Robert Redford to toss Cubs first pitch
CHICAGO, March 26 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs announced veteran actor Robert Redford will do the first-pitch honors on Opening Day at Wrigley Field next week.
Redford, who played Roy Hobbs in the baseball film "The Natural," will be on the mound April 1 when the Cubs open their season with a day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Chicago Tribune said Saturday Redford actually has some decent baseball cred for a Hollywood heartthrob. He played high school ball with Don Drysdale and pitched for the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship.
Redford will be in the Windy City to promote his new film "The Conspirator," which was financed by a company controlled by Joe Ricketts, the owner of the Cubs.
Also on the agenda for Opening Day at Wrigley will be the national anthem sung by Wayne Messmer and the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" led by Ron Santo Jr., son of late Cubs legend Ron Santo.
Tom Hanks to guest star on '30 Rock'
LOS ANGELES, March 26 (UPI) -- Tom Hanks will make a guest appearance on NBC's comedy series "30 Rock," a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Oscar-winning actor had sent out a tweet announcing the guest shot earlier in the week, which would put him on a roster of high-profile guest shots by the likes of Matt Damon, Will Ferrell and Elizabeth Banks.
The Reporter said Saturday the appearance will add to Hanks' extensive television resume. Hanks got his big break in the early 1980s with a starring role in the ABC series "Bosom Buddies." He recently was executive producer of the HBO miniseries "The Pacific."
Chicago mayor race tweeter gets book deal
CHICAGO, March 26 (UPI) -- Journalism Professor Dan Sinker confirmed he received a book deal for his satirical fake Rahm Emanuel Twitter feed during the Chicago mayoral race.
The Chicago Tribune said Saturday the deal between Sinker and Scribner was announced in cyberspace on Twitter.
Sinker, an associate professor at Columbia College, was a high-profile side story during the campaign. His @MayorEmanuel Twitter feed had reporters and political junkies abuzz over the source of the wise-guy tweets.
The newspaper said @MayorEmanuel had 48,000 followers by the time the feed was cut off shortly after the real Emanuel's victory in February. Emanuel himself signed up about 15,000 followers.
The book will include a collection of tweets and annotations that will put the story into context. A release date was not announced.
Britney boffo in Las Vegas performance
LAS VEGAS, March 26 (UPI) -- Audience members in Las Vegas Friday provided plenty of bubbly reviews after Britney Spears wowed a crowd with a three-song set.
MTV said Saturday Spears roared through the set at the Palms with multiple costume changes and a troupe of high-energy dancers that dazzled the crowd.
"It was fantastic," said fan Heather Bettes. "She looks stellar. She killed it. She really brought it."
Bettes, a jewelry designer by trade, told MTV Spears' costumes were "amazing."
Similar accolades came from other witnesses, and Spears herself fired off a post-show tweet declaring, "OMG it feels good to be on stage again!!"
The Vegas performance will air on MTV next week, in conjunction with the Tuesday release of Spears' CD "Femme Fatale."
