Courtney Hazlett The Scoop

Lindsay Lohan’s possible involvement with “Ugly Betty” has been rumored for months, and now the beleaguered actress is finally onboard with the show, and even made her first appearance on set on May 3.

“She really, really needs this to go well,” said one industry source who has worked with Lohan in the past. “For the longest time she’s been getting terrible advice — that’s been obvious for quite some time. This is the first good decision she’s made from an acting standpoint since ‘Georgia Rules,’” according to the source.

So far, Lohan is off to a good start. Us Weekly reports that Lohan “arrived on set 45 minutes early,” and she and the show’s star, America Ferrera, “really hit it off.”

Whether this is a sign of a permanent professional upswing for Lohan remains to be seen, but the source, who worked with Lohan prior to her rehab stints, thinks anything is possible. “Look what Robert Downey Jr. has done with his career. He was in much worse shape than Lindsay, and look what he did. She just needs to keep making good choices.”

Weekend box office
It was a massive weekend for my prediction, “Iron Man.” The film grossed $104.3 million domestically, and another $96.7 million overseas, which brings its worldwide opening weekend gross to $201 million.

Video   Scoop on 'Iron Man's' super debut May 5: Courtney Hazlett reports on the huge box office success of "Iron Man" and what it means for star Robert Downey, Jr. Morning Joe

“Made of Honor” paled in comparison. Although it was in second place, the Patrick Dempsey flick made only $15.5 million, and last week’s No. 1, “Baby Mama,” had another solid weekend all things considered. It made $10.3 million, good enough for third place.

Celebrity sightings
At the Kentucky Derby: The Budweiser Select Kentucky Derby Pre-Party, at the In Touch Parlor was held Friday, May 2. Attendees included Nick and Drew Lachey, Adrian Grenier, Michael Strahan, Taylor Hicks, Terrell Owens and Bode Miller. That same night, Hugh Hefner, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan and Gabrielle Union were among celebs at the Crown Royal Playboy Lounge Party. Joey Fatone purchased one of the $1,000 mint juleps sold by Woodford Reserve. Proceeds from the sales benefitted the Secretariat Foundation. Molly Sims and donne a hat May 2 for Grey Goose Vodka at the Kentucky Derby, and the hat is now up for auction on Clothesoffourback.org. The auction ends May 19.

In Los Angeles, Randy Jackson showed off his $52,000 diamond Haimov watch to Paula Abdul during the April 23 taping of “American Idol.” Charlize Theron had lunch at eat on sunset on April 30. Her server was thrilled to receive a $100 tip on a $75 bill.

John and Cindy McCain dropped by Pinot Bistro on April 28 for dinner after McCain’s “Tonight Show” appearance. Gary Sinise, Patricia Heaton, Tom Selleck and John Ratzenberger were on hand as well.

In New York City, acclaimed director Douglas Keeve premiered his latest film, “Hotel Gramercy Park,” on April 26 at the Tribeca Film Festival with guests Kyle MacLachlan and Selita Ebanks. Patrick Dempsey showed off his JeanRichard Grand Tourbillon TV Screen watch at the "Made of Honor" premiere at the Ziegfeld.

Slide show   The week in celebrity sightings Kevin Jonas ponders his answer, Heidi Klum Ushers in a new fashion show, George Carlin remembered and more. more photos

April 28th was the annual Chanel dinner to honor Tribeca Film Festival artists. Mary-Kate Olsen, Christy Turlington, Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson, Ed Burns, Zoe Kravitz and Mamie Gummer were among the celebs who attended the dinner, which was held at Ago at The Greenwich Hotel. That same night was an after party for “War, Inc.,” held at the Cadillac Lounge at Tenjune. Belvedere cocktails were featured at the fete, which was attended by Chazz Palminteri and Haylie Duff. And it isn’t technically New York, but Freddie Prinze Jr. was spotted sitting ringside at Izod Arena in New Jersey for WWE’s Monday Night Raw on April 28. Sigourney Weaver stopped by Koi on May 1.

On May 2, Vanessa Carlton and “Gossip Girl’s” Jessica Szohr came out for The Tribeca Film Festival & Target’s Breaking the Band event. It included live performances by The Hold Steady, The Virgins, The Republic Tigers and Bad Veins.

In Las Vegas, Lindsay Lohan and good friend Samantha Ronson were spotted at KOI on April 26. After playing a show at the Pearl at the Palms on April 29, Avril Lavigne held an after party at Moon nightclub. Slash and his wife, Perla Ferrar, were on hand for the opening of rock 'n' roll photographer Mick Rock's exhibit, "Rock N Roll Eye," on May 2.

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