Potter parties pump up enthusiasm
NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- Harry Potter fans from London to Los Angeles were primed to party in advance of Saturday's release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
Despite the appearance of what are reportedly pages from the seventh and final installment of J.K. Rowling's hugely successful series on the Web, prerelease newspaper reviews and embargo-breaking shipments, wizard wannabes are preparing for the 12:01 a.m. Saturday release of the grand finale.
Trivia games, readings, character debates and costume balls all figure in to the celebration in some fashion.
In Clackamas, Ore., near Portland, Courtney Lanahan said she and her husband of just a few hours would visit a bookstore, where they'll be first in line to pick up a copy of "Deathly Hallows" and a set of owl bookends.
Jim Dale, the voice of the Harry Potter audio books, will do readings at the Barnes & Noble Union Square location in New York.
Scholastic, the series' U.S. publisher, is throwing its own party in New York, with jugglers, fire eaters and a countdown clock.
The last line of the author's Web site diary is:
"In a very short time you will know EVERYTHING!"
Court denies bid to publish accuser's name
NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- A New York appeals court ruled an attorney can't publish the name of a 15-year-old girl who accused his client, Broadway actor James Barbour, of sexual abuse.
In its ruling Thursday, the unanimous Appellate Division panel ruled that not publishing the girl's name did not violate the attorney's First Amendment rights nor Barbour's Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel, the New York Journal reported Friday.
The attorney, Ronald Fischetti, wanted to publish the girl's name to investigate whether she ever falsely accused a man of abuse.
"It is appropriate to take into consideration here both the privacy interests of the complainant herself, and the interest of the State in encouraging victims of such crimes generally to report these offenses without fear of exposure," Justice David B. Saxe wrote.
Fischetti had asked the trial court judge for permission to publicize a hotline for information about the alleged victim, who was 15 in 2001 when Barbour allegedly seduced her and engaged in oral sex with her.
Barbour, 41, has had numerous roles on Broadway, including the lead in "Urinetown" and "Beauty and the Beast."
Carey confirms 'Price is Right' talks
LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- Actor-comedian Drew Carey confirmed he is in talks with CBS about his telling Los Angeles studio guests to "come on down" on "The Price is Right."
The comic and current host of CBS' quiz show "The Power of 10" emerged about a month ago as the front-runner to replace the venerable host Bob Barker, who retired as a game show host this year, Variety reported Friday.
On Thursday, Carey said the talks have moved to the point of finalizing the details on a deal.
"It's going back and forth. We call them one day, and they call us the next day," Carey said. "I think it would be really fun to do. I wouldn't have gone into negotiations with them if I didn't think I would be good at it."
A representative from CBS declined to comment on Carey's remarks, Variety said. However, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler has confirmed that conversations with Carey have taken place.
Timberlake takes Southern barbecue to NYC
NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- Tennessee native Justin Timberlake took some southern cooking to New York City with the opening of his restaurant, Southern Hospitality.
The barbecue joint specializes in food Timberlake and friends Trace Ayala and Eytan Sugarman grew up wolfing down -- traditional Memphis-style eats such as spare ribs, homemade buttermilk biscuits and crab and corn fritters, People magazine said.
As to his personal menu favorites, Timberlake told People he would recommend fried green tomatoes and pulled pork.
The restaurant's bill of fare is derived from Timberlake's family recipes, including desserts his grandmother made.
"We had to negotiate on which ones she was willing to give up," Timberlake told People.
