'American Idol' stunner

'American Idol' stunner
NEW YORK -- Shock. Total shock.
That was the reaction in the audience when "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry -- predicted by many to be the last singer standing -- was booted off in Wednesday's voting.
In the most competitive "Idol" race yet, Daughtry's exit narrowed the contestants to three. The winner will be named May 24.
"Surprised?" Host Ryan Seacrest asked an unsmiling Daughtry, visibly caught off guard.
The 26-year-old rocker, drowned out by loud boos and screams of "No!" replied: "Yes."
The other "Idols" stood speechless, mouths agape. Even the judges -- usually unflappable -- didn't foresee Daughtry's ouster: Simon Cowell's jaw fell slack; Paula Abdul's eyes filled with tears.
Contestants sang Elvis Presley classics -- two songs each -- in Tuesday night's program. Daughtry's cover of The King's "Suspicious Minds" drew rave reviews from judges, including Abdul, who said "See ya in the finals."
Louis-Dreyfus on 'SNL'
NEW YORK -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus will return this weekend to "Saturday Night Live," where she began her career over two decades ago.
"It's exactly the same schedule and pattern as it was 21 years ago -- except more fun," Louis-Dreyfus told The Associated Press.
She hosts Saturday's show (11:30 p.m., NBC), with Paul Simon as musical guest.
Louis-Dreyfus first honed her comedic skills at improv theaters in Chicago. She was just 21 when she moved to New York and joined "SNL."
Of course, Louis-Dreyfus, 45, went on to play Elaine Benes in "Seinfeld," and currently stars on CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
She is, to her surprise, the first female former cast member to host "SNL."
"How's it possible that Gilda (Radner) or Jane (Curtin) or all of these people didn't host," Louis-Dreyfus wonders. "For some reason they didn't, and here I am."
Still explaining
NEW YORK -- Dave Chappelle is still explaining to his wife why he left his Comedy Central show and walked away from a $50 million contract.
"My wife is still a little salty with me," Chappelle joked on NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on Wednesday night. "She's not mad at me, but don't think you can walk away from $50 million and your wife is just going to be cool with it."
In frequent TV appearances over the past few months, the comedian has repeatedly defended his sudden departure last year from the popular and lucrative "Chappelle's Show."
Accepting responsibility
LONDON (AP) -- Snoop Dogg has accepted responsibility for using "threatening words or behavior" in a brawl last month at Heathrow airport.
The 34-year-old rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, appeared at Heathrow police station and "accepted a caution for a Section Four Public Order Act matter, using threatening words or behavior," police said Thursday.
A caution means a person has accepted responsibility for the offense, and a record will be made. No further action will be taken, police said.
Snoop and five other men were arrested on charges of violent disorder and starting a brawl, and spent the night in jail after trouble flared when some members of the rapper's party were denied entry to British Airways' first-class lounge.
Today's birthdays
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Yogi Berra is 81. Critic John Simon is 81. Composer Burt Bacharach is 78. Talk show host Tom Snyder is 70. Comedian George Carlin is 69. Actress Millie Perkins is 68. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jayotis Washington is 65. Country singer Billy Swan is 64. Actress Linda Dano is 63. Musician Ian McLagan is 61. Actress Lindsay Crouse is 58. Singer-musician Steve Winwood is 58. Actor Gabriel Byrne is 56. Actor Bruce Boxleitner is 56. Singer Billy Squier is 56. Country singer Kix Brooks is 51. Actress Kim Greist is 48. Actor Ving Rhames is 45. Rock musician Billy Duffy is 45. Actor Emilio Estevez is 44. Actress Vanessa L. Williams ("Soul Food") is 43. Country musician Eddie Kilgallon is 41. Actor Stephen Baldwin is 40. Actress Kim Fields is 37. Actress Samantha Mathis is 36. Actress Jamie Luner is 35. Actor Christian Campbell is 34. Actor Mackenzie Astin is 33. Actor Jason Biggs is 28. Actress Emily VanCamp is 20. Actor Malcolm David Kelley ("Lost") is 14. Actors Sullivan and Sawyer Sweeten ("Everybody Loves Raymond") are 11.