People talk 07/15/03

Brosnan will be named honorary OBI officer

LONDON -- After four missions on her majesty's secret service, Pierce Brosnan is getting some recognition from Queen Elizabeth II.

Brosnan, star of the last four James Bond films, will be made an honorary OBE or officer of the Order of the British Empire -- honorary, because the 50-year-old actor is Irish.

"From his first steps as an actor at the Drama Centre of London, through numerous starring roles on stage and screen, Pierce Brosnan has captivated audiences at home in Ireland, here in the U.K. and across the world," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Monday.

"In his portrayal of 007 in the last four Bond films, he has added style and glamour to the image of Britain overseas.

"But he has also worked very hard behind the scenes in supporting an array of charitable causes. This award celebrates a truly remarkable achievement," Straw said.

Brosnan serves as campaign chairman for the Entertainment Industry Foundation and as a special patron of UNICEF in Ireland.

"I feel privileged to have been recognized by her majesty the queen with this award," Brosnan said.

"In my life, I am fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and courageous individuals whose tireless efforts are an inspiration to me both personally and professionally."

The award will be presented by the British ambassador in Dublin, Stewart Eldon, on Saturday.

Osbourne plans to watch mouth on new show

LOS ANGELES -- Sharon Osbourne says she'll be watching her language on her new talk show.

Osbourne and her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, are known for their salty remarks on their MTV reality show, "The Osbournes."

"People come into my home (on MTV) and that's the way I choose to live my life," she told the Television Critics Association Sunday. "Now I'm coming into their homes."

"It just wouldn't be a cool thing," she said, to use profanity on the syndicated talk show set to premiere in the fall.

Osbourne, who has managed her husband's career, said she's looking forward to exploring her "passions," which include teenagers, women's rights and celebrities, on her new show.

She was asked if her 17-year-old son Jack, who had entered a rehabilitation clinic for drug and alcohol abuse, could be a guest on the show.

"Absolutely," she replied, if she were doing a show on addiction and he could illuminate the subject.

'Lizzie' plans special sweet 16 celebration

LOS ANGELES -- Hilary Duff of "Lizzie McGuire" fame already has big plans for her 16th birthday in September.

The actress will star in two music specials for the WB network, one in connection with her Sept. 28 birthday and the other for Christmas for the 2003-2004 season, the network said Sunday.

Duff and musical guests, yet to be announced, will perform.

"We are thrilled to be starting a relationship with the Duff family and hope this is the beginning of a long alliance," WB Entertainment President Jordan Levin said in a statement.

Duff, who gained fame in Disney's "Lizzie McGuire" TV series and "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," said goodbye to the company after failing to reach agreement on a deal for a second "Lizzie" movie and new TV show.

Springsteen pays dividends for New Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- When Bruce Springsteen comes to Giants Stadium this week to begin a sold-out run of concerts, state officials could be among those dancing to the music.

That's because the Boss is good for New Jersey's bottom line.

Springsteen stands to collect millions per night from his 10-concert stand beginning today. But the taxes he'll pay on his hefty paycheck pad state coffers, and the state also will reap millions in revenue from parking, concessions and T-shirt sales. The state budget even gets a kick -- $2 million in sales taxes from $38 million in Springsteen ticket sales.

Springsteen pulls in most of the gross ticket sales revenue, which total $3.8 million a night based on 55,000-seat sellouts at an average ticket price of $70, The Sunday Record of Bergen County reported. He then pays the E Street Band, his agent and other expenses, including ushers, parking attendants and stadium concession workers.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority gets all the money from parking, up to $300,000 per night for Springsteen's shows. It will pull in another $125,000 or so from concessions and about $60,000 from T-shirt sales, about 10 percent of the night's T-shirt sales take.

Springsteen's appearance helps ensure that the sports authority will remain in the black, and that it won't require a state subsidy for the second consecutive year.

Prince Andrew plans Pennsylvania trip

UNIONTOWN, Pa. -- Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is coming to Uniontown this fall to honor George C. Marshall, the World War II general, diplomat and city's most famous son.

Prince Andrew will unveil a plaque dedicating the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza on Oct. 26 in the Fayette County city, about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Marshall was born in Uniontown in 1880 and lived there until attending Virginia Military Academy. He's perhaps best known for his plan to rebuild Europe after World War II.

Prince Andrew's visit was arranged after the British consulate contacted the Friends of George C. Marshall last year and asked if they had an appropriate location for a plaque honoring Marshall.

The prince's visit also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Scholarship, which gives students of diplomatic and military history or political affairs access to the general's papers and other research materials.

Prince Andrew will visit with scholarship alumni from the University of Pittsburgh, and with candidates for the scholarship this year from schools in western Pennsylvania, on Oct. 25.

-- From wire reports