J.Lo replaces Brangelina at the Globes

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

There’s been mounting speculation in industry circles that the Oscars are trying to make the Golden Globes increasingly insignificant.

How? By telling presenters that if they make a splashy appearance at the Globes, then their chances of having a similar presence at the big dance in February is less likely.

Enter Jennifer Lopez, who opened the Golden Globes by presenting the first award.

“J.Lo wasn’t the first choice," says a source close to the planning. "They were hoping that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would open the show; it looked good, then all of a sudden, Brad and Angie weren’t interested anymore. J.Lo was happy to do it, and there you go.”

Lopez’s appearance didn’t do much to quell rumors that her marriage is on the rocks. Lopez did not wear her wedding ring while on stage, although her husband Marc Anthony was in the audience.

One Lopez source commented, “if she wanted the rumors to go away, she would have tossed the ring on her hand.”

Will Ferrell show to ‘surprise’
Will Ferrell's one-man Broadway show, “You’re Welcome America: A Night With George Bush” is set to begin previews on inauguration day, Jan. 20.

Executive producer Adam McKay says the show aims to be funny but also hopes to hold the Bush administration’s feet to the fire, according to reports from the recent Television Critics' Association meeting.

Ferrell must be feeling good about his show: the actor isn’t doing much — if any press — leading up to the show’s opening.

His rep says that all press will take place on “an as needed basis” after the show opens.

‘Mad Men’ is moving forward
The “Mad Men” party at the Chateau Marmont was the party of the night on the eve of the Golden Globes — even folks attending the Paramount party nearby were trying to get in, according to several sources who were there.

The good news: according to a well-placed sourced, “Mad Men” creator Matt Weiner is currently working on a contract to stay with the show.

“That’s the goal right now,” says the source. Weiner, according to the source is negotiating with the studio. AMC triggered season three and the actors are definitely locked in.

Tom Cruise hits Hollywood solo

Slideshow   Stars hit Globes red carpet Brad and Angelina give some glamour to the event, Alec Baldwin shares a grin, and Kate and Leo arrive together. more photos

The weekend that wife Katie Holmes’ show, “All My Sons,” was closing on Broadway, Tom Cruise jetted back to L.A. to attend parties leading up to the Golden Globes, where he was nominated in his role in “Tropic Thunder.”

One of the few parties Cruise attended, the party hosted by T: The New York Times Style Magazine at Chateau Marmont.

One onlooker said the actor looked out of place. “There was a while where he was standing on the balcony alone,” said the source.

Cruise brought his mother, Mary Lee Mapother, with him to the show, although he did not walk the red carpet with her. Instead, he walked the carpet with Robert Downey Jr.

Weekend box office
Anyone who’s heard anything I’ve had to say about this year’s award-show contenders knows I'm no fan of Clint Eastwood and his newest film, “Gran Torino.”

So, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that announcing “Gran Torino” is number-one at the box office feels like a white-hot stake through my heart.

I never imagined that four grumbled words — “Get off my lawn” — could drive so many to the theaters. The film made $29 million, whereas my pick, “Bride Wars,” made $21.5 million.

More on Golden Globes | Jennifer Lopez

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

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