newsmakers

newsmakers

Michelle Obama adds support for Roberts

LOS ANGELES

Michelle Obama is leading an outpouring of support for Robin Roberts after the “Good Morning America” news anchor’s first public acknowledgement of her 10-year, same-sex relationship with massage therapist Amber Laign.

The first lady wrote Monday on Twitter: “I am so happy for you and Amber! You continue to make us all proud.”

In a Facebook post Sunday, Roberts thanked her “longtime girlfriend” for providing encouragement during Roberts’ battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood and bone marrow disease.

Many celebs also took to Twitter to send Roberts messages, including Ellen DeGeneres, who tweeted, “Good morning, America! Congratulations.”

Comedian Wanda Sykes wrote, “Go on with your bad self!”

Country singer Chely Wright, who came out in 2010, also expressed support through the social-media site.

NBC’s ‘Today’ show returns to glory days

NEW YORK

The glory days returned for the “Today” show — for one day at least — as NBC’s morning show brought back Bryant Gumbel and Jane Pauley for a one-day nostalgia turn as co-hosts Monday.

Gumbel and Pauley, who worked together on “Today” from 1982 to 1989, joined birthday boy Matt Lauer on the set. It wasn’t ceremonial: With Savannah Guthrie and Natalie Morales off, Gumbel and Pauley had to work.

“Getting up was a little difficult, and the studio has changed enormously,” Gumbel said. Pauley said the fast pace makes the experience go “like a bat out of heck.”

NBC hoped the trio’s easy camaraderie enticed viewers. After a well-publicized tumble last year, the show runs second in the ratings to ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Pauley, who does occasional reports for the show, left as host in 1989 while Gumbel gave way to Lauer in 1997.

British jazz great Stan Tracey dies at 86

LONDON

British jazz pianist and composer Stan Tracey, who played with everyone from Sonny Rollins to Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones in the course of a 70-year career, has died at age 86.

Son Clark Tracey said the musician “passed away peacefully” Friday. He had been suffering from cancer.

Born in London on Dec. 30, 1926, Tracey took up piano after a teenage stint as an accordionist entertaining troops during World War II.

After service in the Royal Air Force and time as a musician aboard cruise ships, Tracey performed with ensembles including the popular Ted Heath Orchestra and spent several years in the 1960s as resident pianist at Ronnie Scott’s storied London jazz club. That job allowed him to play with the era’s jazz greats, including Stan Getz, Ben Webster and Rollins, with whom he performed on the soundtrack to the 1966 Michael Caine film “Alfie.”

Associated Press