AP critics pick 'The Artist' for top Oscar wins (AP)

AP - Associated Press movie writers David Germain and Christy Lemire are boringly in lockstep on their picks for this season's top Academy Awards categories, depriving them of their usual snide debate over who's going to win.

Jennifer Aniston puts name in star on Walk of Fame (Reuters)

Reuters - Actress Jennifer Aniston was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Wednesday, the first of the "Friends" actors to receive the emblem of celebrity that she described as "surreal."

Jennifer Aniston puts name in star on Walk of Fame (Reuters)

Reuters - Actress Jennifer Aniston was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Wednesday, the first of the "Friends" actors to receive the emblem of celebrity that she described as "surreal."

Palin aides lash out at HBO's 'Game Change' (AP)

AP - Current and former aides to Sarah Palin lashed out Wednesday at HBO's "Game Change," describing the upcoming film's depictions of her on the 2008 campaign trail as "sick" and inaccurate.

"Wizard of Oz" ruby slippers find home at film academy (Reuters)

Reuters - Judy Garland's ruby red slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" have found their way home.

Simon Cowell says learned to keep his mouth shut (Reuters)

Reuters - Television entrepreneur Simon Cowell says he's learned one lesson from the U.S. launch of his TV show "The X Factor". To keep his big mouth shut.

Jai Courtney to play Jack McClane in new "Die Hard" film (Reuters)

Reuters - Jai Courtney, an Australian television star, will play Jack McClane in "A Good Day to Die Hard," Fox said Wednesday.

Wrestling scion joins Disney in the ring in China (Reuters)

Reuters - Shane McMahon, the son of pro-wrestling impresario Vince McMahon, will team up with Walt Disney Co to distribute video-on-demand Disney movies in China.

Cowell: 'X Factor' wants 2 female judges, 2 hosts (AP)

AP - Simon Cowell is playing it coy about rumors that Fergie, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson are being considered for "The X Factor."

SAG union calls opponents' lawsuit a "stunt" (Reuters)

Reuters - The Screen Actors Guild called a lawsuit filed by a group that opposes a SAG merger with AFTRA a "publicity stunt" and its claims "preposterous" on Wednesday -- the same day the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles.

Media General says exploring sale of newspapers (Reuters)

Reuters - Broadcaster and publisher Media General Inc said it is exploring a sale of its loss-making newspaper operations, and that it has received inquiries from several third parties regarding the potential purchase of certain of its print assets.

Kodak is out of the picture at Oscars (Reuters)

Reuters - Bankrupt Eastman Kodak Co is having its named yanked from Sunday's telecast of the Oscars, the president of the group that gives out the awards said on Wednesday.

Paramount extends J.J. Abrams' deal through 2015 (Reuters)

Reuters - Paramount Pictures has extended its first-look deal with in-house hit-maker J.J. Abrams.

Edgar Wright to direct Johnny Depp in "Night Stalker" (Reuters)

Reuters - "Shaun of the Dead" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" director Edgar Wright has signed on to direct Johnny Depp in Disney's "The Night Stalker," TheWrap has confirmed.

David Cross on using cocaine near Obama (Reuters)

Reuters - David Cross opened up to Playboy about his cocaine use at a White House Correspondents' Dinner, telling the magazine that he only snorted a small amount of the drug -- and did it more for the principle than the high.

Katy Perry to guest-star on Fox's "Raising Hope" (Reuters)

Reuters - Katy Perry is going to prison -- on "Raising Hope."

SAG merger opponents file suit to prevent vote (Reuters)

Reuters - Opponents of the Screen Actors Guild's proposed merger with the American Federation of Television & Radio Actors filed a lawsuit Wednesday to stop the union from calling for a vote on the plan.

Capsule review of new movie release (AP)

AP - "Wanderlust" — This would provide an intriguing double feature with "Martha Marcy May Marlene." Both are about people who search for their true selves in woodsy communes, get sucked into the brainwashing and insularity by a charismatic leader and eventually struggle to escape.

Oscars 2012: A year of comfort (Reuters)

Reuters - When the curtain rises on the Oscars this Sunday, nervous anticipation will, as usual, fill the theater at the world's top film awards, but this year movie fans can relax.

Review: Laughs are hit and miss in `Wanderlust' (AP)

AP - "Wanderlust" would provide an intriguing double feature with the acclaimed indie drama "Martha Marcy May Marlene."

Viewers give CBS most-watched show last week (AP)

AP - Viewers gave CBS the week's most-watched show along with 21 others in the top 30 ranking.

Lindsay Lohan pleases judge on "home stretch" of probation (Reuters)

Reuters - Actress Lindsay Lohan got high marks from a Los Angeles judge at her penultimate progress hearing on Wednesday, as she entered the "home stretch" of her probation after being convicted for theft last year.

DUI charges against Steelers' Ward dropped (AP)

AP - Prosecutors have dropped DUI charges against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Dancing With the Stars winner Hines Ward.

'X Factor' teenager Crow signs TV, record deal (AP)

AP - Rachel Crow was a tearful runner-up on "The X Factor," but she's a winner now.

Pa. museum automaton has link to Scorsese's 'Hugo' (AP)

AP - The Franklin Institute's automaton can't help you find a good sushi place, direct you out of a traffic jam or check your bank balance.

Judge to Lohan: Keep up good work (AP)

AP - Lindsay Lohan drew praise Wednesday from a judge who said the actress was one court hearing away from putting a long-running drunken driving case behind her.

CBS wins night with NCIS; "Cougar Town" continues slide (Reuters)

Reuters - ABC's "Cougar Town," which returned to the air last week to a series low, continued to slide Tuesday night as CBS's "Unforgettable" also dipped. But CBS won the night overall on the strength of the top-rated "NCIS," according to preliminary numbers.

Nielsen's top programs for Feb. 13-19 (AP)

AP - Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen for Feb. 13-19. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.

'Conan' renewed by TBS for 2 more years (AP)

<a target= Conan O'Brien
55th Annual Emmy Awards - 9/21/2003
Photo: Michael Caulfield, Wireimage.com" border="0" />AP - Conan O'Brien's got his desk job for at least two more years.

Short films fill tall order as Oscar nominees (Reuters)

Reuters - Oscar week kicked off Tuesday night at a celebration of this year's nominees for live action and short films, who are among the least-known of the 2012 Academy Award contenders but no less important to the movie industry.

Costume designers honor "W.E.," "Harry Potter," "Glee" (Reuters)

Reuters - "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "W.E." and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" have won the top awards from the Costume Designers Guild, which handed out this awards season's last set of guild awards on Tuesday night.

"Hunger Games" onslaught begins with advance ticket sales (Reuters)

Reuters - "Hunger Games" won't hit theaters for more than a month, but already Lionsgate is making a multi-front push to maximize interest in the film weeks ahead of its March 23 release.

Comcast makes good on diversity promise - will it pay? (Reuters)

Reuters - Just how serious is Comcast about attracting Latino and African-American viewers?

Former 'Columbo' star Falk leaves $3M to UCLA (AP)

AP - The estate of former "Columbo" star Peter Falk has donated $3 million to the University of California, Los Angeles, for student scholarships.

Comcast to take on Netflix with Web video service (Reuters)

Reuters - Comcast Corp, the No. 1 U.S. cable operator, became the latest major name to take on Netflix Inc on Tuesday when it announced plans for an online video service offering a library of TV shows and movies.

Comcast to take on Netflix with Web video service (Reuters)

Reuters - Comcast Corp, the No. 1 U.S. cable operator, became the latest major name to take on Netflix Inc on Tuesday when it announced plans for an online video service offering a library of TV shows and movies.

Comcast to start new minority-owned cable channels (AP)

AP - Comcast will launch four minority-owned networks on its cable-TV systems in the next two years, including channels spearheaded by music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and NBA great Magic Johnson.

Charlie Sheen apologizes to Ashton Kutcher via Twitter (Reuters)

Reuters - Charlie Sheen has extended an olive branch to his "Two and a Half Men" replacement Ashton Kutcher via the magic of Twitter.

Sarah Palin documentary headed to cable's ReelzChannel (Reuters)

Reuters - Didn't make it to the theaters to see the Sarah Palin documentary "The Undefeated?"

Comcast launching four new minority-owned networks (Reuters)

Reuters - Comcast Corp, the leading U.S. cable company, is launching four new minority-owned cable networks with partners including former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson, hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs and Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez.