One of the best-kept secrets in television history has been revealed, with "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening pointing to Springfield, Ore., as the inspiration for the animated hometown of Homer and his dysfunctional family.

Groening told Smithsonian magazine, published online Tuesday, that he was inspired by the television show "Father Knows Best," which took place in a place called Springfield. Springfield, Ore., is 100 miles south of Groening's hometown of Portland.

"Battleship" steams into movie theaters overseas this week, giving international audiences the first chance to decide whether a board game-based movie is sea-worthy.

The Hasbro Inc. search-and-destroy game was once a way for kids to while away summer afternoons. But as it debuts in Europe on Wednesday, "Battleship" the movie has become a potential franchise, sporting Michael Bay-inspired special effects, aliens invading Earth, a bikini-model actress, superstar Rihanna and, of course, lots of guns.

British singer Seal filed his legal response to German supermodel wife Heidi Klum's divorce petition Tuesday, including claims which could set the couple against each other, TMZ reported.

The pair announced their split in January, and Klum filed for divorce in Los Angeles last week, citing "irreconcilable differences," referring to a post-nuptial deal and seeking primary physical custody of their four children.

Christian Dior has named Belgian designer Raf Simons as its new artistic director, seven months after its icon, John Galliano, was convicted by a Paris court for drunken anti-Semitic ravings.

A fashion rebel of a different sort, Simons — who began his career as a furniture designer and has had his own successful menswear label — will present his first show for the renowned Dior fashion house in July, according to Monday's announcement.

The tiny Pacific atoll of Niue is attempting to lure US pop superstar Lady Gaga to its shores by pledging every single person from the island will attend if she performs there.

The island, about 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) northeast of New Zealand, has about 1,600 inhabitants and Niue Tourism spokesman Mike Hogan said they were all keen to see a concert by the chart-topping diva.

A Canadian actress accused of stalking "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin has been told to stay away from him.

Genevieve Sabourin was arraigned in a Manhattan court on Monday, a day after she was arrested on charges of stalking and aggravated harassment when Baldwin filed a complaint with police.

Queen Elizabeth II has appointed the Duchess of Cornwall to the highest female rank in the Royal Victorian Order, Buckingham Palace said Monday.

The announcement that Camilla has been made a Dame Grand Cross comes on the day of her seventh wedding anniversary with Prince Charles, the queen's son.

Accustomed to wearing Vera Wang gowns on red carpets, singing at the Grammys or autographing her weight-loss memoir, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will take on a new role under a very different spotlight — in Chicago's drab criminal courts building at the trial of the man charged with murdering her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

French singer Charles Aznavour is back for a new North American concert tour and it's not to say farewell.

"I just wrote a song saying I will not say goodbye," says the 87-year-old crooner of his upcoming concerts in Montreal, Quebec City, Los Angeles and New York.

Mike Wallace, a legendary newsman known for impertinent, hard-nosed interviews on CBS' popular "60 Minutes" television program, died at age 93, the network announced on Sunday.

Wallace, whose 60-year career began in radio, spanning roles from wrestling announcer to quiz show host before making an indelible mark on U.S. television journalism as an interviewer of the news makers who defined his times.