'Michael Jackson: This Is It' arrives worldwide
LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson fans around the world readied for the singer's last bow Tuesday in a film that captures rehearsals for his aborted concert stand last summer.
From early evening in Los Angeles to late night in New York City, from the pre-dawn hours in Europe to business hours in Asia and elsewhere, "Michael Jackson: This Is It" arrived simultaneously in the biggest cinematic blowout ever for a music film.
Opening in 99 countries Tuesday and today, the film expands to 110 territories by this weekend, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints of "This Is It" into circulation.
The simultaneous showings around the globe were anchored by a star-studded premiere at the Nokia Theatre, a concert venue across the street from Staples Center, where many of Jackson's rehearsals -- and his high-profile public memorial -- were held.
Entertainers including Snoop Dogg, Smokey Robinson and Zac Efron were on the 5,500-member guest list.
The plaza in front of the Nokia Theatre was transformed into an elegant red-carpet arrivals area, with a dozen crystal chandeliers, displays of Jackson's past costumes and "This Is It" spelled out in giant letters.
A few lucky fans won seats along the red carpet, while others filled the surrounding area, cameras in hand. Jackson's hits played on a loudspeaker.
The film, culled from more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage, shows an enthusiastic King of Pop meticulously crafting his moves and performing some of his most beloved hits.
Palin reports $1.25M 'retainer' for memoir
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin reported Tuesday that she has received at least $1.25 million for her hugely anticipated upcoming memoir "Going Rogue."
A disclosure statement released Tuesday discusses Palin's finances from Jan. 1 to July 27, when she resigned as Alaska governor. Palin says she received the money from publisher HarperCollins for the book.
The document only provides a partial picture of the book deal because it doesn't cover the three months she has been out of office. Palin doesn't elaborate on her book compensation, describing the $1.25 million figure only as a "retainer" that appears to be a reference to her lucrative advance.
Her personal spokeswoman, Meghan Stapleton, declined to provide more details of the book deal.
"The Governor has complied with Alaska disclosure law by her filing," she said in an e-mail Tuesday. "Now, as a private citizen, her business dealings, including her publishing agreement, are confidential."
It's likely Palin will make more money when it's all said and done. "Going Rogue" catapulted to No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com after HarperCollins announced in late September it had moved up the release date of 1.5 million copies from spring to Nov. 17.
Palin will appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" the day before the release of her book, which is currently listed at No. 6 on Amazon.com and No. 11 on Barnes & Noble.com.
Ex-Letterman writer: Work environment hostile
LOS ANGELES -- A former writer for David Letterman says she quit his NBC show because of alleged sexual favoritism and a hostile work environment.
Nell Scovell, writing for Vanity Fair online Tuesday, said Letterman didn't "hit on her" during her stint with NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman."
But Scovell writes that he paid extra attention to her and was rumored to be involved in sexual relationships with other female staffers. Scovell says she believes those women benefited professionally.
Letterman, who moved to CBS in 1993, has admitted to workplace affairs that led to an alleged blackmail plot.
