newsmakers

newsmakers

Kutcher wants to stay on ‘Two and Half Men’

PASADENA, Calif.

A clean-cut Ashton Kutcher said Wednesday that he’s interested in continuing with “Two and a Half Men” beyond this season — and CBS wants him, too.

Kutcher’s addition to television’s most popular comedy following star Charlie Sheen’s implosion was a grand experiment that has worked out better than CBS or the producers could have dreamed.

The show is up 20 percent in viewers over Sheen’s final season, the Nielsen ratings company said, and Kutcher has also brought in a younger crowd.

“I’ve had a blast,” said Kutcher, who plays the heartbroken Walden Schmidt. “Since I stopped doing ‘That ‘70s Show’ I’ve always wanted to go back and do television.”

Kutcher appeared at a news conference without the long hair and beard he has worn this season. It was cut as part of the plot in an episode of “Two and a Half Men” that airs Monday, he said.

‘Housewives’ creator chills movie hopes

PASADENA, Calif.

The producers of “Desperate Housewives” say the series finale will leave a few loose ends hanging, but cautioned fans against awaiting a reunion movie.

Creator Marc Cherry said that eight seasons have given the ABC series time to “plumb the depths” of the characters played by Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and others in the ensemble cast. “Desperate Housewives” will air its final episode this spring.

Will Smith to host Kids’ Choice Awards

NEW YORK

Will Smith will host Nickelodeon’s 25th-annual Kids’ Choice Awards.

Nickelodeon announced Wednesday that 10-time winner Smith will host the March 31 ceremony from the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The show will air live on Nickelodeon.

The Kids’ Choice Awards honor kids’ favorites in film, music, sports and television by tallying the votes of kids online and via mobile devices. During the show, green slime is routinely dumped on celebrities.

Franklin to sing at Essence Fest

NEW ORLEANS

Newly engaged queen of soul Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Stephanie Mills and Charlie Wilson are among entertainers set to perform at this summer’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

The event, set for July 6-8, is billed as one of the largest gatherings of black artists in the country. Performances will be held at the Superdome while seminars with speakers, artists and authors will take place at the city’s convention center.

This will be the 18th annual Essence Music Festival and the third time Franklin has performed at the event.

‘Teen Mom 2’ woman is arrested again

BOLIVIA, N.C.

A North Carolina woman who stars on MTV’s reality show “Teen Mom 2” has been charged with making harassing phone calls and communicating threats.

Brunswick County sheriff’s Sgt. Del Routh said 20-year-old Jenelle Evans of Oak Island was released on $1,000 bond shortly after her arrest Tuesday. Evans did not have a listed telephone number, but attorney Dustin Sullivan says the charges are retribution after she accused a local man of cyberstalking.

Evans was charged with assault in March after a fight recorded on video. A month later, she received 12 months of probation and community service on a drug paraphernalia charge. Evans was charged with a probation violation in August after testing positive for marijuana and opiates.

Singer Bryan Ferry marries for 2nd time

LONDON

Singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry has married for the second time in a private ceremony on the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A spokesman for the 66-year-old Roxy Music star says he married 29-year-old Amanda Sheppard on Jan. 4 at a luxury resort in the British Caribbean territory.

Roxy Music released its first single, “Virginia Plain,” in 1972, and went on to have hits throughout the 1970s and 80s.

Associated Press