Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died of a seizure, according to the death certificate, a funeral home official said yesterday. Glen Campbell, assistant director of a funeral home in the Bahamas, told the Associated Press that Jett's body was in "great condition" and showed no sign of head trauma, despite earlier statements by officials that the teen may have died after hitting his head on a bathtub or toilet. (The Travoltas have said Jett was diagnosed with Kawasaki syndrome as a toddler.)

Travolta tried CPR to revive his son, who may have died in his arms before an emergency medical technician took over, according to Usmagazine.com, citing Travolta attorneys.

Jett's body is expected to be flown to Ocala, Fla., for burial near the family's home.

 

Travolta attorney Mike Ossi told Entertainment Tonight that thousands of calls have come in: "It seems like the world has reached out and feels the pain that John and Kelly are going through."

Publisher signs Laura Bush

Which memoir would you rather read: one by President George Bush or one by first lady Laura Bush? Scribner has bet on Laura, with a multimillion-dollar contract to release her memoirs next year. (Because of his low approval ratings, the president has been urged to wait before selling his book.) A rep for the first lady declined to say how much she is being paid. Insiders say she will easily match the $8 mil Hillary Clinton was paid for Living History.

Laura Bush said she looked forward to working with the publisher "as I tell the stories of the extraordinary events and people I've met in my life, particularly during my years in the White House."

First baby for Tim & Jane

Entertainment Tonight reports that Home Improvement alum Tim Allen, 55, and his wife Jane Hajduk, who wed in October '06, are expecting their first baby together this spring.

Allen also has a daughter, Katherine, from his first marriage to Laura Deibel, which lasted from 1984 to 2003.

Arts education for a princess

Madonna's daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, might be bound for show biz. London's Daily Mail reports that the 12-year-old has enrolled in Manhattan's Professional Children's School, which has trained Macaulay Culkin, Scarlett Johansson, Savion Glover, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

 

Indio "Willie" Bush, R.I.P.

The nation's first cat, Indio "Willie" Bush, died Sunday at the White House. She was 18.

"The President, Mrs. Bush, Barbara, and Jenna are deeply saddened by the passing of their cat," said a statement by the office of first lady Laura Bush. Indio was named by the president's then 9-year-old daughter Barbara after former Texas Rangers baseball player Ruben Sierra, who was called El Indio.

"Indio was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed," the statement said.

J.Lo update

USAToday.com reports that Jennifer Lopez, who was spotted last month going out without her wedding band, had it securely on her ring finger Friday at the inauguration of Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno, which she attended with hubby Mark Anthony. Does this mean their marriage is back on track? Was it ever off?

Doctor Who: The toddler version

Whovians around the world were shocked this weekend to learn that the next star of Doctor Who, the BBC's long-running series about a 903-year-old Time Lord, will be relative unknown Matt Smith, who, at 26, will be the youngest thesp to tackle the role since the show began in 1963. Smith replaces Scotsman David Tennant, 37, and becomes the 11th doc.

TV insiders and fans had expected the role to go to Paterson Joseph, who would have become the first black Doctor. There was also speculation that Billie Piper would step in as the first female Time Lord.

Smith, best known for his role in the BBC political series Party Animals, also starred in the London production of Swimming With Sharks, starring Christian Slater.

Taylor Swift: A dream come true

"Love Song" singer Taylor Swift says she's over the moon about being invited to perform on Saturday Night Live - she will appear Saturday with guest host Neil Patrick Harris.

It's "something I've been dreaming about and hoping for and wishing for years," Taylor says.

She's especially stoked that she can use the occasion to celebrate her mother's birthday, which is that very day: "Wow. It's pretty unreal."

Romijn & O'Connell name twins

Rebecca Romijn, 36, and Jerry O'Connell, 34, have officially named their twin girls, who were born Dec. 28. According to People, the names are Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip.

"Mother, father and both girls are all home and doing well," a rep tells the mag.

Joan Rivers is - unfunny

Trust Joan Rivers to be on the cutting edge of political humor. In a chat with the New York Times, the comedian makes fun of Barack Obama's big ears - which was a topic of merriment, like, two years ago.

"I think he should have pinned the ears back years ago. They really annoy me," says Ms. Annoying herself. "He represents my country now - pin back the ears!"

PGA nominations are in

The Producers Guild of America yesterday announced nominees for its Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award, Variety reports.

Nods go to the producers of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, Frost/Nixon, Milk, and Slumdog Millionaire. The winner, picked by voting of the 3,600 PGA members, will be announced Jan. 24 at the Hollywood Palladium.

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This column contains information from Inquirer wire services. Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com.