Lopez goes to Puerto Rico to work on reggaeton

Lopez goes to Puerto Ricoto work on reggaeton
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Jennifer Lopez was in Puerto Rico this week to record a reggaeton song with rapper-producer Pharrell Williams. The 37-year-old singer-actress arrived Tuesday to work on the track, which will be produced by top reggaeton duo LunyTunes, El Vocero and El Nuevo Dia newspapers reported. Lopez and Williams are the latest U.S. artists to cross over into reggaeton, a mix of Jamaican dance-hall, hip-hop and Latin beats that is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Williams forms half of the Grammy-winning production duo The Neptunes with Chad Hugo. N.E.R.D., which fuses hip-hop, rock and funk, is a side project of the duo. Lopez released her latest album, "Rebirth," in March.
Ooh! Ooh! Mr. Kottertops list of teachers
NEW YORK -- Gabe Kaplan's character on "Welcome Back, Kotter," has been named the Most Memorable Teacher on Television by Inside TV magazine. The magazine recognizes Gabe Kotter, the high school teacher from the 1970s sitcom that also starred John Travolta, in its new issue. Also on the list: cartoon character Edna Krabappel of "The Simpsons," Lydia Grant (Debbie Allen) on "Fame," Charlie Moore (Howard Hesseman) on "Head of the Class," Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) on "Little House on the Prairie," Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) on "Friends," Mark Cooper (Mark Curry) on "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper," Fonzie (Henry Winkler) on "Happy Days," Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen) on "Ed" and Max Medina (Scott Cohen) on "Gilmore Girls."
OutKast's Andre 3000:He's a vegan with a tail
Andre Benjamin, a k a Andre 3000 of OutKast, is a vegan, and a famous one. Apparently, according to the New York Post, the rapper and actor was named "sexiest male vegetarian" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. But wait, what's that thing hanging from his belt? Why, it's a genuine gray wolf's tail he picked up in Canada. Apparently opposed to eating animals, Benjamin seems to have no problem wearing them. Never mind, by the way, that the gray wolf is considered an endangered species in the United States. And it gets better. Benjamin, starring in the movie "Four Brothers" with Mark Wahlberg, plans to put out a line of clothing that includes the wolf's tail as an accessory, the Post reports. Asked about the hollow hypocrisy of it all, Benjamin said, "I'm a vegan, but I like to look good, too."
Bad back ails Roker
NEW YORK -- A bad back has been keeping NBC "Today" show weatherman Al Roker off the air. In a posting Wednesday on his Web site titled, "They've Got My Back," Roker writes that doctors had told him he needed back surgery for a ruptured disc. He said the surgery "should relieve the pressure on my sciatic nerve and in turn, ease intense pain in my left leg." Roker, 51, said he expected to be home Thursday after an overnight stay in the hospital. He didn't say when he hoped to return to "Today."
Britney prays for victims
NEW YORK -- Britney Spears, who was raised in Kentwood, La., says she is praying for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In a posting on her Web site, the 23-year-old pop star writes that her "thoughts and prayers go out to everyone" in the states along the devastated Gulf Coast. "All of my family members there are safe and thank you to all my fans for your concern," says Spears.
Today's birthdays
Actor Meinhardt Raabe (the Munchkin coroner in "The Wizard of Oz") is 90. Dancer-actress Marge Champion is 86. Jazz musician Horace Silver is 77. Former Sen. Alan K. Simpson, R-Wyo., is 74. Former Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth is 68. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sam Gooden (The Impressions) is 66. Singer Jimmy Clanton is 65. Rhythm-and-blues singer Rosalind Ashford (Martha & amp; the Vandellas) is 62. Singer Joe Simon is 62. Football Hall-of-Famer Terry Bradshaw is 57. Actor Mark Harmon is 54. Tennis player Jimmy Connors is 53. Actress Linda Purl is 50. Rock musician Jerry Augustyniak (10,000 Maniacs) is 47. Country musician Paul Deakin (The Mavericks) is 46. Actor Keanu Reeves is 41. Actress Salma Hayek is 39. Actress Kristen Cloke is 37. Actress Cynthia Watros is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer K-Ci is 36. Singer Tony Thompson is 30. Rock musician Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit) is 28.