Entertainment Weekly

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Want to be an actor, but you are beyond your 20s. Perhaps a career as a screenwriter, but you heard about age discrimination. Try directing, filmmakers are having all the luck these days -- at any age.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - World War Two produced Oscar winner "The Bridge over the River Kwai". The Vietnam war was immortalized on screen by Academy Award winners "The Deer Hunter" and "Platoon".

Take a bevy of beauties. Throw in a packed and passionate flag-waving crowd. Add ice and sex appeal. This is the heady mix on offer at the Olympics curling competition, where ice maidens have been sending temperatures soaring as they sweep away the fusty image of the sport and add a dash of glamour.

Live or Memorex? `Avatar' characters raise Oscar question over digitized performances. "Lord of the Rings" fans once lamented the twisted little fiend Gollum ? created by a blend of human performance and digital effects ? didn't get his due during Hollywood's awards season.

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian Ellen DeGeneres finally took her seat at the "American Idol" judging table, boosting audiences for the aging singing contest but dividing critics and fans in her nationwide audition on the most-watched TV show in the United States.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Ellen DeGeneres makes her much-anticipated debut on "American Idol" on Tuesday, shaking up the dynamics on the show's judging panel and auditioning her own talents for the biggest TV audience in the United States.

Label chief defends Taylor Swift's Grammy performance; cites technical problem. The head of Taylor Swift's record label is fired up and defending his superstar against critical comments about her Grammy-night performance.

An Internet campaign in support of "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien has gone viral after the funnyman threatened to quit if the program was pushed back to a new slot just after midnight.

Star Tribune names former Sports Illustrated president Klingensmith paper's new publisher, CEO. The Star Tribune has named a former Time Inc. executive as the Minneapolis newspaper's publisher and CEO.

Sharon Stone to guest star for 4 episodes of NBC's 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'. Sharon Stone will soon be fighting crime in a guest role on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Director Alan Ball's third season of 'True Blood' will add another gay character. Director Alan Ball's third season of 'True Blood' will add another gay character, the 'Hollywood Reporter' is reporting. Hunky Kevin Alejandro will play Jesus Velasquez, a Latino orderly who becomes involved with flamboyant gay prostitute and blood dealer Lafayette Reynolds. Little is know about the character but 'Entertainment Weekly's' Michael Ausiello, citing a ?'True' insider,? spilled the beans: ?Lafayette is getting a boyfriend!? Alejandro continues to be listed as a regular on 'Southland', the NBC to TNT police drama that features television's gruff gay cop, training officer Jon Cooper (played by Michael Cudlitz). New episodes of 'Southland' are expected to premiere in March after the cable network broadcasts the show's first season starting January 12. Season three of 'True Blood' began filming in December. Gay Entertainment Report is a feature of 'On Top Magazine' and can be reached at ontopmag@o

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Television polygamy drama "Big Love" returns for a fourth season in January with a gay storyline that is likely to stir up controversy in Mormon circles where homosexual relations are prohibited.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Only Meryl Streep, at age 60, could trill merrily "Turns out, I'm a bit of a slut!" -- and get a Golden Globe nomination for it.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Independently-made Iraq war movie "The Hurt Locker" won a second key film critics award on Monday in a week heavy with nominations that are likely to set the stage for the Oscars.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - For more than 20 years, Colin Firth has been the movie industry's go-to, buttoned-up English man.

'Big Love' is preparing to take a big look at the ex-gay movement. The HBO drama 'Big Love' is preparing to take a big look at the ex-gay movement and the Mormon Church's relationship with the gay community, 'Entertainment Weekly' reported. 'Big Love', the highly-acclaimed drama about a polygamist Mormon family in Utah that stars Bill Paxton and Jeanne Tripplehorn, begins its fourth season on January 10. Among the surprises this year will be the possible coming out ? or outing ? of closeted villain Alby Grant (played by Matt Ross). Matt Ross' character is ?being groomed for an incredible season,? Will Scheffer, co-creator and executive producer of 'Big Love', told Michael Ausiello. Joining the cast this year is Benjamin Koldyke as the character of Dale Tomasson, a gay man undergoing reparative therapy to ?pray away the gay.? The two men begin an affair. ?Alby's boyfriend, Dale, is appointed head of the UEB ? a trustee,? co-creator Marc V. Olsen said. ?They stumble into a relationship,

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Dancing With The Stars" champion Donny Osmond on Wednesday ranked his win on the television show at the top of his career achievements, saying his entire body hurts after weeks of grueling rehearsals.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - At what may be the height of her early career, teen sensation Taylor Swift finds herself facing the downside of stardom -- naysayers.

The gay dads at ABC's Modern Family are getting some A-list guests. The gay dads at ABC's 'Modern Family' are getting some A-list guests. 'Entertainment Weekly's' Michael Ausiello is reporting that gay faves Minnie Driver and Elizabeth Banks will be dropping in on the funniest new show of the season. Spider-man alumni Banks guest stars next Wednesday, while Driver's character arrives in a January episode. Banks plays friend to gay dads Cameron (played by Eric Stonestreet, 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation') and Mitchell (played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, 'The Class') and refers to the men as ?big bear? and ?baby cub.? Meanwhile, Driver is reconnecting with lost friend and former co-worker Claire (played by Julie Bowen), Mitchell's sister. Driver's bitchy character on NBC's 'Will & Grace' turned the film star into a comedy icon overnight. 'Modern Family' stars Ed O'Neil ('Married with Children') at the helm of an eccentric family. ABC has already renewed the show for a full season. Gay Ente