Filmmaker Panahi arrested in Iran
TEHRAN, March 5 (UPI) -- Celebrated film director Jafar Panahi, a vocal critic of the Iranian government, has been arrested in Iran on unspecified charges, the Los Angeles Times said.
Panahi is a supporter of a peaceful protest movement that has attracted many Iranian artists, journalists and students in the wake of the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last June, the newspaper said.
The filmmaker was arrested at his home Monday night with his wife, 20-year-old daughter and 15 guests, the Times said Wednesday. No official reason has been given for their detention.
Panahi's movies include "The Circle," "Crimson Gold" and "Offside."
Jane Pauley headed back to 'Today'
WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- U.S. broadcast journalist Jane Pauley is to start contributing a monthly segment she'll produce with AARP for NBC's "Today" show.
Called "Your Life Calling with Jane Pauley," the monthly report will highlight people age 50 and up from across the United States who have reinvented the way they work and/or live to pursue their life's calling, AARP said in a release.
Pauley, 59, served as co-host of "Today" from 1976 to 1989. She is scheduled to start appearing again on the morning chat show Tuesday.
"I've been thinking and talking about 'reinvention' for more than 20 years," Pauley said in a statement. "'Your Life Calling' will feature people who've interpreted reinvention in a wide variety of ways. I hope our stories will inspire everyone to move toward the future with a positive new spirit, focus and energy -- with a little help from a powerful team; my new partners AARP and my old friends on the 'Today' show on NBC."
"This new series that AARP is doing with the 'Today' show is truly the product of Jane's fascination and commitment to the topic of personal reinvention," Kevin Donnellan -- AARP's executive vice president and chief communications officer -- said in a statement. "I couldn't think of a better person than Jane to take the lead on a series profiling inspirational people who have decided that now is the time to pursue their goals and passions."
Bruce Willis says he prefers comedy
NEW YORK, March 5 (UPI) -- Hollywood film star Bruce Willis says he prefers making comedies to working on dramas or even his trademark action flicks.
"If I had a choice, I would do comedy all the time," the 54-year-old actor told reporters in New York recently while promoting his big-screen police comedy "Cop Out."
"Comedy is just the most challenging thing," Willis added. "To make someone laugh is A. the most challenging thing and B. the most rewarding thing in entertainment."
Willis' co-stars Tracy Morgan and Seann William Scott, as well as his director Kevin Smith, admitted they felt compelled to try to make Willis crack up whenever they could on the set of their film.
Asked if they were successful, Willis recalled: "There are scenes where I'm just trying not to laugh. There were a lot of times that we broke and it wasn't just me. A lot of times it was the whole crew who was watching on the monitors."
"Cop Out" opened at No. 2 at the U.S. box office last weekend.
'Smallville' renewed for 10th season
LOS ANGELES, March 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. science-fiction television series "Smallville" has been renewed for a 10th season, the CW network said Thursday.
The news was reported by TVGuide.com.
Star Tom Welling is expected to return next season in the iconic role of superhero-in-training Clark Kent.
E! Online said Season 10 of "Smallville" will feature 22 episodes, but it is unclear if they will be the show's last season.
