UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.15.08

"The Great Debaters" wins big at NAACP Awards.

"The Great Debaters" took top honors at last night's NAACP Image Awards. The film, starring and directed by Denzel Washington grabbed four awards including best motion picture. Washington scored best actor and his co-star Jurnee Smolett took best actress. Denzel Whitaker was honored with best supporting actor. But it was Janet Jackson who took best supporting actress for " Why Did I Get Married."

In TV, Tyler Perry's "House of Paine" took the trophy for best comedy and "Grey's Anatomy" won best drama. "Ugly Betty" stars also did well with America Ferrera taking best actress in a comedy and Vanessa Williams winning best supporting actress. And in the music category, Alicia Keys won best female artist and former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks took best new artist. Special honors also went to Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and actress Rubie Dee.

Britney Spears' family is holding onto control of her finances for now. A Los Angeles court reportedly extended her father's role as co-conservator yesterday...that means he'll share control with an attorney over her estimated 100 million dollar fortune. Her brother Bryan has also been ordered to monitor her day to day spending, including her food, medicine and psychiatric treatment.

Beyonce's Dad is firing back at Aretha Franklin following her comments about his daughter. Matthew Knowles called Franklin's remarks at the Grammy's "ridiculous." Franklin was reportedly upset that Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as the queen during the pairs' performance at the awards ceremony. Franklin has long been referred to as The Queen of Soul.

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has tied the knot. The singer reportedly married his longtime girlfriend singer Nicole Appleton on Thursday. It was apparently a secret wedding. There's no word on any of the details. The pair have been together 8 years and have a six year old son named Gene.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.04.08

Britney Spears' hospital stay extended.

Britney Spears' hospital stay has been extended. Sources say the pop star is under a 14 day hold at the psychiatric ward. She was originally only supposed to stay 72 hours. People magazine says the only reason for the extension would be if the singer's psychiatrist recommended it. Spears could get an early release only if her doctor approves it or if she legally demands it.

Former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee is now a married woman. The 23 year old singer tied the knot with 42 year old producer Nick Cokas on Saturday in Beverly Hills. The two met in 2005 when they performed in a Los Angeles play together. They started as friends and then it blossomed into more.

Teen girls are going wild over the new "Hannah Montana" concert movie. Miley Cyrus' film documenting her "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" took the number one spot a U.S. theaters over the weekend...bringing in an estimated 29 million dollars in ticket sales. In the second spot is "The Eye" starring Jessica Alba. Landing in third is the romantic comedy "27 Dresses" starring Katherine Heigl.

There was an all-star lineup of entertainment at yesterday's super bowl game. Grammy Award winning artist Alicia Keys riled up football fans, performing before the game started. 18 year-old "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem. And Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took the stage at halftime. They sang several of their hits including "American Girl" and "Free Fallin." The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots last night, 17 to 14.

Tori Spelling is going to be a mom for the second time. E! News confirms she and her husband Dean McDermott are expecting. The former "Beverly Hills 90210" star is apparently already in her second trimester. There's no word yet on a due date or the sex of the baby. The couple married in 2006 and already have a one year old son named Liam.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.31.08

Britney Spears hospitalized again.

Britney Spears is in the hospital again. The pop star was taken to an L.A. hospital early this morning for evaluation. Spears mother Lynne and her two friends were apparently at her house when police arrived to escort the singer to the hospital. There's no confirmation on what sparked the visit, but sources say she refused to take prescribed medication and was acting erratically.

Ethan Hawke is going to be a dad once again. The actor's rep says his girlfriend Ryan Shawhughes is pregnant. Shawhughes is also apparently the former nanny for his kids. No other details were given but Hawke's rep did say the two are thrilled. The actor already has two children with his ex-wife Uma Thurman...9 year old maya and 5 year old Levon.

The soundtrack for the film "Juno" is topping the album charts. The CD from the comedy starring Ellen Page and Michael Cera is number one on the Billboard top 200 list. Last week's chart topper, Alicia Key's "As I am" dropped down to number two. In the third spot is Natasha Bedingfield's release "Pocketful of Sunshine."

Montel Williams is saying goodbye to daytime talk. The host is reportedly ending the "Montel Williams" show after 17 years on air. But fans don't have to bid a final farewell quite yet. CBS will air the best shows of his career next fall. In a statement Williams thanks his fans and says it's been a "honor and joy." There's no word on what he plans to do next.

The Giants and the Patriots are getting all fired up for Super Bowl Sunday. The players turned up for media day at the University of Phoenix stadium earlier this week. The crowd included star players like Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Even former American Idol contestant Kelly Pickler was there looking to interview some of the players for "The Tonight Show." The two teams will face off this weekend in Arizona.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.24.08

Police still investigating Heath Ledger's death.

Officials are still looking for answers to the cause of Heath Ledger's death. Police say a rolled up twenty-dollar bill was found near his body and will be tested for narcotics. But authorities added that there were no illegal drugs found in the actor's apartment. This comes after autopsy results came back inconclusive yesterday. Apparently more extensive tests need to be done now. Meanwhile, friends and fans are continuing to pay tribute to Ledger outside his New York apartment. The young actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment earlier this week. He was only 28.

Britney Spears is still being barred from seeing her children following yesterday's custody hearing. The pop star showed up at the courtroom but then left before it even began. Spears was apparently the one to request the emergency hearing, asking for time with her kids. A court representative says custody orders will remain as is and Spears will continue to have no visitation rights.

A New York judge is sentencing Busta Rhymes to three years probation for several charges. The rapper pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, driving under the influence, and driving with a suspended license. In addition, he's been ordered to pay a fine of more than 1200 dollars, perform community service and attend a Driving While Intoxicated treatment program.

Alicia Keys is topping the charts. Her album "As I am" grabbed the number one spot of the Billboard 200 list. It's her third non-consecutive time at the top. In second is the soundtrack for the film "Juno," starring Ellen Page and Michael Cera. Coming in at third is Mary J. Blige's CD "Growing Pains."

Former "Dancing with the Stars" contestants are putting their dancing shoes on again...this time for a nationwide tour. Several of the show's contestants made a stop in Sunrise, Florida for the 2008 "Dancing With the Stars Tour." Joey Lawrence took the stage alongside Edyta Silwinski. Former champ Drew Lachey also impressed fans dancing with partner Cheryl Burke. Last season's winners, racecar driver Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough are on the tour as well. The tour started a few days ago and will go on through next month.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.20.07

Josh Groban's new holiday album is the top selling release of the year. "Noel" beat out "High School Musical" for top sales in 2007. The Christmas CD has led Billboard's top 200 album chart for 4 weeks in a row. That's the first holiday CD to take the top spot for so long. This week, Alicia Key's "As I am" followed behind in second. And in third is the Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden."

British singer Lily Allen is going to be a mom for the first time. She and boyfriend Chemical Brothers' band member Ed Simons are reportedly expecting. There's no word on when the baby is due. Allen and Simons first started dating in September. The singer's rep says they're thrilled wiith the news.

One magazine is reportedly paying big bucks for pictures of Jamie Lynn Spears' baby. TMZ.com says OK! Magazine is forking over a million dollars for the photos of her newborn. The 16-year-old actress and her mom confirmed her pregnancy to OK!. She's apparently 12 weeks along with her longtime boyfriend Casey Aldridge.

Queen Latifah is signing on to be a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig. The singer and actress is reportedly the most recent addition to the celebrity endorsements for the weight loss company. Valerie Bertinelli and Kirstie Allie are also part of the ad campaign. A spokesman for Jenny Craig says Queen Latifah will begin the program in January.

Denzel Washington's new film "The Great Debaters" is making its way to the big screen. The movie, starring and directed by Washington premiered in New York last night. The film's other stars like Forest Whitaker and Jurnee Smolett were there as well. Young star Denzel Whitaker was at the event as well. The drama, about a college debate team, hits most theaters December 25.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.06.07

Kiefer Sutherland is behind bars.

Kiefer Sutherland is now spending time behind bars. He reportedly turned himself into jail yesterday in Southern California to serve time for violating his probation in a DUI arrest. He was sentenced to 48 days there and is expected to serve the whole time. The judge also ordered the "24" actor to attend therapy sessions, an alcohol education program and spend 5 years on probation.

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers has escaped charges from that incident in the Dublin airport. He was arrested last month after he got into an argument while trying to check into his flight. The "Tudors" actor was facing public drunkenness and breach of peace charges. Rhys Meyers apologized for the confrontation. The actor had previously spent some time in rehab and reports came out days after his arrest that his mother had died.

Josh Groban's new holiday album is continuing to spread cheer among his fans. His new release "Noel" is number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the second week in a row. The Eagles' CD "Long Road Out of Eden" is in the number 2 spot this week. And Alicia Keys' album "As I am" is number 3 this week

Zac Efron is topping the list for "Teen" magazine's 50 hottest Hollywood men. The young star got most of his fame from Disney's "High School Musical." He also co-starred in the big screen hit "Hairspray." Joining Efron on the top of the list are R&B star Chris Brown, who came in second and Efron's "High School Musical" co-star Corbin Bleu in third.

Francis Ford Coppola's new film has made it's way to New York. The mysterious love story "Youth Without Youth" premiered in the big apple last night. Cast members Tim Roth and Alexandra Maria Lara attended last night's event. And of course Coppola himself was there. The film first premiered in Italy in October.