NYPD Blue turns in badge after 12 seasons on ABC

New York — The curtain closed on the 12-year run of ABC’s “NYPD Blue” on Tuesday, with Detective Andy Sipowicz settling in to what seems like a thankless job commanding the detectives of the 15th precinct.

The 261st and last episode of the groundbreaking police drama aired after a one-hour retrospective that traced the history of the show.

In the finale, actor Dennis Franz’s Sipowicz character, just named squad commander, lets an investigation continue that nails a high-roller for murder despite an effort from his superiors to nail someone else.

For that, Sipowicz wins a chewing out from his commander — and the respect of all his colleagues.

“Good night. Boss,” his former partner, played by actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, said.

At the end of the special, several cast members took the time to address fans. The last to go was Franz.

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you one and all.”

Beatle’s grandbaby to have family name

New York — Stella McCartney and her husband have named their infant son.

Miller Alasdhair James Willis was born Friday in London, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces. McCartney, the daughter of Paul McCartney, and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, turned to her family name for their son’s third name, People magazine said Tuesday.

The 33-year-old fashion designer has a father named James Paul McCartney and a brother named James Louis McCartney. However, it wasn’t clear where the name Miller originated.

Accused star stalker to defend himself

Los Angeles — A drifter accused of stalking Mel Gibson said he will serve as his own lawyer in a trial in which the actor-director is expected to appear as a witness.

Zack Sinclair, who was arrested for allegedly violating an order to stay away from Gibson, announced that he would be representing himself as jury selection began Monday.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John S. Fisher told prospective jurors that Sinclair, 34, is legally entitled to waive his right to a lawyer and that they should not let that decision affect their judgment of him.

Sinclair was arrested in September for investigation of stalking the actor-director. He allegedly went to the gate of Gibson’s Malibu estate repeatedly that month after evading neighborhood security and asked to pray with the actor.

‘Bachelorette’ finds only friendship after two proposals

New York — “Bachelorette” Jen Schefft received two marriage proposals on the ABC dating show’s finale, but accepted neither.

Schefft wavered between Jerry Ferris and John Paul Merritt until the very end. Both suitors popped the question, but Schefft denied Merritt and asked Ferris to wait so that she could be sure.

In a live show following Monday night’s episode (which was taped nearly three months ago), Ferris again brought out a wedding ring, but Schefft told him, “I think that we both came to the realization that we were better as friends.”

After a shocked crowd gasped, Ferris relented, telling Schefft: “I love you for that.”

50 Cent makes change

New York — Another day, another feud for 50 Cent. This time, he’s beefing with his own protege, the best-selling rapper The Game.

Actually, make that former protege.

In an interview on hip-hop radio station Hot 97 Monday night, 50 announced that he was kicking The Game out of his G-Unit clique because of disloyalty — for refusing to take 50’s side in his latest battles with high-profile rappers. Then a shooting occurred outside the radio station, wounding one man, police said.

Investigators, still trying to sort out the chaotic scene, suspected the comments were heard on the radio by associates of The Game, including the shooting victim. The associates allegedly went to the radio station, where they were met outside by members of 50 Cent’s entourage and the violence erupted, police said.