Cher defends son’s ’DWTS’ appearance
Cher has taken to Twitter to defend her son Chaz Bono.
According to the Associated Press, the superstar posted several tweets Wednesday defending his participation on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” Mr. Bono is the first transgender competitor on the hit ABC show, which will premiere Sept. 19.
Cher said her son, who was born female and underwent surgery to become a man, is being “viciously attacked” on blogs and message boards since the cast was announced Monday.
“This is Still America right? It took guts 2 do it,” Cher wrote, adding that she supports her son no matter what he chooses to do. “Mothers don’t stop Getting angry with stupid bigots who [mess] with their children!”
“Dancing” fans have posted angry and supportive comments on the show’s message boards. One called the casting choice “disgusting” and said “ABC should be ashamed of theirselves for harassing mainstream Americans and Christains.”
Another wrote: “I never and mean NEVER watch DWTS but will this season to support/vote for [Chaz].”
On his own Twitter page, Mr. Bono described himself as “the luckiest guy around” and thanked his fans for their support. He also thanked Cher.
“Thanks for all your support mom,” he wrote. “The haters are just motivating me to work harder and stay on DWTS as long as I possibly can.”
ABC to air never-heard Jackie Kennedy interviews
An ABC special with never-before-heard interviews with Jacqueline Kennedy will air Sept. 13, the Associated Press reports.
Viewers will hear the former first lady speak with historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. about life in the White House and with her husband, John F. Kennedy. The recordings were made months after the president’s 1963 assassination and sealed until now.
Originally planned for one hour, the special now will fill two hours in prime time and feature Diane Sawyer’s interview with the couple’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy.
The ABC special will coincide with the publication of a book about the interviews. The release also is timed to the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy administration.
Anthony on J.Lo split: ’Not a funeral, not a burial’
Marc Anthony set the record straight on his split with Jennifer Lopez in an interview with ABC.
According to the Associated Press, Mr. Anthony told ABC’s “Nightline” that the crumbling of their marriage “wasn’t something sensationalistic.”
Tabloids have claimed Mr. Anthony was unfaithful, but he said the truth is the union no longer worked. He also said the decision was mutual.
The pair announced their split in July after seven years of marriage. They have 3-year-old twins named Max and Emme.
Mr. Anthony said he wants to move forward with his life and career. He summarized his situation as “not a funeral, not a burial.”
’Who’s the Boss?’ star welcomes baby boy
Alyssa Milano is a mom.
According to the Associated Press, a publicist for the 38-year-old actress said Miss Milano gave birth to a 7-pound baby boy Wednesday morning: Milo Thomas Bugliari.
This is the first child for Miss Milano and her husband, David Bugliari, who wed in August 2009.
Miss Milano wrote on her Twitter page Wednesday that her heart “has tripled in size” and that she loves her new son “more than all the leaves on all the trees.”
Miss Milano starred in TV’s “Who’s the Boss?” and “Charmed” and can be seen next on the screen in the ensemble comedy “New Year’s Eve.” Mr. Bugliari is an agent with Creative Artists Agency.
Hulu offers Japan video-streaming service
Online video service Hulu has begun streaming movies and television shows in Japan in its first expansion outside the United States, according to Agence France-Presse.
Hulu, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Co., NBC Universal, News Corp. and Providence Equity Partners, a private equity firm, said the popular video service will cost Japanese subscribers $19 a month.
Unlike in the United States, where Hulu provides both free and premium services, the offering in Japan is subscription-only.
Japanese subscribers can watch advertising-free Hulu programming using personal computers, tablet computers, Web-connected TVs, video game consoles, Blu-ray players and smartphones.
Hulu Senior Vice President Johannes Larcher wrote in a blog post that Hulu’s launch in Japan is part of the service’s plan to become a “global brand.”
• Compiled from Web and wire reports.
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