Celebrities’ star power flickers, flares

Mel Gibson and Oprah Winfrey have swapped places on Forbes magazine’s annual list of the 100 most powerful celebrities. Winfrey has been given top ranking, up from third last year. Former champ Gibson was bumped to No. 3.

The ratings are based on the stars’ estimated earnings and media coverage.

Tiger Woods held on to the No. 2 slot, and George Lucas finished fourth, returning to the list after a one-year absence. Rounding out the top 10 were Shaquille O’Neal in fifth, followed by Steven Spielberg, Johnny Depp, Madonna, Elton John and Tom Cruise, who dropped from No. 4 last year.

Jim Carrey, Katie Couric and Tom Hanks fell off the list completely. But Will Ferrell (No. 18), Denzel Washington (No. 31) and Dave Chappelle (No. 78) broke into the rankings for the first time.