Scoop: For Ryan Seacrest, show must go on

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

The Dec. 16 premiere of “Momma’s Boys,” brought to you by Ryan Seacrest Productions, was in danger of being blocked. A Turkish reality show claimed that the NBC show “willfully appropriated” the format of “The Perfect Bride,” which aired in Turkey in 2004.

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"Momma's Boys" features three single men looking for love, with the caveat that the mothers of the three men get to weigh in on potential brides.

"Perfect Bride," which has been a hit in Turkey and other countries, also involves mothers of unmarried men having a say in the women their sons choose to date. Evans Anyanwu, the lawyer who filed the suit in Manhattan Federal Court,  said, “It's like me having a talent show and saying: We're going to pick the next 'American Idol.' "

Never fear though, “Momma’s Boys” saw the light of day.

According to an NBC rep on Tuesday, "NBC prevailed in court this morning in a copyright and trademark lawsuit over NBC's new reality show "Momma's Boys." The judge in the federal court in New York rejected the plaintiffs' request to prevent "Momma's Boys" from premiering tonight. NBC will seek dismissal of the case.”

Reps for Ryan Seacrest had no comment.

Affleck seeks aid for Congo
Ben Affleck continues to spread the word about the humanitarian crisis in the Congo.

The actor appeared at the United Nations Dec. 17 to publicize the film about the suffering. The film, which he directed, “Gimme Shelter,” was shot last month in the North Kivu region of the Congo, and is set to the Rolling Stones song of the same name.

Affleck has made four low-key visits to the area since 2007. “I directed this video for (the UN Refugee Agency) to focus attention on the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo at a time when much of the world is indifferent or looking the other way,” said Affleck.

Don’t cry for T.R. Knight
“Grey’s Anatomy” star T.R. Knight might not be leaving the show (yet) but he’s left the country.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson meet “Marley”; Jack Black heats up. more photos

Knight was spotted Dec. 16 at the gravesite of Argentine legend Eva Peron in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta Cemetery.

At least one fan asked for a picture, and Knight obliged. “He posed with a woman who asked him in English with a Spanish accent if he would pose with her, and he was kind," says an eyewitness. "He bent over to look at a scraggly kitty that was lying in the scorching sun. Then he disappeared.” 

Lisa Rinna as Lucille Ball?
Wondering what to expect with Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin’s new realty show?

“We’re shooting a takeoff on ‘I Love Lucy,’” Rinna told Us Weekly. “It’s called 'I Love Lisa,' and we hope TV Land picks it up! Harry’s so levelheaded, and I’m not. We always thought that’d be funny TV. We’re such opposites,” Rinna told the mag.

Celebrity Sightings
N.Y.
Donatella Versace shopped at Upper Echelon Shoes boutique Dec. 6. … On Dec. 10, Lisa Ling enjoyed cocktails and appetizers with girlfriends at the Empire Hotel Rooftop.

L.A.
On Dec. 12, Lauren Conrad was snacking on a Kiss My Bundt dessert at the Pepsi Holiday House in the Hollywood Hills. … On Dec. 11, Jamie Foxx had a pre-birthday bash at Ecco with Busta Rhymes, Jermaine Dupri and Paris Hilton. That same night, Camp Freddy rockers Dave Navarro and Mark McGrath grabbed dinner at Katana. Also on Dec. 11, Vanessa Minnillo (sans boyfriend Nick Lachey, who was in Cincinnati) stopped by the Hotnitos Midnight in the Garden of Agave party at the Smog Shop. … Dec. 10, AnnaLynne McCord shopped at Armani Exchange on Sunset. … Dec. 8 Ryan Seacrest was spotted dining at the Ivy with some of the female contestants of his new series, “Momma’s Boys.” (See lead item!)

More on Ryan Seacrest | Ben Affleck

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

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