Heal the world

Band Aid has been resurrected, with an updated version of 1984's "Do They Know It's Christmas" that will raise money to fight the spread of Ebola and support its victims, says founder Bob Geldof. Participating artists include Seal, One Direction, Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and Bono, who, thank God, is spared from having to repeat his cringeworthy line "Well, tonight thank God it's them, instead of you."

Mop-up work

Robert De Niro will play Jennifer Lawrence's father in David O. Russell's "Joy," about the mother of three who invented the Miracle Mop. … Lana Del Rey will have two songs in Tim Burton's upcoming "Big Eyes." … Steve McQueen's followup to "12 Years a Slave" will be a biopic of legendary singer and activist Paul Robeson.

2nd season for 12th doctor

Peter Capaldi will return for another season as Doctor Who. … This will be the last season for "Hot in Cleveland." … Tom Hardy will make an eight-episode period drama, "Taboo," based on his own story and jointly produced by FX and BBC One. … Cecily Strong of "Saturday Night Live" will host the White House Correspondents' Dinner next spring. … PBS is adding 20 hours to its "Masterpiece" series, with the dramas "Grantchester," "Poldark," "Indian Summers" and "Wolf Hall," starring Damian Lewis.

New York state of mind

Coming to Taylor Swift's defense against carpetbagger accusations in her new role as New York City's Global Welcome Ambassador is the quintessential New Yorker: Billy Joel. "You snoots. Let her in. That's what New York is all about. I say, 'Welcome', " he told USA Today, adding, "I like what she's projecting. I respect what she's doing." We feel a "Duets" album coming on.

Cynthia Dickison