Biden to appear on popular NBC sitcom
Fresh off re-election, Vice President Joe Biden will appear on the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation” next Thursday. The vice president’s office said Biden taped a cameo appearance back in July.
He said Thursday on Twitter that “my whole family loves the show, and I had a great time doing it.”
The show’s executive producer told the New York Times that Biden’s appearance was taped under strict secrecy. The show was warned that provisions might have to be made to give Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan a similar cameo if word of Biden’s participation leaked out before Tuesday’s election.
Biden frequently has been mentioned on the show as an object of fascination by lead character Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler.
‘DWTS’ co-host has thyroid cancer
“Dancing with the Stars” co-host Brooke Burke says she has thyroid cancer.
Burke posted a video message Thursday on YouTube disclosing her condition and her plans for surgery to remove her thyroid.
The 41-year-old mother of four says a lump on her thyroid was found during a biopsy.
She says in the video that the surgery has been scheduled, but she doesn’t specify when. She says it will leave “a nice big scar right here,” tracing a line across her throat.
Although initially shocked by the diagnosis, Burke says she now feels strong and confident and her doctors are optimistic. She vows to make “a positive out of this negative thing.”
Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid secretes several hormones that influence metabolism, growth and development.
Jermaine wants to become a Jacksun
Jermaine Jackson wants to change his name to something a little brighter. He’s asking a court to allow him to alter his famous surname and become Jermaine Jacksun. The older brother of Michael Jackson filed a name change petition on Tuesday in Los Angeles, stating the switch was for “artistic reasons.”
Jackson has been touring with his brothers in recent months and has been promoting his book about his superstar brother titled “You Are Not Alone.”
A hearing on whether Jackson will become Jacksun is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Los Angeles.
The birthday bunch
Actor Charlie Robinson is 67. Actor Robert David Hall is 64. Actor Lou Ferrigno is 61. Rapper Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) is 43. Rapper Scarface (Geto Boys) is 42. Blues singer Susan Tedeschi is 42. Singer Nick Lachey (98 Degrees) is 39.