Clothing line for will.i.am

Clothing line for will.i.am
LOS ANGELES -- will.i.am, of Black Eyed Peas fame, now has his own clothing line, named -- what else? -- i.am clothing. The capital letters- and punctuation-challenged musician is trying to parlay his own style into clothes everyone wants to wear. According to i.am, as he is sometimes called, the line encompasses just about every angle you can think of: classic, urbane, old, new, silk, leather ... "Oliver Twist meets King Louis with an urban touch," he said in a statement released by his public relations agency. "It's vintage, but now. It's wool, silk, leather, tweed."
First 'Apprentice' winnerto write children's book
NEW YORK -- Guess you're never too young to say "you're fired." Bill Rancic, the first season winner of NBC's "The Apprentice," is writing a children's advice book titled, "Beyond the Lemonade Stand: Starting Small to Make It Big," to be published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. "Middle graders are extremely interested in learning how to make money and with Rancic's knowledge and celebrity appeal, he is a great role model to children looking for the formula to success in business," Eloise Flood, Razorbill senior vice president and publisher, said in a statement Thursday. "Beyond the Lemonade Stand" will be for children ages 8-12. It will offer guidelines on how to be successful, ethical and profitable in business. Rancic will donate his royalties from the book, scheduled for publication on Sept. 8, to children's charities, including Mercy Home for Boys in Chicago, where he volunteers as a tutor for underprivileged children. Rancic is continuing to work in sales and marketing on the Trump Tower in Chicago, the job he won from Donald Trump on the reality show last year. Trump will select his third "Apprentice" on Thursday. It will be Rancic's second book. Last year, he wrote "You're Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life From the Winner of The Apprentice," a business guide for adults.
Clive Davis due on 'Idol'
NEW YORK -- Record mogul Clive Davis is returning to "American Idol" to give his expert opinion on this year's remaining finalists. Davis, who gushed over Fantasia last year before she was crowned champ, will appear on the Fox show Tuesday, a week before the season finale. Davis, who heads the U.S. division of the BMG music conglomerate, has guided the debut albums of each of the "Idol" winners and that of runner-up Clay Aiken. Each of their albums has sold more than 1 million copies. In a statement to The Associated Press, Davis -- who launched the careers of Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston, among others -- said he was excited to return to the talent competition. "'American Idol' has confounded skeptics and unexpectedly given me special artists to collaborate with," he said Thursday.
'SNL' signs on Lohanto close out 30th season
NEW YORK -- NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will close out its 30th season May 21 with Lindsay Lohan as host and Coldplay as the musical guest. It will be Lohan's second appearance as host, the network said. Coldplay, also making its second appearance on "SNL," will perform songs from its upcoming album, "X & amp; Y," scheduled for release next month. Lohan, 18, co-starred with "SNL" Weekend Update co-anchor Tina Fey in the comedy "Mean Girls."
Miller's gab show canned
NEW YORK --Let's get the beer pun outta the way: "Miller Time" is over at CNBC. The news network has canceled "SNL" alum Dennis Miller's prime-time political gab show 'cause of flagging ratings. In a darling bit of corporate doublespeak, CNBC president Mark Hoffman memoed his serfs, "Dennis is an exceptionally talented comedian with an unmatched wit, and he and his team consistently delivered a very entertaining program."
Notable death
CHICAGO -- Magician-ventriloquist Jay Marshall, dean of the Society of American Magicians, a 14-appearance veteran of the Ed Sullivan television show and the first entertainer to open for Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, died at Swedish Covenant Hospital, his family said. He was 85. Marshall had suffered a series of heart attacks.
Today's birthdays
Opera singer Patrice Munsel is 80. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is 63. Rock singer-musician Jack Bruce (Cream) is 62. Movie producer George Lucas is 61. Actress Meg Foster is 57. Actress Season Hubley is 54. Rock singer David Byrne is 53. Movie director Robert Zemeckis is 53. Actor Tim Roth is 44. Rock singer Ian Astbury (The Cult) is 43. Rock musician C.C./Cecil DeVille is 43. Rock musician Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) is 39. Fabrice Morvan (ex-Milli Vanilli) is 39. R & amp;B singer Raphael Saadiq is 39. Actress Cate Blanchett is 36. Singer Danny Wood (New Kids on the Block) is 36. Movie writer-director Sofia Coppola is 34. Singer Natalie Appleton (All Saints) is 32. Singer Shanice is 32. Rock musician Henry Garza (Los Lonely Boys) is 27. Actress Amber Tamblyn is 22.