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 01.09.08

Clinton, McCain win in N.H.

Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain are the frontrunners after yesterday's primaries in New Hampshire. Clinton, who finished in third place in Iowa, rebounded to the top, overcoming Senator Barack Obama. Exit polls show female and older voters gave Clinton that much-needed boost. On the Republican side, McCain easily won over second-place finisher Mitt Romney. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who was the winner of the Iowa caucuses, finished third in New Hampshire.

And a new poll out shows McCain's stance on the Iraq war and independent voters helped him win in New Hampshire. The Arizona senator is a strong supporter of President Bush's troop buildup there. Exit polls show that McCain did well with voters who put the war at the top of their agenda. He also scored high among independents, attracting 38 percent of those votes, compared to his to rival Mitt Romney who garnered 16 percent of independents.

President Bush is visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories today in an attempt to forge ahead with the peace process there. However, no breakthroughs are expected in the three days of talks. The discussions follow up on an international conference Bush hosted in Annapolis, Maryland last November. In the next few days, the President will try to push Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to move ahead with promises made to try to forge a two-state accord before his term ends next January.

Iran is calling a conflict video released by the U.S. fabricated. The four-minute video shows a confrontation between the two nations, where small Iranian boats swarmed around U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf. A spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy reportedly says the tape was compiled using file pictures, and the audio had been made up. Another Iranian official downplayed the incident, saying it wasn't serious. However, the U.S. is calling the event a significant confrontation.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.19.07

Auto fuel efficiency standards will increase.

President Bush plans to sign a bill today that raises the fuel efficiency standards of vehicles. Congress approved the legislation yesterday by a wide margin. It's the first increase in 32 years. The bill requires automakers to boost mileage to 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. That's compared with today's 25 miles per gallon standard.

Troops in Iraq will continue to be funded thanks to a Senate bill passed yesterday. The $555 billion dollar piece of legislation also preserves thousands of earmarks for lawmakers. It no longer includes a condition that ties war funding to a plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, which was what many Democrats recently pushed for in the bill. The measure now goes back to the House for approval. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she expects the bill to pass there.

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales reportedly took part in talks about destroying CIA videotapes that showed interrogations of two Al Qaeda suspects. That's according to the New York Times. The paper said at least four top White House lawyers were also involved. Some sources say there was quote a vigorous sentiment among White House officials to destroy the tapes while others say that no one there advocated anything either way. Justice Department lawyers are scheduled to appear in federal court Friday to discuss the matter.

Presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani are virtually tied in the Republican race. That's according to a Reuters/Zogby poll. Huckabee, who's a former governor of Arkansas has jumped in popularity recently, wiping out an 18-point deficit in one month. He now stands one point behind Giuliani at 22 percent. On the Democratic side, Senator Hillary Clinton's lead over Senator Barack Obama shrunk slightly to eight percentage points. She's now at 40 percent, compared to Obama at 32 percent.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.13.07

No fireworks in last night's Republican debate.

Last night's debate among Republican presidential candidates in Iowa lacked any brutal exchanges. That's despite previous meetings that resembled more of a street-fighting scene. The debate focused on education and economic issues while hot-button topics like illegal immigration weren't discussed. Nor was Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton mentioned, who's been a top target in most of the recent GOP debates.

For a second time in three months, President Bush vetoed a children's health bill. The bill would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years and would have boosted its enrollment to about 10 million children. Bush said he vetoed the bill for the same reasons as the previous one, saying that it raised cigarette taxes and provided coverage for children of middle-class families, instead of the working poor. This was the President's seventh veto in seven years.

Democratic lawmakers say they're closing in on a budget deal that would give President Bush as much as $70 billion in war funding. The deal would lack a key condition Democrats had attached to previous funding bills that called for most U.S. troops to come home from Iraq by the end of 2008. That omission would be a significant legislative victory for Bush. Democratic sources say the president is likely to get new money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before Congress adjourns for the year

Former Vice-President Al Gore says the U.S. is principally responsible for blocking progress at the United Nations Climate Conference. Gore made at the comment at the conference earlier today and urged delegates there to take immediate action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. The U.S., Japan and several other governments don't accept a draft document that suggests industrialized nations cut emissions by 25 to 40 percent by the year 2020. They say specific targets would limit the scope of future talks.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.11.07

Regis Philbin to host Oscar pre-show.

Regis Philbin is reclaiming his role on the red carpet at the upcoming Academy Awards. Philbin will apparently host the half hour red carpet pre-show in February...just as he did 30 years ago. He has a history of hosting morning talks shows and is currently known for his post on "Live With Regis and Kelly." Oscar nominations are set to be announced next month and the awards ceremony will air on ABC on February 24.

Amy Winehouse says she hopes to attend this years' Grammy Awards. Her spokesperson tells People magazine she's "determined" to turn up for the event. The singer is nominated for six awards including best new artist and best song for "Rehab." Winehouse has made headlines recently...with reports of alcohol and drug use as well as some odd behavior. Her mom recently made a public plea for her to get help.

Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are combining forces for a new film. The two attended the premiere of their new drama "Charlie Wilson's War" In Los Angeles. The director of the film, Mike Nichols was there along with his wife, TV correspondent Diane Sawyer. The movie is about Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson and his efforts with rebels in Afghanistan. It hits most U.S. theaters December 21.

Leonardo DiCaprio was honored at this years' Marrakesh Film Festival in Morocco. Martin Scorsese, who's collaborated with the actor for many films presented him with the Golden Star Award. Scorsese has directed movies starring DiCaprio like "The Departed" and "Aviator." He called him a quote "very good friend and wonderful actor." Director Shekhar Kapur who directed "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" also received a Golden star for his contribution to film.

British stars Rupert Everett and Colin Firth are gearing up for the release of their new film. They star in the comedy "St. Trinians"...a film about a school for girls. It premiered in London last night. Gemma Arterton is also in the movie as well as Amara Karan. The film hits British theaters December 21.