Lopez to host pageant

Lopez to host pageant

LOS ANGELES — Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host. TLC and the Miss America Organization said Wednesday the 36-year-old “Extra” host and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant will again serve as master of ceremonies for the live Jan. 30 ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. Lopez previously hosted the Miss America pageant in 2007 and 2009.

Chef gets new show

NEW YORK — Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has some new people to yell at. The verbally abusive star of Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” has signed a deal with Fox for a second show. Tentatively called “Masterchef,” it will feature Ramsay trying to turn people who have no experience in the food industry into expert cooks. Not surprisingly, producers say Ramsay won’t be afraid to tell the would-be cooks the cold, hard truth about their work. Contestants will compete by whipping up dishes to be judged by a panel of expert chefs. Fox did not immediately say when the new show will go on the air.

Today’s birthdays

Singer Art Garfunkel is 68. Singer Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits is 62. Actor Nestor Serrano (“24”) is 54. Singer Bryan Adams is 50. Actress Tatum O’Neal is 46. Guitarist Kevin Jonas of The Jonas Brothers is 22.