Denise Richards

Denise Richards made one thing very clear Friday about being Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and mother of two of his kids: "It's a difficult situation. " Richards, who rarely comments specifically about Sheen's exploits, actually didn't say very much to Barbara Walters and the gang when she guest-hosted Friday on "The View" (Walters admitted being the "designated hitter" tapped to broach the subject), but she did acknowledge how awkward it is for her from a mother's perspective. "I'm learning as I go," said Richards, who explained she can easily control what's on television at home, but still has to deal with what her two girls might pick up at school.

Brooke Mueller, ex-wife of Charlie Sheen and mother to his twin boys, has been getting treatment for prescription drug abuse since Friday, according to her rep. "Brooke is currently at UCLA Medical Center where she has been since being admitted May 3," Steve Honig told the Ministry in a statement. "She will be there for several more days, and will likely transition directly into a residential treatment facility to get help for prescription drug abuse. " That's contrary to a report that Mueller had been involuntarily checked into the medical center for care on Wednesday.

They make it so easy, Dina and Denise. So easy to judge, so easy to feel superior. From the time Dina Lohan and Denise Richards announced they each would be starring in E! autobiographical reality series, it was pretty much like shooting fish in a barrel. Had the years they spent being trashed in the tabloids -- Dina for being Mama Rose to the talented but troubled Lindsay, Denise for her nasty, public phone-call-transcript divorce from Charlie Sheen -- taught them nothing? Were they so addicted to celebrity they would stoop to bring cameras into their homes, chronicling the daily lives of their young children?

When "Madea's Witness Protection" opens this weekend, Hollywood observers may think they know exactly what to expect. The film is the 13th released by Lionsgate and written, produced, directed by and/or starring Tyler Perry, and the seventh featuring his trademark cross-dressing Madea character. But "Witness Protection" marks a first: Never before has a Tyler Perry movie been released during the high-stakes summer movie season, which is traditionally packed with big-budget tent poles.

Just over a year ago, Charlie Sheen had been fired from his hit sitcom"Two and a Half Men," had become a regular on national news programs ranting about tiger blood, smoking crack and, of course, winning. Oh, and he was wrapping up his "Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour. " Now he's doing publicity for his comeback show"Anger Management,"which debuts on FX later this month, and it seems like he's the same old Charlie. Sheen is gracing the cover of Rolling Stone and is also the subject of a lengthy profile in the New York Times . In both articles he shows little remorse for his bad-boy ways, which include an arrest for assaulting his now-ex-wife and numerous other run-ins with the law. “They knew what they were getting.

Brooke Mueller, ex-wife of Charlie Sheen and mother to his twin boys, has been getting treatment for prescription drug abuse since Friday, according to her rep. "Brooke is currently at UCLA Medical Center where she has been since being admitted May 3," Steve Honig told the Ministry in a statement. "She will be there for several more days, and will likely transition directly into a residential treatment facility to get help for prescription drug abuse. " That's contrary to a report that Mueller had been involuntarily checked into the medical center for care on Wednesday.

SO Dina Lohan and Denise Richards believe that the best way to set the record straight is to subject their families, and the public, to the train wrecks they call their lives ["Looking for a Little Sympathy," by Greg Braxton, May 26]. The public can change the channel. Their families can't. To watch them both demonstrate their insatiable need for attention and cling to celebrity with a death grip would be somewhat humorous if there were not children involved. The only fame these two have ever accomplished has been at the expense of others.

The Scene: Tuesday's premiere of TriStar and Touchstone's "Starship Troopers" at the Village theater. A party followed at the Museum of Flying. The film is director Paul Verhoeven's spoofy, campy, ludicrously violent close-encounters-with-killer-bugs epic. "I grew up with 'RoboCop' and 'Total Recall' and this is a progression on that," said Harry Knowles, founder of the Ain't It Cool News Web site the entertainment industry both loves and loathes.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Thursday: Controversial evangelical pastor Ted Haggard will trade wives with celebrity Gary Busey on an upcoming episode of "Wife Swap. " ( Los Angeles Times ) After 31 years of making music together, R.E.M. calls it quits. ( Los Angeles Times ) "Bones" star Emily Deschanel welcomes baby boy Henry. ( People ) Meanwhile, sister Zooey Deschanel's sitcom "New Girl" topped the ratings. ( Los Angeles Times ) Arnold Schwarzenegger is writing an "unbelievably true" memoir called "Total Recall.

Tabloid staples Denise Richards and Dina Lohan have their faces near the cultural bullhorn and are ready to scream and shout for your attention. Richards, an actress probably better known for her nasty divorce from actor Charlie Sheen, and Lohan, the mother of troubled actress Lindsay Lohan, are both launching "reality" series on E! Entertainment Television today that chronicle their personal and professional battles. Though different in scope and tone, the plea from both women is the same: "Don't believe the hype -- believe us, because we are just like you."

Just over a year ago, Charlie Sheen had been fired from his hit sitcom"Two and a Half Men," had become a regular on national news programs ranting about tiger blood, smoking crack and, of course, winning. Oh, and he was wrapping up his "Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour. " Now he's doing publicity for his comeback show"Anger Management,"which debuts on FX later this month, and it seems like he's the same old Charlie. Sheen is gracing the cover of Rolling Stone and is also the subject of a lengthy profile in the New York Times . In both articles he shows little remorse for his bad-boy ways, which include an arrest for assaulting his now-ex-wife and numerous other run-ins with the law. “They knew what they were getting.

Click here to download TV listings for the week of June 17 - 23 in PDF format TV listings for the week of June 17 - 23 in PDF format are also available here This week's TV Movies SERIES Home for Dinner With Jamie Deen:  This new cooking show features Paula Deen's son in the family kitchen, where he's joined, on occasion, by his son and his mom (10:30 a.m. Food). The Firm: In this new episode, Joey Morolto (Gianpaolo Venuta)

Charlie Sheen has a job again. And he's pals with ex-wife Denise Richards again. And he's drinking again. But the best news? He's no longer in "total denial. " There's "winning," and then there's winning. "Clearly, a guy gets fired, his relationships are in the toilet, he's off on some ... tour, there's nothing 'winning' about any of that," he tells Rolling Stone , a magazine whose cover he'd coveted since age 14. "I mean, how does a guy who's obviously quicksanded, how does he consider any of it a victory?

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Thursday. R. Kelly says he is ready to film 32 new chapters of his infamous melodrama hip-hopera series, "Trapped in the Closet. " All he needs is a little funding. ( TMZ ) "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is already doing well at the box office. Look out, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" -- the No. 2 spot is up for grabs. ( Los Angeles Times) Josh Krajcik sings a duet with Alanis Morissette during the final performance episode of "The X Factor.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Thursday: Controversial evangelical pastor Ted Haggard will trade wives with celebrity Gary Busey on an upcoming episode of "Wife Swap. " ( Los Angeles Times ) After 31 years of making music together, R.E.M. calls it quits. ( Los Angeles Times ) "Bones" star Emily Deschanel welcomes baby boy Henry. ( People ) Meanwhile, sister Zooey Deschanel's sitcom "New Girl" topped the ratings. ( Los Angeles Times ) Arnold Schwarzenegger is writing an "unbelievably true" memoir called "Total Recall.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Monday: Fans are remembering Amy Winehouse, the soulful singer known for her beehive hair, kohl-lined eyes and run-ins with rehab, who died over the weekend at age 27. ( Los Angeles Times ) Singer and "The Smurfs" star Katy Perry weighs in on the loss of Winehouse but is grateful that husband Russell Brand is "clean and sober. " ( ABC ) The not-so-special relationship: "Captain America" beat "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" at the weekend box office, grossing an estimated $65.8 million.

When "Madea's Witness Protection" opens this weekend, Hollywood observers may think they know exactly what to expect. The film is the 13th released by Lionsgate and written, produced, directed by and/or starring Tyler Perry, and the seventh featuring his trademark cross-dressing Madea character. But "Witness Protection" marks a first: Never before has a Tyler Perry movie been released during the high-stakes summer movie season, which is traditionally packed with big-budget tent poles.

A roundup of entertainment headlines for Monday: Fans are remembering Amy Winehouse, the soulful singer known for her beehive hair, kohl-lined eyes and run-ins with rehab, who died over the weekend at age 27. ( Los Angeles Times ) Singer and "The Smurfs" star Katy Perry weighs in on the loss of Winehouse but is grateful that husband Russell Brand is "clean and sober. " ( ABC ) The not-so-special relationship: "Captain America" beat "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" at the weekend box office, grossing an estimated $65.8 million.

Denise Richards made one thing very clear Friday about being Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and mother of two of his kids: "It's a difficult situation. " Richards, who rarely comments specifically about Sheen's exploits, actually didn't say very much to Barbara Walters and the gang when she guest-hosted Friday on "The View" (Walters admitted being the "designated hitter" tapped to broach the subject), but she did acknowledge how awkward it is for her from a mother's perspective. "I'm learning as I go," said Richards, who explained she can easily control what's on television at home, but still has to deal with what her two girls might pick up at school.

Capsule reviews are by Kenneth Turan (K.Tu.), Betsy Sharkey (B.S.) and other reviewers. Compiled by Anthony Miller. Openings FRIDAY The A-Team Former Special Forces soldiers attempt to clear their names after being set up for a crime they didn't commit. With Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel, Patrick Wilson and Gerald McRaney. Screenplay by Skip Woods, Joe Carnahan and Brian Bloom.