Lindsay Shookus

WHY IS BEN AFFLECK ALMOST SMILING?

For months we’ve been seeing photos of Ben Affleck looking pensive and irritable – often alone and smoking. Today he actually appeared to be somewhat happy as he brought his three kids to the Jimmy Kimmel show in LA. Coincidentally or NOT, it turns out that he has resumed his relationship with SNL writer Lindsay Shookus. Remember they split six months ago because he was bottoming out, and right after that he went to rehab. Apparently Lindsay is happy with his rehabilitation and she was seen leaving Ben’s New York apartment today (while he’s in LA) so they must be quite close again.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

JENNIFER GARNER TO THE RESCUE – AGAIN

So it wasn’t really “distance” that split up Ben Affleck, 46, and his girlfriend Lindsay Shookus, 38. We’re guessing Lindsay diplomatically used the excuse that they lived on different coasts to explain their sudden breakup – she couldn’t very well admit that Ben’s booze relapse was the real reason. Observers assumed that Ben dumped Lindsay for the Playboy model he’s been seen with – but it appears that Lindsay had enough of his drinking. Lindsay is a successful and smart SNL producer and she doesn’t have to put up with his nonsense. The real hero in this scenario is Ben’s long-suffering ex-wife Jennifer Garner – SHE recognized his problem and organized Ben’s trip to rehab. He’ll never find another woman like her…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

BEN AFFLECK WANTS TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

Ben Affleck is turning on the charm for his girlfriend Lindsay Shookus’s mom. Certainly Lindsay’s mother Christine has no shortage of reasons to worry about her daughter’s choice of boyfriends. Ben, 45, has been fighting his addiction to alcohol for quite awhile, and he has a predilection for gambling. Also, his wife Jennifer Garner accused him of having an affair with their nanny before Lindsay, 37, came into the picture. Despite the shadiness of their relationship early on, successful SNL producer Lindsay and Ben are both friendly with their exes and put their children first. (Lindsay has a four year old daughter.) Mom has a lot to think about…

(Above, Ben took Lindsay and her mom to the Atlantic Grill)

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

BEN AFFLECK AND LINDSAY SHOOKUS: IMMEDIATELY INSEPARABLE

The ink was barely dry on his divorce papers when Ben Affleck, 44, moved Lindsay Shookus, 37, into his Brentwood house – not far from where his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their kids live. Women are often surprised and hurt when their exes jump into another relationship so quickly. Certainly Jennifer Garner can identify with Jennifer Aniston now. Ben and Lindsay were seen leaving Mozza’s pizza restaurant in Hollywood.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DATE BEN AFFLECK

Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus, 37, suddenly found herself a paparazzi target for the first time today at LAX and she tried to keep her composure. Last night she was seen dining with Ben Affleck, 44, and afterward they went back to his house, where she was presumably staying. Paparazzi went nuts because gossip is scarce in July and a romance for Affleck is a BIG scoop. Speculation is exploding that Lindsay might be the real cause of Affleck’s divorce. They met three years ago when they were both married – now they’re both single. Suddenly, Lindsay’s life will never be the same. (It IS nice that they’re somewhat age appropriate…)

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI