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"The Insider"'s Lara Spencer is taking you behind the scenes as rehearsals for the celebrity-filled "Stand Up to Cancer" event get underway. Executive producer Laura Ziskin, who is fighting her own bout with cancer, says she's thrilled that Michael Douglas is contributing a pre-taped message for the show while he battles throat cancer. "Most extraordinary to us was Michael Douglas… We had heard about his illness and felt we didn't want to approach him," Ziskin says. "Then we saw him on '[Late Show with] David Letterman' and he was so extraordinary, and we called his publicist… and he said, 'Michael just asked about it the other day.'" Watch our video for more. Then, don't miss the one-hour "Stand Up to Cancer" fundraising event Friday at 8 p.m. ET & PT / 7 p.m. CT when it's simulcast commercial-free on all major networks, as well as select cable stations.

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Betty White has another accolade to add to her banner year. After taking home an Emmy last month, Betty will now be honored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles (BAFTA/LA) on Thursday, November 4 in Los Angeles. Betty will receive the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy. Oscar winner Jeff Bridges will be recognized with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. "It doesn't get much better than honoring two true Hollywood veterans in their own right," Nigel Lythgoe, Chairman of BAFTA/LA, says of why they chose to honor Betty and Jeff. "Betty White is a comedy icon whose quick wit and everlasting energy is second to none; and Jeff Bridges' remarkable ability to immerse himself into each role he plays epitomizes his multi-faceted career. I am very pleased that BAFTA/LA has selected Ms. White and Mr. Bridges to receive this outstanding honor." Also being honored at the ceremony are director Christopher Nolan and actor Michael Sheen.

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Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael Jackson's two older kids, claims that the children's guardian, grandmother Katherine Jackson, wrote a letter to Michael's estate asking that the estate cover "reasonable attorneys fees" incurred by Rowe during last year's custody case over Prince and Paris. Rowe, in court papers filed Tuesday, presents a copy of a letter she says was written by Katherine Jackson's counsel, in which Katherine requests that Michael's estate pay for Rowe's "reasonable attorneys fees relating to the guardianship [of Michael Jackson's children.]" "Deborah Rowe and her attorney were very cooperative in helping the guardianship action go smoothly," the letter adds. Last July, Rowe and Jackson settled on a custody agreement that placed Michael's kids in Katherine's custody and gave Rowe visitation rights with Prince and Paris.

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Michael Douglas told Parade magazine he had no choice but to go public with his cancer.   "When you are a celebrity, nothing remains secret for very long. If it helps bring attention, then that is a major upside to this whole thing," the 'Wall Street' actor told the publication. "Millions of families are going through the same thing my family and I are now going through. If I can bring any relief or encouragement, that's the good news." Douglas said despite the trials that have come his way, he remains positive. "Life is not all ha-ha-ha. But I'm in good spirits. I'm an optimistic guy. Nothing has deterred me from my belief that I am going to beat this. My doctors' prognosis is for a full recovery. I have no reason to doubt them." In an upcoming issue of Parade, on newsstands September19, the actor also opened up about his son Cameron who is serving a prison sentence after being convicted for selling drugs. He said of his son, "Cameron is a really capable guy who conducted himself atrociously. ... In the last few years, he was strung out. I missed him. Incarceration really gets your attention, finally. This might be enough now. My visiting him is very limited, but I know I have my son back."

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