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! URBAN !

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MO'NIQUE: WINS GOLDEN GLOBES AWARD FOR "PRECIOUS"

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — She may have gotten the award. But Mo'Nique was giving others the praise in her acceptance speech for her Golden Globes award. She praised both director Lee Daniels and newcomer co-star Gabby Sidibe in her remarks after winning the award for best supporting actress. Mo'Nique said the movie's acclaim gives the word the chance to see "how brilliant" Daniels is. She calls him "a brilliant, fearless, amazing director" — and thanked him for trusting her with the role of the abusive mother in the film. Of Sidibe Mo'Nique said: "sister, I am in awe of you" — and thanked her for — quote: "letting me play with you." Neither Daniels nor Sidibe won in their category at the Golden Globes last night.

Also getting a shout-out at the Golden Globes last night: Baltimore Ravens player Michael Oher. His life is portrayed in the movie "The Blind Side," which won Sandra Bullock the Golden Globe for best actress. In her acceptance remarks, she quoted Oher, saying: "I may not be the most talented, but I've been given opportunity."

Sound:

<<CUT …007 (01/18/10)>> 00:10 "I don't know (2nd reference)"

Mo'Nique, winner of best supporting actress in a motion picture

Mo'Nique says she doesn't know what she's going to say. COURTESY: Hollywood Foreign Press Association and dick clark productions, inc. ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …017 (01/18/10)>> 00:06 "go above it"

Mo'Nique, actress

Mo'Nique, who won for "Precious," says she has a motto which has helped her.

<<CUT …022 (01/18/10)>> 00:14 "the other side"

Sandra Bullock, winner best actress motion picture drama

Sandra Bullock isn't sure who to thank. COURTESY: Hollywood Foreign Press Association and dick clark productions, inc. ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT …013 (01/18/10)>> 00:15 "how to be"

Sandra Bullock, actress

Sandra Bullock says it's amazing that she won the Golden Globe and, on Friday, the Critics' Choice Movie Award, for "The Blind Side."

<<CUT …022 (01/18/10)>> 00:14 "the other side"

Sandra Bullock, winner best actress motion picture drama

Sandra Bullock isn't sure who to thank. COURTESY: Hollywood Foreign Press Association and dick clark productions, inc. ((mandatory on-air credit))

MO'NIQUE: ANOTHER WIN OVER THE WEEKEND

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mo'Nique's win at the Golden Globes last night capped a triumphant weekend for the comedian turned actress. She also got an acting award for her work in "Precious" at the Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles. In receiving that award, she also thanked both director Lee Daniels and co-star Gabby Sidibe. Both were again nominees, but didn't win.

WYCLEF JEAN: RESPONDS TO CRITICS ABOUT FOUNDATION

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wyclef Jean (ZHAHN) says he has never personally profited through his work with his foundation. The Haitian-born musician spoke out over the weekend in defense of the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which has already raised more than $2 million to help earthquake victims. He said he doesn't understand the claim that he is getting personal benefit from the foundation — and wonders why critics are targeting the foundation as it is "mobilized to meet the greatest human tragedy in the history of Haiti." Jean has been calling for people to text the word "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 to his foundation in support of Haitian earthquake victims. An Associated Press review of tax returns and independent audits provided by Jean's foundation indicated the organization was closely intertwined with Jean's business interests. Jean, for his part, says he has given significant amounts of his time and money to the charity.

Sound: 3:32 aes

TELETHON ORGANIZED FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Look for Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and Bono (BAHN'-oh) will be among the stars who will be involved in the "Hope for Haiti" benefit event set for Friday. The event is being organized by actor George Clooney, who says other performers lined up for the show include Sting and Christina Aguilera. Clooney tells The Associated Press that more than 40 celebrities will be at the event, which will be co-hosted by Wyclef Jean (ZHAHN). The actor says the benefit is aimed at showing the people of Haiti "that the whole world is paying attention." The show will benefit the Red Cross, UNICEF, Oxfam America, Partners in Health and Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation. Clooney says songs from artists who take part will also be available on iTunes, with proceeds going to the relief effort.

GEORGE CLOONEY SEEKS SUPPORT AT GOLDEN GLOBES

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usually, celebrities show up at awards show to mix and mingle, blow air kisses at each other and collect the swag available at the hospitality tents. But during last night's Golden Globes Awards, many stars were looking for ways to band together to help victims of the Haiti earthquake. George Clooney was seen working the celebrity crowd, seeking volunteers for Friday's Hope for Haiti fundraising telethon. Several of the stars on the red carpet said they were donating either money or their outfits from the awards show for auctions to raise money for the relief effort. Numerous stars wore red, yellow and blue ribbons pinned to their clothes or purses to show their support for the Haiti victims.

AVATAR: WINS BOX OFFICE RACE AGAIN

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Avatar" keeps on moving up the ranks. The James Cameron movie is now number three on the all-time domestic box office list. It took in another $41.3 million over the weekend, to zoom past "Star Wars" for the number-three spot. The box office win is the fifth straight for "Avatar," bringing its total so far to nearly $500 million. That plateau is expected to be reached after revenues from today's Martin Luther King Day holiday are tallied. Worldwide, "Avatar" has boosted its total to $1.6 billion dollars, second only to Cameron's last movie, "Titanic."

The continued dominance of "Avatar" dampens the weekend debut of Denzel Washington's new film. But "The Book of Eli" finished second with a strong $31.6 million dollars.

Sound:

<<CUT …031 (01/18/10)>> 00:29 "''

Jamie Friar

Number-three and rising. The AP's Jamie Friar reports on "Avatar's" latest box office achievement. ((opens with sound))

<<CUT …032 (01/18/10)>> 00:11 "for second place"

Jamie Friar

James Cameron's "Avatar" reaches another box office milestone. The AP's Jamie Friar reports on what could be next for the sci-fi saga.

<<CUT …033 (01/18/10)>> 00:07 "''

Archive sound of Zoe Saldana, actor

Here is archive sound of Zoe Saldana in a scene from "Avatar," still the No. 1 movie at the box office.

<<CUT …034 (01/18/10)>> 00:10 "''

Excerpt of Sam Worthington, actor

This is archive audio of Sam Worthington, in a scene from "Avatar." The top selling movie at the box office has become the No. 3 movie on the all-time domestic box office charts.

INDIA.ARIE: TEAMING WITH BARACK OBAMA FOR KING TRIBUTE

WASHINGTON (AP) — This is the first Martin Luther King holiday with a black president in the White House. And part of today's observance of the holiday will see President Barack Obama take part in an event at the Kennedy Center. The president will speak at during the first part of the show — then join his family in the presidential box. India.Arie will perform at the event which is free to the public.

On the Net:

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: http://www.kennedy-center.org

''GENERAL" LARRY PLATT: "PANTS ON THE GROUND" GUY GETTING MORE PUB

ATLANTA (AP) — It's another hitch in the spotlight for "General" Larry Platt — better known these days as the "Pants On The Ground" guy from "American Idol." He will appear this morning on "The View" to further promote the song he performed on his audition last week. Clips of Platt's "Idol" performance continued to get Web hits Friday on Twitter and YouTube. Platt says he's hoping for the same fate as Idol contestant William Hung, whose won a cult following after performing "She Bangs."

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On the 'Net:

Larry Platt's "American Idol" audition: http://www.americanidol.com/videos

MICHAEL JACKSON: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1996, Lisa Marie Presley filed for divorce from Michael Jackson, citing irreconcilable differences. The two had married in a secret ceremony in the Dominican Republic in May of 1994. The marriage was widely viewed as a bid by Jackson to boost his image following allegations of child molestation. No charges were filed and Jackson reportedly reached an out-of-court, multimillion-dollar settlement with a 13-year-old boy's parents. Jackson died in June, 2009.

DAVID RUFFIN: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1941, David Ruffin, co-lead singer of the Temptations until 1968, was born in Meridian, Mississippi. The Temptations emerged during the mid-1960's as one of the leading vocal groups in pop music. Their sound, as well as their elaborate stage show, became the model for countless groups that followed. The Temptations major breakthrough came in 1965, when they took Smokey Robinson's composition, "My Girl," to the top of the charts. Ruffin left the Temptations in 1968, beginning a successful solo career with his 1969 hit "My Whole World Ended." Ruffin died of a cocaine overdose in Philadelphia on June 1, 1991.

DIONNE WARWICK/STEVIE WONDER: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1986, the number-one hit on the pop chart was "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne and Friends. The song featured Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John. All the proceeds from the song went to the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

OTIS REDDING/STEVIE WONDER: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1989, the late Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stones and Dion were also honored.

JESSE L. MARTIN: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — Actor Jesse L. Martin has a birthday today. The star of the long-running series "Law and Order" is 41.

D.J. QUIK: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — A birthday today for rap artist D.J. Quik. He's 40.

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II