Scientology

After losing over 75 Scientolopounds on Jenny Craig, Kirstie said she was planning to start her very own slim down system that she'd launch next year. But these days it's clear ... Kirstie isn't taking her own medicine.

But how's this for a theory -- she can't sell a weight loss program if there's no dramatic before and after fresh in people's minds. So she balloons up, then slims down, and then sells tons (you'll pardon the expression) of her magic weight loss stuff.

Genius!

Peterson's lawyers say that Illinois State Police wanted prosecutors to nab the ex-cop on a weapons violation for carrying an AR-15 assault rifle illegally. But this snap that Peterson took with Travolta in 2000, they say, shows Peterson with the assault rifle while on duty, guarding John while on tour shilling "Battlefield Earth."

According to the cease and desist letter sent by Cruise's law firm, the store leaked false info that Suri's parents dropped a cool $350 - $400K on the tot's wardrobe over the last two years. Tom and Katie's mouthpieces claim the store violated their clients' right of privacy.

The lawyers are asking the store to, "not say anything (whether true or false) about Mr. Cruise and Ms. Holmes' shopping habits."

When TMZ spoke to Petit's Andy Behrman all we got was, "Are we allowed to comment?"

Will Smith has dropped a bunch of money into opening up a new school in Calabasas, according to a report in the National Enquirer.

But we did a little digging, and the New Village Academy's website indicates that one of their models of learning is something called "Study Technology" -- a method created by none other than L. Ron Hubbard. The school also emphasizes the teaching of ethics and survival -- again, big topics in Scientology.

While Smith is not mentioned per se on the school's site, his reps did not deny his involvement. Instead, they gave TMZ the generic, "no comment", when questioned about his involvement in both the school and the Church.

So is he, or isn't he - a Scientologist, that is. According to Big Willy, he's not.

Will Smith says just because he's a Friend of Tom doesn't mean he's a Scientologist ... not that there's anything wrong with that.

Smith tells Rush & Molloy, "You don't have to be Jewish to be a friend of Steven Spielberg. You don't have to be a Muslim to be a friend of Muhammad Ali. And you don't have to be a Scientologist to be a friend of Tom Cruise." So what is Smith, anyway? "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions."

Is his new Adolf flick going to be "Mission: Impossible IV"? The German government banned shooting on several military and government locations allegedly because of Cruise's Scientology beliefs. Mein diskampfort!

Cruise will be back in the states this weekend to host a private welcoming party for the L.A. arrival of Victoria and David Beckham. Everybody in the bunker!

Holmes was spotted "early boarding" a flight in Nice, France -- sans tiny Suri and teeny Tom. The robowife wore this burnt orange leather vest last worn by Steven Tyler in Aerosmith's 1977 "Draw the Line" tour, offset by a mustard colored blowfish purse she might have found while snorkeling in those goggles.

The Cruises were in France for the wedding of fellow Scientologist/billionaire James Packer to model Erica Baxter. Party at the Scientology Celebrity Centre, baby! Then it's off to shuffleboard!

It sure looks like him, he's got the hair, that same faux-robotic candor, and we all know how Mr. Cruise just loves to get up in people's faces about Scientology. But is it actually him?

In the new BBC documentary "Scientology and Me," reporter John Sweeney is repeatedly tailed -- and badgered -- by a Scientology bigshot who bears a shocking resemblance to the "Mission: Impossible" star. (Sweeney was caught on tape last week screaming at this same Church operative.)

So is it really Tom Cruise? Watch and decide -- and then find out the surprising truth after the jump.

The BBC and the Church of Scientology are feuding over a scheduled TV special -- and their battle has spilled onto the web.

The latest assault comes from Scientology, famous for celebrity members like John Travolta and Tom Cruise. A video of BBC reporter John Sweeney losing his cool while talking with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis hit the net over the weekend. Sweeney is speaking to Davis in a calm, normal tone when he suddenly starts SCREAMING at the top of his lungs! Quite random.

Sweeney, who has been working for months on a BBC special scheduled to air tonight, had been in a previous tiff with Davis. When Sweeney began a Davis interview with the line, "Some people say it's a sinister cult," Davis took umbrage -- and who can blame him? -- but at least he did so without screaming!

"If you are interested in becoming a TV journalist, it is a fine example of how not to do it," Sweeney said on the BBC website. "I look like an exploding tomato and shout like a jet engine and every time I see it, it makes me cringe." Well said, John.

Scientology church ladies Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley and Priscilla Presley used their combined intergalatic superpowers for, er, good on Saturday.

The holy trinity of thetans hammed it up for Scientology's 'Citizens Commission on Human Rights' awards banquet, which highlighted "psycho-pharmaceutical whistleblowers" this year.

Is this the same Elliot Mintz that used to be a DJ in the '60s?

You may have just dated yourself, Chris! Yes, the Elliot Mintz of today is the same as the Elliot Mintz of the 60's. He used to DJ for KPPC, the underground rock station straight from Pasadena. Mintz can also list the legendary John Lennon as one of his PR clients and personal friends. He worked for nine different radio stations over a ten year period as a disc jockey and radio host. He interviewed over 2,000 people and was the entertainment correspondent for Eyewitness News on KABC in Los Angeles. He is an award-winning journalist, has represented more than 40 clients and currently represents roughly ten individuals whom he chooses not to name.

Of course we know that this bachelor is also the publicist and go-to man for none other than Paris Hilton -- and was quoted in a recent NY Times profile as saying he adores Paris.

Click here to see one of his latest public and work appearances.

Among the tattered items that Veronica has taken out of her closet are ripped lampshades, lots of children's toys, kitchen utensils and a cookbook by fellow Scientologist, Isaac Hayes. Did we mention there were enough huge food items to set a table for the Jolly Green Giant?

Alec Baldwin graces the October issue of GQ, and gives the men's mag a fairly juicy interview, including his views on Tom Cruise and his controversial religion Scientology.

He gives Tom props, saying "No one has played by the rules better, for longer, than Tom. As for Scientology, Alec says "All I know is I don't see people who are disciples of Tom's faith driving planes into the World Trade Center. When Scientologists start crashing planes into the Pentagon, then I think we should sit Tom down and have a grand jury talk to him. In the meantime, let's just leave him alone."

The entire interview is in October's issue of GQ, on stands today.

If Tom Cruise's recent public displays weren't evidence enough, Scientologists Jenna and Bodhi Elfman prove that they, too, are willing to go to great lengths to defend their religion.

Indie film director John Roecker tells TMZ he was walking to his car with a female friend in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood last Sunday when he was approached by a shirtless man and a tall blonde. "Hey, man, you're making fun of my religion," said the stranger angrily.

Roecker quickly recognized the couple as actor Bodhi Elfman and his wife, 'Dharma and Greg' star Jenna Elfman. Mr. Elfman's ire was apparently drawn by Roecker's self-made t-shirt, which had a picture of Tom Cruise on the front under the caption "Scientology is Gay!" and a 'Stayin'-Alive'-era John Travolta on the back with the words "Very Gay!" For the record, both Cruise and Travolta have said repeatedly they are not gay.