"With their regular programs halted by a writers' strike, cast members of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" planned to stage a pair of live performances at a Manhattan improv theater. The shows, held at the 150-seat Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre co-founded by SNL's Amy Poehler, will benefit the behind-the-scenes staffers who have lost work because of the shutdowns caused by the two-week strike by the Writers Guild of America..." (full details)

"Keke Palmer ("Akeelah and the Bee") has been cast to play rapper Roxanne Shanté in the independent film "The Vapors." Set against the backdrop of New York City's infamous Queensbridge Housing Projects, The Vapors tells the story of Marley Marl, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shanté and the Legendary hip hop group "The Juice Crew". Clifton Powell (Ray) has also been cast to play hip hop DJ and radio host Mr. Magic..." (full details)

"Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to the Australian family drama "Romulus, My Father" from Arclight Films. Eric Bana and Franka Potente play a Yugoslavian father and German mother trying to raise their son amidst a troubled homelife. Director Richard Roxburgh's film will hit TV screens before it hits theaters as part of the new HDNet Ultra Video On Demand platform..." (full details)