Lily Tomlin backs Leslie Jordan’s one-man show

Tomlin is in the ‘Pink’

Lily Tomlin is going off-Broadway -- as a producer.

Tomlin and her longtime collaborator, Jane Wagner -- their “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe” played on Broadway in 1985-86 -- said Monday that they will join the producing team presenting Leslie Jordan’s one-man show “My Trip Down the Pink Carpet,” scheduled to open April 19 at the Midtown Theater in New York.

Jordan, best known for his portrayal of Beverley Leslie on the long-running NBC comedy series “Will & Grace,” performed the autobiographical show in L.A. in 2008 before launching a national tour.

Tomlin and Wagner are joining the ranks of celebrity stage producers. Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, are backing the play “Next Fall,” opening on Broadway next month. And rap star Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are involved in the current Broadway musical hit “Fela!”

-- associated press Marty, Bob and the mob

Martin Scorsese is keen to revive a cinematic partnership with Robert De Niro that goes back to “Mean Streets” nearly 40 years ago and says the project will be related to the mobster world.

“Bob De Niro [and I] are talking about something that has to do with that world,” Scorsese told reporters after a screening of his latest film, “Shutter Island,” at the Berlin film festival. “There’s no doubt about that. We’re working on something like that, but it’s from the vantage point of older men looking back, none of this running-around stuff.”

The Hollywood heavyweights last worked together on “Casino” in 1995. Earlier collaborations include “Raging Bull,” “Taxi Driver” and “Cape Fear.”

-- reuters Madonna will ref ‘Marriage’

Maybe she will have advice on what not to do in a marriage.

Madonna, who’s been divorced twice, is going to be on “The Marriage Ref,” an NBC reality show that will premiere after the Olympics.

Her spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed that Madonna would appear on the show, where celebrities and a referee try to help couples in conflict. The episode has not been taped, and Rosenberg did not have further details.

Madonna has been married to Sean Penn and most recently to Guy Ritchie.

-- associated press Oscar special is Walters’ last

What will Oscar night be without Barbara Walters’ accompanying celebrity special? We’ll find out next year.

Walters announced Monday on “The View” that her 29th such program, coming March 7 and featuring interviews with nominees Sandra Bullock and Mo’Nique, will be her last.

“I think I’m sick of them,” Walters explained. “I feel I’ve been there, done that. Twenty-nine years is enough.”

Asked by co-host Joy Behar why she didn’t wait another year and make it an even 30, Walters replied, “That would be cliché.”

Walters, who left “20/20” after 25 years, said she will still co-host “The View,” go on special assignment for ABC News and continue her “The 10 Most Fascinating People” special.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez Brian Bedford will be ladylike

Lady Bracknell is bound for Broadway, but not in her usual fashion.

One of Oscar Wilde’s most famous characters will be part of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s season next year when it presents a revival of “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Brian Bedford will direct the production and star as the English society matron with a fondness for scathing remarks and flamboyant hats.

Bedford, who turns 75 Tuesday, performed both duties in a production seen at Canada’s Stratford Festival last summer.

-- associated press Goyas don’t embrace Cruz

Penélope Cruz, nominated for an Academy Award in the musical “Nine,” came up short in another awards competition this weekend.

She’d been nominated as best actress at the Goya Awards, Spain’s version of the Oscars, for her performance in the Pedro Almodóvar film “Broken Embraces” but lost to Lola Duenas as a woman who falls in love with a man with Down syndrome in “Me, Too.”

-- associated press