Entertainment Today: Showbiz News

ROBERT BLAKE PLEADS INNOCENT

Former television star Robert Blake pleaded innocent Thursday to murder and conspiracy charges in the death of his wife.

At an arraignment hearing in California, Blake and co-defendant Earle Caldwell waived their rights to a speedy trial. The case is expected to go to trial in October.

The 69-year-old former "Baretta" star is accused of shooting to death his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, almost two years ago. Blake is currently out on bail, living at home and monitored electronically by the authorities.

Caldwell, Blake's former bodyguard, also pleaded innocent to a murder conspiracy charge.

ROCK WANTS TO WORK WITH KEVIN SMITH AGAIN

Chris Rock says he would love to work again with his "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" filmmaker Kevin Smith.

"I want to work with Kevin again," Rock told reporters in New York. "Ben Affleck's the star of ('Jersey Girl'). I wanted that movie. I want to star in a (Kevin Smith movie.)"

So, did he actually lobby for the role in "Jersey Girl"?

"Yeah. I mentioned it," he admitted. "I wanted that movie. I really wanted 'Jersey Girl.' He wanted Ben and then I started this. I want to star in one."

Of course, the award-winning comedian said he would play another supporting role for a filmmaker like Smith.

"If Kevin had a supporting role, I'd take that," he stated. "It depends on who the movie's with. If the star is bigger than me, then I'll take the supporting role. If the star is not... I just got offered the role, Ashton Kutcher, a supporting role, I was like, 'Why would I do that?' I would have no problem carrying Mel Gibson's bag, but Ashton Kutcher's bags?"

Asked what he admires so much about the "Chasing Amy" and "Clerks" director, Rock replied: "He does it so simple. Very simple. Movies don't have to be so complicated. He does it so simple. It's all on the page."

"Head of State," Rock's directorial debut, opens Friday.

TRAVOLTA REVEALS SECRETS FOR STAYING FIT

John Travolta says he chose exercise over dieting to get in shape for his new action flick, "Basic."

Asked if he found working out an easy or painful process, the actor quipped, "Painful process."

"But the only thing that wasn't painful about it was that I didn't choose to diet," he explained to reporters in New York. "I chose to exercise more. I don't like diets. I don't believe in them, really. I believe in nutrition, but I don't believe in restricting life force on something. You get in trouble when you try to stop people from eating or having sex. Just drop it. They're gonna do it anyway no matter what you say."

So, what kind of exercise does the "Saturday Night Fever" icon do?

"I did a hour-and-a-half of cardiovascular on the treadmill, but I prefer to play a sport like racquetball or tennis and then I would do weights and sit-ups and if I ate something I really liked, then I just kind of get an idea how many calories were in it and I just worked that much more," he said.

"Basic," co-starring Connie Nielsen and Samuel L. Jackson, opens Friday.