Celebrity Dish: Serving up the gossip you should know!

It is my opinion that reality TV was created to be fun, frivolous entertainment – something to fill the void while the regular serials are on hiatus. But in reality (yes, pun intended), these shows aren’t trivial at all. In fact, what we learn from them can be quite serious. They can provide insight into human interactions (Big Brother). They can provide financial comfort to those who might need it (Survivor). They can lead people to their true loves (The Bachelorette). They can even improve your health (The Biggest Loser).

The seriousness of reality TV certainly was felt this week. The body of former model Jasmine Fiore was discovered stuffed into a suitcase and left in a dumpster in Buena Park, Calif., last week. Her husband, Ryan Jenkins, who was a contestant on VH1’s Megan Wants a Millionaire, was considered a suspect in the murder. He was found dead of an apparent suicide earlier this week at a motel in Hope, British Columbia, Canada.

But that wasn’t his first brush with the law. Jenkins, who also participated in VH1’s I Love Money 3, was charged in June in Clark County, Nev., with a misdemeanor count of “battery constituting domestic violence” for allegedly hitting Fiore in the arm and was set to be tried in December.

In his hometown of Calgary, Jenkins was sentenced to 15 months probation in January 2007 on an unspecified assault charge. The AP reports that Alain Hepner, Jenkins’ attorney in that matter, said as part of the judgment the judge also ordered counseling for anger management, domestic violence and sexual addiction. Hepner said there was also a civil restraining order.

The couple reportedly had a “big blowout” in May but since had reconciled. Fiore was 28; Jenkins was 32. VH1 has canceled Megan Wants a Millionaire and I Love Money 3.

True Blood stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer may have found real-life love on the set of fictional Bon Temps, but marriage is indeed coming before the baby carriage for this engaged couple. Rumors that they were expecting spread earlier this week, but her representatives denied reports that Paquin is pregnant.

Actress Heather Locklear hasn’t appeared on reality TV, but she is reportedly in talks to reprise her role as Amanda Woodward on the CW’s reincarnation of Melrose Place. First Kelly Taylor and now Amanda Woodward? If we can get Nelson back to the top of the charts, it’ll be like the early 1990s (and my junior high school days) all over again!

And while I might still occasionally gossip like I did in junior high, this journalist certainly doesn’t want your soul …

Krista Richmond is a journalist and pop culture enthusiast. Have a question, suggestion or hot gossip tip? Send them to her at krista@killerfilm.com.