DeGeneres, de Rossi engaged after ruling

Los Angeles – Ellen DeGeneres and longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi are jumping at the chance to get married.

DeGeneres announced their engagement during a Thursday taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” telling the studio audience the news that the California Supreme Court had struck down state laws against gay marriage.

“So I would like to say now, for the first time, I am announcing: I am getting married,” she said during the show, airing Friday.

The studio audience leapt to its feet for a long ovation, and De Rossi (“Ally McBeal,” “Nip/Tuck”) was sitting in the audience, beaming and clapping.

Then DeGeneres cracked: “Thank you. I’ll tell you who the lucky guy is soon.”

The court ruling means same-sex couples could tie the knot in as little as a month. However, religious and social conservatives are seeking to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would undo the Supreme Court ruling and ban gay marriage.

Sarah Jessica Parker not a slave to fashion

Berlin – Sarah Jessica Parker says she’s not a slave to fashion like her “Sex and the City” character Carrie Bradshaw.

“I am a mother, wife and working woman in the first place, clothes do not play such a big role in my life than they do in Carrie’s,” the 43-year-old actress told The Associated Press after the Berlin premiere of her upcoming film based on the popular HBO series.

“And there is no favorite designer or accessory as there is Manolo Blahnik for Carrie – there are so many talented and exciting designers, I could not possibly choose one favorite,” Parker said Friday, sporting a white petticoat with a black girdle and black stiletto heels.

The Berlin premiere came as part of a whirlwind courtship of Europe where the TV series, which ran from 1998 to 2004, still has an enthusiastic fan base.

Joining Parker on the red carpet Thursday night were co-stars Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.

Longoria Parker not a fashion diva at home

Cannes, France – Eva Longoria Parker gets to play dress-up at the Cannes Film Festival – and she doesn’t even have to pack her own suitcase.

“My bag is packed when I come because my stylist thinks about every event we have, every interview, every red carpet – everything is already planned and dresses are fitted, and I just put on what somebody gives me,” the 33-year-old actress told Associated Press Television.

Longoria Parker, who is hitting the red carpet for L’Oreal, is having a Versace moment at Cannes. But when she’s at home with her husband, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, she’s hardly a fashion diva.

“I actually put on what’s clean,” she said Thursday. “Usually I’m in sweats or jeans. Tony’s favorite outfit is me in jeans and a T-shirt.”

Cross drops hints about Bree’s future

Washington – It’s true: “Desperate Housewives” will flash-forward five years.

Marcia Cross, who plays domestic goddess Bree on the ABC comedy-drama, told AP Radio in a recent phone interview that a flash-forward narrative device will offer viewers a glimpse into the future lives of the Wisteria Lane gang.

Spoiler alert: Read no further if you don’t want to know what happens to some of the central characters.

Cross said her character makes “a big leap.”

“She’s gone out into the world and she’s become a bit of a success,” the 46-year-old actress said.

When asked if that success has anything to do with the catering business Bree started with her neighbor Katherine (Dana Delany), Cross replied, “It does have to do with the business. Bree definitely has made a name for herself.”

And Bree – the embodiment of preppy style – will change her look.

“Let’s put it this way, the (hair) flip has died and I’m so happy about that,” Cross said.

She also revealed that Eva Longoria Parker’s character, Gabrielle, “has had some children.”

When asked what becomes of the troublesome Kayla (Rachel Fox), who is Tom’s (Doug Savant) daughter, Cross said, “She hightails it out of town or is hightailed out of town.”

The season finale of “Desperate Housewives” airs Sunday.

Taylor Hicks to join Broadway’s ‘Grease’

New York – Taylor Hicks is going from “Idol” to “Angel.”

The “American Idol” alum will join the Broadway cast of “Grease” on June 6, playing Teen Angel in the revival of the popular musical.

The gray-haired singer – whose “Idol” fan base was called “The Soul Patrol” – said he plans to add “soulful flavor” to his performance of “Beauty School Dropout.” The flashy role, he said, is “a classic fit for a classic performer.”

“It’s a big number, and, you know, I’ve made some pretty grand entrances before,” Hicks told The Associated Press on Thursday. “And this one is probably the grandest entrance I’ve had in my career.”