Sharon Stone to guest on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’

‘SVU’ nabs Sharon Stone

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has landed a high-profile guest star to spice up its 11th season. Sharon Stone is joining the NBC drama for four episodes, playing a prosecutor who used to be a police officer, the network announced Tuesday. Stone has not yet begun shooting the episodes, which will air later this season.

“It is obviously a thrill and a delight to have a star of Sharon’s wattage and importance joining ‘SVU,’ ” executive producer Dick Wolf said in a statement.

The “Basic Instinct” star is no stranger to television: She won an Emmy for her role on “The Practice” and also appeared on “Will & Grace.”

“SVU” is known for its stunt casting, as Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello noted. Earlier this season, the program featured guest turns by Hilary Duff and Carol Burnett.

-- Matea Gold Kirkus closing put on hold

Kirkus Reviews, a longtime publishing magazine that was supposed to shut down, may be getting a reprieve.

According to a posting Tuesday on the Kirkus website, a potential buyer has emerged and the magazine will continue publishing at least until negotiations have finished, likely within the next two to three weeks.

“It sounds promising,” said Kirkus Managing Editor Eric Liebetrau, who did not identify the possible buyer. Last month, the Nielsen Co. announced it would close Kirkus, which bookstores and libraries have depended on for decades for early reviews of upcoming releases.

-- associated press Costume House gift educational

The holiday season is over, but an L.A.-area theater education program has received a major gift: a huge collection of costumes.

Phantom Projects said this week that it had become the recipient of the entire inventory of the Costume House. The value of the collection has been appraised at $500,000, according to Phantom artistic director Steve Cisneros.

The La Mirada-based Phantom Projects Educational Theatre Group produces youth-oriented theater projects that aim to engage local students in the performing arts. The company stages classic plays and new works throughout its season, with many at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The Costume House in Irvine has a collection that includes full wardrobes for nearly 50 stage productions, including “Guys and Dolls,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “The Wiz.” The Irvine business was founded by Kathy Gillespie, who has decided to retire and donate the inventory.

Company leaders said they intended to make money for the theater company from the donation by opening a costume rental shop in the spring.

-- David Ng Charge against Butler dropped

A Los Angeles judge has dropped a misdemeanor battery charge against Gerard Butler. Superior Court spokeswoman Mary Hearn says the charge was dismissed after a hearing Tuesday, with the move dependent on the actor completing community service.

Butler could have faced up to six months in jail if convicted. His attorney Blair Berk declined to comment.

City prosecutors say the Scottish-born star of “300” had a run-in with a photographer on Oct. 7 after leaving a premiere party for the film “RocknRolla.” His manager has said Butler was forced to have his driver stop the car after the photographer sped through red lights and almost struck two pedestrians.

-- associated press Sanford memoir gets earlier date

South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford’s memoir about dealing with her husband’s infidelity will be published next month instead of in May.

The 240-page “Staying True” goes on sale Feb. 5, according to the website for Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House Inc.

Jenny Sanford filed for divorce from Gov. Mark Sanford last month and a final hearing on the petition is scheduled for late February. But Random House spokeswoman Theresa Zoro said moving up the publication date had nothing to do with the divorce.

“The book was done and we wanted to get it out there,” she said.

-- associated press Finally

Broadway bound: Oscar nominee Viola Davis will join Denzel Washington in the revival of August Wilson’s “Fences,” arriving on Broadway in April.

Honored: The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. says it will honor Kevin Bacon for his philanthropic work at its Critics’ Choice Awards on Jan. 15.