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Brother, Can You Spare an iPod? Entertainment provides escapism, catharsis in hard times

NEW YORK — In hard times, entertainment either grinds it out with the rest of us, or it waltzes.

Porn viewing, other cases of employee misconduct rise at National Science Foundation

ARLINGTON, Va. — A watchdog responsible for stopping fraud involving taxpayer-funded science grants said it has been forced to divert its attention to government employee misconduct, much of it involving pornography.

Former ‘America’s Sexiest Bachelor’ contestant charged with killing ex-porn actress near LA

LOS ANGELES — A self-proclaimed preacher who was on the TV beauty pageant “The Sexiest Bachelor in America” will be arraigned next week for allegedly torturing and murdering his girlfriend, an ex-adult movie actress.

Worker at NYC museum featured in 2006 Ben Stiller movie admits having child pornography images

NEW YORK — A former security manager at a New York City museum featured in the Ben Stiller family film “Night at the Museum” has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

The big tease: As burlesque grows in popularity, some ask: Is it art or X-rated entertainment?

CHICAGO — In the Depression-era days of Gypsy Rose Lee, burlesque dancing was about as naughty, and as nude, as it got in public. The emphasis was on the tease more than the strip, until Playboy and harder-core pornography came along in the 1950s.

Fla. town manager fired over porn star wife says they’re leaving town with ‘heads held high’

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — The administrator of a southwest Florida beach town who was fired because his wife is an adult film actress says he is leaving town but doesn’t plan legal action.

Movie Review: ‘Humpday’ realistically and humorously explores the intimacy of male friendship

LOS ANGELES — The mumblecore genre goes adult in more ways than one with “Humpday,” a comedy about a couple of longtime buddies — both straight men — who decide to make a gay porn film together.

California teacher gives students DVD with her own sex clip

ELK GROVE, Calif. — A Northern California elementary school teacher sent her students home for the summer with a video of class memories, only the DVD included six seconds of her having sex on a couch. Officials at the Elk Grove Unified School District asked families of the teacher’s 24 students to get rid of the DVD after the unintended clip was found spliced in a scene where children were sharing stories in class.

Mormon-affiliated Brigham Young University lifts YouTube blockade, citing educational benefits

PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University, the Mormon church school where students agree to live a chaste and virtuous life, has lifted its almost three-year policy of blocking access to YouTube.

Busted in bustier: Calif. man watching porn at gym while dressed as woman faces drug charges

TUSTIN, Calif. — Police say a California man donning a bustier and watching porn on a computer in an apartment complex gym was arrested after officers found drugs in his backpack.

LA County backtracks on number of HIV cases in adult film performers

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County public health officials are backtracking on the number of HIV cases in adult film performers.

Another porn star tests positive for HIV; Calif. to investigate amid fears of new infections

LOS ANGELES — State health officials are looking into the latest HIV case reported in California’s multibillion-dollar porn industry, fearing that reckless practices on film sets might be raising the risk of new infections.

Report: Reality TV’s Kate Gosselin denies cheating on husband Jon

NEW YORK — Reality TV star Kate Gosselin said she isn’t cheating on her husband, Jon, and called the accusations disgusting and unthinkable.

Elizabeth Edwards tells Oprah Winfrey rebuilding trust after husband’s affair is slow process

CHICAGO — Elizabeth Edwards said rebuilding trust with her husband after his admitted affair was “a slow process” during an interview aired Thursday on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

HBO says it’d cancel ‘Cathouse’ before featuring Drew Peterson, suspect in missing wife’s case

CHICAGO — HBO says there’s no chance Drew Peterson will appear on “Cathouse,” its reality television show set in a Nevada brothel.

Spectacle brews as porn star may take on La. senator rebounding from prostitution scandal

BATON ROUGE, La. — Stormy Daniels strode onstage at a downtown Baton Rouge restaurant in a tight black blouse with a plunging neckline and a knee-length skirt in the popular purple of Louisiana State University. She introduced herself with a warning.

Bristol Palin says abstinence is best choice, but view not shared by father of her infant son

NEW YORK — Bristol Palin, arguably the nation’s best-known unwed teen mother, embarked on a media tour Wednesday to argue that abstinence is a realistic way for teens to avoid unwanted pregnancy — a view not shared by the father of her infant son.

Ex-cop suspected in wife’s disappearance offered gig on TV reality show set in Vegas brothel

CHICAGO — A former Illinois police officer suspected in his wife’s disappearance may have a new job — on a TV reality show set in a Nevada brothel.