Boston, MA (WFN) -- Bill Cosby has reason to sing: He is getting an honorary degree in music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Cosby -- who has composed various albums of jazz music -- is getting the degree, in part, because he has used his hit TV show to introduce couch potatoes to music greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Williams.

NEW YORK -- Millions of fans enjoy Toni Braxton's voice, but she can't use it around her two young sons. The "Unbreak My Heart" singer says her natural voice is so heavy she sounds "like Bea Arthur," and that frightens her kids. She tells the upcoming "Redbook" magazine that when she communicates with her boys, "I have to talk in this high voice and sing a little Elmo song."

LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears can't even get a private moment in the bathroom these days. According to E! Online gossip columnist Ted Casablancas, the pop star's handlers have been instructed to chaperone her everywhere -- including the john -- in the wake of her quickie Las Vegas marriage. Brit's bodyguards reportedly clear out the restroom of any public place she enters, then stay in the loo with her to make sure she's OK.

CHICAGO -- The backbiting between George W. Bush and John Kerry may be driving some voters to drink but not many Americans want to drink with them. According to a survey by Caravella liqueur, 91 percent don't want share a cocktail with a presidential candidate. Instead, 43 percent want to booze it up with a famous actor; 29 percent would rather drink with a musician and 10 percent want to suck down the sauce with someone they've seen on TV.

Appease an angry Great Volcano by winning 10 Tribal Challenges in SKIP-BO Castaway Caper! Take advantage of this incredible bargain and get two hit puzzle games for one low price!

More Weird News From 2004-04-09 The day's offbeat stories from around the world. • Short Stories Speed Up In Subway Lit Series • Flash Lites: Rip 'N' Read Pop Culture Recap • 10,000 Easter Eggs At White House Easter Egg Roll -- And One Plastic Cowpie • Yoga + Flamenco = 'Yomenco' • It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Easter Egg Hunt • Eleanor Roosevelt II Remembers Eleanor Roosevelt • Trenyce Not Idle After 'American Idol' • No Rest For Weary 'Restaurant' Owner • Mel Gibson's 'Passion' Leaves A Stamp On Greeting Card Industry • Beauties Eat Some Beasts: Miss USA Contestants On 'Fear Factor' • Around The Weird: Bizarre News Briefs   « Current Weird News Stories