‘Along Came Polly’ takes No. 1 spot at box office

Los Angeles — “Along Came Polly” came along and swept “The Lord of the Rings” from its four-week perch atop the box office list.

The new romantic comedy collected $27.6 million to debut at No. 1, while “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” fell to fourth place with $10.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“Along Came Polly” stars “Friends” sweetheart Jennifer Aniston with Ben Stiller.

Other estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Tuesday:

2. “Big Fish,” $10.4 million.

3. “Torque,” $10.3 million.

5. “Cheaper by the Dozen,” $8.7 million.

Bono lauded for efforts to promote civil rights

Atlanta — As a teenager in Ireland, when violence and unrest were escalating because of the conflict over Northern Ireland, U2 front man Bono longed for the voice of reason from somebody such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Those thoughts and understanding of King’s teachings led the singer to write a song about the slain civil rights leader, a 1984 hit called “Pride (In the Name of Love).”

“We despaired for the lack of vision of the kind Dr. King gave to people in the South,” Bono said Saturday before accepting one of the highest honors from the King Center, the organization founded by King’s widow, Coretta Scott King.

“We are fortunate this year to … honor Bono for exemplifying many of the qualities that my husband, Martin, indicated were imperative to moving our society into the beloved community of which he so often spoke,” Coretta Scott King said.

Work before honors

Vail, Colo.– A ceremony honoring “Bachelorette” groom Ryan Sutter was temporarily interrupted this weekend when duty called; the firefighter was called out on a medical emergency.

Sutter gained a measure of fame when he won the right to woo “Bachelorette” star Trista Rehn on the popular reality show.

He was honored Saturday with a souvenir town manhole cover. Previously, the covers have been given only to former President Gerald Ford and the New York Philharmonic.

Rehn stayed for the event, while Sutter answered the call.