Buzz Briefs: David Duchovny, J.K. Rowling
David Duchovny Lands Role While In Rehab
David Duchovny isn't letting his rehab stint for sex addiction keep him down. The Hollywood Reporter says Duchovny has signed on for a new dramedy called "The Joneses."
Duchovny will play the father of a phony picture-perfect family that's put together to market luxury items in suburban neighborhoods. Demi Moore will play Duchovny's fake wife.
Honors For J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling has been honored for her services to the Scottish city in which she dreamed up adventures for Harry Potter, her world-famous boy wizard.
Judges said Friday that Rowling was the unanimous choice to receive the 2008 Edinburgh Award, in recognition for her contributions to Scotland's capital. Rowling said she was honored.
"Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafes," Rowling said. "So much has happened to me both professionally and personally since I moved here nearly 15 years ago, that to receive this recognition is particularly meaningful and special."
Edinburgh's ceremonial head, Lord Provost George Grubb, said Rowling was "a tremendous asset to the city, not least for her writing prowess but also for her philanthropy and the vast amount of support she gives to numerous charities."
Last year's Edinburgh Award went to crime writer Ian Rankin.
Leighton Meester Tops FHM List
Leighton Meester has been picked as this fall's hottest TV star by FHM Online. Meester beat out Hayden Panettiere for the honor.
Also making this year's top 10 list of hotties is Dania Ramirez, Jamie Lynn Sigler and Deanna Russo from the new "Knight Rider." Eva Longoria-Parker rounds out the list.
John Cusack's Biggest Thrill
The highlight of John Cusack's career came recently and it had nothing to do with a movie. It happened when Bob Dylan invited him to be on his radio show.
Cusack says Dylan had him ad-lib a bit about smoking to introduce a set of songs about smoking. Cusack says he can't believe Bob Dylan actually said
his name. Cusack is the voice of "Igor" in the animated feature that opened today.
Opry Invites New Member
Craig Morgan has been invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Morgan was performing Thursday for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg, N.C., when he received the invitation from Opry veteran John Conlee who surprised him by walking on stage.
Morgan, 44, was stationed at Fort Bragg from 1990 to 1992 during his 10 years of active duty in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.
"It's cool to be invited right here," he said tearfully.
Morgan will be formally inducted as a member of the long-running country music program on Oct. 25. His hits include "That's What I Love About Sunday," "Redneck Yacht Club," "Little Bit of Life" and "International
Harvester."
Novel Gets Nod From Winfrey
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, U.S. publishing's biggest hitmaker, has chosen David Wroblewski's "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle," as her latest book club book, she said Friday.
"Edgar Sawtelle" was released in June and became a U.S. smash thanks to strong reviews, word of mouth and a blurb from horror writer Stephen King. Winfrey's pick is likely to help the book's time on the bestseller list extend into Fall.
"Edgar Sawtelle," which Wroblewski worked on for more than a decade, is the story of a mute boy who communicates best with his dogs. Wroblewski grew up in rural Wisconsin, the setting for his book, and now lives near Denver with his partner, writer Kimberly McClintock.
Rihanna Singled Out
A lot of people like Rihanna's looks. And People magazine says it likes her look, too.
The singer is among those being singled out by the magazine for her fashion sense. She says she tries to fit her clothes on any given day to "inspiration" and "expression." As she put it: "Whatever mood I'm in, that's how I dress."
Others placed in the best-dressed column are Michelle Obama, Fergie, Heidi Klum and Charlize Theron. On the other hand, Mariah Carey's decision to wear short shorts with white platform shoes was named one of the fashion moments that the magazine says we should forget.
Vodaphone Dishes Out Music Gongs To Concert Stars
The Spice Girls have left Led Zeppelin standing in the battle of the big band reunions.
The five female singers beat the British rock legends to the title of Best Live Return at the Vodaphone Live Music Awards.
At the event in London music acts that can really cut it in the flesh were saluted and given a trophy.
Other winners include Mark Ronson who scooped the award for Best Live Male.
The producer pipped Dizzee Rascal, Morrissey and Paul Weller to the title.
Primal Scream were named Best Live Act and The Ting Ting's won the XFM Breakthrough Act for their hit tune, 'That's Not My Name'.
The awards were hosted by Hollywood actress Juliette Lewis and T4 presenter Steve Jones with performances by The Pussycat Dolls, Estelle, and Primal Scream.
Seinfeld's Ad Ends
Those Microsoft TV commercials starring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld have vanished. They've been pulled off the air.
The ads showed Gates and Seinfeld trading banter at a shoe store in a mall. They also were seen living with a suburban family, trying to get in touch with regular people.
Internet chatter suggests Microsoft yanked the Seinfeld ads because they didn't get a good reception. But, Microsoft says it was always its intention
to pull the two-week-old campaign and replace it with ads that focus on Windows.
Gary Coleman Sued
Gary Coleman has been sued by a man who says Coleman punched him and ran into him with his truck.
Colt Rushton says it happened in the parking lot of a Utah bowling alley and because of it, he has knee, back and neck injuries. Rushton says the two of them had gotten into an argument Sept. 6, when he was taking pictures of Coleman with a cell phone.