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PEOPLE
His music fails tortoises
French pianist Richard Clayderman might have no wonder why Galapagos tortoises are endangered.
Tortoises at London's zoo -- Dirk and Polly -- lumbered around impassively as the famous pianist serenaded them with music from his latest album, "Romantique," on Thursday.
The music -- billed by his record company as an attempt to put the reptiles in the mood to mate -- appeared lost on the slow-moving giants.
The tortoises didn't appear particularly impressed by Clayderman's hit, "Ballade pour Adeline," and even a rousing rendition of "Chariots of Fire" did little to lift their spirits.
They only seemed to perk up when zookeepers brought them some carrots.
Galapagos tortoises are the largest in the world and can live for more than 150 years. But the gentle animals have struggled to fend off predators and are now under threat.
Clayderman said that his golden retriever loved to lie by the piano when he was playing, "so maybe it's good for the animals to listen to music."
Maybe. But it's possible tortoises just don't appreciate what Clayderman has described as his "New Romantic" style.
Clayderman himself seemed a bit bemused by his record company's launch stunt.
"After playing all around the world -- I used to do concerts in Asia, in South America, in Europe -- it's funny to be here, in this very nice zoo," he said.
ABC News says Robin Roberts will be back on the job at the "Good Morning America" anchor desk on Feb. 20. Her return will be five months to the day since her bone marrow transplant to treat a rare blood disorder.
Roberts has gotten the all-clear from her doctors, according to the announcement made Thursday on "GMA." She reached the critical 100-day benchmark in December.
In January, she began a series of dry runs at the "GMA" studio to re-acclimate herself to the work routine.
Her last day on "GMA" was Aug. 30 before she started her medical leave.
About a year ago, Roberts began feeling the symptoms of her illness, known as MDS.
She said in a statement: "What a difference a year makes."
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