Fergie scores third No. 1 single
NEW YORK, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Fergie earned her third No. 1 from "The Dutchess" as "Big Girls Don't Cry" moved into the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of U.S. singles sales.
"Big Girls Don't Cry" moved into the No. 1 slot from No. 2, now occupied by Soulja Boy's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which had been No. 6.
Kanye West's "Stronger" moved up from No. 5 to No. 3, followed by Timbaland's "The Way I Are" featuring Keri Hilson, which dipped from No. 3 to No. 4.
Last week's Hot 100 No. 1, "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston, tumbled to No. 5.
Plain White T's' "Hey There Delilah" fell from No. 4 to No 6. T-Pain's "Bartender" featuring Akon retained its No. 7 spot.
Fabolous' "Make Me Better" featuring Ne-Yo moved up one from No. 9 to No. 8.
Rounding out the Top 10 are Plies' "Shawty" featuring T-Pain, moving back into the upper tier from No. 11 to No. 9, and Rihanna's "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z, dropping from No. 8 to No. 10.
Networks eye strike insurance
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- With a potential writers' strike looming this fall, U.S. broadcasters are talking to cable and overseas producers to line up potential replacement material.
For instance, Warner Bros. TV has talked to the broadcast networks about acquiring episodes of its hit show "The Closer," which airs on cable network TNT, Variety reported Thursday. Another possibility might be to bring shows over from Britain, such as "Footballers Wives" or "M15," the entertainment industry newspaper said.
Still, NBC Entertainment Co-Chairman Ben Silverman told Variety he's only window-shopping at this point and he would only make a move as a last resort.
Likewise, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson confirmed he's been talking but not striking any deals.
A CBS official declined to comment on that network's strike plans but Variety reported sources say similar talks have occurred.
NBC has Faith in Sunday football
NEW YORK, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Singer Faith Hill has been recruited by NBC to sing its "Sunday Night Football" opening theme, taking over duties handled last season by Pink.
As is tradition, Hill's rendition of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," a tribute to the weekly football game sung to Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself for Loving You," will air prior to each game, a posting on he country music singer's Web site said. Hill already recorded the tune and some team-specific variations to be played before the match-ups.
“It’s exciting to have been asked to sing the open for this season’s Sunday Night games,” Hill said. “Maybe now I’ll be able to get my jersey size and some better seats for the games?”
The five-time Grammy winner was in New York Thursday, taping the season premier of the "Ellen DeGeneres Show." Scheduled to air Sept. 5, the appearance include the broadcast debut of the new song "Red Umbrella" as well as Hill's breakthrough hit, "This Kiss."
"Red Umbrella" is on Hill's soon-to-be-released CD, "The Hits."
Paisley, Strait grab 5 CMA nominations
NASHVILLE, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Brad Paisley and George Strait paced nominees Thursday with five nods each when the Country Music Association announced its award nominations in Nashville.
Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and Martina McBride followed with four nominations each, while John Rich, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban each scored three nominations.
“Country music is thriving on the talent and creativity of an outstanding group of artists and they are well represented with our nominees,” CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese said in a statement. “These talented performers, musicians, songwriters, producers and directors demonstrate the artistic depth and creativity of our format.”
The 41st Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville Nov. 7 on ABC.
