09/05/2008

Rogen shows some skin in Smith's `Zack and Miri'
All Seth Rogen really wanted when he came to Hollywood was to make a movie with Kevin Smith. His dream came true, and more: Rogen got to make a dirty movie with Smith.

Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards
The Jacksons were crowned icons at the BMI Urban Awards, but the King of Pop was an absentee.

Ritchie rocks again with crime romp `RocknRolla'
Crime just never stops paying for Guy Ritchie.

09/04/2008 Bruce Willis offers to donate land for new airport Three years later and the offer is still on the table. Actor Bruce Willis continues putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to relocating Hailey's Friedman Memorial Airport.

Hendrix, Beatles, Elvis memorabilia up for auction
A guitar burned onstage by Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles' first contract with Brian Epstein are up for sale Thursday, and auctioneers predict bidding could run to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Oscar for Capra's 'Prelude to War' given to Army
The Army, with a hand from Hollywood, has received a long-lost Oscar back into its ranks.

'Peanuts' animator Bill Melendez dies at 91
Bill Melendez, the animator who gave life to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other "Peanuts" characters in scores of movies and TV specials, has died. He was 91.

NFL season kicks off with free NYC concert
Usher, Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield are kicking off the NFL season with a free concert that's expected to draw thousands to Manhattan's Columbus Circle.

09/03/2008

Letterman wants to call sunset for late-night gig
David Letterman wants to stick with CBS' "Late Show" through his contract - and maybe longer - as rival Jay Leno prepares to surrender the "Tonight" reins next year.

From jungle to Yuma desert for 'Tarzan' actor, 77
While it isn't much of a tree in the front yard of the home he owns here, if Johnny Sheffield ever decides he wants to swing from it on a vine, he would be uniquely qualified to do so.

09/02/2008

'Potter' publisher looks to promote next big thing
On Sept. 9, the U.S. publisher of "Harry Potter" will premiere a highly ambitious series with a mystery ending for readers and a couple of puzzlers for the industry: How big is the market for a multimedia story - and can a phenomenon be conceived by a publisher rather than created by the public?

Lewis telethon raises record $65 million for MDA
Jerry Lewis raised a record $65 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in his annual Labor Day telethon, a benefit that also made a pitch for those inconvenienced by Hurricane Gustav.

08/29/2008

Stars over the moon about Obama's speech
First word on Barack Obama's historic nomination acceptance speech from a bevy of celebrities in attendance was decidedly partisan: "It was excellent," Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie said. "It was amazing."

08/28/2008

Hollywood stars talk politics at Dem convention
Screenwriter and actor Danny Strong is interviewing colleagues at the Democratic National Convention for an Associated Press video diary.

08/27/2008

Coen brothers dark comedy premieres at Venice fest
The Coen brothers wrote their dark comedy, "Burn After Reading," with stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand in mind. Not necessarily a compliment.

Raspy Neil Diamond disappoints Ohio concertgoers
Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert at Ohio State University in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy.

08/26/2008

`100 Things' co-author Dave Freeman dies in LA
Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," a travel guide and ode to odd adventures that inspired readers and imitators, died after hitting his head in a fall at his home. He was 47.

Bollywood's 'Hari Puttar' film sparks lawsuit
Let's see Hari Puttar get out of this one. Bollywood producers set to release a film called "Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors" are working to fend off a lawsuit filed by Warner Bros. that claims the movie title hews too closely to their mega-famous boy wizard franchise.

08/25/2008

`American Idol' adds DioGuardi as fourth judge
Scoot over, Simon Cowell. "American Idol" is adding a fourth critic to its panel of judges.

08/21/2008

Crow offers free music to voters
Sheryl Crow is giving away free music - a tactic she calls the "Tupperware" party approach to inspiring young people to vote.

Rejected by Hong Kong, Glitter arrives in Thailand
Thai police said disgraced rocker Gary Glitter agreed Thursday to leave Thailand for London, possibly ending a two-day odyssey that began when he was released from a Vietnamese prison after serving time for molesting children.

Matt Damon's wife Luciana gives birth to girl
Matt Damon's wife Luciana gave birth to a baby girl Wednesday, his spokeswoman said. The baby's name is Gia Zavala Damon, spokeswoman Jennifer Allen told The Associated Press, adding: "Everyone is great and she is a healthy, beautiful baby girl."

08/20/2008

Jessica Simpson to be the face of Dallas' Stampede beer
Singer, actress and North Texas native Jessica Simpson will soon be marketing beer, according to an announcement expected today from a local brewing company.

Dave Matthews Band sax player LeRoi Moore dies
LeRoi Moore, the versatile saxophonist whose signature staccato fused jazz and funk overtones onto the eclectic sound of the Dave Matthews Band, died Tuesday of complications from injuries he suffered in an all-terrain vehicle accident, the band said. He was 46.

Jessica Simpson to market beer for Dallas brewer
Jessica Simpson is now selling beer. The singer and actress has signed on as spokeswoman for Stampede Light Plus, made by Dallas' Stampede Brewing Co.

Moore's memoir: Being Bond was sometimes scary
It's not easy being Bond. Roger Moore, who starred in seven Bond films in the 1970s and 1980s, recounts his days as the dashing super-spy in his upcoming memoir, "My Word Is My Bond," and says things weren't always as they seemed.

08/19/2008

Applegate calls double mastectomy a `tough' choice
Christina Applegate is taking the long view of her battle with breast cancer - the really long view.

Title, print run on Woodward book announced
The suspense didn't quite compare to the identity of "Deep Throat," but we now know the name of Bob Woodward's fourth investigative work on the Bush administration, just three weeks before the book's release.

Obama book falls victim to booksellers' rivalry
A new book about Sen. Barack Obama has intensified a rivalry between two powerful competitors: Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Amazon.com.

08/18/2008

`CSI' gets its man: Laurence Fishburne joins cast
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" has solved the mystery of who will replace departing CBS series star William Petersen: It's Laurence Fishburne.

Friends, family pay tribute to soul singer Hayes
Friends and family plan to pay tribute to soul singer Isaac Hayes at a memorial service filled with speeches, musical performances, photos and video clips.

What are TV's most memorable moments? You decide.
The most memorable moments in television history will be revealed during the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards next month, and it's up to voters to decide which bits should take top honors.

08/15/2008

Spears, Brown, Jonas Brothers get MTV Awards nods
After delivering one of the worst performances in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears has a chance to be crowned this year as the absolute best.

Play of the Day: Meghan McCain's bio for kids
Add another book to the pile from this year's presidential campaign, although this one is an especially quick and easy read.

Jackson Browne sues McCain, RNC over song in ad
Jackson Browne doesn't want John McCain running on anything fueled by his lyrics. The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of using his song "Running on Empty" without his permission.

Trump to buy McMahon's home, let him live there
Donald Trump will soon be Ed McMahon's landlord. Trump announced Thursday he would save the television personality's Beverly Hills mansion from foreclosure by buying it for an undisclosed amount and leasing it to McMahon.

08/14/2008

The Source relaunches, seeks to restore past glory
The Source, which was in bankruptcy last year, is relaunching with a 20th-anniversary issue and a new focus - a direction that its co-publisher says will restore the magazine, once known as hip-hop's bible, to prominence.

Documents: Julia Child part of WWII-era spy ring
Famed chef Julia Child shared a secret with Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg and Chicago White Sox catcher Moe Berg at a time when the Nazis threatened the world. They served in an international spy ring managed by the Office of Strategic Services, an early version of the CIA created in World War II by President Franklin Roosevelt.

Paula Wagner leaving UA as chief executive
Tom Cruise's producing partner Paula Wagner said Wednesday she will leave her job as chief executive of United Artists to produce projects independently.

The Jonas Brothers invade NYC, and fans go crazy
Quiet time is a rarity for the Jonas Brothers these days.

08/13/2008

'40-Year-Old Virgin' actor to appear in court
Shelley Malil had a busy career as a comic actor, appearing in a huge hit movie, several TV shows and a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl.

Sheriff's department: Hayes likely died of stroke
Isaac Hayes apparently died of a stroke, officials with the sheriff's department said Tuesday.

Rock on, New York! Hall of Fame goes on the road
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going on the road to New York - the city that spawned hip-hop and gave Bob Dylan and the Ramones their start.

Mexico-based magazine celebrates 20 years in print
Martin Camargo Balbastro runs a weekly magazine in Cananea, Sonora, in Mexico that not only provides the public comprehensive news coverage but also offers reasonable jobs for poor people.

Appeals court reverses Steinbeck copyrights ruling
A federal appeals court has reversed a ruling that awarded John Steinbeck's son and granddaughter publishing rights to 10 of the author's early works, including "The Grapes of Wrath."

08/12/2008

Ex-Beatle stops in New Mexico
Former Beatle Paul McCartney and girlfriend Nancy Shevell made at least a couple of stops in New Mexico in a cross-country trip along old U.S. Route 66.

Producer sues Vanessa Hudgens for $5 million
A music producer has sued Vanessa Hudgens for $5 million, claiming the actress and her father have repeatedly violated a contract and failed to pay him his share of her earnings.

`Indy' heads to home video with Oct. 14 release
Indiana Jones entered the atomic age in his latest movie. Now he's joining the Blu-ray era.

08/11/2008

Hayes, 'Shaft' singer and disco presage, dies
Isaac Hayes, the baldheaded, baritone-voiced soul crooner who laid the groundwork for disco and whose "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, died Sunday afternoon after he collapsed near a treadmill, authorities said. He was 65.

Poet's turbulent marriage remembered in diary
It was a legendarily turbulent union, fueled by adoration, adultery and alcohol.

AP Exclusive: Obama policy book coming out Sept. 9
He's written million-selling books about his early years and the meaning of public life. Now, Sen. Barack Obama, with the help of his campaign staff, has another side to share with readers: policy wonk.

Easy-listening West Bank station goes off air
A West Bank radio station that sought to bring Israelis and Palestinians together to the tune of pop music has gone of the air because of a lack of funding.