Quick Takes: Kathy Griffin chides ‘Hoarders’ ad

To promote its Emmy nomination, A&E bought a print ad for “Hoarders” that used quotes from celebrity fan Kathy Griffin.

The problem? “Hoarders” and Bravo’s “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” are both nominated in the reality program category.

Not happy with her competitor’s tactic, Griffin has come out with her own Emmy promo ad that reads, “Quoting me in an Emmy ad? Bravo, Hoarders. BRAVO.” Griffin is pictured among stacks of newspapers and magazines, a la “Hoarders.”

Griffin has often mentioned her love of the A&E show and has even brought it up in her Bravo stand-up specials.

—CNN

Opera about Mandela to bow

The refined strains of Western opera and traditional Xhosa song and a sexy dose of jazz drive a new opera that opens Saturday in Johannesburg about South Africa’s former president and anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela.

The range of musical styles in “Mandela Trilogy” reflects South Africa’s mix of cultures, the production’s writer and director Michael Williams said in an interview before a dress rehearsal on Friday.

The sweeping production shows Mandela cheating on his wife, making political missteps and struggling with the burden of holding others’ lives in his hands.

—Associated Press

Festival honors Glenn Close

Actress Glenn Close will receive a lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian film festival in Spain next month for a career that has shocked, delighted and moved audiences for more than 30 years, organizers said Friday.

The five-time Academy Award nominee and twice Golden Globe winner will be presented with the award on Sept. 18 and will also travel to the festival for the European premiere of her latest film, “Albert Nobbs,” set in 19th century Ireland.

—Reuters

Alec Baldwin, ‘SNL’ mainstay

Alec Baldwin will earn bragging rights as the most familiar “Saturday Night Live” host when he opens the NBC show’s 37th season on Sept. 24.

It will be his 16th time as host. The “30 Rock” actor moves past Steve Martin, who has done it 15 times. Radiohead will be the musical guest, the network said Friday.

Melissa McCarthy of CBS’ “Mike & Molly” and the movie “Bridesmaids” will be the host of the show’s second week, her “SNL” debut. The country trio Lady Antebellum will be her musical guest.

—Associated Press

‘SVU’ episode echoes DSK case

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” often seems to echo real life, and the Sept. 21 season opener of this NBC crime drama is no different.

NBC says the episode will deal with an Italian dignitary accused of rape. Franco Nero, who appeared last year in the film “Letters to Juliet,” stars as the official.

The network routinely insists “SVU” is fiction. But this episode appears to mirror the case of ex-International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a front-runner for the French presidency until his arrest in May on charges of sexually assaulting a hotel housekeeper in Manhattan. He has pleaded not guilty.

The woman has since filed a civil lawsuit against him.

—Associated Press

‘Dance’ winner eyes Gaga gig

The day after winning “So You Think You Can Dance,” Melanie Moore said Friday that she hopes to pursue dance as a career, whether it be with a company, or — as she was offered on the show — performing in the remake of “Dirty Dancing” or dancing backup for Lady Gaga.

“[Gaga] is an amazing artist. My best friend is obsessed with her. I would be more than overjoyed to work with her,” she said. “I think [‘Dirty Dancing’] would be so much fun, because Kenny Ortega’s choreography is amazing. So I hope it’s a verbal contract!”

As for that $250,000 prize she earned on the Fox show, Moore isn’t thinking too extravagantly about what to spend it on.

“I want to get really nice carry-on luggage since I’ll be traveling,” she said, “or a nice ring or something.”

—CNN

Finally

Renewal: TNT has renewed its lighthearted caper drama “Leverage” for a fifth season, ordering 15 episodes for next summer.

Turning back: Masterworks Broadway plans to release a 40th-anniversary CD of “Godspell” this fall, featuring both the original off-Broadway cast recording from 1971 and the soundtrack from the 1973 film adaptation, plus new liner notes by composer Stephen Schwartz.