CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

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David Letterman, already the longest-tenured talk show host on late-night television, has agreed to extend his contract with CBS to remain on the "Late Show" into 2015.

The deal means Letterman will compete directly for at least a year with the two Jimmys — Kimmel, on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and Fallon, who’s taking over at NBC’s “Tonight” show this winter.

Letterman joked on Friday that he had a lengthy discussion with CBS Corp. President Leslie Moonves “and we both agreed that I needed a little more time to fully run the show into the ground.”

Letterman, 66, has been on the air for 31 years since beginning at NBC in the time slot following Johnny Carson in 1982. His contract was set to expire next summer.

It’s unclear how long into 2015 the new contract extends. Neither CBS nor Letterman made any mention in Friday’s announcement of this being a final contract at the “Late Show.”

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CBS says Halle Berry will star in a serialized drama coming to the network next summer.

The Oscar-winning actress will headline “Extant,” a 13-episode thriller. Berry will play an astronaut trying to reconnect with her family when she returns after a year in outer space. Her experiences lead to events that change the course of history. The series is being made in partnership with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, which made last summer’s surprise hit for CBS, “Under the Dome.” CBS announced “Extant” in August.

CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said Berry is the type of actress “you dream of collaborating with for an event project such as ‘Extant.’”

The 47-year-old Berry won an Oscar in 2002 for her starring role in “Monster’s Ball.”

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Neil Young will perform at a benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music that Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and Anthony Kiedis will host.

The organization announced Friday that the event will take place Oct. 30 in Silverlake, Calif. Red Hot Chili Peppers will also perform.

Flea founded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music in 2001. It facilitates music education and offers music lessons and scholarships.

The RHCP bassist says in a statement that he’s “grateful” for all the help given to the organization. He adds that Young performing at the event “is the greatest blessing.”

Associated Press

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

TV personality Joy Behar is 71. Drummer Kevin Godley of 10cc is 68. Country singer Kieran Kane of The O'Kanes is 64. Musician John Mellencamp is 62. Guitarist Ricky Phillips of Styx is 62. Actress Mary Badham ("To Kill a Mockingbird") is 61. Actress Christopher Norris ("Trapper John, M.D.") is 60. Drummer Tico Torres of Bon Jovi is 60. Gospel singer Michael W. Smith is 56. "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell is 54. Guitarist Charlie Marinkovich of Iron Butterfly is 54. Singer Ann Curless of Expose is 50. Singer Toni Braxton is 46. Singer Thom Yorke of Radiohead is 45. Actress Allison Munn ("One Tree Hill") is 39. Singer Damian Kulash of OK Go is 38. Singer Taylor Hicks ("American Idol") is 37.