‘Something’s Gotta Give’ rules box office with $17 million debut

Los Angeles — Love among older adults conquered the box office as Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton’s romance “Something’s Gotta Give” debuted in the top spot with $17 million.

The previous weekend’s top film, “The Last Samurai,” slipped to second place with $14.05 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Farrelly brothers’ comedy “Stuck on You” opened at No. 3 with $10 million.

Other estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

4. “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” $6.5 million.

5. “The Haunted Mansion,” $6.3 million.

6. “Bad Santa,” $6.21 million.

7. “Elf,” $6.2 million.

8. “Honey,” $5.1 million.

9. “Dr. Seuss’ the Cat in the Hat,” $4.2 million.

10. “Gothika,” $2.7 million.

Lauryn Hill slams Church

Vatican City — During a Christmas benefit concert at the Vatican, Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill launched into an unscheduled tirade against priests who abuse children, according to news reports Sunday.

Several Italian newspapers on Sunday ran translations of the statement. They quoted her as saying there was “no acceptable explanation for defending the church.”

“I realize some of you may be offended by what I’m saying, but what do you say to the families who were betrayed by the people in whom they believed?” La Repubblica newspaper quoted her.

Prelates in the audience included Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the pope’s vicar for Rome and the head of the Italian bishops’ conference, and his deputy, Monsignor Rino Fisichella. The pope did not attend. The Vatican said Sunday it had no comment.

A million-book milestone

Pigeon Force, Tenn. — Country singer Dolly Parton’s book program, which she started seven years ago to inspire preschoolers to read, has reached a milestone with delivery of its millionth book.

Parton was on hand Friday when her Imagination Library gave a copy of “The Little Engine That Could” to the parents of 1-year-old Cana Waynick of Danville, Ala. Children start receiving books at birth and continue through 60 selections until age 5.

Parton launched the library in 1996 to promote reading among children in Sevier County, the rural community where she grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains. Today, 206 communities in 35 states participate in Imagination Library.

Sandra Diaz-Twine wins $1 million as final ‘Survivor’

New York — In a “Survivor” contest packed with villains and indelible characters, Sandra Diaz-Twine, a mother of two from the Northwest, had the staying power to win the television game.

Diaz-Twine beat Lillian Morris, the tearful Scoutmaster from the Cincinnati area, in the final vote revealed during CBS’s three-hour finale of “Survivor: Pearl Islands” on Sunday.

An office worker for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Diaz-Twine wins $1 million and a new sport utility vehicle.