Blog Posts by Claudine Zap

The Duggars have traveled from Arkansas to Asia: A three-part special on TLC follows the reality family of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids and grandkids as they navigate Tokyo, Kyoto, and Beijing.

The below teaser of the special, "19 Kids and Counting: Duggars Do Asia," which follows the family on its trip to the Far East, shows Jim Bob asking, again and again, "Do you speak English?" Says Michelle Duggar, "We couldn't communicate at all." Not that anything like a language barrier would stop this family from jumping in.

Eyeing an entire fish brought out with a flourish on a platter at a restaurant, one of the Duggar children says suspiciously, "It looked like it might still be alive."

On its blog, the conservative Christian family recounts how everyone tried a traditional Japanese breakfast of seaweed and seafood, took a rickshaw ride, and learned how to make -- and eat -- a sushi hand roll. In China, the family visited the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square,

David Williams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell on

Through the show "Britain's Got Talent," music mogul Simon Cowell gives lucky newcomers a boost. It appears he's also getting some help himself: A photo by the Sun of the judge's seat at show auditions in Glasgow revealed Simon's chair to have an extra pillow. A rep for the show has downplayed the evidence.

The sharp-tongued Cowell isn't afraid to lay on the critiques but seems to be sensitive to his own personal shortcoming: his size. At about 5-foot-9 unaided, the celebrity judge looks to be attempting to keep up with his taller co-judge.

[Related: 'American Idol' recap of the Long Beach and San Antonio auditions]

This wouldn't be the first time Cowell has added to his height in sneaky ways -- he has been photographed in chunky Cuban heels, which give him some extra inches. The 53-year-old's spiky hairstyle might also help give the star a little lift.

A Twitter photo of David Williams and Simon CowellTaking his booster seat next to the other judges on the show, Cowell seems to be the same height as fellow judge David Williams,

Jessica Simpson will go from reality TV to scripted TV for her next venture: a comedy based on her life. Simpson will play herself in the unnamed sitcom being developed for NBC.

According to TV Guide, the network has greenlighted filming a presentation -- a pre-pilot that will give the network enough footage to consider ordering the show for the next season. The pilot will be written by executive producer Nick Bakay ("Zookeeper"), along with Ben Silverman -- who brought Simpson on to the reality competition "Fashion Star" -- and Simpson's manager and dad, Joe Simpson.

Simpson answers questions from "Fashion Star" fans: 

So, is Jessica Simpson's life funny? She seems to think so. The star told the Hollywood Reporter, "I am so excited to work with Ben and NBC again, this time on a scripted comedy. I often find myself thinking that no one could ever make up the things that actually happen in my life -- so between the real-life elements and a great team of writers, I think we'll

Huell Howser, the man famous for loving California on his popular show "California's Gold," has died, according to public television station KCET. He was 67.

The public TV host celebrated the odd and the oddly wonderful on his many shows, which also included "Videolog, "Road Trip," and "California's Green." The folksy host could get excited over an artichoke festival, gleefully explore the "upside-down house," and watch in amazement at an avocado-eating dog.

With the news of Howser's death, his name soon become a trending topic on Twitter, bringing forth a flurry of comments. Comic Andy Richter posted, "Really sad about Huell Howser's death. Seriously, he was one of my all-time favorite TV people."

Another fan, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening, created a character in Howser's honor named Howell Huser, who dubbed Springfield the "worst town ever." The real-life Howser liked it so much that he appeared on the show in 2009. Said Groening, "He's beloved. And people like to say

Photo by Ben WattsKaley Cuoco, who graces the cover of the January issue of Self magazine, reveals her healthy habits along with one that left her badly injured.

[More from Self: The Flat-Abs-Fast Secret]

The 27-year-old "Big Bang Theory" star tells the magazine that one of her favorite workouts is horseback riding, which she learned at the age of 15. She has been on horses almost every day since, but in 2010, she had a scary experience.

She recalls, "Two years ago, I fell off my horse and crushed my leg. Before surgery, I had to sign a contract saying it was OK if they had to amputate!"

[More from Self: 6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism]

Photo by Ben WattsThe active actress continues, "When I awoke with my leg, I was so happy. I was back on the horse while the cast was still on. I have four horses, and they are my everything. I was determined not to lose that." The star adds, "I am a little more careful now!"

In addition to riding, the fabulously fit Cuoco also spins. The high-energy indoor cycling

You're not seeing double. The two adorable girls bundled up in hot-pink down coats are the twin daughters of Michael Strahan.

The "Live With Kelly and Michael" host headed to the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building with 8-year-olds Isabella and Sophia on Thursday.

The kids were on hand as their dad lit up the landmark in glowing green, in honor of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The sightseeing stop was a sweet moment -- and part of an event-filled, daylong tour of Manhattan filmed for Friday's show.

The former New York Giant took his girls on holiday expeditions that included visiting Santa Claus at Macy's, watching the skaters at Bryant Park, shopping at the famed FAO Schwarz toy store, and hitting up the American Girl store. That night the threesome took in "The Lion King" on Broadway.

On Wednesday night, the former NFL star had made a Broadway debut of his own -- appearing on stage for a production of the holiday comedy, "Elf."

Strahan seemed up for

Angus T. Jones has had his Charlie Sheen-style meltdown moment -- telling viewers not to watch his hugely popular show, "Two and a Half Men," because it's "filth" and "inappropriate." So it was only a matter of time before a spoof hit the Web.

Enter fellow sitcom star Rainn Wilson of "The Office." The actor sits next to co-star Craig Robinson and tells viewers, "Dwight from 'The Office' is nothing, OK?" He adds, "If you watch 'The Office', please don't watch 'The Office.' I'm on 'The Office.' It's filth. And that filth will rot your brain."

The teen's remarks -- he urges fans to "do some research on the effect of television on your brain" and compares TV to Satan -- were a stunning rebuke of a show he has starred in for 10 years alongside Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher, who replaced Charlie Sheen after his memorable public meltdown. The young star is one of the highest-paid on television, reportedly making $300,000 an episode.

[Related: Charlie Sheen blames 'Two and a Half Men'

Stop the presses. Padma Lakshmi, the stunning host of "Top Chef," says she's "like a truck driver" stuck in a model's body. Just your run-of-the mill, gorgeous truck driver. Got that, guys?

In an interview with Playboy magazine, the reality star explains how she looks high-maintenance but really isn't, saying, "A lot of men get frustrated with me, actually, because I am like a guy. Honestly, I'm like a truck driver trapped in this body. I don't want to be your best friend. I don't expect you to give me a birthday card or send me flowers. I don't need fancy trips. You could take me across the street."

The 42-year-old added, "Don't get me wrong. That stuff's nice, but I am a physical and sensual person. I love to be held. I love massages. I'm just not a Hallmark kind of gal."

She is the kind of gal who puts on weight when she eats the super-rich fare presented for the challenges. She admitted to