newsmakers

newsmakers

Kanye West cancels ‘Today’ performance

NEW YORK

Kanye West has backed out of a scheduled performance on NBC’s “Today” show after getting upset with how his interview this week with host Matt Lauer was handled.

The rapper tweeted Thursday night that he would not perform on the day after Thanksgiving, and “Today” confirmed that it received official word of the cancellation Friday.

West became upset when during the interview, “Today” showed a tape of when he interrupted Taylor Swift at last year’s MTV Music Awards. The incident prompted a tremendous backlash against West.

Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard to tackle Chekhov

NEW YORK

Maggie Gyllenhaal and her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, will be together again on stage next year in another off-Broadway play by Anton Chekhov.

The Classic Stage Company says the couple will appear alongside Jessica Hecht and Josh Hamilton in “Three Sisters.” Previews begin Jan. 12, and the show will run until Feb. 20.

The play will be directed by Warren, Ohio, native Austin Pendleton, who also directed Gyllenhaal and Sarsgaard in a 2009 production of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.”

Sarsgaard, who appeared in a Broadway production of Chekhov’s “The Seagull” in 2008, also is known for his films, including “Garden State,” “Kinsey” and “Jarhead.”

His wife’s movie credits include “Crazy Heart” and “The Dark Knight.”

‘Simpsons’ renewed for its 23rd season

NEW YORK

Fox network has announced that “The Simpsons” will be back next fall for its 23rd season. Fox says that will bring the animated series to a total of 515 episodes. “The Simpsons” is the longest-running comedy in TV history. Since premiering in December 1989, “The Simpsons” has won 27 Emmy awards. “The Simpsons” airs Sundays at 8 p.m.

Fianc reveals gift to Lambert

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

What do you get for the girl who has everything? An iPad.

Country singer Miranda Lambert celebrated her 27th birthday at the CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday night, taking home three awards. Before the show started, her fianc and fellow country singer, Blake Shelton, revealed to The Associated Press what he got her for her birthday.

“She’s been after me wanting an iPad lately, or asking me if I’ve seen one,” he said. “She’s freaking rich, man. She can get whatever she wants. So, I just have to go buy things like right when they come out so she doesn’t have a chance to get them yet.”