Aerosmith’s Tyler reveals hepatitis C diagnosis

Los Angeles – Steven Tyler says he was diagnosed with hepatitis C three years ago after having the illness for a long time without any symptoms.

In an interview that was to air Tuesday on “Access Hollywood,” the 58-year-old Aerosmith frontman said the infection was now “nonexistent” in his bloodstream after 11 months of treatment.

“I’ve been pretty quiet about this,” Tyler was quoted as saying. “I’ve had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic. And I talked to my doctor … and he said now is the time and it’s 11 months of chemotherapy. So I went on that and it about killed me.”

Hepatitis C is a liver disease spread by contact with the blood of an infected person, according to the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control, which recommends testing for intravenous drug users and transfusion recipients, among others. According to 2004 estimates by the CDC, 3.2 million people have the chronic infection.

Kimmel to host AMA again

Los Angeles – Jimmy Kimmel, host and producer of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” will bring his hosting talents to the American Music Awards for a third time, it was announced Tuesday.

“I am very happy to have been asked to return as host,” Kimmel, 38, said in a statement. “And (I) graciously accept ABC’s apology for snubbing me last year.”

Cedric the Entertainer hosted last year’s show.

The “2006 American Music Awards,” to be presented Nov. 21 at the Shrine Auditorium, will be broadcast live as a three-hour special on ABC. Scheduled performers include Beyonce, Josh Groban, Mary J. Blige and Carrie Underwood.

Martha Stewart wants Eminem to appear on show

New York – Martha Stewart wants Eminem to appear on her “Martha” TV show. Not because he can knit or bake brownies but because audience members love his music.

“We play his music during breaks to keep people very lively and they love him,” Stewart told AP Radio in a recent interview.

“I would really love to have Eminem on the show,” the 65-year-old lifestyle guru said. “I don’t think he knows that my demographic audience is so involved in Eminem music.”

Stewart said she’s not good at everything.

“I can’t pick up a guitar and play a fantastic song. … I cannot sit down at a piano and do that,” she said.