Actress Nicole Kidman has asked a court to serve a restraining order on two photographers after a listening device was discovered near a security van monitoring her Sydney, Australia, home. Lawyer Roland Day confirmed his client Jamie Fawcett and an unnamed colleague had been notified by Sydney's Waverly Local Court that an application lodged by the Birth star would be heard today. The bug was discovered as security staff made provisions for Kidman's return to her Sydney home as she prepares to begin filming new movie Eucalyptus. Chief bodyguard Neil McMaster said on Monday he has "conclusive proof" the bug had been planted to monitor conversations between Kidman and her security team. But Day argues, "Ms. Kidman appears to be trying to control how the media covers her personal and public life." The Oscar winner's father Antony told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday, "She's concerned that people will not let her alone - she's here to make a film, she wants to promote Australia and she's almost a prisoner in her own house as a result. I would be very pleased if people would just let her get on with her life - she makes herself available for pictures in many instances."

Sexy actress Jennifer Garner has declared her latest movie Elektra "awful" - according to her ex-boyfriend Michael Vartan. Us Weekly reports that Vartan, who briefly dated his Alias costar in 2003, still maintains a friendship with Garner, who reportedly told him her Daredevil spin-off wasn't her proudest piece of work. In an interview with the publication, Vartan is quoted as saying, "I heard (Elektra) was awful. (Jennifer) called me and told me it was awful. She had to do it because of Daredevil. It was in her contract." Vartan, who claims in the interview he only dated Garner for a month and a half, also insists he has no problem with seeing pictures of his ex-girlfriend with Ben Affleck on the magazine covers - even though he still loves her "to death". He adds, "Why would it be weird? I don't know Ben. I don't know how happy they are."

The mystery woman accusing funnyman Bill Cosby of sexual assault has been revealed - by her own parents. Canadian basketball player Andrea Constand's folks went to the Toronto Sun in a bid to support their daughter's claims that Cosby was allegedly inappropriate with her a year ago. The 31-year-old former Temple University, Pennsylvania, employee claims Cosby took her back to his Philadelphia area home after meeting her in a restaurant, drugged her and then touched her breast. She admits details of what happened are hazy but she remembers waking up at 4am with her clothing in disarray. And now her parents, Andy and Gianna Constand, are backing up her allegations in the Sun, stating Cosby was "a great friend and mentor" and that their daughter has been left "shattered" by his betrayal. Andy Constand says, "Sometimes people make bad choices and he (Cosby) obviously did... Justice has to prevail." The Constands claim their daughter waited a year to file a complaint against Cosby, because she was unaware of the ethical boundaries Cosby used while massaging her, until she started training to become a masseuse in Toronto suburb Pickering last summer. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania prosecutors have confirmed they want to interview the entertainer to discuss Constand's complaints.

Former teen pop idol Deborah Gibson is set to finally shed her clean-cut image, after reportedly posing for Playboy magazine. The 34-year-old singer and actress, who has starred in Broadway shows such as Cabaret and Grease since moving away from the pop world, had previously refused requests to shed her clothing for the cameras. In a 2001 interview with newspaper USA Today she said, "I was born in the wrong era. I'm not comfortable with showing everyone everything. I never say never though. I've said I'd never get a tattoo and I got one." According to American columnist Liz Smith, Gibson's spread in the March issue of Playboy will hit American news stands on February 11.

Robert Blake's murdered wife signed a prenuptial agreement that meant she risked losing custody of the couple's daughter if she called their wedding off, the jury in Blake's murder trial were told yesterday. Bonny Lee Bakley signed an "abusive and controlling" agreement after proving beyond doubt the 71-year-old was the father of her child - against the wishes of her legal adviser. Bakley's former lawyer, Cary Goldstein, told the Los Angeles court the document in question stated if Blake or Bakley caused their wedding to be called off, the other party would take sole custody of their daughter Rosie - now four. The agreement also stipulated that, if she lost custody of her child, Bakley would only be given permission to see her in the presence of a court-appointed chaperone, and her family would be prevented from entering Blake's property. The prosecution bench called Goldstein to the stand to add further weight to their assertion Blake killed his wife because he didn't want her to raise their child. Blake stands accused of killing his wife outside Vitello's restaurant in Studio City, Los Angeles, in 2001.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz has hired her first bodyguard - after two men attacked her on Sunday in an unsuccessful attempt to steal her handbag. The Vanilla Sky star was in the back of a Mercedes in Paris, France when the pair tried to shatter the passenger window to rob her, reports British newspaper The Sun. But her chauffeur fortunately sped away from the men, while Cruz allegedly sobbed in the back seat. An insider says, "Penelope cried all the way back to the hotel. She was very frightened. One of the men had a large rock and was ramming it on the glass. How it didn't smash was a miracle."

Blade star Wesley Snipes' request for a federal judge to cancel an arrest warrant stemming from an Indiana paternity case was rejected yesterday. US District Judge Loretta Preska threw out Snipes' suit asking her to nullify a warrant for his arrest in New York City, stating she had no jurisdiction in the state court matter. The actor's suit, filed last month in New York's Manhattan federal court, sought a ruling invalidating the warrant issued by a New York family court judge. Since Snipes lives in Florida, the New York court has no jurisdiction, the actor's lawyer argued. The warrant stemmed from a paternity suit filed in Indiana by a woman who claimed Snipes fathered her young son. In his suit, Snipes said the woman was a mentally ill former crack addict who has made similar claims against other celebrities.

Pop superstar Madonna has turned down an offer from British comic Ricky Gervais to appear in his new TV comedy Extras. Gervais, who starred in and created cult show The Office, has already landed homegrown actors Jude Law and Kate Winslet, while Hollywood stars Ben Stiller and Samuel L Jackson have also confirmed cameo appearances. Each big name actor will be cast as themselves in their own episode of the new BBC comedy series, about film extras chasing their big break. However, the Material Girl refuses to play herself and will only agree to appear in the show if a character is developed for her.

Movie veteran Robert Redford never contemplated leaving America if George W Bush was reelected in November, because he believes in standing up and not shying away from his political beliefs. The actor - a staunch Democrat supporter - was reported to have vowed he would move to Ireland if Republican Bush beat Senator John Kerry to win a second term in the White House. But Redford contends, "It wasn't true... I love Ireland, I have family heritage in Ireland, but I'm an American. I love it here and I'm not leaving just because of some barking dog on the TV. I'm not going to do that. We are who we are and we're not going to shy away from something we need to stand up for."