NAMES & FACES

In Berlin to promote the new film "Hitch," Will Smith, shown with co-star Eva Mendes, embraced a stunned journalist who questioned his kissing ability. The star, who plays an instructor in the art of romance in the film, also dispensed dating advice. (Fabrizio Bensch -- Reuters)

Bono's Peace Work

U2's Bono is up for another award that could make the Grammys he nabbed last week seem like small potatoes: the Nobel Peace Prize. The Irish-born singer, who in his spare time lobbies diplomats and heads of state for Third World debt relief, AIDS awareness and aid for Sudan's troubled Darfur region, is reportedly among the 166 nominees for this year's honor.

According to tradition, the Nobel Foundation never reveals the identities of candidates. However, those eligible to submit nominations for the honor, including past laureates, are allowed to disclose their suggestions.

The rocker, along with other leaked nominees such as Secretary of State Colin Powell, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Pope John Paul II and former Czech president Vaclav Havel, aren't thought to be among the top contenders, according to the Associated Press. In the wake of the tsunami disaster, the prize is more likely to go to an individual or group in Asia.

The Peace Prize will be announced in October and presented in Norway on Dec. 10. Awarded since 1901, the prize also includes nearly $1.5 million in cash. Last year's winner was Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist from Kenya. Past laureates include Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela.

This is the second time Bono has received a Nobel nod; he was also a contender in 2003.

Madonna Lands Sweet Role

Madonna has landed a role portraying drag queen Candy Darling in an as yet untitled Hollywood film, according to British news reports. Darling (born James Lawrence Slattery) starred in several experimental films by Andy Warhol in the late '60s and early '70s, and was the inspiration behind the Velvet Underground song "Candy Says" as well as Lou Reed's solo hit "Walk on the Wild Side."

The Material Girl also made news by suing her longtime art consultant Darlene Lutz, claiming she is owed $265,000 for a painting that the adviser sold. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court and made public Friday, says Lutz owes Madonna the money based on a May 2004 agreement. No details were given on the name of the painting or the artist, and Lutz did not return calls to the Associated Press seeking comment.

The Fresh Prince Gets Frisky

Actor Will Smith, not one to have his kissing skills doubted, leapt offstage Friday during a Berlin news conference for his romantic comedy "Hitch" and embraced a stunned journalist. The reporter had asked "Hitch" co-star Eva Mendes if Smith was a good kisser, according to ABC News online. The former Fresh Prince also dispensed some free dating advice: "Competence is first and foremost. You want to be seen doing something well. . . . If you're a great tennis player, you want to be seen on your first date playing tennis. You don't want to be the guy that, you go to the sushi restaurant, you've never been there and you don't know anything about sushi."

End Note

Record producer Phil Spector will stand trial on Sept. 16 in the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, a Los Angeles judge ruled. Spector, 64, known for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique and his work with the Beatles, has denied shooting Clarkson on Feb. 3, 2003, after the two were dropped off at his mansion near Los Angeles.

-- Compiled from wire reports

by Michael Cotterman