Reuters Entertainment Summary

"Borat, "The Queen," odd couple at Golden Globes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - British actress Helen Mirren, who knows how to play a queen, and British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who is a prince at playing boors, may dominate the 64th annual Golden Globe awards on Monday -- an event that likes to think of itself as a precursor to the Oscars. The awards, which are voted on by 83 members of the minuscule Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are indeed a major stop on the road to the February 25 Academy Awards. The show is televised around the world and is filled with high fashion and high spirits -- just like the Oscars.

Top Bollywood stars get engaged

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Two of India's biggest cinema stars, Abhishek Bachchan and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, are finally engaged after months of feverish speculation about their relationship, their families said on Monday. The hush-hush romance of Rai and Bachchan, the son of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, had transfixed the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry, despite denials by the couple of sharing anything more than a healthy friendship.

"Idol" runner-up McPhee rushes to make album

NEW YORK (Billboard) - When 2006 "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee rushed off the road and into the studio last fall to begin working on her debut album, she quickly realized the art of the compromise. Indeed, while some tracks for the self-titled set, due January 30 via RCA, were fully-formed demos from veteran songwriters, others were crafted with McPhee's input from the ground up by Timbaland sideman Nate "Danja" Hills, Babyface and Kara DioGuardi.

Newsweek spills contents of O.J. Simpson book

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Newsweek magazine said on Sunday it obtained the crucial chapter in the scrapped O.J. Simpson book in which he told how he might have killed his ex-wife if he were the murderer, including arguing with her and finding himself holding a bloody knife. Newsweek said it obtained from a source who asked not to be identified the chapter in "If I Did It," in which the former football star makes "a seeming confession" about the murder of his ex-wife and a friend.

Grammys hope to expand brand beyond big night

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - If the organizers of the music industry's biggest awards show have their way, the Grammys will become a brand that represents musical achievement year-round. In the last three years, the Recording Academy has revamped its Grammy sponsorship strategy, moving from one-year financial commitments to long-term deals with companies that have music-focused marketing efforts, says Evan Greene, the group's chief marketing officer.

"Stomp" steals show at North America box office

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The new urban dance drama "Stomp the Yard" ended the three-week reign of "Night at the Museum" at the North American box office on Sunday, while three other rookies failed to make much of an impact. "Stomp" earned $22 million since its Friday opening, distributor Columbia Pictures said. Actor-dancer Columbus Short plays a college student who vies for the affections of a girl (Meagan Good) by entering a "stepping" competition. The high-energy dance style has been popular for decades among black fraternities and sororities.

Dolce & Gabbana out of this world with space glamour

MILAN (Reuters) - Milan's fashion designers, having put up the for sale signs on winter collections, launched their ideas on Sunday for what men should be wearing next autumn -- and Dolce & Gabbana said it would be space-age glitter. Nobel literature laureate Dario Fo may have lamented last week that catwalk shows are boring but Dolce & Gabbana's, themed on the film "2001 -- A Space Odyssey," won audience applause and "overwhelmed" Jake Shears of glam rock band the Scissor Sisters.

Roots label Shanachie ventures into country music

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Indie label Shanachie Entertainment, home to world, Celtic, jazz, reggae and blues music, is branching out into the country market. The 30-year-old New Jersey-based company has signed singers David Ball and Daryle Singletary, and country rock band Confederate Railroad. They join a roster that includes Ladysmith Black Mambazo, jazz saxophonist Everette Harp and R&B band Silk.

Scorsese wins major critic group's awards

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Martin Scorsese, regarded by many as a master of world cinema, was named best director by the Broadcast Film Critics Association while his new movie, gangster thriller "The Departed," won for best film. Friday night's prizes, coming at the start of Hollywood's annual awards seasons, signaled that Scorsese might be headed for a career goal that has eluded him for decades: an Oscar either for best picture or best director..

"Idol" winner Underwood reflects on a big year

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Just months removed from her May 2005 "American Idol" victory, Carrie Underwood spent a total of 11 weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats." A third single, "Don't Forget to Remember Me," peaked at No. 2. Her debut album "Some Hearts" has sold 4.7 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, surpassing the debut efforts of the other four "Idol" winners including inaugural champ Kelly Clarkson.