Stephen Colbert is breaking out his one-of-a-kind, Brooks Brothers camoflauge suit again for two special episodes of “The Colbert Report,” airing September 8 and 9, that will celebrate the end of combat operations in Iraq and honor returning troops.

TELEVISION

* University of Michigan theater grad and Michigan native James Wolk will play the rogue in a new TV series on the Fox Network called, “Lone Star.”

* Carson Daly’s “Last Call” has been renewed for a 10th season - despite the fact that the late night host has always struck me as a human test pattern.

MOVIES

* Johnny Knoxville, of “Jackass” fame, has made a 30 minute documentary called “Detroit Lives” - the latest in the Exploration film series, sponsored by Palladium Boots. The film will premiere online at http://www.palladiumboots.com on August 31; here’s the trailer (accompanied by MC5's "Kick Out the Jams"):

* New York Times critic Stephen Holden offers this postitive review of the new documentary about NFL player-turned-soldier Pat Tillman, who died in Afghanistan - though not in the classically heroic way that was originally reported.

* A documentary focusing on music producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector, called “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector, recently earned the approval of Spector’s 44 year old son, Louis.

MUSIC

* The Stone Temple Pilots will be at the Fox Theatre on August 26, so if you want to get a taste of what the current tour is like, check out this Grand Rapids Press review of the band’s performance last night.

* Kid Rock, after three sold-out shows of his own at DTE Energy Music Theatre, appeared on that stage one more time while the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band played a show Wednesday night.

THEATER

* More casting news from the highly-anticipated stage musical version of Pedro Almodovar’s film “Women of the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” (directed by Bartlett Sher): in addition to Broadway superstars Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sherie Rene Scott and Laura Benanti, former “American Idol” finalist Justin Guarini will star. Does Kelly Clarkson’s runner-up have the chops for Broadway, let alone eight shows a week? We’ll soon find out.

BOOKS

* Here’s something I will never, ever read: “The Hills” star Spencer Pratt, desperately groping for another 15 minutes of fame, has announced that he’ll be writing a tell-all book about his relationship with co-star, and soon-to-be-ex-wife, Heidi Montag. Any bets on how quickly the book will turn up on the remainder shelves?

* Ricky Martin’s memoir, with the killer title “Me,” will be released in the U.S. on November 2 and chronicle his music career, rise to fame, and coming to terms with his sexuality and fatherhood.

ART

* "Spiderman" actor James Franco’s New York art debut, called “The Dangerous Book Four Boys,” combines video, sculptures and installation pieces, and The New York Times offers this review.

FOR FUN

For those worried about declining literacy rates among young people, be cheered (temporarily) by way of this three year old boy reciting, by heart, Billy Collins’ slyly witty poem, “Litany.”

Renee Tellez contributed to today’s links. Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.