Ellen, Rachael Ray tussle over Rosie tribute?

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Is the “Ellen” show worried that “The Rachael Ray” show might be set to deliver a huge ratings punch? Sounds like it.

According to a well-placed source, Telepictures Productions (the company that syndicates “Ellen”) called the “The Rachael Ray” show on May 1, asking that they pull the plug on their much-hyped Rosie O’Donnell tribute show, set to air Friday, May 2.

Telepictures was the production company associated with “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” and according to the source, Telepictures is nervous that if O’Donnell appears on “Rachael Ray” and the show runs old “Rosie O’Donnell Show” footage, their current property, “Ellen,” could be beaten in the ratings by their former property in markets where “Ellen” and Ray compete head to head.

A spokesperson for the Rachael Ray show confirms the report. “Yes we did receive a legal complaint from Telepictures about Rachael Ray’s tribute to Rosie. We think the complaints are invalid and without merit. We stand by the show. And, it will air as scheduled ... May 2.”

The source suggested that Telepictures waited until the last minute in hopes that Ray’s producers would balk, and can their pre-taped tribute to O’Donnell. “It’s unbelievable,” said the source. “They didn’t just want to pull b-roll, they wanted the whole show off the air.”

A spokesperson from Telepictures denied the complaint and said, “We love Rosie and can’t wait to watch the show.”

Mariah wedding rumors a stunt?
There’s a ring and rumors of a small ceremony, but is there really a marriage between Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon? Maybe not, said a source who knows Mariah.

“The lady loves publicity. She’s also got a good sense of humor. If no one gets hurt, why wouldn’t she let the rumors swirl a little while longer and maybe help sales?” said the source.

One thing that doesn’t add up is why Cannon would shell out for a 17-carat, $2.5 million ring if it was all a hoax. Earlier reports speculated that Cannon re-gifted Carey with the ring he originally gave former fiancée, Selita Ebanks, but jeweler Jacob & Co. has since confirmed that the ring is not one and the same.

Reps for Carey and Cannon did not respond to requests for comments.

Richie Sambora looking at the bright side
Richie Sambora pleaded guilty to drunk driving on April 22, and he’s coping with good humor, reports Life & Style. The magazine says that Sambora performed at a party on April 25 (which, ironically was sponsored by a liquor company, Orzel Vodka) at the Las Olas River House in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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At the event, Sambora reportedly made a joke, saying, “On my way here I got pulled over for flying under the influence.” The magazine also reports that Sambora poked fun at his mug shot, saying, “I looked worse than Nick Nolte.”

Former ‘Idol’ weighs in on weight
It’s a strange time when “American Idol” contestants become as known for their outward appearance as they do their music. Past winner Carrie Underwood talks about her weight in the May issue of InStyle, saying, “I’m content with 90 percent of me,” she noted about her comfort with her body.

Since her days on “American Idol” in 2005, Underwood has hired a trainer and dropped four dress sizes, going from a size 8 to a 2. “She came to the show not knowing what Manolo Blahniks were,” an “Idol” insider told OK! magazine. “She won, and it became about what designer she was wearing, how her hair looked and that she was an ‘average-sized girl.’ She hated the mean things people said about her weight, and when stressed, she’d nibble on cookies and chips.”

Carrie told OK!, “I put pressure on myself to look good because I’d look at message boards and people would be like, ‘Carrie’s fat.’” Underwood told friends she started to eat healthier food when she saw herself on TV.

She told In Style: “I think about what I look like probably more than I should. Some days I step out of the shower, put my lotion on and I’ll be like, ‘Ugh, ew, ew.’” She added, “I count calories, fat and fiber. If I put on five pounds, it’s noticed immediately.”

Weekend box office
This weekend is the official start of the summer box-office season, and “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey Jr., looks to be the weekend’s likely winner. Why will it beat Patrick Dempsey’s “Made of Honor”? First of all, we might love Dempsey on “Grey’s Anatomy,” but we don’t love him on the big screen. (I know, “Enchanted” was a huge hit, but it wasn’t up to Dempsey to carry that film, so it doesn’t count.) Also, film plots aside, people really want to see Downey do well. He was a beloved and acclaimed artist before his downward spiral into addiction. Now that he’s pulled through, cleaned up his act, gotten married and is back to work, people are really pulling for him.

Don’t forget …
May 2 is a big television day: Tom Cruise returns to “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in the first of two episodes about his life, and Rosie O’Donnell makes her first return to daytime television since leaving “The View” last year. She’ll be appearing on the “Rachael Ray Show.”

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