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Apple cancels tour to nurse dying dog

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. singer-songwriter Fiona Apple says she has canceled dates on her worldwide concert tour to nurse her dying 14-year-old pitbull, Janet.

Apple, 35, posted a handwritten letter on her website Tuesday, recalling how she adopted the 4-month-old pup and explaining why she plans to stay by her side until the end of her life.

"I am not the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship. I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend," wrote Apple. "I am staying home, and I am listening to her snore and wheeze, and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel. And I am asking for your blessing."

It is unclear when or whether Apple plans to resume the tour.

"I'm writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet. I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later. Here's the thing. I have a dog Janet, and she's been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She's almost 14 years old now. I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then, an adult officially -- and she was my child...." her message said.

NBC wins November ratings sweep

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- America's NBC television network says its prime time lineup is No. 1 in the 18-49 viewer age category during the November sweep for the first time since 2003.

NBC has topped 25 of 28 nights of programming with hits such as "The Voice," "Revolution," "Go On" and "Sunday Night Football" helping to drive the ratings, the network said Tuesday. The sweeps period concludes Wednesday night.

So far, CBS is No. 2, ABC No. 3 and Fox No. 4.

"The fact we jumped from fourth [place] to first, and haven't been in this position in nine years, is really astonishing to all of us," EW.com quoted NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt as saying during a conference call with reporters Tuesday. "It feels great ... there's a kind of intangible excitement in the building. I think it's infectious for our producers, our clients, our advertisers."

'Home' tops U.S. album chart

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- One Direction's "Take Me Home" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Taylor Swift's "Red," followed by "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2" soundtrack at No. 3, The Weeknd's "Trilogy" at No. 4 and Soundgarden's "King Animal" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Rod Stewart's "Merry Christmas, Baby" at No. 6, Christina Aguilera's "Lotus" at No. 7, the "Now 44" compilation CD at No. 8, Green Day's "Dos!" at No. 9 and Lana Del Rey's "Paradise" at No. 10.

Katie Couric plans year-end special

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- American broadcast journalist Katie Couric is to tape a special documenting the major events of 2012, ABC announced.

"The Year with Katie Couric," a 2-hour ABC News-People Magazine collaboration, is to air Dec. 19.

"From the highs and lows in presidential politics to the major news events like Superstorm Sandy, the Aurora massacre and the resignation of General Petraeus, from the headline-making celebrity romantic breakups and shakeups to the Royal Jubilee and the scandals that rocked Buckingham Palace, 2012 has been an eventful year," a synopsis said.

"Couric's reports will include interviews with news-makers, celebrities and other guests who have a uniquely humorous take on the past year's top stories."