The most popular protest song in Moscow today comes from burly men in blue berets, unlikely heroes of a peaceful middle-class movement challenging the strongman rule of Vladimir Putin.

Competitive-eating champ Takeru Kobayashi (tah-kah-roo koh-bee-yah-shee) conquered Philadelphia's annual gustatory gorge-fest by eating 337 chicken wings in a half-hour before a crowd of nearly 20,000

Singer became a sultry sensation in France. 

If steps count, the foursome has traversed more than halfway around the world in 2 1/2 years.

His tongue may have problems with words, but his hands are adept and at home on a keyboard. 

Q. 1 — As South, vulnerable, you hold:

Signature role of Effie White made the actress a star.

NBC calls its new musical drama "Smash." But another appropriate title would have been "Wow."

Recently, 3-D has begun to shake off its reputation for gimmickry and be taken seriously as a means of cinematic expression by esteemed filmmakers from Martin Scorsese ("Hugo") to Werner Herzog ("Cave

"Chronicle," a found-footage adventure about a group of teenagers with superpowers, took the No. 1 spot with $22 million in domestic receipts. The horror film "The Woman in Black," the first movie from "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe outside of the popular franchise, wasn't far behind with $21 million. But the inspirational drama "Big Miracle," about the plight of three California gray whales, could only muster a lackluster $8.5 million.

Super model Adriana Lima is appearing in at least two Super Bowl ads. One for Los Angeles based Teleflora, an online flower service, and the second for car company Kia.

A steadfast Mirjana Van Blaricom, who was president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. in 1993 when it renewed what is now a contested television rights contract with Dick Clark Productions, testified that the HFPA knew all the details of the deal at the time it was signed.

One of the most anticipated Super Bowl commercials is a VW ad featuring Bolt, a dog who lives in Los Angeles County. The Volkswagen Beetle commercial was created by Deutsch LA.

Louisiana’s film industry is gearing up for another busy year, with movies starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford and Russell Brand set to begin filming in the state early this year.

NBC is hoping "Smash" can turn around its prime-time performance.

Advertising agencies David & Goliath, Deutsch LA, RPA and Siltanen & Partners discuss their designs for their Super Bowl ads. The firms created Super Bowl commercials for such major companies as Kia, Volkswagen, Honda and Skechers.

Box-office preview. A look at L.A. ad agencies playing in the Super Bowl. Can NBC's "Smash" hit the right notes?

On U.S. Immigation and Customs Enforcement and other agencies on Thursday announced that they had seized 16 websites streaming and brought criminal charges against a Michigan man who operated nine of them.

Madonna addressed members of the press, and she talked nerves, wardrobe malfunctions, playing through injuries, and who she's leaning towards in this Super Bowl.

On February 10, 2012, Denzel Washington hits the big screen in the new thriller "Safe House". The film also stars Ryan Reynolds and Vera Farmiga.

The day's top showbiz news and headlines including Madonna releases a new video, Roseanne Barr announces a bid for the U.S. presidency, and Jean Dujardin is featured in a racy advertisement.

Directed by Ken Kwapis, Drew Barrymore and John Krasinki star in the real life inspirational tale Big Miracle, which takes the plunge into theaters February 3, 2012.

Soul Train creator Don Cornelius dead at 75, and shocking details have been confirmed by the Los Angeles Coroner's office.

The latest celebrity and entertainment headlines including Van Halen reunited for show in LA, David Beckham launches underwear line for H M and Bruce Springsteen joins Grammy lineup.

One For The Money stars Jason O'Mara and Daniel Sunjata talk about their experience with the law, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Gun Training, handcuffs off set, Katherine Heigl, starring in the new Batman movie, Terra Nova and Live On Mars.

Liam Neeson and Joe Carnahan talked about getting used to the cold, techniques used to weather nature, eating wolf meat, what the animal encounters were like, and how The Grey is a mythic representation of nature.

Halestorm is releasing their new album "The Strange Case Of" in April, and they told Artisan News about the strange case of their parents being their managers and what that's like on the road.

A look at the week ahead in the movies

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, a special, heartwarming time to gather with friends, eat too much queso and make ridiculous side bets on how long the national anthem will last and who will be forced to punt first.

Smash. 10-11 p.m. Monday. WTVJ-NBC 6.

With his deep voice, his sharp suits, his aviator glasses and the stage presence of a grown-up music fan, Don Cornelius was every bit the smooth TV personality on <span class="italic">Soul Train</span>, the nationally syndicated Saturday-morning show he created, produced, wrote and hosted from 1971 to 1993. Behind his blend of suavity and enthusiasm, and what he called “the hippest trip in America,” was a cultural mission.

Pop sensation Justin Bieber is in Miami-Dade and hundreds of teenage girls camped outside The Hit Factory recording studio in North Miami Beach.

The Latin rocker ventures into new territory with his first acoustic recording, an MTV project at the New World Symphony’s concert hall

Ben Gazzara, whose powerful dramatic performances brought an intensity to a variety of roles and made him a memorable presence in such iconic productions over the decades as the original "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway and the film "The Big Lebowski," has died at age 81.

&bull;&nbsp;  <span class="bold">ROCK</span>

The four offerings at this year’s Here & Now Festival, Miami Light Project’s annual showcase of adventurous local performer/creators, are vivid and theatrical, if not always well-thought-out or deeply original. But helping artists develop under the spotlight of live performance is what this festival is all about.

Chad White's star continues to rise as he joins cool San Diego chef community

The singer-turned-author performs at Anthology Thursday.

Local bars go all out for the Big Game with food specials, craft beer and some very large screens

In this beer-savvy area, Super Bowl fans need sports bars with more than plasma screens and cold Bud Light. Five that are stepping up their beer game are....

Tracking down dining options for every budget

A Fab musical evening is in store!

Women-centered company revives classic work about hope and prejudice in America.

You have to realize that in Mexico, the Volkswagen Beetle, better known as El Vocho, is the car of the people. Then the "Vochol" makes sense.

San Diego Museum Month returns, offering half-price admission to 40 local museums.