Entertainment Briefs for July 29, 2010

Gomez cancels state fair shows

HARRINGTON, Del. - Disney teen star Selena Gomez has canceled appearances at state fairs in Delaware and Ohio because of strained vocal chords.

Gomez, who stars in the Disney show "Wizards of Waverly Place," issued a statement saying she was disappointed she had to cancel the shows. Gomez also has the starring role in the film "Ramona and Beezus," which is currently in theaters.

Delaware State Fair officials said the show could not be rescheduled before the end of the fair, and full refunds will be given to those who purchased their tickets directly from the Delaware State Fair. The Ohio show was rescheduled for November.

Delaware fair officials said Allstar Weekend will perform in Gomez's place for free.

'Jersey Shore' cast heads north

NEW YORK - Forget Black Friday. It was Tan Tuesday.

The cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore" skipped the beach for a day to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi gave a thumbs up to stock brokers before ringing the bell and waving to the crowd. Fellow cast members Paul DelVecchio and Vinny Guadagnino pumped their fists in the air, and the rest of the group applauded.

The second season of the show will make its premiere today.

Source: Lythgoe may return to 'Idol'

LOS ANGELES - A familiar face may be on the verge of returning to "American Idol."

According to a person close to the show, "So You Think You Can Dance" judge Nigel Lythgoe is in talks to come back to Fox's "American Idol" next season in the producing role he left two years ago. The person, who was not authorized to discuss the talks publicly, spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The person said Lythgoe would return as a member of the "Idol" executive producing team to represent CKx Inc., the holding company of 19 Entertainment, co-producer of "American Idol."

Fox declined comment on Lythgoe's possible return or whether his judging role on "So You Think You Can Dance," which airs on Fox, would be affected. Lythgoe is co-creator and an executive producer of the dance contest.

A spokesman for Lythgoe declined comment.

Craig signs on for 'Dragon Tattoo'

LOS ANGELES - Daniel Craig has a new mission. The current star of the James Bond films has signed on for the English-language remake of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Distributor Sony Pictures confirmed that Craig is taking on the role of journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the thriller based on the first novel in the best-selling series from the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson.

The violent story teams Blomkvist with the title character, Lisbeth Salander, a deeply troubled genius tormented by a terrible childhood, as they delve into the mystery of a missing girl whose disappearance leads them to a string of decades-old murders.

The role of Lisbeth has not yet been cast.

Directed by David Fincher, the film is due in theaters next year.

Hanna wards off grizzlies

COLUMBUS, Ohio - TV host and zookeeper Jack Hanna says he took his own advice and used pepper spray on grizzlies headed toward him.

The Columbus Zoo keeper and frequent David Letterman guest says he was with his wife and other hikers in Montana's Glacier National Park on Saturday when they saw the mother bear and two large cubs coming toward them. Hanna and the others moved slowly back up the trail to a clearing and stood still while the mother and one cub passed by.

Hanna says the other cub, weighing about 125 pounds, charged toward the hikers. Hanna sprayed the bear in the face, and it fled.

Hanna had recently filmed a message for the National Park Service encouraging hikers to carry pepper spray.