A symbol of his support: Prince pens Vikings tune

January 23, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS — Prince has recorded a purple-tinted tribute to the Minnesota Vikings. The “Purple Rain” songsmith told Fox affiliate KMSP-TV that he penned “Purple and Gold” after he saw the Vikings beat Dallas at the Metrodome last weekend.

Prince told the station he hadn’t seen the team play in years until this season. The Vikings play the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday in the NFC championship game. The hymnlike Vikings song from the Minnesota rocker includes the lyrics, “Raise every voice and let it b’ known/in the name of the purple and gold.”

Judge raises bond for 71-year-old songwriter

NEW YORK — The Academy Award-winning songwriter of “You Light Up My Life” has a week to come up with a $3 million bond — or $1.5 million in cash — to stay out of jail in his New York sexual assault case. A Manhattan judge increased Joseph Brooks’ previous $250,000 bail Friday but gave him until Jan. 29 to post it.

The bail boost came after prosecutors upped the charges against Brooks, who’s accused of forcing himself on 13 women. Prosecutors say he lured victims by inviting them to audition for movie roles. Brooks has pleaded not guilty to predatory sexual assault and other charges. The 71-year-old faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted.

Lowe is leaving

NEW YORK — Rob Lowe wants a smaller TV family. His publicist says the actor is leaving ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” at the end of the season. Lowe plays Sen. Robert McCallister on the drama, which also stars Calista Flockhart, Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths. This isn’t the first time Lowe has walked away from an ensemble gig. He left “The West Wing” after four seasons and went on to star in his own show, “The Lyon’s Den.”

Leno on ‘Winfrey’

CHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey says she is set to interview Jay Leno. Winfrey said on her talk show Friday that she was going to Los Angeles for a “one-on-one” interview with Leno to air on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Thursday.

The interview comes as Conan O’Brien exits “The Tonight Show,” allowing Leno to return to the late-night program he hosted for 17 years.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Chita Rivera is 77. Singer Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters is 62. Actor Richard Dean Anderson (“MacGyver”) is 60. Singer-guitarist Robin Zander of Cheap Trick is 57. Singer Anita Baker is 52. Actress Mariska Hargitay is 46. Actress Tiffani Thiessen is 36.