NBC says Rickey Minor of "American Idol" is taking over as music director of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

He replaces Kevin Eubanks, who made his May 28 "Tonight" departure date official on Monday.

In an announcement yesterday, NBC says Minor is expected to debut on the show June 7.

Minor is the music director of "American Idol," whose season ends in late May. He will continue to consult with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller on various projects.

WALSH-YOUNG SPLIT IS NOW OFFICIAL

Kate Walsh has finalized her divorce from her former film executive husband, Alex Young.

Court filings show a judge dissolved the couple's marriage yesterday in Los Angeles.

Young, a film producer who was a former film executive at 20th Century Fox, filed for divorce in December 2008. He and Walsh, who stars on ABC's "Private Practice," married in September 2007.

The couple had no children together.

QUAIDS WANTED BY THE LAW ONCE AGAIN

Randy Quaid and his wife are once again wanted by authorities.

The couple failed to show up for a court appearance in Santa Barbara on Monday on charges they defrauded an innkeeper. Senior Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter said they also didn't show up when their case was again called yesterday.

Arrest warrants have been repeatedly sought and later quashed for the Quaids, who were charged last year with failing to pay a $10,000 hotel bill.

They pleaded not guilty in December and were released on $40,000 bail. Carter said that bail has now been forfeited.

ACTOR LOBBIES FOR MORE ARTS FUNDING

"Desperate Housewives" actor Kyle MacLachlan, who plays Orson Hodge on the series, urged lawmakers yesterday to increase arts funding, saying he got his start performing in community theaters that received federal grants.

MacLachlan joined hundreds of arts advocates on Capitol Hill to press Congress for increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

"You are our champions here in the halls of Congress, and for many of us you hold our livelihoods in your hands," MacLachlan told a House subcommittee.

R&B DIVA LABELLE GETTING A DEGREE

Veteran R&B diva Patti LaBelle is getting an honorary degree from Temple University in her hometown of Philadelphia.

The university will present LaBelle with the doctorate in humane letters at its May 13 commencement ceremony.

LaBelle's singing career has spanned more than four decades and includes several hit records and two Grammy Awards. She has also written four books, two of which are cookbooks.

— Advertiser News Services