All Culture
Lena Dunham captures Directors Guild TV awardLena Dunham won the TV comedy directing prize from the Directors Guild of America for her HBO show 'Girls.' Lena Dunham stars on, directs, writes and produces the show.
Lessons in human dignityA teacher at a last-chance school witnesses the struggle to forgive and to ask forgiveness.- Stuart Freeborn, the man behind Yoda's makeup, was a pioneer in HollywoodStuart Freeborn was 'a makeup legend,' said 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas. Stuart Freeborn worked on films such as 'Dr. Strangelove' and 'Planet of the Apes' as well as the 'Star Wars' films.
'Star Wars': Which characters are getting their own spin-off films?'Star Wars' will already be getting at least three new films for a new trilogy that's planned for 2015. Which beloved characters from the original trilogy may get their own spin-off movies?
Nanny caught on camera, N.C. student paddling: Who can hit our children?After news spread about a nanny caught on camera striking a child and North Carolina schools just now considering a stand against paddling in the classroom, a question needs to be asked: Who has the right to hit our children? No one. Not the nanny caught on camera, not N.C. teachers.聽
American Idol: Hollywood Week Part I, 'No Girls Allowed'American Idol debuted a twist to their notorious Hollywood Week on Wednesday night. For the first time, boys and girls would perform separately. How did the American Idol boys do?
Persimmon quick breadPersimmons are a rare in-season fruit in winter. They can be sliced and added to salads and side dishes, or pur茅ed and used in quick breads and muffins.
New Monopoly token: Cat replaces housewife's iron, good riddance!New Monopoly token: The iron, forced upon young girl Monopoly players everywhere, has been ousted by the Internet generation. Here's to that new Monopoly token, a cat, clawing away at old gender roles.聽
Mary Leakey 100th birthday: A son on her adventuresome parentingMary Leakey 100th birthday: Her son, Philip Leakey, who learned to walk at a dig site, discusses the scientist's adventuresome parenting style. A bio about Mary Leakey might tell modern moms as much as any parenting advice book.
'Smash' revamps its story and characters for its second season'Smash,' having weathered complaints about some characters like evil assistant Ellis and boring story lines like the family drama of a Broadway lyricist, has made some changes for its new season. 'Smash' airs on NBC.
'Lincoln' factual flaw is discovered by Connecticut congressmanA 'Lincoln' factual flaw was spotted by Rep. Joe Courtney when he went to see the film in theaters. 'Lincoln''s factual flaw 'was really bugging me,' said Courtney.
Sweet potato cupcakes with cream cheese frostingThese unusual cupcakes would make a thoughtful offering for a friend's birthday or sweet treat for another special聽occasion.聽- Hitmakers: TV's original songsMusic on TV is nothing new, but dramas like 'Nashville' and 'Smash' are using original songs that are some of the newest hit singles.
- Verbal EnergyWhen diplomatic language isn't just double talkWhen a former secretary of State describes the US and China as 'frenemies,' she reminds the Monitor's language columnist that diplomatic lingo isn't all euphemism.
Dog breeds: The most popular pooches in US since 1880 The American Kennel Club has been tracking the popularity of purebred dogs for 128 years as the number of recognized breeds grew from nine to 177. Here's of the country's most popular dog breeds by the decade, according to data released by the AKC:
Facebook after death: Should family get deceased's social media passwords?Facebook after death: A Canadian girl who committed suicide after being bullied still has an active Facebook page where those who bullied her in life continue to bully her in death. New Hampshire lawmakers are considering legislation giving social media account information to the executor of the deceased person's estate.
Matt Damon will appear on 'House of Lies' as a 'maniacal' version of himselfMatt Damon will guest star on 'House of Lies' as a 'maniacal megastar' version of the actor. In Damon's 'House of Lies' appearance, the movie star will be looking for a charity to bear his name.
Reg Presley, British rock singer of 'Wild Thing,' diesReg Presley and The Troggs were part of the British invasion spurred by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. But Reg Presley perfected a simple, hard-driving approach to the three-minute rock song. A Reg Presley song was more caveman than lyrical art.
Oscars: Producers aim to cut broadcast's boring partsOscar聽producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron say they watched 40 years of past ceremonies to finds ways to nip and tuck unnecessary moments that can turn the show into a marathon.
Fall Out Boy plans new album, tourFall Out Boy will release its new album this May and a new song by the band is currently available on iTunes. 'This isn't a reunion, because we never broke up,' Fall Out Boy said on its website.
