Carrey's 'Christmas Carol' wraps up $31M weekend
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jim Carrey's Scrooge collected holiday donations from movie fans with his new take on "A Christmas Carol," which took in $31 million to open as the weekend's top movie....

New York City Opera revives 'Esther' _ and itself
NEW YORK (AP) -- Launching its comeback in perilous financial times, the New York City Opera might well have played it safe with a surefire crowd-pleaser, like its production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly."...

Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A 19-year-old woman was the driving force behind a youthful burglary ring that preyed on Hollywood's rich and famous, often brazenly walking into unlocked homes to make off with cash, jewels and family heirlooms, authorities said....

Pakistan's fashionistas defy Taliban
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) -- Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders - and tattoos - exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts....

Joe Jackson seeks stipend from Michael's estate
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's father is seeking an allowance from his son's estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 a month, according to court documents filed Friday. The request seeking an unspecified amount for Joe Jackson was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the Jackson family patriarch....

Honolulu Symphony cancels remaining 2009 concerts
HONOLULU (AP) -- The Honolulu Symphony said Friday it's canceling concerts for the rest of the year and filing for bankruptcy, citing a big drop in donations....

A&E: Reality show about Jacksons premieres Dec. 13
NEW YORK (AP) -- A reality show miniseries about the Jackson family will premiere Dec. 13 on A&E, the network says. Back-to-back hour episodes will air that night at 9 p.m. EST....

Broadway finds its 'Spider-Man' in Reeve Carney
NEW YORK (AP) -- Broadway has found its Spider-Man - rock singer Reeve Carney....

Judge OKs plea deal for 'Girls Gone Wild' founder
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge sentenced "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis on Friday to 301 days already served and a year of probation for filing false income tax returns and bribing Nevada jail workers....

Rihanna: Chris Brown 'had no soul in his eyes'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes."...