It's official: Piers Morgan is replacing Larry King on CNN. The network is launching a primetime interview program in January hosted by the America's Got Talent judge.

He said in a statement on Wednesday, "I am thrilled to be joining CNN, and very much looking forward to bringing my own style of interviewing to the world's biggest, and best, TV news organization. As a young journalist in Britain, I watched CNN's astonishing live coverage of the 1991 Gulf War, and felt enthralled by the courage and brilliance of the journalists involved in that coverage. Years later, I watched Anderson Cooper's visceral reports from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and felt equally enthralled by his passionate and relentless search for the truth. Perhaps most pertinently, I have watched Larry King Live for much of the last 25 years, and dreamed of one day filling the legendary suspenders of the man I consider to be the greatest TV interviewer of them all."

Morgan was previously the editor of the UK's Daily Mirror and hosts the interview series, Piers Morgan's Life Stories. The Hollywood Reporter announced that he'll continue on as host of Life Stories and as a judge on America's Got Talent.

He recently confirmed the AGT extension, saying, "Well obviously the only thing that would stop me is the potential horror of having to sit next to Howie Mandel for four more months. But once I've got over that terrifying prospect, then the answer is that I will definitely 100% be back judging Americas Got Talent."

Morgan said that his ideal first guest would be President Obama, explaining, "I think Obama is someone who is going through a pretty tough time. Outside of America, people love him."

As for his predecessor, Piers said, "The guy's a legend. I'm not going to try and replace Larry King. I'm about trying to just do my thing. I'm not afraid of breaking news. I can go from light to shocking."

King's last day will be December 16th.

The man who tried to blackmail David Letterman is trying to get back into the TV business. Robert "Joe" Halderman, who was released from jail last week after serving four months of a six-month sentence, is ready to put the matter behind him and move on with his life.

Halderman's lawyer said, "His plan for the future is to simply re-enter the world of news and television since that's been his whole life, and his prospects look good to get back. Some doors may be shut, but he's very talented."

Halderman was nominated for an Emmy this year for his work on an episode of CBS' 48 Hours Mystery. It's unclear whether or not he'll attend the September 27th awards presentation.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that Halderman's plea agreement prohibits him from disclosing anything about the Letterman incident, but there's nothing that prohibits him from re-entering the TV industry -- unless Letterman actively tries to block him. His lawyer, however, said that's unlikely. He explained, "It's in the best interests of everyone involved to put this matter behind and move on."

There's a report going around the internet claiming Paris Hilton is teaming up with Charlie Sheen's estranged wife, Brooke Mueller, for a new reality show. TMZ reported that Hilton will star alongside several others -- including Brooke --in a lifestyle-themed show.

Brooke's rep Elliot Mintz confirmed to TMZ that his client is attending an "intensive, physical fitness program in Southern California."

He noted that she's not in rehab or any type of "stress management facility."

RACHEL DRATCH WELCOMES A SON: Rachel Dratch is a mommy! The former Saturday Night Live star gave birth to a son named Eli in New York City on August 24th. A source told People, "She's doing great and the baby's doing great. She's healthy and really happy!" Dratch recently said that there's a "crazy story" behind her pregnancy, however she's declined to reveal it. She explained, "I've always been kind of private. So then I'm like, 'Why do I need to tell people?' I would want to know but . . ."

MICHAEL DOUGLAS DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP CANCER A SECRET: Michael Douglas's light interview on The Late Show last week probably came as no surprise to his loved ones, because they knew the actor never intended to keep quiet about his cancer battle. He told Parade.com, "Not going public with having cancer was not much of an option, even if I had objected. When you are a celebrity, nothing remains secret for very long. If it helps bring attention, then that is a major upside to this whole thing. Millions of families are going through the same thing my family and I are now going through. If I can bring any relief or encouragement, that's the good news." He's dealing with the stage four diagnosis well, explaining, "Life is not all ha-ha-ha. But I'm in good spirits. I'm an optimistic guy. Nothing has deterred me from my belief that I am going to beat this. My doctors' prognosis is for a full recovery. I have no reason to doubt them."

MARY HART THREW JEALOUS FIT? Mary Hart is reportedly bitter about leaving Entertainment Tonight after 29 years -- and is directing her anger at The Insider's Lara Spencer, who is supposedly in contention for the job. The New York Post reports that Spencer recently misspoke on a red carpet, calling herself the host of Entertainment Tonight. When Hart saw the footage, a source says, "She completely lost it and tossed her coffee at the screen." Reps for the show denied the incident took place.

MEL GIBSON NAMED IN LAWSUIT DRAMA: The policeman who arrested Mel Gibson in 2006 and reported the actor's drunken, anti-Semitic rant is suing the County of Los Angeles for alleged discrimination and harassment. TMZ reports that Deputy James Mee claims he was "unjustly denied" a promotion for leaking the story. He also says he was instructed by his superiors to rewrite his initial report of the arrest -- omitting the slurs. He says that he's been subject to repeated disciplinary action ever since complaining that Gibson received preferential treatment. He's asking for an undisclosed sum.

MARTHA STEWART SUED: A wine company is suing Martha Stewart, claiming she sold a cheap product with them in a bid to tarnish the company's product and boost sales of her own wine range with E&J Gallo winery. In papers obtained by TMZ, Vampire Vineyards executives state that Martha is out "to disparage and tarnish wine brands by portraying a mock label of Vampire Vineyards affixed to cheap, nondescript wine and spirits products."

Jane Fonda looks great at 72 -- and she admits she's had help. The star told Entertainment Tonight, "I recently had plastic surgery. It was a hard decision to make, and I decided if I'm going to do it, I'm going to tell the truth. I'm writing a book about aging, so I can't write that book and not say I've had plastic surgery."

She added, "And you know, I just decided it was for me -- I don't want to have bags under my eyes that make me look tired, and so forth and so on."

Fonda, who has two new fitness DVDs coming out, said the key to her youthful look is, "I'm careful about how I eat. I stay active. I walk a lot. I have good genes -- and money."

Exercise, she noted, is a necessity: "I have a new hip. I have a new knee, and I'm going to soon be bionic. If I don't stay active my body stops functioning."

JUDGE DENIES DEBBIE ROWE'S REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY FEES FROM MJ ESTATE: Reports say that Debbie Rowe's request for nearly $200,000 for attorney's fees from Michael Jackson's estate was denied by a judge yesterday (September 8th) in a Los Angeles courtroom. According to RadarOnline.com, as previously reported, Rowe sought the money for attorneys fees related to the costs she incurred last year regarding custody issues after MJ died. Attorney Eric George represented Rowe on the custody matters relating to MJ's two oldest kids, Prince Michael and Paris. Rowe and George walked away with nothing as the judge ruled there was no law permitting George to obtain fees from MJ's estate in this situation.

MIKE TYSON EXPECTING EIGHTH CHILD: Reports say that Mike Tyson is expecting his eighth child. According to The New York Daily News, the former boxing champ's wife Lakiha Spicer is five months pregnant with a baby boy.

RON ARTEST PULLED OVER FOR DRIVING A GO-CART AROUND L.A.: NBA star Ron Artest was pulled over in L.A. on Tuesday (September 7th) for driving a go-cart. According to TMZ.com, Artest was cited because the registration on the cart had expired. Sources say that Artest seem pleasant throughout the ordeal and cops were happy because he was wearing a helmet.

BLACK COMEDIAN ADDED TO THE CAST OF SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Comedian and YouTube sensation Jay Pharoah has been added as a cast member to kick off the 36th season of Saturday Night Live. Jay will be the first black cast member added since 2003. The new season of SNL premiers on September 25th.

Jay Pharoah impresonates Will Smith: http://tinyurl.com/y8oy79j

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was in court on Wednesday, where she pleaded guilty to "disturbing the quiet enjoyment of the beach" while at the Jersey Shore on July 30th. In return for the plea, the disorderly conduct charge and criminally annoying charge against her were dismissed.

Although the judge berated Snooki, calling her a "Lindsay Lohan wannabe," he let her off with two days of community service and a $533 fine.

He scolded her, saying, "Your actions, you seem to be acting like a Lindsay Lohan want to be in this matter, going through life rude, profane, obnoxious, and self-indulgent, is not the way you want to live your life. Hopefully this incident will impress upon you there are consequences to your actions."

Snooki told the judge that her drunken antics were not an act for Jersey Shore and offered a public apology to those she offended. She said, "I would like to apology to anyone was hurt. I would like to apologize to the Seaside cops. This is not like me and I haven't been in this situation before."

She tweeted after leaving court, "Ah never again! So scary. thank you judge for understanding, I'm very thankful for that! Whew. now I can breath!"

SNOOKI NEVER HAD A BOYFRIEND?

Despite Jeff Miranda's incessant relationship interviews and marriage proposal -- Snooki insists she's been single for the past couple of months.

She tweeted, "I've been tweet deprived!! And for the record, I have been single this whole summer. These guys are just bein ultimate creepers.. BlEh !"

Danielle Staub isn't being coy now that she's not a Real Housewife anymore. The former reality star, who has teased fans about her relationship with singing partner Lori Michaels for months, came clean about her sexuality in Steppin' Out magazine.

She revealed, "I've had six relationships with women and I will tell you women kiss better than men. That's very, very true. I remember each and every one of them." Still, she refuses to call herself bisexual, explaining, "I don't really like labels. I'm trying to keep that part of my life as private as possible. Let's just say I'm interested in sexuality."

Danielle took aim at her former co-stars -- namely Teresa Giuduce, who she said "needs a hairline revision," Staub continued, "Planet of the Apes has nothing on her! She reminds me of Cornelius from Planet of the Apes. Could you imagine if her face is that hairy what her body hair must be like?"

She also insinuated that Teresa's husband has a "fondness" for strippers and that his DUI arrest was more serious than Teresa let on.

Danielle also said that she's responsible for putting Teresa's estranged sister-in-law Melissa Gorga in touch with the show's producers. She explained, "The reason Melissa initially contacted me was to tell me she felt so horrible watching somebody else be treated as badly as she was treated by Teresa for over a decade. She said that when Teresa is jealous and threatened by another woman that's how she behaves."

Halle Berry has reportedly found love -- or lust -- again after splitting from her baby daddy Gabriel Aubry. People magazine reports that the 44-year-old star has been hooking with her Dark Tide costar Olivier Martinez in Paris.

A witness who saw the couple kissing told People, "It was the classic 'I'm going to kiss you here in a dark corner' move.' And she was waiting to be kissed."

Another onlooker reported, "They had their arms around each other as they walked. They were both smiling and laughing Their body language was very flirtatious. They definitely seemed like a couple -- absolutely looked like more than friends."

The two were also seen visiting a Paris flea market, dining at an intimate restaurant and riding Martinez's motorcycle.

NEW REALITY SHOW FOR LAUREN CONRAD? Lauren Conrad is reportedly returning to television. Us Weekly reports that the former MTV star -- who quit The Hills in 2009 -- has the networks fighting over her new reality show. Although Conrad wouldn't confirm the project, she told US, "The only way I'd return to reality TV would be if it allowed me to decide when the cameras stop." Since The Hills, Lauren has become a bestselling author and a successful fashion designer.

JOEL MCHALE JOINING JESSICA ALBA IN SPY KIDS? Joel McHale will reportedly star alongside Jessica Alba in Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids 4. Variety reports that the pair will star as a married couple who are parents to the title characters. The production is reportedly eying an August 19, 2011 premiere date.

KATEE SACKHOFF LANDS 'CSI' ROLE: Katee Sackhoff is joining CSI. EOnline.com reports that the 24 alum, who was the producers' first choice to replace Jorja Fox three years ago, is now joining the cast in a potentially recurring role. Sackhoff will play Detective Reed, a "smart, tough, and feisty investigator with an acknowledged lack of sensitivity."

JON HAMM IS GQ'S INTERNATIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR: Jon Hamm won the International Man of the Year award from GQ Magazine at an awards ceremony in London on Tuesday night. X17Online.com reports that other winners included Giorgio Armani for Designer of the Year and Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick for the Breakthrough Talent award.