Newhart to appear on 'ER'
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Comedian Bob Newhart is embarking on a rare venture into drama with a recurring role on NBC's "ER," says Hollywood Reporter.
He will play Ben Hollander, an architect suffering with macular degeneration. As his progressive loss of sight increasingly affects his ability to work, Hollander also begins to lose interest in the world. He befriends Dr. Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfield), who develops an odd attachment to him.
The first episode of Newhart's three-episode arc is slated to air October 30.
Newhart won four Emmys -- one for his work on the 1960s NBC comedy series "The Bob Newhart Show" and three for his CBS sitcom "Newhart." He also has three Grammys, all from 1961, including the album of the year prize.
Newhart most recently co-starred on the big screen in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."
American wins U.K.'s comedy award
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- New Yorker Demetri Martin, who gave up law school to pursue comedy, has won United Kingdom's most prestigious comedy award, BBC reported Sunday.
Martin, a Greek-American Yale graduate, won the 23rd Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in Scotland, defeating New Zealand duo Flight of the Conchords, Australian Adam Hills, fellow American Reginald D. Hunter and lone Briton Howard Read.
Nica Burns, director of the Perrier Comedy Award, described it as "a breathtaking win" for Martin on his first visit to the United Kingdom.
Bangladesh movie industry on strike
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Bengali film industry is on strike based on nudity.
Everyone in Bangladesh is accusing everyone of bringing obscenity to Bengali movies.
In Dhaka, actors, actresses and directors staged a sit-in Sunday in front of the Film Development Corporation, the main body of film making in the country, the BBC reported.
Movie producers and distributors held their own demonstration inside the building.
The actors' and directors' lobby deny allegations they are responsible for growing vulgarity in films. They published a list of 13 producers-directors they claim have been making obscene films.
In turn, the film producers have decided to ban five artists and directors from their future projects.
All sides say their strike will continue until a solution is reached.
Bangladesh averages about 100 Bengali films annually. The movies, however, are losing ground with audiences because of nudity and obscenity.
