"In a lot of ways, I really am the American dream," Tony Danza said. "I'm the son of an immigrant from Italy, and my father was a garbage man for the city of New York, and so for me to be dancing in front of the Capitol, that says something."

Danza hosts this year's PBS production of "A Capitol Fourth" (8 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, WQED). The former boxer turned actor ("Taxi," "Who's the Boss?") said he will kick off the night in grand style, replete with singing and dancing.

The aim of the evening, Danza said, "is to pay tribute to the country, to just raise our voices and our spirits in unison, to say how much we love this place and how much it means to us -- and to say happy birthday to it."

Jerry Colbert, the program's founder and executive producer, called this year's emcee Mr. Enthusiasm, remembering the last time Danza hosted the celebration in 1998. At that year's rehearsal, everyone stopped at intermission -- except for Danza.

"He stayed up there and talked to the audience the whole time and told jokes," Colbert said. "This guy loves it. He's up there on the stage, and he doesn't want to get off, so that's the kind of enthusiasm we like."

Among the performers for "A Capitol Fourth," which airs live from the West Lawn of the Capitol, will be former "American Idol" contestant Elliott Yamin, "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth.

Conductor Erich Kunzel will lead the National Symphony Orchestra in a tribute to the 50th anniversary of "West Side Story."

In keeping with the event's 27-year tradition, the evening will conclude with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," accompanied by live cannon fire and a display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. (Kimberly M. Holland, The Washington Post)

Hilton triples ratings

Paris Hilton's post-jail appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" drew about 3.2 million viewers, nearly triple the show's average audience.

Hilton's first TV chat since her release from jail aired Wednesday and gave King's show its best ratings of the year to date for a regularly scheduled telecast, CNN said Thursday. The program has been drawing about 1.1 million daily viewers.

Hilton, who spent about 23 days in custody before she was released Tuesday, told King that the jail experience prompted her to re-evaluate the role of partying in her life and that she intended to continue her "journey" of self-discovery.

She also wants to raise money for worthy causes, including "for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."

Hilton said the media have exaggerated her party-girl image and told King she's never taken drugs and does not have a drinking problem.

She was jailed after driving with a suspended license in violation of her probation on alcohol-related reckless driving charges. (Associated Press)

'Big Brother' is back

There will be plenty of drama in the "Big Brother" house this summer, if the CBS casting department has anything to say about it.

On Thursday, CBS announced that the big twist on this season of "Big Brother" is that some of the cast members will be shocked to discover they're sharing cramped living quarters with rivals, enemies and antagonists.

The network hasn't revealed how many of the 14 guests will be surprised with people from their pasts, but that won't be the only twist.

One of the shut-ins has been selected as "America's Player." At the end of each episode, starting with July 8, viewers will get to vote on an assignment for America's Player to complete. It may be a personal action, a strategic choice or a voting decision. America's Player can't tell any of the other contestants that they're acting on the whims on online voters and America's Player can be voted off at any time just like any other player. But if America's Player succeeds at giving the people what they want, there will be financial rewards.

In general, this season's cast looks much more like "The Real World" than "Big Brother." Of the 14 cast members, all but three are in their 20s and none are older than 44-year-old Dick, a bar manager from Los Angeles. The cast includes the usual assortment of waitresses, students and receptionists. There's also 25-year-old Nick, reportedly a former professional football player. (Zap2it.com)