Parents' group protests Britney Spears song

The Parents Television Council is warning parents about the Britney Spears song "If U Seek Amy" and urging radio stations not to broadcast it because the nonprofit organization believes it "would violate the broadcast indecency law" if aired between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Saying the title phrase quickly out loud produces a sound akin to spelling out the F-word, said PTC president Tim Winter. "There is no misinterpreting the lyrics to this song, and it's certainly not about a girl named Amy," he said of the track, the third single from Spears' new Jive album, "Circus."

"It's one thing for a song with these lyrics to be included on a CD so that fans who wish to hear it can do so, but it's an entirely different matter when this song is played over the publicly-owned airwaves, especially at a time when children are likely to be in the listening audience," Winter says.

Founded in 1995, the PTC describes itself as "a nonpartisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment." Jive was unavailable for comment on the PTC's advisory.

The controversy isn't stopping U.S. radio from playing "If You Seek Amy." Six top 40 stations have the song in rotation this week, enough to place the track at No. 92 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. Leading the pack is WFLZ-Tampa, Fla., which has played it 19 times.

"We're confident the version of the song we air is not crossing any lines," program director Tommy Chuck told Billboard.com, adding that WFLX plays a Jive-created edit of the song that changes "Seek" to "See" as well as a jokey version in which morning host MJ shouts his name every time the word "Amy" appears.

Digitally, "Amy" has sold 107,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Obama's inauguration available everywhere on TV

It was hard to miss the moment on television when Barack Obama lifted his right hand to take the oath of office as the nation's 44th president. The transfer of power was everywhere you'd expect, on the CNNs and ABCs of the TV world. But ESPN also interrupted its sports highlights to show it. MTV cut away from self-obsessed "Real World" roommates. Business networks CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox telecast it, although the stock market tickers stayed on the screen. BET and TV One celebrated the arrival of a black president, and BBC America took its focus off Britain. Not since the September 2001 terrorist attacks have so many television networks shown such a unity of purpose, this time for a moment of hope. The networks bore witness both to a history-making event and a uniquely American ritual, with coverage that was most effective when anchors and commentators faded to the background. There were spectacular pictures: the sweep of a huge crowd cheering as if at some massive sporting event; the motorcade taking the Obamas and Bushes to the Capitol; Michelle Obama handing a gift to Laura Bush; and former presidents greeting one another before taking their seats. "What a moment for the man, what a moment for the country," ABC's Charles Gibson said after Obama assumed the presidency. On NBC, Lester Holt noted simply how many people were singing the National Anthem, when that is not always the case. CNN analyst David Gergen seemed to nail the day's mood early. "It's almost like Mardi Gras in January," he said, "with a much more serious purpose." The networks faltered when they let giddiness get the best of them. Gibson talked about getting chills, and not because of the weather. "There's just something about this day," he said. "The buildings are a little brighter." Anderson Cooper should wince at a playback of his attempt at music criticism: "There are three first ladies on this stage," he said. "Aretha Franklin is the first lady of soul." (Actually, since he overlooked Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton, his count should have been six.) Like an election night, news networks hauled out some expensive tricks, such as Fox News' impressive graphic map of Washington used to place the events. CNN contracted for a satellite to take a shot of Washington from space, and asked its viewers to send in pictures of the exact moment Obama took the oath of office. With a small search of its archives, NBC could have had a real memorable moment: Andrea Mitchell, reporting among the dignitaries on the reviewing stand, mentioned how she interviewed young Sen. Barack Obama there four years earlier during the Bush inauguration. It would have been priceless to see a clip of that interview. While the networks all assigned reporters to cover a crowd estimated at more than 1 million people, they were underused. The ordinary Americans who stood in the cold to witness history were a bigger part of the story than was reflected, as was evident by the rock starlike cheers that rang out during the Obamas walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. NBC's Norah O'Donnell and CNN's Dana Bash contributed quick, clear-eyed reporting Tuesday afternoon when Sen. Edward Kennedy had to be taken from a luncheon in a medical emergency. Kennedy, ill with a brain tumor, suffered an apparent seizure and was taken in for evaluation. There was no immediate word from medical personnel on his condition, although fellow senators said he remained conscious as he was taken for further evaluation. Obama's inaugural address largely drew a thumbs-up from the TV reporters covering it. Fox's News Channel's Brit Hume called it a "marvelously eloquent speech delivered in the characteristically flawless way by the new president." CBS historian Doug Brinkley said it was a "very beautifully written speech." Many commentators noted, though, the undercurrent of criticism at outgoing President George Bush that may have undercut the polite way the two men dealt with each other. "I suspect that if President Bush had read the speech before they had that ride to the Capitol, it may not have been as warm," said NBC's Tom Brokaw. On MSNBC, Peggy Noonan noted the visible warmth between the two families, epitomized by Michelle Obama's gift to her predecessor (a journal and pen for writing her memoirs). Yet it was undercut by a crowd singing "na na hey hey goodbye" as the Bushes helicopter took off. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, who the night before had urged Obama to prosecute Bush for war crimes, couldn't hide his glee at the moment. "We have liftoff ... and to all a good night," he said.

Michelle Obama chooses white ball gown

First lady Michelle Obama chose a white chiffon one-shoulder gown for a series of balls celebrating the inauguration of her husband. At the Neighborhood Ball at Washington's Convention Center, President Barack Obama, said: "First of all, how good-looking is my wife?" Her full-skirted dress had a strap across her right shoulder, a ruched bodice, fluffy appliques and sparkly beading. Mrs. Obama is wearing a Jason Wu gown this evening, which per tradition, will be donated to the Smithsonian. The president and first lady were dropping in on 10 official balls Tuesday night, kicking up their heels after a day of pomp and ceremony in the nation's capital.

Coldplay top nominee at BRIT music awards

Photo: Reuters
Click to enlarge
LONDON (Reuters) - Acclaimed British rock band Coldplay and Welsh singer Duffy head the field at the 2009 BRITs, the country's top pop music awards, with four nominations apiece, organizers announced on Tuesday. They are followed by London-born singer/songwriter Adele, indie pop band Scouting For Girls and alternative rockers Elbow, who all appear in three categories. Coldplay are up for best British group and best British album, considered the most prestigious prize at the BRITs, for their multi-million selling record "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends". The group is also up for best British single and British live act. The BRITs' recognition of Duffy, a relative unknown a year ago, caps a year during which her debut album "Rockferry" was Britain's top-selling record in 2008 and boasts worldwide sales of nearly 4.5 million copies. She has been nominated for best album, best single for "Mercy", British female solo artist and British breakthrough act. The best British single award is chosen by live public vote on the night of the awards ceremony. In the international categories, the same five artists are competing both for best international group and international album -- AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, the Killers, Kings of Leon and MGMT. BRITS GO GLOBAL British pop music enjoyed considerable international success in 2008, underlined by its dominance at the industry's top awards, the Grammys, which will be handed out in Los Angeles on February 8. Of the 20 nominations in the four "main" Grammy categories, 13 are British artists, BRITs organizers said. "The list highlights the continued investment in British talent across the UK record industry," said Ged Doherty, chairman of the BRITs Committee. Adele, another female pop artist to make it big in 2008, has been shortlisted for the best British female, British breakthrough and British single categories. Elbow are in the running for best British group and album plus top live act, where they are up against Scouting for Girls who are also nominated for British breakthrough act and single for "Heartbeat". Four other British acts -- Ting Tings, Radiohead, Girls Aloud, and Estelle -- land two nominations apiece in this year's BRITs list. BRITs organizers also announced on Tuesday that Take That and Coldplay will appear at the awards ceremony on February 18th, joining Pet Shop Boys, U2, Kings of Leon, Duffy and Girls Aloud. Hosting the event, held before an audience of over 10,000 people at London's Earls Court, will be Australian star Kylie Minogue.

California court puts Polanski sex case on hold

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California appeals court on Tuesday put on hold a hearing sought by Roman Polanski, at the request of the fugitive filmmaker, as he tries to dismiss his 30-year-old conviction for having sex with a minor. Lawyers for Polanski, 75, asked the California 2nd District Court of Appeal for an emergency stay of the proceedings, which were set for Wednesday afternoon, while they seek to disqualify the entire Los Angeles County Court system from the case. They are asking the appeals court to overturn a ruling by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejecting that motion, which would require the matter to be heard in another jurisdiction. In granting the stay, the appeals court issued a terse, two-sentence ruling that did not explain the decision but directed prosecutors to file written arguments by January 30. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which has opposed any further hearings for Polanski as long as he remains a fugitive, said prosecutors would comply with that. Polanski, the Oscar-winning director of such films as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown," fled the United States for France in 1978, before he could be sentenced for his guilty plea to having unlawful sex with an underage girl. The filmmaker, who spent 42 days incarcerated for psychiatric evaluation, fled because he became convinced the judge intended to send him back to prison, contrary to a plea agreement he had made with prosecutors. A citizen of his native France, Polanski cannot be extradited but faces arrest if he sets foot back on U.S. soil. His bid to dismiss the matter stems from claims that the now-dead judge in the case was improperly coached by a deputy district attorney, David Wells, ahead of sentencing. Those allegations gained public attention a year ago in the documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," in which Wells spoke of his contact with the judge. Polanski was originally indicted on six charges, including rape, for having sex with a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and drugs. He insisted the sex was consensual but pleaded guilty to a single count of having sex with a minor, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Vilified in the U.S. media at the time, the director has earned a measure of sympathy in Hollywood and won an Academy Award in 2003 for directing the Holocaust drama "The Pianist."

There's no way off the road known as Camino Real

A young American Everyman, fallen on hard times, wanders into a strange, drought-stricken, small Latin American town with no name, in a country with no name, and finds himself in a nightmarish situation with no apparent way out. So begins the Target Margin Theater's well-acted version of Tennessee Williams' 1946 one-act play "Ten Blocks on the Camino Real," a precursor to the full-length version that was titled "Camino Real." Directed by David Herskovits in the unwieldy Ohio Theatre space, this sparse production (which runs through Jan. 31) contains 10 surreal scenes encompassing violence, death, poetry, humor, desire, remorse and blunt truths that resonate six decades after Williams wrote them. Former boxing champion Kilroy (Satya Bhabha) tries to stay on his feet and keep his sense of humor as he encounters various unfriendly inhabitants and surreal situations on the town's main street, the "KAM-in-oh REEL." Williams emphasized the Anglicized pronunciation to reflect America's ignorance about other cultures. Wearing the golden gloves and enormous jeweled belt from Kilroy's glory days, Bhabha poignantly conveys streetwise charm combined with wonder and gradual resignation at his predicament. "This deal is rugged," Kilroy often exclaims, as townsfolk prey upon him while he wanders along the main street and bizarre "street cleaners" unceremoniously haul away frequently appearing dead bodies. Local law enforcement seems hostile and unhelpful, adding to the undercurrent of menace. Although it's clear on this unreal Camino Real that life can be unfair, harsh and all too short, Kilroy maintains his enthusiasm and his defiant rallying cry of "Ha-ha!" Cast members Curt Hostetteter, McKenna Kerrigan and Raphael Nash Thompson all lend depth and authenticity to a series of improbable characters and scenes. Purva Bedi is charming as a professional gypsy "virgin." Dara Seitzman as a strolling guitar player adds a light tone to the proceedings, as do Asta Bennie Hostetter's often colorful costumes and Lenore Doxsee's creative scenery and lighting. As an American symbol, Kilroy and his uneven journey have currency today: once on top of the world, now beleaguered, trying to figure out his place in an often unfriendly environment. "El camino real" is Spanish for "the royal road" or "the king's highway," but in Williams' ironic usage, it appears to signify the end of the line. Yet with still typical American ingenuity, Kilroy just might be the guy to find a way out.

Jim Carrey "comes out" at Sundance

Photo: Reuters
Click to enlarge
PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) - Jim Carrey outed his new movie "I Love You Phillip Morris" at the Sundance Film Festival this week, taking a risk in the gay romantic comedy by sharing passionate moments with co-star Ewan McGregor. Based on a true story, Carrey plays cop-turned-conman Steven Russell, who falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (McGregor) and escapes four times from the Texas jail where he is being held in a bid to be with his partner. For Carrey, one of Hollywood's biggest box office draws in mainstream comedies such as "Liar, Liar" and "Bruce Almighty," taking the role in an independent film like "Philip Morris" could prove to be a real gamble. Carrey, 47, risks losing the audiences that flock to his mainstream comedies such as "Yes Man," which has grossed about $100 million at U.S. box offices since its December release. In the past, when he has starred in a movie that is not a broad comedy, it often flops. Carrey's serious portrayal of late comedian Andy Kaufman in the 1999 drama "Man on the Moon" tanked at U.S. box offices with only $34 million and his 2007 horror movie "The Number 23" also stumbled with $35 million. Yet, early reviews are good for "Phillip Morris" and, for their part, Carrey, McGregor and the directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa told reporters at a Monday news conference at Sundance, the top U.S. independent film festival, that the movie should not be pigeonholed. "I don't think it's a gay movie," Carrey said. "It really is about the lengths we go to for acceptance and love." While McGregor has played gay roles before, Carrey has not and the comic actor acknowledged a few initial fears. "If I were to be really honest, there's a homophobic voice that rises up inside me and goes 'Gee this is kind of scary,'" he said. "First of all, what will people think? And second of all, will I like it? Will I like kissing Ewan?" he added with a laugh. 'STRANGELY USUAL' McGregor said he and Carrey performed intimate scenes together on the first day of filming. He described it as "strangely usual. It's not terribly much of a big deal." "Phillip Morris" producer Andrew Lazar said he was drawn to the love story of the movie and believed it had universal appeal. "We've all been lovesick and I think anybody, whether you're gay or straight, can identify with that," he said. So far, critics like what they see. Showbusiness newspaper The Hollywood Reporter said "Carrey is at his nimble best" and Daily Variety said the movie will leave "audiences both laughing and stunned." The Times of London gave the movie four out of five stars, describing it as an "extraordinary film that serves as a reminder of just how good Carrey can be when he's not tied into a generic Hollywood crowd-pleaser." Still, the critics suggested the film could be a hard sell to broad audiences because of the gay storyline. The "sexual bluntness of Carrey and Ewan McGregor's onscreen romance could limit the film's exposure," wrote Daily Variety.

"Slumdog" meant to capture Mumbai zest

MUMBAI (Reuters) - "Slumdog Millionaire" was meant to capture Mumbai's "lust for life," director Danny Boyle said on Tuesday, reacting to criticism that the film glamorized poverty in India. The cast and crew of the Oscar hopeful returned to the bustling financial hub on Tuesday in the run-up to the Indian premiere of the critically acclaimed film, a rags-to-riches story of a boy competing on a TV gameshow. "The thing that I wanted people to take away from the film was ... this breathtaking, breathtaking resilience of people and the joy of people despite their circumstances, that lust for life," the British director said at a press conference. "What we tried to do in the film was include as much of the city as possible," he said. About half of Mumbai's 17 million people are homeless, and many of those live on the streets or in slums that lack even basic facilities such as running water and toilets. The unpaved alleys, open sewers and tiny shacks of a teeming Mumbai slum are faithfully reproduced in the film, which swept the Golden Globe awards this month. But some Indian newspapers and TV channels have criticized Boyle for romanticizing slums and peddling such grim realities as begging rackets, prostitution and crime as "Indian exotica." The film has sparked a debate on whether such "poverty porn" reinforces Western stereotypes about the country. "If SM (Slumdog) projects India as Third World dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations," Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, arguably India's biggest superstar, wrote on his blog (http://bigb.bigadda.com) last week. "Slumdog Millionaire" opens in Indian cinemas on January 23, a day after this year's Oscar nominations are revealed. But Boyle, who made the acclaimed "Trainspotting" in 1996, is not holding out for a sweep at the Academy Awards. "You can't expect anything really," he said.

Kendra Wilkinson: "I'm Sorry to Have Hurt Hef"

Girl Next Door Kendra Wilkinson might have said too much in her candid interview in the current issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

"I'm more upset at myself with what I said," Wilkinson said to E! News. "I'm really bad at interviews and anyone who knows me knew I meant no harm. I'm a goofball."


In the exclusive interview with Us, she discussed her life with Hugh Hefner , the bizarre house rules, her curfew and how she would sneak away from the Playboy mansion for sex.

"I said that I snuck sex every now and then, and I can't take that back," Wilkinson said.

Although she can't take back what she said in her candid interview, she is apologizing for it.

"I'm very sorry to have hurt Hef," she said. "Playboy made me who I am, and Hef has done more for me than anyone else. In my heart, I will always love Hef and Playboy."


Wilkinson was so sorry that she stopped by the mansion to apologize in person. "Hef was hurt, but he understands," she told E!. "He knows me..."

She said she also had personal personal apologies to her former roommates Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt because in theUs interview, Wilkinson also opened up about how they treated her.

"We are all doing so great these days," Wilkinson said. "Everyone is happy and doing their own thing."

Polanski's bid to dismiss rape case tied to film

Polish-born film director Roman Polanski during the burial ceremony for French film maker Claude Berri in Montrouge, outside Paris, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Roman Polanski's tumultuous, sometimes tragic life had long seemed destined for a movie of its own.

But no one expected the controversy that erupted when a film finally did appear, a documentary that revealed new information about one of the defining events of the film director's past — his 1977 conviction of raping a 13-year-old girl and his flight into exile.

Armed with disclosures from the HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," Polanski's lawyers have gone to court demanding that the still-pending case against him be dismissed because of court misconduct.

Among other things, the documentary says the judge was influenced in his sentencing consideration by a friend. The disclosure stunned both Polanski's lawyers and prosecutors involved in the original case.

A hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Polanski, however, won't even be in the country, a point that prosecutors say means he shouldn't get a hearing.

Polanski's turbulent life story resonates as a piece of Hollywood history and as the sort of story that he has brought to life on the screen.

A native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, he escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz.

With talent and grit, he worked his way into filmmaking in Poland. His "Knife in the Water" gained an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964. Coming to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby."

But then his life was shattered by new horror in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate — eight months pregnant with their child — and four other people were gruesomely murdered by followers of Charles Manson.

He went on to make another American classic, "Chinatown," released in 1974.

But in 1977 he was accused of raping a teen while photographing her during a modeling session. The girl said Polanski plied her with Champagne and part of a Quaalude pill at Jack Nicholson 's house while the actor was away. She said that, despite her protests, he performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her.

The case became an international sensation.

Polanski was allowed to plead guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse, and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation.

Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain.

On the day of sentencing, aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France.

His legal team maintains there was prosecutorial and judicial misconduct, that the case was manipulated by the judge, Laurence J. Rittenband, and David Wells, a retired prosecutor.

Wells told his story for the first time in the film, acknowledging that he insinuated himself into the Polanski case. He said that as the regular courtroom deputy district attorney for routine cases before Rittenband, he gained the judge's confidence and advised him on sentencing Polanski.

Wells said the publicity conscious judge was afraid he would be criticized for giving Polanski too lenient a sentence. Rittenband has been dead for 15 years.

Wells' story surprised Polanski's prosecutor, retired Deputy District Attorney Roger Gunson, and retired defense attorney Doug Dalton.

It also became the unexpected centerpiece of the documentary. "I never made the film for this reason," director Marina Zenovich said in a brief telephone interview.

The district attorney's office has not addressed the misconduct claims, but argues that Polanski can't have a hearing if he refuses to appear in court.

The catch is that Polanski would be arrested and jailed on a fugitive warrant if he sets foot in this country.

The defense maintains that the judge has the option to dismiss the case "in the interest of justice" without Polanski present.

In one of many bizarre twists, the person who has emerged as Polanski's strongest ally in seeking dismissal is the now 45-year-old victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly. She filed an affidavit accusing prosecutors of victimizing her again by including graphic sexual description of the crime in one of their filings.

"It is clear to me that because the district attorney's office has been accused of wrongdoing, it has recited the lurid details of the case to distract attention from the wrongful conduct of the district attorney's office as well as the judge who was then assigned to the case," Geimer said.

She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement.

Two other unlikely allies are the original courtroom opponents in the case, prosecutor Gunson and defense attorney Dalton.

They told the documentary makers that, years after the original case, another Superior Court judge agreed to dismiss the charge if Polanski would return and allow his hearing to be televised, an offer Polanski refused.

A court spokesman angrily denied their account in June, calling it a fabrication.

That drew a strongly worded joint response from Dalton and Gunson: "It is our shared view that ... false and reprehensible statements by the Los Angeles Superior Court continues their inappropriate handling of the Polanski case."

Polanski, now 75, continued his career in France and won the 2002 directing Oscar for his film "The Pianist," a Holocaust drama that mirrored parts of his own life. He works in Paris where he lives with his wife, actress Emanuelle Seigner and their children, 11 and 15.

His current lawyer, Chad Hummel, said Polanski does not plan to ever return to the United States. However, dismissal of the criminal case and an outstanding arrest warrant would allow him to travel and work outside France.

Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez wow inaugural gala

Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez and husband singer Marc Anthony attend the Latino 2009 Inaugural Gala at Union Station on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Latino entertainers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony graced "la alfombra roja" — the red carpet — at Union Station Sunday to give a Hispanic flair to the inauguration pre-celebration Sunday.

They posed quickly for cameras with no visible signs of the marital distress that tabloids have been buzzing about recently. The two singers entertained the crowd at the end of the night.

Lopez introduced Anthony after making a pitch for the new president.

"Yes we can," she said to the cheering crowd. "We all stood together and said 'Yes we will.'"

Lopez, wearing an electric blue strapless gown, towered over her husband Anthony, who wore pinstripes. Her piled-high updo added a few more inches.

The couple said little from the carpet, but Anthony traded a hug with Miami-born Wilmer Valderrama , star of "That '70s Show," as he swiftly moved off the carpet.

Valderrama actively promoted registration and voting among young Latinos during the presidential election.

"All of us performers, not until this election did we really understand what we could do," Valderrama said.

Though focus of the night was entertainment, the music quickly mixed with politics.

Tony Plana, who plays Betty's father in the television series "Ugly Betty," said he was ecstatic about President-elect Barack Obama's victory. He said an Obama administration could improve the lives of all minorities.

But he also said Hispanics deserved a better spot on the inaugural festivities list.

"It's a concern this event tonight is not an official event of the administration. It's a little sad for me Latinos had to organize their own event," Plana said. He said he hoped it did not mean Hispanics would be relegated to a back seat. The event was organized by the National Council of La Raza and other Hispanic organizations.

"American Idol" runner up David Archuleta kicked off the night with "The Star-Spangled Banner" and he was quickly followed with music by War.

Members of Congress filtered in and mixed in the VIP room with some of the stars.

Other entertainers at the event included Mexican singer Lila Downs, comedian George Lopez , actress Rosie Perez, telenovela actress Angelica Vale and others.

Brad Pitt, at 45, not worried about old age

REFILE - CORRECTING SPELLING OF JOLIE'S FIRST NAME U.S. actors Brad Pitt and his partner Angelina Jolie sign autographs on the red carpet at the German premiere of the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in Berlin January 19, 2009. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke (GERMANY)Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) - Actor Brad Pitt says he is not afraid of growing old, but is worried about how he will die.

Pitt, who turned 45 last month, was in Berlin for the European premier of 'The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button', in which he plays a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.

"I'm not so afraid of getting old, I'm more afraid of how I'll go," he told a news conference on Monday. "Fire and tight spaces don't appeal. A shark would be interesting." The tear-jerking film tracks the love story between Benjamin Button and Daisy, played by Cate Blanchett , and the joys and losses they face as one gets younger and the other older.

Asked what would make him cry, Pitt replied: "I don't cry, I'm as hard as nails."

Biden tries to shush wife after state-VP slip

This image provided by Harpo Productions shows, from left: Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and Oprah Winfrey on the set of the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' at Washington's Kennedy Center Opera House Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc. George Burns)Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden's wife said Monday that he had his pick of being Barack Obama's running mate or the secretary of state nomination that eventually went to Hillary Rodham Clinton, a slip that the vice president-elect immediately tried to shush.

Jill Biden's comment came during an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," taped at Washington's Kennedy Center on the eve of the inauguration.

"Joe had the choice to be secretary of state or vice president," she said. Her husband turned to his wife with his finger to his lips and a "Shhhh!" that sent the audience into laughter. "OK, he did," Jill Biden said in her defense.

The vice president-elect blushed, grimaced and gave his wife a hug while the audience continued to erupt in laughter. "That's right," he finally said to his wife. "Go ahead."

Mrs. Biden said she told him vice president would be better for the family.

"If you're secretary of state, you'll be away, we'll never see you, you know," she said. "I'll see you at a state dinner once in a while."

After the exchange aired on television three hours later, Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander denied Jill Biden's account in a statement e-mailed to reporters.

"To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only — to be his running mate," the statement said. "And the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."

While the statement denies that Obama ever offered Biden the secretary of state job, it doesn't rule out that the two discussed the possibility. Obama's transition office did not respond to questions about their private discussions.

Clinton's spokesman declined to comment about the suggestion that she was the second choice.

Obama made no reference to to the comments Monday night, when he praised the Bidens at a dinner honoring his running mate at Washington's Union Station. Obama invited the two on stage, where he kissed Jill Biden's cheek and hugged her husband.

On Winfrey's program, Joe Biden said he didn't immediately take the vice presidential offer since he wasn't sure it was the best place for him to serve. But Biden, who ran against Obama in the Democratic primary race, said he agreed after getting some assurances from Obama about his role.

"This is a partnership," Biden said. "He's president of the United States, but as I said to him when he asked me, I said, 'Barack, don't ask me unless the reason you're asking me is you're asking me for my judgment. I get to be the last guy in the room when you make every important decision. You're president. Any decision you make, I will back.'

"He said he wanted to have a confidant and somebody who wouldn't be a yes man. He's pretty sure about that last part," Biden said with a laugh.

Alexander's statement said, "Like anyone who followed the presidential campaign this summer, Dr. Jill Biden knew there was a chance that President-elect Obama might ask her husband to serve in some capacity and that, given his background, the positions of vice president and secretary of state were possibilities. Dr. Biden's point to Oprah today was that being vice president would be a better fit for their family because they would get to see him more and get to participate in serving more."

The Bidens made a surprise appearance on Winfrey's show. The celebrity-filled show also included the premiere of "America's Song," performed by Faith Hill , Seal , Bono , Mary J. Blige , Will.i.am and David Foster in honor of the occasion and available for free download on Winfrey's Web site for 24 hours.

Winfrey also interviewed movie star couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher about how Obama has inspired them to pledge to help end slave labor around the world and encourage other people to make a pledge to improve their communities. Other celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson , Justin Timberlake and Forest Whitaker appeared by videotape to talk about what Obama's election means to them.

Winfrey, who made her first ever presidential endorsement for Obama, heralded the significance of the moment particularly coming the day after Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

"I feel like I am better because of his being elected," Winfrey said. "And I think that the country is going to be better. I feel like it is a beautiful thing, and we all start to see ourselves differently, the possibility."

'Top Chef's' Tom Colicchio Turns Hero At D.C. Dinner Party

Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- "Top Chef's" Tom Colicchio went from celebrity judge to hero over the weekend, after saving the life of a fellow foodie.

According to the Food Association, Colicchio performed the Heimlich maneuver on Joan Nathan, a cookbook author at the Art.Food.Hope fundraising dinner in Washington, D.C.

Nathan reportedly began choking on chicken when Colicchio was forced to spring into action and perform the move, which dislodged the food from her windpipe.

"I just happened to be nearby," the judge told a Food Association blogger of his safety move.

Colicchio is currently starring in Season 5 of Bravo TV's "Top Chef," in New York City.

Obamas, Bidens enjoy Lincoln Memorial concert

Stevie Wonder performs with Usher, right, and Shakira during 'We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial' in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Under the gaze of Abraham Lincoln's statue, Bruce Springsteen and a red-robed gospel choir kicked off a spirited preinaugural concert Sunday before tens of thousands on the National Mall.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived, walking down the steps of the memorial, and kept applauding for the high-energy Springsteen act and the performances that followed.

There was no red carpet, but the event had the feel of a Hollywood awards ceremony, with stars taking the stage to praise, serenade, and even impersonate the next president.

Performers including Bono , Beyonce and James Taylor were on the bill.

A crowd expected to reach up to a half-million was stretched past the reflecting pool separating the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Obama and his wife and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, sat behind bullet-proof glass near the stage erected on the steps of the memorial.

The concert began with Springsteen, dressed in black, singing "The Rising," with the help of the choir, taking a song best known as a call to action following the 2001 terror attacks and using it to usher in a new era in American politics.

Denzel Washington was the first celebrity to speak, telling the crowd, "we are all in this together."

Another speaker was actor Tom Hanks , who as Forrest Gump famously gave a speech at the monument steps and jumped into the reflecting pool. This time, he appeared in a dark suit and read a somber tribute to Abraham Lincoln.

Jamie Foxx brought many in the crowd — and the Obamas — to their feet by repeatedly urging those from Chicago to make some noise: "Chi-town, stand up!" he demanded.

Foxx then launched into a quick impersonation of the president-elect.

Joe Biden told the crowd: "Look around you. Look at the grace and grandeur that surrounds us and you'll see the work of American hands."

The crowd threw their hands up for Garth Brooks' thumping rendition of "Shout!" supported by a massive choir wearing red and blue jackets against the cold.

The crowd, including Obama and Biden, were writhing when Stevie Wonder , Usher , and Shakira pumped out Wonder's classic "Higher Ground."

Sheryl Crow and will.i.am performed "One Love," and golf great Tiger Woods , the son of a military man, urged the audience to remember the sacrifices of military families.

The event began with a convocation by the Right Rev. Gene Robinson, who asked the crowd to pray for "understanding that our president is a human being and not a messiah."

Obama Family Feted by Sheryl Crow, Beyonce at Inaugural Concert!

President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughter Sasha look on during the 'We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial' on January 18, 2009 at the National Mall in Washington, DC.Us Magazine

Nearly all of Hollywood turned up to the concert of the year -- in Washington, D.C.!

Barack and Michelle Obama smiled, danced and waved to their favorite stars at the inaugural kick-off concert, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

At 2:30 p.m., the Obamas and Bidens -- all sitting in a glass bulletproof section near the stage erected on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial -- had front-row seats to the star-studded show. Obama's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, sat between Barack and Michelle. Malia was busy taking photos with her digital camera. Five minutes later, everyone rose to sing the National Anthem.

Denzel Washington gave an introductory speech. Bruce Springsteen sang "The Rising" with a red-and-white-robed gospel choir behind him.

Then, actress Laura Linney spoke about former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King III read some of John F. Kennedy's famous words. Mary J. Blige then sang "Lean On Me." Obama beamed at her during the performance.



Steve Carell and Jamie Foxx took the stage next to speak to the swelling crowd.

Betty LaVette duetted with Jon Bon Jovi . Obama was bopping to the music, and Malia continued to take photos of the crowd. After the song, Tom Hanks , who as Forrest Gump famously gave a speech at the monument steps -- talked about Abraham Lincoln and said, "We cannot escape history." Next up was Marisa Tomei , who talked about how Americans are a family. The music picked up again when James Taylor, John Legend and Faith Hill performed a song together.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden gave a speech and said: "Anyone can make it if given a fair chance. Work isn't about money -- it's about dignity and respect." John Mellencamp sang "Ain't That America."

Queen Latifah spoke at 3:30 p.m. and said, "We're celebrating not just the Inauguration of a new president, but the journey of America continuing to be America." Josh Groban then sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee." After the patriotic number, George Lopez and Kal Penn -- who had the crowd screaming out "Kumar!" -- spoke. Lopez ad-libbed part of his speech and called out: "Anyone here from out of town? Well, you're all home now!"

Then, will.i.am and Sheryl Crow sang Bob Marley's "One Love." When the song morphed into the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love?," Michelle began dancing along in her seat and waving at the performers.

After that powerhouse performance, golf pro Tiger Woods gave a speech honoring men and women in uniform, and the US Naval Academy Glee Club perfomed. Garth Brooks followed them up by singing two songs -- "American Pie" and "Shout."


Jack Black and Rosario Dawson spoke together before Stevie Wonder , Usher and Shakira sang Wonder's "Higher Ground." During the performance, Wonder shouted, "Good luck, Obama!"

Samuel L. Jackson introduced U2, who sang "In the Name of Love." Frontman Bono congratulated Obama, who smiled back at the rocker.

When the concert was about to come to a close, Obama took the stage to thank everyone for coming and adressed the challenges ahead: "Anything is possible in America. What gives me the greatest hope is you."

Beyonce then sang the finale, "America" as all the day's performers joined her on stage.

Joaquin Phoenix Debuts Rap Career In Vegas

Access Hollywood

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Joaquin Phoenix may be best known for playing country legend Johnny Cash, but it's hip-hop that the actor has turned to for a second career.

Having announced his retirement from acting last year, Joaquin was spotted on stage at Lavo in Las Vegas on Friday, where he showed off some new material - and his MC skills.

In videos posted to YouTube, Joaquin took the stage in a beanie, sunglasses and a heavy beard as he rhymed over drum beats.

It looked like he was playing another character -- but the aspiring rapper told People before he took the stage that it was no act.

"This is me saying this is who I am," he told the mag. "This is my story."

A cameraman filmed the performance, and though Joaquin may be done with acting, the footage will likely appear on screen - according to The Hollywood Reporter, brother-in-law Casey Affleck is directing a documentary about the former actor's career shift. Casey is married to Joaquin's sister, Summer Phoenix.

Behind The Scenes: Christie Brinkley's 'Got Milk?' Ad

Access Hollywood

PARK CITY, Utah -- Christie Brinkley 's still got milk.

The former supermodel, who helped launched the "Got Milk?" campaign in 1995, is sporting a milk mustache for the third time in a newly unveiled ad -- but she was a milk fan long before she wore a mustache.

"Every three meals, we had our glass of milk right there," Christie told Access Hollywood's Billy Bush at the Sundance Film Festival. "My mom was always just guzzling the milk back."

Along with her vegetarian diet, she credits the beverage for helping her stay fit.

"I've, you know, had to try just about every diet," she said. "And I find that milk sticks to my ribs."

Besides her diet, another thing the celeb is feeling good about is the new year.

"I think there's a whole, real positive energy going on and I hope to flow along with that positive energy," Christie told Reuters on Friday, adding that she'd be watching the presidential inauguration. "I am really looking forward to watching what happens to our country."

Barack Obama Hires Same Interior Decorator as Cindy Crawford

Us Magazine

The Obamas are using the same interior designer as Cindy Crawford and Steven Spielberg to decorate their new White House digs!

California-native Michael S. Smith -- who's written two books on design -- is hard at work on 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha's bedrooms, choosing items from "a variety of different outlets, kid-friendly everyday retail stores," Michelle Obama's spokesperson, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, told the Washington Post.

Added Michelle Obama: "Michael shares my vision for creating a family-friendly feel to our new home and incorporating some new perspectives from some of America's greatest artists and designers."



Smith said he'll base his decorating on "the family's casual style, their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront and utilizing affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home."

Also on his task list? The designer told Domino magazine in 2008 that he'd "love to redecorate the White House - I am sick of the paint color!"



Although the family hasn't released many details about how they'll personalize their new home, the Post reports the Obamas' Chicago residence featured Asian and African art, glass-fronted bookcases and framed family photos.

Drew Barrymore: I "Love" Being Blonde

Drew Barrymore arrives at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California.Us Magazine

Blondes really do have more fun. Ask Drew Barrymore .

The Dior Couture-clad star was giddy as ever as she held hands with Jessica Lange (her costar in the upcoming HBO drama Grey Gardens) on the red carpet at last Sunday's Golden Globe Awards. The two were equally chummy as they presented Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television to John Adams.



Of her new 'do, she told Usmagazine.com, "I love it! Oh, I'm liberated!"



Last weekend, Barrymore also admitted she hasn't always been pleased with her red carpet looks.



She said she regretted wearing "that Gucci green dress where my boobs looked like watermelons" at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards.

"It was the worst. Never wear a high neck waist with a high belt," she said at a TCA press event in Los Angeles. "It makes your t--ts look like they're at your waist. Big mistake! I'm so sorry, Gucci! I have tarnished your name!"



What trend does she want to come back?

"I love polka dots," she said. "They're happy!"

Katie Holmes & Victoria Beckham' Fashion Campaign Showdown

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Celebrity pals Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham have been known to borrow from and influence one another when it comes to style trends, and now the two friends are launching fashion campaigns on the same day!

Katie Holmes launched a chic fashion forward ad for Miu Miu where she is featured in a golden-hued pleated gown.

Cranking up the sex appeal and following in the footsteps of husband David Beckham , Victoria launched an ad campaign for Emporio Armani underwear where she leaves little to the imagination in a stylish underwear and bra combo.

Kellie Pickler: Crazy In Love, Not Ready For Marriage

Access Hollywood

NASHVILLE, TN -- Former "American Idol" contender Kellie Pickler is off the market.

"I've met someone now that I'm crazy about and he's crazy about me, and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else," Kellie told radio show "GAC Nights: Live From Nashville."

The buxom Southern blonde said that while she is head over heels for her guy, she isn't ready yet to walk down the aisle.

"There's a sense of reality where you have to be a realist and think, this is something that you're gonna make a vow to spend the rest of your life with this person and your priorities are gonna change," she told the show. "Right now, I'm in the point of my life where I want my career to be No. 1."

And Kellie, who is expected to tour later this year with teenage country cutie Taylor Swift , said she feels too young for marriage.

"I'm not ready -- I'm 22, I just started out -- I'm not ready to put my husband first," she said. "[I'll wait until] I'm to a point into my career where I can say, 'This can come in second and I'm ready to have a family.'"

Selena Gomez to the Jonas Bros: "Just Put Boys in Your Videos!"

ick, Joe and Kevin Jonas of The Jonas Brothers, and Selena Gomez pose backstage during the 2008 Teen Choice Awards on August 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.Us Magazine

After Joe Jonas dumped Taylor Swift for Camilla Belle following the filming of "Love Bug," Selena Gomez has a few words of advice for her beau, Nick Jonas , and his bros.

"Just put boys in [your] videos for now on, how 'bout that?" the Wizards of Waverly Place star jokes to E!'s Daily 10.



The Disney star, 16, is currently working on her debut album, set to be released in 2009.

"It's a work in progress," she says. "Once I come out with my music, you're going to see a whole different side of me. Different hair, different clothing, different attitude."

Although changing her look too much could be bad for Gomez, who says "half the time kids don't even know who I am" when parents spot her on the street.

"The mom's just like 'take a picture, take a picture,'" she says. "And the kid's looking at the mom going, 'I don't want a picture of this girl!'"

Has Patrick Swayze's Cancer Spread?

Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Patrick Swayze checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center last Friday for pneumonia, but has the actor's cancer now spread to his lungs?

"I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way." Patrick told People in his first words since checking into the hospital last week. In the interview, Swayze downplayed the severity of this latest medical setback.

"I don't plan on being in the hospital long," he continued. "I am almost in the clear now."

Patrick said a persistent cough lead him to call his doctor who told him to go to the hospital on January 9.

People Senior Editor Peter Castro told Access Hollywood that Patrick is responding positively to treatment.

"He's being treated with antibiotics," Peter told Access. "He's doing a lot better and he thinks that he'll be out of the woods pretty soon with the pneumonia."

Though "The Beast" star says he's almost "in the clear," The National Enquirer paints a very different picture, reporting that Patrick is in the hospital because his cancer has spread to his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe, according to a source. The source goes on to claim that he has a less than 10 percent chance of recovery.

According to The Enquirer, the actor had an operation shortly after his Barbara Walters interview to bypass a stomach blockage, but his condition allegedly continued to worsen.

The mag quotes a source, who claims he saw Patrick just a day before he checked into the hospital, who said, "this is by far the sickest he's been."

Patrick's "Beast" executive producer John Romano, recently said the actor looks wonderful in his new series, which premiers this coming Thursday on A&E.

"People tuning in to see, you know, whether this thing has affected his looks will be very disappointed, he looks great," Romano said. "He really should be the poster boy for the kind of battle he's fighting."

As for "The Beast's" future? Romano said they are taking their cues from Patrick and that it's full speed ahead.

"Will we ever have to re-think it? Well, we all know what cancer is," Romano said.

"Maybe that's something... the time will come. [But,]At this point we're counting on a second season with Patrick Swayze ."

Jennifer Hudson to sing at Super Bowl

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress and recording star Jennifer Hudson will sing the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl in her first public performance since the shooting deaths of her mother, brother and nephew, her Web site said on Wednesday.

The former "American Idol" contestant and Oscar-winning "Dreamgirls" actress will open the NBC broadcast of the National Football League championship on February 1 in Tampa Bay, Florida, with her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Rock veteran Bruce Springsteen already has been announced for the coveted half-time slot during the game, usually the most watched U.S. television broadcast of the year.

Hudson's Super Bowl gig will come five days before she is due to sing in Los Angeles at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year show, an event leading up to the 51st annual Grammy Awards on February 8. Hudson's self-titled debut release is nominated for a Grammy as best R&B album.

In October, Hudson's mother, brother and nephew were shot to death in her hometown of Chicago. Authorities have charged Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, with murder in the slaying of her family members.

Hudson, 27, competed in the reality talent show "American Idol" in 2004. She was eliminated midway through the competition but revived her career with a critically acclaimed performance in the 2006 musical "Dreamgirls," which earned her an Academy Award as best supporting actress. Last year, she co-starred in the movie "The Secret Life of Bees."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by Steve Gorman and Mohammad Zargham)

Whoopi Goldberg boldly goes back to sci-fi acting

Whoopi Goldberg speaks during a scene from FEARnet's sci-fi mini-series 'Stream' in this undated publicity handout. Whoopi Goldberg is returning from a brief retirement as an actress to boldly go to where few stars have gone before -- online science fiction. Two decades after first appearing on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' the Oscar-winning actress is producing and starring in a new sci-fi series called 'Stream' that premieres on January 15, 2009 on the horror website and video-on-demand network FEARnet. (FEARnet/Handout/Reuters)Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Whoopi Goldberg is returning from a brief retirement as an actress to boldly go to where few stars have gone before -- online science fiction.

Two decades after first appearing on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the Oscar-winning actress is producing and starring in a new sci-fi series called "Stream" that premieres on January 15 on the horror website and video-on-demand network FEARnet.

The series comes just over a year after Goldberg, 53, said she was retiring from acting to concentrate on hosting the daytime chat show "The View," a gig she took over from Rosie O'Donnell in September

2007.

Goldberg said the idea of performing in a new medium really appealed to her, as did the chance to act in sci-fi and horror -- two of her favorite genres.

"I did retire. I hadn't made a movie in quite a while, and I lost my way with the things I was doing. It became entertainment by rote, and there wasn't a lot being done that I was interested in doing," Goldberg told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"But the idea that you can be at work and check out a webisode tickles me because that is the future. ... I can reinvent my way of acting so that I challenge myself and see where it takes me for the second half of my life."

Goldberg built a strong following in sci-fi circles through her work in the late 1980s and early '90s on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

She said she had been a "Star Trek" fan, or Trekkie, since childhood, when creator Gene Roddenberry had the wherewithal to put black people in the future as characters in the original 1960s series.

"Other science fiction movies you saw had no black people in them anywhere. Isn't that something? I wanted to carry on that tradition," she said.

"If I could be doing sci-fi and horror all the time I would be doing it. I have loved it since I was little. A good scare is great and I love the idea you can get people to feel things without having to show it to them."

In "Stream," which will be rolled out in six episodes of five minute each, Goldberg stars as Jodi Quinn, a character battling personal demons in a sci-fi thriller that moves between three phases of her life.

Goldberg, who has made more than 40 movies and won an Oscar for her 1990 supporting role in the romantic drama "Ghost," said she ended up mainly in comedy as no one ever asked her to play sci-fi or horror roles.

"It wasn't until I did 'Star Trek' that people thought I could do sci-fi, and I have yet to do a horror film," she said. "I'd love to be a monster."

"Stream" is the sixth original series from FEARnet, an advertising-supported joint venture between Comcast Corp, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Steve Gorman)

Ricardo Montalban dies at 88

* FILE ** In this June 15, 1978 file photo, actor Ricardo Montalban of the television series 'Fantasy Island' is shown in Los Angeles. The Mexican-born actor, who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's 'Fantasy Island,' died at his home in Los Angeles, City Council President Eric Garcetti said Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. He was 88. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, file)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Ricardo Montalban , the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, his family said. He was 88.

Montalban's death was first announced at a city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. He died "from complications of advancing age," his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, later said.

"He was so gracious, and Aaron was always humbled by Ricardo's gratitude for 'Fantasy Island," said Candy Spelling , wife of the late Aaron Spelling, who created the show. "I miss him already, and wish his family well."

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in "Fiesta," and starred again with the swimming beauty in "On an Island with You" and "Neptune's Daughter."

But Montalban was best known as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over a tropical island resort where visitors fulfilled their lifelong dreams — usually at the unexpected expense of a difficult life lesson. "I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island," he told arriving guests.

Montalban had already coined a cultural catchphrase before the show, which ran from 1978 to 1984. As the celebrity spokesman for mid-1970s models of the Chrysler Cordoba, Montalban unwittingly opened himself up to endless imitation when he described the car's optional seats as being "available in soft, Corinthian leather."

More recently, he appeared as villains in two hits of the 1980s: "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" and — in line with his always-apparent sense of humor about himself — the farcical "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad."

Montalban's longtime friend and publicist David Brokaw said the actor was "exactly how you'd imagine him to be" off camera. "What you saw on the screen and on television and on talk shows, this very courtly, modest, dignified individual, that's exactly who he was," Brokaw said.

Raul Yzaguirre, longtime president of National Council of La Raza, called Montalban "a hero" and noted the actor's contributions to his community. Montalban helped found the ALMA Awards, which honor and encourage fair portrayals of Latinos in entertainment.

"He was just a marvelous human being and an inspiration to be around," Yzaguirre said. "I hope his spirit pervades more of Hollywood — the spirit of humility and excellence and giving back to the community and just plain decency."

Between movie and TV roles, Montalban was active in the theater. He starred on Broadway in the 1957 musical "Jamaica" opposite Lena Horne, picking up a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical.

Montalban also toured in Shaw's "Don Juan in Hell," playing Don Juan, a performance critic John Simon later recalled as "irresistible." In 1965 he appeared on tour in the Yul Brynner role in "The King and I."

"Fantasy Island" received high ratings for most of its run on ABC, and still appears in reruns. Mr. Roarke and his sidekick, Tattoo, played by the 3-foot, 11-inch Herve Villechaize, reached the state of TV icons. Villechaize died in 1993.

In a 1978 interview, Montalban analyzed the ethereal quality of his character: "Was he a magician? A hypnotist? Did he use hallucinogenic drugs? I finally came across a character that works for me. He has the essence of mystery, but I need a point of view so that my performance is consistent. I now play him 95 percent believable and 5 percent mystery. He doesn't have to behave mysteriously; only what he does is mysterious."

In 1970, Montalban organized fellow Latino actors into an organization called Nosotros ("We"), and he became the first president. Their aim: to improve the image of Spanish-speaking Americans on the screen; to assure that Latin-American actors were not discriminated against; to stimulate Latino actors to study their profession.

Montalban commented in a 1970 interview:

"The Spanish-speaking American boy sees Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid wipe out a regiment of Bolivian soldiers. He sees 'The Wild Bunch' annihilate the Mexican army. It's only natural for him to say, 'Gee, I wish I were an Anglo.'"

Montalban was no stranger to prejudice. He was born Nov. 25, 1920, in Mexico City, the son of parents who had emigrated from Spain. The boy was brought up to speak the Castilian Spanish of his forebears. To Mexican ears that sounded strange and effeminate, and young Ricardo was jeered by his schoolmates.

His mother also dressed him with old-country formality, and he wore lace collars and short pants "long after my legs had grown long and hairy," he wrote in his 1980 autobiography, "Reflections: A Life in Two Worlds."

"It is not easy to grow up in a country that has different customs from your own family's."

While driving through Texas with his brother, Montalban recalled seeing a sign on a diner: "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed." In Los Angeles, where he attended Fairfax High School, he and a friend were refused entrance to a dance hall because they were Mexican.

Rather than seek a career in Hollywood, Montalban played summer stock in New York. He returned to Mexico City and played leading roles in movies from 1941 to 1945. That led to an MGM contract.

"Movies were never kind to me; I had to fight for every inch of film," he reflected in 1970. "Usually my best scenes would end up on the cutting-room floor."

Montalban had better luck after leaving MGM in 1953, though he was usually cast in ethnic roles. He appeared as a Japanese kabuki actor in "Sayonara" and an Indian in "Cheyenne Autumn." His other films included "Madame X," "The Singing Nun," "Sweet Charity," "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" and "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes."

Montalban was sometimes said to be the source of Billy Crystal's "you look MAHvelous" character on "Saturday Night Live," though the inspiration was really Argentinian-born actor Fernando Lamas.

In 1944, Montalban married Georgiana Young, actress and model and younger sister of actress Loretta Young. Both Roman Catholics, they remained one of Hollywood's most devoted couples. She died in 2007. They had four children: Laura, Mark, Anita and Victor.

Montalban suffered a spinal injury in a horse fall while making a 1951 Clark Gable Western, "Across the Wide Missouri," and thereafter walked with a limp he managed to mask during his performances.

Despite the constant pain that grew worse as the decades wore on, the actor was able to take a role in an Aaron Spelling TV series, "Heaven Help Us." Twice a month in 1994, he flew to San Antonio for two or three days of filming as an angel who watched over a young couple.

And when asked to play the grandfather in "Spy Kids 2" and "Spy Kids 3," Montalban told filmmaker Robert Rodriguez in his self-effacing way: "I'm old. I'm in a wheelchair. And I have a Mexican accent. Three strikes and you're out," recalled Joel Brokaw, another of the actor's spokesmen.

"But Robert Rodriguez idolized Ricardo, and came up to his home in the Hollywood Hills to convince him to do the role," Brokaw said. He did, and despite his obvious pain while waiting to do a scene, "something miraculous would happen," Brokaw said. "As soon as Rodriguez said 'Action,' his pain would completely disappear, time and time again. I asked him about this. He smiled and said, 'It's impossible for my mind to do two things at once.'"

Montalban is survived by daughters Laura and Anita, sons Victor and Mark and six grandchildren.

___

AP entertainment writer Sandy Cohen contributed to this story.

On The Download: Andrew Bird's 'Noble Beast'

By David Greenwald

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Andrew Bird has worn many hats over the years - professional whistler, '20s jazz aficionado, New York Times guest-blogger - but the one that fits best is solo artist. Since abandoning his band, Bowl of Fire, and going solo with 2003's "& The Mysterious Production of Eggs," the Chicago-based troubadour has built an impressive catalog, from "Eggs" to his latest release, "Noble Beast."

A gifted multi-instrumentalist and genre dabbler, Bird is as comfortable on the classical violin as he as playing rock guitar. On his previous release, 2007's "Armchair Apocrypha," he added the percussive assault of experimental drummer Martin Dosh to great effect on tracks such as "Simple X," but let too many of the songs drift into sleepy balladry.

"Noble Beast" is a more balanced effort, an album that shows off all of his musical sides as well as his magnificent wordplay. Opening track "Oh No" begins with the pastoral sweep of his violins and a folksy whistle, with the song turning enjoyably silly when it adds handclaps and a sputtering electric guitar. Bird's songs have always walked the line between free-spirited fun and somber craftsmanship, and the new material is as effective at this as ever, sounding both carefully arranged and exuberantly performed.

The album's best songs are the ones that find the folkie stretching into new territory. "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" is a sort of counterpoint to Kayne West's futuristic "808s & Heartbreak" - the song coasts on crinkling beats even as it finds solace in very human emotions after a break-up. If Bird were a painter, his lyrics would be more impressionistic than photo-real - his lines focus on sound as much as storytelling.

"Anonanimal" begins with syllables spilling out of his crooner's tenor: "I see a sea anemone / see an enemy... that'll be the end of me," he utters in one breath. Like many of the songs on "Beast," the track is an adventure, dropping into a hip-hop-inspired groove briefly mid-song before building to a guitar-led climax.

With peers such as Sufjan Stevens and Rufus Wainwright lying low lately, Bird continues to push his music forward. The energy of the album ebbs and flows throughout, much like Bird's classic, "Eggs" - and like that release before it, "Beast" has as much bite as it does bark.

'Prisoner' actor Patrick McGoohan dies in LA

In this May 13, 1965, photo released by CBS, Emmy-winning actor Patrick McGoohan is shown in a scene from the CBS series 'Secret Agent'. McGoohan, an actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show 'The Prisoner,' died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said Wednesday. He was 80. (AP Photo/CBS-TV)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80.

McGoohan died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said.

McGoohan won two Emmys for his work on the Peter Falk detective drama "Columbo," and more recently appeared as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film "Braveheart."

But he was most famous as the character known only as Number Six in "The Prisoner," a sci-fi tinged 1960s British series in which a former spy is held captive in a small enclave known only as The Village, where a mysterious authority named Number One constantly prevents his escape.

McGoohan came up with the concept and wrote and directed several episodes of the show, which has kept a devoted following in the United States and Europe for four decades.

His agent, Sharif Ali, said Wednesday that McGoohan was still active in Hollywood, with two offers for wide-release films on the table when he died. "The man was just cool," Ali said. "It was an honor to have him here and work with him. ... He was one of those actors, a real actor. He didn't have a lie."

Born in New York on March 19, 1928, McGoohan was raised in England and Ireland, where his family moved shortly after his birth. He had a busy stage career before moving to television, and won a London Drama Critics Award for playing the title role in the Henrik Ibsen play "Brand."

He married stage actress Joan Drummond in 1951. The oldest of their three daughters, Catherine, is also an actress.

His first foray into TV was in 1964 in the series "Danger Man," a more straightforward spy show that initially lasted just one season but was later brought back for three more when its popularity — and McGoohan's — exploded in reruns.

Weary of playing the show's lead John Drake, McGoohan pitched to producers the surreal and cerebral "The Prisoner" to give himself a challenge.

The series ran just one season and 17 episodes in 1967, but its cultural impact remains.

He voiced his Number Six character in an episode of "The Simpsons" in 2000. The show is being remade as a series for AMC that premieres later this year.

"His creation of 'The Prisoner' made an indelible mark on the sci-fi, fantasy and political thriller genres, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time," AMC said in a statement Wednesday. "AMC hopes to honor his legacy in our re-imagining of 'The Prisoner.'"

Later came smaller roles in film and television. McGoohan won Emmys for guest spots on "Columbo" 16 years apart, in 1974 and 1990.

He also appeared as a warden in the 1979 Clint Eastwood film "Escape from Alcatraz" and as a judge in the 1996 John Grisham courtroom drama "A Time To Kill."

His last major role was in "Braveheart," in what The Associated Press called a "standout" performance as the brutal king who battles Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace, played by Gibson.

In his review of the film for the Los Angeles Times critic Peter Rainer said "McGoohan is in possession of perhaps the most villainous enunciation in the history of acting."

McGoohan is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Jackie Chan In Talks For 'Karate Kid' Remake

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After over 30 years of martial arts mayhem, Jackie Chan may be ready to pass on his skills to the next generation - as Mr. Miyagi.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Rush Hour" series star is in talks to play the role of the iconic mentor in the Columbia remake of "The Karate Kid."

Jaden Smith, Will's son, is set to star in the title role, which Ralph Macchio made famous in the 1984 film. The movie's setting is changing from the U.S. to China, though it will reportedly follow a similar story as the first, about a martial arts expert who trains a bullied young boy.

Will is producing the film along with James Lassiter and Ken Stovitz's Overbrook Entertainment, as well as Jerry Weintraub, who produced the original film.

Ford, Fraser pair for film

In this May 20, 2008 file photo, actor Harrison Ford appears onstage during MTV's 'Total Request Live' show at the MTV Times Square Studios to promote his new movie 'Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull' in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Indiana Jones and "The Mummy" slayer are teaming up on the big screen — to battle not ancient, otherworldly baddies, but a big medical dilemma.

Brendan Fraser will join Harrison Ford for a medical drama set to begin filming in April, CBS Films announced Wednesday. The untitled movie will be the first production for CBS Films, a feature film division established in 2007.

Fraser will play a father who recruits the help of a medical researcher portrayed by Ford. CBS Films said the film's screenplay is inspired by "The Cure," a book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Geeta Anand about John F. Crowley, a former Bristol Myers Squibb executive who started his own biotech company to save his two children from a rare muscular disorder.