LA.com Snippets: Kevin Hart to Jimmy Fallon, Joan Rivers to Stallone ...

Comedian Kevin Hart to host MTV Video Music Awards

Kevin Hart isn't just the host of next month's MTV Video Music Awards, he's also part of Hollywood's hottest new couple.

The comedian stars alongside Kim Kardashian and Kanye West in a video posted Wednesday on MTV's website. Hart tells the pair he's hosting the VMA show and that paparazzi are trying to get a look at "the new 'it' couple," adding, "I'm talking about Kev-Ye-Kim."

The video shows a casually clad Kardashian and West, who is up for two Video Music Awards, lounging on the end of a bed.

The MTV Video Music Awards will be presented Sept. 6 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Fallon was asked, and

In this Aug. 29, 2010 file photo, host Jimmy Fallon presents during the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Fallon told Matt Lauer on Wed., Aug. 8, 2012 during a "Today" show broadcast, that he was asked to host next year s 85th Academy Awards but declined the gig. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, file)

passed, on Oscar host gig

Jimmy Fallon says he was asked to host next year's Academy Awards but declined the gig.

The talk-show host told Matt Lauer Wednesday that "it's an honor to be asked by the academy, but it's not my year."

Fallon, who hosted the 2010 Primetime Emmys, made the remarks during a "Today" show broadcast from London.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not respond to requests for comment. The organization recently elected a new president, Hawk Koch, whose responsibility it is to help select the Oscar telecast producer.

Traditionally, the producer then chooses the Oscar host. But the academy has not announced its choice for producer, yet Fallon's comments would suggest the process of selecting a host is already under way.

Meanwhile, last year's Oscar host, Billy Crystal, tells USA Today he would be open to returning for a 10th turn at leading the ceremony. "The door is open. It's up to them. I had a very good time this last time," he said.

The 85th Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 24, 2013.

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Joan Rivers protests Costco not selling her book

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Police were called to a Costco store in a Los Angeles suburb after comedian Joan Rivers handcuffed herself to a shopping cart to protest the store, which is not selling her latest book.

The 79-year-old "Fashion Police" host was being filmed by a camera crew Tuesday as she complained that the store in Burbank, Calif., had refused to carry her book, "I Hate Everything... Starting With Me."

Burbank city spokesman Drew Sugars says the store manager called police, who sent officers to the scene because they were uncertain of the scale of the situation.

They ended up escorting Rivers from the store, and she and her crew left without incident.

Sugars says there were no citations or arrests.

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Actor Michael Clarke Duncan remains hospitalized

"The Green Mile" star Michael Clarke Duncan remains hospitalized in Los Angeles more than three weeks after suffering a heart attack.

Publicist Joy Fehily said in a brief email statement Monday that the 54-year-old actor "was just moved from the intensive care unit, but remains hospitalized" following his July 13 heart attack.

"His family are firm believers in the power of prayer and have asked that you keep him in yours during this time," the statement said. No further information was available on Duncan's condition.

Besides "The Green Mile," the actor's film credits include "The Scorpion King," ''Armageddon," ''Breakfast of Champions," ''The Whole Nine Yards" and "Sin City."

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Stallone skips 'Expendables 2' promotions

Ryan Pearson, AP Entertainment Writer

The cast of "The Expendables 2" say they're giving co-star and writer Sylvester Stallone space after the death of his son last month.

Stallone's 36-year-old son Sage died on July 13 in his Los Angeles home - a day after Stallone was joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger and other "Expendables" stars at Comic-Con in San Diego.

"Something like that is so severe. You can't really do anything. I sent him a handwritten note. I contributed to a charity for his kid," said Dolph Lundgren, one of a number of aging action stars featured in the film, which opens Aug. 17.

"He knows we're thinking about him," Lundgren said at a recent media event for the film. "He knows us. He knows our prayers go out to him. But what are you going to do? I have two kids. And all you can do is hug your kids and go thank God it didn't happen to you."

Stallone has not made any public appearances since the death. His publicist said in a statement that the star was "devastated and grief-stricken." No cause of death has been announced.

Sage Moonblood Stallone was the oldest of Sylvester Stallone's children and co-starred with his father in two films: 1990's "Rocky V" and 1996's "Daylight."

Mixed-martial-arts veteran turned actor Randy Couture said the cast was missing Stallone during promotion of the film, which includes a European trip and next week's Los Angeles premiere.

"He is the leader of this group, both on-screen and off-screen. And so we miss him here," Couture said. "But we understand. We're parents. We have kids. We can't really imagine what he's going through now. But what do you say? ... So we're giving him space."

Co-star Terry Crews, a former NFL player turned actor, said the cast would handle publicity for the film to allow Stallone time to grieve.

"The best thing that we can do right now is hold it down here for him. This is his baby," Crews said. "This is one thing that he came up with that he's changed the world yet again. And I'm proud to be here and repping for him. Whatever he needs, we got him."

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.