James Corden Returns to Host Hollywood Film Awards

James Corden will return as host of the Hollywood Film Awards later this year.

Dick Clark Productions, which produces the awards, made the announcement in a press release Monday.

This is the third straight year that the “Late Late Show” host has helmed the ceremony, scheduled to take place Sunday, Nov. 5, in Beverly Hills, California.

This is the 21st year for the HFAs, which bills itself as “the official launch of the awards season.” Honorees for this year’s awards are set to be announced at a later date. (AP)

 

Craig Ferguson Announces Late-Night Retirement

Craig Ferguson says he is stepping down as host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show” this year.

CBS says Ferguson made the announcement to his studio audience Monday.

It’s the second late-night retirement for CBS, with David Letterman’s decision to leave “Late Show” in 2015. Letterman will be succeeded by Stephen Colbert.

Ferguson says he will retire this December. CBS did not announce who will replace him. (AP)

Strong Winds Cause Scattered Power Outages in Los Angeles

(I was driving to LAX when the power went out. Entire city blocks around me just suddenly went dark. I was third in line at a busy stop light. There was no flicker, no sound. Nothing. Creepiest and eeriest thing I’d ever seen!)    

Those fierce winds raking the Los Angeles area are now easing after toppling trees and signs, knocking out power and complicating landings at Los Angeles International Airport.

High wind warnings and advisories were canceled at 3 a.m. in many areas, but powerful gusts up to 70 mph are expected to persist in the mountain passes and desert areas through late morning.

About 40,000 Southern California homes and businesses are still without power.

On Tuesday, winds toppled a tree through the roof of a South Los Angeles church and forced a plane to divert from Los Angeles International Airport. Two other jetliners were forced to go around for second landing attempts.

The winds ushered in a dry cold front that has dropped temperatures substantially.

 

“Late Late Show” host Craig Ferguson had to finish taping his program by flashlight on Tuesday after high winds knocked out power at CBS Television City in Los Angeles.

Show publicist Katie Barker says lights started dimming and then suddenly went black about 5:45 p.m. as Ferguson was interviewing actress Alicia Silverstone, leaving both in the dark as to what was going on.

Producers decided to keep the blackout as part of the show and handed Ferguson a flashlight.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)