NEW YORK – Jane Fonda says she’s been banished from QVC amid concerns about her political past. The network says it was a routine programming change.
Fonda was set to appear on the home-shopping channel on Saturday to promote her new book on aging, “Prime Time.” But the day before, she learned her segment had been cancelled.
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In a statement posted on her website, Fonda says QVC told her of receiving “a lot of calls” from viewers criticizing her opposition to the Vietnam War and threatening to boycott the show if she was allowed to appear.
Fonda goes on to say she is “deeply disappointed that QVC caved to this kind of insane pressure” and declares, “I love my country.”
Paul Capelli, a spokesman for West Chester, Pa.-based QVC, confirmed Fonda’s cancelled appearance, but specified no reason.
“It’s not unusual to have a schedule change with our shows and guests with little or no notice,” he said in an e-mail. Fonda is not currently rescheduled to appear, he said.
Fonda was dubbed “Hanoi Jane” nearly 40 years ago after visiting the North Vietnamese capital, where she made radio broadcasts critical of U.S. war policy.
Trump daughter has first baby: It’s a girl
NEW YORK – She’s been a model, a jewelry designer and a judge on her father’s TV show “The Apprentice.” Now add mother to the list of Ivanka Trump’s job titles.
Trump announced the birth of her first child Sunday in New York City via Twitter.
She says she and husband, Jared Kushner, “welcomed a beautiful and healthy little girl into the world.” No name was announced.
Kushner is the owner of the New York Observer newspaper. He and Trump wed in 2009. She converted to Judaism before the wedding.
The baby is the third grandchild for real estate mogul Donald Trump.
‘Office’ actor hopes sixth time’s a charm
NEW YORK – His “Office” character Michael Scott may be utterly clueless, but Steve Carell knows a thing or two. And when it comes to his sixth shot at the best actor Emmy, Carell jokes that he’s got this one in the bag.
“Of course, what could possibly go wrong? How could I lose? I don’t even know if that’s even a remote possibility,” the 48-year-old said with a laugh.
Carell’s latest nomination was for his final season on the hit NBC comedy — his last chance to take home the trophy for his role as the inept Dunder Mifflin branch manager.
Carell says he’ll be attending this year’s awards on Sept. 18 with low expectations and no regrets.
“I’m very proud of having been on that show and all the friendships that I got out of it,” he said. “An Emmy would be great, but it wouldn’t make my experience on ‘The Office’ any better because it was already so good.”
Obama applauds Mandela
WASHINGTON – In honor of Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday today, President Barack Obama is calling the South African leader “a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation.”
In a statement issued Sunday, Obama congratulated Mandela for devoting his life to public service and a legacy that exemplifies what Obama calls “wisdom, strength and grace.”
First lady Michelle and daughters, Sasha and Malia, met Mandela last month in Africa.
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