Kutcher visits Letterman wearing bulletproof vest
Like David Letterman, Ashton Kutcher isn’t afraid of a little fatwa humor.
Mr. Kutcher taped an appearance for Mr. Letterman’s talk show Wednesday, and the actor came on stage wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest printed with the phrase, “Not Dave,” according to the Associated Press.
Last week, a contributor to a jihadist website posted a threat of violence against Mr. Letterman because the comedian had made fun of al Qaeda leaders on his show in June. Mr. Letterman, back from vacation Monday, played the threat for monologue laughs.
During Wednesday’s taping, Mr. Letterman asked Mr. Kutcher if his bow tie was bulletproof. The actor replied that “you can’t be too careful” sitting next to a guy facing a threat.
Whoopi Goldberg adopts kitten thrown from car
A kitten tossed from a moving car on New York City’s Verrazano Bridge now has a name — and a celebrity “mom.”
Whoopi Goldberg has posted a video of Vinny on her Facebook page. It shows the gray kitten grooming himself and batting a feather toy with his paw.
Vinny was rescued in July. An Animal Care and Control officer who happened to be driving on the bridge witnessed the kitten being thrown, according to the Associated Press.
Miss Goldberg noted on her page that she met Vinny on the ABC talk show “The View,” where she is a co-host.
Miss Goldberg said her other cat, Oliver, is “not too happy” about the new family member. She added: “I think he’ll get Oliver to come around sooner than later.”
Reality stars won’t shine on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Don’t expect Kim Kardashian or Snooki to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame any time soon.
“Someone asked if we give reality show characters stars? Hell to the No!” was posted on the Walk of Fame’s Facebook page on Wednesday, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Added Ana Martinez, vice president for media relations and producer for the Hollywood Walk of Fame: “It’s just not on the radar for us right now.”
Ms. Martinez told CNN that nominees need to meet the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce committee’s criteria: awards and honors in entertainment, philanthropic work, longevity in the field, and the willingness to agree to the ceremony and pay $30,000 for the star’s installation and upkeep on the street.
Not all stars who work in reality have been banned. “American Idol” host and E! News anchor Ryan Seacrest has a star commemorating his radio career. Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons of Kiss are both on the walk as well, but for their music careers instead of their reality shows.
Judge Judy and Vanna White also both have stars, but they are considered “successful TV industry personalities” and not “reality TV stars,” according to CNN.
The rules aren’t set in stone. In the end, Miss Martinez said, “We just want to bring the tourists to Hollywood.”
’Good Morning America’ closing in on ’Today’
ABC’s “Good Morning America” is closing in on the morning show lead long held by “Today,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“GMA” has narrowed its No. 2 standing behind its NBC rival to the lowest it’s been in four years, Bloomberg reported.
The ABC program, hosted by George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, trails “Today” by only about 500,000 total viewers.
Today is averaging 5.03 million viewers per day, up 6.7 percent from a year ago, while GMA is at 4.46 million, up 15 percent.
James Goldston, who was named senior executive producer of “GMA” six months ago, attributes the show’s gain on “Today” to its revamped features, including its cooking segments, as well as its daily entertainment segment.
“We’ve got a show that is working very well,” Mr. Goldston told Bloomberg. “We’re heading into the fall and the future with more confidence.”
Meanwhile, “Today” recently underwent a talent change, with Ann Curry replacing Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer’s co-host in June.
• Compiled from web and wire reports.
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