News
Irish singer Van Morrison blames Web hacker for false claim of new baby
SANDY COHEN - December 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP) Reclusive Irish singer Van Morrison said Thursday that a computer hacker planted a false report on his Web site claiming he had fathered a fourth child at the age of 64 with a new partner. The false report was disseminated Monday by a Los Angeles-based publicist for...
Correction: Van Morrison story
By Associated Press - December 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP) In a Dec. 28 story, The Associated Press, relying on information from Van Morrison's Hollywood-based publicist and his official Web site, reported erroneously that the Irish singer had a new baby boy with a woman identified as "his wife, GiGi." Morrison said Thursday...
Obama family, friends head to movie theater on New Year's Eve to watch 'Avatar'
By Associated Press - December 31, 2009
KANEOHE, Hawaii (AP) President Barack Obama's family is spending part of the last day of 2009 watching the futuristic adventure film "Avatar." The Obamas visited a movie theater near their rented vacation home in Hawaii on Thursday morning for a screening of the 3-D hit. Officials say...
Candy Spelling makes a new life as television reality star, Broadway producer
LYNN ELBER - December 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP) Candy Spelling is on a new path in life, one that's taken her into a reality TV series and to Broadway as a producer. Spelling is one of the celebrities giving away their money on E!'s new "Bank of Hollywood," in which people make the case for requests ranging from...
Patrick Stewart of "Star Trek" boldly goes into knighthood in UK's new year's honors list
ROBERT BARR - December 31, 2009
LONDON (AP) There's an especially starry knight in Britain's latest round of royal honors. Patrick Stewart "Star Trek: The Next Generation's" Capt. Jean-Luc Picard becomes Sir Patrick in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year honors list, which also includes a knighthood for theater and film...
Ratings steady for Charlie Sheen sitcom episode after arrest; production resumes Monday
LYNN ELBER - December 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP) CBS' "Two and a Half Men" held steady in the ratings this week as star Charlie Sheen faced charges stemming from his wife's Christmas Day allegations that he threatened her with violence. The sitcom's full cast is expected to resume production Monday after the holiday...
Regis Philbin returns next week to 'Live!' after hip replacement surgery
By Associated Press - December 31, 2009
NEW YORK (AP) Regis Philbin is set to return to his daytime talk show next week after successful hip replacement surgery. Philbin has been on the disabled list since the Dec. 1 operation. He makes his return to "Live! With Regis and Kelly" on Jan. 4. Kelly Ripa has been...
List of top 15 cable programs in the Nielsen ratings for Dec. 21-27
By Associated Press - December 30, 2009
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by the Nielsen Co. for the week of Dec. 21-27. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses: 1. NFL Football: N.Y. Giants vs. Washington (Monday, 8:29 p.m.), ESPN, 8.36 million homes, 11.34 million viewers. 2....
Movie maker Peter Jackson, king of Middle Earth, becomes a knight in New Year honors
By Associated Press - December 31, 2009
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The king of Middle Earth is being made a knight for real. Film writer and director Peter Jackson, whose widely acclaimed "Lord of the Rings" trilogy scooped up 17 Oscars, has been made a knight in the New Year Honors' list of his native New Zealand....
FCC chair Genachowski urges Fox, Time Warner Cable to reach temporary deal for football fans
RYAN NAKASHIMA - December 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP) The nation's top broadcast regulator on Thursday urged Time Warner Cable and the Fox television network to agree to a temporary deal that would keep football games on cable TV systems as the companies settle differences over fees. A failure to agree before a midnight...
