Entertainment

Electronic Arts is about to release a new life-simulation game called Spore that takes players from a single-cell organism to interplanetary societies. GamePro Media's George Jones explains to Kai Ryssdal.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CORNER OFFICE: Showtime CEO Matthew Blank.

Rising gas prices have some budget-conscious families trading a night on the town for a night at home in front of a game console. Jean-Luc Renault reports.

The Screen Actors Guild rejected the latest contract offer from producers last night. Renita Jablonski talks about the latest negotiations with Variety's Stuart Levine, who says we're still not going to see an actors' strike.

Votes of TV and radio artists will be tallied on a new contract with studios. The performers' union AFTRA is hopeful about negotiations, but SAG members aren't so sure. Rico Gagliano reports.

The BBC funds its programs with a $260 a year license fee that all British citizens with a TV must pay. But new bullying ads on the fee have made some Brits re-evaluate their feelings. Stephen Beard has more.

Don't take the fireworks you have this year for granted. Your local seller may have paid 40 percent more than last year. Scott Tong reports why there are around 20 million pounds of fireworks sitting in warehouses in China.

Rising prices and stricter export controls are forcing many small towns to canceling or cutting back on their fireworks displays this year. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Casinos and racetracks are struggling to convince gaming fans to come out despite high prices on gas, food and lodging. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.