Executives at TV network ABC are have slammed Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur at the Golden Globe Awards as "unacceptable." Washington stunned cast mates in the press room at the awards show on Monday, when he insisted he never used the word "f****t" to describe gay co-star TR Knight during an on-set spat last year. ABC issued a statement Thursday saying, "We have a long-standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed." Knight told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres Tuesday that he had, in fact, referred to him as a "f****t" during a scuffle with co-star Patrick Dempsey on the set last year. Fans of the medical drama are also on the attack - in an internet petition, which was sent to ABC bosses Wednesday - over 8,000 viewers asked TV executives to fire Washington.

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has been praised in the US House of Representatives for her Golden Globe Award win and work raising the profile of Latinos. Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis from California took to the floor of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday to publicly salute the star. Solis said, "Madame Speaker, I rise today to congratulate American Ferrera for winning the Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy for her work in ABC show Ugly Betty. Through her work, Ms. Ferrera is breaking down barriers for Latinos in prime-time television. I commend America and everyone involved in Ugly Betty for helping to break down stereotypes and provide a role model for young Latinas." The 22-year-old star is the daughter of Honduran immigrants and was raised by her mother in Woodland Hills, California.

A group of Muslim activists who challenged 24 bosses over the show's portrayal of Islamic terrorists two seasons ago are attacking the program again. Officials at the Council on American-Islamic Relations met with producers back in 2005 when the 24 plot revolved around Muslim fundamentalists, and now they're upset again because the new season seems to portray members of their religion in the same shady light. Council spokesman Rabiah Ahmed says, "The overwhelming impression you get is fear and hatred for Muslims. After watching the premiere, I was afraid to go to the grocery store because I wasn't sure the person next to me would be able to differentiate between fiction and reality." The activists urged the show's bosses to meet with them again, but this time only succeeded in bringing them around a table for a conference call. Following original meetings in 2005, 24 star Kiefer Sutherland appeared in a TV commercial urging viewers not to assume all Muslims were like the terrorists portrayed in his series.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is backing director Martin Scorsese to win an Oscar for The Departed, and finds it ridiculous the film-maker has never won an Academy Award. Despite making acclaimed movies including Taxi Driver, Mean Streets and Raging Bull during his four-decade long career, Scorsese has never won an Oscar, and DiCaprio insists the snub is "almost a practical joke." The 32-year-old actor, who has starred in Scorsese movies Gangs Of New York, The Aviator and The Departed, says, "It would be wonderful if this film was rewarded, I think it very much deserves it. And I certainly think (Scorsese) does. It's quite long overdue, almost a practical joke at this point that that hasn't happened." However, Scorsese admits he doesn't expect to win the Oscar, saying, "I learned a long time ago, with Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, that you can't make a film to get the golden statue. And if you try it doesn't work."

Talk show superstar Oprah Winfrey has topped the first Forbes magazine Richest Women Entertainers List. The big business publication estimates the media mogul has made a staggering $1.5 billion in her career as a newscaster, talk show host, publisher and actress. Winfrey tops Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix author JK Rowling, who comes in second with a $1 billion fortune, while US lifestyle queen Martha Stewart rounds out the top three with $638 million. Madonna ranks fourth on the new list, followed by Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston.

Lindsay Lohan's mother has spoken out about the pride she feels for her daughter after the actress/singer checked into a Los Angeles rehab facility. Dina Lohan insists she is proud of her daughter for making the courageous decision to get help for her personal issues. The Mean Girls star announced Wednesday that she had checked into a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles. Her mom tells US publication the Star, "I'm so proud of her. She's really in a good place right now, spiritually and mentally. She's in an amazing, phenomenal place. She's 20 and she's solid, and she's doing what she needs to do. I don't know that many people who are that secure. It's all about her, and getting back on track. She's fine - she's amazingly fine."

Mel Gibson fought to contain his anger when he faced a barrage of criticism over his movie Apocalypto at its Mexico City premiere on Monday. The movie star initially pulled out of plans to attend the screening after Latin American history groups slated the film and the way it portrayed the savagery of the ancient Mayans. And when he attended the premiere, local journalists were keen to ask him about the criticism leveled at him and his film. Gibson simply said, "People who criticize the movie should do their homework. I did." But it was one curious hack who really upset Gibson, when he suggested the director had fallen out with a consultant on Apocalypto after he openly criticized the finished product. The movie star hissed, "He criticized it (the film) positively and constructively and I worked with him, so we know what's between us. So, don't you try and get in the middle of it. You're a troublemaker, my friend."

James Brown's partner Tomi Rae Hynie and five-year-old child were not named as beneficiaries in his will filed on Thursday in Georgia. The document, which was filed in Aiken County, names six children and calls for many household possessions to be divided among them. The bequest was signed 10 months before the birth of Brown's five-year-old son. The singer intentionally failed to provide for "any other relatives or persons whether claiming, or to claim, to be an heir of mine or not." Brown died of heart failure in an Atlanta hospital on Christmas morning at the age of 73. According to Brown's attorney and trustee Buddy Dallas, most of the singer's larger assets are in an irrevocable trust separate from his will. Brown's body remains sealed in a gold casket in a temperature controlled room at this home awaiting burial. Hynie's attorney, Robert Rosen, said on Wednesday he will sue and ask a court to rule Hynie was legally married Brown and is entitled to half his estate.

CSI: Miami star David Caruso and his wife of eight years, Margaret, have finalized their divorce - two-and-half years after they separated. The couple married in May 1996 and split in June 2004. According to American publication People, Margaret will receive $2.7 million, as well as a portion of the actor's residuals from CSI. Caruso, 51, will keep two properties in Florida and one in California, as well as a Mercedes-Benz and a Bentley, while Margaret will keep a 2004 Range Rover, furniture and other items. In addition, her name will be restored to Margaret Elizabeth Buckley.

Lost star Evangeline Lilly is philosophical about losing her possessions in a December blaze at her home in Hawaii, because the tragedy was a blessing in disguise. The actress, who plays castaway Kate in the hit desert island drama, was renting home in Kailua, Hawaii which was destroyed by fire last month. The star lost everything she owned in the blaze, but insists it wasn't all bad. She says, "Fire is the greatest purifier and it feels really good. It feels really pure to have no possessions. It's kind of a fun place to be at."