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By United Press International
Actress Wanda Sykes (R) and Alex Sykes arrive at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Actress Wanda Sykes (R) and Alex Sykes arrive at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

The latest news on today's hottest celebrities ...

WANDA SYKES: U.S. cable network Logo says it plans to air two hourlong "NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes" election specials starring the openly gay comedian.

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To be taped in New York, the programs will "educate, activate and entertain viewers while shining a spotlight on the state of national politics through an LGBT lens," said the network, whose target audience is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The specials also will feature a "rapid-fire, roundtable format with notable panelists from both sides of the political aisle," Logo said.

The first program will air Sept. 10, four days after the Democratic National Convention. The second will premiere Nov. 5, the eve of the presidential election.

"I'm excited to be working with Logo, the network that offers a voice to the LGBT community," Sykes said in a statement Thursday. "These specials will be thought provoking, exciting and the perfect forum to discuss important issues facing our community. Plus, it is Logo so maybe I'll get to dress in drag!"

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"While there has been much progress in civil rights for LGBT Americans over the course of the past few years, this is a crucial time for our community and our quest for equality on all fronts," said Lisa Sherman, Logo's executive vice president and general manager. "Wanda will be the perfect host for the specials, providing her one-of-a-kind take on LGBT concerns and challenges. She's sure to entertain -- and generate some discussion along the way."


HUGH JACKMAN: The Museum of the Moving Image in New York says it plans to honor Australian actor and entertainer Hugh Jackman at a dinner in December.

"We are thrilled to be honoring one of the world's most beloved and talented performers," Carl Goodman, the museum's executive director, said in a statement Thursday.

Jackman is perhaps best known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men movie franchise. His other film credits include "Australia," "Scoop," "The Prestige" and "The Fountain." Later this year, he will play Jean Valjean in the screen version of the musical "Les Miserables."

Jackman has also starred in the Broadway productions of "The Boy From Oz," "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway" and "A Steady Rain."

The event is to take place Dec. 11 at Cipriani Wall Street.

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ROBERT DOWNEY JR: Marvel Studios says shooting on "Iron Man 3" in North Carolina has been briefly halted while star Robert Downey Jr. nurses an injured ankle.

EW.com quoted Marvel as saying the 47-year-old actor hurt himself Wednesday while performing a stunt, however, no other details were immediately released and the studio did not say when filming is expected to resume.

Downey's publicist told EW.com Downey Jr. is expected to make a full recovery.


JULIA CHILD: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington says it is once again displaying the iconic kitchen of the late chef Julia Child through Sept. 3.

The exhibition of the kitchen from her home in Cambridge, Mass., is timed to what would have been Child's 100th birthday, Aug. 15.

This limited engagement offers a sneak peek of the museum's upcoming exhibition, "FOOD: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000," which opens Nov. 20.

"Julia Child referred to her kitchen as the beating heart of her household," Paula Johnson, museum curator and project director for the exhibition, said in a statement. "In the 10 years since we first displayed it, the kitchen has become a perennial favorite of our visitors. We look forward to joining Child devotees and novices alike in honoring her legacy here at the kitchen for her birthday."

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Child donated the kitchen to the museum in 2001 along with its hundreds of tools, appliances and furnishings.

Credited with making French cooking widely accessible to non-professional cooks, Child died Aug. 13, 2004, two days before her 92nd birthday. She was the longtime host of "The French Chef" on PBS and co-author of the culinary bible "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

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