Quick Takes: Ancient mosaic found

L.A. Times Archives

July 30, 2011 12 AM PT

Excavations in the bowels of an ancient Roman hill have turned up a well-preserved, late 1st century wall mosaic with a figure of Apollo, nude except for a colorful mantle over a shoulder.

Archaeologists and city officials unveiled the recent find to reporters Friday on the Oppian Hill.

The mosaic-covered wall is 53 feet wide and at least

61/2 feet high. Officials think the wall continues down about 261/2 feet more.

Archaeologists say the wall appears to be in a tunnel built to help support Trajan’s Baths, named for the emperor who ruled from 98 till 117. The mosaic, which also depicts a Muse, apparently embellished a room where wealthy Romans gathered to hear music and discuss art.

—Associated Press

Alaska reality TV show

There’s another reality TV show set in Alaska in the works.

The Weather Channel has announced it will produce a new series featuring Coast Guard rescue swimmers and pilots stationed on Kodiak Island.

The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports there will be seven, one-hour episodes, with the first to air Nov. 9.

The show, tentatively called “Coast Guard Alaska,” will feature dramatic rescues and focus on the training and preparation of the Guardsmen. It will also follow members of the Coast Guard during their off-duty hours.

—Associated Press

‘Glee’ spinoff put on hold

After a July 13 interview set the Internet abuzz with news of three “Glee” actors’ leaving the show, series co-creator Ryan Murphy is setting the record straight.

“I said two things in an interview: I said, yes, they are graduating, and they will not be back on the show for Season Four,” Murphy told the website Deadline. However, he added, that shouldn’t have been news to the actors.

Murphy said the original plan was to create a spinoff following Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) to Juilliard in New York, which the actors knew.

But since all of the drama went down regarding the characters’ upcoming “graduation,” Murphy said he has decided to put plans for a spinoff on hold.

—CNN

Chuck Berry statue dedicated

The image is timeless Americana: Chuck Berry hunched over, ready to launch into his famous Duck Walk, picking his Gibson guitar and wailing a song.

It’s the image captured in the statue of the man considered by many to be the father of rock ‘n’ roll, dedicated Friday in the University City Loop area of suburban St. Louis.

Berry, now 84, still performs monthly at Blueberry Hill, a club and restaurant across the street from the new statue. He spoke only briefly at the dedication ceremony on a sweltering day as hundreds paid tribute to the St. Louis native whose many hits included “Johnny B. Goode” and “Roll Over Beethoven.”

“I don’t know how to speak. I can sing a little bit,” Berry, wearing his signature captain’s hat and bolo tie, said after thanking people for braving the heat to come out. “I’m going to say thank you again, and I love you all.”

In recorded messages, Little Richard called Berry “the greatest entertainer in the world.” Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry called him “a national treasure.”

The 8-foot-tall, 1,200-pound statue was sculpted by Harry Weber, also a St. Louis native, whose other works include a Bobby Orr statue in Boston, a statue of Lewis and Clark on the St. Louis riverfront and sculptures of sports figures at Busch Stadium and 11 other stadiums.

—Associated Press

Lockout punts ‘Hard Knocks’

No NFL team will be taking “Hard Knocks” this summer.

HBO said Friday the uncertainty of the lockout “made it impractical for a team to commit” to the popular training camp reality show. The series is set to return next year.

The network will broadcast a 10th anniversary special Aug. 31 looking back at past “Hard Knocks.”

—Associated Press

N.Y. museum hikes ticket costs

New York City’s Museum of Modern Art is raising the price of admission.

MoMA said it would hike the price of adult tickets starting in September, to $25 from the current $20. It said the increase is needed because of escalating costs in virtually all aspects of operating the museum.

It will be the first admission fee increase since 2004.

The city’s Metropolitan Museum of Art recently also raised its suggested price to $25 from $20.

—Associated Press