ROLL CALL: Rosie's 'Price' Score & Hollywood Babies Galore!

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

June 19, 2007

BABY INVASION!: Hot on the heels of Julia Roberts' happy baby news, three other stars have announced new arrivals of their own. Keri Russell, star of "Waitress" and "Felicity," has given birth to her first child, a son named River Russell Dreary, her rep confirms to USMAGAZINE.COM. Russell and her husband, Shane Dreary, welcomed River on June 9. US also reports that "King of Queens" star Kevin James and his wife, Steffiana, welcomed daughter Shea Joelle on Thursday, June 14, in Los Angeles. Shea is the couple's second child. Their first daughter, Sienna, was born in 2005. Rounding out this baby trifecta is news from golf pro Tiger Woods, who announced the arrival of his first child, daughter Sam Alexis, on his official Web site. Woods and wife Elin Nordegren welcomed baby Sam yesterday. "Both Elin and Sam are doing well and resting peacefully," Woods wrote in a short letter to fans. "We want to thank our doctors and the hospital staff for all their dedicated and hard work. This is truly a special time in our lives and we look forward to introducing Sam to our family and friends over the next few weeks. We thank everyone for their well wishes and continued respect of our privacy." A note on the Web site indicates that pictures of the little tyke "will be made available shortly."

CELEBRITY STREET: "Sesame Street" has been educating (and entertaining) children on PBS for over 37 years, and some big stars are joining the fun as guest stars in its upcoming 38th season. TV GUIDE reports that Ellen DeGeneres and Jon Stewart will offer "occasional assists" for a new segment called "Word on the Street," which will reportedly kick off each episode for the season. Other stars popping up as guests will reportedly include Tina Fey, Rachael Ray, James Blunt and several members of the New York Jets. The show's upcoming TV and movie spoofs are said to include "Meal or No Meal," "American I," and "A's Anatomy." CNN's Anderson Cooper will reportedly anchor a news segment called "GNN" ("Grouch News Network"), along with his grouch co-anchors Walter Cranky and Dan Rather-Not. The new season of "Sesame Street" kicks off on August 13.

WILL ROSIE BE 'RIGHT?': "The Price is Right" joined "Sesame Street" as a big winner at the Daytime Emmy Awards this past weekend, as both the show, and retiring host Bob Barker, took home statues. As previously reported, Rosie O'Donnell has been very interested in potentially replacing Barker as the game show's new host next season, and according to a post on her official Web site yesterday, her dream may be inching closer to fruition. In response to a fan's question about whether Rosie would be meeting with the "Price" people, Rosie replied, "Yes, this week." THE NY DAILY NEWS writes today that the "word" is that O'Donnell will meet with FremantleMedia, which produces "The Price Is Right," as well as "American Idol," "Family Feud" and many other shows. Whether her meeting is in relation to "Price" or other potential projects is unknown. Barker himself endorsed Rosie's campaign for the hosting gig when he spoke to reporters at the awards show, reportedly saying, "There's no doubt in my mind she could do the show. Now, whether they want a lady host, I don't know. I've never heard that discussed. As far as I know, they've only auditioned men." A CBS spokeswoman had no comment for THE NY DAILY NEWS about O'Donnell's meeting and "The Price is Right," and an O'Donnell spokeswoman reportedly told them yesterday: "She's meeting with multiple networks about multiple projects."

A 'LOT' OF BLOOD & GUTS: Horror maven Wes Craven is coming to the Fox network as a guest judge for "On the Lot," the reality competition series for aspiring filmmakers from Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett, reports E! ONLINE's MARC MALKIN. The "Nightmare on Elm Street" mastermind reportedly joked to Malkin that his plans for the contestants make ["American Idol" judge] Simon Cowell seem like a pussycat. "I'm going to be quite severe," Craven is quoted as saying. "I've insisted on black robes...and perhaps a riding crop." As for Craven's take on the slew of graphically violent horror films being released these days, his outlook is rather surprising. "I forced myself to go see "Hostel," he reportedly said. "I hate torture. I hate the idea of it. I must say it took me right to the edge of being so disgusted I would leave, but I couldn't stop watching." My goodness -- what would Freddy Krueger say?

PITCHFORKS FOR PARIS?: Like something from a classic horror movie, Paris Hilton may be facing an angry mob of neighbors upon her return from prison. A spokeswoman for L.A. City Councilman Jack Weiss reportedly told THE NY DAILY NEWS' BEN WIDDICOMBE yesterday that their office had received more than 50 complaints from residents during Hilton's brief respite from jail two weeks ago. "Most [complaints] concerned noise from the five helicopters that handled the live coverage of her one day at home," the rep is quoted as saying. "Other issues involved overcrowding and space issues, because the street is very narrow, doesn't have sidewalks and has no parking." According to the report, The LAPD, Department of Transportation and Department of Street Services are bracing for Hilton's expected return home next week. "There are no plans to force her out of her home," the spokeswoman reportedly said, "but action is being taken to minimize the annoyance of other occupants."

'ENTHUSIASM' KEEPS THE STATUS QUO: And finally, THE NY POST reports that the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" will not reflect the recent separation of star Larry David from his wife, Laurie David, in its upcoming sixth season. While the show is loosely based on Larry's life, the report indicates that the fictional "Larry" will still be married - at least comfortably, if not happily - to his fictional wife, "Cheryl David" (played by Cheryl Hines), when the show returns. The new crop of 10 episodes makes its debut on September 9.