‘Mad’ man Hamm will host ESPYs
Jon Hamm is going from a presenter to host of the ESPY Awards, a natural segue for the former three-sport prep athlete – football, baseball and swimming – who is unabashed in his love for his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.
Hamm called himself a “pretty good” high school player, but is quick to note he was never a threat to make it in the professional ranks.
That’s why the 42-year-old actor best known as Don Draper on AMC’s “Mad Men” wants to keep the focus on the athletes when he hosts the annual show honoring the year’s best sports moments. It airs live on ESPN on Wednesday from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Among the scheduled presenters are LeBron James, Ben Affleck, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Selena Gomez, Danica Patrick, Maria Sharapova, Jason Sudeikis, and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chrissy Teigen.
Kramer expanding into marriages
The real-life inspiration for the zany Kramer character on “Seinfeld” can now help fans say “I do.”
For years, Kenny Kramer has operated a tour of New York City sites made famous in the TV sitcom. Now, the Daily News reports that Kramer has become a licensed minister. He wants to perform marriages for couples who take his tour.
Kramer lived across the hall from “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David for years. His reality tour is still going strong after 17 years – outliving the show by eight years.
Bieber apologizes for dissing Clinton
Justin Bieber apologized by phone to Bill Clinton, the former president’s office said Thursday, for cursing Clinton and spraying his photo with cleaning fluid in a New York City restaurant kitchen earlier this year.
Clinton’s office said Thursday the pop star called and “he apologized and offered to help the Clinton Foundation.” Clinton’s office declined to provide any other details.
A video released Wednesday by TMZ.com shows the 19-year-old Bieber urinating in a mop bucket as he and others race through the restaurant kitchen. Before exiting, Bieber sprays the Clinton photo with cleaning fluid and drops an obscenity in reference to the former president.
Bieber tweeted to his more than 41 million followers Wednesday night, thanking Clinton “for taking the time to talk.”
The birthday bunch
Comedian Bill Cosby is 76. Singer-musician Christine McVie is 70. Actress Denise Nicholas is 69. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 65. Actor Jay Thomas is 65. Actress Cheryl Ladd is 62. Gospel singer Sandi Patty is 57. Actress Mel Harris is 57. Rock singer Robin Wilson is 48. Actress Anna Friel is 37. Actor Topher Grace is 35. Country singer-musician Kimberly Perry is 30.