Walters back with ‘Most Fascinating’
Maybe Barbara Walters had her fingers crossed when she said last year’s “10 Most Fascinating People” telecast would be her last.
In any case, ABC announced Tuesday that Walters will be back with yet another edition of the annual roundup. Among those fascinating people she will interview for the special: Oprah Winfrey, Neil Patrick Harris, Chelsea Handler and Scarlett Johansson.
“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014” will air as a two-hour special on Dec. 14, ABC says.
Walters explained the turnabout by saying, “There are just too many fascinating people out there.”
The annual specials began airing in 1993. But last year’s was billed as the finale for Walters as the veteran newswoman, now 85, headed toward retirement from ABC News.
Diddy hosting AIDS charity event
Diddy will host Alicia Keys’ annual charity event that raises awareness about HIV and AIDS.
The piano-playing singer announced Tuesday that her husband, producer-rapper Swizz Beatz, will co-host the 11th annual Black Ball on Oct. 30 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.
Keys, Nas, David Byrne and Angel Haze will perform.
Keep a Child Alive, Keys’ charity launched in 2003, assists people affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa and India.
Last year’s Black Ball raised $4 million and featured Carole King and Pharrell.
Seger will ‘Ride Out’ on the road
At 69, Bob Seger says he’s ready to hit the road again: He’s scaled back smoking and bicycles 10 miles a day as part of a workout routine.
“I think I’m in pretty good shape,” Seger said in a phone interview, noting that a colonoscopy from a few years ago was clean and he just had a checkup for his tour to promote “Ride Out,” the album released last week and his first since 2006.
The 25-city tour begins Nov. 19 in Saginaw, Michigan, and continues into next year. Seger isn’t saying whether he’ll continue touring beyond that, though he definitely plans to continue creating music: “I just take it tour by tour.”
Seger – a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame – plans to play several songs off his new album on tour, plus a mix of staples that he knows he must perform, including “Night Moves,” “Mainstreet” and “Turn the Page.”
The birthday bunch
Black Panthers co-founder Bobby Seale is 78. Actor Christopher Lloyd is 76. Actress Catherine Deneuve is 71. Actor Jeff Goldblum is 62. Olympic gold medal figure skater Brian Boitano is 51. Comedian Carlos Mencia is 47. Country singer Shelby Lynne is 46. Reggae rapper Shaggy is 46. Movie director Spike Jonze is 45. MLB player Ichiro Suzuki is 41.