Rice joins media with role at CBS
Just in time for inauguration coverage, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined CBS News as a contributor.
Rice, who served as secretary of state during President George W. Bush’s second term, made her debut on “Face the Nation” Sunday and was included in inauguration coverage Monday.
CBS News Chairman Jeff Fager and President David Rhodes made the announcement Sunday, saying Rice “will use her insight and vast experience to explore issues facing America at home and abroad.”
Rice was the first African-American woman to serve as secretary of state, following Colin Powell in the office. She was Bush’s national security adviser during his first term and worked on the National Security Council under his father, President George H.W. Bush.
Armstrong movie in the works
He’s already gotten the Oprah treatment. Now Lance Armstrong is headed for the silver screen.
Paramount Pictures and J.J. Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, are planning a biopic about the disgraced cyclist, a studio spokeswoman said Friday.
They’ve secured the rights to New York Times reporter Juliet Macur’s upcoming book “Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong,” due out in June. Macur covered the seven-time Tour de France winner for more than a decade.
No director, writer, star or start date has been set.
Armstrong last week concluded a two-part interview with Oprah Winfrey in which he admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to reach his historic victories, something he’d defiantly denied for years. The International Olympic Committee stripped him of his 2000 bronze medal this week.
Award truly makes Prince an Icon
Prince will be honored with an Icon Award during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.
This year’s show will be broadcast live May 19 on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Prince also will perform on the show, a rare televised appearance for the 54-year-old genre-bending singer whose hits include “Purple Rain,” “1999” and “Kiss.”
Previous Icon winners include Stevie Wonder and Neil Diamond.
The birthday bunch
Actress Piper Laurie is 81. Actor John Hurt is 73. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 64. Bassist Teddy Gentry (Alabama) is 61. Actress Linda Blair is 54. Actress Diane Lane is 48. Country singer Regina Nicks (Regina Regina) is 48. Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 48. Actor Balthazar Getty is 38. Singer Willa Ford is 32. Actress Beverley Mitchell (“Seventh Heaven”) is 32. Actress Sami Gayle (“Blue Bloods”) is 17.