Nelly Furtado Gives "It" A Name
Nelly Furtado will follow up her smash debut, "Whoa, Nelly," with "Folklore," due Nov. 25 from DreamWorks. Joining the Canadian pop artist on the collection are such varied guests as Caetano Veloso, Bela Fleck, Beck collaborator Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger and Kronos Quartet.
The 12-track album will be led by the single "Powerless (Say What You Want)," which will be sent to U.S. radio outlets in early October for airplay consideration. Furtado recorded "Folklore" in Toronto and over the last two months has teased fans with lo-fi snippets of songs through messages on her official Web site.
SPECTOR UPDATE
The Los Angeles Times reporting that sheriff's detectives have reportedly submitted their findings to prosecutors that legendary record producer Phil Spector was behind the shooting death of a B-movie actress at his Los Angeles mansion. "It's not an accident. It's not a suicide," Capt. Frank Merriman told the Times Friday. "Phil Spector shot her."
Vampire Film 'Underworld' Tops Box Office
LOS ANGELES - The vampires-vs.-werewolves blood feud "Underworld" put the bite on movie-goers, debuting as the top weekend movie with $22 million.
"Underworld," starring Kate Beckinsale as a vampire warrior, buried other new movies, with the Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles gospel romance "The Fighting Temptations" opening in second place with $13.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
"Secondhand Lions," starring Robert Duvall, Michael Caine and Haley Joel Osment in the coming-of-age story of a teen and his oddball great-uncles, premiered at No. 3 with $12.9 million.
The previous weekend's top movie, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," fell to fourth place with $11.5 million, pushing its 10-day total to $41.4 million.
The thriller "Cold Creek Manor," with Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone as new homeowners terrorized by their house's former occupant, debuted at No. 5 with $8.3 million.
Overall ticket sales were unusually strong for September, typically a quiet time for Hollywood. The top 12 movies took in $94 million, up 37 percent from the same weekend a year ago.
"People seem to be in the mood for movies," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "Studios are creating a new strong period at the box office by taking a chance and putting all these films out in what is not known as a big moviegoing time."
"Underworld" was the third horror movie to debut at No. 1 in the last month, following "Freddy vs. Jason" and "Jeepers Creepers 2." Critics generally slammed "Underworld," but the horror genre has a loyal audience unswayed by bad reviews.
"It's certainly a fun, audience-pleasing movie," said Jeff Blake, vice chairman at Sony Pictures, whose Screen Gems banner released "Underworld."
"Underworld" was Sony's eighth No. 1 debut of the year, tying a record set by Warner Bros. in 1999 and 2001, Dergarabedian said.
Woody Allen's box-office slump continued as his romantic comedy "Anything Else" opened well out of the top 10 with $1.7 million, the weakest debut among his four films for distributor DreamWorks.
"Anything Else," starring Jason Biggs and Christina Ricci, capped a course of diminishing returns for Allen at DreamWorks. His "Small Time Crooks" debuted with $3.9 million in 2000, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" opened with $2.5 million in 2001, and last year's "Hollywood Ending" premiered with $2 million.
Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation," starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, expanded from its limited debut a week earlier and broke into the top 10 with $2.8 million.
A reissue of Brian De Palma's 1983 gangster epic "Scarface" debuted strongly with $268,000 in 13 theaters. A new DVD version of "Scarface," which stars Al Pacino, hits stores next week.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Underworld," $22 million.
2. "The Fighting Temptations," $13.2 million.
3. "Secondhand Lions," $12.9 million.
4. "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," $11.5 million.
5. "Cold Creek Manor," $8.3 million.
6. "Matchstick Men," $7.8 million.
7. "Cabin Fever," $3.9 million.
8. "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," $3.8 million.
9. "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," $3.5 million.
10. "Lost in Translation," $2.8 million.
'The West Wing' Wins Emmy for Best Drama
LOS ANGELES - There were no term limits for NBC's "The West Wing," which won its fourth Emmy Award for best drama Sunday despite shrinking viewership, while CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond" was honored as best comedy.
James Gandolfini, who plays the hulking mobster on HBO's "The Sopranos," and Edie Falco, who portrays his long-suffering wife, swept the top drama acting awards.
The ceremony was both celebratory and bittersweet, with homage paid to a number of performers and industry figures who died this year including Bob Hope, John Ritter, Gregory Hines and Fred Rogers.
Tony Shalhoub, who plays an obsessive-compulsive detective on USA's "Monk," beat broadcast network stars for best actor in a comedy. Debra Messing, after three unsuccessful tries, won best comic actress for "Will & Grace."
An emotional Shalhoub, in the spirit of the evening's other tributes, noted the passing of a nephew who the actor said had "a warm laugh" and "a good heart" and "was taken from us suddenly."
TNT's "Door to Door," based on the true story of Bill Porter, a salesman with cerebral palsy, won four awards, including best made-for-TV movie.
Although "The Sopranos" claimed four awards, compared to two for "The West Wing," the HBO mob drama again was denied the top award. TV academy voters have yet to crown a cable series as best drama.
"I wish for everyone a working experience like we have," Falco said, adding "we have inadvertently created the perfect working environment."
The fourth time was the charm for Messing.
"Oh my God," said an exuberant Messing, who was nominated three times before and went home empty-handed. "I never thought this was going to happen."
TNT's "Door to Door," was honored as best made-for-TV movie. William H. Macy, who portrayed Porter, won best actor in a miniseries. The movie also won writing and directing awards.
Doris Roberts and Brad Garrett, who play two members of the battling Barone family on CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond," were honored as supporting actors in a comedy series.
"Wow. That was worth coming up here for," Roberts said after receiving a congratulatory kiss from presenter Matthew Perry as she accepted the comedy series supporting actress award. It was her third career Emmy.
Garrett, who held out for a better contract before the new season of "Everybody Loves Raymond," won best supporting actor. He jokingly thanked CBS and the show's producers for not firing him.
"It's good to be back," Garrett said. It was his second supporting actor Emmy.
Tyne Daly was honored for her supporting role in the CBS drama series, "Judging Amy," while Joe Pantoliano — who lost his head on "The Sopranos" — won best supporting actor in a drama series.
CBS' "The Amazing Race" won the first-ever Emmy in the reality competition category, beating more popular series "American Idol" and "Survivor."
Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, which received plaudits for poking fun at war coverage, won for the first time as best variety show, breaking a five-year winning streak for David Letterman. "The Daily Show" was also honored for its writing.
Everybody Loves Raymond" won for best writing in a comedy series. HBO's "The Sopranos" won best writing in a drama series.
Garry Shandling, one of many comedians serving as hosts of the show, received a long kiss from Garrett that parodied the Madonna-Britney Spears kiss from the MTV Video Music Awards. Perry kept the joke going with his smooch planted on Roberts.
"The West Wing" received the Emmy for best directing for a drama series, while the comedy trophy in the category went to "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
The award for best miniseries went to the science fiction drama "Steven Spielberg Presents Taken."
In other miniseries or movie categories, Maggie Smith won lead actress for "My House in Umbria." The movie "Hysterical Blindness" won best supporting actor and actress honors for Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands, respectively.
Wayne Brady was the evening's biggest undeserving winner as he was named best individual performer in a variety or musical program for "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
"Cher — The Farewell Tour" was named best variety, music or comedy special.
Bill Cosby received the second Bob Hope Humanitarian Award with a self-effacing speech in which he thanked his wife, Camille, for 40 years of unconditional love and recalled fondly Fred Rogers, who died this year and was a beloved children's entertainer.
Cosby also shared a lighthearted memory of bringing his son Ennis with him to work on an episode of the animated series "Fat Albert." Ennis Cosby was shot to death in Los Angeles in 1997.
Walter Cronkite paid tribute to Hope, who died at age 100 this summer.
HBO won a leading 18 Emmys, followed by CBS with 16, NBC with 15 and ABC with nine. Fox and PBS earned seven each.
Winners in creative arts categories were announced at a Sept. 13 ceremony, including one award for "Six Feet Under" and one each for "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Sex and the City."
In the creative arts ceremony held earlier this month, awards were announced in craft categories including outstanding choreography, editing and makeup.
Four acting awards for guest roles also were given out. Emmys for best guest actress and actor in a drama series went to Alfre Woodard for "The Practice" and Charles S. Dutton for "Without a Trace."
For guest actor and actress in a comedy series, the winners were Gene Wilder for "Will & Grace" and Christina Applegate for "Friends."
McCartney Has New Album in Works
NEW YORK/TORONTO (Billboard) - Paul McCartney has begun work on his next Capitol Records studio album, he told fans Thursday (Sept. 18) during a cyberchat on MSN.
"I'm taking it really easy and not in any hurry to get it finished -- particularly with our new arrival on the way," he said, referring to his upcoming baby with wife Heather Mills.
"So, I don't expect to finish the album until next year some time," he continued, "which will give me plenty of time to write material because I want to make a great album that we'll be able to take on the road and play for all the lovely fans who supported us last time out."
The artist is being backed by his touring band of guitarists Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray, keyboardist Paul "Wix" Wickens and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.
Thursday night saw the premiere of A&E's concert special "Paul McCartney in Red Square," taped May 24 in Moscow. McCartney said he "would love to take up some of the offers we've already had to make a DVD out of the show. This will also mean that we can take some time to put together all of the exciting extras you can get on a DVD. So I would estimate sometime next year."
Also in the planning stages is a book chronicling McCartney's wildly successful recent world tours. The volume will cover "our memories, on stage, on the road, back stage, and off road," he says. "Not only for fans, but for those of us who were lucky enough to be on the tour, it will be a great reminder of the wonderful time we had."
McCartney will perform Tuesday (Sept. 23) at the Beverly Hilton as part of the third annual Adopt a Minefield benefit concert. James Taylor is also scheduled to perform at the show.
In related news, McCartney makes a guest appearance on Anderson's upcoming solo album, "Undressing Underwater." Former Police drummer Stewart Copeland also contributes to the set.