Howard Stern has apologised to the Girls creator and star Lena Dunham for criticising her last week. On his radio show, Stern called Dunham "a little fat girl who kind of looks like Jonah Hill". He went on, saying: "I learnt that this little fat chick writes the show and directs the show, and that makes sense to me because she's such a camera hog that the other characters barely are on." On Monday, following the two Golden Globes won by Girls on Sunday, Stern was singing a different tune. "I felt bad because I really do love the show and enjoy it, and I admire the girl who writes it," he said. "So I said to [the producer Gary Dell'Abate], would you please contact Lena Dunham and please tell her that I would like to explain myself to her on the air … It makes me feel bad that she is getting the impression that I somehow think she's just a talentless little fat chick." * The National staff
Big B to work with Kashyap
Amitabh Bachchan says he's looking forward to working with the filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. "I will work with him for a short film as part of a compilation of short stories being put together as an experiment, and later in the year to start a complete film which he has narrated to me and which sounds innovative and exciting," Bachchan posted on his blog. The veteran actor praised Kashyap and commended new talent in Bollywood, dubbing today's era as "the most interesting period in the life of our film world". "I can safely say that this period in the history of cinema in India shall pave the way for a kind of recognition that may never have been witnessed before." * IANS
Simpson to star in comedy
Jessica Simpson is set to star in a TV series loosely based on her life. Simpson, 32, will play a celebrity who must balance life as a mother and a public figure. The comedy could be Simpson's first step back into a major acting role in more than five years. The former pop star is best known for her reality TV shows, including MTV's Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and Fashion Star. The singer gave birth to her first child in May 2012 and said last month she was pregnant with her second. * AP
Metallica 3-D film is coming
Metallica have announced that a 3-D film based on their story, titled Metallica Through the Never, will be released in August. Directed by Nimrod Antal, the concert film also features a fictional storyline starring Dane DeHaan, who plays Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. DeHaan plays "a young band crew member who is sent out on an urgent mission by the band", said the producer Bob Berney. "It's a film that really captures the spirit of Metallica … an entertaining genre film with a concert inside it." Metallica's drummer Lars Ulrich said: "Metallica's way of doing things is to jump into unexplored creative endeavours with no safety net whatsoever. Putting this movie together for the last couple of years has been a pretty wild ride." * The National staff
Fox no longer idolises Monroe
Instead of chasing fame, Megan Fox is running from it. The actress tells the February issue of Esquire magazine US that she wanted to be like Marilyn Monroe and even has a tattoo of the late actress on her arm but has now begun the process of having it removed. Fox, 26, says she read about Monroe's "difficult life" where she had "all the potential in the world" that was wasted. Monroe, she says, "wasn't reliable" and "almost wasn't insurable". She goes on to compare Lindsay Lohan to Monroe. "I'm not interested in following in those footsteps," she says. * AP
Sharma to star with Dharmendra
After a few marginal Bollywood roles, Neha Sharma seems to be coming into her own. The 25-year-old, who made her Bollywood debut in 2010, is now set to co-star with the film icon Dharmendra. Sharma has been chosen to play the female lead in the Sangeeth Sivan film Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. The success of 2011's Yamla Pagla Deewana resulted in the sequel, but with the director of the original, Samir Karnik, opting out. * IANS
The Killing isn't dead after all
The Killing will live another season. AMC and Fox Television Studios announced the return of the crime drama for a third season after months spent in limbo. The show's stars, Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman, will be back. Production resumes next month in Vancouver. No premiere date was mentioned. The show's revival, though surprising to some viewers who had given it up for dead, had been rumoured for several weeks. * AP
X Factor winner Stevens signs deal
The X Factor champ Tate Stevens has signed a record deal. The Season 2 winner of the show's US edition signed a deal with Syco Music/RCA Records Nashville and is already writing and recording his major-label debut. The 37-year-old country star won Simon Cowell's reality singing contest show last month. * AP
