entertainment - "television"

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The mother of Anna Nicole Smith has sued the deceased television star's lawyer and several media outlets including celebrity Web site TMZ.com, claiming she was defamed.

CHICAGO, Ill., April 23 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A gilded coffin lid bearing Oprah's full-figured likeness by controversial sculptor Daniel Edwards, designed to reach out to the recently retired baby boomers for whom healthcare reform will come too late, lands in Chicago this week. Edwards is offering his latest creation of the television icon to break the ice with baby boomers to encourage them to prepare for their own funerals. The Oprah Sarcophagus, courtesy of NYC's Leo Kesting Gallery, will be unveiled April 24th.

A summary of today's Hollywood happenings in television.

The top 10 American Idol 7 finalists will tour this summer, visiting 49 cities (fewer than the 56 cities it visited last year), and the tour will change its focus to allow them to sing as individuals. 'As opposed to hearing duets and trios sing, this year it'll be more about the individuals. We'll give them the space and freedom to do their own set. Think of it as coming to see 10 mini-concerts,' 19 Recordings Iain Pirie told USA TODAY. Tour producers will 'create a distinct mood for each singer' on the stage, he said. But that mood will be similar to the TV show, because they'll be forced to stick to songs they've already performed. 'We really want the experience to echo the television show, so expect to hear a lot of the songs that did well during the season,' he said.The tour starts July 1 and ends Sept. 13. Last year's tour suffered from low attendance and made just $20.9 million, never mind its child labor law violation fines. This year's cities were chosen based upon 'how big

One in five Seattle residents could be affected when full-power broadcast television stations in the U.S. stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and switch to digital in February.

Film News: Film vet has worked on 60 narrative films -- Cinematographer Victor Kemper, ASC, has been named the Kodak Cinematographer in Residence this spring quarter at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and television.

Record number of people watching this season an indicator that poker's popularity on television remains high (PRWeb Apr 23, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/04/prweb884264.htm

TV News: Pepper spray used to subdue grizzly -- A grizzly bear that appeared in movies and television shows, including the Will Ferrell film 'Semi-Pro,' killed a trainer Tuesday at a private facility for exotic animals, authorities said.

'Adam-12' is just sitting there. So is 'Kojak' and 'Lou Grant' and 'WKRP in Cincinnati' and 'McHale's Navy.' They're all free (sort of). Just waiting for you to click on them and play. That's right - click on them. For all of you who haven't worked up the...

A SENATOR is demanding the ABC withdraw a promotion that calls on television viewers to vote for its celebrities to win a Logie award.