FIERI DEFENDS RESTAURANT

TV Food Network chef Guy Fieri has responded to the scathing New York Times review of his Times Square restaurant Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar. “I just thought it was ridiculous,” Guy told Savannah Guthrie on the Today show. “I’ve read reviews. There’s good and there’s bad in the restaurant business. That one went overboard.” When Savannah pointed out that reviews on Yelp were not that great either, Guy admitted the restaurant, which is only two months old, may need some work.  “I've been in the restaurant business 25 years. Do we do it perfect? No. Do we strive to do it perfect? Yes," he said. "Do I think I've fallen short? By no means. [But] do we make mistakes? Absolutely." [See yesterday’s About Last Night Morning for audio.]

Q- After winning The Next Food Network Star, Fieri was given a six-episode cooking show on the Food Network (which was later renewed). What was the name of his show? Guy’s Big Bite

DE NIRO HAS BEEF WITH JAY-Z

Robert DeNiro is not happy with rapper Jay-Z. The New York Post reports that during Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday party over the weekend,  the Godfather star confronted the Brooklyn rapper over his failure to return his phone calls.  Apparently, Jay had agreed to record a song for DeNiro’s Tribeca Film Festival, but then never called him back to follow up.  “Bob wasn’t in any mood to make polite conversation,” claims a witness. “He told Jay that if somebody calls you six times, you call them back. It doesn’t matter who you are, that is just rude.” Jay tried to joke his way out of the situation, but DeNiro kept saying “he was disrespectful.”  But a source close to DeNiro denies things went down the way the Post claims, explaining “It was a low-key private conversation between two people…It was not a heated discussion.”

Q-Can you name the 2006 Robert DeNiro-directed spy thriller starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie? The Good Shepherd

MICHAEL LOHAN FINDS OUT HE HAS ANOTHER DAUGHTER

Lindsay Lohan’s family just got bigger. Lindsay’s dad Michael Lohan found out he has a 17-year-old illegitimate daughter during an appearance on Britain’s The Trisha Goddard Show. Teen Ashley Horn was the product of an affair Michael had back in 1995 with a woman named Kristi Horn. Michael was still married to Dina at the time. Kristi has always claimed Michael was Ashley’s father and tried to get him to pay child support but he refused. Before the reveal, Ashley told the show she didn’t, “want to be part of the Lohan train-wreck,” and it certainly didn’t look like she was happy now that she knows Michael is her dad. After hearing the DNA test proved he was the dad, Michael reached over to give Ashley a hug, only to have her shout, “no, no, no.”   Later Michael released a statement, saying, “While I am sorry this took so long, we finally have the answer, we are all okay with it and we will deal with it in the best way!”

DINA PROUD HER DAUGHTER TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT LYING

In other Lohan news…Lindsay’s mom Dina Lohan was on Entertainment Tonight this week discussing the fight she had with Lindsay last month, in which her daughter accused her of being on cocaine. Lindsay later recanted, and Dina is proud of her for doing so. “Lindsay came clean and told the truth that she lied,” said Dina. “I hate cocaine. I don’t do cocaine.”  As for what really happened during the incident, Dina explained, “We were having an argument, it escalated and she, in her weakest moment called someone…She just wanted to hurt me at that moment. You know, mothers (and) daughters, we fight.” Added Dina, “There’s so much more to the story than the public sees, and it takes its toll on my children and myself, and we’re just trying to move forward.”

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST BON JOVI’S DAUGHTER

Cops in upstate New York have dropped drug charges against Stephanie Bongiovi, daughter of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, as well as the 21-year-old male student who was with her when she overdosed. Stephanie was arrested Wednesday after cops and medical personnel were called to her Hamilton College dorm room because she was unresponsive. A search of her room found heroin, as well as marijuana and drug paraphernalia. According to the DA, the charges were dropped because of a New York law that prohibits prosecution of people who are experiencing a drug overdose, as well as the people who help them get medical care.

SOLO MARRIES FOOTBALL STAR DESPITE ALLEGED ASSAULT

Hope Solo is a married woman. The soccer star/Dancing with the Stars competitor married NFL star Jerramy Stevens Tuesday, despite Stevens’ arrest a day earlier for domestic assault.  News that the couple (who have only been dating two months) went on with their wedding was revealed by a sports radio DJ who tweeted, “events of yesterday morning didn’t change plans.”  Solo’s teammate Jillian Loyden also confirmed the nuptials, tweeting, "Happy to witness such an amazing celebration of real love #selflesslove #fewandfarbetween." Stevens was busted for domestic assault early Monday morning at a Kirkland, Washington home, but Solo denied he attacked her and he was later released. Police are reportedly still investigating the incident.

Q-In her biography, Solo accused her Dancing partner of slapping her, something her partner denied. Who was her partner? Maksim Chmerkovskiy

SELENA BLOCKS JUSTIN ON PHONE

Selena Gomez really wants nothing to do with her ex Justin Bieber. According to TMZ, Selena has blocked Justin from her phone, and won’t take any of his calls or read his texts.  TMZ also claims another woman was to blame for the breakup, although sources don’t know the woman’s identity. There’s speculation it could be a Victoria’s Secret model, since Justin performed during their fashion show last week.

30 ROCK’S LIZ LEMMON TO MARRY

Looks like 30 Rock’s Liz Lemmon is going to have a happy ending. On Thursday, NBC announced that Tina Fey’s character will marry boyfriend Criss Chross (James Marsden) in the show’s November 29^th episode.  According to the couple’s save-the-date card, Ms. Elizabeth Miervaldis Lemmon would be presenting herself to be married to Mr. Crisstopher Rick Chross, “but not in a creepy way that perpetuates the idea that brides are virgins and women are property.” It added that guests should, “bring your own snacks.”

Q-Among Liz Lemmon’s many boyfriends was her neighbor, a gorgeous doctor played by what Mad Men star? Jon Hamm

KRIS & BRUCE JENNER HEADED FOR DIVORCE?

Are Kris and Bruce Jenner headed for divorce? According to the National Enquirer, Bruce recently consulted a divorce lawyer, after finally getting sick of Kris’ ego, as well as her flirtations with younger men. “Bruce feels that Kris treats him like a doormat and he’s had enough,” claims a source. “She constantly belittles his appearance and complains to mutual friends that he’s a boring old fart. Then she has the gall to flaunt her relationships with younger men in his face.”  The tab claims Bruce has been talking with lawyers about the value of their assets, as well as potential custody arrangements for their two kids, should he decide to move forward with the divorce.

KIM GOING TO MARINE BALL

Kim Kardashian is going to the ball. Us Weekly reports that an unnamed serviceman invited Kim to the HQ Battery 10^th Marine Birthday Ball and she accepted. The event takes place November 15^th in North Carolina. "One of the Marines asked her to attend as a special guest of the event and she changed her schedule so she could be there," the insider reports. "She's honored that she was invited."

ELMO ACCUSER UNMASKED

The man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having a relationship with him when he was 16, only to recant the story days later, has a long rap sheet. The Smoking Gun has identified the accuser as 24-year-old wannabe actor/model Sheldon Stephens, who has been arrested several times since 2009 for everything from passing bad checks to reckless driving. His most serious crime happened in September of that year, when he allegedly robbed his former boss at knifepoint of $250,000 worth of jewelry. The incident occurred right before Stephens got on a flight from LA to Pennsylvania, but when cops caught up with him they didn’t find a knife. He was arrested on two felony counts of receiving stolen property, but the charges were dismissed two weeks later.

Q-In 1999, Elmo starred in his very own full-length feature film. What was it called? Elmo in Grouchland

SURVIVOR’S WHELCHEL DIAGNOSED WITH WEST NILE VIRUS

Former The Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel, who is currently competing on Survivor: Philippines, is facing a challenge that may be tougher than winning the CBS show. The actress tweeted on Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with the West Nile Virus. "Dr. just called with blood test results...I have West Nile. Ugh. I'm fine, just tired. Takes a year to recover," she wrote. So far there is no indication Whelchel’s stint on Survivor had anything to do with her contracting the disease. Filming on Survivor wrapped in April.

Q-What was the name of Whelchel’s character on The Facts of Life? Blair Warner

MACY’S KEEPING TRUMP

More than 500,000 people have signed MoveOn.org’s petition to get Macy’s to fire Donald Trump, but the department store isn’t budging. The petition was started after reports surfaced Donald makes a birther joke in an upcoming Christmas ad for the company. But Macy’s yesterday said they have no plans to fire the Celebrity Apprentice star. "Macy's marketing and merchandise offerings are not representative of any political position," the company said in a statement to US Weekly. "Many of the individuals associated with products sold at Macy's -- or at any retailer, for that matter -- express personal opinions that are not related to the merchandise we sell or to the philosophies of our company."

CALIFORNIA’S ANTI-PAPARAZZI LAW STRUCK DOWN

Looks like the paparazzi will be able to stalk celebrities all they want in California. A judge ruled Wednesday the state’s anti-paparazzi law is unconstitutional. The law was challenged in connection with Justin Bieber’s freeway chase last summer. Photographer Paul Raef was charged with two traffic-related counts, as well as two charges he violated the anti-paparazzi law, which was created to keep photographers from driving recklessly in pursuit of celebrities. The judges yesterday ruled that California could still go ahead with the traffic counts, but the paparazzi law was deemed too overreaching, and a threat to the First Amendment.   The Los Angeles City’s Attorney’s office is expected to appeal the ruling.

McCONAUGHEY TALKS WEIGHT LOSS AND DREAM BURGER

By now everyone’s seen the pictures of Matthew McConaughey, who has lost 38 pounds for his role of an AIDs patient in the film The Dallas Buyers Club. Well, the actor is finally opening up about his diet, which has brought him down to only 143 pounds. "I feel good now," the 43-year-old tells HitFix. "Overall, [I] probably got 35 percent less energy. But the tough part is there have been plateaus. …So, once you get past the plateau, your body seems to understand, 'OK, this is where we're leaving now, this is where we are,' and so the energy rises." McConaughey says his appetite is less than it used to be, but he’s already planning the first burger he’ll have once filming is done. He explains, "I will have some 70 percent beef, 30 percent fat ground beef, maybe a half pound cheeseburger with another three types of cheese. …I'm going to have buns with butter on both sides, toasted and grilled. I'm going to melt the cheese on the top bun [and add] Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise. I want kosher dill pickles sliced nice and thin, diced white onions, slightly grilled until they get almost hard, and some thin jalapeno slices. And then I'm just going to sit back and let the [expletive] just drop on the ground."

FLIPPING OUT STAR SUES ASSISTANT

Flipping Out star Jeff Lewis is suing his longtime assistant Jenni Pulos because he claims she’s writing a tell-all book about him. Lewis has filed a lawsuit claiming Pulos is in violation of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements she signed in 2008 and 2010.  He says Pulos’ planned book, titled Hang In There, Baby, is based on her experiences working for him. Although she insisted that it wasn’t, Lewis grew suspicious when he asked for a copy of the manuscript and Pulos told him her agents advised her against giving him one. The book is scheduled to be released August 20^th, 2013.  In addition to damages, Lewis is seeking an injunction to stop the release of the book,  as well as the publishing of any other “confidential information” she became aware of during her employment.

AFFLECK SAYS HE WAS MORE HATED THAN SCOTT PETERSON

In the latest issue of GQ magazine, Ben Affleck reflects on the negative press he received back when he was dating Jennifer Lopez in the 2000s. “At the time, I knew on some level, ‘This is insane,’” he says. “No one on the planet was more socially acceptable to hate? Really? What was that guy’s name who killed his wife and dumped her off the side of a boat?… [Scott] Peterson. I remember thinking he actually gets slightly better treatment than I do in the press. At least they had to say ‘alleged killer.’” Adds Affleck, “The amount of venom — I must have touched some specific little place in the consciousness. I don’t believe I didn’t deserve any negative judgment for anything, but it was just way out of whack.”

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Nominees for the People’s Choice Awards were announced yesterday, with Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine leading the pack with six nods, four with his band, and two for The Voice (Favorite Celebrity Judge and Favorite Competition TV Show).  People’s Sexiest Man Alive Channing Tatum was recognized in four categories - Favorite Male Actor, Favorite Comedic Actor, Favorite Dramatic Actor and Favorite On-Screen Chemistry, while Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence were the top female nominees, and will go head-to-head in each of their three categories - Favorite Movie Actress, Favorite Face of Heroism and Favorite On-Screen Chemistry.The People’s Choice Awards, hosted by The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco, airs Wednesday, January 9^th on CBS.

Q-Before The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco starred on what ABC comedy, opposite John Ritter? 8 Simple Rules

RAISING SEXTUPLETS STAR PREGNANT

Former Raising Sextuplets star Jenny McClendon is pregnant again. Jenny, who is divorced from Bryan Masche, the father of her five-year-old sextuplets, revealed on her blog that she and new husband Levi McClendon are expecting. Between them they already have eight kids – six of hers, and two of his. "I'm writing this as I'm approaching my 28^th week [of pregnancy] and I really still feel somewhat speechless," she wrote. "I'm so excited for the sextuplets that they get to experience being the 'big' brother or sister." Although she had fertility treatments for her first pregnancy, Jenny said she got pregnant without any medical help this time, although Levi did have to have a vasectomy reversed.

TV TIDBITS

�� Rumer Willis, daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, has landed a role on CBS’s Hawaii Five-0. She’ll guest star on the December 3^rd episode playing Sabrina, a bank teller who gets caught in the middle of a botched robbery with the show’s coroner Max (Masi Oka), who happens to have a thing for her.

�� FX has renewed American Horror Story for a third season. Although each season features a new storyline, star Jessica Lange is expected to return once again.

�� Comedy Central has renewed The Burn with Jeff Ross for a second season, which will premiere January 8^th.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS

�� Paramount Pictures announced yesterday that the first nine minutes of the Star Trek sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, will premiere in approximately 500 IMAX 3D theaters on December 14^th in front of screenings of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.