CBS plans tribute to Rather

New York — CBS will televise a one-hour prime-time tribute to Dan Rather the night he leaves the evening news anchor chair, and its producer says it won’t avoid the story that has clouded his final days on the job.

“Dan Rather: A Reporter Remembers” will air at 7 p.m. March 9, an hour after he anchors his final evening newscast after 24 years.

Rather, 73, will talk about last fall’s ill-fated “60 Minutes Wednesday” story about President Bush’s military service, said Susan Zirinsky, the show’s executive producer. CBS fired the story’s producer and asked for the resignations of three executives because it could not authenticate documents used in the story.

The memoir will look back on the stories Rather has covered in a CBS News career that began in 1962.

Bob Schieffer will temporarily replace Rather starting March 10.

Prosecutor: Cosby won’t face charges in alleged fondling

Philadelphia — Bill Cosby will not face charges stemming from a woman’s allegation he fondled her, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Authorities found “insufficient credible and admissible evidence” to support the woman’s claims, Montgomery County Dist. Atty. Bruce Castor said in a statement.

A former Temple University employee, who now lives in her native Ontario, went to Canadian authorities Jan. 13, contending that Cosby gave her medication that made her feel dizzy, then fondled her at his suburban Philadelphia home after a dinner out with friends in January 2004. She said she later awoke to find her bra undone and her clothes in disarray.

Cosby has denied the allegations.

‘Pinot’ this year’s saucy noun

Danville, Calif. — If you love savoring the word “pinot” as much as you delight in the velvety feel of a nice pinot noir swirling over your tastebuds, you’ve got a real winner on your tongue.

The Global Language Monitor, a nonprofit that monitors word usage (yes, there are people who live to analyze your verbiage), says “pinot” tops its annual list of show-biz words that have influenced the English language.

The reason? How about the surprise breakout road-movie comedy hit, “Sideways.”

Other big words include “genius” from the Ray Charles biopic “Ray, “handwashing,” the act obsessive compulsive Howard Hughes repeatedly does in “The Aviator” and “Mo Chuisle,” the secret Celtic name for the heroine in “Million Dollar Baby.” Last year’s top word wasn’t even a word. It was the phrase “wardrobe malfunction.”

Spector murder trial set

Los Angeles — A judge on Thursday set a Sept. 16 trial date for famed rock ‘n’ roll producer Phil Spector, who is accused of fatally shooting a B-movie actress during a fight at his home.

Spector, 64, responded, “Yes, your honor,” when asked if he waived his right to a speedy trial.

Spector is free on $1 million bail.

Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler also said Thursday he would review a prosecution motion on what evidence should be allowed in the case.

Spector, who created rock’s “wall of sound” recording technique, is accused of shooting Lana Clarkson, 40, to death in February 2003 as she tried to leave his home in suburban Alhambra, prosecutors said.

Charles and Camilla’s wedding gets a venue change

London — Prince Charles may finally get to wed his life’s love, Camilla Parker Bowles, but not at Windsor Castle as previously announced.

Charles’ Clarence House office said Thursday the April 8 civil wedding would be at the local Windsor’s town hall, followed by a blessing led by Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, still taking place at the castle’s St. George’s Chapel.

The couple expect 700 guests. (Charles’ 1981 wedding to Princess Diana had 3,000 guests.)

Boyfriend’s proposal-popping a surprise to Aguilera

New York — Christina Aguilera says she was shocked when a Valentine surprise turned into a marriage proposal.

The 24-year-old pop diva says music executive Jordan Bratman, her boyfriend of two years, popped the question a week ago at Big Sur, Calif., after re-creating a romantic dinner the two had while touring India in the fall.

“It was unbelievable,” Aguilera told Us Weekly magazine. “Every cute thing he did, I totally thought was just a Valentine’s Day surprise — he got me!”

“He sent me on a scavenger hunt,” she said. “My mom used to do scavenger hunts for me when I was a kid, so it had sentimental value. Each clue was a poem — and in the final clue he proposed!”

The 26-year-old Bratman gave Aguilera a 5-carat diamond ring designed by jeweler Stephen Webster, who also made wedding bands for Madonna and Guy Richie.

“I’m finishing my album, so we haven’t set a date yet,” Aguilera said. “But it’s definitely given me inspiration to make my best record ever.”

Birthdays

Actor John Travolta is 51. Actor Jack Palance is 84. Singer Yoko Ono is 72. Actress Cybill Shepherd is 55. Game show host Vanna White is 48. Actor Matt Dillon is 41. Actress Molly Ringwald is 37.