Adele has recorded an official theme song for the newest James Bond film, Skyfall, according to TotalFilm.com . The single will be her first release from the expectant mother since the multimillion-selling album 21. Co-starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, Skyfall will premiere in the United States Nov. 9.
People en Espanol has declared Dancing with the Stars alum William Levy the sexiest man alive, the Huffington Post noted. The Spanish-language version of People ranked Levy as "El hombre mas sexy" for the second year in a row, ahead of men such as David Zepeda, Fernando Colunga and Fabian Rios. And his good looks are not all he has to offer; Elizabeth Gutierrez, Levy's significant other and mother of his two children, said he often helps around the house.
Openly gay actor John Barrowmanbest known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness on the science-fiction series Doctor Who and Torchwoodhas written the fantasy/science-fiction novel Hollow Earth with sister Carole, Playbill.com reported. Aladdin Books, the children's division of Simon & Schuster, will release the novel (which is for young adults) Oct. 30. The Barrowmans previously authored Torchwood: Exodus Code, which was released in the U.K. Sept. 13.
Trans-rights activists say that now-out talk-show host Anderson Cooper disappointed them for featuring what they call a sensational story on his show, Advocate.com reported. Cooper recently interviewed a guest named Mandi who claimed a drug made her transgender. Cooper repeatedly challenged Mandi on if she questioned her identity before taking Propecia, which fights baldness, in part, with hormones. National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling said, "Anderson Cooper knows better than this. ... This segment is just another case of sensationalizing an already marginalized population, plain and simple."
A film and cultural festival honoring the late African-American lesbian filmmaker Audre Lorde is touring community venues, libraries and universities nationally, according to a press release. The movies making up this touring festival include Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years 1984 to 1992; A Litany for Survival (2012): The Life and Work of Audre Lorde (1995); The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde (2002); and Hope in My Heart: The May Ayim Story (1997). (Ayim was a Ghanaian-German poet and political personality.) Among some of the sites the festival is visiting are the Univ. of Cal-Berkeley (Sept. 25), San Francisco's Goethe Institute (Sept. 29), Northwestern University (Oct. 3-4) and Harvard University (Oct. 9).
In the October issue of Out magazine, actor Zachary Quinto talks about his sexuality and his relationship with Glee actor Jonathan Groff. At one point, Quinto says, "One of the most defining conversations that I had with myself was that absolutely no good can come from me staying quiet about [my sexuality]. Literally, no good can come from it." Regarding Groff, he said, "I'm incredibly happy, I'm incredibly lucky."
Ewan McGregor has been cast alongside Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in August: Osage County, the movie adaptation of Tracy Letts' Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play that begins production Sept. 24, according to Deadline.com . McGregor will play Bill Fordham, the estranged husband of Barbara (Roberts) and son-in-law of pill-popping matriarch Violet Weston (Streep). A college professor, he left his wife for one of his students but wants to be there for his family.
The morning show Today has been criticized for airing an interview with Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner instead of taking a moment of silence for Sept. 11 like its competitors did. Fox News reported that experts are speculating that long-term ramifications for the series that saw its 17-year-long streak at number one in the ratings end this year could be major. Crisis communications specialist Glenn Selig said this latest incident could further erode the show's ratings.
Bisexual True Blood star Anna Paquin and co-star/husband Stephen Moyer recently welcomed twins, according to People.com . Reps for the actors said, "The babies were born a few weeks early, but are in good health and both Mom and Dad are overjoyed." These are the first children together for the couple; Moyer has two preteen children from previous relationships.
Actress Kathy Bates (Misery; TV's Harry's Law) is again battling cancer, she told People Magazine. Bates, 64, survived ovarian cancer nine years ago and was diagnosed with breast cancer several weeks ago. "After much consideration, I underwent a double mastectomy," the Academy Award-winning actress said. "Luckily, I don't have to undergo radiation or chemo. ... My doctors have assured me I'm going to be around for a long time."
Country singer Keith Urban and hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj have joined original judge Randy Jackson and superstar Mariah Carey at American Idol's judges' table, the Chicago Tribune reported. The new line-up follows the departures of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and singer-actress Jennifer Lopez after two years, and returns the show to a four-person panel last seen in 2010. Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest are the only original members of the reality-competition series.
Ellen DeGeneres and "Ellen Show" producer Lauren Pomerantz are teaming for a new NBC comedy, according to HollywoodReporter.com . The single-camera show follows the life of a 32-year-old independent woman, reconciling aging with her chosen single life. DeGeneres will executive-produce the show.
Singer Brandi Carlile married partner Catherine Shepard in Boston Sept. 15, SheWired.com reported. The couple will plan two more ceremonies: one in Carlile's hometown of Seattle later this month, and one in her wife Catherine Shepherd's hometown of London next year. Carlile told The Washington Post, "It was a crazy feeling when I was filling out the paperwork because I felt like I was breaking a law. [Shepherd's] mom and dad were there and it was just really special. So we have a marriage license in Massachusetts."
Out gay actor Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, Shakespeare In Love) has caused quite a stir by saying that gay men don't make good parents, according to ABC News. He told Britain's Sunday Times Magazine that he agrees with his own mom, who says a child needs a father and a mother, adding, "I can't think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads." GLAAD President Herndon Graddick responded, "Children aren't hurt when raised by caring gay parents, but they are when uninformed people in the public eye insult their families."
Casting is now complete for the new Broadway production of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, starring Al Pacino, according to Playbill.com . The Pulitzer Prize-winning play about sharks in a real-estate office will begin previews Oct. 16 prior to a Nov. 11 opening at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre; it will run for 10 weeks. Others in the cast include John C. McGinley, David Harbour, Richard Schiff, Jeremy Shamos and Bobby Cannavale.
Nikki Blonskywho starred as Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 film of the Tony-winning musical Hairspraywill play a recurring role on the second season of the NBC musical drama Smash, according to a Playbill.com item. Blonsky will join season-two additions such as Jennifer Hudson, Sean Hayes, Jeremy Jordan and Jesse L. Martin (TV's Law & Order; Rent).
Singers Usher and Shakira have been lined up to replace, respectively, Cee-Lo Green and Christina Aguiera as judges on the fourth season of the hit NBC show The Voice, US Magazine reported. (Judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will remain on the series.) Aguilera will use her break from the program to focus on touring and promoting the release of her new album, Lotus; Green is currently working with NBC on a new show of his own.
In a move that might be a black eye for pro baseball, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar played a game against the Boston Red Sox with a gay slur on his eye black written in Spanish, according to the New York Daily News. Escobar had the words "Tu ere maricon" (loosely translated: "You are a faggot") scrawled across the sun reflectors underneath his eyes. Major League Baseball suspended Escobar for three games; in addition, his salary for those games is being directed to You Can Play and GLAAD, and he will participate in an outreach program.
Cat Deeley, the host of the show So You Think You Can Dance, has weighed in on the Kate Middleton topless scandal, according to Celebuzz.com . At a recent Emmy-related party, Deeley questioned how a photographer got close enough to take the images of the Duchess of Cambridge while she vactioned in France with husband Prince William. "I think someone should have been taking a little more care," Deeley said.
Eric Stonestreetwho plays half of a gay couple on the ABC show Modern Familywas escorted from a Los Angeles Dodgers game after getting into a verbal altercation with a St. Louis Cardinals fan, USA Today noted. TMZ stated that security approached both men and asked them to leave. However, Stonestreet later tweeted, "i did NOT get kicked out of the Dodgers game last night. did i get escorted to the top of the stairs by security? yes. yes i sure did."
Actress Laura Prepon (TV's That '70s Show) will star as a bisexual prisoner in Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan's new 13-episode prison drama for Netflix, according to SheWired.com . The series, based on Piper Kerman's book Orange is the New Black, centers on Piper (Taylor Schilling), whose "decade-old relationship with a drug-runner in college results in her arrest and multi-year detention in a federal penitentiary." Prepon plays the drug runner.
RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sharon Needles bared it all at a UK photo shoot for high-end fashion magazine IDOL, according to a press release. Also, her online store (at store.sharonneedles.com ) has unveiled a line of underwear for both sexes. The items feature a pentagram on the back and an upside-down cross on the front.
Has the tribe already spoken for Survivor host Jeff Probst's new talk show? According to the New York Post, Probst's show has been averaging less than a 1 ratingthe bare minimum needed to survive. Also, reps for Queen Latifah's new talk show (set to air next year) have reportedly been calling TV stations to take over for Probst as soon as his contract expires.
Lady Gaga has revealed the details of the North American leg of her "Born This Way Ball" tour. A press release showed that the five-time Grammy winner will visit 25 cities. Among the stops are Vancouver (Jan. 11), Los Angeles (Jan. 20), St. Louis (Feb. 2), Chicago (Feb. 13), New York City (Feb. 22) and Nashville (March 10), with the tour wrapping up in Miami (March 16). See www.LiveNation.com and www.LadyGaga.com for more info.