Anne Heche’s husband wants joint custody of their son

Los Angeles – Anne Heche’s divorcing husband wants at least $33,000 a month in support and joint custody of the couple’s 5-year-old son, saying the 37-year-old actress is a bad mother.

In Superior Court filings this month, Coleman Laffoon says Heche has refused to allow their son, Homer, to be enrolled in a private kindergarten in Southern California and has said she wants the boy to move to Vancouver, Canada, where she spends part of the year filming her ABC-TV show, “Men in Trees.”

In Vancouver, Heche leaves their son with a series of different nannies or her assistant in her trailer while filming, Laffoon said.

Laffoon said Heche made some “very poor” parenting decisions in Vancouver, such as failing to provide a car safety seat for Homer and making lunches he didn’t like.

Laffoon and Heche were married in September 2001. He filed for divorce in February, citing irreconcilable differences.

Laffoon, a former freelance videographer who made $6,000 a year, said he didn’t work during the marriage. The couple agreed he would be a stay-at-home father because of his experience as a former nanny and summer camp counselor, his documents contend.

He estimated that living expenses for himself and their son, who lives with him, total $37,399 a month. An accountant hired on Laffoon’s behalf submitted a court paper offering a guideline of $45,239 for monthly spousal and child support.

Ludacris makes cameo in 400th ‘The Simpsons’

New York – Ludacris will make a cartoon cameo in the 400th episode of “The Simpsons” as a tube of toothpaste that raps, of all things.

The 29-year-old rapper-actor, whose real name is Chris Bridges, portrays “Luda-Crest” in an informational video that brainy Lisa watches during the Simpsons’ annual dental checkup. The episode airs Sunday night on Fox.

“The Simpsons,” created by Matt Groening, is now in its 18th season.

Ludacris has taken up acting in recent years. He generated strong buzz for his performances in the films “Crash” and “Hustle & Flow,” and recently guest starred on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Phillippe seeks joint custody of kids with Witherspoon

Los Angeles – Ryan Phillippe wants joint custody of his children with “Walk the Line” Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.

Witherspoon filed for divorce on Nov. 8, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split, and she asked for physical custody of the acting couple’s two children – 7-year-old Ava and 3-year-old Deacon.

In the Superior Court divorce petition, Witherspoon, 31, asked for visitation for Phillippe, 32, and “exclusive use of the family residence.”

In a response filed Tuesday, Phillippe also cited irreconcilable differences but asked for joint legal custody and physical custody of the children as well as visitation granted “to both parties, equally allocated.”

Phillippe’s petition was first reported by CelebTV.com.

A telephone message left Thursday for Witherspoon publicist Nancy Ryder wasn’t immediately returned.

The documents filed with the court in November and this week do not list separate or community property, saying the nature of the assets has yet to be determined.

Witherspoon’s petition requested that the court not grant any spousal support to Phillippe. There was no request for support in Phillippe’s petition.

The couple, who co-starred in the 1999 release “Cruel Intentions,” married that year.

Pop singer Carter raising awareness about dolphins

Washington – Nick Carter of the pop band Backstreet Boys has been appointed as a U.N. special ambassador of the Year of the Dolphin.

“I was shocked. And happy at the exact same time because I really felt like it was an honor,” he told AP Radio News on Thursday.

The Year of the Dolphin campaign is aimed at raising awareness of dolphins in the wild, the threats they face to their survival and actions that could help their wild conservation.

“The issues involved with the dolphins are things that I am learning,” the 27-year-old singer said. “I don’t want to be this person to come across and say, ‘Why, I know what’s going on’ and shove it down people’s throats. (Because) I don’t know everything.”