People: Letterman to appear on NatGeo TV series
David Letterman will return to TV next year to help draw attention to the effects of climate change when he appears on an episode of “Years of Living Dangerously.”
The National Geographic Channel series, which Thursday was renewed for a second season, has signed Letterman for his first announced appearance since leaving his job hosting CBS’ “Late Show.”
Fellow correspondents will include Ty Burrell, James Cameron, Don Cheadle, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olivia Munn, Ian Somerhalder and Cecily Strong, among others.
Each will give first-person accounts of conditions at locations from across the planet where the effects of climate change are most prevalent.
“Years of Living Dangerously,” whose new season is scheduled for fall 2016, was last year’s Emmy winner for best documentary or nonfiction series.
Newton’s home opening as museum
Wayne Newton’s Las Vegas estate, which was once the subject of a legal battle, is set to open as a museum.
The 52-acre Casa de Shenandoah in southeastern Las Vegas opens today for tours with prices starting at $35.
Fans start at the visitor’s center and then shuttle into the compound to see the iconic entertainer’s memorabilia, house, jet, cars, gift shop and exotic animals, including Arabian horses and a capuchin monkey.
Visitors can even opt for the VIP package with Newton as the tour guide.
Newton had lived on the property for 45 years, but he moved out in 2013 after selling it to CSD LLC.
The plan to create a “Graceland West” attraction to celebrate the singer’s long career had been stalled by a bankruptcy with the business entity.
Kid Rock excused from jury duty
Kid Rock was called for jury duty in suburban Detroit, but a judge has excused him from serving.
The musician was among 160 potential jurors Thursday for a murder trial at Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.
When it came time to answer questions, Kid Rock said he would likely give police “the benefit of the doubt” during the trial.
He said he has friends in law enforcement across the country, and added he knows the assistant prosecutor handling the case.
Kid Rock, who was born Robert Ritchie and lives in suburban Detroit, read a paperback to pass the time as he waited with other potential jurors.
The birthday bunch
Voice actress June Foray is 98. Singer Jimmie Rodgers is 82. Actor Robert Blake is 82. Singer Frankie Avalon is 75. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is 56. Actress Holly Robinson Peete is 51. Actress Aisha Tyler is 45. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is 44. Comedian-actor Jason Sudeikis is 40.