Marlee Matlin to join Showtime's 'The L Word'

Marlee Matlin to joinShowtime's 'The L Word'
NEW YORK -- Marlee Matlin is joining the cast of "The L Word," Showtime's drama about a circle of gay friends and lovers who move in the trendiest of LA circles.
The 40-year-old actress will play "a fiery artist who catches the attention of Jennifer Beals' character, Bette Porter," the cable network announced Friday.
Matlin won an Oscar for her portrayal of a deaf student in 1986's "Children of a Lesser God." Her TV credits include a recurring role on NBC's "The West Wing."
Showtime said the fourth season of the series will premiere early next year.
The ensemble cast also includes Pam Grier, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig, Leisha Hailey, Rachel Shelley and Daniela Sea.
Singer Angelique Kidjogives concert in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Angelique Kidjo left Africa in 1985 to pursue a music career. She found success, but always felt the pull of her native continent.
"I think that people like me because they see that my continent is not a commercial thing for me, it's not fake," says Kidjo, who is from the West African country of Benin. "I've been using my talent and my voice for this continent since day one."
Kidjo, 45, gave her first concert in Kenya on Wednesday, which featured African, funk and jazz styles. "Everywhere I go in the world I try to give a little bit of this African joy," she said.
During her stay in Kenya, she toured the drought-ravaged area of Wajir, where 70 percent of the population live below the poverty line and depend on cattle and goats for survival. The Grammy-nominated singer said raising awareness about poverty and natural disasters is a natural extension of her music.
Kidjo already has ties to this East African country; one of her first hits was a cover of "Malaika" by Kenyan musician Fadhili Williams.
More drug-related troublefor rocker Pete Doherty
LONDON -- London's Metropolitan Police force said it was investigating tabloid newspaper photos that allegedly show troubled rocker Pete Doherty injecting himself and a woman with drugs.
The Sun ran a photo Friday that appears to show Doherty holding a syringe to the arm of a woman lying on the floor. Another shows him with a needle to his arm.
The newspaper said the pictures were taken at Doherty's London home within the past five weeks.
Officers from the Specialist Crime Directorate were investigating the newspaper's allegations, police said.
Doherty spokesman Tony Linkin said he could not comment.
The 27-year-old singer has a well-documented history of drug use. He was most recently arrested for suspected drug possession April 20, hours after a judge placed him on probation over separate drug charges.
Police found marijuana, heroin and crack cocaine in Doherty's car and clothing when he was arrested Dec. 18, one of a long line of run-ins with the law.
Doherty's drug problems gained international attention last year after a newspaper published pictures of then-girlfriend Kate Moss allegedly taking cocaine at a music studio where Doherty and his band, Babyshambles, were recording.
Today's birthdays
Actress Cloris Leachman is 80. Singer Willie Nelson is 73. Actor Gary Collins is 68. Actor Burt Young is 66. Singer Bobby Vee is 63. Actress Jill Clayburgh is 62. Movie director Allan Arkush is 58. Actor Perry King is 58. Singer Merrill Osmond is 53. Movie director Jane Campion is 52. Actor Paul Gross is 47. Basketball executive Isiah Thomas is 45. Country musician Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks) is 44. Rapper Turbo B (Snap) is 39. Rock musician Clark Vogeler is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chris "Choc" Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 35. Rock musician Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) is 35. Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 35. Rock singer J.R. Richards (Dishwalla) is 34. Actress Lisa Dean Ryan is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) is 33. Actor Johnny Galecki is 31. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 24. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 24. Country singer Tyler Wilkinson (The Wilkinsons) is 22.