Pop rock singer-songwriter extraordinaire Josh Kelley comes off remarkably calm about the fact he and wife of seven months Katherine Heigl have been getting relentlessly pursued by paparazzi. "It gets a little bit rough. Sometimes you want to stop and give them a big hug and say, 'What are you guys doing?'" says the nice guy music man.

"Nowadays, someone would find a way to twist that, though. I guess you just can't say anything anymore," he adds.

On the bright side, "It keeps us home, and we have that time together."

Kelley couldn't be much busier. He's been busy recording "Backwoods," his brand-new, exclusive to iTunes all-acoustic album, plus a second new record he's not talking about yet for September release — on the heels of his hit fourth studio album, "Special Company." He's been playing shows (there's one tonight (7/18) at The Canyon Club outside L.A.). He's featured in a forthcoming hour-long concert special that's part of the Ovation TV channel's August-debuting series, "Bonefish Grill's Notes From the Road." And he's getting ready for his just-announced month-long North American concert tour with Rod Stewart that will commence next month as well.

With it all, he says, he and Katherine have managed to avoid spending too much time apart. "My studio is very, very close to the house, so we have plenty of time together, which is very important to us. We have a lot of fun. It's a good partnership."

As far as his new touring partnership with Stewart, he says, "Our live show is definitely compatible, a great fit. I know his music; he knows mine. He seems like a nice guy. His audience is just people who like music. I think mine is the same."

And as far as "Bonefish Grill," he notes, "It was a great experience. We arrived to find they had eight HD cameras and a live audience — quite impressive. I think it's going to be a hit show."

READY TO BE DISTURBING: Rainn Wilson, who plays the dorky Dwight Schrute on "The Office," tells us he'd like to branch out into darker roles, but he's not convinced audiences would be open to that. "I always think when Jim Carrey or Robin Williams play some psycho killer, it doesn't really work because they've become such public figures," notes Wilson. "I do creepy well, so I do hope to expand my bridge, but I guess we'll see."

For now the actor has his sights set on being funny, which he hopes will translate to the big screen when his movie "The Rocker" hits theaters July 30. In it Wilson plays a failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame when he becomes the drummer for his nephew's high school band. As for why people should go see it, you ask? OK, you didn't but he's going to tell you anyway! "No. 1, I sweat a lot in it. No. 2, it's a great rock n' roll comedy. And No. 3, you get to see a lot of my buttocks," says Wilson with his signature deadpan face. Well, if that doesn't get you to the movie house, what will?

SPEAKING OF CHANGE-UPS: How do you go from Bill Engvall to Charlize Theron? Just ask up-and-comer Jennifer Lawrence, who is making a huge leap going from playing Engvall's daughter on TBS's "The Bill Engvall Show" to starring alongside Theron and Kim Basinger in Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut "The Burning Plain." The drama, set to be released in 2009, weaves multiple storylines about love, forgiveness and redemption that take place in different places and times.

"I never really thought I'd be doing comedy, but the sitcom is incredible because it's so fun. However, getting the chance to branch out by filming such an intense drama was an amazing experience," says the 18-year-old. "Watching Kim Basinger was like watching Monet paint a painting."

It certainly doesn't hurt to have established a number of important connections as well. "We all became a family. Guillermo still helps me to this day calling other directors and writers," she adds. While Lawrence, who continues to film the sitcom, is looking forward to the upcoming benefits of the breakthrough role, for now she's just trying to enjoy what's left of her normal teenage years. "I go back to Kentucky and I'm like, 'Who's going to take me to prom? What am I going to wear to homecoming?'"

ANYTHING TO GET INTO SHOW BUSINESS: Casting forces have been checking out candidates for a new Las Vegas show titled "Sexy Women of Rock" — performers who can act as Britney Spears, Madonna, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Jennifer Lopez, Marianne Faithfull and Alanis Morissette for two grand a week, six nights a week. What a lineup! But it sounds less ambitious once you know they'll be lip synching — and dancing topless and nude. Wonder what their real-life counterparts will think of that.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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