Writer/actor Spaulding Gray feared dead
NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Monologue writer and actor Spaulding Gray is feared dead after disappearing Saturday night from his New York apartment, the New York Post reported Wednesday.
Gray, who suffered from manic depression, was spotted Friday afternoon on a Staten Island ferry in what may have been a test run of a suicide leap into the icy New York Harbor, a family spokeswoman said.
The performer, who first became famous with the 1987 autobiographical film "Swimming to Cambodia," has not been heard from since speaking with his 5-year-old son at 9 p.m. Saturday when he called "and said he just wanted to say he loved him," according to Tara Newman, speaking for Gray's wife, Kathie Russo.
Spaulding left behind luggage, pre-packed for a flight to Aspen the next day, as well as his wallet, credit cards and medication.
Gray, who had attempted suicide twice before, had tried to jump off a ferry in September but was stopped by a friend.
"We're trying to be hopeful for the sake of the kids," Newman said, "because you never know."
NBC plans 'blowout' for 'Friends'
BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The long-running and highly popular NBC series "Friends" will go off the air with a two-hour finale on May 16, the network announced Wednesday.
Jeff Zucker, president of NBC's Entertainment, News and Cable Group, announced that the send-off will include an hourlong retrospective of memorable scenes from the show's 10-year run, followed by a one-hour series finale.
"We're planning a proper blowout for this wildly popular comedy that put the 'must' in 'Must See TV,'" said Zucker.
On the same night as the series finale, NBC will air a special edition of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" shot at the "Friends" Central Perk set of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., with appearances by show stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer.
"Friends" -- one of NBC's most successful ratings hits ever -- has received 55 Emmy nominations, including six for Outstanding Comedy Series. The show won the top Emmy in 2003.
The cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 1996 for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Series. The show won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New Comedy Series four times.
State attorney to return Limbaugh records
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A Florida appeals court has ordered the state attorney's office to turn over Rush Limbaugh medical records to circuit court.
Under the ruling by the 3rd District Court of Appeal, they will be sealed until they undergo further review, WPEC-TV reported Wednesday.
The court Tuesday also allowed the American Civil Liberties Union to participate in the case on the conservative talk show's behalf, creating an unusual alliance of the left and right.
Limbaugh is under investigations for allegations of doctor shopping to get prescriptions for painkillers.
Investigators said they believe Limbaugh had bought more than 2,000 pills illegally over a five-month period. Court records show Limbaugh suffers from back pain and recently completed drug rehabilitation.
Limbaugh's lawyers and the ACLU believe the confiscation of his medical records last year was a violation of his right to privacy.
NBC plans two-hour 'Frasier' finale
BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- NBC said Wednesday that its long-running comedy "Frasier" will go off the air with a two-hour series finale on May 13.
Jeff Zucker, president of NBC's Entertainment, News and Cable Group, announced that the evening will begin with an hourlong retrospective of the show's 11 seasons and wrap up with a one-hour series finale. Zucker called "Frasier" a classic TV series that set the standard for TV comedy.
The show won Emmys for best comedy in each of its first five seasons on NBC, becoming the first series to win five consecutive Emmys for best series. "Frasier" has won 31 Emmys in all, also a record.
Kelsey Grammer won three Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Dr. Frasier Crane, the character he introduced on "Cheers" in 1984. By playing the same character for 20 seasons, Grammer has tied the record previously held by James Arness, who played Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke from 1955-75.
In addition to the Emmys, "Frasier" has also won the George Foster Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize, the Golden Globe and three People's Choice Awards.
Rosie shuts down her Broadway show
NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- TV personality Rosie O'Donnell announced Wednesday she will close down the Broadway musical she produced at what is believed to be a $10-million personal loss.
"Taboo," a show about club life in London in the 1980s, has music by British entertainer Boy George and a book by American playwright Charles Busch and features Boy George in a starring role. It opened at the Plymouth Theater last Nov. 13 to mostly negative reviews and has been struggling for survival ever since. The show is scheduled to close Feb. 8.
O'Donnell, who personally bankrolled the show, first saw it in London and was determined to bring it to Broadway in the belief it would be a big hit with American audiences. In announcing the closing, she said she had "no regrets," noting that the show had a four-months run despite its difficulties.
Singer Randy VanWarmer dies at 48
NASHVILLE, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Singer/songwriter Randy VanWarmer, who recorded the 1979 hit ballad "Just When I Needed You Most," died Monday in Seattle of leukemia. He was 48.
VanWarmer, who wrote his most famous song when he was 18, went on to be a top songwriter after his career as a pop artist faded. In 1985, he moved to Nashville, where he penned such hits as the Oak Ridge Boys' "I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes" and Alabama's "I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)." Other VanWarmer songs were recorded by Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Michael Johnson and Neal Coty, Billboard reported Wednesday.
VanWarmer, who had been sick for about a year, was being treated at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle when he died.
