People: John Gosselin Halts TLC Show

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OWNERSHIP
TLC: JON'S SORRY BUTT IS OURS
TLC has shut down filming of the children on "Jon & Kate Plus 8" after receiving a cease-and-desist order from Jon Gosselin. The network said production would remain suspended, pending further conversations between Jon and Kate Gosselin. TLC said it was "deeply disappointed at [Jon's] continued erratic behavior." However, "despite his repeated self-destructive and unprofessional actions, he remains under an exclusive contract with TLC."

FERTILITY
PADMA LAKSHMI PREGNANT DESPITE WOMAN ISSUES
"Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi is pregnant with her first child, after years of treatment for endometriosis, her rep tells USmagazine.com. "This pregnancy has been referred to by her physician as nothing short of a medical miracle," the rep explained. The father was not revealed.

RECOVERING
A MENTAL HEALTH DAY, SOME IV FLUIDS, A NEW MAN
Dennis Hopper's manager says the actor is out of the hospital and "feeling much better" after becoming ill the day before. The 73-year-old "Easy Rider" star had gone to a New York City hospital after showing severe flu-like symptoms. He was treated for dehydration.

CAREERS
THIS REEKS OF BLACKMAIL, PLAIN AND SIMPLE
James Franco will guest-star on ABC&'s "General Hospital" for a lengthy story arc this fall. The "Pineapple Express" and "Spider-Man; actor will play a mystery person who comes to the soap opera's town of Port Charles. The recurring role will begin Nov. 20 "to coincide with November sweeps" and will last about two months. Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps says it's "an honor that an actor of Franco's caliber would choose to spend some of his valuable time in Port Charles." Franco, 31, will star as Allen Ginsberg next year in the film "Howl."

CONGRATS!
SOMEONE'S BACKUP CAREER IS GOING WELL!
Steve Martin said it'll feel like the Academy Awards if he wins at the 20th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards. Martin was up for six awards at the Thursday night show: instrumental recorded performance, recorded event (for two songs, "Daddy Played the Banjo" and "The Crow"), banjo player of the year, best liner notes and best graphic design for a recorded project.

TRIAL DATES
IN FIVE MONTHS, YOU CAN CARE ABOUT THIS AGAIN
Lil Wayne will go on trial next March on felony drug possession and weapons charges he faces in Yuma County, Ariz. The trial date was set during a court hearing Thursday. The case against Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, stems from his arrest at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8 east of Yuma in January 2008.
» Pictured at left: Lil Wayne has between now and March to rack up some more alleged felonies.

Photos by Douglas Healey/Getty Images and Kristian Dowling/Getty Images