Knight to judge singers

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Move over Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez, a veteran singing diva is joining the ranks of judges on reality TV: Gladys Knight.

BET’s sister network Centric announced Wednesday that Knight will work as the “lead judge” on “Apollo Live.” The new series is a singing competition at New York’s famed Apollo Theater and puts a new spin on the venue’s popular “Amateur Night” showcase. It will debut in the fall.

Knight joins previously announced judges Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe.

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband will serve as her temporary conservator under an agreement reached with the ailing actress’ daughter and approved by a judge Wednesday.

Attorneys announced a settlement between Frederic von Anhalt, Gabor’s husband of 25 years, and her daughter Constance Francesca Hilton during a hearing. Superior Court Judge Reva Goetz approved the provisions, which call for financial oversight by several attorneys and allow Hilton to visit with her mother weekly.

Von Anhalt will continue to make medical decision about his wife’s care.

Florence + The Machine have pulled out of two European concerts because the lead singer has lost her voice and been told not to perform to avoid permanent damage.

Florence Welch explained the situation on Twitter on Wednesday.

As well as passing on her apologies to fans, Welch tweeted about what happened, saying: “I cannot sing for a week ... seriously I felt something snap, it was very frightening.”

A Hollywood-supported telethon to fight cancer is returning to network and cable TV. Gwyneth Paltrow will serve as an executive producer for the live, hourlong “Stand Up to Cancer” special to raise money and awareness to fight the disease.

The Sept. 7 telethon will air commercial-free on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC and on cable channels.

Among celebrity birthdays today: Actor-comedian Bill Cosby is 75. Singer Christine McVie is 69. Actor Jay Thomas is 64. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 64. Actress Cheryl Ladd is 61. Singer Sandi Patty is 56. Singer Robin Wilson is 47. Actor Topher Grace is 34. Actress Michelle Rodriguez is 34. Singer-guitarist Kimberly Perry is 29.