NEW YORK — If Javier Bardem had to choose whether to eat, pray or love, he doesn’t know which one he’d pick.

“The three of them? Why people want to choose one?” said the 41-year-old actor, who co-stars with Julia Roberts in the new film “Eat Pray Love,” directed by Ryan Murphy. “That’s why it’s called ‘Eat Pray Love.’ The movie talks about the importance of feeding yourself for things that make you be healthier. The three of them are very important.”

Bardem attended the premiere of “Eat Pray Love” at the Ziegfeld Theater on Tuesday night.

“Even if you don’t practice any religion, we all pray,” he said. “When things get wrong we all close our eyes and we hope that there is somebody stronger and wiser and more able than us that can help us.”

“Eat Pray Love,” inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir, follows the story of a frustrated divorcee who decides to take a long trip oversees in search of some peace.

Bardem plays a handsome stranger in Bali who offers to help Roberts’ character after she’s hit by a car while riding a bicycle. He becomes her tour guide, seducing her with knowledge of local traditions and  food.

Bardem said working with Roberts was “easy.”

“I’m always saying that the great actress that she is we all knew. I’m not discovering anything here,” he said.

“Eat Pray Love” opens in theaters Friday.

No accelerated rehabilitation for Torn

LITCHFIELD, Conn. — Rip Torn’s request for a probation program was rejected Wednesday by a judge who kept criminal charges in place against the Emmy-winning actor accused of breaking into a bank while drunk and armed in January.

One charge carries a mandatory year in prison, though Torn’s attorney said a plea deal could help the 79-year-old avoid prison time.

Judge James Ginocchio ruled the charges are too serious to qualify for accelerated rehabilitation.

Little girl with a big voice shows she’s got talent

WEXFORD, Pa. — Watch out, Susan Boyle. Here comes Jackie.

A 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl who was chosen by YouTube viewers to compete on NBC’s America’s Got Talent stunned the judges and audience Tuesday night with her big voice.

Jackie Evancho, of Pine Township, sang Giacomo Puccini’s aria “O Mio Babbino Caro” and received praise from the judges and overwhelming applause from the audience.

The tiny blonde wore a pink ruffled dress and a big smile. After the performance, Jackie said she was so happy she wanted to cry.

Jackie was one of 12 acts who performed on the show Tuesday night. Four of those performers will join 20 other semifinalists who are competing for $1 million and a contract to perform in Las Vegas.

Author not laughing at comic

LONDON — A little-known author is suing British comic Ricky Gervais for allegedly ripping off his ideas when he wrote his popular “Flanimals” book, according to court documents.

John Savage, 44, claims that his 1998 book “Captain Pottie’s Wildlife Encyclopedia” was the basis for Flanimals, which features a medley of bizarre-looking cartoon beasts with names such as Underblenge, Plamglotis, and Grundit.

Both books “involve a whimsical take on the animal kingdom through the use of drawings and text, which in the case of the latter is a copy, in form and substance, of the former,” according to documents lodged at London’s High Court.

Gervais denies the allegation, saying through a spokeswoman Wednesday that the concept and artistry for Flanimals, published in 2004, predated Savage’s work.

Flanimals’s quirky charm has spawned a series of sequels and the concept is being adapted into a Hollywood movie, according to Gervais’ website.

The comic is best known as the co-creator and star of the British version of “The Office,” which later was successfully adapted as an NBC comedy. He also co-created and starred in “Extras,” a comedy series that aired on HBO.