Tmz

Lindsay Lohan 's Marilyn Monroe -ish Playboy pictorial should not be interpreted as yet another example of how The Man 's phallocentric hegemony crushes innocence. Nor is it a cynical ploy for attention by a star turned tabloid punch line. It's an act of empowerment, baby. "Sex and sexuality are a part of nature, and I go along with nature," Lohan, 25, tells the mag. "It's a very male-dominated world . . . so knowing yourself and being comfortable with your body is an important thing.

MOST DUFFERS get first-tee jitters. Can you imagine how shaky you'd be if you were golfing with President Obama? Tiger Woods now knows that feeling. The president decided to escape the pressures of the White House by spending the weekend at the Floridian Golf and Yacht Club in Palm City, Fla. While the president was enjoying a few days with his golfing buddies, his wife and daughters were skiing out west. There was no word on Michelle's reaction to her hubby fraternizing with Woods, who was treated for sex addiction after numerous extramarital affairs that led to a divorce from Elin Nordegren.

When is a slap not a hit but still a salvo in the smackdown between celebrity exes? When it's the latest chapter in the saga that is Moksana (that has a much better ring to it than Oksamel, which sounds like a medicine to clear your pipes). TMZ has "obtained" Mel Gibson 's sworn statement in his custody battle with Oksana Grigorieva , in which he denies hitting her, but admits a good ol' slap - because her hysterical behavior was endangering their baby, Lucia . Meanwhile, Grigorieva is spilling her side to a national audience, despite a warning from the judge in the custody proceeding, which continued Monday.

Why should Barbra Streisand be the only one who gets to play matchmaker? The obvious answer: She shouldn't be. Celeb scuttlebutt of the day is topped by two reported breakups of celestial beings. After nine years of marriage, Australian media report, actor Russell Crowe and his musician wife, Danielle Spencer , have separated, a split that Spencer's father confirms. They certainly are geographically detached - Crowe is in the United States on a movie set, while Spencer remains in Sydney with their two sons.

TMZ cites an unnamed insider who says Whitney Houston 's mom, Cissy Houston , is horrified by reports that Whitney's 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina , is having what Cissy calls an "incestuous" romance with quasi-bro Nick Gordon , 22. (Whitney unofficially adopted him when he was 12.) Are they really dating? A TMZ vid clip that shows the pair sharing an intimate embrace had gone viral by Thursday morning. Then there's this tweet Bobbi Kristina sent in November: "I love sleeping with big brudder (: only person that helps my insomnia B!

Aretha Franklin 's biopic is on. Repeat: It's a go. Franklin, 70, has approved the story treatment for what her PR rep calls "an epic tale with probably the most starring and supporting roles since Roots . " And she has started casting. Already cast: Dorothy Norwood , Karen Clark , and La Shun Pace as Franklin's friend (and sometimes backing vocalist), Philly's Clara Ward , and her group, the Clara Ward Singers. So who'll play the Queen of Soul? Franklin says she has a wish list for the supporting cast: Audra McDonald , Nia Long , Kerry Washington , and Blair Underwood . And who'll play Her Soulfulness?

YESTERDAY, when it had become clear that Arnold Schwarzenegger had diddled a member of his household staff, there was some question as to what the then-unnamed woman did. Personal assistant? Nanny? Cook? Nope, Mildred Patty Baena was a maid. As if there was any doubt. The woman who mussed up Maria Shriver 's sheets, also washed them. Here are the other updates to one of the creepiest tales since the Brothers Grimm . The "event," as Arnold referred to it in his statement (not even giving it the dignity of a "special event")

THERE WILL BE NO rebound relations for Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. Sources close to the Disney starlet say that another woman was definitely involved in the split. To prove her point, Gomez has blocked Bieber from "her phone numbers and other communication devices," according to TMZ, although the site also notes Gomez is still following Bieber on Twitter. TMZ doesn't get it, but every girl likes to check up on her man, even if she's kicked him to the curb.   Lemon, linked Liz Lemon of "30 Rock" - played by Upper Darby's own Tina Fey - is getting hitched.

Does Lamar Odom blame his wife for ruining a potentially great NBA career? Does Lamar, effectively booted by the Dallas Mavericks, think Khloé Kardashian loves her career as one of the principals in The Kardashian Un-Reality Industry more than her marriage? Does he want to leave her? These questions haunt us at night. Khloé, too, by the sounds of it. The embattled reality star, who this week announced she and Lamar are temporarily benching their reality show, Khloé & Lamar, tells People mag there are bumps in her marriage.

George Clooney , who seems to be everywhere these days, led a demonstration against the government of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir Friday outside Sudan's embassy in D.C. It wasn't long before the cops clapped Georgie in cuffs and led him away. What did his mom, Nina Clooney , think of the prospect of his arrest? "He's a big boy. He'll be OK. " Yes, he will. So will his dad, Nick Clooney , who also got arrested. George has been active investigating reports of war crimes by Bashir, reports that outspoken George says are true.