Robert Downey Jr. Begs Hollywood To 'Forgive' Mel Gibson'

Robert Downey Jr. was the honoree at Friday night's American Cinematheque Awards but it was Mel Gibson who stole the show.

Gibson was the surprise celeb who made the presentation, and Downey returned the favor by making an impassioned plea to the star-studded audience to "forgive" Mel, and more importantly, to hire him.

“Unless you are without sin – and if you are, you are in the wrong f**king industry, you should forgive him and let him work,” Downey said from the stage.

The two men co-starred in Air America in 1990, a time when Downey's substance abuse problems made it impossible for the producers to insure him. Gibson fought for his friend, even posting the insurance bond himself.

“He taught me many things and I will use the ‘C’ word, courage. There’s nothing so much wrong with him. Of course you have to worry about the guy making the judgment here," Gibson joked as he made the presentation. "He’s a good dude with a good heart.”Read more at Radaronline

Taylor Swift Is Billboard’s “Woman Of The Year” 2011

Taylor Swift has been crowned “Woman of the Year” by Billboard Magazine.

The four-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter behind the blockbuster albums Fearless and Speak Now has been selected to receive the coveted award at the sixth annual Billboard Women in Music event, set for Dec. 2 in New York City. At 21, the youngest artist to ever receive the honor, succeeding previous “Woman of the Year” recipients Reba McEntire, Beyonce, and Fergie. Taylor’s appointment comes as she celebrates being the bestselling artist in the industry over the past 12 months. Her latest album, Speak Now, has sold over 3.6 million copies since its release last fall.

Bill Werde, Billboard’s Editorial Director, says:

“Taylor has shown the power of good songwriting with music that has transcended genres, and we’re thrilled to recognize all of her successes over the past year by honoring her with the Billboard Woman of the Year Award. At the young age of 21, Taylor has already made a major impact on music and has been an incredible role model for aspiring singers/songwriters and young women everywhere. I look forward to watching her career continue to flourish in the years to come.”

Billboard’s annual Women in Music Event celebrates the most powerful and talented women in the music business, coinciding with the publication of Billboard’s “Women in Music Power Players” list. The “Woman of the Year” gong is the latest honor for Swift, who became the youngest person to win the Grammy for Best Album for Fearless in 2010. She’s also won several ACM, CMA, and AMA Awards. Read more at Popcrunch

Kate Winslet wins best actress in mini-series Emmy

LOS ANGELES: British actress Kate Winslet won the best actress in a mini-series Emmy on Sunday, for her role in period drama "Mildred Pierce."

The Oscar-winning star plays a divorcee single mother who opens a restaurant to survive in the Great Depression in the drama, for which her English-born co-star Guy Pearce won best supporting actor Emmy moments earlier.

Winslet gave a short acceptance speech saying she "didnt think we were going to win anything" - until her gong it had been having a disappointing night - before thanking her mother.

Winslet's success came on a big night for another British period drama, "Downtown Abbey."

The show won the best mini-series Emmy, while veteran Maggie Smith won best supporting actress and Julian Fellowes, who wrote the British period drama, best writer of a mini-series.

Brian Percival also won best director for "Downtown Abbey," which tells the story of the aristocratic Crawley family in the stately home of the show's name. (AFP)