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Gravely Ill Goulet Waits For A Lung Transplant

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

Singer and actor Robert Goulet is heavily sedated and breathing through a respirator in a Los Angeles hospital while he awaits a lung transplant, his wife told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

'He can hear me, but he can't respond,' Vera Goulet said of the 73-year-old crooner.

A suitable donor has yet to be found, she said.

'God willing, if we proceed with this, our doctors feel that there's no reason he will not have at least 15 years of life doing what he does, going back on stage and singing,' she said. 'That's very encouraging.'

The singer fell ill when flying home to Las Vegas after performing Sept. 20 in Syracuse, N.Y., his wife said. Doctors initially assumed it was a bug, but he got weaker until he had to be rushed to the hospital 10 days later, she said.

Goulet was diagnosed with a form of pulmonary fibrosis that his official Web site described as a 'rapidly progressive and fatal condition.' He was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as a transplant patient Oct. 13.

Cancellation Disappoints Jackman, Wife

Hugh Jackman's wife and business partner says the couple are disappointed their 'Viva Laughlin' TV series has been canceled.

CBS axed the show in the United States after airing only two episodes because of low ratings. Australia's Nine Network pulled it after a single airing.

'We are obviously very disappointed, but you have to take risks in this business,' Deborra-Lee Furness said Wednesday in Sydney.

The offbeat song-and-dance drama, based on the British miniseries 'Viva Blackpool,' drew largely poor reviews. 'Viva Laughlin' was the first project for Jackman's Australian production company, Seed, which he owns with Furness.

'Doing a drama that is a musical is going to be a huge risk,' Furness said. 'If I'm going to fail, I want to fail spectacularly, and it seems like we did.'

Collins 'Cooperative' During DUI Arrest

TV host Gary Collins was arrested on suspicion of DUI after an accident in California's San Fernando Valley, police say.

Investigators say Collins, 69, was not at fault for the crash Tuesday evening, but was found to be under the influence.

Collins was driving a Ford Explorer about 5:30 p.m. when a Toyota driven by an 89-year-old man failed to yield to oncoming traffic and collided with Collins, Los Angeles police officer Norma Eisenman said.

'When officers arrived on the scene, they detected alcohol on Collins' breath,' Eisenman said. 'He failed a field sobriety test, and was booked for misdemeanor DUI. He was cooperative.'

Bon Jovi To Inaugurate Newark Stadium

The music of Bon Jovi battled with the din of saws and drills in the Prudential Center as the New Jersey rockers prepared for 10 shows at the downtown Newark facility.

Bon Jovi is the first act to perform at the new arena, starting today.

According to media reports, the band praised the facility, even as last-minute construction was being finished Tuesday.

Jon Bon Jovi, the band's frontman, said the shows will hopefully help invigorate Newark's economy.

Because of the large number of shows, Bon Jovi has been practicing many songs they haven't performed in years. The band's latest album is the country-influenced 'Lost Highway,' on Island Records.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Marion Ross is 79. Singer Helen Reddy is 66. Rock musician Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest) is 60. Actress Nancy Cartwright ('The Simpsons') is 50. Country singer Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown) is 49. Rock musician Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) is 37.

Sources: The Associated Press, People.com

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