Hot dog! It's a record

With a machine-like efficiency, Joey Chestnut (above) gobbled a world-record 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes yesterday to defeat defending champion Takeru Kobayashi and claim the Mustard Yellow Belt at the annual Nathan's Famous hot-dog-eating contest. It was a feat that left even the other competitors on the Coney Island stage scratching their heads. "When I would run, I used to have to worry about being lapped, now I have to worry about being tripled," said Belmont-bred "Crazy Legs" Conti (inset), who finished out of the top 10 with 23.5 hot dogs consumed. His personal best of 24 at a Midwest contest is what won Conti a spot in his sixth Coney Island contest. To put the accomplishments of the first- and second-place finishers into context, Conti said that "less than 10 years ago, my finish would have won me the Yellow Belt." A six-time winner, Kobayashi had a jaw injury that had some wondering whether he could compete and others claiming he was playing possum. "Nothing fake about it. Kobayashi's jaw will have to go in the same sentence as Curt Schilling's ankle," said Conti, who has a competitive-eating DVD out and does commentary at eating contests for Spike TV. Conti was ahead early on, but was quickly outpaced . "For eight seconds there," he said, "I was leading the pack."

While in France to show some support for girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady was able to get by most of the waiting press for the Dior fashion show at Versailles Palace the other day without being detected. But the dashing No. 12, decked out in a dark suit, was spied by a videographer from X17 Online who captured Brady meeting one of Bundchen's "people" -- even greeting her in the European style of kissing the woman on both cheeks. The Brazilian supermodel joined Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista , and other members of the cream of the fashion world for the so-very-exclusive show that marked Dior creative director John Galliano's decade with the chic fashion house. Someone who wasn't nearly as camera-shy at Versailles was "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo. The Everett native was photographed as she arrived for the Dior festivities with her fiance , Chris Ivery, and again in the front row seated next to Kate Hudson.

Two books by Cambridge author Robert B. Parker (inset) are getting some extra screen time. Parker's "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice" will be turned into a TV movie by CBS with Tom Selleck reprising the role he's played on the small screen four previous times. Shooting is scheduled to begin next month in Nova Scotia. And, actor-director Ed Harris told reporters recently that he has the go-ahead to start on the big screen adaptation of Parker's "Appaloosa," starring Viggo Mortensen and Diane Lane, and that he hopes filming could begin this fall.

Brazilian authorities have obtained a court injunction suspending the Rio show of the Live Earth global series of concerts set for Saturday because of security concerns. The Rio de Janeiro state prosecutor's office said yesterday there were not enough police to safeguard the concert for climate change awareness on Copacabana beach as all security efforts would be concentrated on preparations for the Pan American Games, which start on July 13. Performers including Lenny Kravitz, Pharrell Williams, Jorge Ben Jor, and Macy Gray have been lined up to play on Copacabana to an expected audience of 1 million people in the only free, open-to-all event of the Live Earth series. Last month, Istanbul was dropped from a list of nine cities set to hold the concerts because of a lack of interest. (Reuters)

Paris Hilton is back from vacation in Maui and has a message for her fans: don't drink and drive. "Happy 4th of July everyone, and remember to be responsible and have a designated driver!" the heiress wrote in a blog entry on her MySpace page Tuesday. Hilton, 26, was released from jail last week after spending about 23 days behind bars for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. The notorious party girl has since touted a new beginning -- one that she says won't include going out as much. "The past month has inspired me to move forward with some exciting new projects . . . I will keep you all posted," she wrote. (AP)

Johnny Knoxville (inset) has filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years. The "Jackass" star, whose birth name is Philip John Clapp , cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for ending his marriage to Melanie Lynn Clapp, according to documents filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Knoxville, 36, is seeking joint custody of their 11-year-old daughter, Madison. The couple separated in July 2006. . . . The wife of comedian Wayne Brady has filed for divorce. Mandie Brady cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for ending their marriage, according to court documents filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court. She is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old daughter, Maile. The couple wed in 1999 . (AP)

Michael Jackson has been hunting for real estate on Maryland's Eastern Shore as he searches for a vacation home, a publicist for the pop star said. The King of Pop visited the peninsula last week "for about 24 hours," but has not made a purchase, Raymone Bain told The Washington Post. Jackson, 48, is not limiting his search to the Chesapeake region , Bain said. (AP)

Hollywood legend Paul Newman has come to the aid of a Ypsilanti High School drama program. Newman donated $5,000 to the Michigan school's drama club as part of its ongoing fund - raising effort. The money will help defray costs associated with the club's upcoming trip to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. (AP)

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