J. J. Abrams Creates New Novel for Little, Brown by Dave Itzkoff

The publisher of a new novel created by J.J. Abrams, the "Star Trek" director and "Lost" co-creator, offered few details on the project except to say that it will be written by Doug Dorst, t…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 2:44pm on April 6, 2011☆⚑

The Times Are Changing Only So Much: Dylan, With Restricted Set List, Plays China by Dave Itzkoff

Bob Dylan's performance in Beijing avoided songs that might overtly offend China's Communist rulers, though it sounds like he was still able to slip in a few of his cryptically critical song…

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Meet the New Boss: Will Ferrell Clocks in at 'The Office' by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Ferrell, who is about to begin a four-episode run on "The Office," talks about joining the ranks of Dunder Mifflin as he contemplates his own career and whether he wants to be known as m…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:00pm on April 6, 2011☆⚑

Athol Fugard and Philip J. Smith to Receive Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement by Dave Itzkoff

Organizers of the Tony Awards also announced special honors for Eve Ensler, Bill Berloni, the Drama Book Shop and Sharon Jensen and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 9:37am on April 6, 2011☆⚑

Rehearse Me a Little, Wherever You Are by Dave Itzkoff

A new production of "Company" has resorted to a grab bag of strategies, shortcuts and cheats to get its far-flung cast of A-list performers quickly up to speed.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 7:00am on April 6, 2011☆⚑

Mort Sahl, Tammy Wynette and Captain Beefheart Added to National Recording Registry by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Sahl's comedy album "At Sunset," Ms. Wynette's song "Stand by Your Man" and the album "Trout Mask Replica," by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, are among the 25 recordings that the …

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Calling Dr. Fine: Sean Hayes to Play Larry in 'Three Stooges' Movie by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Hayes, the star of "Will and Grace" and "Promises, Promises," joins Will Sasso in a film about the slapstick trio that will be directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 9:27am on April 5, 2011☆⚑

A Promising Debut for 'The Killing' on AMC by Dave Itzkoff

The crime drama, adapted from the Danish series "Forbrydelsen," was the network's second-most-watched premiere for an original series.

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Tony Kaye Film and Kings of Leon Documentary Added to Tribeca Lineup by Dave Itzkoff

"Detachment," a new feature from Mr. Kaye ("American History X") chronicles a substitute teacher played by Adrien Brody, while "Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon" follows that Souther…

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Father of 5 Browns Is Sentenced by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Brown pleaded guilty in February to a first-degree felony count of sodomy and two second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child.

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His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks 'Game of Thrones' by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Martin discusses how his career in Hollywood led to his "Song of Ice and Fire" novels, and why he believed "Game of Thrones" could never be filmed.

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CBS Declares Next Week Is 'Tweet Week' by Dave Itzkoff

The network will have eight nights of programming during which its personalities and performers will post live on Twitter during shows like "NCIS," "Survivor" and "Hawaii Five-0."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 1:46pm on March 31, 2011☆⚑

Peabody Awards Go to 'Justified,' 'The Good Wife' and 'Sherlock' by Dave Itzkoff

Raylan Givens, Alicia Florrick and Sherlock Holmes may not share much when it comes to righting wrong-doings, but programs featuring these characters have all won an award for excellence in …

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Future of HBO's 'In Treatment' Is Couched in Mystery by Dave Itzkoff

The network said it had "no plans to continue" the show in its current format, but was seeking ways "to continue telling these rich stories."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 9:55am on March 31, 2011☆⚑

Judge Says Willie Nelson Won't Have to Sing as Punishment for Pot Bust by Dave Itzkoff

A judge in West Texas said a prosecutor who suggested that Mr. Nelson perform in a courtroom was making a joke that "got out of hand."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 9:42am on March 30, 2011☆⚑

Look Busy for the Boss: Bruce Springsteen Visits 'Little Steven's Underground Garage' by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Springsteen, who has known and performed with Steven Van Zandt since the early 1970s, will be a guest on Mr. Van Zandt's radio program for a series of broadcasts celebrating the show's n…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 2:30pm on March 29, 2011☆⚑

Willie Nelson May Be Able to Sing His Way Out of Pot Bust by Dave Itzkoff

A county attorney in Sierra Blanca, Tex., where Mr. Nelson was arrested on a marijuana possession charge last year, has said that he will allow the singer to plead guilty to a misdemeanor if…

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New Whit Stillman Movie Picked Up by Sony Pictures Classics by Dave Itzkoff

"Violet Wister's Damsels in Distress," which stars Greta Gerwig and Adam Brody, will be the first movie from Mr. Stillman in 13 years.

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New Edward Burns Movie Will Close Tribeca Film Festival by Dave Itzkoff

"Newlyweds," the 10th film written and directed by Mr. Burns, chronicles "a newly wedded couple whose honeymoon period is upended by the arrival of the husband's wild-child baby sister and t…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 1:00pm on March 28, 2011☆⚑

Amy Adams to Play Lois Lane in Superman Movie (That Zack Snyder Is Still Directing) by Dave Itzkoff

Ms. Adams, a three-time Academy Award nominee, will play the intrepid Daily Planet reporter for Mr. Snyder, the director of "Sucker Punch."

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Relive Through This: A Hole Reunion of Sorts at New Directors/New Films by Dave Itzkoff

Courtney Love, Eric Erlandson, Melissa Auf der Maur and Patty Schemel will gather at the Museum of Modern Art for a screening of "Hit So Hard," a documentary about Ms. Schemel.

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Does He Have Your Full Attention? Aaron Sorkin in the Most Meta '30 Rock' Clip Ever by Dave Itzkoff

The "Social Network" screenwriter (and creator of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) turns up to parody his signature style and offer Tina Fey some advice on Angry Birds.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 8:44am on March 25, 2011☆⚑

Hold Your Tongue: PG-13 Version of 'King's Speech' Coming by Dave Itzkoff

The Weinstein Company will release a PG-13 version of "The King's Speech," its Academy Award-winning biographical film about King George VI and the speech therapist who helped him tame his s…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:21pm on March 24, 2011☆⚑

Chris Brown Says 'Good Morning America' Interview Intended 'to Exploit Me' by Dave Itzkoff

Appearing on BET's "106 & Park," Mr. Brown suggested his outburst at "Good Morning America" occurred after its co-anchor Robin Roberts did not follow an agreed-upon set of talking point…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:11am on March 24, 2011☆⚑

Camelot Revisited: The Creators of 'The Kennedys' Speak Out by Dave Itzkoff

Joel Surnow, the producer of "The Kennedys," and its screenwriter, Stephen Kronish, discuss the controversy surrounding the mini-series and the inherent challenges of making biographical fil…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:02am on March 24, 2011☆⚑