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Author Gore Vidal dies at 86

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Novelist, playwright, screenwriter and essayist Gore Vidal died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia at his home in Los Angeles, his family said. He was 86.

Vidal, who applied his iconoclastic and sometimes scolding manner to politics as well as his writing, died at his home in the Hollywood Hills, his nephew, Burr Steers, told the Los Angeles Times.

In addition to historical novels on Abraham Lincoln and Aaron Burr, Vidal wrote satires, including "Myra Breckinridge," and plays, including "Visit to a Small Planet" and "The Best Man," which is enjoying a revival on Broadway.

He won a National Book Award in 1993 for "United States Essays, 1952-1992."

He received an Emmy nomination in 1986 for "Dress Gray," a murder mystery starring Eddie Albert, Lloyd Bridges, Hal Holbrook and Alec Baldwin set at a military academy.

Vidal was born Eugene Luther Gore Vidal, Oct. 3, 1925, in West Point, N.Y.

A Democrat, he ran for public office twice -- for the U.S. Senate in California and for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York.

His screenplay credits include "Suddenly, Last Summer" (1959), "Is Paris Burning?" (1966) and "Caligula" (1979).

Pattinson staying at Witherspoon's ranch

OJAI, Calif., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Robert Pattinson is staying at Reese Witherspoon's ranch in Ojai, Calif., after Kristen Stewart publicly confirmed she cheated on him, UsMagazine.com said.

Pattinson and Witherspoon co-starred together in 2011's "Water for Elephants."

Pattinson has been staying at Witherspoon's vacation home since news broke last week that Stewart, his longtime girlfriend and "Twilight" leading lady, had an affair with film director Rupert Sanders, who is married with two children.

It is unclear whether Witherspoon, who is pregnant, and her husband and two kids are also at the Ojai estate or if Pattison is there by himself.

A source close to Pattinson and Stewart told UsMagazine.com the 26-year-old actor is "a total mess."

"He's questioning everything," the insider said.

Stewart, meanwhile, is "inconsolable" and has been trying to reach Pattinson by text message and phone after publicly declaring her love for him and begging for his forgiveness last week.

"She's dying to save the relationship. It's the only thing she cares about," a source close to the 22-year-old actress told the magazine.

Fugelsang to host Current TV political program

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. commentator and comedian John Fugelsang is developing and will serve as host of a new prime time show for Current TV, the network said.

The announcement was made Wednesday during a live broadcast of "Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show" conducted in front of television critics at the TCA summer press tour in Los Angeles.

Fugelsang has served as guest host for several Current TV programs such as "The War Room with Jennifer Granholm," "Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer" and "Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show."

"We at Current are eager to bring John's unique perspective on politics and the world around him to prime-time," Current TV Chairman and former Vice President of the United States Al Gore said in a statement. "He's been a part of the Current family for a while now and we see just how much his voice resonates with our audience. His new show will nicely complement our growing lineup."

The new show, in which Fugelsang will "tackle the political and cultural issues of the day with his signature acute insight and razor-sharp wit," is to will begin on the cable network this fall, Current said.

"My new show on Current will be an attack ad on apathy; taking the flag back from phony patriots, taking the Bible back from the hypocrites, and taking bath salts away from Glenn Beck," Fugelsang said.

'Uncaged' tops U.S. album chart

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Zac Brown Band's "Uncaged" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Nas' "Life is Good," followed by Gaslight Anthem's "Handwritten" at No. 3, Passion Pit's "Gossamer" at No. 4 and the "Kidz Bop 22" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Justin Bieber's "Believe" at No. 6, One Direction's "Up All Night" at No. 7, Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange" at No. 8, Adele's "21" at No. 9 and Maroon 5's "Overexposed" at No. 10.