RATED: The two-hour finale of ABC's "The Bachelor" on Wednesday pulled in a whopping 18.6 million viewers and gave the network a victory as the November sweep headed into its final week, according to Nielsen Media Research. Not surprisingly, the audience peaked from 10:30-11 p.m. (going to 20.8 million), as bachelor Bob Guiney picked Estella Gardinier as his mate. Still, this year's edition couldn't top the first "Bachelor" in November 2002, which snagged 25.9 million viewers.
QUOTED: "All I want to say to Paris is you're being led down the wrong path. You come on this show, by God, we'll make you a hero." -- David Letterman, 56, on Thursday's "Late Show," after socialite (turned amateur-video porn star) Paris Hilton backed out of a booking on his program
DROPPED: Australian police on Friday dropped malicious damages and property damages charges against Coldplay singer Chris Martin, 26, reports Reuters. The British singer and boyfriend of Gwyneth Paltrow had been charged with damaging a photographer's car windshield after having his picture taken in July while surfing on Australia's east coast. Martin was not in court as police announced the dismissal.
DIED: Onetime child star Jonathan Brandis, 27, whose credits included two seasons on Steven Spielberg's "SeaQuest DSV," died Nov. 12, reports Reuters. The L.A. County Coroner's office is investigating the death, which was reported by the LAPD as a possible suicide, said Lt. Ed Winter of the coroner's Investigations Bureau. The coroner performed an autopsy, but the cause of death will not be announced for at least another month, when the results of blood and toxicology tests are returned.
DIAGNOSED: Isaac Hanson, 23, oldest member of pop group Hanson, is being treated for a blood clot in his right arm, reports the Associated Press. "He'll be in the hospital for a few days," says his publicist. "He's uncomfortable, obviously, but he'll be fine." The musician had a venous clot, or thromboembolism, said the rep. The condition apparently came from playing the guitar too much, she said.
CAST: "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" star Patrick Swayze, 49, will join the national company of "Chicago" next month as singing and dancing shyster lawyer Billy Flynn, says Reuters. (Richard Gere played the role in the movie.) The touring production also stars Bianca Marroquin, who headlined the Mexico City production as condemned murderess Roxie Hart, and Reva Rice as her cohort-in-crime, Velma Kelly.
