MUSIC/ PLAQUE HONORING DUSTY SPRINGFIELD UNVEILED TODAY: A blue plaque has been installed today at the former west London home of singer Dusty Springfield. The plaque replaced the one put up in 2001, which "disappeared" during renovation work at 38-40 Aubrey Walk in Kensington earlier this year. Unveiling the plaque, Bee Gees star Robin Gibb described Springfield as "probably the greatest female popular singer in the modern pop rock era". Springfield, who died in 1999, lived at the home from 1968 to 1972.
MUSIC & FILM/ WHITNEY HOUSTON ENTERS REHAB AS "EXHALE" SEQUEL IS PLANNED: Whitney Houston has voluntarily entered rehab again. A spokesperson for Houston said the singer, 47, is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment, part of Houston's "long-standing" recovery process. Houston, who has battled problems with drug addiction for years, declared herself clean in 2009, the same year she released a comeback album. She has since delivered a series of critically dissed live performances. The spokesperson refused to say how long she will be in rehab or where she's being treated. Meanwhile, according to other media reports today, Angela Bassett, Houston’s costar in 1995’s "Waiting to Exhale," says a sequel is in the works. Bassett said Terry McMillan's 2010 follow-up novel, "Getting to Happy," will be made into a feature film, with the original "Exhale" cast returning, if deals can be worked out. Forest Whitaker has reportedly signed on to direct, while McMillan will write the "Happy" screenplay.
Meredith Vieira officially confirmed today that she's leaving the "Today" show. "This is a difficult day for me. I'm trying hard to hold it together," she said while alternating between laughing and crying. Co-host Matt Lauer said her final day will be June 8. She will be replaced by Ann Curry beginning June 9. Natalie Morales will become the newsreader, while White House correspondent and MSNBC anchor Savannah Guthrie will become the 9:00am anchor. Vieira said she wants to spend more time with her husband and children, and that she decided to leave after personal reflection and private conversation with friends. "Even as I say this, and I know it's the right thing, I'm really sad," she said. "This has been my second home". Rumours are also circulating that Matt Lauer will also leave the show later this year, however NBC has denied this repeatedly.
TV/ "DOWNTON ABBEY" TOPS BAFTA CRAFT AWARDS: The ITV1 period drama "Downton Abbey" and BBC One documentary series "Human Planet" won 2 prizes each at this year's British Academy Television Craft Awards. "Downton Abbey" won best fiction director and a sound award. "Human Planet's" "Arctic" episode won the factual editing and photography prizes. "Coronation Street" director Tony Prescott was rewarded for his work on the show's hour-long live episode. He won the multi-camera director award for the program which featured a spectacular tram crash in Weatherfield, marking the soap's 50th anniversary. BBC Two's new romantic drama, about the early days of Culture Club, won best costume design, while this year's special award went to BBC Two's "Springwatch" nature show in recognition of its outstanding creative and technical teamwork. Other shows winning awards include "The Battle for Haiti," "Misfits," "The Million Pound Drop Live" and "This Is England '86". Full details on all the winners of the BAFTA craft awards can be found on the BAFTA website.
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