Obama Skyrockets after ‘Ellen’

Barack Obama visits with Ellen DeGeneres today via satellite from a campaign stop in Texas, and says his poll percentages were in a slump until he “busted a move” on the comedienne’s show, adding, “My poll numbers skyrocketed after that!”

“Extra” got an inside look at who the man behind the campaign curtain really is, and Barack talked about smoking -- and his personal pillar of strength, his wife Michelle -- who has been helping him kick the habit.

“I’ve been able to stop,” he told Ellen , after beginning to chew Nicorette gum, adding, “That’s an example of my wife making me a better person.”

Ellen then asked the beaming candidate what his first day in the White House would be like. Barack answered, “I think I’ll just go into the Oval Office and sit at the desk and say wow, this is really cool.”

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Burke Battles Back from Depression

After her stay at a psychiatric hospital last month, Delta Burke is now opening up to Diane Sawyer about her “lifelong” struggle with depression, drugs, and a suicidal incident involving a gun and a bottle of Xanax. The former “Designing Women” star wants to help others with similar afflictions -- and help remove the stigma associated with depression.

Burke told the ABC host that her travails began with panic attacks on the set, and that the cast was always by her side with support. She says co-star Meshach Taylor would often have to carry her back to her dressing room – no small feat!

One night, Delta became so consumed by depression -- she contemplated suicide – and drove around with a gun and Xanax. She now says of the incident, “I wanted very much to live, but I wanted the pain to stop.”Keep Reading...

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Ultimate Viking Kitchen's Bare Essentials

“Extra" takes you to the kitchen where Wolfgang sizzled and Miss America flipped! – pancakes, that is.

It’s “Extra’s” Ultimate Viking Kitchen, and designer Nicole Sassaman shows how she built the state of the art facility. Click on into the kitchen!

Click on an image to view Extra's Viking Kitchen photo gallery!

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'Idol' Recap: Yup, The '70s Were Awful

The leading "Idol" ladies took the stage yesterday for an evening of '70s tunes, proving yet again that it's a decade nearly worth forgetting. The judges were not impressed -- telling most of the girls they disagreed with their song choice - which seemed to be the evening's theme.

Simon repeatedly said, "It was a silly choice in my opinion," despite his belief that the girls are a vocally talented bunch. Tatted rocker Carly Smithson opened the show by singing Heart's "Crazy on You," but no one was particularly crazy about it. The judges had similar things to say about hula dancer Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado and rocker Amanda Overmeyer -- whose hair best exemplified the horror of the 1970s.

Simon told "Extra" that Alaina Whitaker would be the "dark horse" in the competition, and echoed that opinion after her performance of "Hopelessly Devoted." At one point, the interviews were more interesting than the vocals.

Leave your comment! Tell "Extra" which four contestants should be sent packing on tonight's results show!

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Sheen Hot, Will Tie the Knot

Charlie Sheen had just started to simmer down after a heated divorce with ex-wife, Denise Richards, but now the “Two and a Half Men” star is steamed over Denise’s new reality show and told OK! magazine he doesn’t even want viewers to tune in!

“I think we should boycott the whole damn thing,” Sheen told OK! “You don’t go to court and make a stand to prevent that if you don’t firmly believe in it,” he said, adding, “It’s just a situation where the world is upside down sometimes.” Sheen had gone to court to prevent his two daughters from appearing in the show.

“Extra” caught up with Charlie and fiancée Brooke Mueller at the Television Academy, where Charlie gave us an exclusive! He said they’re to tie the knot this summer. “We’ve been forced into it! We came up with this idea tonight, we’re winging it.”

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Brit’s 'Lawyer' Won’t Quit!

The never-ending Britney Spears saga continued to play out in a Los Angeles courtroom yesterday, when an L.A. judge decided that Britney’s conservatorship case will stay in state court, after ruling that Jon Eardley does not represent the pop star -- as he claims.

Judge Philip S. Gutierrez ruled yesterday that Eardley could not have qualified to represent the popwreck since he filed Brit’s civil rights case after Jamie Spears was appointed co-conservator on the same day the court assigned Britney a California probate attorney -- and the court said Britney could not switch representation while under conservatorship – unless the conservators give permission.

Eardley attempted to file a declaration claiming Britney’s civil rights were being violated by her father, asking that the case be moved to a federal court. The judge denied Eardley’s request and refused Jamie’s petition asking that the lawyer pay excess attorney fees.

X17 Online happened to catch Britney on good behavior today, shopping at the Levi's Store in Beverly Hills.

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Simon: Politically Direct

Simon's not just judging contestants, he's also got advice for Hillary! Last night's "American Idol" did better in the ratings than Oscar -- and the top ten Idol boy wannabes were sure fun to watch.

Judge Cowell visited the "Extra" set to dish the dirt on the Idol contest, and to tell us if he's ready to walk.

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Woman Wrecks Her Marriage On RealiTV

Has reality television gone too far? On yesterday’s episode of “Moment of Truth,” millions witnessed a marriage go up in real TV flames when a woman told her husband she’d leave him if her ex-lover wanted to start things up again. Even host Mark L. Walberg was stunned when the lie detector confirmed the truth -- and the rest is relationship history.

“Extra” tracked down Lauren Cler, the woman at the center of the lie detector controversy, who wasn’t answering any questions. “No, I can’t talk to you,” she told our cameras. Lauren did talk to the New York Post, however, after losing, a $250 thousand jackpot, her dignity … and perhaps her husband.

The Post’s headline screamed, “I Did It for the TV Money,” and her MySpace page reads, “Lauren is in Recovery.” Her mood: Sick. Lauren is now in seclusion after revealing she not only cheated on her hubby, but that she also believes she’s meant to be married to her boyfriend -- according to the lie detector, of course.

Outside her house, NYPD officers are keeping the media at bay, and Lauren has reportedly told the press that she wants to try and work it out with her husband. No lie!

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'Extra' Strolls Down Wisteria Lane

When last season's "Desperate Housewives" ended, Wisteria Lane was in shambles; Carlos was blind, Victor had been impaled by a fence post, and Susan was pregnant.

In addition to her character’s expanding baby bump, Teri Hatcher is telling “Extra” about the new guy who has all the ladies swooning.

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Did 'The Moment Of Truth' Go Too Far?

A) Yes, it crossed the line. B) No, I love the polygraph pandemonium.

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Pam Cites Fraud in Bustup

Forget a plain old divorce – Pam Anderson wants to forget the whole thing ever happened. The Sin City magician’s assistant filed papers seeking to annul her brief union with porn pusher Rick Salomon, with Anderson citing “fraud” as the reason for her request.

The two were hitched in Las Vegas last October, and Pam filed for divorce just two months later, citing “irreconcilable differences.” No new details were disclosed from last Friday’s documents.

Pam, 40, asked the L.A. Superior Court not to award spousal support and to keep property separate. Salomon, 39, is best known for producing and appearing in Paris Hilton’s sex tape, from which he earned a purported $7 million.

This is the third ex-husband for the lovelorn former “Baywatch” babe, who was
previously wed to rockers Tommy Lee and Kid Rock.

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Who Gets Leno's Jokes?

Two years before Jay Leno is even contractually able to negotiate his future, the big studios are already positioning themselves to snag the chinsome host, with staggering millions on the table. It’s nice to be wanted!

Both ABC and Fox have intimated that they’re interested, but NBC may want to keep Leno for other purposes -- when Conan takes over in 2009. There’s also buzz that Leno may stay behind the desk – but that would cost NBC a $45 million penalty payable to O’Brien.

The New York Times reports that Sony may fork over as much as $40 million a year for the silver fox, which would surpass Letterman’s reported $30 million annual paycheck. That’s a lotta jokes!

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Miley's World Domination: MTV is Next

She's America's number one teen, and he's "Extra's" number one heartthrob. Miley Cyrus teams with Mario Lopez for an "Extra" exclusive -- to talk music, Oscars and YouTube.

Plus, they get a special surprise visit from "Heroes" starlet Hayden Panettiere.

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Inside Vanna White's Closet!

"Extra's" Dayna Devon gets a complete tour of the "Wheel of Fortune" studios during her interview with Vanna White, including the wardrobe room!

"Are they crazy for letting me in here?" Dayna asked as she flipped through fabulous gowns.

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David the Goliath in This Week's 'Idol'

Last night's "American Idol" saw the emergence of what Paula Abdul called a superstar - 17-year-old David Archuleta - whose version of John Lennon's classic, "Imagine," absolutely wowed judges and viewers.

While several performances were outstanding, David Archuleta undoubtedly stole the show - with a weepy Paula saying, "It was one of the most moving performances I've ever seen." Luke Menard's lukewarm version of "Killer Queen" did not kill. Danny Noriega failed to outsing his manbob.

Expectations were high for the other "Idol" wannabes, including dreadlocked Jason Castro, who again played guitar. David Hernandez gave a rollicking version of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," with Simon telling Hernandez, "That was the best vocal of the evening." Then Archuleta performed and Simon declared, "You're the one to beat."

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