Deadline

A rep for L.A.'s Downtown Women's Center -- an organization for nearby homeless women -- tells TMZ, the theater workshop is extremely interested in having Lindsay contribute her talents when she kicks off her 360 hours of community service this week.

The workshop is called D.I.V.A.S -- which stands for Dames Investing in Very Authentic Storytelling -- and it consists of approximately 15 women who meet two hours a week ... to learn how to express themselves through writing, performing, and the spoken word.

According to a lawsuit filed today in New York, Hargitay claims in 2009 WME tried, but failed, to lock down a deal with NBC to extend her contract for seasons 11 and 12 of "SVU."

Hargitay claims she fired WME and went to a rival agency -- which was able to negotiate a much better deal than what WME could get for her.

Now, the actress claims WME wants their full 10% commission on all of her earnings for seasons 11 and 12 -- even though she already paid the cut to her new agency ... who she feels rightly deserves the cash.

Alice Ward (above) went into cardiac arrest in a Boston hospital back in January -- and was put on life support soon after.

Lindsay got a standing ovation shortly before admitting no one but herself is to blame for the predicament that triggered a 120 day jail sentence.

TMZ has obtained a lawsuit filed by the estate of Frank and Doris Hursley -- the couple who created the show back in 1963.

According to the lawsuit, the Hursley's daughters claim their parents struck a deal with ABC way back when ... to reap 10% of all profits from the syndication of the show ... but ABC hasn't honored the deal.

The daughters allege ABC has cooked the books for years -- and has failed to pay the full amount owed to the creators.

Couric told People.com, "In making the decision to move on, I know the Evening News will be in great hands, but I am excited about the future."

As for Couric's future in TV, she added, "I am looking at a format that will allow me to engage in more multi-dimensional storytelling."

Couric insists the details -- including which network she will land with -- are "still being discussed."

As TMZ previously reported, she is talking with CBS about a possible daytime syndicated show ... in addition in continuing with the news division -- probably "60 Minutes."

Couric's contract is up in June -- it's likely she won't leave the show until then.

TMZ broke the story -- Katie's replacement will be "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley -- we're told that announcement will be made sometime around May 6.

Sources tell TMZ ... Lindsay will begin her 360 hours of community service at the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles this week.

Lindsay told Jay Leno she's not going to make excuses for her actions and will accept the consequences of violating her probation.

Lindsay's lawyer, Shawn Holley, was there when Lindsay was on the stage. Interestingly, Holley's hubby, Dorian Holley, was also there -- he's the lead singer of the "The Tonight Show" band.

We're told the producer of "Gotti: Three Generations" was also in the audience to show his support.

Lohan pre-taped an episode of "The Tonight Show" yesterday ... set to air tonight ... and according to reports, she received a standing ovation when she walked on to the set.

Sources connected to Lohan tell us she has been receiving several offers to appear on talk shows since she was sentenced to jail last week ... but chose Leno because, "He has been nothing but good to her and her family over the years ... and has always been protective of her."

Of course, Lohan was furious with Letterman earlier this year -- when the comic ripped her on his show following a booking fiasco. Video of Lindsay heading to the studio below.

During the interview, Lohan talked about her sentence -- telling Jay she felt "kind of numb" after the judge threw the book at her.

In order of appearance -- Chelsea Kane, Mark "The Beatmaster" Ballas, Lil Romeo, Chelsea Hightower ... and "Idol" castoff Pia Toscano.

According to our sources, Coco will be starring in a new show for E! -- the same network that airs "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Hmmm, we're sensing a theme here ...

We're told the show has begun shooting in NYC -- it will focus on her crazy life and will feature her hubby, rapper/actor Ice-T.

In the wide-ranging interview with deadlinehollywood.com, Mel says, "I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality."

Mel shrugs off the torrent of criticism over the tapes, which he claims "have been edited," saying "I don't blame some people for thinking [I'm bigoted] though, from all the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes."

Mel also talks about the TMZ story in 2006, in which we published 4 pages of the arrest report which detail his anti-Semitic rant. As we reported, at the time of the arrest, Mel felt the incident would be the last straw in his marriage. Turns out it was true. Mel tells "Deadline" he and his wife separated the day after the arrest.

Mel is mum on his battle with Oksana Grigorieva, but, as we first reported, says he pled no contest in the criminal case so he wouldn't drag his family through the mud.

The screenwriter died suddenly of heart failure at his home in Santa Monica ... says his aunt.

Jarre was a known history buff whose interest in the Civil War lead him to write 'Glory' in 1989. The movie won three Oscars.

His 1993 hit 'Tombstone' depicts the shootout at the O.K. Corral and includes a scene-stealing performance by Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday.

Jarre also co-wrote "Rambo: First Blood Part II," "The Devil's Own" and "The Mummy."

Executive Producer Marc Fiore tells us, Lindsay is no longer going to play Victoria Gotti ... but instead will take on the role of John Gotti Jr.'s daughter-in-law Kim -- the role once considered for Kim Kardashian.

The turn of events comes hours after Fiore pulled the plug on Lindsay over disagreements with her management -- but we're told Lindsay REALLY wants to be in the film ... and personally patched things up with the producer when she heard her people were being difficult.

Documentary filmmaker Tim Hetherington -- who was nominated for an Oscar for the Afghanistan war movie "Restrepo" -- was killed today while working on a project in Libya.

According to reports, three photogs who were working with Hetherington were also injured in a skirmish between rebels and government forces ... including one man who suffered a critical brain injury.

The group was reportedly hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

Hetherington was reportedly rushed to a hospital with extensive shrapnel wounds -- but he was already dead by the time he arrived.