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Author Rowling Conjures Up Entertainer Of Year Award

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

J.K. Rowling's magical, Midas touch has landed her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly as the magazine's entertainer of the year.

The magazine said the "Harry Potter" author, who has sold nearly 400 million copies of her boy-wizard series that's been adapted into a mega-successful movie franchise, deserved props for getting "people to tote around her big, old-fashioned, printed-on-paper books as if they were the hottest new entertainment devices on the planet."

Rowling was in a class by herself on the magazine's list of the year's top entertainers, which was separated by editors into five other categories that evoke school cliques: prodigies, class clowns, most popular, most buzzed-about and valedictorians.

The magazine named George Clooney - actor, director, activist - a valedictorian because he has "deftly balanced box-office viability with personal responsibility." Will Smith, Angelina Jolie and the cast of "The Sopranos" also made the grade, among others.

Matt Damon made the list of most popular, as did Carrie Underwood, Katherine Heigl, Johnny Depp and Kanye West.

Musically, Eagles Are Birds Of A Feather

The Eagles were ready to hang up their guitars and microphones. Instead they regrouped and recorded their first new album in 28 years.

"We either had to fold our tent or make a record," guitarist Glenn Frey tells CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled to air Sunday. "We were going to be done. And I wouldn't want to have it end ... where ... you're just sort of doing a caricature of yourself, you're just doing a tribute to yourself."

The band's new album, "Long Road Out of Eden," debuted at No. 1 when it was released last month.

"It came out better than I thought," vocalist-drummer Don Henley says. "I think a great many of the songs on it will stand up with the best work we've ever done."

The Eagles had a string of hits in the '70s, including "Hotel California," "Take It Easy" and "Life in the Fast Lane."

Pitt's Pendulum Swings Away From Role

Brad Pitt has backed out of a Universal Pictures movie set to begin filming this year. "State of Play" was to star Pitt as a political consultant-turned-journalist who helps investigate the death of a congressman's mistress.

The actor left the production Wednesday, Hollywood trade paper Daily Variety reported on its Web site.

"Brad Pitt has left the Universal Pictures production of 'State of Play,'" the studio said in a statement. "We remain committed to this project and to the filmmakers, cast members, crew and others who are also involved in making the movie."

Winehouse's Husband Will Stay In Jail

Amy Winehouse wiped away tears as her incarcerated husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was denied bail today in Thames Magistrates' Court in London.

Fielder-Civil, 25, who is charged with conspiracy involving alleged witness tampering in his upcoming assault trial, will spend Christmas in jail awaiting a Jan. 18 hearing. Should his case go to trial, Judge David Robson said he was "penciling in early June."

As he was led away, Fielder-Civil held his hand to his ear like a telephone and mouthed "I'll call you" through the glass of the defendant's box. Winehouse blew him two kisses.

Today's Birthdays

Former Beatles drummer Pete Best is 66. Actor Stanley Livingston ("My Three Sons") is 57.

Sources: The Associated Press, People.com

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