July 15, 2008

Miss Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, yesterday in a contest marked by the spectacle of Miss USA falling down during the evening gown competition for the second consecutive year. The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure. Tension got under the skin of Miss USA, however, when Crystle Stewart of Texas tripped on the train of her evening gown as she made her entrance. During last year's competition, Miss USA Rachel Smith tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on YouTube.

KIMMEL, SILVERMAN SPLIT

Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman have broken up, their publicists said yesterday. “Jimmy and Sarah have no further comment,” Kimmel's spokesman Lewis Kay told The Associated Press, confirming the split. Silverman's publicist, Amy Zvi, confirmed the breakup in an e-mail to the AP. The pair had dated for five years.

KING TO PEN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Larry King is ready to tell his story. “What Am I Doing Here?” will cover everything from the CNN host's childhood in Brooklyn to his multiple marriages and will be published by Weinstein Books on Father's Day 2009. According to Weinstein, King will offer “uncensored” opinions on the many world leaders he has interviewed, including Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and the first and second Presidents Bush. He reportedly will reveal whom he voted for and which president he considers the worst.

BEATLES PRODUCER HONORED

The widows of former Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison led an all-star tribute on Saturday to Sir George Martin, the producer who molded the Fab Four into the world's most important pop music force. Martin, 82, received the Grammy Foundation Leadership Award in recognition of his humanitarian and charitable efforts, during a dinner and concert in Los Angeles featuring the likes of singer Tom Jones and rock guitarist Jeff Beck.

WHOOPI BACK ON BROADWAY

Whoopi Goldberg is going back to Broadway. Goldberg, a co-host on ABC's “The View,” announced on the air yesterday that she will appear in the Tony-nominated roller-skating musical “Xanadu” as one of the show's evil sisters, Caliope. Goldberg, 52, has previously been on Broadway with her own one-woman show as well as in revivals of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.” She begins her six-week “Xanadu” run July 29, taking over for actress Jackie Hoffman, who will return to the production Sept. 9.

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