Funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen has collected his first award for his role as Kazakhstan TV reporter Borat. Baron Cohen shared top acting honours with Forest Whitaker at the Los Angeles Film Critics’ Association Awards.

“This award is a good indication as to how people are judging Baron Cohen, this will no doubt be the first of many he will not only be short listed for but also likely to end up winning,” an LA-based journalist told Jewtastic.

David Schwimmer and Rachel Stevens are among Jewish stars being shortlisted to make it on to the next series of Celebrity Big Brother.

The British reality telly show, which is due to start on January 3, is known for getting both high profile celebrities as well as stars desperate for publicity.

As well as former S Club 7 star Stevens and ex-Friends star Schwimmer, film legend Dustin Hoffman, comedian David Baddiel and funnyman Jackie Mason are names Channel 4 TV bosses are willing to pay in excess of £100,000 to appear.

Legendary music producer Rick Rubin, folk rocker Bob Dylan and Israeli producer/engineer Tal Herzberg are among the Jewish nominees at the prestigious 2007 Grammy Awards.

Rubin, co-founder of the hip-hop label Def Jam (famous for the Beastie Boys and Run DMC), is shortlisted for Record Of The Year with his work on Not Ready To Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks and Album Of The Year for Taking The Long Way by the Dixie Chicks, Stadium Arcadium by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake.

Celebrity psychic Uri Geller who will turn 60 later this month is hoping to bring his recent Israeli TV show The Successor to the UK.

The show, in which he chooses someone to follow in his footsteps, proved to be a hit and now versions for other counties are being explored.

The Successor features contestants undertaking various tasks including having to crack a glass without touching it.