Ellen: Officially funny

Why does Ellen DeGeneres look so happy in that photo above? Because this week the Kennedy Center awarded her the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the biggest prize a comedian can win in this country. A cavalcade of really funny people honored her at a ceremony that airs Tuesday on PBS.

Much was made of her then-groundbreaking decision in 1997 to reveal that she is gay. Jimmy Kimmel called it a milestone and said Ellen had inspired his stage presence. “Because of Ellen, in 1998, I mustered the strength to come out of the closet — despite the fact that I’m not gay. Thanks to Ellen, vests aren’t just for magicians anymore.”

Isn’t this nepotism?

Looks like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s kids are following in mommy and daddy’s footsteps.

Us Weekly reports that two of their kids, Pax, 8, and Zahara, 7, will appear in non-speaking roles in Disney’s live-action Sleeping Beauty flick “Maleficent,” starring Angelina in the title role. Disney had already signed up their 4-year-old daughter, Vivienne, to play the child version of Elle Fanning’s Princess Aurora in the movie.

“Shiloh was supposed to be in it, too, but she was bored and not in the mood during the day her part was supposed to happen, so she ended up not being in the film,” a source tells the mag.

Can’t have everything

Earlier this year, Beyonce and Jay-Z tried to trademark the name of their newborn, Blue Ivy. But not so fast. The Boston Herald reports that Blue Ivy is also the name of a Boston wedding planning company. And though business owner Veronica Alexander says she “highly respects” the new parents, she’s keeping it.

“I can’t be frustrated with something I think is going to bring me to produce and define my brand even more,” Alexander said. “It’s like they caused me to create more opportunity for myself.”

Abandon ship?

Reportedly using the back door at Lance Armstrong’s annual Livestrong cancer benefit in Austin, Texas: Ro bin Williams and Norah Jones. And that was days before the international cycling folks took away his seven Tour de France titles. Only Sean Penn walked the red carpet that once glittered with the presence of Halle Berry, Matt Damon and Will Smith. A sign of things to come?

Woo-hoo! Lea’s not pregnant!

Here’s “Glee” star Lea Michele’s reaction on Twitter to rumors that popped up this week after paparazzi snapped pics of her tummy bloat: “My first fake pregnancy rumor! I’ve finally made it! :)”

Sigh. The bar is set so low.