Phoenix confirms he’s walking the hip-hop line

Los Angeles — Joaquin Phoenix says there’s no hoax about it: He really has given up acting to become a hip-hop musician.

Phoenix has been spending his time laying down tracks for a rap album in the recording studio he built at his home, the two-time Academy Award nominee said Tuesday in an interview to promote what he claims is his final movie, “Two Lovers.”

After video hit the Internet last month capturing part of Phoenix’s debut rap performance at a Las Vegas club, speculation swirled that he was perpetrating an elaborate practical joke.

“I don’t know where that comes from,” Phoenix said. “If it comes from people that I’ve had a falling out with, that are (ticked) off at me?”

The video shows Phoenix, in a long, scraggly beard, rapping nearly inaudibly and ends with him losing his footing and falling off the stage. It was an inauspicious start, but Phoenix was adamant that his hip-hop career is real.

“There’s not a hoax,” Phoenix said. “Might I be ridiculous? Might my career in music be laughable? Yeah, that’s possible, but that’s certainly not my intention.”

Batman goes Bale-istic with profane tirade

Los Angeles — Dark Knight indeed.

Christian Bale can be heard in newly surfaced audio delivering a long, profanity-laced verbal thrashing to a cinematographer and anyone who tried to calm him down on the set of the upcoming movie “Terminator Salvation.”

The three-minute clip was posted Monday on the Web site TMZ.com and has become a viral sensation on the Internet — it’s even spawned a dance music remix of the audio tape.

In it, the actor who portrayed Batman in “The Dark Knight” rails against cinematographer Shane Hurlbut for apparently walking behind co-star Bryce Dallas Howard and through Bale’s line of sight, considered a film-set foul.

“If you do it one more time I ain’t walking on this set if you’re still hired!” Bale howls in one of the few publishable moments from the clip.

Later, he screams: “Do you want me to go and trash your lights? Do you want me to go and trash them? … Then why are you trashing my scene?”

The incident took place last July on the set at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Ben Stein cancels Vt. speech in evolution row

Burlington, Vt. — Comedian Ben Stein has withdrawn as the University of Vermont’s commencement speaker because of complaints about his critical views on evolution in favor of intelligent design.

UVM President Daniel Fogel said he chose Stein based on the warm response to a lecture he gave on campus last spring. Fogel said, however, he was deluged with e-mail messages from people offended by Stein’s views of science.

When told about the criticism, Stein — who was to be paid $7,500 — backed out of the May 17 commencement, Fogel said.

“I did not ask him not to come,” he said. “I was not going to let him be blind-sided by controversy.”

The former host of Comedy Central’s “Win Ben Stein’s Money” quiz show, Stein has drawn fire previously for criticizing evolutionary theory and speaking in favor of intelligent design. That view holds that life is too complex to have developed through evolution alone, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation.

Elton John to close Las Vegas show

Las Vegas — Elton John is playing his final notes on the red piano in Las Vegas.

Promoters say the pop singer will close his Las Vegas Strip show, “The Red Piano,” on April 22.

The show made its debut in February 2004 at The Colosseum theater at Caesars Palace. After initially signing on for 75 shows, John’s engagement was extended.

The casino says the closing show will be the 241st performance.

Tickets for the final engagement go on sale Thursday. John’s show alternates with other Colosseum headline acts, including Bette Midler and Cher.

Jonas Brothers to visit CW with film peek

Los Angeles — Love them or not, the Jonas Brothers just keep popping up.

The CW network says the singers will host a night of programming Tuesday that includes the dramas “90210” and “Privileged.” They’ll provide a sneak peek of their new 3-D concert film based on their “Burning Up” tour.

Fans looking for a musical performance will get a clip of the group performing the hit song “Tonight.”

Jim Belushi to ride in Orpheus parade

New Orleans — Jim Belushi is heading to New Orleans this month to celebrate Mardi Gras and ride in the glitzy Orpheus parade founded in 1993 by Harry Connick Jr.

The 54-year-old Belushi will be one of several TV stars on the parade’s 35 floats, which will roll through the city Feb. 23, the evening before Mardi Gras.

Also riding are actor Bryan Batt of TV series “Mad Men,” comedian Carlos Mencia, former “American Idol” contestant Josh Gracin and daytime TV stars Christian LeBlanc of “The Young and the Restless” and Ricky Paull Goldin of “All My Children.”

Belushi, the star of ABC’s “According to Jim,” also will perform with his 14-piece band, the Sacred Hearts Band, at the Orpheus ball after the parade.