People: Bon Jovi accepts Ice Bucket Challenge
Jon Bon Jovi isn’t averse to taking ice cold showers – at least when it’s for a good cause.
The rocker accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit the ALS Foundation in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s disease.
And fellow New Jersey native, Gov. Chris Christie, along with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, did the honors.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and dark shorts, Bon Jovi stood in a grassy field and braced himself. Christie and Kraft stepped up, tilted a large bucket above his head and let the icy waters flow. Everyone came away delighted, even the sopping wet rock star.
In keeping with the fundraiser’s protocol, Bon Jovi nominated three more people to take the challenge or donate $100.
Christie posted the entire videotaped performance on Facebook.
Ferguson plans early-evening show
Craig Ferguson is close to a deal to launch an early-evening talk show starting in fall 2015.
The outgoing host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show” would introduce his half-hour syndicated series on stations in a slot just before prime time, according to a source with knowledge of the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person wasn’t authorized to comment publicly.
Ferguson is expected to bring along his robot skeleton “sidekick,” Geoff, as well as executive producer Michael Naidus.
A Ferguson representative didn’t immediately respond Monday to a request for comment.
Ferguson, who has held a late-night berth on CBS for a decade, will step down in December.
Vargas returns to rehab
ABC News reporter Elizabeth Vargas has returned to a recovery center to be treated for alcohol dependency, she and the network said Sunday.
The “20/20” co-anchor said in an emailed statement that she checked into a treatment facility this weekend while on vacation.
“As so many other recovering alcoholics know, overcoming the disease can be a long and incredibly difficult process,” Vargas said. “I feel I have let myself, my co-workers and most importantly my family down and for that I am ashamed and sorry.”
Vargas, who’s married to Marc Cohn and has two children with the singer-songwriter, said she was “committed to battling and addressing this debilitating disease” and expressed thanks for the support she has received.
The network said in a statement that it stands “squarely behind her” and was focused on Vargas’ health.
The birthday bunch
Rock musician Ginger Baker (Cream, Blind Faith) is 75. Actress Jill St. John is 74. Rock singer Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) is 69. Actor Gerald McRaney is 66. Rock musician John Deacon (Queen) is 63. Actor Peter Gallagher is 59. Actor John Stamos is 51. Actress Kyra Sedgwick is 49. Actor Matthew Perry is 45. Rapper Romeo is 25.