Redgrave matriarch dies at 92
Rachel Kempson, an actor who appeared with many of Britain's leading theatre companies and became the matriarch of the Redgrave acting dynasty, has died at age 92.
The Redgraves' three generations of talent include Kempson's husband, Michael Redgrave, children Vanessa, Lynn and Corin Redgrave and granddaughters Natasha Richardson (married to actor Liam Neeson), Joely Richardson and Jemma Redgrave. Kempson died early Saturday of natural causes. She made her professional stage debut in 1933 in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and went on to appear with companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English Stage Company and the Old Vic. She also appeared in many films, sometimes with other family members. In the 1980s, she played Lady Manners in the British television series The Jewel in the Crown.
Minnelli breaks kneecap
Performer Liza Minnelli broke her right kneecap yesterday when she tripped over a step at a hotel in Bologna, Italy, but still plans to sing at a benefit concert with famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti, her publicist said. Minnelli, 58, was taken to a nearby hospital and will have to wear a full-leg cast for about four weeks, Warren Cowan said. "Even though she won't be able to rehearse, she is going to perform Tuesday night with Pavarotti, even wearing the cast." Minnelli tripped in the Hotel Grand Baglioni as she walked from her suite to the elevator. She and her husband, producer David Gest, were going to dinner.
Turkey winds Eurovision contest
With a rhythmic mix of belly dancing and Middle Eastern flair, Turkey won the 48th Eurovision song contest Saturday in Riga, Latvia -- Turkey's first victory in the annual pop extravaganza. Sertab Erener, a classically trained soprano who has recorded songs with the likes of Ricky Martin and Jose Carreras, edged out a Celtic-flavoured tune from Belgium's Urban Trad. The three-hour contest came down to the last vote from telephone callers from 26 countries. Tatu, the provocative chart-topping Russian teen duo heavily favoured to win, came in third. Former famous contestants include Celine Dion, ABBA and Julio Iglesias.
Free noise concert tonight
U.S. noise bands will perform tonight at the Forest City Gallery, 795 Dundas St. Nautical Almanac and Mystery Brinkman join the host Nihilist Spasm Band at a free event. The performances start after 9 p.m.
Groening cartoonist of year
Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, was named outstanding cartoonist of the year at the 2003 Reuben Awards, staged by the U.S. National Cartoonists Society. Darby Conley won best newspaper comic for his strip, Get Fuzzy. The 57th annual award ceremony was held Saturday in San Francisco.
Thousands line up for audition
About 5,000 aspiring singers between 16 and 26 years of age are expected to invade the Metro Toronto Convention Centre by the time the final auditions for Canadian Idol end this week. They started lining up outside Saturday night. At 8 a.m. this morning, the first 1,600 were allowed inside. The rest were wristbanded, sent home and asked to return tomorrow. Everyone in line by 8 a.m. today has a shot at impressing the judges. Each competitor will have to pass through three rounds of auditions this week. Then 100 will advance to the next round, to be held in Toronto the week of June 2. Canadian Idol debuts June 11 on CTV.
Turner turned away from Japan
Ike Turner, who had top billing at a Japanese blues festival, was refused entry to Japan by immigration officials because of a past drug conviction. The 71-year-old singer- songwriter was jailed in the U.S. in 1990 for cocaine possession. He was turned back after being questioned for five hours, officials said.
- 11:35 p.m. Leno Hugh Jackman, four-year-old political whiz Abby Julo, Jimmy Buffett (repeat) ............................................NBC/New PL
- 11:35 p.m. Letterman Charlize Theron, Sue Johanson, Wilco, the Minus 5 (repeat)...............CBS/CFMT
- 12:05 a.m. Mike Bullard Maggie the TSN Monkey and James Duthie, Bryan Cranston, Kathryn Maroun Jeff Healey & Jerome Godboo........... CTV
- 12:05 a.m. Jimmy Kimmel Roseanne, Jared Fogle, guest co-host Sarah Silverman (repeat)...... ABC/Citytv
- 12:35 a.m. Craig Kilborn John Cusack, Method Man, Bowling for Soup (repeat)........................CBS/Global
- 12:35 a.m. Conan O'Brien Alison Janney, Ryan Seacrest, Sean Paul (repeat)...............................NBC/New PL
