday in a statement. “She brings to the complex role of Vesper an exciting combination of enigmatic and seductive beauty.”

Danish-born actor Mads Mikkelsen will play Le Chiffre, Bond’s nemesis, and Jeffrey Wright (“Syriana,” “Basquiat”) has joined the cast as Felix Leiter.

Directed by Martin Campbell, “Casino Royale” is expected to be in theaters Nov. 17.

Green’s screen credits also include roles in Jean-Paul Salome’s French-language film “Arsene Lupin” and Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven,” with Orlando Bloom and Liam Neeson.

Clooney doesn’t back down from Abramoff comments

Los Angeles – George Clooney, who may be giving speeches again at next month’s Academy Awards, says he has no regrets about making an off-color joke about disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff during last month’s Golden Globes.

“I make no apologies for that – it was a joke,” Clooney told CNN’s Larry King on Thursday.

The 44-year-old actor-director made a risque reference to Abramoff’s name as he accepted a best supporting actor Golden Globe for “Syriana.”

Clooney is nominated for Oscars for best supporting actor for “Syriana” and best director for “Good Night, and Good Luck.” He also shares a best original screenplay nomination with Grant Heslov for the latter film.

Abramoff’s father, Frank, who didn’t find the joke funny, wrote an angry letter to The Desert Sun newspaper of Palm Springs. He denounced Clooney for a “glib and ridiculous” attack on his son that he said reduced his granddaughter to tears.

Abramoff’s son, who has pleaded guilty to fraud and bribery, has acknowledged providing lavish trips, golf outings, meals and more to public officials “in exchange for a series of official acts.”

“Believe me, the person who’s disparaged the Abramoff name is not me,” Clooney told King. “Unfortunately, I think he also hurt the House of Representatives along the way.”