News
1. From couch to court, Gabriel Byrne charms in 'Camelot'
By MARTIN STEINBERG - May 9, 2008
NEW YORK -- He can't sing and he can't dance, but Gabriel Byrne can charm -- and he did while portraying the chivalrous King Arthur in "Camelot."After playing the tormented shrink Dr. Paul Weston in HBO's "In Treatment," the Irish actor went from couch to court, starring...
2. Cosmetics firm Lancome and Uma Thurman in contract dispute
By SAMUEL MAULL - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- French cosmetics giant Lancome and Uma Thurman are wrangling over the use of her name and image in an advertising campaign.The company asked for a ruling against the actress, who it says is demanding $1 million for unauthorized use of her name and face on...
3. `Rafta, Rafta' gently lampoons generational differences
By JENNIFER FARRAR - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- Picture two young people trying to enjoy their wedding night in the bedroom right next to the groom's parents, and you'll get an idea of the frustrating yet touching comedic premise of Ayub Khan-Din's warmhearted play, "Rafta, Rafta ...," currently in a New...
4. How Iron Man was trounced by a scruffy car thief
By DERRIK J. LANG - May 8, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- Niko Bellic is richer than Tony Stark.While vying for similar audiences at the same time, "Grand Theft Auto IV" bested "Iron Man" by about $300 million in their respective first weeks on the small and big screens. The highly anticipated video game about...
5. Adkins records opening song for 'Black Gold' TV series
By Associated Press - May 8, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Trace Adkins, a former oil roughneck, has written and recorded a song called "Black Gold" that will open an upcoming truTV series of the same name.The show, which premieres 10 p.m. EDT June 18, follows three drilling crews in their quest for oil in...
6. Capsule reviews of `Speed Racer' and other films this week
By The Associated Press - May 8, 2008
Capsule reviews of films opening this week:"The Fall" -- This whacked-out fairy tale for grown-ups is as stunning in its beauty as it is in its lack of logic. Indian writer-director Tarsem Singh, who just goes by the name Tarsem, knows how to create some sumptuous visuals, as he did with his...
7. Carly Simon charts new course with Brazilian-inspired CD
By CHARLES J. GANS - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- Carly Simon was worried about preserving her voice as she rehearsed for her first public performance of tunes from her new CD, but she couldn't restrain herself as she got swept away singing the sexy title song, "This Kind of Love."Tall and slender, her blond...
8. Ne-Yo bringing awareness to foster care system
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. - May 8, 2008
ATLANTA -- When he was younger, Ne-Yo watched from afar as his friends hugged their fathers -- and he wondered where his dad might be."A lot of aggravation was inside me," the 28-year-old singer-songwriter told The Associated Press. "Dad stuck around for a minute and...
9. Review: No luck finding surprises in `Vegas'
By CHRISTY LEMIRE - May 8, 2008
Come on, now. You already know "What Happens in Vegas."You've undoubtedly seen the ubiquitous television commercials in which Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher bicker and beat each other black-and-blue but, secretly, seethe with lust. And you already know that they'll end up softening their stances...
10. Review: No luck finding surprises in `Vegas'
By CHRISTY LEMIRE - May 8, 2008
Come on, now. You already know "What Happens in Vegas."You've undoubtedly seen the ubiquitous television commercials in which Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher bicker and beat each other black-and-blue but, secretly, seethe with lust. And you already know that they'll end up softening their stances...
11. Ne-Yo bringing awareness to foster care system
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. - May 8, 2008
ATLANTA -- When he was younger, Ne-Yo watched from afar as his friends hugged their fathers -- and he wondered where his dad might be."A lot of aggravation was inside me," the 28-year-old singer-songwriter told The Associated Press. "Dad stuck around for a minute and...
12. Portrait of Heath Ledger wins Australian art award
By Associated Press - May 8, 2008
SYDNEY, Australia -- A portrait of Hollywood star Heath Ledger painted weeks before his death has won an Australian art award.The painting features a bare-chested Ledger staring from the canvas as two images of the actor whisper into his ears.On Thursday, it was awarded...
13. Jammys bring Phish together again; awards show to end
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- Though the Jammy Awards were able to bring together the members of Phish for the first time since they broke up four years ago, the reunion may not have been everything Phish-heads had hoped for.While all members of the beloved jam-band appeared -- and two of...
14. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon spill wedding beans to People
By Associated Press - May 8, 2008
NEW YORK -- Mariah Carey really did get married to Nick Cannon in the Bahamas last week -- and they have the tattoos to prove it.The 38-year-old singer and the 27-year-old actor confirmed to People magazine that they tied the knot at Carey's Bahamian estate April 30...
15. Kung Fu film 'The Forbidden Kingdom' is a hit in China
By MIN LEE - May 8, 2008
HONG KONG -- Jackie Chan and Jet Li's first movie together is a hit in China.There were concerns whether "The Forbidden Kingdom" would appeal to Chinese because its script is geared toward American audiences.The movie is about an American teenager who's magically...
16. Kung Fu film 'The Forbidden Kingdom' a hit in China
By MIN LEE - May 8, 2008
HONG KONG -- Jackie Chan and Jet Li's first movie together is a hit in China.There were concerns whether "The Forbidden Kingdom" would appeal to Chinese because its script is geared toward American audiences.The movie is about an American teenager who's magically...
17. That Was the Week That Was
By The Associated Press - May 7, 2008
Entertainment highlights during the week of May 11-17:1959: Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher were married in Las Vegas. They divorced after four years.1960: Berry Gordy formed Motown Records.1964: Peter, Paul and Mary won a Grammy Award for the song "Blowin' In The Wind."1971: Mick Jagger married...
18. Leger painting auctioned for more than $39 million in NYC
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- Sotheby's auction house says a cubist oil painting by Fernand Leger has been sold in New York for more than $39 million.The auction house says the 1912-1913 painting, "Study for a Woman in Blue," sold Wednesday for $39.2 million.That's a record for the...
19. In `Top Girls,' Caryl Churchill dissects woman and power
By MICHAEL KUCHWARA - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- More than a quarter-century has not diminished the theatricality of "Top Girls," British playwright Caryl Churchill's incisive dissection of how women deal with power and class.The proof is on display at Broadway's Biltmore Theatre where Manhattan Theatre...
20. DMX arrested for speeding, reckless driving in Ariz.
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
PHOENIX -- DMX was arrested after speed-enforcement cameras captured him in his bright yellow 1966 Chevrolet going 114 mph on a suburban Phoenix freeway.The rapper/actor was taken into custody Tuesday at his north Phoenix home without incident, the Arizona Department of...
21. Journalist dishes details about Uma Thurman stalker trial
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- A Wall Street Journal reporter is sharing details about her experience as a juror in the Uma Thurman stalking trial, including some jurors' suspicions about whether her testimony was genuine.In a story published on the front page of Wednesday's paper, Emily...
22. Portishead back after 10-year hiatus with 'Third'
By JAKE COYLE - May 7, 2008
INDIO, Calif. -- As Portishead finished its meticulously sparse evening performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the typically reticent Beth Gibbons suddenly leapt off the stage and ran a 100-yard dash along the fenced-in crowd, exuberantly shaking...
23. Stare to become St. Louis Symphony resident conductor
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
ST. LOUIS -- Ward Stare will serve as resident conductor for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and music director of the symphony's youth orchestra.He will join the symphony's conducting staff in September for an initial two-year term in the newly created position of...
24. Lennon's `Give Peace a Chance' lyrics to be auctioned
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- A document containing John Lennon's lyrics to "Give Peace a Chance," written during the legendary 1969 Bed-in protest for peace, will be auctioned in London this summer. In the meantime, fans can see it at Christie's New York auction house through...
25. Broadway's `Glory Days' opens and closes on opening night
By Associated Press - May 7, 2008
NEW YORK -- "Glory Days" didn't hang around Broadway long enough to gather much glory.The $2.5 million musical about the reunion of four young men after their first year of college opened and closed Tuesday after one performance and 17 previews."We adore `Glory Days' and...
