AP - The glossy, big-city world of "Gossip Girls" is far afield of the modest, small-town doings of "Farmer Wants a Wife."

AP - The breakthrough for Radiohead on "Reckoner" — a song that underwent multiple incarnations on its way to "In Rainbows" — came by way of what Jonny Greenwood calls a "big percussion fest."

AP - Sharon Stone's "karma" comment is having an instant effect on her movie-star status in China.

AP - Sydney Pollack had the rare ability to use his acting experience as adeptly behind the camera as he did in front of it.

Reuters - A warship moored in the Thames and Royal Marines mounted guard on Tuesday to mark the return to action of the world's most famous spy, James Bond, in a new novel.

AP - ABC, CBS and NBC will air a simultaneous one-hour fundraiser for cancer research in prime-time on Sept. 5.

AP - A catsuited model in stiletto heels strode the deck of a British warship with Royal Navy helicopters roaring overhead. It was not a bout of naval hijinks, but the year's most-hyped literary event — the publication of a new adventure for super-spy James Bond.

AP - Can a pure chick flick become a hit? Yes, if it draws a diverse enough swath of female moviegoers. For "Sex and the City," that will be the big question.

AP - Tony Soprano is shedding his wardrobe for charity.

AP - Sydney Pollack was remembered Tuesday as a generous, unpretentious talent by the elite actors he directed in films such as "Out of Africa," "Tootsie" and "Absence of Malice."

AP - Hanging suspended from the ceiling all night long might not appeal to your average actor. But the feat was freaky fun for Jesse Plemons, who stars in NBC's new horror anthology series "Fear Itself."

Reuters - Glen Hansard, armed with a weathered acoustic guitar and an ear-to-ear grin, walked onto the fully lit stage of Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall and addressed the 6,000 faces assembled in the cavernous space.

Reuters - Hollywood filmmaker Sydney Pollack, who won a pair of Academy Awards for the epic romance "Out of Africa" and earned praise for acting stints in films including "Tootsie" and "Michael Clayton," died on Monday after a battle with cancer, his spokeswoman said. He was 73.