Buzz Briefs: Minnie Driver, John Oates

It's A Boy For Minnie Driver

Minnie Driver has given birth to a not-so-little one.

Henry Story Driver was born in Los Angeles on Friday and weighed in at a hearty 9 lbs., 12 oz., her publicist Jessica Kolstad told People magazine.

Driver, 38, confirmed that she was pregnant during an appearance on "The Tonight Show" in March, when host Jay Leno remarked on her baby bump.

It's the first child for Driver, who has not revealed the name of the father.

Driver stars on the FX cable TV series "The Riches" with British comedian Eddie Izzard. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting."

Singer John Oates Returns To His Roots

Students at Pennsylvania's North Penn High School got a lunch hour diversion with acoustic performances, autographs and stories from alumnus John Oates.

Half the pop singing and songwriting duo Hall and Oates and a member of the Class of 1966, Oates says he is "living proof that you can go to North Penn High School and go somewhere after that."

He entertained an assembly of about 1,000 Monday at the school in Lansdale, 20 miles north of Philadelphia.

Oates says he grew up there so long ago he remembers when jeans weren't allowed in school and "when the first McDonald's came."

The crowd shouted for "Rich Girl" and waved lighted cell phones as Oates sang that and other favorites from "She's Gone" to "Sara Smile."

Man Charged With Assault On Oasis' Noel Gallagher

Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher was attacked at a concert, and the alleged assailant was charged Monday.

The British band was midway through its headlining set at the Virgin Festival on Toronto's Olympic Island Sunday night when a man rushed the band from the back of the stage. He pushed Gallagher, causing him to fall on his speakers.

Security personnel quickly apprehended Daniel Sullivan, 47, from Pickering, Ontario. Police said Monday that he was charged with assault.

"Everyone was shocked. The fan came out of nowhere - no one even saw him run on stage, people just saw Noel fall and then people started yelling," said concertgoer Twyla DeMello.

The band members promptly left the stage and the lights came on, leaving fans confused. Minutes later, the band returned to resume its set.

The band's Web site said Monday that Noel was taken to the hospital after the show to be examined for a suspected fractured rib and ligament damage.

Sullivan was released from custody on a promise to appear in court Oct. 24.

NY Lawsuit Claims "Disturbia" Copied Short Story

A lawsuit claims Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures Corp. ripped off "Rear Window" when they made the movie "Disturbia."

The 2007 thriller "Disturbia" stars Shia LaBeouf as a kid who spies on neighbors, including a man he suspects is a serial killer.

The copyright infringement lawsuit, filed Monday in Manhattan, says "Disturbia" copied a short story Cornell Woolrich wrote in 1942 and the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie that starred James Stewart and Grace Kelly and was based on the story.

Woolrich died in 1968. The rights to "Rear Window" were sold to Sheldon Abend, who died in 2003. His estate brought the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

Representatives for Spielberg, DreamWorks and Paramount said they don't comment on pending litigation.

Sept. 9, 2008

Newlywed DeGeneres Returns With First Show

Ellen DeGeneres premiered her sixth season as host of "Ellen" with two notable changes: a new studio and a wedding ring.

The syndicated talk show returned Monday with a taped episode from the show's new set on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Los Angeles. It was DeGeneres' first show since marrying actress Portia de Rossi in August.

"This is my first show as a married lady," DeGeneres announced, flashing her wedding ring.

The audience gave her a standing ovation.

DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi were wed in an intimate ceremony at their Beverly Hills home. The Emmy-winning host and de Rossi had dated for four years and announced that they would marry after the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages in May.

"Who knew John McCain and I would have something in common," she joked. "We both chose female running mates."

Teena Marie, Chaka Khan Honored With Pioneer Award

Teena Marie was first recognized as an R&B talent in the 1970s when she signed a recording deal with Motown at the tender age of 19.

Now, the self-proclaimed "Ivory Queen of Soul" is being recognized for a nearly 30-year career that has included collaborations with industry giants from Rick James to Smokey Robinson, as well as a Grammy-nominated solo repertoire.

Marie is one of nine artists receiving a Pioneer Award from the Philadelphia-based Rhythm & Blues Foundation at a gala ceremony Tuesday night.

The other honorees are Chaka Khan, Kool & The Gang, Bill Withers, The Whispers, The Funk Brothers, Donny Hathaway, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Al Bell. The awards were last given in 2006 by the R&B Foundation, which is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the genre, and to assisting artists in need.

Marie, 52, has been a pioneer in more than one sense. Besides being a white woman in a mostly black genre, she also won a precedent-setting lawsuit against Motown in 1982.

But her robust, soulful voice is what put her on the R&B map - and what has kept her there for nearly three decades. Admirers also cite her versatility; some of her later work includes a pairing with hip-hop star Kurupt, and her songs have been sampled by artists including Ludacris and The Fugees.

Stern's Fiancée Focused On Marathon, Then Wedding

Howard Stern's bride-to-be Beth Ostrosky says her No. 1 priority these days is training for the New York City marathon. No. 2: planning her October wedding to the radio shock jock.

"I ran 10 miles this morning and 18 miles on Thursday, and every day my mileage is going up and up - so I don't even think about the wedding. I'm thinking about that November marathon!" Ostrosky said at the Monday afternoon presentation of Jill Stuart's spring collection at the New York Public Library.

Despite her earlier workout, the leggy blond model looked fresh in a blue sleeveless Jill Stuart dress and shiny beige heels. Her accessories: a quilted Chanel purse and a bright smile.

Stern proposed to the outgoing Ostrosky in February 2007 after a long courtship.

"It's amazing," she said. "I can't wait to marry Howard. I know, everyone laughs! `What? You're going to marry Howard Stern?"'

She said they will wed in Manhattan and honeymoon at their home on Long Island in the Hamptons. She'll wear a dress designed by Georgina Chapman of the high-fashion line Marchesa and later that night some "hanky-panky underwear and that's about it!"