Aiden Turner eliminated from 'Dancing'
LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska became the latest couple eliminated from the competition on "Dancing with the Stars" in Los Angeles Tuesday night.
Soap opera star Turner followed in the footsteps of previously booted celebrity contestants Shannen Doherty and Buzz Aldrin.
Still in the running with their professional dance partners for the coveted mirrorball trophy are Pamela Anderson, Erin Andrews, Kate Gosselin, Evan Lysacek, Niecy Nash, Chad Ochocinco, Jake Pavelka and Nicole Scherzinger.
'TTYL,' 'Twilight' on challenged book list
CHICAGO, April 14 (UPI) -- Lauren Myracle's "TTYL" young adult novel series is No. 1 on the American Library Association's Top 10 list of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009.
"Even though not every book will be right for every reader, the ability to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values," Barbara Jones, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement Wednesday. "Protecting one of our most fundamental rights -- the freedom to read -- means respecting each other's differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read."
The "TTYL" books were challenged on the basis they feature nudity, sexually explicit images, offensive language and drugs, and are unsuited to the age group they target, the ALA said.
Coming in at No. 2 on the list is "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson; "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky at No. 3; "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee at No. 4; and the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger at No. 6; "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult at No. 7; "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things" by Carolyn Mackler at No. 8; "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker at No. 9; and "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier at No. 10.
J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series of fantasy novels tops the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the Decade of 2000-09. The books are frequently challenged for various issues including occult/Satanism and anti-family themes, the ALA said.
Whedon tapped to direct 'Avengers' flick
LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Joss Whedon is in final talks with Hollywood's Marvel Studios to direct and rewrite the script for the superhero ensemble picture "The Avengers," Variety said.
Whedon is best known as the creator of the cult-favorite TV shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel," "Firefly" and "Dollhouse." His only film directing credit is for the big-screen "Firefly" follow-up "Serenity."
Set to debut May 4, 2012, "The Avengers" movie is expected to feature the comic-book icons Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Incredible Hulk.
'2.0' is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart
LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Justin Bieber's "My World 2.0" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart this week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart is Usher's "Raymond v Raymond," followed by Slash's self-titled debut at No. 3, Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" at No. 4 and the "Now 33" compilation CD at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Monica's "Still Standing" at No. 6, Lady Gaga's "The Fame" at No. 7, Bieber's first "My World" album at No. 8, Erykah Badu's "New Amerykah, Part Two" at No. 9 and Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet Tour" at No. 10.
