Ben Affleck spent his second day at the DNC helping pack boxes of food for the needy, and last night Jennifer Garner arrived to watch the speeches, including Obama's surprise appearance. Ben is probably doing a lot of schmoozing, though it sounds like one convention attendee he isn't jumping to call is his ex Jennifer Lopez. Ben was eager, however, to chat about Matt Damon's new baby girl. Affleck said, "I've kind of been texting him back and forth, and he's doing great and [wife] Lucy is doing great. Anybody who has a child is excited, I think, no matter what the gender is. They are thrilled. The thing that people really want, when you get down to it, is a healthy child." While we wouldn't be surprised if Ben would like a son, sounds like a perfectly diplomatic answer for a political event.

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• Michael Phelps will host the first episode of Saturday Night Live this season with musical guest Lil Wayne, premiering on Sept. 13. — BuzzSugar
• Sarah Jessica Parker and Anna Wintour are hosting a fundraising fashion show for Barack Obama on Sept. 9 in NYC as part of Fashion Week. — E! Online
• Jerry Seinfeld filed legal documents yesterday in Manhattan federal court saying he did not slander Missy Chase Lapine, who is suing him and his wife; he was just making a joke and is protected by the First Amendment. — NY Post
• One Day at a Time actress Mackenzie Phillips was arrested at LAX on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possibly heroin and cocaine. — Entertainment Tonight
• Numb3rs actress Diane Farr gave birth to twin girls in LA on Wednesday. — People
• Top Chef's Marcel Vigneron was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a DUI after being pulled over for speeding. He has been released on bail. — TMZ

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Jessica Simpson traded in her jeans but kept the plaid with a tablecloth-esque dress performing at Niagara Falls Fallsview Casino last night. She strutted her stuff with her usual range of emotions, but I'm more worried about her outpouring of heart in this week's People. Jess graces the cover and inside proves she hasn't really figured it out that less is more when talking about her relationship. I love me some Jess, but this never seems to turn out well for her. Here are some (ugh) highlights:

• On Tony being the "perfect guy": "I just told him today, 'You're the love of my life,' . . . I don't really ever say that to anybody."
• On changing her phone number and email address so exes can't contact her: "I don't want anybody that's been in my life [before] in my life anymore," she says. "I don't even want them to have any way of contacting me."
• On Tony not doing the same: "I'm not a jealous girlfriend."
• On relationships: "I just love, so I don't understand when people can't do exactly what I do."

I understand she's doing her rounds to promote her album and everyone wants to hear about Tony, but she should know to keep it more private especially after the brief split this past Spring. I'm hoping that it all comes out better when I read the whole interview in the issue and that Jessica's right about Tony being a good enough guy not to let all the talk get in the way.

Splash News Online

Hilary Duff looked casual in sneakers around LA yesterday with a smile on her face, despite some trouble with her family. Hilary's parents are divorcing, and her mother Susan brought her father Bob in for a hearing in Houston yesterday where he ended up being sentenced to 10 days in jail for contempt of court. Susan was there to request $25,000 for Hilary's 21st birthday in September, saying it's how much Haylie received. Susan also said the $10,000 per month she gets isn't enough and she ends up asking Hilary for money. The girls' mom was awarded $12,500, and the sentence was regarding a separate issue of selling assets without court approval. There always seems to be lots of drama in the families of the teen starlets, but thankfully Hilary seems to have found a way to keep a good head on her shoulders through it all.

Pacific Coast News Online

Britney Spears arrived at her Marina del Rey gym looking a little subdued yesterday afternoon for yet another workout. The routine can of course get a little mundane even with all those endorphins running, and with the news of another lame tell-all, it's no surprise she's not looking her most sunny. At least all the outpouring of desire for her to perform at the VMAs has to help put a smile on her face. Hopefully she'll still pull out something great for the red carpet, and who knows, maybe finally get her chance to walk on stage and accept that long-coming moonman.

X17 Online

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden looked like the perfect mix of rock 'n' roll and hippie hipster house-hunting in the Hollywood Hills yesterday afternoon. It doesn't look like Harlow gets much say in the new digs, but I'm guessing she'll happily nap in her new bed and stroll around her new neighborhood with mom and dad no matter where they end up. The young parents look as in love as ever hand-in-hand, but don't let those too-cool-for-school exteriors fool you — their charitable side is as big as ever, and they're even looking for an intern at their foundation.

Mavrix Online