‘Tyra’ devotes show to teen dating abuse

In the wake of pop star Rihanna’s alleged beating by singer boyfriend Chris Brown, Tyra Banks is devoting an episode of her talk show to the issue of teen dating abuse.

In the segment airing today on “The Tyra Banks Show” (3 p.m., KAYU-28 in Spokane, cable channel 3 in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene), the supermodel shares her experience dating a man who emotionally abused her.

One day, she says, she woke up and decided to end the relationship because “when you’re done, you know you’re done.”

Banks also will be a guest on today’s live edition of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” (4 p.m., KREM-2 in Spokane), which Winfrey has dedicated to dating violence in response to the Rihanna incident.

Winfrey says the episode is “dedicated to all the Rihannas of the world” and will include guest Tyra Banks.

A Los Angeles police affidavit alleges that on Feb. 8, Brown punched, bit and choked Rihanna until she nearly lost consciousness.

Brown bows out

There won’t be any awkward Chris Brown moment at the Kids’ Choice Awards – the embattled pop star has withdrawn his name from the ballot.

Brown had been nominated for favorite male singer and favorite song for “Kiss Kiss” at the awards show that will be broadcast March 28 on Nickelodeon.

The nominations came shortly before his arrest for allegedly attacking girlfriend and fellow pop star Rihanna. He has been charged with two felonies.

A petition had been circulated to take Brown’s name off the ballot, but Nickelodeon said Tuesday he would remain on it.

Ashlee goes ‘Melrose’

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is moving to Melrose Place.

The 24-year-old singer will join the cast of the CW’s “Melrose Place,” playing a small-town girl with a “shrewd sex kitten” within.

The show is expected in the fall.

Fox still has hope

Since his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease cut short his acting career, Michael J. Fox has every reason to be a pessimist. Instead, he’s doing a special for ABC about the nature of optimism.

“Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist” airs May 7. Fox explores science and his own personal experiences, saying the past decade since his diagnosis has been among his happiest years.

He visits the Himalayan nation of Bhutan, which he says is unusually committed to the well-being of its citizens.