Alley Will No Longer Play Weighting Game With Craig

Kirstie Alley and Jenny Craig may have gone their separate ways, but the one-time "Fat Actress" isn't giving up on the weight loss industry.

"After lengthy negotiations, regretfully the Jenny Craig Company and I did not come to an agreement to continue as their spokesperson," Alley said in a statement on People Magazine's Web site Tuesday.

Alley, 57, told People that while her experience with Jenny Craig was "extraordinary," she wants "to create something new that will help millions of people end the seemingly never ending fatty-roller coaster ride."

Alley, known for her role on "Cheers," said she intends to develop her own weight-loss brand with plans to launch in 2009.

Fur Flies Over Franklin's Grammys Attire

PETA thinks Aretha Franklin is no queen of soul when it comes to wearing fur. Franklin was crowned this year's worst-dressed celebrity by the animal rights organization. Her crime: wearing "yet another vulgar fur" at the Grammy Awards.

"You looked as if you were going to perform 'I Am the Walrus' by the Beatles," People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Wednesday of Franklin's appearance. "You might be a queen, but you don't know jack about compassion. ...How 'bout some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for animals?"

Other offenders are Marilyn Manson, Eva Longoria, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue.

Wilson Going In Front Of Cameras Again

Owen Wilson is going back to work for the first time since his reported suicide attempt last summer.

Wilson, 39, and co-star Jennifer Aniston begin shooting March 10 on 20th Century Fox's "Marley & Me," the studio said. It tells the tale of a couple who adopt a dog to give parenthood a trial run, then find the mischievous pooch more than they bargained for.

After he was hospitalized in August, Wilson dropped out of this summer's comedy "Tropic Thunder," which already had been in production. He was replaced by Matthew McConaughey.

Due out Christmas Day, "Marley & Me" is directed by David Frankel. Alan Arkin co-stars.

Moore Muses About Castro At Oscars

"Sicko" director Michael Moore jokes that Fidel Castro would be a "ratings grabber" at Sunday's Academy Awards.

Moore's Oscar-nominated documentary on the health-care industry concludes with a trip to Cuba, where he seeks care for a group of 9/11 responders who have health problems. They are greeted with open arms at a Havana hospital and given what appears to be top-notch care that they could not get in the United States.

Castro, 81 and in poor health, announced his retirement as president of Cuba this week, ending a half-century of autocratic rule.

"I got some great news today because I was trying to figure out how I was going to get Castro into the Oscars and for me he resigns today so he can come to L.A. and go as my guest and perhaps give the acceptance speech," Moore told AP Television on Tuesday.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Rue McClanahan is 73. Record company executive David Geffen is 65. Actor Alan Rickman is 62. Actor William Petersen ("C.S.I.") is 55. Actor Kelsey Grammer is 53. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt is 29. Actress Ellen Page ("Juno") is 21.

The Associated Press