’Dinner Impossible’ brings back dumped chef

’Dinner Impossible’ brings back dumped chef

It may not be impossible, but it seemed improbable.

After getting dumped from Food Network’s “Dinner: Impossible” series in March following revelations that he’d exaggerated details of his r sum , Robert Irvine is making a comeback on the same show.

Production of six new episodes starring Irvine will begin this month, Food Network spokeswoman Carrie Welch said in a written statement. The show challenges its chef to prepare meals under extreme conditions.

“Our audience has continued to demonstrate its interest in and support for Robert,” Welch said. “He has taken responsibility and made a conscious effort to clear the air, rebuild the relationship with Food Network and apologize for the earlier inaccuracies.”

Irvine had hosted the show for four seasons. The network in March said it would revisit its decision not to renew his contract at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Food Network Iron Chef Michael Symon filled in for Irvine, taping 10 hourlong episodes.

“I am very excited to continue taping more episodes of ‘Dinner: Impossible’,” Irvine said in a written statement. “I am thrilled to further my relationship with the network and embark on more challenging episodes of this popular series.”

New episodes starring Irvine will begin airing March 2009.

Taco Bell heightens legal feud with 50 Cent

NEW YORK — Rapper 50 Cent is facing a challenge to his street cred — from Taco Bell.

Lawyers for the fast-food chain are calling his federal lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, another attempt to “burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer.”

The squabble is over a fake letter sent out by Taco Bell Corp. asking 50 Cent to change his name for one day to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to help publicize its value menu.

In return, the company offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of his choice.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has sued for trademark infringement.

Jackson’s attorney, Peter Raymond, says he wonders why Taco Bell would use his client’s name in an ad campaign.

Madonna-Ritchie divorce makes progress

LONDON — A court schedule says Madonna and Guy Ritchie will be granted the first stage of their divorce in London Friday.

London’s High Court lists “Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S” as one of 16 cases for “matrimonial and civil partnership causes for pronouncement of decree.”

A judge will grant the couple a preliminary divorce decree, or decree nisi. After six weeks and a day they likely will be granted a decree absolute and the divorce will become final. It is unusual for the couple to attend court in such cases.

The couple announced last month they were divorcing after almost eight years of marriage.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Joseph Campanella (“The Colbys,” “Ben”) is 81. Actor Laurence Luckinbill is 74. Actress Marlo Thomas is 71. Singer Dr. John is 68. Actress Juliet Mills (“Passions”, “Nanny and the Professor”) is 67. Actor-director Harold Ramis is 64. Actress Goldie Hawn is 63. Keyboardist Lonnie Jordan of War is 60. Singer Livingston Taylor is 58. Actress-singer Lorna Luft is 56. Actress Cherry Jones (“The Horse Whisperer”) is 52. Bassist Brian Ritchie of Violent Femmes is 48. Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman is 46. Actress Nicollette Sheridan is 45. Singer Bjork is 43. Singer Chauncey Hannibal of BLACKstreet is 40. Bassist Alex James of Blur is 40. Rapper Pretty Lou of Lost Boyz is 37. Country singer Kelsi Osborn of SHeDAISY (sh-DAY’-zee) is 34. Actress Jena Malone (“Saved,” “Life As A House”) is 24.