Swayze: Richardson's death is a great loss

NEW YORK, March 24 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Patrick Swayze called the recent death of his "Waking Up in Reno" co-star Natasha Richardson a "great loss."

The pair acted in the 2002 comedy alongside Charlize Theron and Billy Bob Thornton.

Richardson, who was married to actor Liam Neeson and was the mother of his two sons, died last Wednesday of head injuries sustained in a skiing accident at the age of 45. The British-born actress was buried Sunday in upstate New York.

Swayze has been waging a high-profile battle against pancreatic cancer for more than a year.

"It is such a great loss to this community to lose an actress and person such as Natasha," Swayze said in a statement issued to People.com. "Gifts like her don't come along very often. It's a rare thing in this industry to have someone with so much talent, beauty and dedication and yet is imbued with such humility. I know for me and many other people, the world will be a different place without her. My heart goes out to Liam and his two boys but I'm sure that Natasha's light is shining down on them."

George Lopez to star in TBS talk show

LOS ANGELES, March 24 (UPI) -- Mexican-American comedian and actor George Lopez is set to star in a new late-night television talk show, TBS said Tuesday.

The program -- from 2.2 Productions, paraMedia Inc. and Telepictures Productions, in association with Warner Horizon Television -- will "bring the excitement back to late night with an outdoor street-party atmosphere and a high-energy crowd," the cable television network said in a news release. "The fun will include visits from celebrity guests, live music and comedy acts and the benefit of George's own flair and personality."

Lopez and Jim Paratore serve as the executive producers for the not-yet-titled series, which will air on TBS Mondays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. ET/PT, starting in November, TBS said.

"If change can come to the White House, then change can come to late night," Lopez said in a statement. "Yes, I can!"

"George Lopez is one of the most talented, popular and successful comedic performers today and we are thrilled to partner with him and with TBS on a nightly talk-variety show," Hilary Estey McLoughlin, president of Telepictures Productions, said in a statement. "He has an extraordinary ability to authentically connect with a diverse audience and will bring a really different point of view that will be a game-changer in late night."

The new show represents Lopez's return to series television after co-creating, writing, producing and starring in Warner Bros. Television's sit-com "George Lopez," which ran for six seasons on ABC.

Steve-O, Wozniak score low on 'DWTS'

LOS ANGELES, March 24 (UPI) -- Injured contestants Steve-O and Steve Wozniak competed on "Dancing with the Stars" in Los Angeles Monday but racked up the night's lowest scores.

Former "Jackass" star Steve-O, who was nursing a back injury, earned 15 points doing a foxtrot Monday night, while Apple co-founder Wozniak garnered 10 points for what judge Bruno Tonioli described as the "worst samba" he'd ever seen, the New York Daily News said. Wozniak reportedly pulled a hamstring while rehearsing last week and fractured a foot two weeks ago.

Although Monday's scores landed the two amateur dancers in the U.S. television competition's bottom slots, fans can vote to save them and eliminate another competitor. The name of the next star booted is to be announced Tuesday night.

Monday's top performers were French actor Gilles Marini, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and reality TV personality Melissa Rycroft, all of whom earned 27 points apiece, the Daily News said.

Hathaway to play Garland in 'Get Happy'

LOS ANGELES, March 24 (UPI) -- The Weinstein Co. says it has cast U.S. actress Anne Hathaway in the lead role of its upcoming Judy Garland bio-picture "Get Happy."

Hathaway was an Oscar nominee for best actress this year for her work in "Rachel Getting Married." She has also starred in the movies "The Princess Diaries," "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Becoming Jane."

The Hollywood Reporter said TWC hasn't hired a writer or director for "Get Happy," which will be based on Gerald Clarke's biography about Garland, a troubled film star who began performing as a toddler.

The entertainment industry trade newspaper pointed out that the filmmakers will have to find some way to reconcile the height difference between Garland, who stood 5 feet tall, and Hathaway, who is about 5 foot, 8 inches tall.

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