Buzz Briefs: Mariska Hargitay, Lil Wayne
Mariska Hargitay Hospitalized For A Collapsed Lung
Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay is in the hospital.
The star of NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" was hospitalized on Wednesday after feeling discomfort from a partially collapsed lung. She is undergoing tests.
Hargitay has been ailing since at least mid-January, when producers announced that she had a partially collapsed lung. Her spokeswoman, Leslie Sloane, said the actress "expects to be feeling better soon" and that production of the show will not be affected.
Hargitay, 45, won an Emmy last year for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: SVU."
Drug Charges Dropped Against Lil Wayne
A judge in Atlanta has dismissed felony drug charges against rapper Lil Wayne.
The Grammy-award winning rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was arrested in August 2006 at a hotel. Atlanta police said they found unmarked bottles containing hydrocodone and a generic form of Xanax, along with a small amount of marijuana.
On Tuesday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson granted the rapper's request to suppress on the basis of an illegal search. Carter's attorney, William Head, said his client wasn't staying in the room where the arrest was made.
Carter currently faces drug charges in Arizona, stemming from a January 2008 arrest, and a weapons charge from 2007 in New York.
Producer: "Bachelor" Finale Wasn't Rigged
The executive producer of "The Bachelor" says that Jason Mesnick's change of heart was not staged.
Mike Fleiss says producers of the ABC dating show did not create the outcome of Monday's season finale that prompted viewer outrage when Mesnick dumped his first choice for the runner-up.
Mesnick, a 32-year-old single dad from Seattle, proposed to Melissa Rycroft in New Zealand. But in the subsequent "After the Final Rose" special, taped six weeks later, he dumped Rycroft because he still had feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney. He and Malaney are now dating.
Elizabeth Taylor Applies Obama's Advice To Break Down Barriers
Elizabeth Taylor has expanded her philanthropy with a $100,000 donation to the Alliance for Christian Education.
The 77-year-old Oscar-winning actress says she was inspired by President Barack Obama's call for Americans to "reach across the aisle" of political and ideological divide.
For decades, Taylor's philanthropy has focused on HIV/AIDS.
In a statement, Taylor - who is Jewish - says she chose to underwrite the Christian-initiated education effort "because our new president challenged us to break down barriers that divide us."
The donation to the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based organization will help fund the alliance's pilot program for global outreach and the Providence Hall Christian high school.
No Doubt Gives Gift To Concert-Goers
Fans who buy premium seats online to No Doubt's upcoming concerts will get a little something extra with their tickets - a download of the group's entire catalog, plus a new song from the reunited band.
The offer applies to tickets in the $80 to $106 range for most shows. An announcement by the band says fans would get No Doubt's entire seven albums digitally plus a new song, "Stand and Deliver."
Fans who buy cheaper seats won't get in on the deal, which will be available until 30 days after the tour ends.
The tour is set to begin in Atlantic City, N.J., on May 2 and will run until August.
Tickets go on sale Saturday.
Singer Phil Collins: A History Buff At Heart
Singer Phil Collins says his new "main thing" is the Alamo.
The 58-year-old British singer is in San Antonio this week for the anniversary of the March 1836 battle of the Alamo, in which defenders of the mission-turned-fort held off the Mexican army for nearly two weeks.
Collins says he has "hundreds" of cannonballs, documents and other artifacts from the Alamo.
The collector and history buff's most prized item is a receipt signed by Alamo commander William Barret Travis for 32 head of cattle used to feed the Alamo defenders.
"Basically, now I've stopped being Phil Collins the singer. This has become what I do," he said in an online story Tuesday for the San Antonio Express-News.
Man Convicted In Murder Of Actor In Harry Potter Film
A London jury has convicted a man of murdering teenage actor Rob Knox, who had a small role in a soon-to-be released Harry Potter movie.
Karl Bishop, who was found guilty Wednesday, could face life in prison when sentenced for the stabbing death of 18-year-old Knox.
Prosecutors say Bishop killed Knox outside a bar in east London in May after Knox stepped in to protect his brother, who had been threatened by the 22-year-old.
Knox had just wrapped up filming on "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince." The movie is the sixth in the Harry Potter series and is due out this summer.
Knox played the part of Marcus Belby, a minor character.