Extortion Charges Dropped in John Travolta Case

A judge in the Bahamas has dropped the charges in the extortion case involving John Travolta ... at the actor's request.

The two defendants -- Tarino Lightbourne and Pleasant Bridgewater -- were charged with trying to allegedly get millions from John in return for keeping an ambulance waiver secret on the day Jett died.

The first trial resulted in a mistrial.  Travolta now says he does not want to return to the Bahamas a year later to revisit the tragedy, adding, "The first trial in this matter resulted in a heavy emotional toll on my family."

Travolta, who with wife Kelly Preston are expecting a boy, goes on:  "It was finally time to put this matter behind us ... I concluded that it was in my family's best interest for me not to voluntarily return to the Bahamas to testify a second time at trial."

An official from the Bahamas tells us prosecutors still have the option to file the case again ... but without the cooperation of the alleged victim it's highly unlikely.

David Hasselhoff On Dancing With The Stars: "This Is Not The Easiest Thing I've Ever Done"

David Hasselhoff, carrying a pair of blue suede shoes as he left the Dancing With The Stars rehearsal, told photogs that non-stop dancing practice with partner Kym Johnson "is not the easeist thing I've ever done."

Hasselhoff, who isn't even the oldest contestant this season (Florence Henderson has that honor) should be in great shape for the show, since he's been spending the summer performing with his daughters in Europe, but I guess even the Hoff can't handle 8 hours of dancing!

The former Baywatch star said he was going to hit the beach after sweating his butt off in the studio, where he had to return the next day promptly at 7am. No rest for the weary!

Lindsay Lohan Remains Positive Despite Being Knocked Off The Top Spot At The Box Office

Lindsay Lohan got a good start on Friday, but ultimately George Clooney's new flick The American outperformed hers this weekend, with $13 million to Machete's $11.3 million. Takers earned $11.5 million, bumping Machete to the number three spot at the box office, but there's still time for the film to accumulate more money in ticket sales, and Lindsay is certainly proud of her work!

The actress, who hasn't been tweeting much lately, wrote on her Twitter account over the weekend, "Its a beautiful day in la to have a hit film!!! Congrats to all of the cast, crew, & production team of #MACHETE !! Danny Trejo is fantastic." Lindsay added on Friday, "I'm so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful cast & experience! It's such a blessing!", so even though she wasn't exactly invited to the premiere, she's definitely doing her part to promote the flick and be positive!

Pamela Anderson Strips Down For Nokia

Now THIS is how you sell a phone! Pamela Anderson has stripped down to her lacy skivvies for the launch of Nokia's soon-to-be-released N8 handset.

Along with the sexy campaign is a competition in which a lucky winner will be chosen to film a bedroom scene with the former Baywatch babe, 43, for a short film called The Commuter. Sign me up!

Speaking of phones ... looks like the person doing the photoshop work is on speed dial!

Wyclef Jean Disses Sean Penn For Criticism Of Haiti Presidential Bid, Accuses Him Of "Sniffing Cocaine"

After Sean Penn and former Fugees bandmate Praswell criticized Wyclef Jean's bid to run for president of Haiti, the MC is firing back in a big way.

"I got a message for Sean Penn: Maybe he ain't see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine," Wyclef sang during Hot 97's On The Reggae Tip concert Friday. (Penn said he hadn't seen Wyclef on the ground in Haiti during Sean's six month earthquake relief mission.)

As for Pras, "even though you don't want to support me, I got love for you, even though you only kicked 8 bars in the Fugees," he sang, switching out the lyrics to his song "President."

Wyclef was deemed ineligible to run for president of Haiti after a board determined he was not a resident.

Jim Toth Hangs With Reese Witherspoon And Her Kids

On Saturday, Jim Toth joined Reese Witherspoon and her kids Ava and Deacon at Ojai restaurant, and the foursome looked like one happy family when we spotted them leaving with a pizza box. Jim and Reese have been dating for over six months now, and though Reese has stayed pretty mum on her relationship with the talent agent, it sure seems like things are very serious between the two of them!

More serious than they were with Jake Gyllenhaal even?

Joe Jackson -- Spankings Kept Michael Out of Gangs

The interview with Joe was shot by Jacksonsecretvault.com over the summer and will be used as part of a movie Katherine Jackson is producing with Howard Mann.

The interviewer asks Joe what he thinks about Michael's past comments about Joe's parenting -- alluding to allegations of physical abuse. Joe says, "I had to be like that because when raising him, in those days, so many gangs out there getting into trouble, going to jail. Most of them are dead now. He didn't have to worry about that."

The interviewer also asked if Joe had any regrets, "No! They tried to make a big issue when I spanked Michael or some of the kids, ya know? Just like they didn't spank their kids when they did wrong. The media twists everything."

NFL team drops former Heisman winner

As expected, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart lost his job today.

And before you think, "Well, Leinart went to USC and was coached by Pete Carroll, so Leinart will land in Seattle," keep in mind that just-released quarterback Patrick Ramsey, formerly of the Saints, played for the Denver Broncos in 2007 and 2008 when current offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was there. Ramsey seems a more reasonable option.

The Seahawks also acquired Eagles lineman Stacy Andrews and lost legendary line coach Alex Gibbs to an apparent retirement.