‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ gets 8 nominations

‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ gets 8 nominations

LOS ANGELES — “Grand Theft Auto IV” is likely to mow down a few Video Game Awards.

Rockstar Games’ top-selling title will speed to the Spike TV ceremony with eight nominations in categories such as best action-adventure game, soundtrack and performance by a human male. “Metal Gear Solid 4” earned seven nods while “LittleBigPlanet” and “Fallout 3” both captured six nominations each.

The sixth annual Video Game Awards, which honors outstanding achievements in the game industry over the past year, will be broadcast live Dec. 14 from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif.

NBC announces stars for tree-lighting telecast

NEW YORK — Lots of talent will be present for NBC’s annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” telecast.

Hosted by Al Roker, this 76th formal tree-lighting ceremony will feature Beyonc , Tony Bennett, the Jonas Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., David Cook and Rosie O’Donnell, the network said Wednesday.

Other scheduled performers include Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, “America’s Got Talent” winner Neal E. Boyd and singer-songwriter Solange Knowles, as well as the Broadway Kids, students in a performing arts program founded by O’Donnell.

They will perform from Rockefeller Center’s Art Deco plaza in the heart of Manhattan. The live, hourlong special airs 8 p.m. Dec. 3.

Beyonc tops the list at American Music Awards

NEW YORK — This year’s American Music Awards will be diva-heavy, with Beyonc topping the list.

The singer is to perform at the ceremony in Los Angeles, which will air live at 8 p.m. next Sunday on ABC.

The show will include many of pop’s top female singers. Also part of the performing lineup: Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

Annie Lennox is to receive the AMA’s Award of Merit.

Jimmy Kimmel is set to host.

From ‘Office’ to Broadway

NEW YORK — For nearly seven weeks, Melora Hardin is trading the offices of Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin for Broadway.

The actress who plays Jan Levenson on the hit NBC TV series “The Office” will join the cast of “Chicago” Dec. 29 to portray that killer chorine Roxie Hart. Hardin will appear in the long-running revival at the Ambassador Theatre through Feb. 12.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Marg Helgenberger (“CSI”) is 50. Country singer-guitarist Keith Burns of Trick Pony is 45. Jazz singer Diana Krall is 44. Actress Lisa Bonet is 41. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is 31.