Just a day after being revealed as the replacement for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, the South African comedian Trevor Noah has been forced to defend himself against a backlash over tweeted jokes about Jews and women, describing them as an unfair reflection of him and his comedy. "To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didn't land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian," Noah said on Tuesday on his Twitter account, the same one on which the controversial tweets were posted. Daily Show broadcaster Comedy Central said: "To judge him or his comedy based on a handful of jokes is unfair." Noah's controversial tweets were posted between 2009 and 2014. In 2009 he wrote: "Almost bumped a Jewish kid crossing the road. He didn't look b4 crossing but I still would have felt so bad in my german car." Other jokes poked fun at "Jewish chicks", "a hot white woman" and "fat chicks". In an interview on Monday from Dubai, where Noah played four dates last week as part of his Lost in Translation stand-up tour, he likened himself to the New York-born Stewart, saying, "We are both progressives ... travelling the world I've learnt that progressives, regardless of their locations, think in a global space." – AP
Singer Joni Mitchell in intensive care
The folk singer Joni Mitchell was in intensive care in a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday. “Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon,” a message on her website said. “She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits.” Further details of her illness or condition were not revealed. She was taken to hospital after paramedics answered a 911 call in Bel Air. The 71-year-old singer-songwriter told Billboard magazine in December that she has a rare skin condition, Morgellons disease, which prevents her from performing. She has won eight Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. – AP
New Star Wars trailer coming soon
A new trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens – which was partly filmed in Abu Dhabi last year – will screen with Avengers: Age of Ultron, according to Collider.com. The latest Marvel superhero team-up movie is due to be released on April 30. While the news refers to the American release of the film on May 1, it seems likely that the Star Wars trailer will also accompany the Marvel film when it is released here, though this has yet to be confirmed. The trailer will premiere at the Star Wars Celebration convention being held in California from April 16 to 19. – The National staff
Lebanese fashion designer Basil Soda dies
Basil Soda, one of Lebanon’s best-known international fashion designers, has died. His death was announced on the social-media pages of his fashion house, which described him as a “great international designer ... who built his company single-handedly”. It added: “A great man, who will always be remembered for his craft and beautiful soul.” Soda died at the age of 47 after a battle with cancer. No further details were given. He began his fashion career in 2000, and was based in Beirut. – AFP
Clarkson live shows will go on with Top Gear branding
Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson will continue to appear on an international tour of live motor shows despite being dropped as the presenter of hit BBC TV series. The stage shows starring Clarkson and Top Gear co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May were planned before he was dropped after hitting one of the show's producers. Under an agreement between BBC Worldwide and its partner, Brand Events, the tour will continue but without the BBC and Top Gear labels, under the name Clarkson, Hammond and May Live. A BBC Worldwide spokesman said the shows would go ahead "so as not to disappoint the thousands of people around the world who have already purchased tickets". Clarkson was dropped from the highly popular Top Gear after verbally and physically attacking producer Oisin Tymon in a dispute over a lack of hot food at the end of a day of filming. – AFP
X Files star releases his first album
X Files actor David Duchovny is releasing his first music album. He announced on Tuesday that Hell or Highwater will be released on May 12, featuring 12 songs he wrote. Duchovny has won two Golden Globes and is best known for his roles in the TV series The X Files and Californication. It was recently announced that he and co-star Gillian Anderson are set to return as FBI agents Mulder and Scully in a revival of The X-Files. Anderson will be a guest at the Middle East Film and Comic Convention in Dubai next weekend. Duchovny said making the album was a "dream come true", though it was shocking to think he now has a musical career. The first single from the album, the title track, is already is available. The music is being released on ThinkSay Records. Duchovny will also star in the a bew NBC series, Aquarius, which begins on the US on May 28. – AP
