Motley Crue rocker goes to college for reality TV

Motley Crue rocker goesto college for reality TV
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Multitattooed rocker Tommy Lee, a high school dropout, plunged into life as a University of Nebraska student Thursday -- for reality TV.
Lee mingled with fellow Cornhuskers for an NBC show in which he'll take classes in chemistry, literature and the history of rock 'n' roll.
Flanked by production crews and cameras, Lee bought books and Nebraska apparel at the University Bookstore while a mass of onlookers strained for a glimpse. "It's like a big circus," student Paul Penke said.
On Monday, the Motley Crue drummer will even try out for the Nebraska marching band.
NBC spokeswoman Susan Ross said the network hopes to get six episodes worth of footage for a series set to air next summer. Lee will have a tutor and live off-campus.
Lee told the Lincoln Journal Star he was looking forward to "a little music, some education, some partying -- the whole college experience." Asked why Lincoln was chosen, Lee responded: "Because it rules, man."
Not everyone is so pleased.
"Why Tommy Lee?" said Bob Moyer, executive director of the Family Violence Council.
Lee spent about four months in jail after pleading no contest to kicking his then-wife, Pamela Anderson, in February 1998. And though school officials have said the show is a way for potential students to learn about the university, using Lee to get that message out is causing some trepidation even among administrators.
"I hope that turns out to be the right judgment," Chancellor Harvey Perlman wrote in an e-mail to faculty Thursday. "I am tempted to say something like, 'If it doesn't work, you can vote me off the island,' but I've already used that line. All I can say is join me in keeping your fingers crossed."
Thornton gets a staron Walk of Fame
LOS ANGELES -- Billy Bob Thornton got a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Thursday -- as well on a special greeting on the pages of Variety from ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
"Billy, I love your brilliant mind. ... Congratulations! With love and respect always, Angie," the full-page trade ad read.
Thornton joked to Associated Press Television News: "You know, it's funny. ... I've only met Angie Dickinson once."
The 49-year-old "Sling Blade" actor received his star on Hollywood Boulevard as part of the promotion for his new movie, "Friday Night Lights," which is about high school football in Texas.
"You can try to be humble about this kind of thing and say, 'Oh well, it's fine or whatever,'" Thornton told the crowd. "But the fact of the matter is it's a huge honor and I appreciate it so much."
Etheridge being treatedfor breast cancer
LOS ANGELES -- Singer Melissa Etheridge has been diagnosed with breast cancer and has canceled upcoming tour dates to undergo treatment, her publicist said Thursday.
Etheridge, 43, will undergo surgery and a "speedy and complete recovery" is expected by her doctor, publicist Marcel Pariseau said in a statement.
The cancer was detected early and Etheridge has been receiving treatment, Pariseau said.
"I am fortunate to be under a wonderful doctor's care and thankful that this was caught early," Etheridge said in the statement. "I am looking forward to a quick and full recovery."
Etheridge and actress Tammy Lynn Michaels held a commitment ceremony in September 2003. The musician, who lives in Los Angeles, shares custody of a daughter and son with former partner Julie Cypher, who had the children through artificial insemination using a sperm donation from rocker David Crosby.
Etheridge's latest album, "Lucky," was released in February. Refunds for tickets to her upcoming shows will be available where they were bought; the entertainer's Web site says she had been scheduled to play 11 dates in seven cities this month.
Today's birthdays
Actor Paul Hogan is 65. The Rev. Jesse Jackson is 63. Comedian Chevy Chase is 61. Author R.L. Stine is 61. Country singer Susan Raye is 60. Actress Sigourney Weaver is 55. Rhythm and blues singer Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & amp; the Gang) is 54. Country singer-musician Ricky Lee Phelps is 51. Actor Michael Dudikoff is 50. Comedian Darrell Hammond is 49. Rock singer Steve Perry (Cherry Poppin' Daddies) is 41. Rock musician C.J. Ramone (The Ramones) is 39. Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 34. Actor Nick Cannon is 24. Actor Angus T. Jones ("Two and a Half Men") is 11.