Guy Ritchie arrived in New York from London Monday evening amid reports of trouble in his marriage to Madonna, who is in the Big Apple rehearsing for an upcoming tour.

Around 6:30 p.m. the director, who was accompanied by two bodyguards, entered the Upper West Side building where he and Madonna own an apartment.

Rumors that their seven-year marriage is in trouble have been circulating for some time. Adding fuel to the talk, Ritchie, 39, and Madonna, 49, spent the weekend apart – she with their three children in New York, and him in London. Neither of them wore wedding bands.

Madonna’s spokesperson, Liz Rosenberg, said, “Madonna has rarely worn a wedding band over these last six years, so there’s no secret message about that.”

Last week, the Daily Mirror reported Madonna met with divorce attorney Fiona Shackleton, who represented Paul McCartney and Prince Charles in their respective divorces.

With no wedding ring on her finger and no husband in sight, Madonna and her three children – and Carlos Leon, 11-year-old daughter Lourdes’s biological dad – visited Manhattan’s Kabbalah Centre Friday night for Sabbath services and returned again on Saturday.

So where was Guy Ritchie, rumored to be splitting with Madonna? Although the British Sun tabloid had an unnamed source saying he was going to fly to New York in an effort to save his marriage, Ritchie was seen Saturday in London, also attending a Kabbalah meeting.

He was then seen meeting up with Trudie Styler (Sting’s wife) back at his London home, and they drove off together.

Last week, the London Times reported that Madonna had consulted noted divorce British attorney Fiona Shackleton, who had represented Paul McCartney and Prince Charles in their bitter divorces from, respectively, Heather Mills and Princess Diana.

Madonna’s spokesperson, Liz Rosenberg, said, “Madonna has rarely worn a wedding band over these last six years, so there’s no secret message about that.”

On Friday night, Madonna’s group came in three waves, with Leon and Lourdes arriving first, quickly followed by an SUV carrying her son (with Ritchie) Rocco, 7, and adopted son David, 2, each child with a nanny.

Fifteen minutes later, around 8:45, Madonna arrived, wearing a black skirt and a black tank top over a white T-shirt. The service had just about ended, with a dinner about to begin. Madonna stayed some 20 minutes before leaving with Rocco and David for her home on Central Park West, according to a source.

Attended Bar Mitzvah

On Saturday, Madonna and her three children returned to the center for services. Her presence didn’t create any kind of stir, as congregants gave her hardly any notice.

With Lourdes at her side, Madonna sat in a front-row seat, wearing a black baseball cap and tight black T-shirt. David, in a white baseball cap and Rocco sporting a Yankees cap, spent much of the time playing quietly with some other children on the floor of the sanctuary.

A bar mitzvah took place, and at its conclusion Rocco joined all the congregants in throwing Sunkist fruit gem candies at the bar mitzvah boy.

At the service’s conclusion, Lourdes wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck and gave her a big, long hug.

In Manhattan to rehearse for her upcoming world Sticky & Sweet tour, which kicks off Aug. 23 in Wales, Madonna has stuck to a rigid schedule.

First, according to a source, she works out at home. Then, at 2:15 each afternoon, Madonna leaves for a studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where she and members of the tour practice numbers.

Meanwhile, the children and several nannies, often also accompanied by Leon, spend time playing outside or in Central Park, the source says.

Ted Casablanca at E! claims that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are about to divorce. Much like Madonna and Guy, the two have rarely been seen together. When asked, Affleck’s rep retorted:

“We usually don’t comment on stuff like this. But you should know sources are liars. If you guys want to do the right thing, you won’t post that item. It’s all BS.”

These guys are really boring, but Jennifer Garner is pretty enough. Especially when she wears those sunglasses that make her look like she’s about to go snowboarding. Whoosh, whoosh, wheee down the street she goes.

Yes Madonna does have a brother and after a life-time of being overshadowed by his famous sister he is writing a memoir ‘Life With My Sister’ to get back at her. Someone is a little bitter.

Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, had a falling-out with his sister some time ago and has decided to collaborate with British journo Wendy Leigh on an exposé of his sister for Simon Spotlight Entertainment, an imprint of Simon & Schuster - and it’s going to be “brutal.”

“It’s extremely graphic and devastating,” said a source who declined to give details. “He wrote it on the sly without telling Madonna. They want to put it out before her lawyers can get a hold of it.”The book, due out July 15, has a massive print run of 350,000.

A dismayed friend of Madonna said, “We’d heard rumors, but didn’t realize he’d actually written it. He was there through the crazy years and has many stories to tell, I’m sure. He’s seen it all. Oh, my.”

Ciccone, a gay decorator/chef once described by Rupert Everett in Everett’s biography as “a solid raft for Madonna in the shark-infested waters” - was ditched by his sister after she hooked up with her now husband Guy Ritchie, who Everett said was “uncomfortable around queens.”

Adam Rothberg for Simon & Schuster said yesterday, “We don’t have anything to say at this time” - but then gave the story to the AP. Madonna’s rep declined to comment.

Britney Spears – Emmy Winner?: In news we never thought possible, Britney Spears has been included on the official ballot for possible nominees for an Emmy Award, OK! Magazine reports. The pop star’s name was included on the list for her guest appearances on CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother.” The list, which includes 40 others actresses, will endure one round voting by Academy members before the final list is announced. Will we be hearing; “Thank you very much y’all!” from the Emmy Awards stage come September?

Bringing Single Back?: When Justin Timberlake’s best friend and business partner, Trace Ayala, was asked about the possibility of the pop star getting married to girlfriend Jessica Biel, he was hopeful the couple would someday walk down the aisle, but didn’t see it happening anytime soon. “I hope so. To be honest, I don’t see them in the future, but I hope so. I really do,” Trace told Us Weekly Wednesday at “The Love Guru” premiere. Supportive and negative at the same time – a true wingman!

She Knows What Girls & Boys Like: MTV’s resident bisexual reality star, Tila Tequila, thinks she played a role in the legalization of gay marriage in California. “It is because of me — I definitely think [my show] has helped the movement,” she proclaimed to Us Weekly Wednesday, again, at “The Love Guru” premiere. “Before it came out, everyone was still a little apprehensive about [same sex relationships]. Then they realized, ‘Wow, everyone is really into this stuff, and it is fine.’ The next thing you know, [gay marriage] is legal.” Who says reality TV can’t change the world!

Brother Don’t Preach!: When Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, announced his plans yesterday to write a tell-all memoir, not everyone was pre-ordering their copy on Amazon. Madonna was too busy with lawyers, according to E!‘s Marc Malkin. “When she was meeting with lawyers and everyone was saying it was because she wanted to divorce Guy, she was really meeting with them to get the book killed,” a source told Malkin. If the book sells half as well as tickets for Madge’s new “Sticky & Sweet” tour, brother boy might be on to something.

Copyright 2008 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The mystery is solved: Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, is writing a memoir about his sister, to be released in mid-July by an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the publisher told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The imprint, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, had been promoting a celebrity memoir for July, without identifying the author or contents. “Life With My Sister Madonna” will have a first printing of 350,000. Financial details were not disclosed.

“Ciccone’s extraordinary memoir is based on his life and 47 years of growing up with and working with his sister — the most famous woman in the world,” the publisher said Wednesday in a statement.

Persuading stores to make “blind” orders has been tried before. In 2006, William Morrow offered a mysterious tell-all that turned out to be by Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, who had already written about her. Retailers were angered and the book sold poorly.

Ciccone will work with Wendy Leigh, who has written biographies of Liza Minnelli and Grace Kelly and a highly critical book about Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ciccone, 47, has worked often with his older sister, designing and directing her “Girlie Show” tour in 1993 and serving as artistic director of her 1991 documentary, “Madonna: Truth or Dare.” But according to Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, they are no longer close.

Madonna, who turns 50 this summer, is among the most popular recording artists in history, with such hits as “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl” and “Vogue.”

Rosenberg had no initial comment on the book, but told the AP that “Madonna has not cooperated with any biography about herself.”

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

As I head off for the long weekend, having finished up my radio show for tonight’s broadcast, I can’t believe how far we’ve come. “The Billy Bush Show” is exactly what we promised to stations:  a news breaking, celeb packed, opinionated, informative show with excellent music all the way through.

As far as content, I’ve had over 60 guests in a month from Mariah to Madonna, Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson, Trump, Eva, Sarah Jessica, on and on.

Here’s a recap of just last night (easiest to remember):

“Idol” winner David Cook in studio… spoke about the moment he won, his brother’s ordeal and the bracelets he wears for him, a little girl with leukemia and others, why he cried… really good.

Denise Richards… refuting Charlie Sheen’s attacks on her about an alleged email he says she sent him “asking him for his seed” (gross, but news handled gently).

Eva Longoria Parker calling in from Malibu where she and Tony are meeting with inspectors at the new house they just bought. She says Tony wants babies now and so she’s going with it (actively trying to get pregnant - big).

Jennie Garth is a guest. Speaks for the first time publicly about joining the new CW cast of ‘90210′… resurrecting her old character Kelly Taylor… preparing for a steamier show where she’ll have to get in shape for nude scenes (with a student? Probably… ).

Morgan Freeman called in on cell phone while walking to the stage in Times Square. Tourists spotted him and attacked him. He said, “Call you back!!” as he took off running. He called right back hiding in an alleyway. I’m opening a blues club with him in Memphis on Sunday.

We’re doing it every night… laughing, taking it all with a grain of salt, having fun and pushing forward.

I am blessed that so many at Access Hollywood have really helped so much. They know who they are. It’s a killer one-two punch.

The competition TV shows are trying to get their talent on radio shows of their own as a result. Funny… radio is not as easy as it seems.  Trust me, I started in radio, it’s harder cuz its mostly ad lib.

Anyway, have a great weekend.

To all those who have served, I pray for you on Sunday and thank you for the sacrifice.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans

Lindsay & Samantha Still Gal Pals: After reportedly having a tiff at LA sushi hotspot, Katsuya, Lindsay Lohan and DJ Samantha Ronson were spotted on the set of Lindsay’s new film, “Labor Pains,” hugging and laughing with each other, Us Weekly reports. What can’t their friendship endure?

Lindsay’s Visa Campaign: Besides films and Samantha-time, Lindsay is busy fronting Visa’s Swap fashion event, which encourages people in the UK “to swap their unwanted clothes at the world’s biggest and most popular fashion swapping event,” according to Visa. “I am so excited to be involved with this year’s Visa Swap event,” Lindsay said in a statement. “The concept of swapping clothes, getting something for nothing and refreshing your wardrobe appeals to everyone.” No word on who the actress will swap clothes with, but we’re guessing anyone with a fur coat won’t be going anywhere near Lindsay.

The Bro Show: If you thought the cast of “The Hills” was going away anytime soon, think again! Brody Jenner, LC’s sometimes boyfriend, has landed his own show, Us Weekly reports. “Bromance” will pit “regular” guy against one another competing to be Brody’s best bro. Bro hopefuls who don’t measure up will be sent home in a “hot tub elimination ceremony.” Will the shamed, dripping wet, not-cool-enough-for-Brody runner-up get his own show called, “The Bro-chelor?”

‘The O.C.:The Movie’?– Not For Bilson: It appears sometimes you can’t always go home, at least for Seth, Ryan, Marissa and Summer. When asked about a potential big screen treatment for television’s “The O.C.,” Rachel Bilson told Moviefone.com, “No. I had somebody else ask me that because of ‘Sex and The City’ the movie, but I was like, ‘No.’ I’d watch ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Movie’, though!”

Possible Madonna Tour Designer: Design duo Heatherette, who have styled Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, Mya, Kelis, Pink and Paris Hilton, could be working their magic on the material girl, MTV News reports. “Her publicist, just contacted us and said that she wants us to come up with some sketches, some ideas and some inspirations for her tour,” one half of the design team, Richie Rich told MTV. “She already did the cowboy hat, so we’ll need to think of something else.” Bring back the cones!

Copyright 2008 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Those who fetch $130 for a barrel of oil can call the tune these days. And it seems the tune is becoming so catchy that even Madonna, the original Material Girl, might be singing soon in this rich Gulf city-state.

Flush with oil dollars, Dubai is no longer satisfied with being just a business, tourist and sports mecca. It’s trying to boost its prestige further by pouring money into entertainment to lure the music industry’s priciest stars.

Santana’s February concert in Dubai was sold out. Last week, Jon Bon Jovi performed in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates’ capital just a short ride down the coast.

Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Pink, Aerosmith, Destiny’s Child and the Gypsy Kings have all entertained Western, Asian and Arab expatriates in the last few months in this string of seven semiautonomous states in the Persian Gulf. Music fans regularly fly in from Cairo, Beirut and elsewhere across the Middle East to hear their idols.

But a Madonna concert — if it happens — would take the musical glitz to a new level.

Earlier this month, the Dubai-based Gulf News daily and the tabloid 7 Days reported that the pop diva would come to Dubai this year on a tour organized by a Los Angeles-based events company, Live Nation, to promote her new album, “Hard Candy.”

Madonna might perform twice, the newspapers reported, citing event organizers familiar with the plans — at a public concert and at a private party, a first in her decades-long career. The price tag for the performances: more than $20 million, the papers said.

So far, however, Madonna’s publicists are publicly staying mum.

Nasim Tabatabaei, marketing and public relations manager for Live Nation Middle East, based in Dubai, said Madonna was still putting her tour together.

“She had offers from everywhere, and that could include the Emirates,” Tabatabaei told The Associated Press.

The mania over the possible Madonna concert is a reflection of the fact that the Emirates have seen “a huge jump in events here, both in the number of people attending concerts and in the significance of artists performing,” said Thomas Ovesen, managing director of Middle East AEG Live, the regional arm of an international company that produces live events worldwide.

The music boom fits in with the Dubai ruler’s ambitious plans to make the city attractive for the rich and famous, and to fuel mass tourism. Glitzy top-level sports, like March’s Dubai Tennis Championship, are another factor.

In terms of the concert scene, Dubai has people and firms that can pay top dollar “even though the event might not be commercially viable,” Ovesen said.

Artists who perform in Dubai expect to earn “twice as much” as they do in the United States or Europe, Ovesen said. He refused to disclose how much Bon Jovi walked away with after his performance for a crowd of 17,000 in Abu Dhabi. His company helped organize the concert in one of the most expensive hotels ever built, The Emirates Palace.

Not everyone is happy about the high production costs.

It’s “good that Dubai is on the radar screen of the world’s major promoters,” said Abdullatif al-Sayegh, chief executive of Arab Media Group, which along with Viacom Inc.’s MTV Networks International owns MTV Arabia.

But it’s “not so good that we are paying twice or three times as much” for concerts as do promoters in the United States and Europe, he said.

Yet, corporate sponsors are only too eager to throw their money behind music and sports heavyweights to raise their company profiles. Paul Idznik, Barclays’ chief operating officer, said his bank invested $9 million to sponsor the tennis championship the past three years.

An additional attraction for famous visitors and artists is the privacy in Dubai — filled with gated communities and a mostly nonintrusive local press.

“Celebrities come, relax, dine, party and shop without the media ever finding out they were even here,” al-Sayegh said. “That’s a great feeling for them and for us.”

Tickets go on sale Saturday for Madonna’s appearance at the Traverse City Film Festival.

But don’t bother trying to order them by phone or online. They’ll be available only at the State Theatre in downtown Traverse City, where the pop star will show her new film, “I Am Because We Are,” on Aug. 2.

Festival founder Michael Moore has said Madonna will personally introduce the documentary, which describes the plight of impoverished people in the African nation of Malawi.

Madonna and Moore are friends and Michigan natives.

The theater seats about 540 people. Tickets cost $25 each. Moore said Wednesday that all the money from the ticket sale will go to Madonna’s Raising Malawi Foundation.