Two puppies moving into the White House?

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

The Obama family has arrived in Washington, and while most of the news of the day is centered around Sasha and Malia's first day of school, let's not forget about another important item on the family to-do list: choose a puppy. Or puppies, as the case may be.

A source with close ties to the American Kennel Club says that there's a good chance that the first family could ultimately decide to get two dogs at once.

“A dog from a shelter is almost a given, but there's the problem of shedding and Malia's allergies. Getting a second dog at the same time, one that is purebred and has the least chance of shedding, hasn't been ruled out,” says the source. “It's a good solution that will make everyone happy, most of all, Malia.”

Film to fizzle under Obama admin?
Gus Van Sant is prepping audiences to be underwhelmed with his work under the new Obama administration. The "Milk" director told the Times of London that a friendly leader doesn't make for much in the way of edgy fare.

“Art tends to get quite good when the regime is oppressive. The films I've made under friendlier leaders, like Clinton, have become less challenging. With Bush in the White House, my films got darker and more extreme,” Van Sant said. “(Obama's election) suggests I'll get more conventional.” That doesn't explain “Psycho,” which he directed in 1998, but “Good Will Hunting” and “Finding Forrester” definitely qualify as some of his tamer work, both of which were filmed during the Clinton administration.

Up next: an adaptation of Tom Wolfe's “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.”

Aniston finds love in ’09, JLo and Marc split

Slideshow   Way beyond ‘Friends’ Jennifer Aniston’s rise from sitcom sweetheart to tabloid fixture and big screen star. more photos

Even if celebrity astrologists aren't your thing, Susan Miller in 2004 correctly called Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's January 2005 split; in our book that's cause enough to take note when she puts herself out there with more predictions. Among the predictions Miller just shared with AOL: The rumored split between Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony will happen in 2009. Miller says it's Anthony who is the most unhappy, but Lopez might be forced to make a decision soon. “A lunar eclipse in Leo on February 9 will push Lopez to make a decision about her future ... so something will be finalized around that date — very possibly a division of property.”

And we might have to retire “sad, lonely” as a prefix to Jennifer Aniston's name. Miller says beginning Jan. 5, Aniston will begin a “decade-long cycle that will bring enormous happiness in just about every part of life — from her career and finances to her home life and health. Perhaps most importantly, 2009 is Aniston's best year to fall head over heels in love. She should use her time carefully, for this is once-in-a-lifetime romantic opportunity.”

Even Australia not interested in ‘Australia’
The final box office numbers for 2008 are in and not even Australians seemed to get very excited about “Australia.” The Nicole Kidman/Hugh Jackman flick came in 10th for the year with $16.6 million in earnings Down Under. By comparison, “Australia” came in 56th place in the U.S., according to Box Office Mojo, with a meager $46.6 million take since it opened in November '08. So my question is this: Can we please stop referring to Kidman as an A-lister now? “The Hours” in 2002 and "Cold Mountain" in 2003 were well received, but since then, her resume has been pretty thin in terms of box office or critical success. Surely other superlatives are more apt for now — “favorite actress,” or “the lovely” — either would do just fine.

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

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