• The studios offered the striking writers [1] a new contract that promises increased earnings when work is viewed online. The writers took the "New Economic Partnership" contract to mull over until talks resume on Tuesday. It sounds like they are at least taking steps in a more fair direction, right? — BuzzSugar [2]
• Drea de Matteo and boyfriend Shooter Jennings welcomed a baby girl named Alabama Gypsy Rose on Wednesday, adding a country twist to the wacky celebrity baby name trend. Congrats to the family! — E! News [3]
• More on the strike: Conan O'Brien is personally paying all of his nonwriting staff their salaries as the strike continues, following in the footsteps of David Letterman. Conan is definitely feeling the holiday spirit. — Variety [4]
• Rodney King was shot in the face and arm yesterday, but his wounds are not life-threatening. Thank goodness he's okay — the man has been through enough already. — TMZ [5]
• In response to the lawsuit filed [6] by her ex-husband, the billionaire Ron Perelman, Ellen Barkin is calling his actions "frivolous" and a "cynical abuse of the legal system." At this point they must just enjoy calling each other out in the press. — People [7]
• Akon has been charged with assault stemming from the June incident in which he threw a 15-year-old boy from the stage into the crowd. Akon really gets himself into trouble with teenagers [8]. — TMZ [9]

Source [10]