Hollywood’s favorite cult isn’t going to be happy about this. Scientology‘s most famous defector, Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis, is breaking his silence in an upcoming book. The Heretic of Hollywood: Paul Haggis vs. The Church of Scientology is being written by the well-respected Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright, and according to his agency is, “The most profound reckoning to date with this powerful and secretive organization.”

Haggis publicly renounced the Church of Scientology in 2009, after thirty five years as a member, but has stayed largely mum on the subject since. Not for much longer. The book will serve as both a chronicle of Haggis’ personal experiences and an in-depth investigation of the cult — including the human rights abuses of its members, which the authors allege includes violence, conditions approaching enslavement, and forced abortions.

Full description of the book from the Wylie Agency catalog after the jump.
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Reporter Brandon Voss of The Advocate scored a saucy slice of celeb-on-celeb action this weekend. In a December 11th declaration that is already being heavily re-discussed by gossip and media pundits, actress Carrie Fisher had this to say about John Travolta:

My feeling about John has always been that we know [he's gay] and we don’t care. Look, I’m sorry that he’s uncomfortable with it, and that’s all I can say. It only draws more attention to it when you make that kind of legal fuss. Just leave it be.

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Ahead of a Friday, December 3rd stand-up appearance in Chicopee, MA, comedian Rob Schneider did a long phone interview from LA with MassLive.com. For some reason, the Q&A transcript quickly disappeared from the website after publication Monday, November 30th.

Perhaps someone decided the material was too political. From our perspective, the conversation showcases Schneider in a highly flattering Bill Maher type of light. And certainly, nothing he says is any more offensive than the gay-aliens John Travolta joke the comedian told at last night’s Quentin Tarantino roast. Here are a few samples:

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Autism United, a nationwide group of parents of more than 15,000 children with autism, wants John Travolta and Kelly Preston to join its cause.

The group sent the Travoltas an open invitation in the form of a press release (see below).

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A fire on the Paris-based set of “From Paris With Love” has shut down production for the John Travolta film produced by EuropaCorp.

On Sunday night, in the Montfermeil suburb of Paris, several stunt cars were set ablaze and burned through the night in what is being investigated as an arson attack, Screen International reported.

The affair has been handed over to the authorities who are looking into reports that security guards on duty on Sunday night saw someone carrying a can of gasoline in the area where the cars burned. Further, it is thought that the attack may have been an attempt to pressure Besson, reported Agence France Presse.

About 100 locals had been hired as extras for the film, directed by Pierre Morel and produced by Luc Besson and also starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers
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EuropaCorp had no comment when contacted and only reiterated the original press release which announced the film.

However, local mayor Xavier Lemoine, told AFP: “Luc Besson came to tell us this morning that the shoot was cancelled. This is a profound disappointment.”

Besson said he “felt that he couldn’t shoot the film with the level of security required.”

William Goldman famously wrote that “in Hollywood, nobody knows anything”. Ain’t it the truth.

Betty Thomas will direct the big screen version of Dallas–as a rib-ticking comedy, with John Travolta as J. R. Ewing. (In which case, why not a musical?) Variety reminds us of previous casting hilarity:

When the movie was derailed late last year, Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) was directing. Luke Wilson was attached to play Bobby Ewing with Shirley MacLaine to play Miss Ellie, while producers were talking with Meg Ryan to play Sue Ellen after Jennifer Lopez dropped out.

Meg Ryan = Jennifer Lopez = Linda Gray. Well, they all have lips.

Kevin West, in July’s W, explores celebrity chefs as they wend their ways westward. Tom Colicchio, Mario Batali, Carolynn Spence, Laurent Tourondel–they all love the long growing season, the stars, the weather. But do they love us?

West also spends some time with Mr. Show Tunes himself, John Travolta. Travolta’s in Hairspray the musical, was in Grease, and grew up loving musicals. Travolta is pretty candid about Scientology, and West doesn’t suck up.

There’s also very cute chart/dartboard on Billionaire Bachelors, data complied by Ana Maria Wilson. Google’s Larry Page isn’t quite the richest, but he’s the most attractive, which isn’t saying much. The 24 year old prince is cute, but sort of a lightweight. Looks like he might love show tunes.

Fire in the Hollywood Hills.

Quinceanera might become a series.

Mia Farrow doesn’t seem too worried about starring in E.T.: Back on Planet Earth or any other Spielburg opus.

John Travolta is ready to move back to the mothership, if global warming gets worse.

Courtney Love cares only that her self-esteem is limitless and intact.

The LA Times might think Donald Trump is a figure of fun, but wait til he’s the boss. Or some other rich guy takes over.

Britney and Kevin are finally split up.

Persecution of Christians goes on–Chris Sligh booted from American Idol.

The LA Times should get an online game–Be An Editor–just like Seventeen.

Miss America dumped by CMT. Second Life, anyone?