The network says it wants to balance its schedule and says its new dramas are more character-driven.

Fernando Meirelles always wanted to film José Saramago's novel. He finally got the chance.

The man Carrie might hook up with is all wrong for her.

It was a part he couldn't turn down: It was written with him in mind.

Westmont students steal spotlight from the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chali 2na and Jurassic 5.

A Bach cantata contemplating the joys of life beyond death seems an odd bedfellow for romantic music by Reinecke, Schumann and Schubert. And, in fact, it didn't quite fit stylistically or thematically in a chamber music program played by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and two guests Tuesday night at Walt Disney Concert Hall. But it provided an opportunity to appreciate at least one orchestra member who might otherwise not be showcased.

Iron Man has good graphics and dialogue but is hard to control. Speed Racer is dull racing on color overload.

OUT OF CONTROL: Steve Buscemi plays a drunk on the season finale of "ER," airing at 10 p.m. on NBC. Chris Haston NBC

Angelina Jolie is on NBC's 'Today.'

Dear Amy: My boyfriend and I were watching my 5-year-old niece. She came to me and told me that my boyfriend said he was going to punch her in the nose. I know that when my boyfriend is with the kids he plays around and says things, but he is adamant that he didn't say that.

Aries (March 21-April 19): The clouds of judgment lift so you can see the situation for what it really is: two people doing the best they can to make things work.

Gavin DeGraw, whose self-titled album breaks the Top 10, would rather be more Kris Kristofferson than sensitive pretty boy.

Beginning Monday, public tours at the Watts Towers will be restricted until next February to enable crews to repair damage the center tower sustained during the storms of 2004-05.

The actor ad-libbed in key scenes from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Empire Strikes Back.'

TIPS FOR TODAY

2:30-3 p.m. -- Bookworm: David Shields ("The Thing About Life Is That Someday You'll Be Dead"), KCRW-FM (89.9).

First chances, last chances and what not to miss today

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Los Angeles Philharmonic Christoph von Dohnányi conducts the orchestra in Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica," and more. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m.; also 11 a.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $40 to $142. (323) 850-2000.

Dear Carolyn: I married a man 3 1/2 years ago who has two adult children. I feel it is disrespectful to have the children call me by my first name, which is what they are doing. I had a rocky start with his sons so I did not want to push the issue. Things are much better now, but I'm not sure if I should just let it go. I've talked to my husband about how I feel but he hasn't talked to his children and he still refers to me by my first name to the grandchildren.

Flying scenes shot in Oregon weren't all smoke and mirrors -- and wires.

Carina Chocano 'Iron Man'

Kenneth Turan 'Son of Rambow'

The Young and the Restless 11:30 a.m. CBS 847979

Where you've seen him

Since "The Station Agent," Dinklage has been working steadily in such films as "Elf" -- in which he tackles Will Ferrell in a brawl -- "Find Me Guilty," "Death at a Funeral" and "Underdog," in which he played bad guy Simon Barsinister. On TV he has been Joely Richardson's love interest on "Nip/Tuck" and starred in the CBS sci-fi series "Threshold."

A Freewheelin' Time

A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties