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From outside the bubble: Entertainment news in brief

Date 2/16/2006 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

Conan O'Brien, Sauna Inspector

Late Night talk show host Conan O'Brien announced Sat., Feb. 11 he wishes to be named inspector of saunas in Finland's Government Cabinet.

O'Brien endorsed the re-election of Finnish President Tarja Halonen, 62, on his show with mock ad campaigns during her campaign last year. O'Brien suspects the position would be a nice reward from the President.

O'Brien shares appearance markers with the tomato-haired, pale-skinned Halonen, which inspired O'Brien's mock campaign.

However, one can tell the two apart with one distinguishing characteristic - Halonen is a woman. Halonen is Finland's first female president and is entering her second term.

O'Brien met Halonen in her home country Tuesday. He arrived Saturday in Helsinki, Finland's capital.

"I'd like to be the inspector of saunas, mostly women's saunas," O'Brien joked to over 2,000 fans who braved subzero temperatures to catch a glimpse of Finland's most unlikely - or possibly most likely - celebrity.

First the Olympics, then the Apprentice

Donald Trump wants to tell an Olympian "You're hired." Or fired.

The choice will be made in next season's installment of Trump's reality TV show "The Apprentice."

Trump is offering fans the chance to pick one of 12 members of the United States Winter Olympic team to compete in "The Apprentice."

Approaching its sixth season, Trump hopes the 'super athlete' will add a competitive edge and major some star power to the aging television show.

Visit NBCOlympics.com between now and Feb. 26 to vote for the Olympian best suited for the boardroom. The winner will be flown straight from Torino, Italy following the winter games to New York City to meet with 'The Donald.' The sixth season will tape in Los Angeles.

Athletes up for the spot include: Allison Baver (short track speed skater), Travis Cabral (freestyle skier), Casey FitzRandolph (speed skater), Todd Hays (bobsledder), Chad Hedrick (speed skater), Danny Kass (snow boarder), Joe Pack (freestyle skier), Speedy Peterson (freestyle skier), Angela Ruggiero (women's ice hockey player), Katie Uhlaender (skeleton racer), Seth Wescott (snow boarder) and Chris Witty (speed skater).

The fifth season of the Apprentice will begin airing Feb. 27.

Brit's baby behind the wheel

Britney Spears made an oops, but she claims she won't do it again.

Spears came under fire after she was spotted a week ago with her infant son Sean Preston Federline perched on her lap as she sped away from paparazzi.

Spears claims the paparazzi swarming her car were frightening herself and her child. Spears explained the quick get-away was the only reason her son was not properly fastened in a car seat.

"I was terrified that this time the physically aggressive paparazzi would put both me and my baby in danger. I instinctively took measures to get my baby and me out of harm's way," Spears said in a statement.

Spears admitted the move was not safe and a "mistake."

Former Creed frontman marries, lands in jail

Creed crooner Scott Stapp wed beauty Jaclyn Nesheiwat in Miami Feb. 10, but the honeymoon didn't last long.

Just hours after the nuptials, Stapp was arrested in Los Angeles for public intoxication.

Airline personnel at Los Angeles International Airport blocked Stapp from boarding a plane to Hawaii Saturday, declaring him too 'boisterous' and 'antagonistic' to fly.

Lieutenant Tyrone Stallings, airport police spokesman said the rock n' roll man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in a public place.

Stapp was taken to Van Nuys station for processing and later released. Stapp, 32, was ordered to report for arraignment on March 8.

Stapp's blood alcohol level was reportedly 0.18, nearly twice the legal limit, according to TMZ.com. TMZ.com also claims Stapp ordered the test.

Nesheiwat, 25, is a former Miss New York. This was the second wedding for Stapp, the first for Nesheiwat.

3 Doors Down singer recovering from car accident

3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold is recovering at home in Billoxi, Miss.. following a car wreck Feb. 1.

Arnold and his wife, Terika, hit water on a rural Mississippi highway and hydroplaned, flew down a high embankment and smashed into a tree.

The couple were traveling home in a rainstorm after a night at a casino.

Arnold sustained multiple injuries, including severe lacerations and bruises, according to the band's Web site.

Clooney's perfect woman

George Clooney's perfect mate would have Nicole Kidman's laugh, Julia Roberts' personality, J Lo's ambition, and aspects of Michelle Pfeiffer, Clooney told Star magazine.

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