Burbank, CA -- Jimmy Smits is going west, young man. To "The West Wing," that is. Smits will be playing a Houston congressman with presidential aspirations on the NBC drama, and will make his first appearance on the show's season premiere on October 20.

LOS ANGELES -- Tears For Fears fans can cry tears of joy. The original members of the 1980s-era techno band are reuniting for the first time since 1989 for a new CD, "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending," which hits stores Sept. 14.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- "Lord of the Rings" actor Andy Serkis -- who provided the voice and movements for the animated villain Gollum -- is getting into the swing of things for his latest role as King Kong. As with Gollum, Serkis will be the model for the computer-generated ape in director Peter Jackson's remake of the classic movie, so he's been hanging out with real gorillas to get the body language down pat.

LONDON -- British actress Helen Mirren -- who memorably went nude in films like "Excaliber" and "Calendar Girls --" will presumably get to keep her clothes on for her latest role: She's playing Queen Elizabeth II. Mirren plays the queen in director Stephen Frears upcoming feature, which tells the story of Great Britain in the aftermath of Princess Diana's 1997 death.

NEW YORK -- VH1 might not match MTV when it comes to featuring hip hop music, but you can't fault the network for trying to be more hip hop conscious. The channel will be presenting its first-ever "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" on October 12. Major hip hop contributors like Public Enemy, Run DMC, Sugar Hill Gang, and the late Tupac Shakur will be honored. Performers at the New York show will include Nas and The Beastie Boys.

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Additional Local Queen Elizabeth News Archives

• British Scientist: "They" Could Already Be Here
• Crime Novelist Dick Francis Dies At 89
• Prince Andrew Strikes Guard With Car Entering Buckingham Palace
• British DJ Fired From Radio Show After Cutting The Queen's "Bor-ring" Speech
• Miley Cyrus Wears Revealing Gown While Meeting With The Queen

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