MORGAN FREEMAN: STILL IN SERIOUS CONDITION

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- Not much new news about Morgan Freeman. The actor is still in the hospital, trying to rebound from the injuries he received in an automobile accident earlier this week. He remains in serious condition. He had surgery Monday to reconnect nerves and to repair damage to his left arm and hand. He broke his arm and elbow in the accident. His publicist, Donna Lee, says Freeman will make a full recovery.

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MORGAN FREEMAN: LESS "MYSTERY" ABOUT WOMAN PASSENGER IN CAR

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- We're finding out more about the woman who was riding along with Morgan Freeman when the actor went off the road the other day. A retired police officer who was the first to arrive at the scene says Demaria Meyer is a friend of Freeman's who had offered the Oscar-winning actor a ride home. It was her 1997 Nissan Maxima that Freeman was driving at the time of the wreck. So how did Freeman end up behind the wheel? Bill Rogers, first person to the scene, says a dazed Freeman told him he and Meyer were headed to his home in Charleston, Mississippi. Rogers says Freeman told him they were friends and she offered him a ride home -- and he was driving because she didn't really know the way. Rogers says he kept chatting up Freeman and Meyer to help keep them conscious, something he says he learned during his training as an officer.

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RIHANNA: SHE'S IN THE RUNNING?

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- There is that little detail about her being born in Barbados. But that isn't stopping Paris Hilton from talking up the idea of having Rihanna as her "running mate." Unless you've been kept in a closet without a TV, radio or Internet access, you know that the socialite has been in the spotlight for being dragged into the presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. McCain tried to make light of Obama's popularity by comparing him to Hilton and Britney Spears. Hilton struck back with a spoof add in which she declared herself a candidate and even offered an energy policy. She also said she thought Rihanna would make a good running mate. The spoof has been getting a lot of attention, drawing more than 3 million views since it was posted Tuesday.

On the Net:

Funny or Die site: http://www.funnyordie.com/

BARACK OBAMA/JOHN McCAIN: TALK ABOUT POP CULTURE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama may be running for president. But he's no more influential than your average Joe when it comes to the ultimate test of power: who gets to control the TV remote. He tells Entertainment Weekly magazine, that he has "some clout" with the remote when he and his wife Michelle are home. But he says that's mainly because he's on the road so much that his wife will let him control what's on the tube when he's around. He says most of the time he's in control it's to watch sports. Obama says the tube is usually tuned to HGTV, adding: "I suffer that silently." Rival John McCain also spoke to EW about his pop culture leanings. He says his favorite TV president is President Palmer, the black commander-in-chief on "24." Asked what he likes about him is that Palmer "makes tough decisions," "takes charge" and is "ready to sacrifice his interest on behalf of the interest of the country."

On the Net:

Entertainment Weekly: http://www.ew.com/ew

JAY-Z/PUBLIC ENEMY: PLAYING THE ALBUM

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's a new trend in concerts. And it's one that can give new meaning to the term playing an album. A growing number of music acts are deciding to perform their entire albums live at performances. Jay-Z did it recently and Public Enemy did a live version of their 1988 album, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back." So why the trend? It works for both audiences and their artists. In this age of iPods and MP3s, people tend to think of music as an endless playlist of singles. Playing entire albums at gigs can give acts and their audiences a feel for what it was like when people sat down and listened to entire projects, instead of single tunes. The idea has also caught on with a number of rock and alternative acts.

SNOOP DOGG: CO-STARS IN INDIAN MOVIE

MUMBAI, India (AP) -- Snoop Dogg has gone Bollywood. He does the rap to open the movie "Singh is Kinng," a Bollywood flick that opens tomorrow. At the beginning of the song, he raps: "Yo, what up. This Big Snoop Dogg. Represent the Punjabi. Aye ya, Hit em with this." While the movie is Indian, Snoop brings a bit of the old West Coast flava in the video. Though he's dressed in a maroon Indian kurta and diamond studded turban, Snoop is seen lounging on a huge armchair, surrounded by dancers in colorful headgear. The film's producers say they hope Snoop's cameo will pave the way for other collaborations with US stars in Bollywood. In fact, Snoop says he plans to visit India for a tour soon.

One the Net

You Tube: http://in.youtube.com/watch?v

2Y-shHxcXi4

Movie website: http://www.singhiskinng.com/

LAURENCE FISHBURNE: TAKING OVER THE "SCENE"

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Talk about hogging a scene. Laurence Fishburne may be about to do that -- only this "scene" is the CBS show "CSI" Crime Scene Investigation." The Hollywood Reporter says Fishburne is in talks to succeed William Petersen as the star of show. The network has been mum on who will replace Petersen, but sources tell the Hollywood Reporter that Fishburne is being given a close look by CBS, in part because the show's producers think so highly of him.

BARRY BONDS: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 2007, Barry Bonds hit home run Number 756 to break Hank Aaron's record. He cleared the fences with a blast with one out in the fifth inning of a game in San Francisco against the Washington Nationals. After finishing the season, Bonds was asked not to return to the Giants and remains out of baseball.

"SOUL TRAIN": LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 1970, "Soul Train" made its debut on a Chicago TV station. Hosted by Don Cornelius, the show went on to become a syndicated powerhouse, showcasing a host of African-American stars and spawning the Soul Train Music Awards and Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

THE TEENAGERS: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 1996, a federal appeals court in New York ruled that two former members of the Teenagers waited too long to claim their rights as co-writers of the group's 1955 hit "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" A previous court ruling had found that Jimmy Merchant and Herman Santiago were entitled to royalties for co-writing the song, along with lead singer Frankie Lymon. Lymon died of a heroin overdose in 1968.

LL COOL J: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 1995, rapper LL Cool J was married. The bride's name was Simone Johnson.

HERB REED OF THE PLATTERS: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) -- A birthday for Herb Reed of The Platters. The singer turns 80 today.

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