Robert Shvern Entertainment

Reuters - Viacom Inc and Time Warner Cable remained at a standoff on Wednesday, but were hopeful that top executives would step in to resolve a dispute that threatens to prevent more than 13 million U.S. subscribers from seeing “Dora the Explorer” and Jon Stewart.

Fashion Wire Daily - On the red carpet Tuesday night for his new drama “Seven Pounds,” Will Smith admitted that, like “The Pursuit of Happyness” that went before, the film is “a chick flick for guys.” That characterization of the serious story of a man who tries to atone for a terrible mistake may not exactly drive men into theaters, but the bona fide biggest star on the planet isn’t too worried about that.

AP - Why not share a shot with Paris Hilton or boogie down with Pete Wentz to ring in 2009? This year, any regular Joe with dough (and no reason to sweat the economy) could party like - and with - a rock star, movie star or reality TV star on New Year’s Eve.

E! Online - When Jim proposed to Pam. When Desmond called Penny on Christmas Eve. And when Dexter Morgan did, well…just about anything.

Reuters - Two prominent Bostonians on Monday denied media reports that they might try to buy the New York Times Co’s Boston Globe newspaper and a stake in the group that owns the Red Sox professional baseball team.

E! Online - Not even the show’s hiatus can stop the Dancing With the Stars curse from striking again.

AFP - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was arrested early on Monday after a fight in a bar on Merseyside, reports and a police source said.

Reuters - The British government has rebuked broadcaster Channel 4 for airing a Christmas message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose previous dismissal of the Holocaust and refusal to abandon the pursuit of a nuclear capability have caused international dismay.

E! Online - If you’ve ever hung out on the Hollywood club scene, you’ve probably witnessed today’s word, tabloitering.

Reuters - Beyonce logged a third week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” a tune from her latest chart-topping album.