Christopher Tolkien to release new book
LONDON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Author J.R.R. Tolkien's unfinished book, "The Children of Hurin" has been finished by his son, Christopher, and will be published in 2007.
Tolkien's son has spent the last 30 years touching up and finishing "The Children of Hurin," which "The Lord of the Rings" author started to write in 1918 and left as an unfinished project, the BBC reported Tuesday.
"It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of "The Children of Hurin" as an independent work, between its own covers," Christopher Tolkien said in a statement.
Tolkien died at age 81 in 1973, his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy has been made into three successful films and has sold more than 50 million copies.
Fisher-Price unveils 'T.M.X. Elmo'
NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Fisher-Price has released the details on the new "Tickle Me Elmo" doll, "T.M.X. Elmo," which will be released this holiday season.
The T.M.X., which stands for "Tickle me Extreme" or "Tickle me Ten," representing the 10th year of production of the toy, falls, laughs and rolls over as it clutches its belly, the International Business Times reported Tuesday.
The U.S. toymaker's Mattel division unveiled the new furry red toy Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Up until now, company representatives had kept their mouths shut about the new doll, which has been a very popular item in prior holiday seasons.
The shelf price for this year's "T.M.X. Elmo" is $39.99.
HBO pulls the plug on 'Lucky Louie'
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- HBO has not renewed its first ever multi-camera comedy, "Lucky Louie," for a second season on the premium cable network.
The comedy was created by and starred blue-collar comedian Louis C.K..
"Louie is an incredible talent and a wonderful partner," HBO Entertainment President Carolyn Strauss told The Hollywood Reporter. "We loved trying our first multi-camera show with him and we look forward to other projects with Louie in the feature."
Robert Earl Jones dead at 96
NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Robert Earl Jones, the father of actor James Earl Jones and himself a stage and screen actor, has died in New Jersey at age 96.
Jones died Sept. 7 in Englewood, N.J., of natural causes, The New York Times reported.
Jones was a boxer in the 1930s, fighting under the name Battling Bill Stovall, later becoming a sparring partner for Joe Louis before he moved to New York and found his way into acting.
He made his Broadway debut in 1945 in "The Hasty Heart."
Jones also did his turn on the silver screen, his best known role being Luther Coleman, Robert Redford's mentor in the 1973 film "The Sting." He also appeared in "The Cotton Club" and "Witness."
James Earl Jones appeared with his father in several Off Broadway productions, including "Moon on a Rainbow Shawl" in 1962.
In addition to James Earl, another son, Matthew Earl Jones and a grandchild survive him.
