Bauer takes on Africa
Lloyd Sachs: Well, where else but Africa did you think Jack Bauer would be hanging out in exile this time? You maybe thought, having used up Mexico and China as offseason spots, he would be holed up in a Unabomber shack in the Canadian northwest writing his memoirs about the day terrorists nuked L.A.?

'True Blood' actor credits Thornridge teachers
When actor Nelsan Ellis is on the set of HBO's vampire saga "True Blood," show producer Alan Ball says, "We all just stand back and point the camera in his direction.'' Ellis, Ball has said, "channels from his own planet.'' Ellis is, of course, from this planet. He grew up in the south suburbs -- metamorphosing from troublemaker to an artist commanding critical acclaim and expanding parts.

MTV holds its first African music awards

ABUJA, Nigeria---- Two Nigerian singers won top awards Saturday as MTV held its first-ever music award program for Africa, with acts from across the world's poorest continent being nominated for prizes.

SAG to seek strike authorization
The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator. Federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez adjourned the talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers shortly before 1 a.m. after two marathon sessions failed to produce an agreement.

'True Blood' actor shows impact of arts

In these days of gloomy news, it's good to be reminded that there are, as President George H.W. Bush used to put it, a thousand points of light amid the dark sky. Elsewhere in today's paper, we learn the story of a son of the south suburbs, actor Nelsan Ellis, who came to the area as a troubled teen with an attitude but left as a young man with a plan and a future.

Also tonight: Colbert, Cooke
"American Music Awards" (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Jimmy Kimmel hosts the unpredictable ceremony, with performances by Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, New Kids on the Block, the Jonas Brothers and Kanye West.