Buzz Briefs: "Lost," James Cromwell
Return Of "Lost" Snatches Up Prime Time On Jan. 21
ABC will devote all of its prime time on Jan. 21 to the return of "Lost," showing two one-hour episodes preceded by a synopsis to update viewers on the story, the network said Monday.
The drama was last seen on its finale on May 29, an action-packed episode with an exploded freighter, a stabbing and a boat rescue.
The show will air regularly 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. ABC said it will make an announcement shortly on where "Private Practice" will be scheduled.
The "Lost" clip show, a format its producers have used to keep viewers up-to-date on the complicated story, will air at 8 p.m. EST on Jan. 21. The first hour begins at 9 p.m.
"W's" James Cromwell Hospitalized After Cycling Accident
James Cromwell was injured in a fall from his bicycle over the weekend and was expected to be released from a hospital Monday, his publicist said.
Cromwell, 68, suffered a broken collarbone and a partially deflated lung, according to a statement released Monday by publicist Nancy Seltzer. She said Cromwell is a serious cyclist who was training on a Los Angeles-area canyon road Sunday when he fell from the bike.
Cromwell starred in the "Babe" movies and recently portrayed the first President George Bush in "W." Seltzer said Cromwell would be well enough to complete his work schedule on the new TV drama "My Own Worst Enemy."
"Twilight" Star Robert Pattinson's Mall Appearance Has Tweens In A Tizzy
At least one girl was injured after a crowd got rowdy outside a San Francisco mall hoping to see the young star of upcoming movie "Twilight."
About 3,000 people - mostly teenage girls - arrived early Monday at the Stonestown Galleria mall hours before the scheduled appearance of Robert Pattinson.
The 22-year-old British actor plays Edward Cullen, a vampire who falls in love with a human, in the film scheduled for release Nov. 21. He also played Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movies.
Police canceled Pattinson's evening autograph session at the Hot Topic store after the crowd began pushing its way inside the mall. One girl reportedly broke her nose in the crush.
Hot Topic employees declined comment. San Francisco police did not immediately return calls.
Britney Spears Is Working On "Top Secret Project"
Pop diva Britney Spears is gearing up for a new project, which she is sort of keeping under wraps -- for now.
According to People, Spears is working on a "top secret project" with her choreographer and manager.
The 26-year-old pop star released four photos of male dancers auditioning for her "top secret project" on her celebrity MySpace page.
Her latest album, "Circus" is due out in three weeks.
Comedians: Obama Jokes Are A Challenge
Sarah Palin became a staple for comics. George Bush was a piece of cake. Same with the high-intensity delivery of Joe Biden and the growling demeanors of John McCain and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Barack Obama? Still a challenge.
Comedians admit they are struggling to "find the funny" in the president-elect.
Jay Leno recently admitted to his "Tonight Show" audience on NBC that Obama "is not easy to do jokes about." CBS "Late, Late Show" host Craig Ferguson answered his own question about whether finding something funny about Obama will be a challenge with a quick, "God, yes!"
Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," said he's already missing the Bush administration.
But Bill Maher of HBO's "Real Time" takes a different position, pointing out that it's better to have a leader who is thoughtful and not such an easy target, and adding that "comedians have had it really easy for the last eight years."
Mexico Musicians Die In Argentina Highway Crash
Police say two musicians from a northern Mexico cumbia band have died in a car crash in Argentina.
Members of La Internacional Sonora Skandalo were in the country for a series of shows around the Argentine capital. The band is based in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Police Capt. Eduardo Iboco says they were on their way to play at a nightclub in a Buenos Aires suburb early Sunday when a vehicle driven by one of the group's managers hit their bus from behind.
Iboco says singer Douglas Fernandez and drummer Oscar Rosales were killed.
Doctors say another musician underwent abdominal surgery and six more victims were hospitalized with less serious injuries. Their names were not released.
Fallen U.K. Rocker's Song Not Considered "Suggested Listening"
A British exam board is recalling a high school music test that included convicted child molester Gary Glitter's music in its "suggested listening" section, board officials said Monday.
The test asked British students to compose an original song "that relies on changes of tempo or style," said Claire Ellis, spokeswoman for the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance. Students were given a series of examples they could model their songs on, among them Glitter's 1970s hit "I'm The Leader Of The Gang."
Like many of Glitter's foot-stomping anthems, the song was once a chart-topper. But the glam rocker and his music have been shunned since the singer was convicted of abusing two young girls in Vietnam.
"We are asking schoolchildren to use his songs - and Gary Glitter - as a role model, as someone who has written a wonderful song," said Michele Elliott, head of anti-child-abuse group Kidscape. "The role model is morally decrepit. It's just inappropriate."
In a statement the exam board said it regretted any offense that the inclusion of Glitter's song might have caused.
"We are writing to all our centers to recall the paper and issue replacements with reference to the song removed," the statement said.
The alliance's song-writing assignment is part of an optional music test taken by 14 to 16-year-olds across Britain.