New buzz about moon landings

Beverly Hills, Calif. Detectives are investigating a complaint that retired astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin punched a man in the face after being asked to swear on a Bible that he’d been to the moon.

Officers were called to the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive Monday and took a report from Bart Sibrel, 37, who said the former Apollo 11 astronaut had attacked him.

Sibrel, of Nashville, Tenn., said he doesn’t believe Aldrin, 72, or anyone else has ever walked on the moon. He said he was trying to confront Aldrin about his 1969 lunar mission when he was punched. Video of the punch aired Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Whitney wastes water

Mendham Township, N.J. Whitney Houston was issued a summons for violating New Jersey’s water-use restrictions after police found sprinklers running at her estate.

“Nobody gets special treatment here,” police Lt. Jim Hughes said

Hughes said an officer went to the home Monday after police received a complaint that the sprinkler system was on at night. The sprinklers were running and puddles had formed in the curbs at the property the pop star shares with her husband, singer Bobby Brown, police said.

State officials imposed water-use restrictions last month because of ongoing drought conditions. Residents are banned from watering lawns or washing cars.

Hope award goes to Oprah

Los Angeles Oprah Winfrey will be the first to receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to be given at the 54th annual Emmys.

Bryce Zabel, chief executive of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, described Winfrey as a “truly qualified individual … whose deeds and actions have had a lasting impact on society.”

The award was established this year and will be presented by Tom Hanks at the Sept. 22 ceremony.

The award recognizes Hope’s pioneer status in the industry and his humanitarian efforts.

Reiner’s political options open

Los Angeles Actor-turned-director Rob Reiner, sometimes talked about as a potential candidate for California governor, isn’t ruling out a run for office.

“That’s a big decision,” Reiner told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview about Proposition 10, the 1998 initiative he supported that hiked the cigarette tax to fund early childhood development programs.

“Right now, I’m focusing on making Prop. 10 a success. I’m starting a film in a few weeks. What’s down the road you can’t ever say,” he said Monday.

The director of films including “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me” and “A Few Good Men” said making a movie is easier than dealing with government.

“Really, the worst that happens when a movie doesn’t work is it doesn’t make money,” he said. “Nobody’s not getting health care, nobody’s not getting to go to school. At most, they’re having a bad two hours in a movie theater.”