People: 'The Help' leads Image nominees

Associated Press files

The cast of "The Help"

"The Help" has been served eight Image Award nominations.

The adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel about black maids speaking out about their white employers during the civil-rights movement led the 43rd annual NAACP Image Awards nominations Thursday with eight nods in film categories, including outstanding motion picture against "Jumping the Broom," "Pariah," "The First Grader" and "Tower Heist."

The medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" and football sitcom "The Game" ruled the TV categories with six nominations each.

Beyoncé and Jill Scott both received four nominations in the music categories. They'll both vie against Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi and Mary J. Blige for the outstanding female artist trophy.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Image Awards, honoring diversity in the arts, will be presented Feb. 17 on NBC.

Springsteen's latest reflects times

Bruce Springsteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, will be out March 6, and he just released a new single, "We Take Care of Our Own."

Although the song is musically upbeat, it references the current struggles of America with lyrics like, "Where's the promise, from sea to shining sea?"

Other songs on the 11-track album include "Death to My Hometown," "This Depression" and "Easy Money."

The announcement was made Thursday morning on the rocker's website.

Springsteen's manager, Jon Landau, who is also the executive producer of the album, calls the writing on the disc "some of the best of his career."

Brand to interview Ringo

British actor-comedian Russell Brand will interview former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr for Sirius XM Radio.

"Town Hall With Ringo Starr" will air live from Los Angeles on Jan. 30.

Music producer Don Was will moderate the Q&A, and Starr will perform at the event.

A day later, Starr will release his 17th solo album, Ringo 2012.

Brand said in a statement Thursday that he's a "massive fan" of Starr, "but like most people I am ignorant as to his life before he rose to prominence with 'Thomas the Tank Engine.'"

Added Brand: "Now we can unravel the enigma of Ringo."

Homeless teen honored on 'Ellen'

The accolades continue for a homeless New York teen who's a semifinalist in a prestigious national science contest.

Brentwood High School senior Samantha Garvey appeared in a broadcast of "Ellen" that aired Thursday. Talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres presented the 18-year-old with a $50,000 scholarship from AT&T to the college of her choice.

Since Garvey's story gained national attention, her family has been offered a home by Long Island officials. It is being renovated.

-- From Our Press Services

Today's birthdays

Singer Slim Whitman, 88; director David Lynch, 66; guitarist Paul Stanley of Kiss, 60; TV host Bill Maher, 56; actor Lorenzo Lamas, 54; country singer John Michael Montgomery, 47; actor Rainn Wilson ("The Office"), 46; singer Edwin McCain, 42; actor Skeet Ulrich ("Scream," "As Good As It Gets"), 42; drummer ?uestlove of The Roots, 41.

© 2012 Go Memphis. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.