Madonna’s speedy divorce was no surprise

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

The quick resolution of Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s divorce came as a surprise to many, but not to those who are close to the Material Girl.

“Her head has been in another place for quite some time," says a source who is friendly with the singer. "It’s not fair to Guy, to the kids, to drag it out for any reason. Luckily Guy has been on the same page and is making this relatively easy for everyone involved.”

A fellow Kabbalah practitioner doesn’t see the situation in quite the same positive light, however.

“This wasn’t doing Kabbalah any favors — the divorce, the A-Rod relationship — she needed to put this behind her for the sake of Kabbalah, too,” says the Kabbalah source.

As for Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez’s involvement in the religion: “He’s been meeting with some of the most important Kabbalah advisors. It’s safe to say if he’s in Madonna’s life, Kabbalah will be a major part of his,” says the source.

Let it go, Rosie
In the course of doing press for her upcoming variety show, Rosie O’Donnell took shots at her former employer, “The View,” alleging that not all was as friendly as the hosts make it out to be.

Video   ‘The View’ feud continues Nov. 21: Rosie O’Donnell is feuding with her former colleagues on “The View.” NBC’s Jeff Rossen reports. Today show

A source close to O’Donnell is baffled by O’Donnell’s instance on dredging up any conflict that might have taken place.

“Let it go, already,” says the source. “She was on the show two years ago. This shouldn’t be a talking point any more, you’d think even she would be bored by it. She’s got all these other projects — not just this show — yet she insists on dwelling on her ‘View’ days. Even her friends are getting tired of it,” says the source.

I see dead ticket sales
Seeing dead people would be a step up for “The Sixth Sense” star Haley Joel Osment — he’s all grown up now and making his Broadway debut in “American Buffalo,” but for the most part he and his co-stars John Leguizamo and Cedric the Entertainer are seeing empty seats.

Ticket sales across the Great White Way have been slumping somewhat because of the economy, but sales for “American Buffalo,” the show, which opened Nov. 17, are so poor that producers have already posted a provisional closing notice for this Sunday, Nov. 23.

Michael Phelps, off the market?

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Kevin Jonas ponders his answer, Heidi Klum Ushers in a new fashion show, and more. more photos

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps might have told People magazine in their Sexiest Man Alive issue that his “mom is by far the most important woman” in his life, but Life & Style reports that there might be a close second, at least.

The magazine says that Phelps flew to Birmingham to see former Miss Alabama Doree Walker, who he met in Las Vegas shortly after winning his eight gold medals.

“Doree picked him up at the airport,” an insider told Life & Style, “and that night they had dinner at Highlands Bar & Grill.” The next day, says the insider, the duo checked out the animals at the Birmingham Zoo and ate dinner at the Birmingham Country Club: “They looked quite cozy. Things seem to be heating up.”

Weekend box office
The majority of the weekend box office hype might be surrounding teen flick “Twilight,” but that doesn’t mean that the vampire flick is the only game in town.

“Bolt” opens up as well, and early estimates have the kids' movie raking in a solid $40 million — that’s nothing to shrug at.

As for “Twilight” — expect final returns in the $60 million range — anything less will be considered a disappointment for the studio. And Bond fans: “Quantum” should round out the top three.

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

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