Kate Gosselin needs paycheck from show

Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Kate Gosselin denied on the TODAY show that participating in “Jon & Kate Plus 8” had anything to do with her marriage falling apart. And while that’s likely accurate, a source says the reality show star is underplaying the role the show plays in keeping her financially afloat.

“She understands that she needs this show for income, to support the kids. The show feeds the interest in her books, and her books just help add more money to the bottom line,” said the source. Gosselin has published two books about her family, "Multiple Bles8ings" and "Eight Little Faces."

Kate actually wishes soon-to-be ex-husband Jon had a keener sense of what was at stake financially, should he turn his back on the show, the source says. Despite rumors that Jon Gosselin and fashion designer Christian Audigier were teaming up on a kid's clothing line, that isn't going to happen, according to the source. "He just got the clothes for free."

“Jon thinks that he’s bigger than ‘Jon & Kate,’ but he isn’t and it’s frustrating to (Kate),” said the source. “He needs to focus and make sure the show does well so the family can be well.”

Oprah show never had a ban on rappers
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” confirms Jay-Z will appear on an upcoming episode, and the booking has launched a slew of rumors asserting that this marks the lifting of the show’s supposed ban on rappers.

“The show never had a ‘ban’ on rappers,” said a rep for Winfrey.

Rumors of an alleged ban go back for 10 years, but it seems clear that Winfrey has no issue with the genre as a whole, but instead with its often misogynistic lyrics. In fact, Winfrey had Russell Simmons on her show in 2007 to discuss the very subject in detail.

Also, there’s no merit to buzz that Jay-Z's appearance is part of a deal that was struck when his wife, Beyonce, appeared on the show last spring. “Totally untrue,” said show reps.

Autopsy results delay gives investigators more time
The L.A. County coroner’s office announced that Michael Jackson’s autopsy results were finished, but would remain under seal at the request of the LAPD.

Slideshow   Celebrity sightings Jennifer Garner and a host of stars celebrate “Valentine’s Day,” Charlie Sheen makes an appearance in court, Sandra Bullock scores a Super souvenir and more. more photos

Why the delay? The investigation into Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, hasn’t been completed yet, according to some law enforcement officials, and more warrants could be carried out this week. Additional doctors may also be included in the investigation.

“The net has been cast wide at this point,” said one law-enforcement source. “Dr. Murray is the focus of the investigation, but he’s by no means the only doctor involved.”

ABC president no fan of Heigl’s whining
Her character on “Grey’s Anatomy,” the cancer-stricken Dr. Izzie Stevens, is already clinging to life, so it would be wise if Katherine Heigl stopped making comments that could be interpreted as whiny.

Case in point: during her July 21 appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Heigl said, “Our first day back was Wednesday and it was — I’m going to keep saying this because I hope it embarrasses them — a 17-hour day, which I think is cruel and mean.”

At the time, this column and numerous other media outlets criticized Heigl’s complaining about her long day, and now ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson has responded, too.

“I think it’s unfortunate,” McPherson told TV critics about Heigl’s comments. "People are going to behave in the way they choose to behave. There are so many people who work so hard on ‘Grey’s,’ and all of our shows, without any notoriety and those are the ones I'd be concerned about, people who feel like they're being criticized or looked down upon.”

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.

Don't miss this on msnbc.com Entertainment Best Bets: Winter Olympics go for the gold When bad movies happen to good actors Black stars don't mean Hollywood is color-blind Bullock or Streep? You rate the Oscar nominees Cast of characters: The mysteries of ‘Lost’ Wannabe ‘Idols,’ listen up! No bikinis, no cowboy hats

MORE FROM THE SCOOP

The Scoop Section Front

Heidi planning steamy Playboy shoot Ellen, Simon ‘have locked horns’ on ‘Idol’ Why no actresses of color on VF cover? Bullock locked in custody battle Baby weight? Celebs scoff at baby weight! The Scoop Section Front   Add The Scoop headlines to your news reader: