Jeff Conaway, most known from his roles on "Taxi" and "Grease," gained a new reputation in the last few years as an addict. The actor, who was seen hunched over and suffering from a severe back injury, appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," where fans were shocked by his declining health. However, Conaway now declares to this column that he is finally sober. "I had my fifth operation in November, and I'm standing ... [full story]

Bill Paxton, who stars as the head of a polygamist household in HBO's esteemed "Big Love," is grateful the show has been picked up for a fourth season — and hopes it will be renewed for several seasons after that. He makes it sound as if the drama has provided him with a lifeline. Bill made his name — and a solid living — as a movie actor, with featured parts in some 50 films ... [full story]

Lynda Carter is savoring the latest chapter in her career with the kind of appreciation that can only come after experiencing years of life's ups — and downs. With singing engagements coming up at New York's Lincoln Center, Washington's Kennedy Center and elsewhere, the performer still remembered as Wonder Woman is looking radiant. "I'm really taking care of myself, just doing the best I can to stay healthy. I lost a little bit of weight," ... [full story]

DEVELOPER: Acquire PUBLISHER: Ubi Soft SYSTEM: Nintendo Wii PRICE: $49.99 ESRB RATING: Mature REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)   Using the Nintendo Wii, gamers make like Budding shinobi in feudal Japan, attacking and defending using realistic motions in "Tenchu: Shadow Assassins." Photo courtesy of Ubi Soft.    Clad in a schoolgirl uniform, a sword-wielding teen dispatches zombies in "Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad." Photo courtesy of D3.  REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM 5 stars = Must Have 4 stars = ... [full story]

For years, David Nuffer carried around a talisman in his pocket, a fossilized shell no bigger than a lump of sugar. Its monetary value is nil; its connection to a literary lion, priceless. When Nuffer grew worried about losing the slippery piece, given to him by a friend, he placed it with other treasures that represented a decades-long quest — a quest to learn everything he could about Ernest Hemingway.   Now Nuffer, 76, has transformed ... [full story]

Musical reunions can be fun for fans and performers alike. So expect to double your pleasure when saxophonist-flutist-singer Karl Denson and keyboardist Robert Walter reunite with their old band, the Greyboy Allstars, to perform their propulsive style of funk-fueled jazz and R&B. Their national tour with the Greyboy Allstars runs through March 7, then resumes May 1 in New Orleans, where Walter resides. But he and Denson are also keeping busy with their own recently ... [full story]

"One Life to Live" has lost another member of the Buchanan clan. Recently, Clint Ritchie died following the implantation of a pacemaker. Now we have gotten news that Phil Carey (Asa), 83, died this month, too. Carey was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago. In the story line, Asa was killed off when Carey would not agree to go from contract to non-contract player. Carey joined OLTL about 30 years ago, and he and ... [full story]

DEAR STACY: Brie Larson, who plays Kate on "United States of Tara," is beautiful and talented. Please give some information about her. Where have I seen her before? — Ben S., Hawthorne, Calif. DEAR BEN: The Sacramento-born 19-year-old actress and pop singer decided at age 7 that she would be a performer and started landing assignments by her early teens. After her family relocated to Los Angeles, she broke into TV doing sketches on "The ... [full story]

Flying from Nashville to Las Vegas for the live telecast of the "43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18 will be a no-brainer for Brad Paisley, a hardened roadrunner who spends more than 200 days a year on a customized, 45-foot Prevost bus with every amenity.   BRAD PAISLEY - Country music singer Brad Paisley is a hardened roadrunner who spends more than 200 days a year ... [full story]

"Speed Racer" should turbo-boost the visibility of its talented star, Emile Hirsch. A stylistically bold adaptation of the classic '60s cartoon, the loud, fast and computer-enhanced film stars Hirsch as the white-knuckled speed demon who has high-octane fuel in his family bloodline. In fact, his given name actually is Speed Racer. The Wachowski brothers channeled their action and effects expertise from "The Matrix" movies into this whiplash-paced, kid-friendly film, which co-stars Christina Ricci, John Goodman ... [full story]

John Cho reprises his role as the straight-laced stoner Harold in the raunchy and satirical sequel "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."   JOHN CHO - John Cho and Kal Penn are in trouble again in 'Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay.' CNS Photo courtesy of Jamie Trueblood.  The dopey original 2004 pothead comedy "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" was not a huge blockbuster, but has remained popular on DVD. In the more ... [full story]

The clown prince of martial arts, Jackie Chan was a huge action star in Asia before he took a flying leap into American theaters. It was not long before he realized his dream of translating that huge popularity overseas into Hollywood bankability, when "Rush Hour" became a box-office hit.   JACKIE CHAN - Jackie Chan stars as Lu Yan in the action film 'The Forbidden Kingdom.' CNS Photo courtesy of Chan Kam Chuen.  Now, the kung-fu master ... [full story]

Maya Lin is an architect by training, but don't expect to find any evidence of the buildings or interiors she has designed inside the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. She has created monuments too, one of which brought her early fame, but there is no sign of that work, either. The exhibition, "Systematic Landscapes," showcases Lin, the artist.   TRIPLE PLAYER - Artist Maya Lin makes art, architecture and monuments. Her exhibit 'Systematic landscapes' is ... [full story]