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    Letterman signs on until 2010NEW YORK (AP) -- David Letterman isn't going anywhere. CBS Corp. announced Monday that the late-night funnyman has signed a contract to stay on the air until at least 2010. It was widely reported in September that Letterman had agreed to the deal. The contract means Letterman plans to stay on the air longer than late-night rival Jay Leno. NBC has said that Leno will give way to Conan O'Brien on the "Tonight" show in 2009. "I'm thrilled to be continuing on at CBS," Letterman, 59, said. "At my age you really don't want to have to learn a new commute." Letterman is expected to make somewhere north of $30 million a year. He's been competing with Leno since 1993, and the NBC comic has had the upper hand in the ratings for the past decade. "His presence on our air is an ongoing source of pride, and the creativity and imagination that the `Late Show' puts forth every night is an ongoing display of the highest quality entertainment," said CBS Corp. President Leslie Moonves, who's been a target of Letterman's on-air barbs. "We are truly honored that one of the most revered and talented entertainers of our time will continue to call CBS home."  Spielberg, Smokey are Kennedy Center honoreesWASHINGTON (AP) -- The five stars come from very different backgrounds and parts of the world -- from Hollywood to Motown, Britain to India -- but now share a notable achievement. They all received recognition on Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts. Movie director Steven Spielberg, singers Dolly Parton and Smokey Robinson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and conductor Zubin Mehta were recognized as members of the 29th annual class of Kennedy Center honorees. At an evening gala at the Kennedy Center, fellow entertainers and artists celebrated the careers of the five honorees. During the ceremony, singer Aretha Franklin spoke about Robinson's contributions to music. "This beautiful, kind, kind man wrote and sang poetically and unselfconsciously about love ... redefining popular music in the '60s, using the connective power of song to break down the barriers of black and white," she said. Mehta was described by violinist Itzhak Perlman as "what we call in Yiddish a mensch" -- someone who is worthy and full of good deeds. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed, accompanied by violinist Pinchas Zuckerman. Composer Webber heard a tribute from Sarah Brightman, a singer who was married to Webber for several years, remains a friend and has performed in several of Webber's productions among her many stage performances. "At this very moment somewhere in the world, the curtain is going up on an Andrew Lloyd Webber show," she said. Earlier in the evening, the performers dropped by the White House for a private reception with President Bush and first lady Laura Bush. "This is absolutely fantastic," said Robinson, a Motown recording legend, as he arrived at the White House. "I'm so honored and so flattered to get this because it not only deals with your craft; they attach what impact you have on humanity to this." Others who strolled the East Wing colonnade for the reception included singer-actress Jessica Simpson, singers Vince Gill and Kenny Rogers and movie producer George Lucas. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the Rhode Island Democrat, walked in with actress Fran Drescher. Simpson later had an uncomfortable moment singing "Nine to Five" as part of the tribute to Parton, finishing the song abruptly with the words "so nervous" and quickly exiting, to no applause. She was in tears when she and the other singers in the tribute came back out. CBS will broadcast the show December 26 at 9 p.m. EST. 'Cars,' 'Flushed Away' lead animation nomsLOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. led the pack in the Annie Awards nominations for film, television and home video animation, garnering 17 nominations for "Flushed Away" and "Over the Hedge." The Disney-Pixar film "Cars," a nostalgic nod to the country's forgotten back roads, tied "Flushed Away" for the most nominations with nine, the International Animated Film Society said Monday. The society will present the 34th annual awards for achievement in animation February 11 in Glendale. "Flushed Away," a co-production with British filmmaker Aardman Animation, received nine nominations, including directing, writing and voice acting for Ian McKellen, who gave a Shakespearean croak to the evil character of Toad. "Over the Hedge," the animated version of the popular comic strip, earned eight nominations, including best animated feature and voice acting for Wanda Sykes, who voiced a skunk named Stella. Nominations for "Cars," from Pixar Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Co., included best animated feature and best director for John Lasseter, director of the landmark Pixar film "Toy Story." Composer Randy Newman received a nomination for the film's soundtrack. Other nominees for top animated feature were "Happy Feet," from Warner Bros., a division of Time Warner Inc.; "Monster House," from Sony Pictures, a division of Sony Corp.; and "Open Season," also from Sony Pictures. The winner of the Annie Awards has gone on to claim the Oscar for animated feature every year since the Academy Award for animation was created. Nominated for best animated television production were "Charlie and Lola," "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends," "King of the Hill," "The Fairly OddParents" and "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. |
 | Nadal dethrones Federer in epic Wimbledon finalWIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign at Wimbledon on Sunday, winning a riveting, five-set marathon to claim his fir ... |
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