Today's Buzz stories
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'Soprano' Imperioli on 'L&O'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Imperioli is a turncoat.
The "Sopranos" star plays a homicide detective on four episodes on NBC's "Law & Order." Going from mobster to police officer, though, wasn't a dramatic leap for the actor.
"I find a lot of similarities just in the basic genetic makeup of these guys, of Christopher Moltisanti [his character on the HBO show] and Nick Falco [his role on 'Law & Order']," Imperioli told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
"Geographically, economically and culturally, they grew up kind of similar."
A New Yorker, the 39-year-old Imperioli can now check off two of the city's signature metro-area dramas -- and would like to add another Big Apple tradition.
"I've always wanted to work with Woody Allen in one of his movies," he said. "I actually got a role in 'Celebrity,' but it conflicted with the pilot episode of 'The Sopranos.' "
"The Sopranos" will begin shooting its sixth season April 29, but Imperioli said he hasn't yet seen a script. Creator and producer David Chase has said this will be the show's last season, but Imperioli hopes otherwise.
"I think we're all hoping for it," he said. "I think everyone's a little reluctant for it to end. I also have faith that if there's not [another season], it's David Chase making the right decision for the show."
On "Law & Order," Imperioli teams up with his character's uncle, Detective Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina). His first appearance on the police drama was set to air Wednesday night.
Kutcher makes baring bet
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ashton Kutcher says if his new movie, "A Lot Like Love," tops the weekend box office, he'll model underwear.
"If we are the No. 1 movie in America, I will do a Calvin Klein underwear campaign," Kutcher said in an interview on syndicated entertainment show "Access Hollywood," that aired Tuesday night.
"It's actually a bet that I made with my producing partner, so we will see what happens," he added.
Kutcher has modeled for clothing lines, including magazine ads for Calvin Klein and catwalk work for Versace.
He co-stars with Amanda Peet in "A Lot Like Love." Opening Friday, the romantic comedy's competition for No. 1 at the box office will likely come from new release "Kung Fu Hustle" and last week's top earner, "The Amityville Horror."
Blaine plans high-wire stunt
NEW YORK (AP) -- For his next stunt, David Blaine says he'll perform an "easy and fun" high-wire act in Manhattan on Halloween.
"Basically, it's something that's been done in the circuses, based on the old high-wire acts," Blaine told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "It's like family entertainment, this one."
For his last stunt, in the fall of 2003, Blaine dangled in a plastic cubicle near the River Thames in London for 44 days with only small amounts of water for nourishment. He emerged 50 pounds lighter.
The New York magician expects this next stunt will be less demanding.
"It's my easiest one," he said, adding that the logistics aren't completed. "I want it to be simplistic and reachable for everybody. I was even going to call this one 'Easy and Fun."'
Blaine, 32, said he recently reached a deal with ABC for four more shows, beginning with the Halloween stunt. His three previous ABC specials will air on TLC beginning Sunday. The programs include "David Blaine's Vertigo," when he stood on a small platform atop a 100-foot-high pillar for 35 hours in midtown Manhattan, and "David Blaine: Frozen in Time," when he suspended himself inside a 6-ton block of ice for 62 hours in New York's Times Square.
While some have said his tricks no longer constitute magic in the traditional sense, Blaine said that's too narrow a view.
"I think magic is whatever the individual defines it to be. I say it's all magic."
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
