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JACK OSBOURNE is convinced hit British TV talent contest THE X FACTOR is a success because his mother SHARON is one of the judges on the show.

Osbourne believes the UK public have grown tired of SIMON COWELL's acid tongue, and they only watch The X Factor to see Sharon's more sensitive approach.

He says, "Simon Cowell needs my mum on that panel. I mean, who else would you be watching it for, if not her?"

And Osbourne makes no secret of his feelings for Cowell.

He says, "I'm not a fan of Simon. He just spits people out when they are done. It's not nice to see. There are lots of people in the show with talent who never make it onto the screen, just because of his whims."

Warner Bros. Pictures held the HAND AND FOOTPRINT CEREMONY for Johnny Depp on Friday, September 16th at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant was the emcee for the event and Richard Zanuck spoke about Johnny and his career.

The fans were six rows deep on Hollywood Boulevard and the screaming was deafening. After Zanuck spoke Johnny took the stage and thanked the fans for their support over the years of his career. Then Johnny immortalized his hands and feet and signature in the block of cement. Johnny joins the stars of yesteryear and today that have earned their space in the courtyard of the Gauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Danny Elfman who did the music for TIM BURTON’S CORPSE BRIDE attended, along with Johnny’s lady Vanessa Paradis.

At the end the fans were thrilled that Johnny took the time to sign autographs - first for the fans that got tickets to stand close to their idol and then Johnny crossed Hollywood Boulevard to sign for fans lined up all the way down the street.

Singer refuses to choose between his traditional roots and pop inclinations

LOS ANGELES - Alejandro Fernandez starts his concerts wearing the black suit of a mariachi. He ends the shows in the black leather of a pop star.

The scion of Mexico’s legendary singer Vicente Fernandez has set himself apart from legions of other Latin performers by refusing to choose between his traditional roots and pop inclinations.

Fernandez, now on tour with Marc Anthony and Puerto Rico’s Chayanne, hopes the concerts, a pop album to be released Nov. 1 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December will make for a breakout year in the United States.

Kathy Bates Gets Her Way With Lifetime Movie 'Ambulance Girl' As Both Its Star and Director

LOS ANGELES Sep 6, 2005 — Kathy Bates fell hard for "Ambulance Girl." "I just didn't want to let anyone else get their mitts on it. I knew what I wanted to do with it. I didn't want anyone else telling me what to do," says the Oscar-winning actress, who is both star and director of the new Lifetime movie.

"Ambulance Girl" is no girl, however. She's a mature woman, a real person: Jane Stern, who with her husband, Michael, chronicles American culture through books, radio and television.

The film, premiering Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. EDT, is an adaptation of Stern's 2003 memoir about how becoming a volunteer emergency medical technician gave her the confidence to salvage her marriage and emotional health.

VENICE, Italy (Hollywood Reporter) - The 62nd Venice International Film Festival kicked off Wednesday, with directors Ang Lee and John Woo the only major Hollywood names on show.

Chinese director Tsui Hark was also on hand with principal cast for the world premiere of his martial arts action film "Seven Swords."

Having faced criticism for putting together another Hollywood-heavy lineup to the detriment of European cinema, festival director Marco Mueller said it was time to let the movies do the talking.

"Finally you all will be exposed to this year's program. Finally we get to start talking about the films," he told the audience.

Following the "Swords" screening, invitees strolled across the road to a dinner on the Lido seafront, capped off with a fireworks display.