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By United Press International
Susan Lucci arrives for the After-Party for the Grand Finale Celebration of the 7th Annual ABC & SOAPNet Salute to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Benefit at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on March 13, 2011. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh
Susan Lucci arrives for the After-Party for the Grand Finale Celebration of the 7th Annual ABC & SOAPNet Salute to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Benefit at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on March 13, 2011. UPI /Laura Cavanaugh | License Photo

The latest news on today's hottest celebrities ...

SUSAN LUCCI: Longtime "All My Children" actress Susan Lucci will not stay with the U.S. soap opera when it moves from TV to the Internet, Deadline.com reported Tuesday.

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ABC announced this year it canceled the daytime drama after more than four decades, but licensed it to Prospect Park, a production company that intends to continue airing it online.

Deadline.com said Lucci declined Prospect Park's offer to stay on the show after two weeks of negotiations, even though the company was willing to match her current salary.

The entertainment news Web site said the actress wanted more money to work fewer hours, as well as a commitment for a prime time series.


EDDIE MURPHY: Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy has been hired as host of the 2012 Academy Awards in Los Angeles, the show's producers said Tuesday.

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The Oscars, which recognize excellence in film, are to be handed out Feb. 26, in an ABC telecast produced by Brett Ratner and Don Mischer.

This will be Murphy's first stint as emcee of the Oscars. Anne Hathaway and James Franco presided over the 2011 program.

"Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever," Ratner said in a statement. "With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances – especially on stage -- I know he will bring excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February."

"Eddie is a truly ground-breaking performer, whose amazingly diverse array of roles has won him a devoted audience of all ages," Mischer said. "His quick wit and charisma will serve him very well as Oscar host."

"I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others," said Murphy. "I'm looking forward to working with Brett and Don on creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year."

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FRANCES MCDORMAND: Hollywood actress Frances McDormand is to head up the jury at Spain's San Sebastian film festival this month, organizers said.

The jury includes screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga, cinematographer Sophie Maintigneux, directors Alex de la Iglesia and Bent Hamer, and actresses Sophie Okonedo and Bai Ling, the BBC said.

The festival is to run from Sept. 16-24.

McDormand's films include "Fargo," "Mississippi Burning," "Almost Famous" and "North Country." She won the Best Actress Oscar for "Fargo."


ALYSON HANNIGAN: U.S. actress Alyson Hannigan says she was sporting an unflattering shirt, and is not pregnant as she may have appeared in a photo widely circulated last week.

"NO, I'm not pregnant!" Hannigan clarified via Twitter Sunday. "I just ate too much carnival food, that time of the month, hurt my back & couldn't suck my gut in, and need to do cardio!"

UsMagazine.com said Hannigan's message addressed pregnancy rumors sparked by a photo showing her clad in a loose-fitting top while attending the Malibu Chili Cook Off and carnival.

"And I'm NEVER gonna wear that shirt again!!!" the actress said in her Twitter posting. "I do LOOK pregnant in that photo!"

The "How I Met Your Mother" co-star is married to actor Alexis Denisof. They are the parents of a 2-year-old daughter named Satyana.

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Hannigan and Denisof appeared together on the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

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