Gere talks to workers in brothels about AIDS

BOMBAY, India -- Richard Gere visited brothel workers in Bombay as part of his campaign to slow the spread of HIV-AIDS in India. Gere, who's been a vocal campaigner against HIV-AIDS in the region for several years, is preparing an AIDS awareness campaign called "The Heroes Project" with celebrities he believes can carry the message of prevention and care to the average Indian.

TV star Romano writing book with brothers

NEW YORK -- Ray Romano, the Emmy-winning star of CBS' "Everybody Loves Raymond," is writing a children's book. "Raymie, Dickie, and the Bean: Why I Love and Hate My Brothers" is being written by Romano with assistance from his brothers, Richard and Robert. Richard is a retired New York police sergeant and Robert is a New York City schoolteacher. The timing for publication of the book is expected to be next fall.

Watts may play in new 'King Kong' remake

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Naomi Watts is the prime candidate to play King Kong's female friend in Peter Jackson's remake of the 1933 classic movie, New Zealand media reported Wednesday. Jackson met Watts in London in October to show her some designs for the remake of the movie, to be shot against a stylized period backdrop of New York City. Shooting on "King Kong" is planned to start next August, mainly in his Wellington studios, Jackson said.

Alan Jackson gets nod as music fans' favorite

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Country music fans once again voted for Alan Jackson as their favorite entertainer in Country Weekly magazine's 2003 Fan Favorite Awards. Jackson, 45, who won the title last year, also took the favorite male artist award and favorite collaborative song for "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" with Jimmy Buffett. More than 65,000 fans cast votes this year, the magazine said. Fans voted through mail-in ballots and online at countryweekly.com.

-- From wire reports