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Jackson trying to get new Neverland loan

LOS OLIVOS, Calif., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Pop star Michael Jackson may not lose his Neverland Ranch to foreclosure if he can secure a new loan for the Los Olivos, Calif., property.

The 2,800-acre spread was once Jackson's home and boasted a private zoo and amusement park.

It reportedly is set to be auctioned off March 19 at the Santa Barbara courthouse if Jackson doesn't pay the millions of dollars he owes on it.

"Michael Jackson's ranch is not going to be auctioned off at the courthouse," a source told CNN. "The financing is all being worked out. There are plenty of lenders willing to work with him. The real estate market is very bad right now and Jackson is being affected just like many other Americans."

Jackson has not lived at Neverland since June 2005, CNN said.

Affleck thrilled Ford appeared in video

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Ben Affleck said Harrison Ford was "awesome" for appearing in the outrageous video Affleck made with comedian Jimmy Kimmel.

In the short film, Affleck and Kimmel jokingly sing about the sexual relationship they've been enjoying.

The star-studded Internet sensation was retaliation for a similar video Kimmel's girlfriend comedian Sarah Silverman made with Affleck's best friend Matt Damon.

Affleck told Entertainment Weekly that when it came to lining up other stars to appear with him and Kimmel in the comedy video, Harrison Ford topped his list.

"(The executive producer of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live') called me back 10 minutes later, 'We got Harrison Ford!' And I was like: 'What? Harrison Ford said yes?' He was awesome. I think people were naturally a little bit intimidated by him, and didn't want to push him at all," Affleck said.

"He saw his wardrobe looked kind of normal and was like, 'Don't we have anything here that's mesh?' That beat gets the biggest laugh in the whole video, where he's got his chain and he's in the convertible and he blows a kiss. It's the most incongruous moment in the thing because he's the most rugged, masculine guy in the world, and there he is in his West Hollywood outfit blowing kisses."

Mellencamp, King collaborate on musical

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. horror author Stephen King and rock icon John Mellencamp are working together on a new stage musical thriller called "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County."

The Mississippi-set show is to premiere in the spring of 2009 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Ga., Playbill.com reported.

King has written dozens of eerie tales, many of which have spawned hit movies. His book "Misery" was adapted as a stage drama, while "Carrie" was made into a musical.

Mellencamp is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month.

"It is John Mellencamp's musical style and it's Stephen King's gothic style, and I just thought it was too cool to pass up," Alliance artistic director Susan V. Booth told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the "Ghost Brothers" project.

"If it goes well in Atlanta, then we'll come to Broadway. If it don't go well in Atlanta, we're done," Mellencamp told Rolling Stone magazine.

Cyrus to host 'Nashville Star'

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. country music singer and "Hannah Montana" co-star Billy Ray Cyrus said he has been named the host of the hit music-competition series "Nashville Star."

Cyrus made the announcement on an episode of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" he taped, which was scheduled to air Wednesday night, NBC said.

The new season of "Nashville Star" is scheduled to premiere on the network this summer.

"This year it is all about the dream, about the music, about persistence and never giving up faith. Putting the music first," Cyrus told Leno and his audience. "You know I've been to the fair and I've seen the bear and I am really excited."

"Nashville Star," which continues its national casting search March 8 with stops in the Los Angeles area, Washington, Austin, Texas, and Nashville, is a talent competition show created to find the next great country music star.

The winner gets a major recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville, NBC said.