'Scandal' script aped by real US presidential debates

Los Angeles (AFP) - "Scandal" showrunner Shonda Rhimes revealed her writers had been forced to change sections of dramatic dialogue after seeing their lines spoken for real in the US presidential debates. The ABC political thriller features a presidential race which mirrors the current battle for the Republican and Democratic nominations -- and a White House hopeful in upcoming episodes who bears a striking resemblance to GOP frontrunner Donald Trump. Fans at the PaleyFest television festival in Los Angeles were treated to an exclusive preview of the fifth season's next episode, due to air on Thursday, and a panel session involving cast members including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Portia de Rossi.

PlayStation virtual reality gear to launch in October

Sony plans to make virtual reality -- long the stuff of films cast off into a distant future -- mainstream with the October release of PlayStation VR headgear priced at $399. "Virtual reality represents a new frontier for gaming, one that will forever change the way users interact with games," Sony Computer Entertainment chief executive Andrew House said during a press event in San Francisco on Tuesday. Sony chose October for the launch of PlayStation VR to allow time for making enough units to meet anticipated demand and to let developers get games ready for the headsets, according to House.

Film academy diversifies leadership, apologizes to Asians

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has added three new governors to its 51-member board and appointed six minority members to other leadership positions. The academy also apologized for a racially insensitive skit during last month's Oscar show.

Keyboardist Keith Emerson's death ruled a suicide

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A coroner's official says the death of keyboardist Keith Emerson, co-founder of the seminal progressive rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has been ruled a suicide.

New faith-based films tone down religion, amp up star power

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For some filmgoers, hearing a movie described as "faith-based" makes it a must-see. But just as many others find the term a turn-off.

Review: A mother's faith is tested in 'Miracles From Heaven'

The rise of the so-called "faith-based film" — typically low-budget films that are almost uniformly evangelical — has occurred largely in a bubble of its own like a sheltering harbor for Christian believers at that heathen meeting place: the multiplex.

Fans use Lovecraft's fame to promote Providence's weird side

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Fans of H.P. Lovecraft's writings are trying to use the growing fame of the early 20th century fantasy-horror writer to promote Providence's weird side.

Aretha Franklin cancels shows

Miami (AFP) - Gospel legend Aretha Franklin has scrapped a mini-tour of Florida, in the latest cancellation for the 73-year-old star.

'Indiana Jones' to return with Ford and Spielberg

NEW YORK (AP) — "Indiana Jones" is swinging back into theaters with Harrison Ford reprising the iconic role and Steven Spielberg directing.

Police: Guns, drugs seized at home of 'Pawn Stars' character

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police seized a small arsenal of guns, a gallon plastic bag containing marijuana, multiple doses of anxiety medication and a small amount of methamphetamine at the home of the "Pawn Stars" character "Chumlee," according to an arrest report made public Tuesday.

Steve Harvey's kids show is a hit for NBC

NEW YORK (AP) — As news channels filled with pictures from the increasingly boisterous presidential campaign, broadcast viewers turned to the feel-good pairing of Steve Harvey with precocious kids.

Fox News' Kelly gets a broadcast special

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel's Megyn Kelly is graduating to the Fox broadcast network — at least for one night.

Michelle Yeoh named UN Goodwill Ambassador

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Development Program says it has named Malaysia-born actress Michelle Yeoh as a Goodwill Ambassador focusing on global development and disaster recovery.

AC/DC singer feels 'kicked to the curb': friend

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson feels betrayed by his bandmates after the Australian hard rock giants announced he was losing his hearing and postponed a tour, a friend said Tuesday. Breuer said that Johnson did not believe his hearing was so dire and felt he could still perform some shows, especially open-air concerts where there would be less pressure on his ears. The comic said that Johnson told him that the band's co-founder, guitarist Angus Young, was unresponsive and that all of Johnson's luggage from the tour was unceremoniously delivered to his home.

Cosby's wife wants deposition in defamation case to be over

BOSTON (AP) — Bill Cosby's wife is fighting attempts to get her to answer more questions in a Massachusetts defamation lawsuit filed by seven women who say the comedian sexually assaulted them decades ago.

Broadway's 'Wicked' reaches $1 billion mark

NEW YORK (AP) — Producers of "Wicked" say the theatrical blockbuster has grossed over $1 billion on Broadway, joining only "The Lion King" and "The Phantom of the Opera" to that mark but faster than either rival.

Isaac Mizrahi says new show a survey, not a 'retrospective'

NEW YORK (AP) — Don't call the Jewish Museum exhibition on Isaac Mizrahi's work a retrospective. Those, the 54-year-old designer said, are for dead people.

Film academy meeting to discuss diversity, Oscars

NEW YORK (AP) — The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' Board of Governors is meeting Tuesday to discuss the group's much-debated diversity initiatives and an Oscars ceremony where ratings sunk to an eight-year low.

PBS series reconsidering scenes with pop producer Dr. Luke

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The maker of an upcoming PBS miniseries about groundbreaking pop music says the show is reconsidering scenes with Dr. Luke, the hitmaking producer who the pop star Kesha has accused of rape.

'Hamilton' creator Miranda asks Congress to help Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON (AP) — America's first Treasury secretary says it's time for Congress to help dig Puerto Rico out of its debt crisis. And if it will help make the case, he's even got tickets to Broadway's latest mega-hit.

Madonna plays off drunk rumors in Instagram post

NEW YORK (AP) — Madonna says she would never perform at a concert "high or drunk" in an Instagram post early Tuesday.

Jerry Springer says raucous GOP campaign too much for him

NEW YORK (AP) — Jerry Springer, a man who knows something about out-of-control television, says the raucous Republican campaign is too much even for him.

Esperanza Spalding takes new direction on new album

NEW YORK (AP) — Esperanza Spalding flowed across the stage as she played her fretless electric bass at Brooklyn's BRIC House, clad in her "crazy lava outfit" with a gold-feathered headdress and swirling red-and-black patterned pants.

British codebreakers show Eisenhower letter on their success

BLETCHLEY PARK, England (AP) — British codebreakers cracked Nazi Germany's encrypted secrets but did such a good job of keeping silent that their work was nearly lost to history.

Booker Prize winning novelist Anita Brookner dies at 87

LONDON (AP) — Anita Brookner, a Booker Prize-winning novelist who explored the emotional undercurrents of quiet lives, has died at 87.

Jesus' last hours depicted live in "The Passion"

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The tale of the final hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth has been told countless times — but on Sunday, Fox will broadcast a retelling with a modern-day musical twist, with the resurrected City of New Orleans as the backdrop.