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'2012' rakes in $65 million for weekend

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The movie "2012" made a huge splash during the weekend, raking in $65 million in estimated box office receipts for the No. 1 spot.

"A Christmas Carol" was No. 2 with more than $22.32 million.

All estimated gross receipts are from Box Office Mojo.

"The Men Who Stare at Goats" was third with $6.2 million; "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push'" fourth with $6.09 million; "Michael Jackson's This Is It" fifth with $5.1 million.

"The Fourth Kind" was sixth with more than $4.74 million; "Couples Retreat" was seventh with more than $4.25 million; "Paranormal Activity" eighth with $4.2 million; and "Law Abiding Citizen" was ninth with more than $3.93 million.

"The Box" rounded out the top 10 with more than $3.18 million.

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Winfrey syndication decision sought

CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. TV industry officials are anxiously awaiting a decision from talk show host Oprah Winfrey on the syndication of her series, executives said.

Variety.com said Friday that Winfrey's syndication deals with TV stations and CBS Television Distribution expiring in fall 2011 and the popular talk show host has not made a final decision on continuing "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

"TV stations are saying, 'What's happening? We need to know the plan,'" an unidentified executive said, Variety reported. "But Oprah's reticent to make decisions until she's forced to. She waits until the last moment."

Another executive, who also was not identified, said if Winfrey does decide to continue her daytime series, TV stations will likely seek discounted rates due to the show's decreased ratings and the stations' financial losses.

"Stations have made it clear to Harpo (Winfrey's production company) that if she does come back, they'll significantly reduce the license fee they pay," the executive told Variety. "Station revenues are down 40 percent to 50 percent, but they're paying license fees projected on revenue remaining the same."

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O'Donnell no longer living with partner

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. radio talk show host Rosie O'Donnell said her romantic partner, Kelli Carpenter, moved out of their home two years ago.

People.com said Saturday that O'Donnell made the revelation regarding her partner of five years while talking on her Sirius Satellite radio show with pet psychic Sonya Fitzpatrick.

O'Donnell told Fitzpatrick on Friday that she got her dog, Misty, after Carpenter departed their home.

"What happened (was) when Kelli moved out two years ago, I got the dog. Because I wanted another child or something to love. And I got the dog," O'Donnell, 47, said.

People magazine said O'Donnell commented in October how she and Carpenter were attempting to mend their relationship.

"We're a family, we remain a family. ... Kelli and I love each other very much, and we are working on our issues," the "Rosie Radio" star said in an Oct. 20 interview. "Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties."

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Springsteen a bit confused at Mich. show

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Rocker Bruce Springsteen mistakenly made references to the state of Ohio multiple times during a recent performance in Auburn Hills, Mich., observers said.

The Detroit Free Press said after being alerted to his on-stage mistakes during Friday's show at the Palace at Auburn Hills, Springsteen moved on with rocking performances of hits like "Thunder Road" and "Backstreets."

"I'm all right," Springsteen said after guitarist Steven Van Zandt reportedly informed him of his state mix-up. "That is every front man's nightmare."

In addition to performing his own songs at Friday's concert, Springsteen offered those in attendance renditions of Bob Seger's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" and Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher."

The Free Press said Springsteen, 60, even took time during the show to offer a plug for the Detroit charity organization Focus:Hope.