'American Idol' crooner Clay Aiken now a father

Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken is a father.

The 29-year-old crooner from Raleigh announced the birth of Parker Foster Aiken on his Web site's blog Friday

"No hyphens. One first name," he wrote. "One middle name. One last name."

Aiken's mother, Faye, told Raleigh TV station WRAL the child was born in North Carolina.

Aiken was a favorite of fans during the second season of "American Idol," where he finished second to Ruben Studdard. His album "Measure of a Man" went double platinum in 2003, and he made his Broadway debut this spring in "Monty Python's Spamalot."

The baby's mother is Jaymes Foster, Aiken's friend and record producer whom he met while performing on "American Idol." Their son was born at 8:08 a.m. Friday, and weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long, according to the statement on the Web site.

"The little man is healthy, happy, and as loud as his daddy," Aiken wrote. "Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also." -- AP

Happy New Year: Clark, Seacrest a duo through 2010

Dick Clark is still Mr. New Year's Eve -- but he'll be sharing the title with Ryan Seacrest.

Starting this December, Clark's longtime end-of-year special will be called "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest," ABC and dick clark productions said Friday.

It was also announced that Seacrest will serve as co-host with Clark and as an executive producer on the broadcast for another three years, through the 2010 show ringing in 2011.

The show's name change reflects Seacrest's success in co-hosting "one of America's most time-honored traditions," Orly Adelson, executive producer and president of dick clark productions, said in a statement.

"New Year's Rockin' Eve" will mark its 37th year on Dec. 31 and include the customary countdown to midnight from New York City's Times Square.

Seacrest, host of "American Idol," joined the program in December 2005, signing a deal that would eventually make him the program's host. Clark had a stroke earlier that month but appeared on the '05 show and in following years, his speech affected but enthusiasm intact.

The program was the top-rated New Year's Eve show last year, drawing 29 million viewers at the midnight hour. -- AP

Philip Seymour Hoffman to direct play in London

Producers say Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman will direct a play in London's West End later this year.

"Riflemind" tells the story of a rock band getting back together 20 years after its members split up.

The play is by Australian writer Andrew Upton, husband of Hollywood star Cate Blanchett. The production will star Scottish actor John Hannah, whose films include "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "The Mummy" series.

Hoffman is co-artistic director of New York's LAByrinth Theater Company. He won a best-actor Oscar in 2006 for "Capote."

Producers announced Friday that "Riflemind" will open September 18th at London's Trafalgar Studios. -- AP

Sugarland founder files $1.5M lawsuit against band

A founder of the country band Sugarland is suing the two current members of the popular group for $1.5 million.

According to a lawsuit filed late last month in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, Kristen Hall was to get a cut of the group's profits even after she left in 2005 for a solo career. The lawsuit says Hall, who founded the band in 2002, has an agreement with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush to equally share profits and losses.

Hall says in the lawsuit that she has been excluded from the group's profits since she left.

Sugarland's publicist referred calls to the band's attorney, Gary Gilbert, who was unavailable for comment.

The band's album, "Love on the Inside," released last month, is No. 1 on Billboard music charts. -- AP

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"The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other. Not to say it hasn't crossed my mind -- or Andy's or Stewart's." Sting talks about the conclusion of the Police tour.