Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer's new album, “Can't Take a Hint,” released worldwide today in digital form, came on the heels of the two years that the comedian, actor, radio show host, writer and satirist spent in his adopted home of New Orleans, working on “The Big Uneasy,” his own non-satiric documentary about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, from which the city is still recovering. It's earned him awards at several film festivals where it has screened, and it's now widely available on Netflix.

Maybe Aubrey Plaza is on to something with her crazy stunts: The MTV Movie Awards she spectacularly crashed Sunday posted big ratings gains. The "Parks & Recreation" costar was supposedly tossed from the premises after coming onstage unannounced and trying to grab an award from actor Will Ferrell. But the audience apparently didn't mind: An average of 3.8-million viewers tuned in, according to Nielsen. That was up 11% compared with last year's show. In MTV's core demographic of viewers ages 18 to 34, the show did even better, zooming 45%. - Scott Collins 'Breakfast' nears a Broadway end In the wake of largely negative reviews and falling box-office receipts, the Broadway production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," starring "Game of Thrones" actress Emilia Clarke, will close on Sunday after a four-week run at New York's Cort Theatre.

Harry Shearer's article on the information age ("Eyewitness Moods," May 6) was such a delight. I don't always agree with his findings (rare), I don't always understand his musings (rare), but he's a master storyteller (well done)--we adore him. RON LAMANTIA Rancho Palos Verdes

Long before he began voicing Mr. Burns, Smithers and numerous other characters on “The Simpsons,” Harry Shearer was host of “Le Show,” a Sunday morning satirical program on KCRW-FM (89.9). Now, after 30 years, he's been dropped from the lineup at the Santa Monica-based public radio station. It's part of a shake-up of the weekend programming that includes cutting “Weekend All Things Considered” and a long-running music show hosted by Tom Schnabel, and replacing “Le Show” with NPR's “TED Radio Hour.” “Program changes are something I've wrestled with for the three years I've held this position and, inevitably, as we grow, we will and must change,” KCRW General Manager Jennifer Ferro said in a statement issued Monday.

Join actor-comedian Harry Shearer ("The Simpsons," "Le Show") and his wife, singer-songwriter and humorist Judith Owen, for an irreverent night of holiday laughs and catchy music that will have you singing along. Special guests include Richard Thompson, Julia Fordham, "Weird Al" Yankovic, C.J. Vanston, Jane Lynch and more. Largo, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Fri. 8 p.m. $50. (310) 855-0350; http://www.largo-la.com. For the Record : An earlier version of this item indicated that Katey Sagal, Michael McKean and Annette O'Toole would be part of this show.

Harry Shearer's new album, “Can't Take a Hint,” released worldwide today in digital form, came on the heels of the two years that the comedian, actor, radio show host, writer and satirist spent in his adopted home of New Orleans, working on “The Big Uneasy,” his own non-satiric documentary about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, from which the city is still recovering. It's earned him awards at several film festivals where it has screened, and it's now widely available on Netflix.

You can't blame Harry Shearer for feeling a twinge of regret just before the release of his latest satirical album of topical songs, "Can't Take a Hint. " "Pussy Riot and 'legitimate rape' in the news in the same week?" Shearer said, his eyes widening in disbelief as he leaned back into a love seat on the enclosed porch of his longtime home near the beach in Santa Monica. "I feel a little cheated. " But like anyone who's ever worked on an album - or any creative endeavor, for that matter - he also appreciates the pragmatic wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci's famous observation that "Art is never finished, only abandoned.

The cleverly titled documentary "The Big Uneasy" is a highly informative but, frankly, dull dissection of why, as writer-director Harry Shearer credibly posits, the floods that devastated New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina were not caused by a natural disaster but one that was uniquely man-made. This data-dense film is structured largely around dry testimony from two scientific investigators — UC Berkeley's Robert Bea and hurricane expert Ivor Van Heerden — along with Maria Garzino, a whistleblower from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' L.A. district.

The Early Show Tom Selleck ("Blue Bloods"). (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Frankie Valli; Martha Stewart; Sam Zien; Nelly. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC Good Morning America Shannon Miller. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Live With Regis and Kelly Eric Stonestreet; Boston Rob Mariano; Matthew Morrison. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Cat Cora, Ming Tsai and Marcus Samuelsson; James Woods; Jessie J; Tyra Banks. (N) 10 a.m. KABC The Doctors Preparing for menopause; reasons for not shedding the last 10 pounds.

Comedy mainstay and KCRW-FM host Harry Shearer and his wife, singer Judith Owen , host their "Holiday Sing-A-Long," featuring Julia Fordham , Christopher Guest , Jane Lynch , "Weird Al" Yankovic and pianist C.J. Vanston (plus surprise guests), an evening filled with tunes and irreverent wit. Come at 6 p.m. for a no-host bar and appetizers. All proceeds go to KCRW. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Sunday. $50 to $75 (sold out).www.kcrw.com/events/holiday-sing-a-long.

A little deep Googling reveals that a sizable hunk of what I've laughed at in American humor over the last 30 years bears the mark of Harry Shearer: On TV, "Saturday Night Live" and a dozen or so character voices on "The Simpsons." On radio, "The Jack Benny Program" (before my time but just thinking of Benny makes me smile) and "Le Show." On the big screen, "This Is Spinal Tap" and "Teddy Bears' Picnic." My seat was next to his at the O.J.

A quarter-century after the film "This Is Spinal Tap" catapulted a certain hapless, fictional heavy-metal group into the annals of rock music history, its three founding members will embark on a six-week, 30-city North American tour minus costumes, wailing electric guitars and even their signature 18-inch Stonehenge set.