Clooney and 'ER' return? Thanks, but no thanks
The producers of hospital drama "ER" are hoping to entice George Clooney back for the show's upcoming final season, even though Clooney has said he's not interested in putting his scrubs on one more time. "ER" executive producer David Zabel told TV Guide that story lines had been dreamed up for the show's 15th and last season for all major past characters, including Clooney's Dr. Ross and his old flame, nurse Carol Hathaway, played by Julianna Margulies.
Emmy telecast bombs in ratings and reviews
The 60th annual Primetime Emmys show, roundly panned by critics as perhaps the worst ever, laid a big, fat ratings egg as well, with early figures pointing to the smallest audience in the awards' history. According to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research, ABC's three-hour Sunday telecast, featuring major wins for "Mad Men" and "30 Rock," averaged 12.2 million viewers, falling just below the historic low of 12.3 million posted by the 1990 ceremony aired on Fox.
Miley Cyrus says committed to "Hannah Montana"
Miley Cyrus and Disney Channel sought to shoot down rumors on Monday that the teen sensation of the TV hit "Hannah Montana" was seeking to part ways with the show that made her a star. Patti McTeague, a Disney spokeswoman for the "Hannah Montana" show, told Reuters that reports of on-set turmoil were "absolutely not true, pure gossip."
Janet Jackson parts ways with Island Def Jam
NEW YORK (Billboard) - After just 14 months on Island Def Jam, Janet Jackson announced Monday (September 22) her departure from the label. According to Jackson's publicist, the label agreed to dissolve its relationship with the artist at her request. After a long stint with Virgin, Jackson inked a deal with Island in July 2007 and released her label debut, "Discipline," in February. When album sales failed to meet expectations, the singer expressed dissatisfaction with Island Def Jam, first telling SOHH.com that the label "stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album" after releasing the first single, "Feedback."
Keanu Reeves ruled not liable for photographer's fall
A Los Angeles judge on Monday threw out charges of assault and battery brought against Keanu Reeves by a photographer who claimed the "Matrix" actor deliberately hit him with his car. "There was no evidence of the slightest contact or the slightest touching," Los Angeles Superior Court judge Elizabeth Grimes said during a court hearing.
Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde a rockabilly rebel
Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde is unleashing her inner cowgirl on the rock band's first new album in five years. But her label does not want "Break Up the Concrete" (Shangri-La Music; October 7) to be described as a country effort because of negative connotations. Call it rockabilly, invoke comparisons with Bo Diddley or Sun Records, and luxuriate in the pedal steel guitar. Just don't say that she has gone Nashville.
Magician Blaine to hang upside down for 60 hrs
NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's a bird! It's a bat! It's ... David Blaine? The 35-year-old magician and showman strung himself upside down above Central Park's Wollman ice skating rink on Monday and plans to stay there for 60 hours. Wearing a safety harness attached to a crossbar, Blaine dangled by his feet from a large steel scaffold structure.
Metallica, Run-DMC up for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hip Hop group Run-DMC, heavy metal band Metallica and musician/songwriter Bobby Womack are among nine nominees announced on Monday vying for five spots in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Guitarist Jeff Beck, disco and R&B band Chic, rock and roll singer Wanda Jackson, doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials, rock band The Stooges, and the California funk band War were also nominated.
HBO sweeps Emmys, but upstart AMC grabs top prize
HBO swept the prime-time Emmys on Sunday, consolidating its reputation as a powerhouse of U.S. television by winning 26 trophies, thanks mostly to the historical mini-series "John Adams" and the modern political movie "Recount." But despite taking more Emmys than any network, HBO was omitted for the first time in a decade from the prestigious race for best drama series, which went to upstart cable channel AMC with "Mad Men."
Natalie Cole hospitalized in Hepatitis C setback
Grammy Award-winning singer Natalie Cole has been hospitalized in New York after suffering a setback in her battle against Hepatitis C, her spokeswoman said on Friday. Cole, the 58-year-old daughter of legendary singer Nat King Cole, has canceled her tour dates for October but is expected to make a full recovery, the spokeswoman told Reuters. Cole's unexpected hospitalization was first reported by Entertainment Tonight.