Blagojevich to compete on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’

New York — Donald Trump boasted that the upcoming season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” is the best ever and promised the star power of its cast “blows ‘Dancing With the Stars’ away.”

Maybe the most interesting (to use Trump’s pet adjective) participant is former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Vaulted to infamy by headlines and punch lines, he is charged with scheming to auction off President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat, campaign fundraising abuses and other offenses. He was removed from office last January, but has denied wrongdoing.

Maybe not so interesting: the comedian-actor Sinbad and Australian TV chef Curtis Stone.

Baseball great Darryl Strawberry, rock-star wife and TV personality Sharon Osbourne, and Olympic gold-medal sprinter Michael Johnson will also be competing, along with singer Cyndi Lauper, actress Holly Robinson Peete and Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks.

The Trump-hosted competition show premieres March 14.

‘The Simpsons’ to mark 450th episode

New York — To speak of the latest milestone by “The Simpsons” seems to restate the obvious.

Long before now, enduring life for “The Simpsons” and its brightly jaundiced folk was simply assumed. What began 20 years ago as a fluke then erupted into a pop-culture juggernaut has continued to spin yarns, spawn characters and lampoon society with no end in sight.

On Sunday at 7 p.m. on Fox, “The Simpsons” is airing its 450th episode. “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” will be followed by an hourlong documentary from Morgan Spurlock (“30 Days,” “Super Size Me”), fancifully titled “The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice.”

During this season, when NBC’s “Law & Order” boasts of having tied “Gunsmoke” as TV’s longest-running prime-time drama, “The Simpsons” has seized the mantle as TV’s longest-running scripted nighttime series — period. Ay, caramba!

“I think we could do it for another 20 years, actually,” Matt Groening, “Simpsons” uber-creator, told The Associated Press at a recent “Simpsons” tribute by Los Angeles’ Paley Center for Media. Then he dissolved into giggles.

“Omigod! Another 20? We’ll TRY,” he chortled. “We’ll do our BEST!”

P.M. named GQ’s worst-dressed man

London — It’s a poll victory, of sorts. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been named the worst-dressed man of the year by the British edition of GQ magazine.

The magazine said Brown, who faces an election this year, is “anything but a prime example of British style.” Brown’s signature look is a dark suit, slightly rumpled.

Wild-haired comedian Russell Brand was second on the worst-dressed list, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy was third.

“Twilight” heartthrob Robert Pattinson was named best-dressed man by the magazine on Monday.

The best-dressed top 10 also includes the members of reunited boy band Take That, James Bond star Daniel Craig and the dapper animated star of the movie “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” voiced by George Clooney.

Matthew McConaughey announces birth of girl

Dallas — Actor Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend have announced the birth of their second child — a baby girl.

The actor says on his Web site that Vida Alves McConaughey was born Sunday. She weighs seven pounds, seven ounces.

McConaughey says his girlfriend, model Camila Alves, is “recovering wonderfully” and the couple welcomed “this little lady into our family.”

The couple had a son, Levi, in 2008.

McConaughey spokesman Alan Nierob confirmed the Web posting in an e-mail on Monday.

L.A. judge sets hearing in Polanski sex case

Los Angeles — Roman Polanski’s long-delayed criminal case will return to a courtroom for a hearing later this week, a court official said Monday.

Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Judge Peter Espinoza will convene a hearing on Polanski’s case for Wednesday afternoon.

It’s the first time the 32-year-old sex case will be back in court since a state appeals court last month rejected Polanski’s bid to have it dismissed. The appeals court, however, suggested the case could end quickly if Polanski’s attorneys agreed to sentencing in absentia or he drops his opposition to being extradited to the United States.

Polanski is under house arrest at his Swiss chalet. He was arrested in late September on a fugitive warrant.

Morgan Freeman now on CBS voiceover

New York — Nearly six months after Walter Cronkite’s death, his voice is leaving the “CBS Evening News.”

His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced Monday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman.

The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the beginning of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite’s voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.

Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus.