In this Lipstick Jungle, they were their own worst enemies

Add Christian Slater and Brooke Shields to the list of actors with TV failures on their records.

NBC is pulling the plug on My Own Worst Enemy and Lipstick Jungle, two of its more high-profile young series.

The word comes from two network executives who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the decision.

My Own Worst Enemy was given a big promotional pitch by NBC.

The psychological thriller stars Slater as a man who has two separate identities and lives, and slowly comes to learn about the situation.

Weekend update

Saturday Night Live was left with some big shoes to fill when Amy Poehler departed for her new role of motherhood.

NBC says two fresh recruits have been hired to fill those shoes.

Abby Elliott and Michaela Watkins will be joining the show this week as featured players.

Elliott comes to SNL via the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre -- the improv/sketch company cofounded by Poehler.

Elliott trained and performed in both New York and Los Angeles.

She is a second-generation SNL cast member whose father, Chris Elliott, was a regular on the show during the 1994-95 season.

Sing, sing, sing in the loo

Mariah Carey was in "the loo" when she was inspired to write Hero.

The singer has revealed the idea for her hit track came to her while she was using the bathroom.

Carey, 38, said: "Sometimes I wake up and in the middle of the night and have an idea and have to get up and record it straight away before I forget it.

"Or with Hero, I was in the studio and someone was telling me about this film Hero with Dustin Hoffman in it. I took a walk to the loo and when I came back I had this idea for a song, and that was what then became Hero."

The gift that lasts -- a steamer trunk

Zac Efron has reportedly purchased a $50,000 vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk for girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens.

The 21-year-old heartthrob -- who has been dating his High School Musical costar since 2006 -- was so keen to buy something special to mark Vanessa's move to her new $2.75 million house that he splashed out on the exclusive piece of luggage.

A source told America's Star magazine: "Vanessa really loves Louis Vuitton, but she wouldn't spend the money for it. To her, it is a piece of art."

His own way of branding

Russell Brand attracts women by pretending he is gay.

The controversial comic star -- who is famous for his love of the opposite sex -- admits his camp personality can work in his favour when he is trying to flirt with attractive ladies.

He said: "In spite of appearances, I'm a heterosexual male. Because I'm so well dressed, people think, 'He must be gay.'

"Look at his haircut, he must be gay. Look how sensitive and vulnerable he is, he must be gay. That means women feel safe around me. They trust me. Then bang! Pregnant! Bang! Pregnant! Bang! Pregnant! Another generation."

That wacky Beatle

Sir Paul McCartney wore an Alice Cooper mask when he met The Killers.

The Las Vegas rockers' front man, Brandon Flowers, was stunned into silence by the bizarre encounter with the former Beatles star following his group's show at London's Royal Albert Hall last week.

Brandon said: "We were waylaid in the corridor by someone on the way back to the dressing room -- it was Paul McCartney and he was wearing an Alice Cooper mask. He was dancing around and then he took it off and introduced himself.

"At first, we all just stared at him. What do you say to Paul McCartney? Eventually, we got chatting and he told us that it had been a great show.

"Meeting a Beatle was daunting. People in Britain know what an important band they were. But when you come from the States that feeling is magnified.

Quite an act to follow, sister

Whoopi Goldberg is set to bring Sister Act to the stage.

The actress -- who starred in the hit Disney film and its sequel -- will produce the London musical version of the movie.

However, the star will not be appearing in the production herself.

She said: "Sister Act has grown up a little and has expanded, as all things going from the cinema to the stage have to. In any case, Sister Act for me was 20 years ago, so you can't repeat that.

"You want something -- and someone -- who is brand new, fresh and exciting.

"If you are fortunate enough to be a part of something wonderful, I feel it's important to pass the baton."

In the original film, Whoopi played nightclub owner Deloris who is forced to assume the identity of nun Sister Mary Clarence to escape menacing gangsters.

The new role -- which will see Deloris as a 'disco girl' -- is reportedly going to Patina Miller, who played the part during a trial version of the show in Pasadena, Calif.

Hail, Kanye

Kanye West is to music what Michael Jordan was to basketball -- at least that's what West thinks, in his humble estimation.

"I realize that my place and position in history is that I will go down as the voice of this generation, of this decade, I will be the loudest voice," he said in an interview.

"It's me settling into that position of just really accepting that it's one thing to say you want to do it and it's another thing to really end up being like Michael Jordan."

The Grammy-winning rapper-producer said Justin Timberlake had a chance to be music's MVP, but hasn't put out enough material.

"There were people who had the potential to do it but they went on vacation, so when Justin went on vacation I made albums," he said.

Samuel L. Jackson has a crush on Dame Helen Mirren.

The Pulp Fiction star revealed he is a massive fan of the 63-year-old British actress and watches her films almost obsessively.

Jackson, 59, said: "I'll watch anything with Helen Mirren in it -- especially when she was young. I mean, come on! I love Helen. I watch The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover at least four times a year."

Jackson is set to shortly begin shooting his new film Blown in England, Mirren's home country.

In the movie, the actor will portray fictional terrorist, Julian Lezard, who plots an attack on London.

Jackson will appear alongside The Passion of the Christ actor Jim Caviezel, who plays British government MI5 agent Will Matlock trying to prevent the attack.