Kevin Eubanks’ ‘Tonight Show’ future in doubt

Is Doc still available?

Jay Leno’s longtime bandleader, Kevin Eubanks, may not play very long once the Leno troupe returns to “The Tonight Show.”

NBC said Tuesday that Eubanks had expressed interest in personal touring and recording. The network said he would be part of the show when it returns March 1, but his continued involvement was uncertain.

The 52-year-old Eubanks, whose duties include comic sideman to Leno as well as guitarist, has been a fixture since Leno took the reins of “The Tonight Show” in 1992. He became musical director when Branford Marsalis left in 1995.

-- associated press Iranian film bows in Berlin

An Iranian movie made against the backdrop of last year’s election campaign and centering on a man whose wife is killed in a shootout between police and demonstrators made its debut Tuesday at the Berlin film festival.

Director Rafi Pitts said he received authorization to make “The Hunter” from Iranian authorities and shot it before the violence that followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed reelection last June.

Pitts, who grew up in Tehran but has lived in Britain and France since, said he had “no idea” when the film might be shown in Iran.

“I don’t think it’s a one-sided film, so I think it has the right to be shown,” he said at a news conference. “The question is, will they give me the right?”

-- associated press Raitt makes blues hall

Singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, Chicago bluesman Lonnie Brooks and harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite are among the artists selected to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis.

Raitt, whose 1989 album “Nick of Time” rose to the top of pop charts, has had far more commercial success outside the blues. But the Blues Hall of Fame committee said Tuesday it was recognizing her for her devotion to the genre and its musicians.

Raitt co-founded the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, an organization that provides financial and medical assistance to blues artists.

The induction ceremony will be May 5.

-- associated press Gaga sweeps Brit Awards

Flamboyant chanteuse Lady Gaga swept the United Kingdom’s Brit Awards Tuesday, winning three categories and offering an emotional tribute to Alexander McQueen, the British fashion designer who died last week.

Gaga collected awards for best international female artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for “The Fame,” and performed at the ceremony in London wearing a towering white wig and lace veil -- complete with ornate lace eyebrows.

At points, the singer appeared overcome with emotion and paid tribute to McQueen as she collected her first prize. Gaga, a friend of McQueen, recently wore his iconic lobster-claw shoes in her “Bad Romance” music video. The designer was found dead Thursday after apparently committing suicide.

The awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys, with most winners selected by a vote of more than 1,000 industry members.

U.S. rapper Jay-Z also claimed an award, for best international male. Kasabian were named best British band.

-- associated press Marlo Thomas memoir due

Marlo Thomas is looking back, with laughter.

The 72-year-old actress is working on “Growing Up Laughing,” a memoir about her childhood and the “star entertainer friends” of her father, comedian Danny Thomas, Hyperion said Tuesday.

The book comes out in September and also will feature childhood memories from Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart and other contemporary comedians.

In a statement issued by Hyperion, Thomas said her own experiences made her want to learn how “the seeds of humors got planted” for other entertainers.

-- associated press Finally

Early renewal: The CW says “Gossip Girl,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “90210” and “Supernatural” have been renewed for next season.