Sir Mix-A-Lot was right.

A new study out of Oxford University in England found women with "pear-shaped" figures -- ample extra padding around the hips, buttocks and thighs -- are actually at a lower risk for heart and metabolic diseases.

"It is shape that matters and where the fat gathers," said Oxford's Dr. Konstantinos Manolopoulos, explaining that fat stored on the hips and in the rear absorb harmful fatty acids and further prevent arteries from clogging.

"Fat around the hips and thighs is good for you, but around the tummy is bad," he told BBC News, noting that the proverbial "spare tire" around the belly leads to higher incidences of heart disease.

The findings help explain why women traditionally have lower rates of heart disease then men until they reach menopause, when their rates rise as they begin to gather fat around their midsections (and more likely to already have diabetes and eventually develop heart disease instead).

Jermaine's MJ Birthday Salute in Vienna Stalls

The death of Michael Jackson has given his older brother Jermaine Jackson an opportunity to resuscitate his career, which he's trying to do with the help of an unlikely partner -- Larry King's wife, Shawn. But it's not proving to be an easy task.

The two planned a "Happy Birthday Michael Jackson" televised tribute in front of a live audience of 250,000 in Vienna on Aug. 29, but couldn't get it organized in time.

"We wanted to make sure that everyone [who] wanted to be there could be there," Shawn explained the other night on CNN's "Larry King Live."

It's also possible they couldn't line up enough talent, sponsors and broadcasters.

Now the date's been pushed back to Sept. 26. Usher, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston have confirmed they will perform, Shawn's spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, said yesterday. But Houston's spokeswoman, Jill Fritzo, said, "Not that I am aware of."

But some insiders wondered yesterday if the Jacko tribute will ever come off. The original promotional materials, which sought sponsors willing to pay up to $3 million, listed President Obama as "confirmed talent" as well as Al Pacino, Colin Powell and Richard Branson. But a White House source said the president is definitely not planning to attend. World Awards producer Georg Kindel, who's also part of the project, hinted that Madonna would perform. But her spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said, "It's not true. She's still on tour."

An executive involved in handling Michael Jackson's estate said, "We have nothing to do with it. It's all Jermaine." Another insider said, "It's sleazy."

Meet Ali Kay

She is the alleged fiance of Alex von Furstenberg, the son of designer Diane Furstengerg (whose Stein-Mart crap was popular like maybe 15 years ago). Well it seems Alex paid for an airplane carrying a banner reading “Reggie Miller Stop Pursuing Married Women” to fly over Malibu and Santa Monica, California, on Saturday (August 9). von Furstenberg accuses Reggie of stalking Ali and filed a restraining order against him because he can't keep his woman in check. An insider tells the NY Post, Reggie and Ali met at a Lakers game back in February 2009 and went back to Reggie’s house afterward. They haven't seen each other since but the sexting lasted at least three months. According to Reggie, by April he had enough and took her out of his phone contact list.In May, Ali reconnected with him, wanting to know why he'd closed the door. Alex started dating Ali while he was still married.

Chris Breezy Apology Tour Continues

at Rucker Park last night in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic