ABC picks up comedy starring Ed O’Neill

ABC picks up comedy starring Ed O’Neill

LOS ANGELES — ABC says it has picked up a mockumentary-style comedy about family life for next season.

The network said Thursday it has ordered 13 episodes of “Modern Family,” starring Ty Burrell, Youngstown native Ed O’Neill and Julie Bowen. The announcement comes two weeks before ABC and other networks unveil their schedules for the 2009-10 season.

ABC’s early word on “Modern Family” is a sign that the show has solid network support and that comedy may be in for a rebound on TV.

Tom Hanks throws pitchk at Japanese game

TOKYO — Hollywood star Tom Hanks was in a league of his own Friday when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Japanese professional baseball game.

Hanks, who is in Tokyo with director Ron Howard to promote their film “Angels & Demons,” took a few warm-up pitches in the bullpen before heading out to the mound to throw out the first pitch at a game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons at Tokyo Dome.

With Howard behind the plate and Yomiuri infielder Hayato Sakamoto in the batter’s box, Hanks threw a pitch that bounced several feet in front of home plate before skidding past a diving Howard.

“Tons of practice, and I bounced it in the dirt; I’m humiliated” Hanks said. “I went from the rush of being in the sacred spot to the humiliation of being mortal.”

Jimmy Fallon finallyk getting his degree

ALBANY, N.Y. — Jimmy Fallon is finally getting his bachelor’s degree in communications 15 years after leaving a New York college to pursue his comedy career.

The “Late Night” host will pick up his diploma and speak at the College of St. Rose commencement today at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Fallon attended St. Rose in Albany from 1992 through 1995. He started as a computer science major but switched to communications. He left for Los Angeles just one semester short of graduating.

The college says Fallon earned his degree after satisfying requirements for the remaining credits by presenting a portfolio of his work.

’Terminator’ spoiler: The T-800 is back

LOS ANGELES — Well, he said he’d be back. In some form, anyway.

The T-800 killer cyborg famously originated by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the “Terminator” film franchise makes an appearance in the latest film, “Terminator Salvation.”

A screening for media took place Thursday night.

The California governor confirmed last month that his likeness “might appear” in the film, which stars Christian Bale as leader of the human resistance against machine conquerors.

Austrian bodybuilder and actor Roland Kickinger plays the humanistic T-800 robot with a familiar face.

Schwarzenegger said he had no time to shoot new footage, but technology was used to insert his image from the earlier movies.

The governor says he plans to attend the premiere Thursday. “Terminator Salvation” hits theaters May 21.

Today’s birthdays

CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace is 91. Guitarist Nokie Edwards of The Ventures is 74. Actor Albert Finney is 73. Actress-turned-politician Glenda Jackson is 73. Guitarist Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly and The Crickets is 72. Producer-director James L. Brooks is 69. Singer Tommy Roe is 67. Singer-guitarist Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) is 65. Singer Clint Holmes is 63. Actress Candice Bergen is 63. Singer Billy Joel is 60. Bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is 59. Actress Alley Mills (“The Wonder Years”) is 58. Actor John Corbett (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Northern Exposure”) is 48. Singer David Gahan of Depeche Mode is 47. Rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan is 39. Guitarist Mike Myerson of Heartland is 38. Singer Tamia is 34. Trombonist Dan Regan of Reel Big Fish is 32. Singer Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan is 30. Actress Rosario Dawson (“Grindhouse,” “Josie and the Pussycats”) is 30.