Hammond from 'SNL' to host news awards show

Hammond from 'SNL'to host news awards show
NEW YORK -- He won't be live from New York, but he will be on tape. "Saturday Night Live" cast member Darrell Hammond has been tapped to host the 25th annual news and documentary Emmy Awards. Unlike "SNL," the ceremony won't be live from New York. Instead, it will be taped at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Sept. 13 and then telecast Sept. 25 on the Discovery Times Channel.
"We are pleased to have Darrell Hammond join these prestigious news personalities at this year's celebration," Peter Price, president of the National Television Academy, said Tuesday. "Mr. Hammond brings the special credential of having impersonated many of America's most prominent newsmakers and newscasters."
Mercury Music Prizegoes to Scottish band
LONDON -- Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand, whose debut album has been hailed by critics as a masterpiece of pop, won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
The Glasgow-based quartet were the favorites among the 12-strong short-list to take home the award for their self-titled album.
The $35,600 prize, now in its 13th year, honors the best album of the year by a British or Irish band. It is judged on talent and innovation rather than commercial sales, and the winner can usually expect a surge in sales and publicity.
Among the acts Franz Ferdinand beat for the prize, announced Tuesday, were two-time nominee The Streets, a k a rapper Mike Skinner; young soul sensation Joss Stone; urban star Jamelia; and guitarless rock band Keane
The shortlist was rounded out by new rockers The Zutons, jazz singer Amy Winehouse, Northern Irish quartet Snow Patrol, dance outfit Basement Jaxx, pop group Belle & amp; Sebastian, rapper Ty and singer Robert Wyatt.
Time management: Moorefits in campaign for kids
NEW YORK -- Julianne Moore wants to give children more time for their imaginations -- and she's doing it one watch at a time.
The 43-year-old actress will appear in a public service campaign bearing the slogan, "Time is Precious: Use it Wisely," seeking to highlight the declining resources available for children's arts education programs and reverse the trend.
With each purchase of a Montblanc watch or pen, the luxury accessory brand will make a contribution to the National Arts Education Initiative, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).
The campaign will run in fashion and lifestyle publications starting in October and continue until next March.
Moore has received four Oscar nominations, including best actress nominations for 2002's "Far From Heaven" and 1999's "The End of the Affair," and best supporting actress nominations for 2002's "The Hours" and 1997's "Boogie Nights." Her next film, "The Forgotten," opens Sept. 24.
Selling Mickey? Disneyfaces lawsuit over song
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Disney Enterprises may have to sell its trademarks in South Africa to pay for damages if a poor family wins a lawsuit claiming it lost millions in royalties from the hit song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
The Pretoria High Court dismissed an application Tuesday by Disney Enterprises to prevent its trademarks from being sold off if the family of the late musician Solomon Linda, who wrote the original song, "Mbube," in 1939, wins its suit.
Lawyers for Linda's family obtained a court order in July attaching more than 240 trademarks registered here to their $1.6 million lawsuit in order to establish local jurisdiction.
The trademarks, which include well-known images such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, could be sold locally to pay Linda's heirs if they win their lawsuit, according to Tuesday's ruling.
Today's birthdays
Comedian Sid Caesar is 82. Ventriloquist Willie Tyler is 64. Actor Alan Feinstein is 63. Author Ann Beattie is 57. Musician Will Lee ("Late Show with David Letterman") is 52. Actress Heather Thomas is 47. Pop musician David Steele (Fine Young Cannibals) is 44. Rhythm and blues singer Marc Gordon (Levert) is 40. Actor Henry Thomas is 33. Actor David Arquette is 33. Actor Larenz Tate is 29. Rhythm and blues singer Pink is 25. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas is 23.