Sparks between Jennifer Lopez and Bradley Cooper, sources say

Bradley ooper was shocked  with Jennifer Lopez 

Bradley Cooper was shocked after a private dinner with Jennifer Lopez was leaked to the press as a romantic date, but he isn’t the first or the last celebrity who will fall into the diva’s trap -- just ask "Schindler's List" actor, Ralph Fiennes.


In 2002, Lopez had a casual dinner with Fiennes, around the time they were filming "Maid in Manhattan" together, only to find pictures from their joint meal splashed all over the New York Post saying ‘deny this.’ Fiennes later went on to say, “I had dinner with her and her producer and her manager who’s in the background of the shot as well. That didn’t upset me because it was just so not true and so badly set up.”


Lopez did feel a bit of a “ding, ding, ding … if you know what I mean” while dining with Cooper at the very posh Per Se restaurant in New York, the source said.


“But who knows where any of this will go?”


† As for Cooper, folks close to “The Hangover” star note that he loves being in the press despite his protests about the invasion of his privacy. “He knows how to play the game,” a Cooper insider told me.


Reportedly Lopez and Cooper have made plans to meet again soon. The world’s celebrity press will be waiting with bated breath.


OSCAR BOUND? For first time in what seems like ages, Brad Pitt may snare headlines for more than his relationship with Angelina Jolie.


“Moneyball,” his film about Oakland A’s manager Billy Bean, has tons of people saying that Pitt will not only be nominated again for a best actor Oscar, but this time he likely could win.


The interesting thing: He could be up against best pal George Clooney, who may be nominated not only in the acting category for “The Descendants,” but also for director for “The Ides of March.”


MONEY WOES: On top of everything else, it appears that Taylor Armstrong of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” has serious money problems. Apparently a lot of it is due to her late husband’s mountain of debts.


Russell Armstrong apparently owed huge balances on maxed-out credit cards, back taxes, mortgages (now facing potential foreclosure) and overdue car loans. According to RadarOnline, Taylor Armstrong is peddling a tell-all book deal that will outline her claims of abuse by Russell.


† While Russell’s death has been ruled a suicide, his family still claims that he was murdered.
TAKING SIDES? After both Maria Shriver and soon-to-be-ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger showed for a benefit event at the Diane von Furstenberg store in L.A. the other day, their kids Katherine and Patrick Schwarzenegger gushed about their mom in various tweets — but made no mention of their dad’s presence.
DOWN THE AISLE: For fans of “The View” and Sherri Shepherd who want to see even more of the comedian and TV personality’s Chicago wedding to television writer Lamar Sally last month, check out “Wedding Fabulous: Sherri Shepherd Gets Married,” premiering at 8 p.m. Tuesday on the Style Network.
EDDIE’S FANS: Along with Eddie Murphy being widely loved as a great comedic talent, Motion Picture Academy honchos hope that tapping him to host the Oscars will bring a more diverse audience to the 2012 show.


“Eddie will not only draw in African-American viewers and a hipper, younger audience in the U.S., but also many viewers in Euope, Asia and South America — where he’s hugely popular,” said a top academy staffer.


SEEN ON THE SCENE: Jennifer Hudson was seen listening to music on her gold headphones at Frankie’s Scaloppine at 900 N. Michigan, where Amy Adams was another recent star sighting. Hudson and Brad Goreski were also seen at Tzar. … While in town for “Fashion Night Out” events, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Guidice dined at Paris Club, while veteran reality TV star Kelly Osbourne made the scene upstairs at Studio Paris. … Lady Antebellum’s dozen-person entourage dined at Coco Pazzo in River North. … “Curb Your Enthusiasm” mainstay Jeff Garlin popped into Second City to perform an improv set with the mainstage cast after a recent “South Side of Heaven” performance.


GOOD SPORTS: Among the diners spied lately at the new Quay Restaurant & Bar in Streeterville were ex-Blackhawks player Doug Wilson, play-by-play announcer Pat Foley and team historian Bob Verdi. … Meanwhile, new Hawks player Steve Montador checked out Rosebud Steakhouse. … The Bears’ newly acquired, pricy safety Brandon Meriweather and fellow Bear Amobi Okoye made the scene at Gibsons on Rush.