NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Lachey brothers to lead Oktoberfest

CINCINNATI

Singing brothers Nick and Drew Lachey will serve as grand marshals of the annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati later this month.

Their major responsibility will be leading the self-proclaimed “world’s largest chicken dance” in downtown Cincinnati. There has been a variety of grand marshals over the years in a festival that dates to 1976.

“Star Trek’s” George Takei led last year’s dance, while other grand marshals have included former Cincinnati Reds stars Joe Morgan and Tom Browning, trumpeter Al Hirt, Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and music satirist Weird Al Yankovic.

The Lacheys are among founding members of the boy band 98 Degrees and have been active in Cincinnati projects including a reality-TV show.

Oktoberfest celebrates the city’s German heritage and is expected to draw more than 600,000 people Sept. 19-21.

Keillor to undergo ‘medical procedure’

ST. PAUL, MINN.

Garrison Keillor, host of public radio’s popular “A Prairie Home Companion,” says he’s canceling an upcoming show to undergo a medical procedure.

Keillor didn’t specify the procedure but says: “I now know more about the prostate than I ever wanted to.”

The 72-year-old humorist and best-selling author says the procedure is set for Sept. 25, so he’s canceling a Sept. 27 show at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. But he says the season opener, street dance and meatloaf supper is still set for Sept. 20.

In his signature dry humor, Keillor released a statement saying he’s found an excellent surgeon and is looking forward to “thinking more about truth and beauty and less about plumbing.”

“A Prairie Home Companion” celebrated its 40th anniversary this summer.

Downey Jr., wife talk pregnancy at event

TORONTO

Robert Downey Jr. and wife Susan walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival with a future family member in tow.

The “Iron Man” actor wryly noted the couple’s upcoming baby already was hitting her first red carpet.

His producer wife said “she’ll be around in the next couple of months.”

The couple has worked on numerous films including “Iron Man 2,” and the “Sherlock Holmes” series, but their latest collaboration is pretty special.

Their new film, “The Judge,” was holding its world premiere as the 10-day festival’s opening film.

Associated Press