Mays autopsy finds evidence of cocaine

Tampa, Fla. — An autopsy report shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday.

The Hillsborough County medical examiner’s office previously determined that the bearded, boisterous TV spokesman had a heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him unresponsive in bed in their Tampa condo June 28.

Mays was a pop-culture fixture with his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean.

While heart disease was the primary cause of death, a report released Friday by the medical examiner listed cocaine as a “contributory cause of death.”

The medical examiner “concluded that cocaine use caused or contributed to the development of his heart disease, and thereby contributed to his death,” the office said in a press release.

The office said Mays last used cocaine in the few days before his death but was not under the influence of the drug when he died. Hillsborough County spokeswoman Lori Hudson said nothing in the toxicology report indicated the frequency of Mays’ cocaine use.

The toxicology tests also showed therapeutic amounts of painkillers hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol, as well as anti-anxiety drugs alprazolam and diazepam. Mays had suffered hip problems and was scheduled for hip-replacement surgery the day after he was found dead.

Beckham on hand as ‘Idol’ resumes post-Paula

Denver — There was no Paula, but there was a Posh.

Victoria Beckham was on hand Friday for the first round of “American Idol” auditions in the post-Paula Abdul era. The former Spice Girl arrived at a downtown Denver hotel where call-back auditions were being held as scores of onlookers crowded against rope barriers, many snapping photos.

Fox, which airs the popular singing show, said Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges in Abdul’s place. But it wasn’t immediately clear whether Beckham did any judging Friday, and “Idol” spokeswoman Alex Gillespie declined to say what her role was. Perry was nowhere to be seen.

Judge Kara DioGuardi arrived in a limo wearing a black dress, telling local Fox affiliate KDVR that she was wearing black to mourn Abdul’s absence. DioGuardi called Abdul her mentor, and said she hopes she’ll return to the show.

Abdul announced this week she was leaving “Idol” after eight seasons. She would not discuss details about her “Idol” exit Thursday in a phone interview, nor would she address whether the door was still open for a return.

Comedian Adam Carolla to publish book of rants

Los Angeles — Adam Carolla has something to complain about.

His spokesman, Lewis Kay, says the former disc jockey, “Dancing With the Stars” contestant and “The Man Show” co-host is writing a book of rants.

“This Year in Rage” is set for publication next fall by Crown, an imprint of Random House Inc. Among the topics Carolla will cover: the economy, sports, bloggers, religion, politics, movies, dating, social networking sites and sex.

Carolla was co-host of “Loveline,” the syndicated radio show and MTV series featuring Dr. Drew Pinsky. He replaced Howard Stern in 12 markets after the shock jock left for satellite radio in 2006.

The 45-year-old comedian has been hosting a popular podcast since his radio show was canceled by CBS earlier this year.

Sykes: Obama campaign was talk-show catalyst

Pasadena, Calif. — Wanda Sykes says she wasn’t interested in hosting a late night talk show until Barack Obama decided to run for president.

Executives at Fox had been courting Sykes, but she just wanted to do standup comedy, her movie gigs and her role on CBS’ “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

Then came Obama’s campaign, and she realized she also wanted an outlet to discuss her views. Sykes, talking with the Television Critics Association on Thursday, said her Saturday night series debuting this fall on Fox will address the week’s hot topics through monologues, skits and panel discussions.

Viewers shouldn’t expect many musical guests, Sykes said — unless former Vice President Dick Cheney puts out a hip-hop album. In that case, “we’re booking him,” she said.

Aerosmith’s Tyler broke shoulder in fall

Chicago — Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has a broken shoulder and stitches in his head after falling from the stage during a South Dakota concert, and the band plans to discuss what that means for the future of its current tour, guitarist Joe Perry said Friday.

Perry told The Associated Press after a stop at a Chicago radio station that Tyler has been flown to Boston and was meeting with his own doctor. Perry did not have further details on Tyler’s condition.

Tyler, 61, fell several feet while dancing around as the sound crew replaced a fuse that blew during the song “Love in an Elevator” at the Buffalo Chip Campground, which hosted the Wednesday night concert during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. An amateur video showed him spinning around before falling off the stage.

Perry said band members planned to talk Friday about the tour. A show in Winnipeg, Canada, already was postponed but Perry said he wasn’t sure what would happen with the remaining 18 tour dates. The band’s Web site didn’t mention other cancellations Friday evening.

The band is scheduled to play the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 1.