[August 09, 2008]

AP Entertainment NewsBrief at 9:10 p.m. EDT

(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Actor, comedian and exasperated dad Mac dies at 50Bernie Mac blended style, authority and a touch of self-aware bluster to make audiences laugh as well as connect with him. For Mac, who died Saturday at age 50, it was a winning mix, delivering him from a poor childhood to stardom as a standup comedian, in films including the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and his acclaimed sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show." Though his comedy drew on tough experiences as a black man, he had mainstream appeal _ befitting inspiration he found in a wide range of humorists: Harpo Marx as well as Moms Mabley; squeaky-clean Red Skelton, but also the raw Redd Foxx.

Opening night is a big TV draw for NBCNEW YORK (AP) _ The colorful Olympics opening night ceremony from Beijing on NBC averaged 34.2 million viewers, making it the biggest television event since the Super Bowl. It was the biggest audience ever for an Olympic opening ceremony not held in the U.S., and even eclipsed this year's Academy Awards and finale of "American Idol," Nielsen Media Research said on Saturday.

Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish dead at 67GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) _ Mahmoud Darwish, whose prose gave voice to the Palestinian experience of exile, occupation and infighting, died on Saturday in Houston. He was 67. The predominant Palestinian poet, whose work has been translated into more than 20 languages and won numerous international awards, died following open heart surgery at a Houston hospital, said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Cash-strapped Fort Ticonderoga weighs selling artTICONDEROGA, N.Y. (AP) _ Fort Ticonderoga, one of the nation's oldest and most significant historic sites, is so financially strapped that its trustees are considering selling off some of the fort's vast collection of artifacts, including artwork believed to be worth millions. The move comes after the fort lost the support of billionaire Forrest E. Mars Jr. amid disagreements with Fort Ticonderoga's longtime executive director, Nicholas Westbrook.

McConaughey to plant son's placenta in orchardNEW YORK (AP) _ Matthew McConaughey says the birth of his son will help bring a little joy to others in the world someday. The actor kept the placenta from the July birth of his son and plans to plant it in an orchard, he tells CNN's "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" in interview scheduled to air in two parts Aug. 9 and Aug 16. McConaughey says he hopes it will fertilize the land, a ritual long followed in several cultures.

'American Idol' crooner Clay Aiken now a fatherRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken is a father. The 29-year-old crooner from Raleigh announced the birth of Parker Foster Aiken on his Web site's blog Friday. "No hyphens. One first name," he wrote. "One middle name. One last name." Aiken's mother, Faye, told Raleigh TV station WRAL the child was born in North Carolina.

Richard Dreyfuss sues father, uncle over loanLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Richard Dreyfuss is suing his father and uncle over an $870,000 loan he claims was never repaid. The lawsuit centers around a loan Dreyfuss claims he made to his relatives in 1984, who owned an interest in a downtown Los Angeles office building. Roughly 24 years later, Dreyfuss says that loan _ and interest _ remains unpaid.

Group promotes New Orleans anthemNEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Kevin Molony was listening to a version of the old spiritual "I Shall Not Be Moved," when it struck him as the perfect anthem for New Orleans residents still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina. The song, which served as a battle cry for the union movement in the 1930s and the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, seemed particularly relevant for those clinging fiercely to lives wrecked by the deadly storm almost three years ago.

Happy New Year: Clark, Seacrest a duo through 2010LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Dick Clark is still Mr. New Year's Eve _ but he'll be sharing the title with Ryan Seacrest. Starting this December, Clark's longtime end-of-year special will be called "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest," ABC and dick clark productions said Friday.

Hollywood power broker Bernie Brillstein deadLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Bernie Brillstein, a Hollywood talent agent, manager, producer and studio head who over half a century guided the careers of "Saturday Night Live" comedians and helped package a slew of TV and movie hits, has died. He was 77. Brillstein died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Thursday night at a Los Angeles hospital, according to information provided Friday by Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

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