Celebs, Film, Music, Tv, Upcoming Events, Books, Art, Theater

Arts & Entertainment Digest for Thursday, Jan. 29, 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.

(…) Indicates new entry or updated information since last digest.

NEW & DEVELOPING:

… FBC--SUPER BOWL-SPRINGSTEEN.

TAMPA, Fla. — Bruce Springsteen hardly needed an invitation to play one of the most coveted spots in music, the Super Bowl halftime show. The Boss is on a four-week high: Barack Obama, his candidate, took over as president, he won a Golden Globe, has a new album and an upcoming tour.

AP Text: Jenna Fryer.

… TV-FIVE-MINUTE TALK SHOW

LOS ANGELES — "Anytime with Bob Kushell" squeezes in all the talk-show conventions — monologue, band, guest — from a garage and in five online minutes.

AP Text: Lynn Elber.

AP Photos: Bob Kushell and guest.

AP Video: No coverage planned.

… SMITHSONIAN-BLACK HISTORY

WASHINGTON — The names of six architectural firms competing to design the National Museum of African American History were announced at the Capital Gallery.

AP Text: Brett Zongker.

AP Photos: coverage planned.

AP Video: No coverage planned.

… PEOPLE-JENNIFER HUDSON

NEW YORK — Jennifer Hudson has finished filming her first video since the slayings of her mother, brother and nephew.

AP TEXT: Moved.

AP PHOTOS: File photo moved.

AP Video: No coverage planned.

… EU--BRITAIN-HARRY POTTER-ACCIDENT

LONDON — British officials are investigating an accident on the set of the latest Harry Potter film that left a stunt man seriously injured.

AP Text: Developing.

AP Photos: Developing.

AP Video: Developing.

… MICHAEL JACKSON-'THRILLER' LAWSUIT

LOS ANGELES — Broadway producer James L. Nederlander says he's hopeful a legal duel over "Thriller" rights can be resolved. John Landis, who directed the iconic music video, sued Nederlander and former collaborator Michael Jackson, stating he owns half of the video's dramatic rights.

AP TEXT: Moved.

AP Photo: File headshot of Jackson moved.

AP Video: No coverage planned.

TOP STORIES

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 fishnets, 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: 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: Solvej Schou.

AP Photos: File photos of Chrissie Hynde.

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: Sitdown interview on career and BRIT award.

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: No 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.

GAME REVIEW-PSN

Reviews of new PlayStation Network games, including "Crash Commando," ''Cuboid."

AP Text: Lou Kesten

AP photo: still from Cuboid

AP video: no coverage planned.

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.

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" PREMIERE

ROME — Tom Cruise attends the Italian premiere 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: Liam Neeson is shown in a scene.

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 five breakout stars: Viola Davis, Rosemarie DeWitt, Richard Jenkins, Melissa Leo and Michael Shannon.

AP Text: Coverage planned.

AP Photos: Group shot plus solo portraits of all five stars.

AP Video: AP exclusive — an edit featuring a group interview with all 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. Moved Wednesday.

CELEB-NOW HEAR THIS-WRAPUP — Quotes from AP Entertainment. Moved 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: Photo of book's jacket.

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: File of Connick.

AP Videos: Will run edit with sit-down interview and film clips.

… 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: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrival in Japan, plus pictures from the red carpet.

AP ON TV-FRINGE-ANNA TORV

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: File of Beyonce, John Legend.

AP video: No coverage planned.

GAME REVIEW-SKATE. Reviews of "Skate 2," ''Skate It."

AP text: Dirk Lammers

AP photo: still of "Skate 2"

AP video: no coverage planned.

… MUSIC-M.I.A. INTERVIEW

LOS ANGELES — A one-on-one at the singer's home, as she discusses her Oscar and Grammy nominations.

AP Text: No coverage planned.

AP Photo: Coverage planned.

AP Video: Coverage planned.

ONLINE VIDEOS

Movie Week— A film review of the top release for the week

Oscar Nominees— The nominess speak about the importance of the nom

Sean Penn— New PSA commercial

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 Video: No coverage planned.

FILM-DAVID FINCHER HONORED

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. — 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-DIRECTORS AWARDS

LOS ANGELES — The Directors Guild of America hands out its awards, with the makers of "The Dark Knight," ''Slumdog Millionaire" and "Milk" among those nominated.

AP Text: David Germain. Will be led during the ceremony, which begins around 11 p.m. EST, and from conclusion, expected at 2:30 a.m. EST Sunday.

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: David Bauder.

AP Photos: Coverage planned.

AP Video: Pursuing coverage.

… TV-SUPER BOWL REVIEW: A review of Super Bowl coverage from beginning to end.

AP Text: Douglas J. Rowe.

AP Photos: Coverage planned.

AP Video: No coverage planned.

MONDAY, FEB. 2

… FILM-ACADEMY AWARDS LUNCHEON

LOS ANGELES — The annual luncheon, held at the Beverly Hilton, honors the year's Oscar nominees.

AP Text: Coverage planned.

AP Photos: Coverage planned.

AP Video: Coverage planned.

… FILM-"HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU" PREMIERE

LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson and Justin Long co-star in the movie based on the bestselling book.

AP Text: No coverage planned.

AP Photos: Coverage planned.

AP Video: Coverage planned.

… THEATER-OBAMA ON MY MIND

LONDON — A new musical comedy to celebrate Obama's inauguration as president

AP Text: No coverage planned.

AP Photos: No Coverage planned.

AP Video: Coverage planned.

… TRAVEL-TRIP-L.A. ON A BUDGET

LOS ANGELES — While celebrities spend thousands of dollars to prep for the Oscars, travelers to the city can get a taste of the Academy Awards and movie history, plus glimpse celebs, without the big bucks or bling. A travel guide.

AP Text: Solvej Schou

AP Photos: Coverage planned.

AP Video: No coverage planned.