'Family,' '30 Rock' lead TV SAG nods
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- "Modern Family" dominated with five nods when the Screen Actors Guild Award nominations were announced Wednesday.
The sitcom will compete with "30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "Glee" and "The Office" for the Outstanding Ensemble of a Comedy Series Award.
"Modern Family" co-stars Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet will compete in the Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series race with Alec Baldwin from "30 Rock," Steve Carell from "The Office" and Jon Cryer from "Two and a Half Men."
Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara of "Modern Family" were nominated in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category. Also nominated are Edie Falco from "Nurse Jackie," Tina Fey from "30 Rock" and Betty White from "Hot in Cleveland."
The casts of "Boardwalk Empire," "Breaking Bad," "Dexter," "Game of Thrones" and "The Good Wife" are the contenders for Outstanding Ensemble of a Drama Series.
Shortlisted for the Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series accolade are Patrick J. Adams for "Suits," Steve Buscemi for "Boardwalk Empire," Kyle Chandler for "Friday Night Lights," Bryan Cranston for "Breaking Bad" and Michael C. Hall for "Dexter."
In the running for the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series are Kathy Bates for "Harry's Law," Glenn Close for "Damages," Jessica Lange for "American Horror Story," Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" and Kyra Sedgwick for "The Closer."
The 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS Jan. 29.
Amanpour to juggle ABC, CNN duties
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- CNN says it has reached an agreement with ABC that will allow Christiane Amanpour to work on programs for both U.S. networks.
Amanpour left CNN in 2010 after 25 years to serve as host of ABC's "This Week."
CNN Worldwide President Jim Walton said in an e-mail message to CNN staff Tuesday Amanpour will start up a new weekday program on CNN International in 2012, while continuing at ABC News as a global affairs anchor.
"Christiane Amanpour has been synonymous with international reporting and with CNN for many years," Walton said in a statement. "We could not be happier that through this unique arrangement with ABC News, her experience and global perspective are returning to a nightly news broadcast for our international audience."
"I am looking forward to getting back into the field to report stories on global issues that matter greatly to the American people," Amanpour said in a statement. "At the same time, I will be broadcasting once again to hundreds of millions of people across the world with a weekday show on CNN International."
ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said former "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos will return to the program, while continuing in his role as an anchor for "Good Morning America."
Liz Taylor's jewels sell for $115M
NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Jewelry belonging to late screen icon Elizabeth Taylor has sold for $115 million at an auction in New York, Christie's said.
The auction house told the New York Post "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor" sale set a world record for the auction of one private jewelry collection. Some of the proceeds from the sale are intended to go to Taylor's AIDS foundation, the newspaper said.
The item that fetched the highest price Tuesday was a Cartier pearl and diamond necklace given to Taylor by her then-husband, actor Richard Burton. It sold for $11.8 million.
"It's one of the most extraordinary auctions that Christie's has ever had and a testament to the affection for Elizabeth Taylor worldwide," the Post quoted Christie's Americas President Marc Porter as saying.
The two-time Oscar-winning actress died March 23 at age 79.
'Christmas' stays atop the album chart
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Michael Buble's "Christmas" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart for a third week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is the Black Keys' "El Camino," followed by Adele's "21" at No. 3, Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" at No. 4 and Amy Winehouse's "Lioness: Hidden Treasures" at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Andrea Bocelli's "Concerto: One Night in Central Park" at No. 6, Drake's "Take Care" at No. 7, Nickelback's "Here and Now" at No. 8, "Glee: the Music, Season 3: Volume 7" at No. 9 and Korn's "The Path of Totality."
