Arts & Entertainment Digest for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, and the week ahead
Questions to Genetta Adams at (212) 621-7049 at gmadams(at)ap.org or Josh Dickey (213) 346-3193 or at jdickey(at)ap.org. In photos, Carolyn Lessard at (212) 621-1923. In Video, Alicia Quarles at (212) 621-7425. Expanded AP content, beyond what appears on this wire, can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact customersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477.
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NEW & DEVELOPING:
…OBIT-POWELL
ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell, who played on such hits as "Sweet Home Alabama" and survived the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, died Wednesday. He was 56.
AP text: Ron Word
AP photos: pursuing photo
AP video: no coverage planned.
…PEOPLE-KELLY ROWLAND
NEW YORK — Kelly Rowland says she will always be a part of Beyonce's family, but she no longer will be managed by the superstar's father.
AP text: Nekesa Mumbi Moody
AP photo: file art of Rowland
AP video: no coverage planned.
…MICHAEL JACKSON-'THRILLER' LAWSUIT
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — "Thriller" may be headed to Broadway, but first Michael Jackson's song and groundbreaking music video may be headed to court.
AP text: Anthony McCartney
AP photo: file art of Jackson
AP video: no coverage planned.
…TV-CHEAP TRIP
NEW YORK — In the middle of winter, TV adventurer Leon Logothetis relied on the kindness of Sommer for the first leg of his unlikely trip to the Super Bowl.
AP Text: Television Writer David Bauder.
AP Photos: coverage planned.
AP Video: no coverage planned.
…PEOPLE-TIMBERLAKE
NEW YORK — One visit to Beyonce's dressing room was all it took for Justin Timberlake to ease her concerns about a "Saturday Night Live" skit featuring the two of them.
AP text: Television Writer David Bauder.
AP photos: file of Timberlake
AP videos: no coverage planned
…PEOPLE-CORMAC MCCARTHY HOME
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The boyhood home of Pulitzer-winning author Cormac McCarthy, long abandoned and overgrown, has been destroyed by a fire even as preservationists tried in recent months to save it.
AP text: Duncan Mansfield.
AP photos: file of McCarthy and burning home.
AP videos: no coverage planned
…OBIT-BRADY
NEW YORK — James Brady, the Parade magazine celebrity columnist whose wide-ranging career also included novels, a memoir on his Korean War service and a stint as publisher of the fashion bible Women's Wear Daily, has died at 80.
AP text: Polly Anderson.
AP photos: file of Brady.
AP videos: no coverage planned.
…BAHAMAS-TRAVOLTA SON
NASSAU, Bahamas — A former Bahamas senator was granted bail Wednesday on charges she conspired to help extort $25 million from actor John Travolta after his son died from a seizure at a family vacation home.
AP text: Juan McCartney.
AP photos: no coverage planned
AP videos: no coverage planned
…PEOPLE-ROURKE
HOUSTON — Listen up wrestlin' fans: actor Mickey Rourke says he's ready to rumble with WWE superstar Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25 in Reliant Stadium on April 5.
AP text: Coverage.
AP photos: File of Rourke
AP videos: no coverage planned
TOP STORIES
TUESDAY, JAN. 27
MELTDOWN-ARTS
PASADENA, Calif. — Performers throughout the country are scrambling for jobs, as symphonies, operas, theaters and ballet troupes struggle under the weight of shriveling donations, plummeting ticket sales and sagging endowments decimated by Wall Street.
AP Text: Gillian Flaccus.
AP Photos: Members of the Pasadena Theater and Pasadena Symphony.
AP Video: Video separate focusing on the Pasadena Symphony.
UPCOMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS AND STORIES:
MONDAY, JAN. 26
TV-AMAZING RACE
LOS ANGELES — Meet the 11 new teams competing for $1 million on the 14th season of "The Amazing Race."
AP Text: Derrik J. Lang.
AP Photos: Portraits of the new cast.
AP Video: CBS file footage of new show.
TV-OLIVIA CARTOON
NEW YORK — Olivia, the little girl pig with the big imagination, is stepping out of her picture book world into a bold, new and much more colorful life on Nickelodeon.
AP Text: Leanne Italie.
AP Photos: Images from the show.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
PEOPLE-MICHAEL JACKSON
NEW YORK — "Thriller" a Broadway musical? Producer James L. Nederlander has acquired rights for a stage version of Michael Jackson's spoof of horror films.
AP Text: Coverage planned.
AP Photos: File of Jackson from 2006.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
PEOPLE-JOHN RICH
WASHINGTON — The country star talks about his upcoming solo CD.
AP Text: Caitlin King.
AP Photos: File of John Rich performing at a 2008 concert in Nashville, Tenn.
AP Videos. No coverage planned.
MUSIC-FRANZ FERDINAND
LONDON — The band plays a free lunchtime show and meets fans at HMV's flagship Oxford Street store.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: Band plays show.
OSCARS GOVERNORS BALL PREVIEW
LOS ANGELES — An inside look at plans afoot for the hottest ticket in Hollywood, immediately following the Oscars.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: A look at the food and decor in store for attendees at Oscar Night's Governor's Ball.
MUSIC REVIEW-BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN.
MUSIC REVIEW-FRANZ FERDINAND.
MUSIC REVIEW-THE BIRD & THE BEE.
MUSIC REVIEW-LEFT EYE.
BROADWAY TIX: NEW YORK — Broadway ticket availability and capsule reviews of shows. Moved Monday.
AP Text: coverage planned.
AP Photo: A scene from Richard Greenberg's "The American Plan," a Manhattan Theatre Club revival playing at Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
OFF-BROADWAY TIX: NEW YORK — Off-Broadway ticket availability and capsule reviews of shows. Moved Monday.
AP Text: coverage planned.
AP Photo: A scene from "Dear Edwina," a musical currently playing at off-Broadway's DR2 Theatre in New York.
AP Video: no coverage planned.
BOOKS-CHILDREN'S PRIZES
NEW YORK — Oh, the horror: Neil Gaiman has received the top prize for children's literature — The John Newbery Medal — for his spooky "The Graveyard Book."
AP Text: National Writer Hillel Italie.
AP Photos: File of Gaiman and book cover.
AP Video: No coverage.
ONLINE VIDEO:
Box Office — Look a what films brought in top dollar over the weekend
SAG Red Carpet — Best of red carpet interviews
SAG Fashion — Best of fashion at SAG Awards
SAG Show Highlights
SAG One-on-one interviews — Backstage reactions from winners
CELEB-BIRTHDAYS. Moved Monday.
CELEB-FLASHBACKS. Moved Monday.
CELEB-HIGHFIVE LISTS. Moved Monday; will be updated Friday.
UPCOMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS AND STORIES:
TUESDAY, JAN. 27
AP ON TV-Q&A-BRET MICHAELS
NEW YORK — One woman gave Bret Michaels a blow up doll. Another wore fish nets, Lucite heels and a hot pink veil. Welcome to the implants, tattoos and thongs of "Rock of Love."
AP Text: Alicia Rancilio
AP Photos: AP portraits.
AP Video: Video will run as a sit-down interview with highlights from the show.
TV-FETCH ME A BEER
NEW YORK — Zak George is a big dog in the world of dog trainers. And he could get even bigger, thanks to a TV series that cable's Animal Planet has in the works.
AP Text: Television Writer Frazier Moore.
AP Photos: Portraits of George and his dogs from Jan. 20.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
MUSIC-CHRISSIE HYNDE
LOS ANGELES — The singer talks about her upcoming Pretenders tour.
AP Text: By Solvej Schou.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
MUSIC-BUDDY HOLLY
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Fifty years after the crash that killed Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens, the town where the plane accident happens remembers.
AP Text: Marco Santana.
AP Photos: Images from the area around Clear Lake, Iowa, where the plane carrying Holly went down.
AP Video. No coverage planned.
MUSIC-PET SHOP BOYS
LONDON — Pioneering British dance duo Pet Shop Boys are to be honored with the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at the Brit Awards 2009. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe give an interview at Abbey Road to talk about the upcoming honor.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
PEOPLE-PETER FALK
LOS ANGELES — A conservatorship hearing scheduled for Peter Falk was postponed until late February. No story will move.
FILM REVIEW-NEW IN TOWN.
AP Text. Movie Critic Christy Lemire
AP Photos: Harry Connick Jr. and Renee Zellweger in a scene from the movie.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
MUSIC-PUSSYCAT DOLLS CONCERT
LONDON — Pussycat Dolls perform at the 02 Arena.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
FILM CAPSULES.
TV-"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" TRIBUTE AT TV ACADEMY
LOS ANGELES — The cast and creators of the popular TV show convene at the TV Academy.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
FRANCE-FASHION
PARIS — Spring-Summer 2009 Haute Couture is rolled out until Jan. 29.
AP Text: Daily stories on merit through Thursday.
AP Video: Daily video stories on merit through Thursday.
AP Photo: Daily photos on merit through Thursday.
ONLINE VIDEOS
MUSIC WEEK— A look at the week's top releases
DIOR FASHION SHOW— Highlights from the runway of the Paris show
GEORGE CLOONEY— The actor speaks about the importance of journalism during a speech in Washington, D.C.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28
… SUPER BOWL-PARTIES
TAMPA, Fla. — A roundup of celebrity parties during Super Bowl week.
AP Text: Mitch Stacy
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Videos: No coverage planned.
…FILM-"VALKYRIE" PREMIER
ROME — Tom Cruise attends the Italian premier of his film.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
…FILM-"SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" FEATURE
INDIA — Feature on the lives of the real slumdog kids of Mumbai.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
MUSIC-Q&A-LOUDON WAINWRIGHT.
NEW YORK — The Wainwrights are like any other family except they write songs about their tangled relationships and expose their frustrations and emotions to their audiences. Patriarch Loudon Wainwright III started the tradition.
AP Text: Charles J. Gans.
AP Photos: coverage planned.
AP Video. No coverage planned.
…MUSIC-CONCERT LILY ALLEN
LONDON — Lily Allen performs at KOKO in London
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned
FILM REVIEW-TAKEN.
AP Text: Christy Lemire
AP photos: Coverage planned.
AP Videos: no coverage planned.
OSCAR FINAL BALLOT MAILING
LOS ANGELES — From the Academy Grand Lobby, Beverly Hills.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: B roll of Oscar ballots being mailed. Interview with representative from the Academy.
FILM-"THE VIRTUOSOS"
SANTA BARBARA — At the Santa Barbara Film Festival, honoring 2009's five breakout stars: Viola Davis, Rosemarie DeWitt, Richard Jenkins, Melissa Leo and Michael Shannon.
AP Text: Coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: AP exclusive -- will run an edit with interviews with each of the celebrities as well as clips from their films.
FASHION-HAUTE COUTURE
PARIS — Spring-Summer 2009 Haute Couture is rolled out until Jan. 28.
AP Text: Daily stories on merit.
AP Video: Daily video stories on merit.
AP Photo: Daily photos on merit.
TV-LOOKOUT
UNDATED — Highlights (and lowlights) for the week ahead. Moves Wednesday.
CELEB-NOW HEAR THIS-WRAPUP — Quotes from AP Entertainment. Moves Wednesday
…BOOK REVIEW-WANDERING STARS.
AP Text: Carl Hartman.
AP Photos: photo of book's jacket.
AP Video: no coverage planned.
…BOOK REVIEW-THE MYSTIC ARTS
AP Text: Mary Foster.
AP Photo: coverage planned.
AP Video: no coverage planned.
ONLINE VIDEOS
HARRY CONNICK Harry Connick Jr. discusses role in "New in Town"
WORLD MOVIES A look at the new releases opening worldwide.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN The Boss weighs in on politics.
THURSDAY, JAN. 29
FILM-HARRY CONNICK
NEW YORK — Interview with Harry Connick Jr., who stars with Renee Zellwegger in "New In Town".
AP Text: Erin Carlson
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Videos: Coverage planned.
…FILM-"THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON" PREMIERE
JAPAN — Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the premier of the multi-Oscar nominated film.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
AP ON TV-FRINGE-ANNA TOR
NEW YORK — As the FBI agent-femme fatale on Fox's eerie hit drama "Fringe," Australian actress Anna Torv has taken up happy residence on a new show in New York, far from home.
AP Text: Frazier Moore
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
ESSENCE FEST-LINEUP
NEW ORLEANS — From hitting its 15-year milestone to the historic inauguration of the country's first black president, the Essence Music Festival has plenty to celebrate this year, the event's organizers say.
AP text: Stacey Plaisance
AP photo: coverage planned.
AP video: no coverage planned.
FRIDAY, JAN. 30
TV-GENERAL HOSPITAL
LOS ANGELES — A long-standing staple on the 45-year-old soap "General Hospital" is set to be destroyed.
AP Text: Derrik J. Lang.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: No coverage planned.
PEOPLE-MEL GIBSON
LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for Mel Gibson seek to end a lawsuit filed by a screenwriter who claims he was underpaid for his work on "Passion of the Christ." Developing from a morning court hearing.
AP Text: Anthony McCartney
AP Photos: File photo.
AP Videos: No coverage planned.
FILM-DAVID FINCHER HONORED
SANTA BARBARA — Director David Fincher ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") honored at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
…MUSIC-ALL AMERICAN REJECTS
LONDON — Sitdown interview with American rock band.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
…MUSIC-BLACK TIDE
LONDON — Sitdown interview with American heavy metal outfit.
AP Text: No coverage planned.
AP Photos: No coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
SATURDAY, JAN. 31
FILM-DGA AWARDS
LOS ANGELES — The 62nd Annual Directors Guild of America Awards, celebrating directors' choices of the year's best.
AP Text: Coverage planned.
AP Photos: Coverage planned.
AP Video: Coverage planned.
SUNDAY, FEB. 1
…TV-SUPER BOWL ADS: The economy is tanking, and the country has pinned its hopes on a new president. Will any of these themes burst into the world of Super Bowl advertising?
AP Text: Television Writer David Bauder.
AP photo: coverage planned.
AP video: pursuing coverage.
…TV-SUPER BOWL REVIEW: A review of Super Bowl coverage from beginning to end.
AP Text: Entertainment Writer Douglas J. Rowe.
AP Photos: coverage planned.
AP videos: no coverage planned.
AP Other Entertainment News
Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince
New Moon
Xmen Origins
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
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