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Brad Paisley, the country singer, songwriter and lead guitarist, was ubiquitous at the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. At the live broadcast on ABC, he started the show in a duet with Keith Urban on “Start a Band,” made mildly risqué jokes as one of the show's hosts (along with the singer Carrie Underwood), performed his hit “Waitin' on a Woman” (which was named Video of the Year), picked some solo guitar in a brief tribute to Jerry Reed and was named Male Vocalist of the Year. But the show's top award, Entertainer of the Year, went to Kenny Chesney, the fourth time he had won the award. George Strait became the most-honored artist in CMA Awards history at the ceremony, a show highlighted by a lavish performance by Taylor Swift, a surprise appearance by the rapper Lil Wayne, and the return of one of country's biggest stars, Shania Twain. (NYT, AP)
The British actress Tilda Swinton will head the jury at the Berlin film festival in February. Swinton, 48, was awarded a best supporting actress Oscar this year for her part in “Michael Clayton.” She also starred in the Coen brothers' latest movie, “Burn After Reading.” Swinton made her debut in 1986 in Derek Jarman's “Caravaggio.” The Berlin festival's director, Dieter Kosslick, said that “her commanding screen presence had made an indelible impression in contemporary, innovative filmmaking.” The festival runs from Feb. 5-15. (AP)
Are the first days truly the hardest days, as Jerry Garcia once sang? Movie audiences will have a chance to find out, as a group of film producers is preparing a biopic about the early life of Garcia, the musician and counterculture symbol, before he joined the band that would become the Grateful Dead, The Hollywood Reporter said. The producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa (”Election,” “Little Miss Sunshine”) and Eric Eisner (”Hamlet 2″) have acquired the movie rights to “Dark Star,” an oral history of Garcia's life by Robert Greenfield. Also, Variety reported that HBO would be developing a show based on the rock 'n' roll childhood of Anthony Kiedis, the lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The series is tentatively titled “Scar Tissue,” taken from Kiedis's 2004 memoir, written with Larry Sloman.
The American Music Awards this year will be diva-heavy, with Beyoncé topping the list. The singer is to perform at the ceremony on Nov. 23 in Los Angeles, which will air live on ABC. The show will include many of pop's top female singers, including Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Annie Lennox is to receive the AMA's Award of Merit. Jimmy Kimmel is to play host. Other performers include Kanye West, the Jonas Brothers, Ne-Yo and Miley Cyrus. (AP)
With Amy Poehler gone to motherhood, and Tina Fey having retired her Sarah Palin wig, “Saturday Night Live” is in the market for a few good women. And two new female cast members, Michaela Watkins and Abby Elliott, will join the show Saturday as featured players. Watkins, from Syracuse, New York, is an actress and sketch performer who trained in the Groundlings improvisation group. Elliott, from Wilton, Connecticut, performed with the improv group the Upright Citizens Brigade and most recently did voice work on a new ABC animated series from Mike Judge called “The Goode Family.” Lorne Michaels, the executive producer of “Saturday Night Live,” may be adding more cast members later this season.
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An actor who played Sulu in “Star Trek,” a tennis champion and a former police chief are among the fading stars and Z-list celebrities competing on a British reality television show. Britain's ITV broadcaster says the actor George Takei, the Wimbledon winner Martina Navratilova, and the former London police commander Brian Paddick are among those vying for a top spot in “I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!” The show pits 10 celebrities against each other in the Australian jungle. Contestants are filmed 24 hours a day as they battle for the title of “King or Queen of the Jungle.” Challenges include eating slimy insects and braving vertigo-inducing heights. Public voting plays a part in the contest. The show begins Sunday. (AP)