Michael Jackson has asked the media to respect his privacy and that of his children - as he awaits trial on child abuse charges. The star - who is residing in an exclusive Florida mansion where the media has also descended in full force - has requested privacy while he prepares for his trial on child abuse charges to begin. In a post on his website, the 45-year-old writes: "There are helicopters hovering above my residence, reporters staking out, and photographers lurking behind bushes. I am respectfully requesting that media organizations please respect my privacy and that of my children. I greatly appreciate your cooperation." The controversial singer has dismissed the child molestation accusations leveled against him as a "big lie" aimed at extorting money from him. He is expected to enter a 'not guilty' plea at a court hearing on Friday - on seven charges of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, and two counts of plying the boy with alcohol in order to seduce him at his Neverland ranch in California.

Paris Hilton's notorious X-rated video tape made with ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon is set to be released in video rental outlets. Los-Angeles based porn production company Red Light District Video is releasing the 45-minute-long movie, charmingly entitled One Night In Paris, for distribution on June 15. Red Light claim its version - which is seven minutes longer than that seen on the internet - will include never-before-seen scenes of the May 2001 romp and footage of the hotel heiress partying in a nightclub. Hilton family lawyer David Rudich says he is "constrained" from discussing the new plans to distribute the video. The star of reality TV show The Simple Life has already sued a Panama- based internet company for $30 million for violating her privacy by originally distributing the video. She claims the sex-tape was "intended only for personal use".

Alias hunk Michael Vartan found auditions for his role as Jennifer Lopez's fiance in upcoming comedy Monster-In-Law more nerve wracking than usual - because J.Lo had to approve him before he could be cast. The French-born actor will star as Jane Fonda's son in the movie, which is scheduled to begin filming in Los Angeles next month, and waiting for Lopez's seal of approval was all too much for him to bear. He says, "She had just gotten off a plane from Miami and rushed from the LA airport to meet me. It was one of those situations where the director said I'd get the job as long as I didn't vomit on her shoes, because I was so nervous. But she made me feel so comfortable." Lopez approved and Vartan was cast that same night.

Courtney Love has been hit with yet more troubles - managers at her exclusive New York City condominium are seeking monies, claiming she hasn't paid her bills since September. According to Court TV's Smoking Gun, a March 31 notice of lien recorded with the city's Department Of Finance shows she now owes close to $18,000 in common charges, late fees and other costs. The former Hole frontwoman, 39, bought the apartment - in the SoHo building where rocker Lenny Kravitz owns a penthouse - for $2.64 million in 2001. The widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is currently fighting felony drug charges in California.

Former Party Of Five pin-up Jeremy London is in legal trouble after being arrested on suspicion of vandalism, marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. The actor, who also appeared in Mallrats and Gods & Generals, was arrested on April 6 after motorists in California reported him to police when they saw him arguing with a friend by the side of a highway. The 31-year-old was taken into police custody and released on bail, but faces an arraignment hearing on May 6. Police determined London's license had been suspended for driving under the influence, and officers allegedly found marijuana in his possession. London was also suspected of vandalizing his friend's phone.

Hollywood beauty Scarlett Johansson was spotted cavorting with hunky actor Jared Leto in Los Angeles last week - sparking rumors of a split with long-term boyfriend Patrick Wilson. The Lost In Translation star is reportedly still with her actor boyfriend yet one onlooker who saw them together at Chateau Marmont thought differently. The onlooker says, "They arrived in Jared's Porsche and were laughing and giggling. They seemed very close and couldn't take their eyes off each other. The pair had a quick drink before getting back in his car and speeding off, they drove straight down Sunset Boulevard in full view of everyone."

Lord Of The Rings director Peter Jackson has shocked Hollywood by tentatively agreeing to take over the harrowing tale of a teenage rape and murder victim after director Lynne Ramsay walked out. The Oscar-winning New Zealand-based movie maker, who will film King Kong later this year, is negotiating with producers to make Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones his next project. The story is narrated by the dead girl from heaven as she follows her family's attempts to deal with her gruesome death and the efforts of a detective to solve the case.

British Hollywood star Orlando Bloom was rushed off set amid suspected terror attacks whilst filming Ridley Scott's new film Kingdom Of Heaven. The 27-year-old actor who was shooting in Morocco when he had to be ushered to safety after blasts were heard. An insider says, "We all thought it was a bomb at first, we were terrified. Orlando, director Ridley Scott and the rest of the crew were evacuated immediately." The Lord Of The Rings star was quickly back on-set after a fire was discovered containing three bottles of liquid. The insider continued, "A smoldering fire was discovered among storage equipment, we're still waiting to hear the results of the investigation."

A former writer's assistant on sitcom Friends has been given the go-ahead to re- sue the show's producers for sexual and racial harassment. Amaani Lyle claims she was subjected to offensive comments while she worked on the show in 1999 but a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed the suit in 2002. Now, an appeals court has reinstated the lawsuit in part, ruling that there was no reason to warrant a dismissal. However, the appeals court panel refused to reinstate Lyle's claim she was fired because of her color and her sex.

Quentin Tarantino has rubbished sixties James Bond spoof Casino Royale, which he plans on remaking. The Kill Bill: Vol 2 director, 41, has issued a blistering attack on the 1967 tongue-in-cheek film starring the late David Niven for spoiling the memory of the Bond legacy - even though he is in talks with Pierce Brosnan to "remake" it. Tarantino says, "Well, although I say remake, you can barely call that sixties version a Bond film. It was stupid. Everything about it was awful. The guy who played Bond (Niven) was so cheesy it was pathetic. I think it's sad and almost ironic that you have this spectacular franchise and yet the first Ian Fleming book, the beginning of the 007 legacy, was given such shabby treatment."