BBC admits to cabbie's mistaken identity

Ooops, wrong expert!
LONDON -- The BBC has admitted it was taken for a ride by a cabbie.
The network has apologized to its viewers for a studio mix up that resulted in a cab driver appearing on live television as an expert on Internet music downloads.
"We interviewed the wrong person," a British Broadcasting Corp. spokeswoman said Monday while speaking on condition of anonymity in line with company policy. "We apologize to viewers for any confusion."
The case of mistaken identity occurred May 8 -- the day Britain's High Court awarded Apple Computer a victory in a lawsuit against Apple Corps, the Beatles' commercial arm.
In a reaction story to the verdict that is now circulating widely on the Internet, consumer affairs correspondent Karen Bowerman welcomed who the BBC thought was computer expert Guy Kewney.
As Bowerman introduced him, there's a moment when the still unidentified driver realized the mistake. He scrunched his face into a grimace, and in panic tried to open his mouth as if to explain.
"Were you surprised by this verdict today?" Bowerman asked.
"I'm very surprised to see the verdict come on me because I was not expecting that," he said in a heavy French accent, blinking in the studio lights. "When I came, they told me something else."
Growing more confident, he gamely went on to deliver his opinion on the future of music downloads following the landmark verdict.
Longoria tops list
NEW YORK -- Eva Longoria tops Maxim's seventh annual "Hot 100" list of the most successful women in film, TV, music, sports and fashion for the second year in a row.
The "Desperate Housewives" actress told The Associated Press that her repeat selection for the No. 1 spot was a shock.
"I was actually really shocked last year when I made the list," said the 31-year-old Longoria, who ranked No. 91 on the 2004 roster.
"So 91 to No. 1 was a big jump, and then to get it a second time in a row -- I just couldn't believe it," she said Friday. "I was like, 'Surely there are more beautiful women in the world.' I can name 10."
Maxim said it is the first time the magazine has bestowed the No. 1 honor back-to-back. Editors made the selections for the issue, which will be on newsstands Thursday.
Garfunkel's message
WOODSTOCK, N.Y. -- Art Garfunkel, above, made up for last summer's arrest for marijuana possession in Woodstock by speaking to students at two local high schools about keeping a healthy lifestyle.
Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams said the singer, who was found with a marijuana cigarette in his ashtray after being pulled over for running a stop sign, spoke at the two Hudson Valley schools in late March.
Garfunkel, 64, would have paid a $100 fine instead.
It was the second time in less than two years that Garfunkel, a Manhattan resident, was arrested for having pot in Ulster County. He paid a fine the first time.
"He was sincere, thoughtful and impressive," Williams said of the Garfunkel speech he attended.
Today's birthdays
Today's Birthdays: Author Studs Terkel is 94. Actor George Gaynes is 89. Actor Harry Carey Jr. is 85. Jazz musician Billy Cobham is 62. Actor Bill Smitrovich is 59. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 53. Actress Debra Winger is 51. Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut is 51. Actress Mare Winningham is 47. Rock musician Boyd Tinsley (The Dave Matthews Band) is 42. Singer Janet Jackson is 40. Country singer Scott Reeves (Blue County) is 40. Actor Brian F. O'Byrne is 39. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ralph Tresvant (New Edition) is 38. Actress Tracey Gold is 37. Tennis player Gabriela Sabatini is 36. Country singer Rick Trevino is 35. Actor David Boreanaz is 35. Musician Simon Katz is 35. Actress Tori Spelling is 33. Actress Melanie Lynskey is 29. Actress Megan Fox is 20. Actor Marc John Jefferies is 16.