Buzz Briefs: Jon Stewart, Serena Williams

Jon Stewart To Honor Carlin

Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Margaret Cho are among an all-star lineup of entertainers who will honor the late U.S. comedian George Carlin at this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The prize was announced just before Carlin's death in June. It will be awarded during a tribute performance Nov. 10 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

Others who will honor Carlin include Garry Shandling, Lily Tomlin, Denis Leary and Joan Rivers.

The prize is being awarded posthumously for the first time in its 11-year history. Last year the Kennedy Center honored Billy Crystal.

Serena Williams To Serve Up Memoir

A memoir by Serena Williams will be released in 2009 by Grand Central Publishing, which beat out a handful of other publishers bidding for the life story of the No. 1 ranked women's tennis player.

"Serena Williams is one of the world's most remarkable athletes," Grand Central editor Karen Kosztolnyik said Tuesday in a statement. "We've watched her rise to No. 1 despite physical and emotional setbacks, and her hard work and determination have inspired legions of fans young and old. Serena will give her memoir a strong motivational slant."

Financial terms for the book, currently untitled, were not disclosed, although a publishing official with knowledge of the negotiations said bidding reached at least $1.3 million. The official, citing the confidentiality of the negotiations, declined to be identified.

Williams, 26, has won nine Grand Slam titles and, with sister Venus Williams, won a gold medal in women's doubles at the recent Olympics in Beijing.

Grand Central Publishing is a division of the Hachette Book Group.

Streisand To Headline Obama Fundraiser

How does Barack Obama lure wealthy donors to a big-money fundraiser in Hollywood? Bring in Barbra Streisand as the headline performer.

The Oscar-winning singer and actress performs tonight on Obama's behalf in Beverly Hills. It is to be a two-step evening with a reception and dinner costing $28,500 a person followed by a later event featuring Streisand at $2,500 a ticket.

Nicholson, Bon Jovi, Shaq Among Nominees For N.J. Hall

The New Jersey Hall of Fame wants voters to choose its second class of inductees.

Thirty nominees from the fields of arts and entertainment, sports, history and enterprise were announced Tuesday.

The nominees include actor Jack Nicholson, singer Jon Bon Jovi, political activist Paul Robeson, basketball pro Shaquille O'Neal and writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Of those, 10 will be chosen.

Last year, the hall inducted 15 members into its inaugural class including Bruce Springsteen, Yogi Berra and Frank Sinatra.

The hall has a virtual home but no permanent physical location. Votes will be accepted through Nov. 30.

Honors For Hanks

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will honor Tom Hanks in its annual gala tribute, citing the actor's talent of making "a good man compelling."

The two-time Academy Award winner will be feted April 27 at Alice Tully Hall, which is being renovated but is scheduled to reopen on Feb. 22.

It will be the society's 36th annual gala, following last year's celebration of Meryl Streep.

"There are so few actors who have been able to make the struggle and drama of being a good man compelling," Kent Jones, the society's associate director of programming, said Monday.

"With his talent, his presence, his versatility, his sense of humour, he has set a very high standard for his fellow actors."

The 52-year-old Hanks won best-actor Oscars for 1993's "Philadelphia" and 1994's "Forrest Gump."

Actress Opens Up About Old Flame: "Nikita"

Megan Fox may be engaged to Brian Austin Green now. But, four years ago she had a thing for a Russian female stripper who worked at a club on the Sunset Strip. Fox tells GQ magazine she went out of her way "to create a relationship with this girl, a stripper named Nikita."

She says Nikita would do "these beautiful slow dances to Aerosmith ballads." Fox says she would bring the stripper gifts and try to inspire her to quit her line of work. But, Fox says she's not a lesbian. She just thinks "all humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both
sexes."

And, here's a warning for certain animals. She says she could see herself in a relationship with a girl. For example, Fox says, quote: "Olivia Wilde is so sexy she makes me want to strangle a mountain ox with my bare hands. She's mesmerizing. And lately I've been obsessed with Jenna Jameson, but ... oh boy."

JLo Completes Star-Studded Triathlon

Jennifer Lopez completed the Nautica Malibu Triathlon Sunday in two hours, 23 minutes and 38.8 seconds

Lopez raised $127,000 for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. The entire event raised $950,000.

Husband Marc Anthony was on the sidelines. He called his wife, "a whole new
definition of 'Superwoman.'"

Lopez's "Wedding Planner" co-star, actor Matthew McConaughey, also completed the triathlon. "When we live in paradise, it's nice to come and do this."

Other celeb participants included husband-and-wife actors Felicity Huffman
("Desperate Housewives") and William H. Macy, who noted, "Well, I didn't embarrass myself."

Lopez and Anthony, parents to twins born in February, returned to NYC after the event to host Anthony's 40th birthday bash Sunday night.

The overall winner was Chris McCormack.