Country music singer Travis suffers stroke
Country music star Randy Travis is out of surgery but remains in critical condition after suffering a stroke while at a Texas hospital, the singer’s publicist said late Wednesday.
Kirt Webster, the publicist, said the 54-year-old Travis suffered the stroke Wednesday night while he was being treated for congestive heart failure because of a viral illness. Travis underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
The setback occurred hours after doctors said Travis was showing signs of improvement, though he remained in critical condition with congestive heart failure.
The Grammy Award-winning singer was in good health until three weeks before he was hospitalized, when he contracted a viral upper respiratory infection, his doctors said. The viral illness led to a weakened heart muscle that eventually worsened into heart failure.
Rivers facing Writer’s Guild trial
The Writers Guild of America is putting comedian Joan Rivers on trial.
The council of the Writers Guild of America, East recently voted to bring Rivers before a three-person trial board to answer allegations that she violated the union’s rules by writing and performing show-runner duties for the E! Network show “Fashion Police” during a strike.
Writers Guild members have been on strike against the producers of “Fashion Police” since April 17 in an effort to secure union wages and benefits.
Rivers is a host of the show and is member of the East Coast guild.
Vieira getting her own talk show
Meredith Vieira is returning to daytime TV with a syndicated talk show. Producer NBCUniversal said “The Meredith Vieira Show” will launch in fall 2014 as a weekday program that will “make viewers laugh, learn and feel inspired.”
NBC said the New York-based show will be taped on a set that resembles Vieira’s home, including her actual furniture and family photos.
The 59-year-old Vieira was a morning favorite as co-host of NBC’s “Today” show from 2006 to 2011. She currently serves as a special correspondent for NBC News programming including “Today” and “NBC Nightly News.”
From 1997 to 2006, she was moderator of ABC’s “The View.” Vieira also hosted the syndicated game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” from 2002 until this season. She’s the winner of 14 Emmys.
The birthday bunch
Actor Tab Hunter is 82. Actress Susan Seaforth Hayes is 70. Actor Bruce McGill is 63. Singer Bonnie Pointer is 63. Actress Sela Ward is 57. Singer Suzanne Vega is 54. Rock guitarist Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) is 54. Rock musician Scott Shriner (Weezer) is 48. Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin is 46. Pop-rock singer Andrew Bird is 40. Rapper Lil’ Kim is 38. Rock singer Ben Gibbard is 37.