Buzz Briefs: Janet Jackson, Kid Rock
Janet Jackson Nixes "SNL" Appearance
Janet Jackson has dropped out of her upcoming "Saturday Night Live" performance because she has the flu, the singer's representative said Tuesday.
"Janet did go to the hospital last night due to the fact she's been suffering from this flu that's kicked a lot of people's behinds," publicist Patti Webster told The Associated Press in an e-mail. "She was never admitted and she is fine."
Still, Webster said Jackson - who visited a Los Angeles hospital was pulling out of the March 15 "SNL" telecast because "she needs some time to get better."
"SNL" spokesman Marc Liepis said he did not know what music act will replace Jackson.
Jackson, 41, was scheduled to perform live Saturday night in support of her latest album, "Discipline," which was released last month.
Kid Rock Dishes It Out At Waffle House
The entertainer came to sling hash browns and sign autographs for hundreds of fans during a fundraiser at a suburban Atlanta diner. The event came just a week after Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, pleaded not guilty to a charge of battery from a fight last fall at another Waffle House.
Waffle House spokeswoman Kelly Thrasher said the Atlanta-based company wanted to "take a negative situation and turn it into a positive situation."
Proceeds from the fundraiser were to go to Nicholas House, a homeless shelter for families in DeKalb County, where the 37-year-old entertainer was arrested last October following a fight with a customer.
Hugh Laurie Gets Into "House" With Vicodin
"I wouldn't recommend it," Laurie told the U.K.'s Radio Times. "But then again, if you're not in pain, it gives a floaty pleasurable feeling."
Laurie also said that he feels his home country has turned its back on him for choosing to work in the U.S.
"The door slammed behind me, and that's it," he said. "There's a notion that I've sold out."
Billy Crystal Lives Out Yankee Dream
Photos: Hugh Laurie Is "House"
The actor will sign a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and play in Thursday's exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Crystal, an avid Yankees fan, will work out with the team on Wednesday and will wear uniform No. 60 for the game - to be played one day before his 60th birthday. The Yankees said Monday they have the approval of baseball commissioner Bud Selig.
"I've been waiting 50 years for this call," Crystal said in a statement released by the team. "I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yankees and commissioner Selig. I know this'll be tougher than the Broadway Softball League, but I'm looking forward to helping the younger players, which by the way is all of them. Oops, I have to go, Scott Boras is on the phone."
Crystal, according to the Yankees hit .348 and was captain during his senior year at Long Beach High School in New York. He directed and produced "*61," a movie about Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and the 1961 Yankees.
March 10, 2008
Dayanara Torres & Amaury Nolasco Split
"After a year together we have decided to end our relationship. We will always have a beautiful friendship, great love and mutual respect," the couple said in a statement released to People en Espanol.
Torres, 32, and Nolasco, 36, confirmed their romance in July 2007, when the ex-wife and mother of two of Marc Anthony's sons said that the actor was "a really, sweet guy. We get along great."
The couple, both of whom are Puerto Rican, tried to keep a low profile, but were caught by photographers while on various romantic trips together, including to the Dominican Republic and Paris.
Photos: Celebrity Splits