Ashlee Simpson shows some skin in shoot

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Everyone has been wondering why Ashlee Simpson continues to be so coy about confirming her pregnancy — she remained mum even after Ellen DeGeneres rubbed her belly during a recent appearance. Part of the reason for staying mum, perhaps, is that she’s featured on the cover of Shape magazine in a string bikini and looking as toned as ever.

Ironic or just awkward, you be the judge, but Simpson told the magazine, “Now I’m in shape. I never thought I’d be on the cover of a magazine in a bikini but now is the time and place to show the world how I’m feeling about myself.”

Interestingly, Simpson left her fiancé, Pete Wentz, out of the interview entirely, but she did show signs of domesticity when she revealed her desire to become a better cook. Once a month, she and her girlfriends have dinner parties and everyone makes a dish. “Last month my friend showed us how to make the most delicious glazed carrots to go with baked chicken,” she told Shape.

More babies for J.Lo
Jennifer Lopez has quite a bit to juggle these days between her twins and a reality show, but that doesn’t mean she’s ruling out having more kids.

“All her life Jennifer has dreamed of having children,” said the insider. “She always talked about wanting four kids, and she used to make up names for them,” a source close to Lopez told Life & Style magazine. “Now that she knows she and Marc can make such beautiful babies, she can’t wait to get started on the next round,” said the insider.

Amber Tamblyn dates up (in age)

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No one is judging, but there is another member of the you-are-dating-a-man-almost-twice-your-age club. “Joan of Arcadia” star Amber Tamblyn agrees! The actress, 24, is dating “Arrested Development’s” David Cross, who is 44.

“It’s not something they’re hiding,” an insider told In Touch. On April 17, David went to Amber’s poetry reading in New York. “She waited for David before going onstage,” the insider said.

On April 15, the two got cozy at New York’s Pink Elephant.

Weekend box office
There are three wide releases slated to hit the big screen this weekend. “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” promises to attract slackers from near and far, and opens in an impressive 2,400 theaters. “Deception” is the only new thriller of the weekend. It stars big names such as Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams, but there hasn’t been an impressive-enough publicity push to make this one a winner, I think. Finally, Tina Fey’s new comedy, “Baby Mama,” opens this weekend. With 2,500 theaters carrying the film and the movie’s broad appeal, “Baby Mama” seems like the shoo-in for No. 1, even if it only squeaks by “Harold and Kumar.”

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com.

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