Courtney Cox confirms pregnancy
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- "Friends" star Courtney Cox has said that she and husband, David Arquette, are expecting a baby, after years of difficulty, including several miscarriages.
Cox, 39, who has spoken publicly through the years on the challenges she and Arquette, 32, have faced in trying to have a baby, confirmed her pregnancy Tuesday, Zap2it.com reported. No other details were revealed.
The announcement comes at a time when Cox's character Monica, on the popular long-running sitcom, is beginning the adoption process with her TV husband Matthew Perry, who plays Chandler. There is no word on how the show, in its final season, will handle Cox's pregnancy.
Cox's announcement comes a few months after David Arquette's brother, Alexis, told Sharon Osbourne on her talk show that his sister-in-law was pregnant. At the time, Cox's representatives quickly squelched the rumor.
Doctor plagued George Harrison, suit says
NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Beatle George Harrison was plagued by his doctor to sign autographs while laying on his deathbed, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.
Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, have filed a $10 million lawsuit against Dr. Gilbert Lederman, alleging that the cancer doctor forced Harrison to autograph a guitar and then endure a concert by his 12-year-old son while undergoing extensive and painful treatment for his lung cancer and brain tumor.
"Dr. Lederman preyed upon Mr. Harrison while he was in a greatly deteriorated mental and physical condition" just two weeks before his death, claims the lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday in Brooklyn Federal Court.
According to the suit, Lederman asked Harrison to sign the guitar, at which point the legendary guitarist replied "I do not even know if I know how to spell my name anymore," the suit said.
Lederman allegedly coerced Harrison by saying "Come on, you can do this," and held Harrison's hand as he guided him through the autograph.
A photograph of the doctor's son, Ariel, holding the guitar appeared in the National Enquirer two weeks after Harrison's death.
Harrison died in November 2001 at age 58.
Ancient Zeus painting is 'most erotic'
NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A 500-year-old painting of the Greek mythological god Zeus seducing a nymph has been selected as the "most erotic work in art," ARTNews magazine reported.
ARTNews surveyed curators, museum directors and historians for its January issue, which focuses on sex in art, to name the most erotic artwork.
Painted in the 1530s by Italian Renaissance artist Correggio, the winning work, "Jupiter and Io," depicts Zeus, in the form of a cloud, and a surrendering nymph. The original work hangs in a Vienna museum.
The expression on the woman's face reflects "a state of ecstasy that is very much like the kind of abandonment you feel while making love," said one judge quoted in the article.
Ruth Westheimer, the noted sex expert known as "Dr. Ruth," agreed, saying, "To me that image illustrates one of the great ways to kiss: so lightly, so softly, with the lips barely touching, so that it seems as if you are kissing a cloud."
Westheimer used the painting for the cover of her book, "The Art of Arousal."
Other nominees included Rodin's clutching couple of "The Kiss" and Courbet's anatomical close-up, "The Origin of the World."
Lane, Broderick, the next 'Odd Couple'?
NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Broadway darlings Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick have reportedly been offered the lead roles in a Broadway revival of Neil Simon's comedy, "The Odd Couple."
The New York Post reported Wednesday that a production starring "The Producers" stars could open in the spring of 2005 for a limited run.
According to the newspaper, Lane would play grumpy sportswriter Oscar Madison, while Broderick assumed the role of neatnik photographer Felix Unger. The paper also noted the possibility the actors might occasionally alternate roles to keep them on their toes.
Although neither has accepted Simon's personal invitation to star in the classic comedy, both actors are said to be pleased with the notion of working together again.
Broderick and Lane were recently welcomed back with open arms when they returned to the roles they originated in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "The Producers" for a limited engagement.
Atkinson to play Voldemort in Harry Potter
LONDON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- British comic actor Rowan Atkinson has reportedly signed on to play the villain Voldemort in the fourth Harry Potter film.
Word from the World Entertainment News Network is the 48-year-old funnyman is hoping to ease his depression following the failure of his last film "Johnny English" by playing the important role of Harry's nemesis in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," due out next year.
The entertainment Web site quotes a source as saying, "It's a very major career change for Rowan.
"He has been looking to spread his wings and branch out into other roles," the source continues. "He doesn't want to be the nice guy or the rubber-faced chap forever."
The character Atkinson will play has appeared as a computer-generated spirit in other Harry Potter films. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the third film in the popular series about a boy wizard and his friends studying at magic school, is due out this summer.
