Garrison Keillor still plans to start his new season of “A Prairie Home Companion’’ in just over two weeks, despite suffering a minor stroke this week. Keillor, 67, will remain at Saint Marys Hospital at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., until tomorrow, said his spokesman David O’Neill. (AP)
Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, rocker Bruce Springsteen, actor Robert De Niro, comic genius Mel Brooks, and opera singer Grace Bumbry will be feted Dec. 6 at the 32d Kennedy Center Honors Gala. The Kennedy Center Honors recognize performing artists for their contributions to American culture. (AP)
Ellen DeGeneres is dancing her way onto “American Idol,’’ replacing Paula Abdul as the show’s fourth judge. In a release yesterday from Fox and the show’s producers, DeGeneres described herself as a longtime fan of the hit singing contest. Abdul, who announced she was quitting the show amid a contract dispute, had been replaced by a succession of guest judges as “American Idol’’ started next season’s auditions. DeGeneres, host of a daytime talk show, wasn’t among them. She will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi for the ninth season starting in January. (AP)
