Jermaine Paul was front and center on “The Voice.” The 33-year-old background singer from Harriman, N.Y., was declared the winner of the NBC singing competition Tuesday night.
Mr. Paul, who was coached by country singer and “Voice” mentor Blake Shelton, was awarded the show’s grand prize of $100,000 and a record deal with Universal after crooning R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” for his final solo performance Monday.
“I just want to say thank you to everybody that supported me from day one,” Mr. Paul said through tears.
Juliet Simms, 26, the indie rocker from San Francisco who was coached by Cee Lo Green, came in second. She was followed by Tony Lucca, 36, the former Mouseketeer from Detroit, who was guided by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. Chris Mann, 30, the classical singer from Wichita, Kan., who was shepherded by pop diva Christina Aguilera, rounded out the final four.
Stewart’s ’Daily Show’ traveling to conventions
Comedian Jon Stewart will broadcast his “Daily Show” from Tampa, Fla., during the Republican National Convention.
The Comedy Central channel said Tuesday that Mr. Stewart’s popular “Daily Show” will be taped daily at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Aug. 28 through Aug. 31 and air at 11 p.m. each night, according to the Associated Press. The convention will take place blocks away at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Aug. 27 through 30.
The show will move to Charlotte, N.C., the next week for the Democratic National Convention.
The episodes airing during the convention will feature news, analysis and guest interviews, as well as reports from the convention floor.
Comedy Central notes that the “Daily Show” has been going on the road to cover politics since 2000.
Fegan, Gilbert ousted on ’Dancing With the Stars’
It was two dancers down in a double elimination on “Dancing With the Stars.”
Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan and actress Melissa Gilbert were bounced Tuesday as the hit ABC dance-off wrapped up its eighth week of competition.
Ms. Gilbert heard her fate the day she turned 48, but insisted that getting this far in the contest made it an incredible birthday.
Mr. Fegan and Ms. Gilbert join previously ousted contestants Jaleel White, Gavin DeGraw, Gladys Knight, Sherri Shepherd, Jack Wagner and Martina Navratilova.
Singer Katherine Jenkins began the night in jeopardy after Monday’s trio dance, but was spared. She will be back next week for the semifinals to compete with actor William Levy, TV personality Maria Menounos and football star Donald Driver.
’General Hospital’ gathers most Daytime Emmy nods
ABC’s “General Hospital” leads the way with 23 nominations for Daytime Emmy Awards.
The television academy announced Wednesday that the venerable soap opera will compete with NBC’s “Days of Our Lives,” CBS’s “The Young and the Restless” and the canceled “All My Children” of ABC for best daytime drama. CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” has won the trophy three years in a row, but it wasn’t nominated this year.
Other repeat winners are possible, though: Ben Bailey of “Cash Cab” was nominated for best game show host and Dr. Mehmet Oz as best talk show host.
“Sesame Street” and “The Young and the Restless” tied for second most nominations, with 16 each. ABC was the most honored network with 56 nominations. The ceremony will be held in Beverly Hills, Calif., on June 23.
’Breaking Bad’s’ Cranston playing softball for charity
At least he hopes to hit a breaking ball.
Emmy-Award winning actor Bryan Cranston, who plays Walter White in the Albuquerque, N.M.-based TV show “Breaking Bad,” announced Tuesday that he will participate in a celebrity softball game scheduled later this month at an Albuquerque park.
Mr. Cranston said he expects his celebrity team, which is set to face members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team on May 19, to “get slaughtered.”
The celebrity lineup isn’t set yet, but Mr. Cranston said Lou Diamond Phillips has agreed to join the team. Mr. Phillips is shooting the A&E drama “Longmire” in Santa Fe, N.M.
Mr. Cranston said he is participating in the game to show support for returning veterans.
’Laugh-In’ co-creator Digby Wolfe dies at age 82
Digby Wolfe, the comedy writer who cocreated the 1960s variety show “Laugh-In,” has died. He was 82.
Friends confirmed that the British-born writer, actor, singer and teacher died May 2 of lung cancer at his home in Albuquerque, N.M.
Friend and former teaching colleague Jim Linnell described Mr. Wolfe as a “whirlwind of ideas and encouragement.” He said Mr. Wolfe had the power to set loose uncontrollable laughter in people.
Mr. Wolfe and his “Laugh-In” colleagues earned an Emmy in 1968 for their work on the television show. He also had small guest roles on various TV series and mentored hundreds of young writers.
A memorial service is being planned for June 10 at the University of New Mexico, where Mr. Wolfe taught writing for 12 years.
His 37-year teaching career also included a stint at the University of Southern California.
• Compiled from Web and wire reports
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