Kimmel debut 2nd in late-night wars
Jimmy Kimmel got off to a fine start in his new 11:35 p.m. time slot on Tuesday. But it still wasn’t good enough to take the top spot.
That went as usual to Jay Leno of NBC’s “Tonight Show,” a diminished but still potent figure in the late-night wars who drew 3.3 million total viewers compared with 3.1 million for the 11:35 premiere of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
In the past, “Kimmel” had aired at 12:05 a.m., which put it at a competitive disadvantage with Leno and CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman.”
ABC is positioning Kimmel to ascend to the top of late-night TV in future years, and Tuesday night provided a good first step in that direction. “Kimmel” beat Letterman, who delivered 2.9 million viewers for the night. And Leno has fallen a long way since a few seasons back, when he routinely drew more than 5 million viewers per night.
New mom Adele to be at award show
Adele is coming to the Golden Globes. The executive producer of the show says the 24-year-old Grammy-winning pop star is set to make her first post-baby appearance at Sunday’s ceremony, where she is nominated for original song for the James Bond theme “Skyfall.”
Adele welcomed her first child, with boyfriend Simon Konecki, in October. The singer has kept a low profile since announcing her pregnancy in June after sweeping the Grammy Awards last February with six wins.
Her single, “Skyfall,” will compete at the Golden Globes with Taylor Swift’s song from “The Hunger Games,” Jon Bon Jovi’s number from “Stand Up Guys,” Keith Urban’s track from “Act of Valor,” and “Suddenly” from “Les Miserables.”
George Lucas donates land for park
A Northern California city has approved a new downtown park to be built on land donated by filmmaker George Lucas that will feature statues of Indiana Jones and Yoda, two of his most popular characters.
The Marin Independent Journal reports that the San Anselmo Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve the park, which could be completed as soon as June 1. Lucas donated land for the 8,700-square-foot park. A commercial building on the site will be demolished at Lucas’ expense, and an historic fresco relocated.
The birthday bunch
Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 78. Rock singer-musician Ronnie Hawkins is 78. Singer Frank Sinatra Jr. is 69. Singer Rod Stewart is 68. Rock singer-musician Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) is 65. Actor William Sanderson is 65. Boxer and entrepreneur George Foreman is 64. Roots rock singer Alejandro Escovedo is 62. Singer Pat Benatar is 60. Singer Shawn Colvin is 57. Rock singer Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) is 49. Actress Sarah Shahi is 33.