J.Lo to guest-star on ‘How I Met Your Mother’

J.Lo to guest-star on ‘How I Met Your Mother’

NEW YORK — Jennifer Lopez will play a self-help expert on an episode of the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother” in March.

The actress-singer portrays Anita Appleby, a no-nonsense author who tries to “train” men into better behavior in relationships. Her target is Neil Patrick Harris’ playboy-bachelor character, Barney: Appleby makes it her mission to break him.

Carter Bays, the show’s co- creator, joked about Lopez’s appearance: “We’re looking forward to a week of revealing outfits and sexy dance moves the likes of which this show hasn’t seen since Regis Philbin guest-starred.”

The exact date of Lopez’s episode hasn’t been set. The Monday-night comedy recently reached a milestone with its 100th episode.

Dance company plans tour to honor its late founder

NEW YORK — The Merce (MURHS) Cunningham Dance Company is embarking on a final world tour honoring the artistic achievements of its late founder. It will disband after a 2011 New Year’s Eve performance in New York City.

Cunningham, a choreographer who revolutionized modern dance, died July 26 at age 90.

The first performance of the 35-city tour will be in Columbus on Feb. 12, followed by other U.S., Canadian and European cities. Stops in Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Israel and Russia are being planned.

The performances will feature 18 seminal Cunningham works.

The tour is part of a “living legacy” plan Cunningham devised before his death. It calls for compensation and career transition assistance for the company’s dancers, musicians and staff once the company folds.

James Taylor plans 4 shows at Carnegie Hall

NEW YORK — He’s gone to Carolina and taken that snow-covered turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston. Now James Taylor is goin’ to Carnegie Hall for a prestigious four-concert gig.

The silken-voiced songwriter will host a gala April 12, 2011, to celebrate Carnegie’s 120th anniversary, the hall announced Wednesday. Later that month, Taylor will explore the roots of his music — from bluegrass and blues to church hymns. In May, he will lead a “guitar conversations” program and a concert featuring his greatest hits.

The 2010-11 season opens Sept. 29 with Nikolaus Harnoncourt leading the Vienna Philharmonic in an all-Beethoven concert featuring pianist Lang Lang.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Carol Channing is 89. Actor Stuart Margolin (“The Rockford Files”) is 70. Actress Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”) is 69. Actor Glynn Turman (“The Wire,” “A Different World”) is 64. Singer Harry Wayne Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band is 59. Singer Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols is 54. Actor Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace,” “Murder One”) is 51. Actress Kelly Lynch is 51. Singer-guitarist Lloyd Cole is 49. Actor John Dye (“Touched by an Angel”) is 47. Guitarist Jeff Hanneman of Slayer is 46. Bassist Al Jaworski of Jesus Jones is 44. Actress Minnie Driver is 40. Actress Portia de Rossi (“Arrested Development,” “Ally McBeal”) is 37. Actress Kerry Washington (“Ray”) is 33. Singer Justin Timberlake is 29.