UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.14.08

Billy Ray Cyrus apologizes for not buckling up.

Country singer Bill Ray Cyrus is apologizing for not putting safety first. The singer admits he and his daughter Miley Cyrus were wrong for not wearing a seatbelt in Miley's new film. The two faced a lot of criticism for the safety hazard in one scene of the 3-D movie "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour." The film was number one earlier this month and has grossed about 40 million dollars already.

Jack Johnson's new album is flying off the shelves. "Sleep Through the Static" is number one on the Billboard 200 chart this week...reportedly selling 375,000 copies. It's Johnson's second time on the top of the charts. Landing in second is Sheryl Crow's release "Detour." And dropping down to third place is Alicai Keys' "As I am."

David Bowie is helping out actress Scarlett Johansson on her debut album. The British rock star is reportedly contributing 2 songs on the actresses new CD titled "Anywhere I lay My Head." The album is a tribute to Tom Waits and features mostly covers of his songs and one original track by Johansson. It's set for a release on May 20.

Lenny Kravitz is delaying his European concert tour for health reasons. The rocker was apparently hospitalized earlier this week for bronchitis. Kravitz was expected to perform in London next week and continue to tour Europe through March. There's no word on the new concert dates yet. In a statement, the singer apologized to his fans, explaining he just needs some time to get healthy.

Uma Thurman attended the premiere of her new romantic comedy alongside six fiery men. The actress was in London last night for the screening of "The Accidental Husband." She hit the red carpet with a group of firemen...the event benefited the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund. She was also joined by her British co-star Colin Firth. The film is about a woman deciding between her fiancé and a New York firefighter.

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 01.22.08

Oscar nominees announced.

Oscar nominations are in. Nominees were announced this morning in Los Angeles. Up for best actress are Julie Christie for "Away From Her," Marion Cotillard for "La Vie En Rose," Ellen Page for "Juno," Cate Blanchett for her role in "Elizabeth: the Golden Age," and Laura Linney for "Savages." In the Best Actor Category Daniel Day-Lewis grabbed a nod for "There Will be Blood," George Clooney is nominated for "Michael Clayton," Johnny Depp for "Sweeney Todd," Tommy Lee Jones for "In the Valley of Elah," and Viggo Mortenson for "Eastern Promises."And rivaling for best picture are "Atonement,""Micahel Clayton," "Juno", "No Country For Old Men," and "There Will be Blood."

In other news, Kiefer Sutherland is now a free man. The "24" star was released from jail yesterday after 48 days there. He was serving time for a second driving under the influence conviction and violating his probation. He was apparently greeted by a swarm of media when he left the California facility. Sources say he looked very happy to be out.

Britney Spears made an appearance at a custody deposition yesterday. She drove to her ex Kevin Federline's attorney's office to attend the session, although apparently arrived late. The singer was reportedly cross examined for more than 2 hours. It's all part of the ongoing custody battle for their two sons two year old Sean Preston and one year old Jayden James. Spears has missed several other appointments to discuss her parenting skills.

John Travolta is backing his buddy Tom Cruise. Travolta says the media attention focused on Cruise lately has gone too far. The "Mission Impossible" star has made the headlines recently after a video was released on the internet, showing Cruise praising the Church of Scientology. Travolta, who also follows Scientology, tells people magazine everyone has a right to practice what they want.

Stars are out in full force at the Sundance Film Festival. Paris Hilton was spotted at the festival, in the middle of all the action as well as director Quentin Tarantino. Sarah Jessica Parker brought her husband Matthew Broderick to the premiere of her film "Smart People." Dennis Quaid, who also stars in the film was at the event with his wife Kimberly. Other stars like Jack Black and musician Mos Def attended the premiere of their film "Be Kind Rewind" along with actor Danny Glover.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.10.08

Millions tune in for "Zoey 101" finale.

More than 7 million people tuned in to watch Jamie Lynn Spears on the finale of her show, "Zoey 101." Viewers had their eyes glued to Nickelodeon last Friday for the final hourlong program. It was apparently the most watched episode in the show's history. This comes just weeks after 16 year old Spears announced she was pregnant. The fourth season of "Zoey 101" has already been filmed and will go on as planned in February.

Hollywood is mourning the loss of the man known as their honorary mayor. Johnny Grant was found dead last night at his home in southern California. It appears he passed away from natural causes. He was 84. Grant was once a radio personality and TV producer, but he's best known for chairing the committee that chose stars for the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Vince Vaughn says he and ex Jennifer Anniston are still buddies. The actor tells Parade magazine they still talk and have a great friendship. He also emphasized his appreciation for Anniston as a person. The pair broke up more than a year ago after a year and a half of dating. Vaughn says in relationships it's very important for him to appreciate the small stuff and laugh a lot.

Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes hit the town last night for the premiere of "Mad Money." Cruise was at the event to support his wife...who stars in the film. The couple appeared playful and affectionate as they made it down the red carpet. Also starring in the movie are Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton. It's about three Federal Reserve employees plotting to steal a large amount of money. "Mad Money" is scheduled for a U.S. release next Friday.

"Charlie Wilson's War" has made it's way to the U.K. The film's star Tom Hanks was in London last night for the European premiere of the drama. The director Mike Nichols attended the event as well. "Charlie Wilson's War" also stars Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's about a Texas Congressman's work assisting Afghani rebels. It premiered in the U.S. last month.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.03.08

Obama takes the lead in Iowa.

Senator Barack Obama has grabbed the number one Democratic spot in Iowa as voting for the 2008 presidential election begins there today. That's according to a new poll just released. Barack Obama is in a four-point lead over John Edwards. Hillary Clinton has faded to third. In the Republican race, Mike Huckabee expanded his lead six points over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson is in third place. Today's contest in Iowa kicks off a state-by-state battle to choose Republican and Democratic candidates for the November election to replace President Bush.

Meanwhile, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is denying that he'll run for president. There's been speculation recently that the mayor may jump into the race after it was announced that he would attend a forum next week. That forum is being led by a bipartisan group that believes the Republican and Democratic parties are out of touch. Bloomberg is now independent. Earlier today, he said he's going to focus on being mayor and wants to see an independent approach in the '08 elections to stop partisan bickering and special interests.

The U.S. Justice Department is launching an investigation into the CIA's destruction of those videotapes. The tapes showed harsh interrogation techniques of terrorism suspects. The CIA says it acted lawfully, but critics say the agency ignored court orders and investigators' requests that it hand over evidence in various terrorism cases.

A California congressman is retiring after being diagnosed with cancer. Democrat Tom Lantos says he will not seek re-election this year because of his disease's treatment and development. The 79-year-old, who's the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says he has esophageal cancer. Lantos is the latest of more than a dozen members to announce plans to leave the House at the end of the year.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.05.07

Dennis Quaid and wife sue drug company.

Dennis Quaid and his wife Kimberly are taking legal action against the manufacturer of the drug Heparin. The pair are apparently suing the company after their twin babies became seriously ill from an overdose of the drug. They're reportedly seeking more than 50,000 dollars in damages, alleging the manufacturer did not properly label the doses. That resulted in the hospital giving the twins too much of the medicine. Luckily both children are fully recovered now.

Actress Jill Hennessy will now have to handle 3 men in her family. People magazine says the actress and her husband Paolo Mastropietro have welcomed a baby boy named Gianni. They also have a four year old son named Marco.

Amy Winehouse's rep is explaining some of her recent behavior. Winehouse's rep responded to a photo taken of her walking around outside in only a bra and jeans in the early morning hours. Her spokesperson says the singer was sound asleep when noises prompted her to go outside and see what was going on. Apparently she was greeted by a mass of paparazzi. Her rep says despite recent reports of Winehouse's drug use, she was only startled and half asleep.

Martha Stewart is giving gift wrapping tips for the holiday season. The domestic diva demonstrated several wrapping techniques at a K-Mart in New York yesterday. To name just a couple of her tips...buy a variety of wrapping papers that will match with any ribbon and decorate gifts with photos of family members or friends. Stewart has her own Everyday Holiday line at K-Mart stores.

Tom Petty and the heartbreakers are set to headline this year's superbowl halftime show. NFL has announced the band will play at the biggest day in football on February 3 at the University of Phoenix stadium. About 140 million U.S. viewers tuned in for last years' show. The rock band released their first debut album in 1976 and they're known for hits like "Free Fallin" and "Breakdown."