'Star Trek' Goes Digital

Remastered original series adds CGI effects

The original "Star Trek" series is going back into syndication next month, but the show may not look quite the same as fans remember it.

CBS Paramount Domestic Television, which syndicates the series, is remastering the old episodes to include computer-generated effects and re-recorded music, in hopes of offering a vision of the future that doesn't look quite so dated. All 79 episodes of the show will eventually get the digital treatment, with several fan favorites undergoing the retouches first.

"'Star Trek' redefined science fiction and constantly pushed the envelope with concepts that were ahead of their time," says John Nogawski, president of CBS Paramount Domestic TV. "By giving the series a digital upgrade using the best technology available today, it will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge television programming as we introduce the series to a new generation of viewers."

Lest visions of the "special edition" "Star Wars" films that offended purists start dancing in your head, fear not: The remastering won't be inserting any new scenes into the episodes. Instead, CGI artists will be updating the relatively low-tech special effects available in the late 1960s with present-day technology.

Exterior shots of the Enterprise and other spaceships will be replaced by CGI-created ships, with the new Enterprise based on precise measurements of the original model, which is now housed in the Smithsonian. Battle scenes and shots of space from the bridge of the Enterprise will be redone, and matte paintings used in exteriors will be replace with computer-generated backgrounds that give a better illusion of depth.

The episodes will also feature a re-recorded score and a remastered version of William Shatner's opening narration.

"Star Trek" returns to syndication on Saturday, Sept. 16 on 200-plus stations across the country.

Cage set to lead box office with "Wicker Man"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The summer box office season officially wraps this Labor Day holiday weekend, during which three wide releases will open in theaters. None is likely to cross the $20 million mark for the four-day period.

The highest hopes ride on "The Wicker Man," writer-director Neil LaBute's update of the 1973 British cult film that starred Edward Woodward. Nicolas Cage stars as a Scottish police officer investigating a girl's disappearance.

In terms of ticket sales, the film looks to come in closer to Cage's "Lord of War" than to his "National Treasure." But if industry expectations hold, the film will exceed "War's" $9 million opening gross, with a four-day take likely to fall in the midteen millions.

"The Wicker Man" comes from Warner Bros., which has had a difficult summer with such bombs as "Poseidon" and "Lady in the Water."

Lionsgate is hoping to replicate Jason Statham's success with last year's "Transporter 2," which also opened during Labor Day weekend. But it will be nearly impossible for the adrenaline-fueled, R-rated "Crank" to match the sequel's $20 million bow. Industry watchers put the box office in the low teens.

Disney's reigning champ, "Invincible," should stand up well in its second week. The Mark Wahlberg vehicle also should be in the teen millions for the four-day period, likely good enough for second place at the box office.

Sony Pictures' "Crossover" is the other wide release of the weekend. The urban drama stars Anthony Mackie and Wesley Jonathan as best friends and talented basketball players who become involved in an underground street game.

Targeting a black audience, "Crossover" is unlikely to break $10 million for the four-day period but should take business away from Universal Pictures' "Idlewild." The 1930s-set musical starring the OutKast duo of Andre Benjamin and Antwan A. Patton opened to modest sales of $5.7 million last weekend, though the per-screen average was decent.

The Yari Film Group is expanding its well-received period drama "The Illusionist" to national release. The PG-13 picture, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel, has done well in limited release, grossing more than $3 million in two weeks.

Bowing in limited release is Fox's "Idiocracy." The sci-fi comedy from writer-director Mike Judge ("Office Space," "Beavis and Butt-head Do America") stars Luke Wilson as a man who wakes up 1,000 years in the future and discovers that the world is so dumbed down that he's the smartest person on the planet.

IFC Films will bow Kirby Dick's "This Film Is Not Yet Rated." Opening at two theaters in Los Angeles and New York, the documentarian takes a close look at Hollywood's opaque ratings system.

Roadside Attractions will bow Samuel Goldwyn's "Lassie" in 170 theaters. The PG remake of "Lassie Comes Home" stars Peter Dinklage, Samantha Morton, Jonathan Mason and Peter O'Toole. Charles Sturridge wrote and directed the film, an effort to reintroduce the beloved collie to a new generation.

..."90210," "Melrose" Coming to DVD

Brandon, Brenda, Billy, Amanda...it's been too long.

In news that will send Peach Pit-obsessed Gen-Xers racing to Amazon.com, the powers-that-be at Paramount have announced that Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spinoff, Melrose Place, are finally headed to DVD.

The iconic shows, from the factory of the late, great Aaron Spelling, catapulted Fox to major network status in the '90s, became major trendsetters and unleashed Shannen Doherty on the world, and prepared the TV landscape for such coming-of-age dramas as Dawson's Creek, Felicity and The O.C.

Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD will release Beverly Hills, 90210: The Complete First Season and Melrose Place: The Complete First Season to stores on Nov. 7, with a retail price of $62 each. The two series will also be packaged in a combo set, The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful, for $108.99.

Following the lives and loves of a bevy of spoiled rich kids attending West Beverly Hills High, 90210 made Tiger Beat fodder of its cast. The forthcoming six-disc set contains all 22 episodes of the inaugural 1990-91 season, with commentary on select episodes from writer and executive producer Darren Starr (who went on to launch Sex and the City) and behind-the-scenes featurettes. There are also profiles of all the main characters: Brandon ( Jason Priestley), Brenda (Doherty), Dylan ( Luke Perry), Kelly (Jenny Garth), Donna ( Tori Spelling), Steve ( Ian Ziering), Andrea ( Gabrielle Carteris) and David ( Brian Austin Green).

The older-skewing Melrose Place, which focused on a group of twentysomethings residing in a Los Angeles apartment complex, premiered July 8, 1992 and initially focused on the story lines of the likes of Alison ( Courtney Thorne-Smith), Billy ( Andrew Shue), Jo ( Daphne Zuniga), Jake ( Grant Show), Matt (Doug Savant), Jane ( Josie Bissett) and medical student/future psycho Michael (Thomas Calabro).

With ratings sagging, the brain trust decided to jettison a couple of weak characters-- Amy Locane's Sandy and Vanessa Williams' Rhonda--and Spelling brought in his former T.J. Hooker/Dynasty vixen Heather Locklear to wreak havoc as conniving advertising exec Amanda Woodward. Melrose subsequently evolved into one of the '90s biggest soap operas replete with stunning cliffhangers and monumental plot twists that kept fans coming back for seven seasons. It even spawned its own spinoff in 1994, the short-lived Models Inc..

The Melrose set includes all 32 first-season episodes on eight discs, along with features on the show's music and style, behind-the-scenes footage and character profiles, but no commentaries.

Both series have been among the most requested DVD titles, but their release had been hung up while producers resolved music-rights issues (many of the songs featured on the show weren't originally cleared for DVD distribution).

According to Variety, the DVDs were fast-tracked following the breakup of Viacom and CBS, the latter of which ended up with control of the shows' home video rights.

"With [CBS chief Leslie Moonves'] blessing, we quickly scoured the library to see what hadn't been released," Ken Ross, CBS DVD's executive vice president, told the trade. "What caught my eye immediately was Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose...We recognized these jewels had to come out post-haste."

In order to expedite their release, the company tapped one of Spelling's former music supervisors to find substitute tracks for the early episodes.

Said Ross, "The majority of viewers won't even know the music has been changed."

Normalcy continues at MTV video awards

NEW YORK - Where are Eminem and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog when you need them?

Despite Shakira's ever-gyrating hips, Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" and the obscured image of a naked midget, the first hour of the annual MTV Video Music Awards had about as much spontaneity as an episode of "Cribs."

"This show has been lame farts for the past 20 years and I'm going to light the match!" host Jack Black vowed before he took the stage Thursday night for his opening sketch.

Instead, Black continued a trend.

After a perfunctory performance by Timberlake to kick off the show, Black had a promising bit that poked fun at the show's increasingly staid reputation. Painting himself as the man to inject life back into the VMAs, he took to the stage in a moonman outfit — which caught fire. But Black's shtick quickly got old. Even Lil' Kim — who once appeared at the VMAs wearing a pasty on one breast — failed to get the party started. Recently released from prison after serving time for perjury, she stripped off an orange jail suit to reveal ... something that resembled a funky business suit. Hillary Clinton has worn more revealing outfits.

Though the MTV Awards have never lacked star power — last year, Diddy acted as host and stars ranging from Eva Longoria to Jessica Simpson and then-hubby Nick Lachey squeezed themselves into the spotlight — that water-cooler MTV moment that once was its trademark hasn't materialized recently, like Eminem punching out a puppet.

This year, the disturbing trend of normalcy continued. Shakira and Wyclef Jean performance a colorful but rote performance of her smash "Hips Don't Lie"; there were no profanity-filled acceptance speeches from impaired winners.

The night's hottest new couple, new buddies 50 Cent and LL Cool J, introduced one of the awards. But 50, perhaps with no more foes to beef with, was almost Zen-like onstage, offering no fun disses to get the crowd excited.

The lack of outrageousness almost made you long back to the days when Michael Jackson was making out with Lisa Marie Presley — that was creepy, but at least it kept us talking.

Oh yeah — the awards.

In the early going, Best Male Video went to James Blunt for "You're Beautiful" and Best Hip-Hop Video went to the Black Eyed Peas for "My Humps." Kelly Clarkson was not on hand to accept Best Female Video for "Because of You," but all six Pussycat Dolls accepted the Best Dance Video award for "Buttons." And Pink took Best Pop Video with "Stupid Girl."

Summer Box Office: "Dead Man's" Best

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Poseidon both star big boats. The comparisons end there.

With one more weekend to go at the summer box office, Dead Man's Chest has clinched the season's title with a $407.5 million booty through Sunday. Arguably more impressive, it has moved up to sixth on the list of all-time moneymakers--any season, any year.

Poseidon, meanwhile, appears to destined to be the summer's, if not the year's, biggest bust. Made for a reported $160 million, the disaster remake sunk with $60.7 million.

On paper, the panned Poseidon will go down as the 17th "biggest" moneymaker of this beach season, according to stats released Tuesday by the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

And while the movie has taken in $181.2 million worldwide, per BoxOfficeMojo.com, Poseidon also will go down as the redo that got shown up by its 24-year-old predecessor, The Poseidon Adventure, which grossed $84.6 million domestically back when movie tickets cost less than $2 each.

This summer, movie tickets cost, on average, $6.61 a pop--an all-time high, per Exhibitor Relations. Undeterred, audiences nudged up attendance about 3 percent, from 564.9 million admissions last summer to an estimated 582.5 million. And they pushed up revenue more than 6 percent, from $3.6 billion to an estimated $3.9 billion.

Up from summer 2005, the box office still was way off from summer 2003, when 17 movies, including the first Pirates of the Caribbean adventure, made at least $100 million

This summer, 11 movies will cross the Labor Day finish line with at least $100 million, the Exhibitor Relations estimates show. Of those, four are bona fide blockbusters grossing at least $200 million each: Dead Man's Chest; Cars ($240.6 million); X-Men: The Last Stand ($234.2 million); and The Da Vinci Code ($217.5 million). And one is a relative blockbuster: The Devil Wears Prada, which was produced for a reported $35 million, made an estimated $120.6 million, and became the biggest hit of star Meryl Streep's nearly 30-year screen career.

For box-office purposes, the summer began in early May with the release of Mission: Impossible III. With a $133.4 million take (eighth place), it was Paramount's second biggest hit of the season, and former studio associate Tom Cruise's seventh straight $100 million-plus performer. Worldwide, it's made $394.6 million, per BoxOfficeMojo.com, covering its reported $150 million budget, and delivering many dollars directly to Cruise--as Viacom chieftain Sumner Redstone likely could attest.

Here's a look inside some of the other numbers of summer, per Exhibitor Relations and BoxOfficeMojo.com stats:

- Though maligned of late, movie stars did their thing, and sold tickets. Six of the Top 10 summer movies were headlined by red-carpet fixtures: Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Adam Sandler, Cruise, Will Ferrell and Streep.

- So far, Sandler's Click ($135.9 million, seventh place) is the biggest comedy not starring cartoons--well, the animated kind anyway.

- Before its run is over, Ferrell's Talledega Nights ($127.8 million, ninth place) could lap Click for the human comedy title.

- Over the Hedge ($154.8 million, sixth place) was the biggest talking-animal comedy, topping Barnyard ($54.9 million, 20th place) and The Ant Bully ($25.7 million).

- Clerks II ($23.6 million) made $2 million less than perceived Kevin Smith flop Jersey Girl, but cost $30 million less to make than that 2004 comedy.

- Snakes on a Plane ($26.3 million) wasn't all that.

- Step Up ($50.4 million) was all that. The teen dance movie without big stars or big buzz ended up in the same league with the likes of Keanu Reeves' and Sandra Bullock's The Lake House ($52.1 million).

- Together, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson made $209.2 million last summer with Wedding Crashers. Separately this summer, Vaughn made $118.6 million with The Break-Up (11th place); Wilson, $73.9 million for You, Me and Dupree (13th place). Combined, they grossed a Crashers-esque $192.5 million.

- Well, at least M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water ($41.7 million gross; estimated $75 million budget) made for a good book...

- Superman Returns ($195.4 million, fifth place) couldn't crack $200 million; My Super Ex-Girlfriend ($22 million) couldn't crack anything.

- Depending on which production estimate is closer to the truth, should such a thing exist in Hollywood accounting departments, Superman Returns either almost made back its $205 million budget in U.S. theaters, or it almost fell a Poseidon-esque $65 million short.

- Standouts on the art-house scene included: Little Miss Sunshine ($22.9 million); A Prairie Home Companion ($20 million); and, Al Gore's feel-bad-and-guilty movie of the summer, An Inconvenient Truth ($22.8 million).

Finally, here is a complete view of the projected Top 10 summer money-makers, per Exhibitor Relations. Figures are current as of last weekend:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, $407.5 million
2. Cars, $240.6 million
3. X-Men: The Last Stand, $234.2 million
4. The Da Vinci Code, $217.5 million
5. Superman Returns, $195.4 million
6. Over the Hedge, $154.8 million
7. Click, $135.9 million
8. Mission: Impossible III, $133.4 million
9. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, $127.8 million
10. The Devil Wears Prada, $120.6 million

Actor Glenn Ford dead at 90 57 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Glenn Ford, a handsome and quiet character actor who made his mark in big films like "Gilda" and "The Big Heat," died on Wednesday in his Beverly Hills home, police said. He was 90.

The Beverly Hills Police Department said in a statement that paramedics were called to Ford's home in the afternoon and found the actor dead.

The cause of his death was not immediately known.

The Canadian-born actor, who starred in five movies with Rita Hayworth, never quite attained the superstar status he sought, but nevertheless won the hearts of moviegoers in a variety of roles.

Many critics thought he was underrated and one, David Shipmann, wrote, "He is a good -- if not the best -- example of that second-string group, the dependable and efficient actor."

Ford made low-key appearances in more than 200 movies, and became one of the most enduring stars of the silver screen.

Away from the cameras, Ford led an intensely private life, shunning nightspots in favor of a quiet home life. He was set to make his first public appearance in 15 years at a 90th birthday tribute in Hollywood four months ago, but was unable to attend because of ill health. In his place, former co-stars such as Debbie Reynolds and Martin Landau sang his praises.

Although most frequently appearing in Westerns, Ford played a variety of quietly intense heroes and villains and is best remembered for his non-Western roles.

His career began in 1939 and was highlighted by starring roles in director Fritz Lang's "The Big Heat" in 1953, in which he played a cop out to avenge his wife's murder; Richard Brooks' "The Blackboard Jungle" in 1955, in which he played a teacher; and "The Teahouse of the August Moon" in 1956, in which he played a U.S. soldier in Japan.

After his first movie, "Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence," Ford made a number of low-budget dramas before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942.

After returning from World War Two, he starred in his first big budget film, the romance "Gilda," with Hayworth in 1946. The movie was a hit and Bette Davis confirmed his leading-man status by picking him to star with her in "A Stolen Life," released the same year.

Ford teamed with Hayworth again for "The Loves of Carmen" (1948) and "Affair in Trinidad" (1958) and played one of his best villains, a sadistic lawman, in "The Man From Colorado" (1948).

POPULAR DESPITE CAREER DECLINE

Ford remained a top box-office draw through the 1950s but even when his career declined in the 1960s, his popularity with audiences remained as fixed as his reserved screen personality and wry smile.

The unsuccessful remake of "Cimarron" in 1960 started his career slide into B-movies and low-budget productions such as "A Pocketful of Miracles" (1961), "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1962), "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963) and "The Money Trap" (1964).

Ford himself compared his enduring popularity to that of other strong-but-quiet stars of his generation, such as Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda.

"It's the way we say our lines," Ford said. "We don't memorize them, but take the sense and alter the lines to fit our own personalities."

Ford was born Gwyllyn Ford in Quebec, Canada, on May 1, 1916. At age 7, he moved with his family to Santa Monica, California, where he worked as a stable boy for cowboy humorist and actor Will Rogers. After high school, he drove buses and worked as a salesman while planning an acting career.

Ford was married four times -- most notably to actress Eleanor Powell, from 1943 to 1960.

He is survived by his son Peter, 61, also an actor.

St. Elsewhere - Some good news about Season 1

Over its six-season run, the ground-breaking, critically acclaimed St. Elsewhere was nominated for over 60 Emmy Awards, winning 13 of them!

This remarkable series, paved the way for later TV classics such as E.R. and Chicago Hope, while introducing America to future superstars Mark Harmon, Howie Mandel, and Oscar-winner Denzel Washington. Eccentric, insightful, and intelligent, St. Elsewhere is considered to be one of the best dramas ever to air on broadcast television.

Fox hasn't officially announced the first season of St. Elsewhere (and it's been awhile since we posted the rumor it was coming), but a retailer was kind enough to send us the info for the set.

The first season will be released in a 4 disc set (DVD-14s) on December 12. The 22 episodes (1078 mins) will be presented in Full Frame (1.33:1), along with English stereo audio, and mono Spanish (likely with matching subtitles, though we didn't receive word on those). The set will retail for $39.98 US, or $54.98 CAN.

Disc 1 side A:
Pilot
Bypass
Down's Syndrome
Cora & Arnie

Disc 1 side B:
Samuels & The Kid
Legionnaires (Pt 1)

Disc 2 side A:
Legionnaires (Pt 2)
Tweety & Ralph
Rain
Hearts

Disc 2 side B:
Graveyard
Release

Disc 3 side A:
Family History
Remission
Monday, Tuesday, Sven's Day
The Count

Disc 3 side B:
Brothers
Dog Day Hospital

Disc 4 side A:
Working
Craig In Love

Disc 4 side B:
Baron Von Munchausen
Addition

The set's extras will include:
Commentary on selected episodes
"Cora & Arnie: An Outstanding Episode"
"St. Elsewhere: The Place To Be"
Tim Robbins Piece
David Morse Piece

PM Harper gets cameo on 'Corner Gas'

ROULEAU, Sask. (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper used his first official trip to Saskatchewan on Tuesday to film a cameo appearance on the hit television comedy Corner Gas.

Reporters, who got wind of the prime minister's guest spot a day earlier, were kept well back and not allowed to see how he performed in front of the cameras. But producers said Harper, who has the reputation of being rather stuffy, appeared relaxed as he filmed the spot and was actually quite funny.

"He was kind of like an old pro," said Virgina Thompson, an executive producer with the show.

"It really went off without a hitch and I think everybody had a good time."

Thompson described Harper's sense of humour as "kind of dry, kind of droll" with a little bit of deadpan.

"It works well for the show, actually," she said.

"We were told by the prime minister's office that he had a sense of humour, but we thought we would wait and see and sure enough, yeah, he delivered."

In its fourth season on CTV, Corner Gas is filmed on location about 40 kilometres south of Regina in the tiny farming community of Rouleau.

Doing a Corner Gas cameo is quickly developing into a rite of passage for senior politicians.

Former prime minister Paul Martin filmed a Corner Gas scene last season and Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert has also made an appearance on the show.

The episode with Harper will be broadcast sometime next spring.

Thompson was reluctant to talk about the scene, saying that would violate rules of the set.

But she did allow that it involved a press scrum with some actors posing as reporters - a tad ironic given Harper's touchy relationship with the real media in Ottawa.

"He knew his lines, he had them down pat," she said. "We had to take several different kinds of shots, but he actually never blew a line."

Fox Gears Up For "Terminator" Series Pilot

Fox Broadcasting has given the go-ahead on a pilot for The Sarah Connor Chronicles, based on the Terminator movie franchise.

Variety reports the project was green-lit partly because it's being directed by David Nutter - helmer of many successful TV pilots, including startups for Smallville, Without a Trace and Terminator director James Cameron's former Fox series, Dark Angel.

The anticipated Chronicles pilot plans to reveal events after the second film, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, when characters Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton in the movies) and her teenage son, John Connor go on the run.

If successful, the subsequent series will follow the mother and future leader of the resistance against machines, as they stay on the move to avoid being found by more 'terminators' from the future.

Bloom Mocks Himself, Depp on 'Extras'

British sitcom pokes fun at actor's popularity

LOS ANGELES -- You'd think it would be easy to be confident about your appeal if you're Orlando Bloom, but on the upcoming season of Ricky Gervais' "Extras," the long-haired heartthrob from the "Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" films shows his insecure side.

"I'm a total bastard [in 'Extras']," says Bloom in an interview to promote his latest film "Haven." "I play a guy who just rips the s**t out of Johnny Depp. I sort of play like a schoolboy bastard version of myself where I'm so jealous of Johnny."

In the critically acclaimed show by the creator of "The Office," Gervais plays struggling background actor Andy Millman, who just wants to land a speaking role that will launch him into stardom, but doesn't have much luck because of his lousy agent Darren Lamb (co-creator Stephen Merchant). Fellow extra Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen) is content with her limited job, since it gives her plenty of time to pursue men on set.

"And this girl Maggie is not interested in me," Bloom adds with a laugh.

"Extras" is known for its send-up of well-known actors playing themselves on the set of fictional movies and TV shoes. Last season, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet were among the big names who were happy to tarnish their image in the name of comedy. This coming season, the proposed A-list guest stars include "X-Men" star Ian McKellen, musician David Bowie and "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe, all who encounter Andy's character on his road to success.

"I can't tell you any more than that, but it's funny," says Bloom. "I don't think I'm that funny, but the series is really funny. The rest of it, the way it's developed, it's really great. He's fantastic, Ricky, and Stephen Merchant, they both are. It was fun as all hell."

In real life, Bloom doesn't begrudge his "Pirates of the Caribbean" co-stars their success, even now that both Depp and Keira Knightley have Oscar nominations under their belts. Does Bloom feel the pressure to get a nod for his acting as well?

"No, no, no," he says. "I just enjoy making movies."

"Extras" returns to BBC2 in September, which means its stateside run on HBO shouldn't be far behind.

Universal licenses songs for free downloads on ad-supported site

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Universal Music, home to artists such as U2, The Killers and Audioslave, will make its catalog of recordings and music videos available for free on an ad-supported website launching later this year, the site's operator said Tuesday.

The two-year deal calls for New York-based SpiralFrog.com to split advertising revenue with the recording company, said Lance Ford, chief marketing and sales officer for SpiralFrog.

Users can download an unlimited number of songs or music videos if they register at the site.

The tracks cannot be burned to a CD, but users will be able to transfer music to portable media players equipped with Microsoft Windows digital rights management software, Ford said.

However, the service will not work with Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh computers or its market-leading iPod music players.

Offering music and video for free on ad-supported websites is not new, but such services have generally been restricted to streaming, in which music and video files are not stored on a user's computer, limiting playback to when there is an Internet connection. SpiralFrog will offer downloads, permitting playback offline and on portable devices.

SpiralFrog will require users to return to the site and renew registration at least once a month or the tracks cease to play.

The company is in talks with other major recording companies on similar deals, Ford said.

"They understand and support this ad model," he said.

Ford declined to disclose the value of the deal but said it included advance payments to Universal Music. The label declined to comment.

SpiralFrog hopes to appeal to music fans who now flock to online file-sharing services to download music and videos that are often pirated.

A beta version of the site is expected to go live in December. Initially, only computer users in the United States and Canada will be able to download content.

In May, online music service Napster Inc. began allowing visitors to Napster.com to listen to tracks five times for free on an ad-supported site it launched to lure users to its paid subscriptions.

CNN sorry for Bush speech gaffe

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - CNN apologized Tuesday after an open mike transmitted an anchor's bathroom conversation with another woman live over the network as it was carrying President Bush's speech in New Orleans.

"Live From" anchor Kyra Phillips had apparently left the set around 12:48 p.m. EDT Tuesday for a bathroom break while the news channel carried Bush's speech marking the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Phillips' wireless microphone was turned on and picked up about a minute and a half of a muffled conversation she had with an unidentified woman where she apparently talked about her husband, laughed and talked about her brother.

"I've got to be protective of him," she said without being aware that the mic was on. "He's married, three kids, and his wife is just a control freak." CNN anchor Daryn Kagan broke into the telecast immediately afterward updating viewers on what Bush had been saying.

"CNN experienced audio difficulties during the president's speech today in New Orleans," the CNN statement read. "We apologize to our viewers and the president for the disruption."

CNN apologized to the White House on Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't clear whether it was a technical or human malfunction, and CNN, citing corporate policy, said it wouldn't comment on whether anyone would be disciplined. It seemed unlikely that anyone would.

CNN hasn't been immune to technical problems, particularly during political events. In November, a gaffe during a live speech by Vice President Dick Cheney showed an intermittent "X" on the screen. CNN apologized and fired a telephone operator who told a caller who complained that the network was exercising "free speech."

And in July 2004, viewers heard Democratic National Convention producer Don Mischer swear over an open microphone when balloons didn't immediately drop after a speech by Sen. John Kerry, the party's presidential nominee.

But some in the TV business said Tuesday that CNN should have had a system of checks and balances in place to make sure anchor's mikes are off when they're not on the air.

"It's a cardinal rule," one executive said.

NBC to mark 9/11 with Giuliani, survivors

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC and its networks will provide a full-court press of coverage on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, calling on current NBC News journalists as well as former anchor Tom Brokaw and former "Today" co-host Jane Pauley.

"Today" co-anchor Matt Lauer will broadcast live from the site of the World Trade Center and will be joined by Brokaw, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, survivors of the attacks and emergency personnel who were at the scene.

At 8 p.m. September 11, Pauley will update her "Dateline" report broadcast in 2001 on United Flight 93, which crashed in a field near Pittsburgh as passengers tried to regain control of the plane from hijackers. New interviews and audio tapes will accompany Pauley's report.

NBC will reach into the vault September 9 to replay Brokaw's "America Remembers: 9/11 Controllers" at 8 p.m. Brokaw had interviewed 20 air traffic controllers who dealt with the four hijacked planes that day. Then "Dateline" will have a special that aired in 2001 called "The Miracle of Ladder Company No. 6," a Stone Phillips report of the firefighters and an office worker who were rescued from the rubble of the World Trade Center's North Tower after it collapsed.

MSNBC will have coverage beginning September 10 with Chris Matthews anchoring from the site at 8 a.m. ET and a special live "Hardball" at 7 p.m. with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. MSNBC's "9/11: The Day That Changed America" will feature NBC coverage as it aired that day as well as interviews with former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Robert Redford.

CNBC will cover the impact of the attacks on the financial community, including interviews with correspondents as well as how New York has recovered since then. Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo will have special coverage as well.

Meanwhile, new "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric will interview President Bush for an hour long primetime special that will air September 6 called "Five Years Later: How Safe Are We?" It also will feature Lara Logan, Byron Pitts, David Martin and Jim Stewart.

CBS also will air an updated version of the award-winning documentary "9/11" on Sunday evening.

ABC News hasn't formally announced its plans, though Charles Gibson will anchor a special "Primetime" on the September 11 anniversary that will begin shortly after 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the second part of ABC's four-hour miniseries "The Path to 9/11." The special will look at the country's security and also why Osama bin Laden has yet to be caught. ABC's "Good Morning America" will broadcast live from St. Paul's Chapel across from the site of the World Trade Center, and "Nightline" and "World News" also will have coverage.

Jessica Simpson told to rest her voice

NEW YORK - Talk about bad timing. At the start of a media blitz to support her new album, "A Public Affair," Jessica Simpson is on vocal rest.

"It is true that she has indeed lost her voice," Simpson's publicist, Rob Shuter, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "She's been ordered to rest. ... She can talk, she can croak out a few sentences. She sounds a little off, but, you know, she can't sing."

Simpson, 26, fell ill Friday and has "a strain, a bruise on her vocal cord," Shuter told the AP.

The singer canceled an appearance on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" this week but dropped by MTV's "Total Request Live" on Tuesday to promote the album. Simpson, speaking in a hoarse voice, introduced music videos. She also signed CDs for fans.

Simpson hopes her condition improves by Friday, when she is scheduled to perform on NBC's "Today" show, Shuter said.

"She's trying," he said. "Everybody is hoping and keeping their fingers crossed."

'Wonderland' gets 14 Gemini nods

TORONTO (CP) - It was cancelled earlier this year but that didn't stop the legal drama This Is Wonderland from capturing the most Gemini Award nominations Tuesday.

The CBC drama picked up 12 nods while bio-thriller ReGenesis was second with 10. The miniseries Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story and the Fifth Estate, both CBC productions, followed with nine apiece.

The Geminis, which honour the best in Canadian television, are hitting the road this year. For the first time in its history, the award show will be held outside Toronto, with Richmond, B.C., playing host to the 21st edition on Nov. 4.

Global will broadcast the ceremony.

This Is Wonderland's nominations include best dramatic series as well as best director (Gail Harvey), best writing (George F. Walker, Dani Romain) and best actress (Cara Pifko) in a dramatic series.

Created by Walker, Romain and Bernard Zukerman, the critically acclaimed Wonderland starred Pifko as Alice De Raey, a young Toronto lawyer who has her eyes opened to the realities of practising law in the criminal courts of Old City Hall.

In February, CBC cancelled the series in its third season, citing low ratings. This Is Wonderland had been averaging 376,000 viewers when it was axed. The series finale aired on March 15.

It's not the first time a cancelled program has hauled in the most nominations. Last year, The Eleventh Hour led the pack with 15 nominations after it had been pulled by CTV.

Cancelled shows were also among the nominees at Sunday's Emmy Awards.

ReGenesis, which airs on The Movie Network, received a Gemini nomination for best dramatic series while Ken Girotti will contend for best director. Peter Outerbridge, who stars as molecular biologist David Sandstrom in the series, earned a best actor nomination.

The Movie Network's Slings and Arrows is also up for best drama as is Moccasin Flats, which airs on Aboriginal Peoples Television and Terminal City, another Movie Network show.

Other contenders for best actor in a drama are Gil Bellows for Terminal City, Nigel Bennett for CBC's At the Hotel, Nicholas Campbell for the cancelled CBC drama Da Vinci's City Hall and Mark McKinney for Slings and Arrows.

In addition to Pifko, Martha Burns of Slings and Arrows, Martha Henry of At the Hotel, Erin Karpluk of the CHUM Television's cancelled Godiva's and Andrea Menard of Moccasin Flats are also in the running for best actress in a drama.

The nominees for best comedy series are CTV's Corner Gas and Jeff Ltd., History Television's History Bites, Showcase's Kenny vs. Spenny and Naked Josh and CBC's Rick Mercer Report.

CTV and CBC dominated the TV movie category with CBC's Heyday and Intelligence and CTV's Hunt for Justice: The Louise Arbour Story, Terry, and One Dead Indian all in the running.

But CTV is absent from the news categories this year after announcing in June it was no longer participating in that area of the awards.

The nominees for best news anchor are CBC's Peter Mansbridge, Global's Kevin Newman and Norma Lee MacLeod of CBC News at Six: Halifax.

CBC's Marketplace and Fifth Estate, along with Vision TV's 360-degree Vision are nominated for best news information series while CBC's The National, CityNews at Six in Toronto and Global National are up for best newscast.

For a full list of nominees go to www.geminiawards.ca.

15 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

Forget "The Rules." When women are looking for tips, they don't want to know how to play hard to get - they want to know how to avoid having a double chin in pictures. Luckily, we have "How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything," a new book by British fashion journalist Camilla Morton that collects useful advice for women. Like how to send food back in a restaurant without coming across like a raving lunatic, or how to poach an egg.

She even enlisted some bold-faced friends: Manolo Blahnik tells you how to go shoe shopping, Vivienne Westwood explains how to appreciate art, and Heidi Klum gives tips on how to enhance your finer, umm, assets.

Here are 15 ways Morton says you can get ahead. And none involves making him wait to have sex.

1 How to look good in a photo
By supermodel Gisele Bundchen

The most crucial thing is lighting - you don't want it below you or above you, you want it to shine directly on you.

Learn what angles work with your face. You can practice in a passport photo booth. Tip your neck to elongate it, try different directions. Always make eye contact with the camera.

For long legs, point one leg toward the center of the frame and get the photographer to shoot looking up at your body. Keep your shoulders back.

Always have your mouth slightly open - enough to put a penny between your lips, as this will make your lips look fuller. Tilt your eyes down and look up just as the shutter is clicked for full eyes.

And, of course, delete any less-than-perfect photogenic moments - everyone has off days.

2 Dishes and scenarios to avoid on a first date:

There are the obvious ones - spaghetti, slurpy soup, corn on the cob and drenched racks of ribs. Also, try and avoid snails and other potential flying objects, blood-dripping meat and baguettes, bananas and anything that could be construed as a double entendre.

3 How to fit everything in your handbag:

It's preferable to have two bags - a Mary Poppins'-style bag that can carry everything you will need, and within it a dainty frivolous number that you can carry into dinner.

Always try to carry these bag essentials: cellphone, wallet and money (enough for coat check), a notebook (because inspiration can strike anywhere), pens or pencils for scribbling down someone's number, lipstick, perfume, a compact which can also be used for an unplanned escape ("I'm just going to powder my nose.")

You should also always have lip gloss, safety pins, sewing kit, road map, address book, diary or agenda, business cards, spare pair of shoes, Band-Aids, comb, tissues, aspirin and mints.

The evening bag can only accommodate a fraction of the all-purpose one, so streamline the contents- lipstick, mobile and keys will do.

4 How to pick a shoe by shoe designer Manolo Blahnik:

"I think you must always show some toe cleavage. Toe cleavage is very important, as it gives sexuality to the shoe. But be careful you only show the first two cracks, you don't want to give too much away - you're not that type of girl. As for the heel, honey, it's got to be high. The transformation is INSTANT. The height of the heel should depend on how dangerous you are feeling."

5 How to swim in shades:

Wearing sunglasses while you're swimming means you don't have to worry about your mascara, plus you look glamorous in the pool. To make sure they don't fall off while you're in the water, wrap an elastic band around each arm of the shades. Twist and twist and then, just before the last twist is too tight to take any more, thread a strand hair through the loop. This will "superglue" the shades to your ears and will, in theory, leave you looking like a modern-day Ursula Andress.

And, they might get wet, so don't use one of your favorite pairs. Every girl should have a few options anyways: swim shades, beach shades, shopping shades, posing shades, morning-after shades, etc.

6 How to use toilets at concert venues:

First, try to sweet-talk your way backstage and into the VIP toilets. If that doesn't work, take a deep breath, open the port-a-potty door and do not breathe in. Don't touch anything, get a friend to stand in front of the door so you don't have to lock it and risk getting trapped in the toxic coffin. And, as unladylike as this sounds, squat and pray - you're still not breathing, so be as fast as possible. When you leave, disinfect and slip your shades over your eyes as you recover from this dignity loss. Pretend it never happened.

7 How to hold court from your sickbed:

Depending on what you have, you don't always have to disappear from society. Visitors bearing gifts - like magazines, flowers and news from the outside world - can stop by if you aren't contagious.

Wear a nice, covering nightie; negligees are not suitable for receiving when sick. Light a scented candle, because even if you can smell nothing you always have to think of others, and the flickering dim light can add to the overall effect of your sick setting. And, keep the guests at a distance - you don't want to pass on the flu, nor do you want them to see how red your nose is.

8 How to dress for a funeral:

Wear black daywear; not eveningwear and never too tarty. Think demure rather than black widow- soft makeup and waterproof mascara work, too. Hats are always good but better still, a black tulle veil. Look to Jackie Kennedy at JFK's funeral or Princess Di at Versace's funeral for style advice. And take tissues - if you don't need them, someone will and handkerchiefs are unhygienic and disgusting to share.

9 How to take a decent picture:
by fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski

Consider the whole frame; try to put the head near the top of the photo, and fill the whole shot. A head in the center of the picture could lead to images with large expanses of ceiling.

When taking someone's photo, have them slightly tip their head down. Never have them turn their head up - it'll give them a double chin. Also, don't get too close, you do not need to see every pore. And be careful of hands and feet, fold them in delicately, especially on women - anything nearest to the camera will be largest.

Always keep a camera handy. If you just take picture at Christmas or to capture a view from your window, you will never have an exciting variety of shots.

10 How to apply red lipstick and get it to stay:

First, always keep lips well moisturized and conditioned.

For extra durability, apply lipstick with a brush. Line and rim lips with a matching color lip pencil. Then, apply color to the bottom then to the top lip. Rub your lips together to ensure the color is even. Finally, blot with a tissue and softly kiss back of hand - if there's a stain, blot again.

11 What to sing at karaoke:

Girls should try to sing "I Will Survive", "Lady Marmalade" or "Baby Love." Kylie Minogue, the Bangles and Destiny's Child and other "girl" groups are also fine. Do not, however, sing any Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears tunes, which are surprisingly difficult. Basically, avoid anything with too many vocal Olympics.

12 How to be very busy doing nothing:

To come across as very hardworking, keen and efficient keep your desk tidy, paper sorted, Post-it notes updated, pens with tops on and your stationery drawer full.

To keep noisy people away from your desk so you have enough time to polish your nails properly, mutter under your breath (audibly) "Oh, I've got so much to do," or "Won't be able to take any time for lunch today."

Use Melanie Griffith in "Working Girl" as your inspiration.

13 How to eat alone in a restaurant:

When dining alone, you should always have a book, a notebook, a magazine and a mobile phone in your bag. You may be able to gaze off in to the sunset happily, but always have tools of distraction. The book is for pre-order and pre-food only; there's nothing more frustrating than a piece of sticky rice concealing a vital bit of vocab.

While eating, read the magazine or the paper and it will also act as a shield, protecting you from strangers who may want to catch your eye and talk to you. And, try not to drink too much. It's a horrid sight to see a lonesome diner losing clarity.

14 How to blend in at Home Depot:

Here's the deal- if you teeter in wearing the latest trends you will be in danger of alienating the staff who could assist you. In this context, high fashion can make one appear to be merely a Barbie doll. Being thought of as a bimbo is never to be encouraged. A pair of jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt should do. You don't have to look horrid, but there is no point snagging a favorite cashmere on a shelving unit to an unappreciative audience.

And, if you're painting wear a hat or bandanna. You do not want a crown of white emulsion after the money you've invested in your cut and color. A bandana is more stylish than wearing a shower cap, which frankly will look (and feel) so dreadful you won't be able to concentrate.

15 How to talk to your tailor
by fashion designer Stella McCartney

The most important thing when going to see a tailor is to know that if you are ordering a suit you can have anything you like. You are the designer, if you like, and the suit is tailored to your mood and personality.

Ask questions and follow your fitting- does it fit under the bust? Are the shoulders tight enough or too tight? Can you move your arms? What part of your silhouette do you want to enhance? And what do you want to conceal?

After you get your suit, and if you aren't happy with it after three fittings, a tailor will keep going till it is perfect.

I recommend that you get a single-breasted jacket with two varieties of trousers, say a low-slung hipster pant and a more classic style. Women can look powerful as well as sexy in a suit; think Bianca Jagger in her white pantsuit, or Madonna.

The Couch Potato Report will return to this space again next week!

In the interim, you can hear the Reports from the past few weeks, yes you can hear them, by going to Dan's work website.

Enjoy!!

The fall music preview

It's that time again -- the time when nearly every major (and minor) musical artist has a new CD. And when the ailing music biz tries to make up for yet another year of falling profits by stacking the deck.

That means it's also time for our annual Fall Music Preview, your best (and snarkiest) guide to all the rock rolling your way in the coming months.

Start circling these release dates on your calendar -- but do it in pencil, because they can change faster than Mel Gibson's bar mitzvah plans.

September

--Audioslave: "Revelations"
A third public service announcement -- with guitars! -- from Rage Against the Soundgarden. (Sony BMG, Sept. 5)

--Beyonce: "B'Day"
When you're Beyonce, every day probably feels like your birthday. (Sony BMG, Sept. 5)

--Iron Maiden: "A Matter of Life and Death"
First single: The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. Catchy, no? OK, no. (EMI, Sept. 5)

--Barenaked Ladies: "Barenaked Ladies Are Me"
They cut nearly 30 songs -- and will release them all in different versions and media. Somebody needs to try decaf. (Warner, Sept. 12)

--Everclear: "Welcome to the Drama Club"
Welcome to the new Everclear -- frontman Art Alexakis is the last man standing. (Universal, Sept. 12)

--Elton John: "The Captain & the Kid"
Reg and lyricist Bernie Taupin recall 1975's Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. (Universal, Sept. 12)

--Los Lobos: "The Town and The City"
The East L.A. rockers get their Kiko freak on for this 13th CD. (Universal, Sept. 12)

--The Mars Volta: "Amputechture"
These prog-punks crank out another eight songs in 76 minutes. You do the math. (Universal, Sept. 12)

--John Mayer: "Continuum"
As long as we don't have to hear Your Body is a Wonderland ever again, we'll be happy. (Sony BMG, Sept. 12)

--Bob Seger: "Face the Promise"
Talk about a stranger in town -- this is the Detroit rocker's first new CD in 11 years. (EMI, Sept. 12)

--Justin Timberlake: "FutureSex/LoveSounds"
If there's one thing we don't want to hear, it's J.T.'s love sounds. (Sony BMG, Sept. 12)

--Yo La Tengo: "I Am Not Afraid of You, and I Will Beat Your Ass"
No more entries, please. These New Jersey indie-rockers win Album Title of the Year. (Matador, Sept. 12)

--Clay Aiken: "A Thousand Different Ways"
Too bad all of them suck. (Sony BMG, Sept. 19)

--Fergie: "The Duchess"
It can't possibly be worse than My Humps. Can it? Can it?? (Universal, Sept. 19)

--Diana Krall: "From This Moment On"
Diana does Broadway and film tunes -- then waits for the Junos to roll in. (Universal, Sept. 19)

--Sloan: "Never Hear the End of It"
The Canadian pop-rockers keep going, and going, and going. (Koch, Sept. 19)

--Tony Bennett: "Duets/An American Classic"
Elton, Elvis, Sting and more help Tony mark his 80th birthday. (Sony BMG, Sept. 26)

--Emily Haines: "Knives Don't Have Your Back"
The Metric frontwoman goes solo -- with a little help from the Broken Social Scenesters. (Last Gang, Sept. 26)

--Alan Jackson: "Like Red on a Rose"
Alison Krauss produced -- but we hear it's not a bluegrass record. Allrighty, then. (Sony BMG, Sept. 26)

--Janet Jackson: "20 Y.O."
The Y.O. stands for Years Old. In her magic mirror, perhaps. (EMI, Sept. 26)

--The Lemonheads: "The Lemonheads"
Evan Dando dumps his drug buddy to make his first Lemonheads disc in a decade. (Universal, Sept. 26)

--Sean Lennon: "Friendly Fire"
John and Yoko's beautiful boy unveils his first full-length in eight years. (EMI, Sept. 26)

--Jerry Lee Lewis: "Last Man Standing"
The Killer's return features Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Little Richard and Mick Jagger. Whole lotta shmoozin' goin' on. (Artists First, Sept. 26)

--Paul McCartney: "Ecce Cor Meum"
Paul goes classical again. If he's smart, he got Heather to take the profits in lieu of alimony. (EMI, Sept. 26)

--Scissor Sisters: "Ta-Dah"
Elton John guests. The first single is I Don't Feel Like Dancin'. What more do you want? (Universal, Sept. 26)

--Paul Westerberg: "Open Season"
The Replacements frontman wrote songs for a kids' cartoon. No, really. (Universal, Sept. 26)

October

--Trey Anastasio: "Bar 17"
The Phisherman jams with a couple of his old bandmates on his latest solo trip. (Rubber Jungle, Oct. 3)

--Beck: "The Information"
Mutations and Sea Change producer Nigel Godrich is back; expect something even more unusual than usual. (Universal, Oct. 3)

--Lindsey Buckingham: "Under the Skin"
The Big Macster serves his first solo set since 1992. (Warner, Oct. 3)

--Evanescence: "The Open Door"
The first single is Call Me When You're Sober. Gee, wonder who that's about? (Warner, Oct. 3)

--The Hold Steady: "Boys and Girls in America"
These Brooklyn rockers' last disc was our favourite album of 2005. We expect greatness. (Universal, Oct. 3)

--Jet: "Shine On"
The Aussie rockers serve up a second helping of riff-rock. (Warner, Oct. 3)

--The Killers: "Sam's Town"
The best-dressed men in dance-rock try to create another hot fuss. (Universal, Oct. 3)

--Robert Pollard: "Normal Happiness"
It's only the second album this year from the ex-GBV frontman. Slacker. (Merge, Oct. 10)

--Rod Stewart: "Still the Same ... Great Rock Classics of Our Time"
Rod covers oldies like Bonnie Tyler's It's a Heartache. So now Rod is impersonating a Rod impersonator. (Sony BMG, Oct. 10)

--Sting: "Songs From the Labyrinth"
Hands up, anybody who wants to hear a set of 16th-century music played on the lute. Anybody? (Universal, Oct. 10)

--The Tragically Hip: "World Container"
The Canuck rockers hooked up with superstar producer Bob Rock for their latest effort. (Universal, Oct. 17)

--Diddy: "Press Play"
Hey, isn't he about due for a new name already? How about Piddy? Cuffy? (Warner, Oct. 17)

--Vince Gill: "These Days"
The Gillster is releasing four CDs of all-new material. Dude needs a hobby. (Universal, Oct. 17)

--Snoop Dogg: "Blue Carpet Treatment"
We have no idea what a blue carpet treatment is -- but we bet every white boy is gonna be saying it soon. (Universal, Oct. 17)

--Montgomery Gentry: "Some People Change"
Featuring the single: Ah Kilt a Bahr, Ah Did. (Sony BMG, Oct. 24)

--Paul Stanley: "Live to Win"
KISS's starchild makes his first solo album in 28 years. Which begs the question: Why? (Universal, Oct. 24)

--The Who: "Endless Wire"
Is there any rock fan alive who doesn't want to hear new tunes from Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey? (Universal, Oct. 23)

--Deftones: "Saturday Night Wrist"
A new disc by Chino Moreno's metal outfit, partially produced by Bob Ezrin, on Halloween? Seems right. (Warner, Oct. 31)

--Barry Manilow: "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties"
Music to break a hip to. (Sony BMG, Oct. 31)

--Meat Loaf: "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose"
And he's headed for the buffet! Run! (EMI, Oct. 31)

--Megadeth: "United Abominations"
We liked these guys better a few years ago. When they broke up. (Universal, Oct. 31)

--Willie Nelson & Ryan Adams: "Songbird"
Is this a match made in troubadour heaven or what? (Universal, Oct. 31)

November

--Lucinda Williams: "The Knowing"
Singer-songwriter Lucinda hasn't let us down yet. Doubt she's gonna start now. (Universal, Nov. 7)

--Taylor Hicks: TBA
Guess somebody bought a bucket. (Sony BMG, Nov. 14)

--Incubus: "Light Grenades"
First they were punks. They they were alt-rockers. Then they got freaky. Who knows what's next. (Sony BMG, Nov. 21)

--Tom Waits: "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards"
The musical mad scientist unleashes a monster: A three-disc set with 54 new songs and a couple dozen rarities. (Anti-, Nov. 21)

Gilligan's Minnow no longer lost

SS Minnow, the ill-fated vessel from the 1960s TV series Gilligan's Island, is no longer shipwrecked on "an uncharted desert isle" — but on Vancouver Island, where it's for sale.

Unlike the classic program about the luckless passengers of a stranded tour boat, you might not want to take the Minnow on a three-hour tour.

But you might be interested to know the 12-metre vessel will sleep five.

The vessel has gone on sale in Parksville, B.C., for $99,000. A website selling the boat lists the Minnow as a twin-diesel, mahogany Wheeler Express Cruiser.

It's actually one of four ships that were used during the shooting of Gilligan's Island, which aired from 1964 to 1967.

Like its fictional prototype, this Minnow also ran aground — on a reef in the Hecate Strait, which separates the Queen Charlotte Islands from the northern coast of B.C.'s mainland.

The previous owner was on his way south from Alaska.

Scotty Taylor of Parksville bought it for salvage and restored it.

But Taylor, 70, is tired of working on the boat and wants to sell it, according to a boat broker in Parksville.

The Minnow Taylor is selling was used in the opening credits of the second season.

Of the others, one boat was towed to Kauai in Hawaii for beach scenes, one was rented in Honolulu Harbour for the opening credits and one was built at CBS Studios in the second season.

Test Audiences Send "Spider-Man 3" Back To Set

It seems the third time isn't exactly a charm for Spider-Man, after having raised the bar for action scenes with two previous films, test audiences for the upcoming Spider-Man 3 want more.

IMDB.com reports director Sam Raimi has re-called the film's stars, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco back to the set, in response to suggestions made by fans at test screenings.

Filming apparently wrapped on the Spidey sequel a while back, long enough for Franco to finish filming another project in the UK.

Now the 28-year-old actor, who plays Peter Parker's longtime friend Harry Osborn in the superhero film series, admits he's heading back to his familiar role.

"The next thing I'm shooting? Re-shoots on Spider-Man... Probably next month. Director Sam Raimi wants more action."

New CD Releases - Tuesday, August 29th

Bob Dylan "Modern Times"

The great songwriter returns with his 44th album and his first since 2001's excellent "Love and Theft." "Modern Times" features 10 new Dylan originals he recorded this winter with his touring band: guitarists Stu Kimball and Denny Freeman, multi-instrumentalist Donnie Herron, bassist Tony Garnier and drummer George Recile.

After finishing up yet another round of dates at minor-league ballparks, which concludes on Sept. 9 in Fargo, ND, the singer/guitarist/keyboardist will embark on a fall tour in support of "Modern Times" beginning with an Oct. 11 date in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The fall tour is currently scheduled to conclude on Nov. 18 in Philadelphia and will feature Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters and The Raconteurs rotating through the opening slot.

* * *
Jessica Simpson "A Public Affair"

Having spent time on both the big and small screen, in the "Dukes of Hazzard" remake and on the reality TV show "Newlyweds," Simpson is back to try and make some noise on the charts with her fifth solo album.

"A Public Affair" is Simpson's first since 2004's "Rejoice: A Christmas Album," and her first non-holiday album since 2003's triple-platinum "In This Skin." The new album's first single, the bouncy title track, is already a hit on radio.

Simpson claims a songwriting credit on nine of the 12 songs that will appear on the new album. Producers who had a hand in the set include Lester Mendez, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Cory Rooney, Scott Storch and Stargate.

* * *
Ray LaMontagne "Till the Sun Turns Black"

The pop crooner hopes to build upon the success of his acclaimed 2004 debut, "Trouble," with this set of 11 new songs.

The CD reportedly finds the singer moving beyond the simple acoustic feel of his first CD to focus on more complex musical arrangements. The first single from the album is the track "Three More Days."

LaMontagne recently made news when he dropped off his co-headlining tour with the band Guster--reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.

* * *
The Black Crowes "The Lost Crowes"

As hinted at by the title, "The Lost Crowes" isn't so much a new album as it is two old ones. This two-disc set features tracks from a pair of albums that the Crowes recorded but never officially released: 1993's "Tall" and 1997's "Band."

The Black Crowes will support this release with a lengthy fall tour, which is currently scheduled to kick off Sept. 7 in Richmond, VA. As part of that tour, the Crowes will perform at the mammoth Vegoose music festival in Las Vegas during Halloween weekend.

* * *
Dream Theater "Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra"

This three-disc package was recorded on April 1, 2006 at Radio City Music Hall--closing night of Dream Theater's 20th anniversary world tour with the Octavarium Orchestra. The set includes such tracks as "The Root of All Evil," "I Walk Beside You," "Another Won" and "Afterlife."

* * *
More new releases:
Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds 40th Anniversary" (Capitol)
Beenie Man, "Undisputed" (Virgin)
BT, "The Binary Universe, (Digital Sound)
Dirty Dozen Brass Band, "What's Goin' On" (Shout Factory)
Godhead, "The Shadow Line" (Cement Shoes)
John Lithgow, "The Sunny Side of the Street" (Razor & Tie)
Old Crow Medicine Show, "Big Iron World" (Nettwerk)
The Roots, "Game Theory" (Def Jam)
M. Ward, "Post-War" (Merge)
Pete Yorn, "Nightcrawler" (Red Ink)

Leslie Nielsen Has 'World' in His Hands

LOS ANGELES -- Leslie Nielsen hasn't had a regular role on American TV since "Police Squad!" in 1982, but that could change in the next year or so.

The "Airplane!" and "Naked Gun" star has joined an NBC comedy pilot called "Lipshitz Saves the World." He would play a mentor to the title character, a teenage nerd who discovers he might be the person to rescue the planet from destruction.

"I'm a lifelong fan and wrote the part specifically for him, never having met him, and with no knowledge of whether or not he'd take to it," "Lipshitz" writer Dan Fogelman tells The Hollywood Reporter. "But he could not have been more gracious and responsive once he read the script."

Fogelman co-wrote this summer's Pixar movie "Cars" and created the WB sitcom "Like Family" a few seasons back. He also wrote and executive produced the FOX pilot "The 12th Man" this past development season.

Nielsen, who also starred in the third and fourth installments of the "Scary Movie" franchise, has a TV career that stretches back to the days of "Studio One" and "Bonanza," both of which are among his dozens of small-screen credits. More recently, he's starred in such films as "Spy Hard" and "Wrongfully Accused" and guested on shows ranging from "The Golden Girls" to "Due South." He also was a contestant on CBS' "Game Show Marathon" earlier this summer.

Evanescence Feeling No Pressure On New Album

After selling nearly 14 million copies worldwide of its 2003 debut, "Fallen," and winning two Grammy Awards, Evanescence knows there are great expectations for its new album, "The Open Door," which comes out on Oct. 3. But frontwoman Amy Lee insists she's not paying much heed to external pressure.

"I just haven't ever looked at it that way," Lee tells Billboard.com. "'Fallen' is a great record [but] I don't think you can match the success of another body of work. I think that's only going to frustrate you. My only goal making this one was making something that I love even more and that I think is an even better record, and we've definitely done that."

Evanescence recorded "The Open Door" beginning late last year in Los Angeles. Producer Dave Fortman returned for the sophomore set, which also incorporates a string section and a choir. "Call Me When You're Sober," inspired by the end of Lee's relationship with Seether frontman Shaun Morgan, is the first single, while the song "Lacrymosa" is based on the section of the same name from Mozart's "Requiem."

"I think you can hear the growth," says Lee, who acknowledges that her lyrics are mostly about "what was going on at the time" in her life. "All the experimenting and fun stuff that we tried comes across, I think."

It wasn't an easy process, however. Guitarist Terry Balsamo suffered a stroke last October, and even though Lee says he returned to the studio immediately after his release from the hospital, he's been convalescing and doing physical therapy ever since.

"It's been a ton of hard work for him," she says. "We're at rehearsals now and he's playing and it's so great to have him back. But it's a step-by-step process for him."

Evanescence begins a 17-date small-venue tour to promote "The Open Door" on Oct. 5 in Toronto. A more extensive outing is expected to follow.

XTC's Partridge Combs Archives For Mammoth Box

XTC leader Andy Partridge recently combed his vaults and discovered an exorbitant amount of rarities and outtakes, resulting in the Oct. 16th Virtual Label release of the nine-disc box "The Fuzzy Warbles Collectors Album."

Spanning Partridge's career, the set features alternate versions of many XTC favorites, unreleased tracks and also unfinished material that Partridge revisited and completed for this release.

"Working on this stuff took many years," Partridge tells Billboard.com. "I just kept writing -- who knows what's going to fall out? It was recorded in spare bedrooms, the kitchen, the attic and of course my now infamous garden shed. Pop songs, radio jingles, film and TV music, or just plain old goofing about."

Partridge rediscovered many forgotten tracks in the process. "'I Don't Want To Be Here' for one," he says. "Lots of folks love this song but XTC was pretty democratic, so if someone didn't go for a tune, it got binned. 'Everything' was another. One of the most touching lyrics I ever wrote -- in the toilet. 'The Bland Leading the Bland' -- so proud of this autobiographical rallying call to end that boring donut mentality. You can kind of see why I just didn't want these songs collecting dust and going unheard. We threw away better material than most bands made a career out of."

Among his other favorites: "Wonder Annual" ("I always thought XTC should have recorded this surprisingly structured psychedelic slice"), "End of the Pier" ("It would have made a great out-of-season seaside companion piece to 'Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her'") and "2 Rainbeau Melt" ("Some of my favorite-ever lyrics matched to a trippy improvised soundscape. It arrived too late for the 'Wasp Star' album").

Partridge also helped assemble the packaging, which he modeled after a child's stamp album. "How better to represent a large and diverse set of home recordings than to depict them as a series of imaginary stamps?," he says.

The artist has a number of other projects in the works, the first of which will be "a double-disc set of purely improvised music called 'Monstrance.' My partners in one-take, overdub-free, unrehearsed crime are Barry Andrews -- ex-XTC keys man from way back -- and [drummer] Martyn Barker. Let's face it, nothing short of capital punishment is going to stop me making music."

On web, The Boss denies split from wife

TRENTON, N.J. - Bruce Springsteen has turned to cyberspace to deny rumors that he and wife Patti Scialfa are splitting up.

In a posting on his official Web site, http://www.brucespringsteen.net, the New Jersey-born rocker writes that he and Scialfa are still committed to each other.

"Due to the unfounded and ugly rumors that have appeared in the papers over the last few days, I felt they shouldn't pass without comment," he wrote. "Patti and I have been together for 18 years — the best 18 years of my life. We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married."

Quoting unnamed sources, the New York Post reported Thursday that Springsteen's and Scialfa's marriage was on the rocks due to his relationship with a Sept. 11 widow he met while organizing a charity event.

Springsteen, 56, and Scialfa, a backup singer in his band, married in 1991 and have three children. He had previously been married to actress Julianne Phillips.

The 53-year-old Scialfa has toured with Springsteen and the E Street Band and has recorded two albums.

A phone message left after hours for Springsteen's publicist was not immediately returned Monday night.

PARIS MAD AT RICKY

The most unlikely Hollywood feud in memory has broken out between Paris Hilton and - get this! - British comic Ricky Gervais.

Gervais - creator of TV-comedy phenomenon "The Office" and, more recently, the HBO series, "Extras" - apparently snubbed the blond heiress.

Hilton had asked to appear in an episode of "Extras" next season - and Gervais said no thanks.

Hilton has decided that he's too insecure to work with someone of her, um, stature.

"I guess he's obviously scared of starring alongside an A-lister," Hitlon told the San Francisco Chronicle over the weekend.

A number of Hollywood stars portrayed themselves in the first season - including Ben Stiller, Samuel L. Jackson and a cursing Kate Winslet.

No reply yet from Gervais.

Scots eye Keith Richards smoking onstage

GLASGOW, Scotland - Keith Richards may have violated Scotland's smoking ban by lighting up during a Rolling Stones concert.

The Glasgow City Council said Sunday it heard from journalists that the 62-year-old guitarist was smoking during a Friday night performance.

"It's been brought to our attention that he was smoking, and we'll be looking into it," a council spokesman said on condition of anonymity, in keeping with city policy. "We do take our responsibilities for enforcement very seriously."

Scotland's ban on smoking in enclosed public places, including theaters and sports venues, took effect in March. Violators can be fined up to $95.

The spokesman did not know whether the journalists who spoke to the council had been at the concert, part of the band's "A Bigger Bang" tour.

No one answered the phone Sunday at the offices of Richards' publicists, LD Communications in London.

In the Scottish capital, officials warned during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival earlier this month that they would close down a theater if actor Mel Smith lit a cigar during his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the play "Allegiance." Smith eventually agreed to keep the cigar unlit.

"Pirates" hits $960 million at global box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ruled the foreign box office for an eighth weekend, grossing an estimated $17.8 million from 48 territories.

Disney's seafaring sequel has now earned $554.7 million internationally; including its North American haul, the global total stands at $962.3 million.

Disney expects the title to surpass within a week the global gross of 2001's " Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" ($976.5 million), which would make "Dead Man's Chest" the third-biggest worldwide box office smash of all time.

The latest box office infusion included openings in Greece (an industry record of $2.6 million) and, of all markets, Lebanon (a Disney record of $100,000).

Holdovers continued mightily: $3.2 million in France (market total: $42.8 million); $2.3 million in Germany (market total: $55.5 million); $2.1 million in Spain, No. 1 for a third consecutive weekend (market total: $30.3 million); and $2.2 million in Japan (market total: $74 million).

In the U.K., where "Dead Man's Chest" has played for two months, the weekend gross estimate was $1.1 million, enough to qualify for the No. 3 slot with a market total of $91.5 million. Its next big opening is September 13 in Italy.

Thanks to No. 1 openings in Germany and Austria, "Miami Vice" claimed the second spot overall for the weekend with an estimated $11.4 million from 38 markets, raising its overseas total to $52 million.

In Germany, the Michael Mann actioner took 30% of the market with $4 million. In France, "Vice" emerged in the No. 1 spot in its second weekend with $2.1 million for a 12-day total of $7.4 million. The film opens the all-important Japan market this weekend and has been approved for a mid-October opening in China.

"Cars" finished at No. 3 for the weekend, yielding $9.6 million from 35 territories and lifting its overseas total to $157.6 million. No. 1 openings in Italy ($5.2 million, the fourth-biggest market opening for an animated film), China (a solid $1.2 million, a market record for an animation title) and Norway accounted for much of the action. Openings in Sweden and Denmark are scheduled for this weekend.

In fourth place for the weekend was "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties," which pulled an estimated $7.2 million from 20 markets. Its overseas total stands at $77.6 million.

At No. 5 was "Monster House," which generated an estimated $5.8 million from 24 markets for an overseas total of $29.1 million.

Among foreign totals: "Lady in the Water," $10 million; "You, Me and Dupree," $13 million; "Superman Returns," $173 million; "The Break-Up," $67 million; "United 93," $28 million; "Click," $30.3 million; "Over the Hedge," $154.5 million; "Mission: Impossible III," $261.1 million; "Nacho Libre," $11 million; "Lake House," $44 million; "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," $83.5 million; and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" and "The Sentinel," both at $13.6 million.

Review: O'Brien hilarious at Emmys

NEW YORK - Conan was a destroyer on the Emmycast.

Hosting the awards show Sunday, he landed a one-two-three comedic punch even before the first trophy was dispensed.

First, a filmed opener found O'Brien, aloft in a jetliner en route to Los Angeles for the show, crash-landing on the mysterious island where "Lost" unfolds. His odyssey to make it to the Emmycast took him through "The Office," after which he disrupted a rescue attempt on "24." Then he arrived in the hospital of cranky Dr. House, who responded to Conan's plea, "Can you help me?" with a withering diagnosis of his physical deficiencies. In animated form, he popped up on "South Park" (where he found Tom Cruise, umm, "in the closet"), then got busted as a suspected pedophile on a "Dateline NBC" investigation.

Hilarious.

Next, having made it to the stage of the Shrine Auditorium alive, Conan, live, killed with his monologue. NBC's ratings woes, of course, figured into his mischief, as when he noted that since the Emmycast was being aired by NBC, "halfway through the show, (it) will be canceled."

As if that weren't enough, O'Brien slid smoothly into a third act: a full-blown song-and-dance number adapting "Trouble" from the Broadway musical "The Music Man" with his network in mind: "We got trouble, right here at NBC, with a capital T and that rhymes with G, as in 'Gee, we're screwed!'"

And the Emmycast was only 15 minutes old!

The program wasn't all about Conan, of course.

Dick Clark, the 76-year-old "oldest living teenager," was saluted as a TV pioneer and a show-biz original. In that familiar voice slurred somewhat by his 2004 stroke, he offered a gracious thanks, then introduced Barry Manilow, who sang the by-now-classic "American Bandstand" theme.

Another segment paid tribute to Aaron Spelling, recognized as TV's most prolific and longest-reigning mogul, who died in June at 83. Despite his more serious-minded projects, Spelling's legacy was ideally summed up by Stephen Collins (star of Spelling's series "7th Heaven"): He "made TV that simply tasted good."

Even the three original "Charlie's Angels" — Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith — put aside old squabbles to stand together on-stage and recall him fondly (if verbosely).

But enough with the sentiment. Thanks to Conan and a spirited crew of presenters, the evening never lost its fun, often silly, energy.

Alongside Helen Mirren, fellow presenter (and fellow Brit) Hugh Laurie spoke in an unintelligible mock-French.

Later, alongside his fellow fake-news star Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert stayed true to his righteous, moralistic on-air persona as they presented the Emmy in the reality-competition category.

"Good evening, godless sodomites," Colbert greeted the Hollywood crowd. Reality TV, he added sternly, "warps the minds of our children and weakens the resolve of our allies."

And just to toy with the obligatory mention of the Ernst & Young accounting team, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was brought out as its fourth (presumably not-for-real) member.

A great running gag: In an effort to keep the Emmycast moving along, Conan introduced "beloved TV icon Bob Newhart," who, locked in an airtight capsule with exactly three hours of air, was meant to serve as an incentive for winners not to dawdle with their acceptance remarks.

If the broadcast ran long, warned Conan, "Bob Newhart dies." Hearing this from inside his sealed compartment, Newhart wore a priceless look of deadpan panic.

Through the night, Conan made references to the show running long. Cut to Newhart, looking steadily more concerned.

But the tactic (or something) clearly worked. Not only was this show that honors TV actually good TV, but it also moved along at a brisk clip, ending comfortably three hours after it began — and just moments after Newhart was sprung to present the best comedy Emmy beside Conan.

Good thing for Bob Newhart. Great thing for viewers.

'24,' 'Office' win Emmys for best series

LOS ANGELES - The groundbreaking action series "24," which turns one dangerous day into a season, ended Sunday with a bang as it won Emmys for best drama series and best actor for Kiefer Sutherland.

"The Office" was honored as best comedy although its star, Steve Carell, lost the award for best actor in a comedy series to Tony Shalhoub of "Monk."

One Emmy front-runner, sexy medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," was shut out in the awards.

"Every once in a while you'll have an evening that just reminds you that you're given too much and this is that evening," Sutherland said. "This experience on `24' has been nothing but remarkable for me."

Although Emmy nominations rule changes left some grumbling about snubbed shows including "Lost," the revisions may have opened the door for an offbeat series like "The Office" to be nominated and for "24" to prevail.

Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and Julia Louis-Dreyfus of the freshman comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine" struck Emmy gold with lead actress awards for drama and comedy, respectively.

"Well, I'm not somebody who really believes in curses — but curse this, baby," Louis-Dreyfus said, hoisting her trophy and making a veiled reference to the so-called "Seinfeld curse" that kept three of its stars from launching successful new series.

The Emmy ceremony initially followed a predictable path Sunday as Tony Shalhoub won his third acting trophy for "Monk" and departed series "Will & Grace," "The West Wing" and "Huff" earned bittersweet toasts.

Until the finale, the surprises in the ceremony were courtesy of host Conan O'Brien and his inventive comedy bits, including a running gag that had Bob Newhart's life threatened if the show ran long.

Winning didn't take the sting out of cancellation for at least one star.

"It's not supposed to work this way, is it, when you say goodbye to something?" said Blythe Danner, named best supporting actress in a drama for "Huff."

"I guess I have to thank Showtime, even though they canceled us," Danner said, with a smile.

Megan Mullally was honored for her supporting actress work in the sitcom "Will & Grace," which wrapped up its eight-year run.

And Alan Alda was named best supporting actor in a drama for his role as a Republican presidential candidate on "The West Wing," canceled after seven seasons.

Alda wasn't on hand to accept the award. But he might have become blase: In recent years, he also had an Oscar nomination for his role in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator," a Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," and another Emmy bid for "West Wing" — none of which he won.

His win was the 26th Emmy for the White House drama, a drama series record. The show had been tied with "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law" with 25.

Jeremy Piven of "Entourage" was named best supporting actor in a comedy.

The ceremony opened with a filmed comedy bit in which O'Brien was seen sipping champagne aboard a jetliner. "What could possibly go wrong tonight?" he says — before the plane crashes onto an island resembling the one in ABC's drama.

After being greeted by "Lost" star Jorge Garcia, O'Brien fled through a mysterious hatch and ended up crashing through other series including "The Office," "24" and "House."

"Subject could be anemic, possibly albino," was the diagnosis of "House" star Hugh Laurie.

O'Brien was equally self-deprecating before he started a song-and-dance number.

"It's my second time hosting. And as you'll see tonight, the third time's the charm," O'Brien said.

The ceremony honored producer/host Dick Clark of "American Bandstand" fame, who has been recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2004.

"I have accomplished my childhood dream, to be in show business. Everybody should be so lucky, to have their dreams come true. I've been truly blessed," said Clark, his speech somewhat strained. He was seated at a podium on stage when he was introduced.

Barry Manilow serenaded Clark with the show's bouncy theme song before collecting his own Emmy for the special "Barry Manilow: Music and Passion."

Aaron Spelling, the prolific producer who died in June at 83, was paid a tearful tribute by his one-time stars, including Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson of "Charlie's Angels" and Joan Collins and Heather Locklear of "Dynasty."

Throughout the ceremony, veteran comedian and TV star Newhart popped up occasionally for O'Brien's gag.

"The show has rarely has come in on time. Why? Because there's no real consequences," O'Brien said as Newhart was wheeled onstage in what Conan warned was an airtight container — with just three hours of air, the ceremony's scheduled running time.

"Yes. It's very simple. If the Emmys run one second over, Bob Newhart dies," O'Brien said," as Newhart's famous deadpan expression showed a tinge of alarm. "So keep those speeches short, ladies and gentlemen. Bob Newhart's life in your hands."

"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," the satirical newscast, reaped two Emmys, for best variety, music or comedy and the writing award for that category.

Stewart cracked after the first honor: "I think this year you actually made a terrible mistake. But thank you."

"American Idol," the blockbuster TV talent show, lost again in the reality-competition category as "The Amazing Race" picked up its fourth award.

Stephen Colbert of "The Colbert Report," presenting the reality award, took the opportunity to vent about being eclipsed by Manilow's special in the variety, music or comedy program category.

"I lost to Barry Manilow ... I lost to the Copacabana," wailed Colbert.

Kelly Macdonald was named best supporting actress in a movie or miniseries for "The Girl in the Cafe," closing the book on one of Emmy's odder nominations. (The drama also was named best made-for-TV movie.) Ellen Burstyn's nomination in the category, for the TV movie "Mrs. Harris," was a head scratcher — her cameo was clocked at 14 seconds. She didn't attend the ceremony.

Cloris Leachman, also competing for "Mrs. Harris," failed to extend the Emmy record she set just last week as most-honored performer ever. Her total reached nine when she won a guest-actress award for "Malcolm in the Middle" at the Creative Arts Emmys.

Besides Leachman, other guest actors in drama and comedy series honored at the Creative Arts awards were Leslie Jordan for "Will & Grace," Patricia Clarkson for "Six Feet Under" and Christian Clemenson for "Boston Legal."

Much of Emmys action goes on backstage

LOS ANGELES - A makeshift hallway outside the back door of the Shrine Auditorium was the scene of nearly as much Emmy action as the stage.

After accepting their stand-in trophies on stage, the winners paraded past a table under a white tent and collected their real statuettes.

Many lingered to smoke, hang out with friends and even shed a few tears before heading through a set of blue curtains into an adjacent room to field questions from the assembled media.

Actor Tony Shalhoub was reeling after his win for best actor in a comedy series for USA's "Monk."

"All the blood rushed out of my head, and I got dry mouth," he confessed. "I felt like I should be watching someone else get it."

Blythe Danner, winner of the best supporting actress award for a drama series, fanned herself with her winner's envelope to cool down on the hot night.

Charlie and Martin Sheen took a cigarette break after presenting an award together. They were joined by "Friends" star and presenter Matthew Perry.

Actor Jeremy Irons popped a hand-rolled smoke into his mouth and lit it before picking up his trophy for best supporting actor for a miniseries or movie.

Asked how it felt, he answered, "heavy."

"Always nice when you're nominated and actually win," he said.

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell grabbed a smoke, too, after introducing a tribute to Dick Clark.

Presenter Tina Fey took a spill while heading down a set of stairs. She recovered and threw her arms into the air as though seeking applause for a performance.

"I have giant bruises already," she said before going back inside the auditorium.

Actor Jeremy Piven, winner of the best supporting actor award for comedy for HBO's "Entourage," got teary eyed after thanking his father on stage during his acceptance speech.

"That was crazy," Piven told a friend who gave him a hug as he picked up his Emmy.

None of the awards had been engraved yet. Television academy representative Louise Danton said nameplates would soon be mailed to all the winners.

"Just pick one?" Piven asked her. "I'd better pick a good one."

Barry Manilow, winner of the statuette for individual performance in a variety or music program, asked, "How much are they?"

"Priceless," Danton answered.

Andre Braugher asked Manilow for his autograph while picking up his award for best actor in a miniseries or movie.

Behind Piven came Kelly Macdonald, winner of the best supporting actress award for a miniseries or movie for her role in HBO's "The Girl in the Cafe."

"I expected to be nervous for a while, and then for someone else to win it," she said.

The trophies had arrived in cardboard boxes and were carefully unwrapped by assistants in tuxedoes.

They were lined up in gleaming glory on either side of a notebook, where the winners signed their name to collect their prize. A nearby video monitor showed the action inside the auditorium.

Fall movie preview

Autumn movies up prestige factor, but box-office slump will likely go on unabated

The mutha%$#!in' snakes have been dispatched from the mutha%$#!in' plane. Superman has made his grand return to a surprisingly lukewarm reception. Johnny Depp has swashed his buckles in an even more bombastic Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.

So now it's time to get serious. As in, summer fun is over and it's time for the grownups to come back to the movie theatres.

But even if this fall is offering up the usual array of Oscar contenders, serious dramas and light comedies -- you know, basically a bunch of flicks that don't feature Samuel L. Jackson cursing at a reptile -- we're still not willing to bet the farm that older audiences are going to head back to the movie houses.

Why shell out $11 for a movie ticket, find a sitter for the kids, pay for parking, buy the popcorn and Jujubes and plug your ears while navigating your way through the pulsating, neon hellscape that is the modern multiplex when you can just wait for one of these flicks to come out on DVD in a few months and watch the damned thing from the comfort of your own living room.

It will likely take more than this crop of fall flicks to pull Hollywood out of its box-office doldrums -- which seems to have been going on forever now. By our count, there may only be one must-see flick for the mainstream masses who think Atom Egoyan is something they vaguely remember from high school physics classes: The risky reboot of the James Bond franchise, Casino Royale, which stars Daniel Craig, a guy who would likely have been cast as a bad guy if Pierce Brosnan was still wearing the tux and shaking the martini.

While the fall movie slate is dominated by such heavy dramas as the remake of All The King's Men and Flags Of Our Fathers, there's a little something for everyone, including sci-fi (The Fountain), horror (The Grudge 2, The Reaping, Jessica Simpson in Employee Of The Month, brrrr!), kiddie flicks (Flushed Away, Everyone's Hero, Flicka) and comedies (Idiocracy, Jackass Number Two).

As is our custom this time of year, we've rounded up a list of the top 10 movies we're looking forward to seeing as the days grow shorter and the air turns brisker. Nice guys that we are, we've also put together a list of other movies coming out over the next few months. Here's what fall has in store for you:

10: MARIE ANTOINETTE (Oct. 20)

WHO? Kirsten Dunst, Jason Shwartzman, Rip Torn

WHAT? The story of the 18th-century French queen who -- SPOILER ALERT! -- got her head lopped off at the height of the French Revolution. The flick was actually shot at Versailles, where Antoinette held court. Meanwhile, director Sofia Coppola eschews the straightforward historical approach by borrowing a page from, of all things, Heath Ledger's A Knight's Tale -- this Marie Antoinette dances to Siouxsie and the Banshees and sports a pair of sneakers. Eat that cake, snooty French historians!

WHY? The movie was reportedly booed lustily by French audience members at Cannes recently -- just more reason to fire up our interest. And while we're certain Dunst is a great choice for the role of titular queen, we're really intrigued by the casting of the one and only Rip Torn as her hubby King Louis XV. Coppola has definitely chosen an ambitious project to follow up Lost In Translation -- this could either be a massive success or an enormous failure.

9: A GOOD YEAR (Nov. 10)

WHO? Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard

WHat? To follow up their epic, crowd-pleasing, bloody action-adventure Gladiator, Crowe and director Ridley Scott have chosen to go "sideways" with this gentle comedy about bullheaded English investment expert Max Skinner, who inherits a vineyard in Provence -- only to find a California woman also laying claim to the piece of land.

WHY? It will be interesting to see if Macho Crowe can gracefully handle a transition into Delicate Russell. If he can pull this off, it may the evidence we need that he may have the wherewithal not to beat the crap out of another hapless hotel concierge with a phone.

8: BABEL (Nov. 3)

WHO? Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

WHAT? Four different plotlines loosely intersect in this flick brought to us by director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who also used a similar technique with 21 Grams. The players in these stories: An American couple (Pitt and Blanchett) struck by tragedy while vacationing in Morocco; a family of goat herders testing out a new gun in Tunisia; a rebellious, deaf-mute Japanese teen and her father; and a Mexican nanny trying to smuggle two American children across the border. We're guessing we learn something Deep and Profound after all is said and done.

WHY? Really, who's going to go see this flick because of Innaritu's exploration of humanity's dark side or the layers of meaning in the script? Nope, everyone wants to see what Mr. Brad "I-Cheated-On-Jennifer-Aniston-And-Impregnated-Angelina-Jolie-And-Had-My-Baby-In-Africa-And-All-I-Got-Was-This-Lousy-T-Shirt" Pitt is gonna do for his first movie since it all hit the tabloid fan. Our money's on act woodenly.

7: THE PRESTIGE (Oct. 20)

WHo? Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson

WHat? Erstwhile superheroes Hugh "Wolverine" Jackman and Christian "Batman" Bale star as rival 18th-century magicians who try to outdo one another's grandiose magical tricks. But when Bale pulls off the perfect magical feat, Jackman is determined to find out how he did it -- with deadly results. (Cue thunder rumbling).

WHY? With the fantastic track record he has amassed (Batman Begins, Memento, Insomnia), we're positive director Christopher Nolan is something of a conjurer himself. The only thing that could make this movie sound any cooler is if both leads inexplicably revert to their comic book alter egos and have an all-out brawl. Okay, maybe that would be the antithesis of the word "cool," but give a geek a break, eh?

6: FLUSHED AWAY (Nov. 3)

WHo? The voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen

WHat? In this CG-animated flick from the good folks who brought us Shrek and the Wallace & Gromit projects, pampered pet mouse Roddy (Jackman) gets flushed down the toilet into the bustling sewer world below. There, he falls for a spunky rat named Rita (Winslet), who tries to get him back to his luxurious home while evading the webbed clutches of the nefarious Toad (McKellen).

WHY? The very funny and charming trailer looks very promising in a way that the trailer for, say, Barnyard and the whole of say, Cars, didn't. Judging from their previous films, the animation team behind Flushed Away seem to have caught on to the fact that no matter how great your CG looks, it's the story that counts.

5: ALL THE KING'S MEN (Sept. 22)

WHO? Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet

WHat? This new adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winner by Robert Penn Warren sees Sean Penn star as Depression-era politician Willie Stark, modelled closely after Louisiana governor Huey Long. The flick tracks Stark's rise as a populist Southerner to his steep fall, precipitated by the inevitable corruption that accompanies Louisiana politics. In other words, you can count on all those kids who spent 13 bucks seeing Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest flocking to see this one.

WHy? Plenty o' Oscar bait to go around, from Penn to Winslet (as Stark's love interest Anne Stanton) to director Steven Zaillian (he wrote Schindler's List and Gangs Of New York). Heck, anything to get Penn away from visiting war zones to pose for pictures while smoking cigarettes is a-ok by us.

4: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Oct. 20)

WHO? Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach, Jesse Bradford

WHat? After the mammoth success of their last collaboration, Million Dollar Baby, director Clint Eastwood and screenwriter Paul Haggis team up again to bring us the story behind the planting of the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II.

WHy? This movie comes at a time when American foreign policy could use all the help it can get -- even if it is a movie reliving a long-past glory. We trust the understated Eastwood not to be too jingoistic with the material. Chalk this one up as a heavyweight contender for multiple Oscar nominations. And you thought Ryan "Mr. Reese Witherspoon" Phillippe's life couldn't get any better ...

3: THE DEPARTED (Oct. 6)

WHO? Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon

WHat? This remake of the classic Chinese thriller Infernal Affairs sees DiCaprio as an undercover cop who infiltrates the Irish Mafia and Damon as a mobster who does likewise in the Boston police force. Of course, both men's paths will cross in what will surely leave some bloody consequences.

WHy? The Departed's astonishing cast not only includes DiCaprio and Damon, but also Jack Nicholson as crazed mobster Frank Costello, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Ray Winstone and great cameo artist Alec Baldwin. To top it all off, Martin Scorsese directs. We're guessing you'll be able to see the testosterone drip off the movie screen.

2: THE BLACK DAHLIA (Sept. 15)

WHO? Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank

WHat? When a young starlet (Mia Kirshner) is gruesomely murdered in Hollywood, two L.A. detectives (Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart) are on the case in a mystery that takes the darkest twists and turns that could only come from the James Ellroy, the man who wrote the book L.A. Confidential. Swank stars as Hartnett's love interest -- even though she may have been romantically involved with the dead girl. Rowrrr.

WHy? Director Brian De Palma's last flick was 2002's Femme Fatale, which featured Rebecca Romijn making out with another supermodel. For that, we thank him. But he was hardly at the top of his game -- which, thankfully, doesn't seem to be the case here. Dahlia looks like it will be the blackest of noirs, and the last time De Palma pulled off a period genre piece, we got the underrated classic The Untouchables.

1: CASINO ROYALE (Nov. 17)

WHO? Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen

WHat? The James Bond franchise gets a reboot by reportedly going back to the British superspy's gritty roots -- so don't expect any more campy villains like metalmouthed Jaws. Instead, we get a controversial new choice of leading man in the blond and blue eyed Craig, who apparently will give viewers a darker, more human 007 and not the suave ladykiller of years past. The flick's an origin story and retells the very first Ian Fleming book, with Green as romantic interest Vesper Lynd and the coolly named Mads Mikkelsen as baddie Le Chiffre (although we think Mads Mikkelsen would be a pretty darn cool name for a Bond villain, too).

WHy? It's a risky move by the studio, but it was clear Bond needed a spiffier, new tuxedo. By going the more realistic Bourne Supremacy route and giving us a more relatable superspy, we foresee a successful franchise reboot along the lines of Batman Begins.

THE BEST OF THE REST

Luke Wilson awakes 1,000 years later to find himself the smartest man on the planet in Idiocracy (Sept. 1) ... Nicolas Cage investigates the disappearance of a little girl in the remake of The Wicker Man (Sept. 1) ... Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck star in Hollywoodland, about the circumstances surrounding TV Superman George Reeves' death (Sept. 8) ... The Rock teaches juvenile delinquents valuable life lessons through football in Gridiron Gang (Sept. 15) ... Zach Braff is a man on the verge of 30 who has an affair with a teen girl in the remake The Last Kiss (Sept. 15) ... The CG flick Everyone's Hero features a boy who travels 1,000 miles to help the Yankees win the World Series (Sept. 15) ... Kevin Costner is the heroic Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Ashton Kutcher his cocky young charge in The Guardian (Sept. 15) ... Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the gang are back with more crazy shenanigans in Jackass Number Two (Sept. 22) ... Jet Li is back with more martial arts action in Fearless (Sept. 22) ... A sheltered grizzly bear has his life turned upside down by a fast-talking mule deer in the animated movie Open Season (Sept. 29) ... Clive Owen tries to deliver the baby of the last pregnant woman on Earth in the apocalyptic Children Of Men (Sept. 29) ... Ricky, Julian and Bubbles make their big-screen debut in Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (Oct. 6) ... Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amber Tamblyn face more creepy Japanese ghosts in the sequel The Grudge 2 (Oct. 13) ... A girl (Alison Lohman) befriends a wild horse in the family movie Flicka (Oct. 20) ... A young girl retreats into her own mind after being moved to a rural farmhouse from the big city in Terry Gilliam's surreal Tideland (Oct. 20) ... Jigsaw serves up more blood and guts in the horror sequel Saw 3 (Oct. 27) ... Joseph Cross is a young man sent to live with an eccentric psychiatrist and his wacky family in Running With Scissors (Oct. 27) ... Eric Bana goes up against his father Robert Duvall at the poker table in the gambling drama Lucky You (Oct. 27) ... Unfunnyman Tim Allen takes a third kick at the can as the titular fatso in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Nov. 3) ... A Kazakhstani broadcaster (Sacha Baron Cohen) is dispatched to America with a documentary crew in Borat (Nov. 3) ... A novelist (Emma Thompson) tries to kill off her main character (Will Ferrell), but she doesn't know he's really alive in Stranger Than Fiction (Nov. 10) ... Nicole Kidman is photographer Diane Arbus in the biopic Fur (Nov. 10) ... The CG flick Happy Feet is about a young penguin who is a terrible singer but a fantastic tap dancer (Nov. 17) ... Christopher Guest gives an indie film the Best In Show treatment in For Your Consideration (Nov. 17).

FALL RELEASE SCHEDULE (All release dates subject to change)

SEPT. 1
Crank
Idiocracy
The Quiet
The Wicker Man

SEPT. 8
The Covenant
Hollywoodland

SEPT. 15
Gridiron Gang
The Black Dahlia
The Last Kiss l Haven
Everyone's Hero
SEPT. 18
Dreamland

SEPT. 22
All The King's Men
Jackass Number Two
Fearless l Confetti
The Science Of Sleep
Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles
A Sunday In Kigali

SEPT. 29
Children Of Men
Employee Of The Month
The U.S. Vs. John Lennon
Manufactured Landscapes
Keeping Mum l Open Season
Flyboys l The Guardian

OCT. 6
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie Shortbus l Kardia
The Departed

OCT. 13
Infamous l Man Of The Year
American Hardcore
The Grudge 2
The Marine

OCT. 20
Marie Antoinette
The Prestige l Starter For Ten
Flags Of Our Fathers
Into Great Silence
Flicka l Tideland

OCT. 27
Saw 3 l Trade
Running With Scissors
Catch A Fire l Lucky You

NOV. 3
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Flushed Away
Borat
Babel

NOV. 10
Stranger Than Fiction
We Are Marshall
A Good Year l Fur

NOV. 17
Casino Royale
Slow Burn
The Return
Happy Feet
For Your Consideration

Chantal Kreviazuk back with new album, jibes for the music industry

TORONTO (CP) - Chantal Kreviazuk is no Nelly Furtado.

At least, not in the booty-shakin', dance-club rockin', glammed-up sex-pot kind of way. The piano-based singer-songwriter says she's content to be "an old soul", despite feeling frustrated with the state of today's pop charts and their obsession with celebrity, youth and beauty.

"It's really hard to be an artist and have deeper music out there - to get heard and fit in. Rock music is almost dead radio-wise," Kreviazuk bemoans as she returns to the spotlight with Ghost Stories, her first album in four years.

"We do have a bit of a hump to get over, with regard to things being a little more promiscuous-looking and so on."

Oops. Did she say Promiscuous?

"I can't use that word! There's a hit song called Promiscuous, so I can't use that word!" Kreviazuk wails, immediately backpedalling from an off-hand remark that could be interpreted as a slam against Furtado's hip-shaking summer hit.

"It's more about booty and being booty-licious. It's a little bit frustrating," she explains.

But that's not to say she doesn't dig Furtado's new hip-hop flavour. Kreviazuk says she loves the song Promiscuous, which spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard charts.

"It's different, (but) she's still in there," Kreviazuk says of the B.C. artist's dancier, grittier sound - a radical shift in tone from Furtado's low-key, folky image put forth previously.

"But she's just sort of packaging herself with the rhythm thing. I don't know if I could really do that, but she can and so it's awesome."

"Everybody's got to figure out a way to make it work right now."

In recent years, Kreviazuk has made it work by licensing her songs to Hollywood films such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and popular U.S. television shows such as Laguna Beach.

The Winnipeg artist, who scored pop hits in Canada with catchy melodies such as In This Life, Far Away and Before You, has also found a successful career co-writing tracks for other artists including chart regulars Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, and Avril Lavigne.

The svelte brunette says cracking the U.S. market with her own track is just not what her career is about anymore.

"I've never had that kind of like, whatever, instant, wow, big pop song. That just didn't happen but I really love my career," says Kreviazuk, a prolific composer who was a child prodigy with perfect pitch at age three.

"I'm one of the most licensed artists in film and television in the U.S. I have hits with the highest profile artists in the world now in the U.S. There's nothing now that I feel like I haven't accomplished."

Kreviazuk's greatest accomplishments have included two boys - one-year-old Lucca and two-year-old Rowan - with rock singer husband Raine Maida.

She says writing and recording her infectious new album, out Tuesday, was very much a family affair. Ghost Stories was co-written with Maida, recorded at their home studio and even little Rowan makes a vocal cameo - calling out for his mommy at the beginning of Waiting for the Sun.

"I was playing the piano in the studio kitchen and Rowan was outside the door... Just being silly, standing there waiting," she says.

"It was so cute, and so we just left it, it's in the track."

Led by the first single All I Can Do, the album features Kreviazuk's trademark rich vocals and chunky piano melodies against a strong driving rhythm - something she credits to Maida, lead singer for rock band Our Lady Peace.

She says the album is the "most natural" she's ever produced.

"It's the record I think I always wanted to make."

'Invincible' underdog tale earns $17M

LOS ANGELES - Football season started early as Mark Wahlberg's "Invincible," a Walt Disney tale about a real-life walk-on who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s, debuted as the top weekend movie with $17 million.

The previous No. 1 flick, New Line Cinema's "Snakes on a Plane," lost altitude in its second weekend, falling to sixth place with $6.4 million, a steep 58 percent drop, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Snakes on a Plane" had been preceded by a whirlwind of Internet buzz that the movie failed to live up to, opening with a modest $15.2 million. Starring Samuel L. Jackson as a federal agent battling killer snakes on a redeye flight, the movie had taken in $26.5 million in 10 days.

"Invincible" stars Wahlberg as Vince Papale, a substitute teacher who made the Eagles' special-teams squad in open tryouts. The movie was the latest success among Disney's inspirational sports tales, which include the baseball flick "The Rookie" and the hockey saga "Miracle."

"They make people feel good, and they can relate to the underdog," said Chris LeRoy, general sales manager at Disney. "They are sports-related stories, but I think these movies transcend the sport and get right to characters that people relate to."

The Warner Bros. drinking comedy "Beerfest" opened in fourth place with $6.5 million. Universal Pictures' musical drama "Idlewild," starring Andre Benjamin and Antwan A. Patton of OutKast, premiered at No. 9 with $5.9 million.

"Idlewild" scored the best per-theater numbers among new wide releases, averaging $6,064 in 973 cinemas, about one-third the locations for "Invincible," which averaged $5,838 in 2,917 theaters, and "Beerfest," which did $2,193 in 2,964 sites.

New Line's family comedy "How to Eat Fried Worms," about a boy goaded into devouring worms, opened at No. 11 with $4.05 million, averaging $2,166 in 1,870 theaters.

"Idlewild," set in the 1930s but blending swing and jazz with modern rap and R&B, stars Benjamin and Patton as players at a small-town speakeasy in Georgia. "Beerfest," featuring the comedy troupe Broken Lizard ("Super Troopers"), follows a team of Americans training for a secret drinking competition in Germany.

Expanding to its widest release yet, Fox Searchlight's independent hit "Little Miss Sunshine" climbed to No. 3 with $7.5 million, averaging $5,245 in 1,430 theaters. A black comedy starring Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Steve Carell in the tale of a family's calamitous trip to a child's beauty pageant, it had taken in $23 million since opening in a handful of theaters a month ago.

Also playing strongly in narrow release was the Yari Film Group's "The Illusionist," which took in $1.8 million in 144 theaters for a $12,688 average, bringing its 10-day total to $3.2 million. Starring Edward Norton as a magician hounded by a police detective ( Paul Giamatti) out to debunk him in early 1900s Vienna, "The Illusionist" expands to about 700 theaters Friday.

"Movie-goers do not live by blockbusters alone," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "They want to see these more interesting character studies and quirky, offbeat movies. That's reflected in the grosses for both of these movies."

Here is the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Invincible," $17 million.
2. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," $8 million.
3. "Little Miss Sunshine," $7.5 million.
4 (tie). "Beerfest," $6.5 million.
4 (tie). "Accepted," $6.5 million.
6. "Snakes on a Plane," $6.4 million.
7. "World Trade Center," $6.39 million.
8. "Step Up," $6.2 million.
9. "Idlewild," $5.9 million.
10. "Barnyard: The Original Party Animals," $5.4 million.

Springsteen, wife reportedly split

NEW YORK (CP) - Bruce Springsteen's longtime marriage to bandmate Patti Scialfa is on the rocks, according to a report in the New York Post.

Sources told the newspaper this week that The Boss and his wife are leading separate lives.

"They're separated but everyone has been sworn to secrecy," one friend of the couple told the Post. "We're not supposed to talk about it."

According to the newspaper, the star singer-songwriter has developed a friendship with a Sept. 11 widow he is said to have met while organizing the America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon.

Other friends aren't so sure the marriage is over.

"He's just a really big flirt," one friend told the Post. "There's nothing going on."

Another friend said: "Bruce and Patti are very much partners. They go at it a lot and fight, but they also work at it a lot . . . Patti is a strong woman. They are not going anywhere."

The 56-year-old Springsteen has been married to Scialfa for 15 years. The couple have three children.

Tenacious D's 'Destiny' To Be Revealed This Fall

The long-awaited Tenacious D feature film, "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," will be released Nov. 17, with an Epic soundtrack album due three days earlier.

Although the full track list has yet to be announced, expect it to feature appearances by Meat Loaf (who plays Jack Black's dad) and Ronnie James Dio, as well as Foo Fighters mastermind Dave Grohl.

Dio also appears in the movie, offering inspiration to the young Black. "I got to play myself, which was not much of a stretch," he told Billboard.com earlier this year. "It's a tried and true part of a young rebellious rock kid's life, in that his father hates the music that he likes."

"In the scene, [Black] is 10 or 12," he continued. "His father comes in and rails at him and slams the door. On the back of the door is a big poster of me. He starts singing to the poster: 'Dio, tell me what I should do?' And I come alive off the poster, sing a song and reply to him."

Also tipped to make the cut for the album, produced by the Dust Brothers' John King, are "Master Exploder," "Dude, I Totally Miss You" and the Kyle Gass-penned "The Pick of Destiny," which he previously described to Billboard.com as "a rockin' anthem. I'm imagining it playing over the end credits. You'll be so jazzed after seeing a great movie and then you'll hear this rockin' song at the end."

Beyond Black and Gass, "The Pick of Destiny" features a host of notable stars, including Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen and Colin Hanks.

"Grey's Anatomy" favored over "West Wing" at Emmys

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" is favored to sew up the top award at Sunday's Emmy Awards and foil a bid by newly departed NBC political saga "The West Wing" for a record fifth term as U.S. television's best drama series.

TV pundits say first-time nominee "Grey's Anatomy," coming off its breakthrough season as one of prime time's most watched shows, also faces a strong challenge from critically acclaimed Fox network spy thriller "24," a perennial Emmy contender.

Two other nominees are considered long shots in this year's Emmy drama race -- the Fox hospital show "House" and HBO's celebrated gangster hit and past Emmy winner, "The Sopranos."

In the contest for best comedy series, the heavy favorite is NBC's workplace satire "The Office," adapted from a British series of the same name. Its star, Steve Carell, is the consensus pick as best comedic actor for his role as clueless boss Michael Scott.

The stars of two lesser-known cable series, Denis Leary of the FX firefighting drama "Rescue Me" and Kyra Sedgwick from TNT's cop show "The Closer," are seen as front-runners for the lead dramatic acting honors.

Former Emmy-winning "Friends" co-star Lisa Kudrow is favored to scoop the prize as best comedy actress for HBO's short-lived sitcom "The Comeback."

If those predictions prove true, it would mark at least a partial success in efforts to energize an entertainment awards show long notorious for recycling the same shows and stars year after year.

Sunday's Emmys are being closely watched by the TV industry as a test of new nomination rules designed to give newcomers, low-rated series and smaller networks a better shot at the major categories.

One group of TV critics taking part in an odds-making poll posted on Los Angeles Times-owned Web site The Envelope.com picked "Grey's Anatomy" to edge out "24" -- competing in 12 categories as the most nominated series overall this year -- in the race for best drama. "West Wing" was ranked a close third in the handicapping.

In the comedy race, "The Office" is favored to fend off challenges from recently canceled past winner "Arrested Development" from Fox, as well as the NBC hospital sitcom "Scrubs," HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and the bawdy CBS series "Two and a Half Men."

If "West Wing" manages an upset, the White House drama starring Martin Sheen will enter the Emmy record books with an unprecedented fifth victory as best drama (surpassing four-time winners "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law"). It also would be the first show named best drama after ending its network run.

Moreover, with Sheen and co-stars Allison Janney and Alan Alda considered strong contenders in three acting categories, "West Wing" stands a good chance of at least tying the record now held by "Hill Street Blues" for the most prime-time Emmys overall, 26, amassed by a single drama.

Adding an extra bit of drama to the show is the fact the ABC, a unit of Walt Disney Co., plans to air the blockbuster film "Pirates of Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" opposite the NBC telecast.

The counterprogramming of "Pirates" was widely seen as retaliation for this year's virtual Emmy shut-out of two hit ABC shows that scored big last year, "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives." But ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson has insisted his network scheduled the film before this year's Emmy nominees were revealed.

"All eyes are on 'Grey's Anatomy,' because if it wins, it will be a huge embarrassment to ABC," The Envelope.com columnist Tom O'Neil told Reuters, referring to the possibility of the ABC show copping the top Emmy while the network pirates away viewers from the awards telecast.

In other categories, British performer Helen Mirren is considered a shoo-in as best lead actress in miniseries or movie for her title role in the HBO production "Elizabeth I."

And the nation's most watched show, the Fox talent contest "American Idol," is the front-runner to win the prize for best reality competition program.

The 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by NBC late-night comedian Conan O'Brien, will be broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Update: Listen to The Hip's new single

The Tragically Hip has finally let the world in on the title of the group's forthcoming album and their new single.

Gord Downie and Co. have decided on "World Container" as the follow-up to 2004's studio effort "In Between Evolution."

The album is set to arrive in Canadian stores on Oct. 17, while the first single, "In View," will hit Canadian radio on Tuesday.

However, you can listen to "In View" on the band's official website right now.

"World Container" was produced by Bob Rock, whose extensive credits include Metallica, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Bryan Adams, Simple Plan and The Tea Party.

More details of the release as well as tour plans are expected in the coming weeks. The Hip has one Canadian tour date on their schedule, at the Ovation Music Festival in Stratford, ON on Sept. 9.

The band road-tested some of the new material during their recent live dates. Some of the new tracks that were performed and which are expected to appear on the disc include "Pretend," "Fly," "The Drop Off," "Ocean" and "The Lonely End Of The Rink."

Band leader, trumpeter Maynard Ferguson dies

Big band leader and jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, who played with Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton and recorded the Rocky theme song, has died at the age of 78.

The Canadian-born Ferguson died in a Ventura, Calif., hospital Wednesday after suffering kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection.

Ferguson's death comes just weeks after he and his Big Bop Nouveau Band had completed recording an album. They also played several sold out performances at New York's Blue Note Club in late July.

Tour was set for the fall

He had been preparing to kick off a fall tour, beginning in Tokyo, in September, and had been invited to play at the 80th birthday celebrations for Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej in January.

Invested as a member of the Order of Canada in December 2004, Ferguson was an acclaimed musician, band leader, arranger, producer and music educator who had worked in the industry for more than 50 years.

Born in a suburb of Montreal on May 4, 1928, Ferguson took music lessons in several different instruments as a child. At the age of 13, he was featured as a soloist with the CBC Orchestra and he led his first band at 17.

In 1949, Ferguson moved to New York and joined Stan Kenton's band. He played with Kenton for about five years and then worked in Hollywood, playing trumpet for film scores in such movies as The Ten Commandments.

Over the years, Ferguson recorded more than 60 albums and played with such greats as Count Basie, Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett and Jimmy Dorsey.

Hall of famer taught master classes

The trumpeter — legendary for his high notes — won a number of awards from DownBeat magazine and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1997. He also received three Grammy Award nominations, including for Gonna Fly Now, the theme song for the film Rocky.

Ferguson also designed several instruments and made a name for himself as a teacher and mentor to young musicians.

Despite constantly touring, he also took time to teach master classes in music and groomed new additions to his band lineup. Chick Corea and Chuck Mangione are among those who played in Ferguson's bands.

His biography, MF Horn: Maynard Ferguson's Life in Music, was published in 1997.

Ferguson will be cremated in Ojai, Calif., where he had lived.

His family is also planning a memorial concert in St. Louis, where his manager, Steven Schankman, established the University of Missouri's Maynard Ferguson Music Scholarship Fund.

Sanz, Parnell Not Long for "SNL"?

If speculation is true, you've seen the last "Lazy Sunday" moment on Saturday Night Live.

Series regulars Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Kenan Thompson are in all likelihood not going to be back for the sketch comedy show's 32nd season, which kicks off next month, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

As it turns out, however, the news that Sanz might become a victim of the budget cuts NBC has instigated over at SNL literally is news to Sanz, an eight-year veteran of the program.

"I haven't been approached with anything that's led me to believe I won't be back," the funnyman told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I definitely enjoy the job and would like to stick with it. It's fun, and there will be a lot of change, which could be a little exciting."

If the trio do end up exiting Rockefeller Center's Studio 8H for good, that means five familiar faces will have become SNL history this year.

Head writer and "Weekend Update" coanchor Tina Fey left the show this summer to focus on her upcoming NBC sitcom 30 Rock--which, incidentally, takes place behind the scenes at a sketch comedy show--and longtime player Rachel Dratch took her final bow to join Fey and fellow ex-SNLer Tracy Morgan in the new venture.

Executive producer Lorne Michaels is expected to tap Jason Sudeikis to take over "Weekend Update" duties, while Seth Meyers was promoted to head writer.

There is no word yet on what new talent may be coming in to replace the man who, along with Andy Samberg, immortalized The Chronicles of Narnia, Google Maps and cupcakes, all in the same song; the show's first Latino cast member, who started to look more like Elton John than Elton John does; and one of the series' younger players whose spot-on impressions ranged from Al Sharpton to Bill Cosby to Star Jones.

According to the Times, negotiations are ongoing to get chameleon Darrell Hammond back this year, as well. Hammond, who does a mean Donald Trump and a literally mean Sean Connery ("The Rapist for $1,000, Trebek"), has had the longest tenure of any cast member to date, having joined the show in 1995.

Parnell and Sanz both joined SNL in 1998, although Parnell was not around for the entire 2001-02 season. The 39-year-old has branched out here and there with roles in Anchorman and Jingle All the Way, but not until this past year did he set the Internet a-blazin' with his and Samberg's "Lazy Sunday" duet.

Sanz's extracurricular work includes serving up the nastiest plate of French toast ever in 2000's Road Trip and then graduating to 2003's Boat Trip, which he starred in with Cuba Gooding Jr.

Thompson, who played Fat Albert in 2004, became a featured player on SNL in 2003, having already sharpened his sketch show skills on the Nickelodeon series All That. He was upped to fulltime cast member status last year.

"Invincible" set to lead weekend box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - As the summer winds down, potential moviegoers might choose to take in the last few rays of sunshine rather than cloister themselves inside a darkened theater. Hollywood is counteracting that urge by throwing a lot of films at audiences this weekend, hoping at least one movie sticks.

Disney will launch the Mark Wahlberg football drama "Invincible," and Universal Pictures is opening the OutKast musical "Idlewild." New Line Cinema is hoping to turn kids on to "How to Eat Fried Worms," and Warner Bros. Pictures cracks open "Beerfest," the latest offering from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe.

The true-life tale "Invincible" has the best chance of taking the crown from last weekend's champ, "Snakes on a Plane," with industry observers forecasting three-day ticket sales in the $12 million-$15 million range.

The film is an example of one of the things Disney does best: releasing inspiring stories about sports heroes. From "Miracle" to "Glory Road," the studio has had a long track record of delivering PG-rated films that connect with a wide swath of moviegoers.

Wahlberg plays substitute teacher Vince Papale, who tries out for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles during an unprecedented open tryout -- and makes the team. Reviews have been positive for the film, which also stars Greg Kinnear of "Little Miss Sunshine" fame. The film marks the feature directing debut of cinematographer Ericson Core.

"Beerfest," an R-rated comedy about American brothers (Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske) who go to Oktoberfest and get involved in a super-secret beer competition, should gross in the $8 million-$10 million range.

It was directed by Broken Lizard principal Jay Chandrasekhar who previously shot "The Dukes of Hazzard" for Warner Bros. The last two Broken Lizard films -- "Super Troopers" and "Club Dread" -- were released by Fox Searchlight.

New Line is counting on parents who remember Thomas Rockwell's popular 1973 children's book "How to Eat Fried Worms" to take their kids to the movies, even if early reviews have labeled the film "old-fashioned" and "quaint." The PG-rated film centers on a boy who inadvertently challenges the school bully and has to eat worms as part of a bet. Tracking has the film opening in the single digits.

Ditto for Universal's "Idlewild," starring OutKast duo Andre Benjamin and Antwan A. Patton along with "Hustle & Flow" headliner Terrence Howard.

The musical is set in the South circa mid-1930s, and centers on a nightclub performer (Patton) and his piano player (Benjamin) dealing with gangsters who want to take over their club. Sitting on the shelf for two years while OutKast finished the soundtrack, the film could connect with black and urban audiences who are primarily attracted to the music. It was written and directed by music video veteran Bryan Barber.

Second City's Life

The Life and Times of Second City CBC's Life and Times biography series is airing a three-part series on The Second City. Part One (21:00 Friday August 25, repeated 22:00 Saturday and 19:00 Sunday on CBC Newsworld), hosted by Dave Thomas, covers the origins of The Second City in Chicago and early days in Toronto.

Part Two (21:00 Friday September 1, repeated 22:00 Saturday and 19:00 Sunday on CBC Newsworld), hosted by Scott Thompson, is about SCTV.

And Part Three (22:00 Friday September 8, repeated 22:00 Saturday and 19:00 Sunday on CBC Newsworld), hosted by Joe Flaherty, "explores how Second City revolutionized the world of comedy by pioneering improvisation."

'Scrubs' cast hard at work as Emmys near

LOS ANGELES - Television's biggest night — the Primetime Emmy Awards — is just days away, but the cast and crew of "Scrubs," a best-comedy nominee, clearly have other things on their mind. Like work.

After a summer-long hiatus, the show returned to production last week, injecting life back into the vacant North Hollywood Hospital that serves as the set for the medical comedy.

Dogs roam the hallways and stars relax in their hospital, er, dressing rooms as crew members with walkie-talkies set up the day's shoot.

No one says anything about the Emmys. Because, they later explain, no one expects the show to win.

"Nobody here is writing speeches or anything," says Bill Lawrence, 37, the show's creator and executive producer. "We're so convinced that we're not going to win this year that we've all promised people that once we lose we're going to walk off in a huff."

"Scrubs" is competing against "The Office," "Arrested Development," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Two and a Half Men."

Lawrence isn't alone with his doomsday prediction. Stars Donald Faison and Judy Reyes also think victory is unlikely.

"We're expecting to lose to `The Office,' just like every other show is," says Faison, who plays Turk, a surgeon. "But we're going to go just in case."

Not that he's given much thought, yet, to his attire for the evening.

"It's not something where I've got my tux steamed already," he says. "It's an honor to be nominated, and it's great to be put in the category with other shows you respect, but I'd rather be home playing Xbox, to be truthful."

Reyes, who plays Turk's wife, nurse Carla, says she's eager to "gown it up" with her colleagues. She chose a dress last weekend and is on a mission to find just the right jewelry. But she's more excited about being back to work than she is about the possibility of taking home a trophy, she says.

"In the spirit of protecting ourselves, we're probably reserving our anticipation of the event for the actual evening," Reyes says. "I'm trying to keep it open in the universe, but it's not likely that we'll win."

She still plans to party though, if the production schedule allows.

"Between shooting the episodes, actually trying to make it to any of those events is going to be pretty tricky," Reyes says.

Despite the endorsement from the "Scrubs" cast, confidence wasn't exactly soaring at "The Office," where production also recently resumed.

Workers are excited, says executive producer Greg Daniels, but the schedule is so unforgiving that the women on the staff are shopping for dresses online.

"It's likely that we will show up without any good speeches written because we were working," he says.

But that doesn't mean they're not excited about the nominations. Besides best comedy, "The Office" was nominated for comedic writing, and star Steve Carell is also up for best actor.

Las Vegas oddsmakers predict wins for Carell and the show, but Daniels says he's trying not to get too excited.

"I'm personally trying to look at it as just the employee motivational awards," he says, referring to recognitions given at the fictional paper-supply company on the show. "But I still really want to win."

The Grinch returns to DVD for Christmas yet again

I have lost count how may times How The Grinch Stole Christmas has been released on DVD so far, but for this Christmas season Warner Home Video has prepared a Deluxe Edition of the film for all fans, celebrating the film’s 50th Anniversary.

“Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot” the voice of Boris Karloff lets us know as the fun begins when the grumpy, grouchy, Yule-hating Grinch plots to ruin the Who’s Christmas. Can he steal their holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas... perhaps... mean a little bit more?

Offering up a newly re-mastered transfer of the beloved film, the DVD will also contain the New Featurette “Dr. Seuss And The Grinch - From Whoville to Hollywood”, a rapping, rhyming chronicle of the original book and its beloved animated adaptation. Also included are Songs In The Key Of Grinch, featuring interviews with composer Albert Hague and vocalist Thurl Ravenscroft. Next up is Who’s Who In Whoville a biography gallery as well as a Grinch Song

Selection giving you immediated access to all of the movie’s songs.

The DVD will also contain TNT’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” featurette with Phil Hartman and Pencil Tests and the story Horton Hears A Who!

“How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Deluxe Edition” is scheduled for release on November 21 with a suggested retail price of $19.98.

ALL EYES ON 'SNL' - AGAIN

What's going on be hind the scenes at "Saturday Night Live" this month may be more dramatic than any thing you'll see on the two prime-time shows starting this fall based on the famed late-night comedy.

Four cast members are about to be fired - they know who they are, but the public doesn't.

Two others - including the undisputed star of "SNL," Tina Fey - are gone.

Auditions are about to begin for the signature spot on the show, anchor of the snarky "Weekend Update."

And because there will be two new shows that use "SNL" as their back drop - Aaron Sorkin's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and Fey's "30 Rock" - the late-night comedy show will be attracting more attention than it has in years.

Lorne Michaels, the show's boss and guiding personality for nearly 30 years - and the producer of "30 Rock" - has less than six weeks to get it all done.

Crunch time.

"The history of 'SNL' has been that people step up," Michaels told the Post yesterday. "It's just been that way, at least so far. I think there are people there now who are going to be brilliant."

The man who has shared the headwriter's job with Fey for years, Seth Myers, is expected to become the show's sole head writer.

And Fey's second bannana on "Weekend Update," Amy Poehler, is also expected to be back, even as Rachel Dratch leaves to work on "30 Rock" full time.

"It's always hard when you're giving up good people," he says. The show has motored over rough road - most memorably in 1980 and 1995, when the show underwent wholesale cast changes and which, by no coincidence, were the two worst-received seasons ever.

"After about four years . . . there's a staleness that comes over the show," Michaels says.

This will be one of the few seasons that he doesn't bring in at least one new cast member. Knowing that budget cuts were looming for this fall, Michaels last year hired an exceptionally large cast - so that when the ax fell, he would already have a fresh, experienced cast ready to go.

"I think everything that was strong last season is back," he says. Among those are "SNL" vet Darrell Hammond and white-hot newbie Andy Samburg.

"For me, the most important thing is keeping the show on the air," he says.

Zach Braff Talks 'Fletch'

'Scrubs' star can't say he's doing 'Fletch Won,' but it sure sounds like he will

When it comes to The Weinstein Company's upcoming "Fletch Won," Zach Braff is absolutely going to star in it, unless he isn't.

"I don't know," Braff says, pausing from promoting his upcoming film "The Last Kiss." "Bill Lawrence is definitely writing and directing 'Fletch,' and there's a good chance I'll do it. I've just got to talk to Uncle Harvey."

He's referring, of course, to Harvey Weinstein and the "Scrubs" star probably doesn't want to give up any leverage before signing on, except that Weinstein already knows that Braff is invested in the property.

"I was the one who told Harvey he should hire Bill," Braff says of the "Scrubs" creator. "Bill's a huge Fletch fan. The books aren't as wacky and silly as the Chevy Chase movie was, so there was talk for a while of going back to the books and not having that level of comedy in them, and Bill and I both disagreed. That's what made the movie so great. It's one of the most quoted movies ever, especially by guys. Why would you not tap back into what's funny about that? Definitely go back to the books, because the books are brilliant, but we want to still make it a comedy."

The "Garden State" writer-director-star's name first entered the discussion when the long-gestating Kevin Smith/Jason Lee incarnation of the property began to fall apart amidst rumors that Weinstein wasn't ready to let the "My Name Is Earl" thespian play intrepid reporter Irwin Fletcher. The official announcement of Lawrence's involvement only seemed to make Braff's involvement more of a fait accompli.

Braff, who has already completed work on "Fast Track" for The Weinstein Co., continues, "Bill uses the great analogy of 'Beverly Hills Cop.' He's like, 'If you look at 'Beverly Hills Cop,' some people think it's one of the funniest comedies ever, but it's an action movie with great adventure and real stakes,' and he wants to do that with 'Fletch.' The books have real stakes and real action in them, but they also have some of the funniest, witty dialogue ever written."

The plan is to have "Fletch Won" go into production next spring after the conclusion of the "Scrubs" shooting schedule, which would be convenient for both Lawrence and Braff.

"The Last Kiss" opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, Sept. 15.

Beck Draws A Blank For 'Information' Artwork

Beck wants to have a little fun with the artwork for his upcoming album, "The Information," and he wants his fans to contribute. The set, due Oct. 3 via Interscope, will feature blank packaging and one of four sets of sticker sheets designed by artists from the U.S. and Europe, allowing consumers to customize the cover however they wish.

Although details have yet to be announced, a contest is in the works to select the best album cover creation, with final approval coming from Beck himself. Plans also call for displaying the sticker designs at select art galleries.

In addition, "The Information" will include a video for each of its 15 tracks, led by a Michel Gondry-directed clip for "Cell Phone's Dead." A video for the thumping first single "Nausea" that incorporates footage from the Beck-scored skateboarding documentary "1st and Hope" is already making the rounds on YouTube, but it appears a different video will appear on the DVD.

"Nausea" and album track "Strange Apparition" are now streaming on Beck's Web site. The project also features such tracks as the echo-laden, psychedelic "Movie Theme," the bass-heavy, "Midnite Vultures"-esque "1000 BPM," the strummy "No Complaints."

Beck plays the first of two shows with Radiohead tonight (Aug. 22) in Edinburgh. His lone upcoming U.S. show is Sept. 30 at the San Francisco-area edition of the Download Festival, although a fall tour is in the works.

Paramount cuts ties with Cruise company

LOS ANGELES - It's Tom Cruise vs. Sumner Redstone in a case of I quit-you're fired at Hollywood's highest level. On one side is the chairman of Viacom, Inc., which owns Paramount Pictures. On the other is the industry's biggest and most bankable star, whose last seven films have each generated over $100 million.

Redstone said Tuesday that Paramount would sever its long and profitable relationship with Cruise/Wagner Productions, Cruise's company with producing partner Paula Wagner. Redstone told the Wall Street Journal that Cruise's "recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."

But Wagner told The Associated Press that agents for Cruise/Wagner Productions stopped negotiating with Paramount over a week ago and since secured independent financing, effectively taking any contract-renewal deal off the table.

"For some reason, Paramount has chosen to negotiate in the press," Wagner said, calling Redstone's announcement "surprising."

"It's not really the most businesslike approach," she said. "We've had virtually no dealings with Mr. Redstone."

Paramount referred all calls on the matter to Viacom. Viacom spokesman Carl Folta had no comment late Tuesday.

"As much as we like him personally," Redstone is quoted as saying, "we thought it was wrong to renew his deal." He then cited Cruise's "recent conduct" as the reason.

In the past year or so, Cruise couch-hopped on Oprah Winfrey's talk show while proclaiming his love for Katie Holmes, criticized the use of antidepressants and claimed that postpartum depression doesn't exist. He also got into an angry exchange with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show while defending his opinions.

Cruise/Wagner Productions has been based on the Paramount lot since 1992.

"We viewed ourselves as partners with Paramount," Wagner said, adding that the collaboration has produced $2.5 billion worth of business.

With "War of the Worlds" and "Mission: Impossible 3," Cruise helped earn nearly $1 billion for Paramount this year alone, Wagner said. Cruise/Wagner Productions brought "M:I3" director J.J. Abrams to the studio, she said, which recently inked a five-year arrangement with Abrams.

She and Cruise had been considering independent financing for their company "for a long time," she said.

"For us, this is a very new and exciting direction. We look forward to working with all the studios."

'South Park' guys plan two films

A high school comedy and giant monster pic are on tap

Subversive animation kings Trey Parker and Matt Stone have a pair of live-action films in development at Paramount.

According to Variety, the "South Park" creators are producing two comedies through their re-named Important Pictures shingle. Up first will be "My All-America," followed by the more excitingly titled "Giant Monsters Attack Japan!"

"My All-American" was written by Jeff Roda, while J.F. Lawton penned "Giant Monsters Attack Japan!" Details about both comedies are scarce, but the industry paper says that Parker will be the credited director on each film, while Stone will produce.

Both films will feature real actors -- a first for the "South Park" guys since "Orgazmo" and "Cannibal: The Musical!" -- though "Giant Monsters" will also feature thespians in big rubber suits.

The plan is to begin shooting on "All-American" next year when Parker and Stone go on "South Park" hiatus.

Since "South Park" launched, Parker and Stone have limited their creative cinematic output to "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" and "Team America: World Police." They also acted together in "BASEketball."

"Snakes" Down the Drain?

Apparently moviegoers had enough of the mother-bleepin' hype about the mother-bleepin' snakes on that mother-bleepin' plane.

Despite a year of blog-fueled fanatacism that spilled over into the mainstream media in recent weeks, Snakes on a Plane didn't exactly sink its fangs into the box office, slithering in with a less than expected $15.2 million, according to final studio figures Monday.

While that was enough to top the weekend ticket sales, the $15.2 million tallied by the New Line release includes late-night Thursday business of $1.4 million added to the tradition Friday-Sunday grosses.

The point wasn't lost on Sony, which initially called foul and proclaimed that its hit comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was really number one with $14.1 million in estimated ticket sales from Friday to Sunday. (You do the math.) But when the official numbers were released Monday afternoon, Talladega was adjusted to $13.8 million and would have finished in second even without Snakes' Thursday take.

David Tuckerman, New Line's head of distribution, justified the fudged numbers, telling the Associated Press that "it's an industry standard" to roll Thursday sneak-peek screenings into the Friday-Sunday tally.

"With this kind of picture, I would tell you unequivocally that at least 90 percent of that business would have gone to see it Friday if not Thursday." And that would seem to suggest that Snakes may not have, um, any legs, since the film only grossed $6.3 million on Thursday and Friday combined. Overall, Snakes came in about $5 million-$10 million behind most analysts' predictions.

"It doesn't create any sort of mandate for Internet promotion," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations, noting that all the Web hype for Snakes on a Plane didn't translate into ticket-buying.

"There was much more excitement in the buzz, blogging and marketing about the movie than in the movie itself." New Line tried to tap into the vibe, spoon-feeding scoops to Snakes sites, retooling the movie to incorporate fan suggestions and declining to screen the film to potentially buzz-killing movie critics.

However, he did note than generating such "organic" buzz didn't cost the studio much and that with just a $30 million budget, the "B horror movie" was on track to turn a tidy profit.

Starring Samuel L. Jackson and a bunch of killer reptiles, Snakes averaged just $4,277 at 3,555 locations. That wasn't anywhere near the top average among the Top 10 films, which belonged to Fox Searchlight burgeoning summer dark horse hit Little Miss Sunshine. The road-trip comedy about a wacky family averaged $8,120 per 691 screens, in its fourth week of slowly expanded release. All told, Little Miss Sunshine moved up from 12th to seventh place, earning $5.6 million to bring its current gross to $12.7 million.

Meantime, Will Ferrell's Talladega Nights refuses to head to the pits, dropping just 38 percent in it third week with a per-site average of $3,677 at 3,741 locations to bring its three-week winnings to $114.3 million.

Oliver Stone's World Trade Center also held up, with just a 42 percent drop in its second week. The Paramount release earned $10.9 million in third place, averaging $3,636 at 2,998 locations, for a 10-day total of $45.1 million.

The weekend's other two new releases failed to make a major impact. Universal's college comedy Accepted found modest acceptance in fifth place with $10 million (averaging $3,440 at 2,914 theaters), while MGM's Material Girls, starring Hilary and Haylie Duff, didn't have much stuff, opening way down in ninth place with $4.6 million (averaging $3,050 at 1,509 sites).

In limited release, The Illusionist, a historical mystery starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell, conjured up a magical debut. The PG-13 Yari Film Group release averaged $18,135 at 51 locations for $927,956.

At 36 locations, Fox Searchlight's R-rated Trust the Man, a relationship tangle directed by Bart Freundlich, starring his wife, Julianne Moore, along with Billy Crudup, David Duchovny and Maggie Gyllenhaal, averaged $4,744 for $180,271.

Led by Snakes underwhelming opening, overall business was down after four straight up weekends. The top 12 movies grossed a combined $91.4 million, 16 percent less than last weekend and 7 percent lower than this time last year, when Steve Carell's comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin started to score.

Here's a rundown of the top-grossing films as compiled by Exhibitor Relations from studio estimates; final figures are due Monday:

1. Snakes on a Plane, $15.2 million
2. Talladega Night: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, $13.8 million
3. World Trade Center, $10.9 million
4. Step Up, $10.2 million
5. Accepted, $10 million
6. Barnyard, $7.6 million
7. Little Miss Sunshine, $5.6 million
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, $5.2 million
9. Material Girls, $4.6 million
10. Pulse, $3.5 million

Summer box office expectations calming Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When Hollywood's summer ends in two weeks, domestic box-office receipts are expected to be up 7 percent over 2005, calming the nerves of studio bosses who last year worried moviegoers may be disappearing.

Ticket sales in the United States and Canada, led by the No. 1 hit "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," are expected to reach nearly $3.9 billion for the studios' peak season lasting 18 weeks from early May and through the end of August, according to tracker Exhibitor Relations Co Inc.

Ticket revenues for 2005's summer were $3.6 billion, which was down 8.5 percent from summer 2004's record $3.95 billion, making it the worst box-office showing in four years.

Attendance, the number of people buying tickets, for summer 2006 is estimated at just over 582 million, up nearly four percent from last year's 564 million, which was off a whopping 11 percent from the previous year.

Last year's lower numbers caused studio bosses to grow concerned that competition from video games, the Internet and DVDs, as well as unexciting movies lessened fan appetite. That was a huge issue because summer films aimed at youths make up as much as 40 percent of annual domestic ticket sales.

"It begins with the creative movie itself. I think that is what the difference was for us, and I think for the industry, too," said Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. "The industry made movies that made people want to get out of their houses and spend their hard-earned dollars to go to the theater."

Exhibitor Relations President Paul Dergarabedian echoed that sentiment. "This summer proves that people still want to go to the movies," he said.

WINNERS, LOSERS & CRITICS

Disney and "Pirates" were big winners at the box office. "Pirates," an effects-filled comedy starring Johnny Depp as pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, has raked in over $400 million domestically.

Disney also scored with Pixar's animated "Cars," which took in $240 million to become the No. 2 movie domestically and with recent dance film "Step Up" -- $40 million and climbing.

Twentieth Century Fox will finish at No. 3 with "X-Men: The Last Stand" ($234 million) and the season's biggest surprise, "The Devil Wears Prada" -- now at No. 9 with $118 million.

Sony Pictures also had a solid season with No. 4 film, "The Da Vinci Code" ($217 million) and No. 7, Adam Sandler comedy "Click." ($135 million).

By most accounts, Warner Bros. was the key loser with expensive bombs "Poseidon," "Lady in the Water" and animated "The Ant Bully." Offsetting those was No. 5 "Superman Returns" with $194 million and still playing.

But "Superman" points to one long-time fact of summer moviegoing that was reinforced this season: there is a disconnect between critics and fans.

Reviewers mostly liked "Superman," but its box office failed to meet expectations that ran up to $250 million. The same thing happened to No. 8 "Mission: Impossible III," which was seen as a $200 million movie but ended with $133 million.

Conversely, reviewers panned "Da Vinci Code," and it defied them with ticket sales that met or topped many forecasts.

Willard, 4 others to pinch-hit for Ebert

CHICAGO - As film critic Roger Ebert recovers from cancer surgery, five guest hosts have lined up to sit in the balcony with Richard Roeper on the movie review show "Ebert & Roeper." The substitutes, scheduled for shows airing through Sept. 24, include actor Fred Willard and screenwriter and novelist John Ridley. Actress Aisha Tyler will appear on two shows.

Toni Senecal, entertainment reporter for WNYW-TV in New York, and Chicago Tribune movie critic Michael Phillips round out the list.

Ebert, 64, has been hospitalized since having surgery June 16 to remove a cancerous growth on his salivary gland. He also had emergency surgery July 1 after a blood vessel burst near the site of the operation, and another unspecified surgery earlier this month that his wife characterized as "minor."

Ebert said in a statement Thursday that his voice has been affected by the cancer treatment and his rehabilitation will include strengthening his vocal cords. He did not say when he might return to the show.

Ebert looks forward to return to work

CHICAGO - Film critic Roger Ebert, who is battling cancer in a Chicago hospital, says he looks forward to coming back to work despite a hard road to recovery that has kept him hospitalized for two months.

"I don't have a crystal ball, so I can't tell you when, but I sure look forward to being back on the movie beat," he said in a statement Thursday.

Ebert, famous for his "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" critiques, had surgery June 16 to remove a cancerous growth on his salivary gland. He also had emergency surgery July 1 after a blood vessel burst near the site of the operation.

"When I announced that I had a recurrence of salivary cancer that required surgery, I had no idea when I went into the hospital on June 16 that I would still be here on August 16," Ebert said.

The 64-year-old had undergone cancer surgery three times before the June operation — once in 2002 to remove a malignant tumor on his thyroid gland and twice on his salivary gland the next year.

Ebert said in the statement his voice has been affected by the cancer treatment and part of his overall rehabilitation will include having to strengthen his vocal cords. He added that "doctors are moving cautiously, but they are enthusiastically optimistic about my recovery."

Ebert has been a film critic at the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967. He won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 1975, the same year he teamed up with Gene Siskel of the rival Chicago Tribune to launch their movie-review show. Siskel died in 1999. Ebert has co-hosted the show with fellow Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper since 2000.

"Snakes on a Plane" slithers into audience embrace

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Early audiences lured to "Snakes on a Plane" by its sensational title and Internet hype say the film lives up to their expectations for an over-the-top thriller.

"It was just so ridiculous it was a good movie," said Colin Cowes, 15, from Minnesota, after seeing a morning screening in New York on Friday. "I went and saw it because I saw an ad for it on the Internet. Definitely the title got me in because it just sounds so random and stupid."

The movie, whose title also convinced actor Samuel L. Jackson to star it , opens in theaters across the United States and Britain on Friday.

There were no advance showings of the $30 million dollar movie after the name alone managed to spark an enviable run of publicity by spawning endless parodies, Web postings and videos that tried to flesh out the story.

The Internet hoopla started with a blog posting by screenwriter Josh Friedman's a year ago praising Jackson for threatening to quit the movie when the studio considered changing the title, saying he'd taken the job based on the name.

At the early New York screening moviegoers laughed and cringed as they watched an FBI agent try to regain control of a plane that the Mafia had filled full of poisonous snakes to try and kill a witness under protection.

Smart moviegoers usually avoid a film released without advance screenings because it can indicate a studio knows the movie is bad. But people who have not seen "Snakes on a Plane" are calling themselves "fans" and many hope it will be awful, in an entertaining way.

Natasha Sokolov, 33, said she came to see the movie because it starred Jackson.

"I'm not sure that's exactly a movie I would regularly see though. It was scary, fun, exciting. It was just a little piece of entertainment, nothing serious," she said.

Marcus Levy, 29, of New England, said it was action-packed. "I think at first it was the actual preview that got me interested and then the title obviously explains everything. I despise snakes," he said. "It was actually entertaining."

New Line Cinema, the Time Warner Inc. subsidiary that is distributing "Snakes," has fueled the hype and the producers even included a line created by an imaginative blogger in the movie and used it in previews.

But the hype didn't get to everyone.

"I didn't even know about it, but (my friend) was just, like, 'We have to go and see this movie'," said 15-year-old Imogen Kwok.

The Hip's new album title is...

The Tragically Hip has finally let the world in on the title of the group's forthcoming album.

Gord Downie and Co. have decided on "World Container" as the follow-up to 2004's studio effort "In Between Evolution," according to the band's official website.

The album is set to arrive in Canadian stores on Oct. 17, while the first single, "In View," will hit Canadian radio in two weeks.

"World Container" was produced by Bob Rock, whose extensive credits include Metallica, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Bryan Adams, Simple Plan and The Tea Party.

More details of the release as well as tour plans are expected in the coming weeks. The Hip has one Canadian tour date on their schedule, at the Ovation Music Festival in Stratford, ON on Sept. 9.

The band road-tested some of the new material during their recent live dates. Some of the new tracks that were performed and which are expected to appear on the disc include "Pretend," "Fly," "The Drop Off," "Ocean" and "The Lonely End Of The Rink."

'Snakes' flying all over the radar

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hollywood is dealing moviegoers a wild card this weekend. Industry experts are all over the map as to how well, or not so well, New Line Cinema's Internet phenomenon "Snakes on a Plane" will do at the domestic boxoffice.

Ever since the Internet digerati took hold of the title of the film, buzz has been unlike anything the Internet has seen, especially for a nonsequel. And since Samuel L. Jackson came aboard, the buzz has climbed to a fever pitch.

But that all began months ago, and there have been no early screenings of the film. The Hollywood premiere was set for 9 p.m. Thursday -- too late for most reviewers to file before the film bows Friday, though most everyone recognizes that reviews matter little for a film fans are hoping will be so bad that it's good.

New Line remains confident. The studio is opening the film in 3,555 theaters, the widest release for an R-rated New Line film ever -- 630 more than "Wedding Crashers" last year. Even if it opens at the low end of expectations, most handicappers are confident that "Snakes" will be the top grosser of the frame. Estimates for the $35 million production range from the low-$20 millions to the low-$30 millions.

The other new wide releases are Universal Pictures' "Accepted" and MGM's "Material Girls."

REPTILES, FEDS AND MOBSTERS

From director David R. Ellis, "Snakes" stars Jackson as an FBI agent escorting a witness on a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles. A crime lord releases hundreds of snakes on the jet in order to eliminate the witness before he can testify. Julianna Margulies co-stars.

From the 10-minute clip shown at last month's Comic-Con to the video for the overplayed song from Cobra Starship to the many parodies on the Web, "Snakes" has entered the zeitgeist in a manner that is surprising even the studio, which says it is still trying to catch up with all the publicity.

The PG-13 "Accepted" stars Justin Long as a high school senior who has been rejected by all the colleges to which he has applied. He then creates his own university, where applicants unexpectedly start showing up by the hundreds. Produced by Tom Shadyac, the film is helmed by Steve Pink in his directorial debut.

"Accepted" was scheduled to bow August 11 but shied away from the date after Buena Vista's "Step Up" looked like it would cannibalize its audience -- a wise move, considering that the latter opened last weekend to $20 million for the No. 2 spot. "Accepted's" gross looks closer to the $13 million-$15 million range, and the under-18 crowd might choose it as their option when turned away from "Snakes." Jonah Hill, Blake Lively and Lewis Black co-star.

"Material Girls," MGM's second summer release, features sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff as heiresses to their family's cosmetics fortune who are stripped of their wealth and forced to work for a living. Martha Coolidge directs the PG comedy, which bows Friday in 1,509 locations. Interest in the film has been underwhelming, and industry insiders don't have much hope for a solid gross. The distributor is looking at low-single digits.

LIMITED BOWS

The limited-release market should be interesting. Fox Searchlight is bowing its second summer entry, "Trust the Man," an acquisition from last year's Toronto International Film Festival. "Trust" marks the first attempt at comedy by writer-director Bart Freundlich ("The Myth of Fingerprints," "World Traveler"). With a cast featuring Billy Crudup, David Duchovny, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Freundlich's wife and frequent creative collaborator, Julianne Moore, "Man" revolves around two New York couples and their efforts to keep their relationships together. The film bows Friday in 38 theaters in eight cities.

Freestyle Releasing will open the Bob Yari production "The Illusionist" from Neil Burger. With a stellar cast featuring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, the PG-13 film centers on a magician in early 1900s Vienna who comes under attack by the Crown Prince. Opening in 38 theaters, the film will expand next weekend before going wide September 1.

Pumpkins Reunite In Studio

Smashing Pumpkins fans, get ready to be infinitely happy.

Fourteen long months after founder and frontman Billy Corgan announced, in a full-page Chicago newspaper ad, that he was planning to reform the band he loved so dearly, the Pumpkins are back in the studio, recording their first album since calling it quits with their swan song, 2000's hard-charging Machina: The Machines of God.

The Grammy-winning alt-rockers confirmed the news in a brief message posted on their official Website. Slated to join them for the recording sessions is Roy Thomas Baker, the famed English producer who oversaw such classic records as Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," The Cars' s Shake It Up and, most recently, The Darkness' One Way Ticket to Hell and Back.

There's still no word, however, as to whether all four original Pumpkins are taking part in the reunion.

So far, the lineup consists of Corgan, the Windy City quartet's whiny-voiced singer, guitarist and principle songwriter, and drummer Jimmy Charmberlain. Still MIA are lead guitarist James Iha and bassist D'arcy Wretzky, who left the band after recording Machina, and was replaced by former Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur.

However, in a statement posted in May, on the Website for his currently defunct rock outfit, Polar Bears, former Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery revealed that he's been collaborating with Corgan and company.

"It looks like I will be working with the Smashing Pumpkins," Avery said.

Responding to speculation about him joining the group full-time, a rep for the Pumpkins recently told MTV News that Avery "has been rehearsing with [the band] in their pre-production of the new record, but nothing has been confirmed in regards to [him becoming a full-fledged member]."

Avery's participation would be a natural fit, given Corgan's admiration for Jane's Addiction, which he's acknowledged as an influence on the Pumpkins' sound. He's also good pals with its members. (The Pumpkins pleased hometown fans, when they served as the surprise opening act for the Chicago stop of Jane's Addiction's 1997 Relapse tour.)

Formed in 1988, the Smashing Pumpkins first made noise with the 1991 college-rock fave, Gish. But it was their breakout major-label debut, 1993's Siamese Dream (which arrived at the peak of Seattle's grunge wave) that made them alt-rock superstars--thanks to such hits as "Today" and "Disarm."

The band followed up with 1994's Pisces Iscariot, before reaching their peak with 1996's double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which spawned the hits "Bullet With Butterfly Wings," "Tonight, Tonight" and "1979."

At the height of their success, however, the Pumpkins were hit with the drug-overdose death of touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin, which led Corgan to fire Chambelain, who battled his own drug problems.

Corgan opted for a drum machine for the group's next release, 1998's Adore, which was adored by critics, but failed to match the sales of previous releases.

Chamberlain later returned to the fold, but Wretzky's desire to try her hand at an acting career led to her departure, as well as more discord within the group. The band played its final show at the legendary Chicago Northside nightclub, Metro, in 2000.

After the demise of the Pumpkins, Corgan went on to form Zwan, which issued one album before calling it quits. He then took to writing his own music, putting out his first solo effort, The Future Embrace, last year.

Mel Gibson pleads no contest in DUI case

MALIBU, Calif. - Mel Gibson ended his legal hangover Thursday, pleading no contest to a single misdemeanor charge of drunken driving in a deal that put him on probation for three years, fined him and sent him to alcohol rehabilitation classes.

His lawyers arranged to move his scheduled court appearance up by over a month, allowing Gibson to avoid creating a media frenzy with his plea. But he still faces the fallout from the anti-Semitic tirade he unleashed on a sheriff's deputy the night of his arrest.

Gibson did not have to appear in the misdemeanor case and he did not, allowing attorney Blair Berk to handle the plea before Malibu Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira.

The abrupt advancement of the proceeding was announced to the news media by the district attorney's office with no time for most reporters to reach the distant courthouse before the plea was over.

"Media requests (for photo access) received after proceedings already completed," the case file noted.

Court documents showed that Gibson signed the plea agreement and waived his right to a jury trial on Monday but the paperwork was filed just before Thursday's proceeding.

Gibson was stopped around 2:30 a.m. on July 28 while driving on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and made anti-Semitic remarks to the arresting deputy, plunging Gibson into a scandal that led him to later apologize for what he called "belligerent behavior" and "despicable" remarks.

Gibson pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor of driving while having a 0.08 percent or higher blood-alcohol level. A second misdemeanor count, driving under the influence of alcohol, and the infraction of driving with an open container of alcohol, were dismissed.

A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is equivalent to a guilty plea for determining sentencing.

"This was an appropriate outcome which addresses all the public safety concerns of drinking and driving," Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano said in a statement.

Authorities continued to refuse to release video and audio tapes of Gibson's arrest despite the disposition of the case. Media organizations including The Associated Press have asked Sheriff Lee Baca for the tapes but have been denied on grounds they are part of an "investigatory file" and exempt from the California Public Records Act.

The celebrity news Web site TMZ has argued that the tapes should be heard and seen by the public to assess whether the Sheriff's Department gave Gibson preferential treatment. The issue arose because a sheriff's spokesman initially said the arrest occurred "without incident" and made no mention of the anti-Semitic remarks.

Court documents said Gibson has already voluntarily begun rehabilitation.

The documents show the judge placed Gibson on three years' probation and ordered him to attend "self-help meetings" five times a week for 4 1/2 months and three meetings per week for another 7 1/2 months. Satriano said these would be Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, according to Jane Robison, a district attorney's spokeswoman.

In addition, Gibson was ordered to enroll in and complete a "three-month, licensed first-offender alcohol and other drug education and counseling program."

The judge also levied fines and fees totaling $1,608. Gibson's driver license was restricted by the state Department of Motor Vehicles for 90 days, the district attorney's office said. Robison did not know the terms of the restriction.

Gibson volunteered to make a public-service announcement about the hazards of drinking and driving, but the judge did not make that a condition of his sentencing.

"The court acknowledges that defendant has volunteered to make a public service announcement. This will not be a term of probation, however," the court documents stated.

Gibson was ordered to appear Jan. 17 in court for a progress report.

Gibson's spokesman, Alan Nierob, would not elaborate about the plea arrangement or offer any hints about when to expect Gibson's public-service announcement.

The case file also showed that the original judge assigned to hear the case, Terry Adamson, recused herself because Gibson is one of her neighbors.

'Lost' cast reveal Season 3 secrets

KAHUKU, Hawaii (AP) - The hatch is history.

That was just one of the third-season secrets revealed by cast and crew of the TV drama Lost, who gathered here Tuesday night to mark the release of the DVD set, Lost - The Complete Second Season.

"The hatch has definitely had its moment," confirmed executive producer Bryan Burk, referring to the mysterious underground bunker that was the set for much of the series' second-season drama. "Lets just say it was one big explosion."

Lost cast members Evangeline Lilly, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Terry O'Quinn, Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjim Kim were among the attendees at the party at the Turtle Bay Resort, about a 20-minute drive from where much of Lost is filmed on the north shore of Oahu.

Before heading in to celebrate their second-season work, the cast was asked to address their show's surprising lack of presence among this year's Emmy nominees. Though it was last year's Emmy-winning drama, Lost was not among the current crop of nominated series, nor were any of its leading actors recognized.

"My first reaction to it was, 'Good.' I don't want us to become that show that becomes so righteous, so above everything else, that we're untouchable," said Lilly, who will serve as a presenter at the Aug. 27 Emmy telecast.

Lilly, who was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., and grew up in small-town British Columbia, plays Kate on Lost.

"When we started, our big question was, 'Will anybody even watch this show?' And then when people started watching, we were thrilled. And then when we got recognized critically, we were beside ourselves. So, when we didn't get nominated, all we had to do was remember where we came from."

Writer and executive producer Carlton Cuse told The AP he wasn't losing sleep about the Emmy snub, either.

"Were we disappointed that we didn't get a nomination for the show? Yes." he said. "But the show has been so blessed: the attention, the success. We're not going to focus too long on what we don't have."

Lost fans can expect some big changes when new episodes return to ABC Oct. 3.

There won't be any more frustrating repeats. "Now, when Lost is on, it's on," Cuse explained. "And when it's off, it's off. And when it's on, you know it's an original Lost."

The producers said six all-new Lost episodes will air in consecutive weeks this fall; the season's remaining 17 new episodes will be scheduled without interruption from mid-winter to late spring.

As for the story: If the first season was all about the original plane-crash survivors adjusting to their new lives on a deserted island, and the second season was all about the so-called "tailies" (those who were in the tail of the plane, whom the originals had thought were dead), "this year," Lilly said, "we've opened this up to another whole other people, a whole other location, a whole other facet through which we can tell stories."

Michael Emerson, who plays the leader of "The Others" group, noted, "What I know is that we get to go live with The Others, where they learn a little more about their life and, hopefully, their mission, their agenda, whatever that might be. Maybe we'll get to warm up to them."

Producer Burk promised that many of the second season's looming questions would be answered in the first six episodes. But, warned actor Daniel Dae Kim, "I think for every question that's answered, there's another one that's posed, and that's kind of what keeps people coming back."

Cuse said the new season will include more action and adventure, and that new characters could well serve as love interests. And, he added, Sawyer (Holloway) and Jack (Matthew Fox) will definitely be competing for the romantic affections of Kate.

But don't expect the show to get all soft.

"There'll be a lot of love. There'll be a lot of comedy," Burk said. "But we can never forget that these people are in a very dark place."

CBC to broadcast COC's entire Ring Cycle

Though they might not get to Toronto this fall, opera fans across Canada will be able to listen to the Canadian Opera Company's upcoming production of the Ring Cycle on CBC Radio, the public broadcaster announced Wednesday.

While tickets to the four-part epic are nearly sold out, CBC Radio Two will broadcast Richard Wagner's famed tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) live from Toronto.

"This ranks as one of the biggest broadcast events CBC Radio Two has ever brought to Canadians," said Mark Steinmetz, director of radio music for CBC Radio.

Hosted by CBC Radio personality Howard Dyck, the broadcast will air the opera performances set for Sept. 12, 13, 15 and 17 — the first of the three cycles scheduled for September.

Tickets for all three Ring Cycles have nearly sold out.

Historic production

The Ring Cycle comprises four operas — Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung — and, in the past, both the COC and other Canadian companies have occasionally staged one of the four operas as part of their regular season programming.

However, the COC's full production in September is the first-ever Canadian production of all four operas consecutively, as Wagner intended when he unveiled his masterpiece in 1876 at his Bayreuth Festival in Germany.

The production this September also marks the COC's first major endeavour in its new home, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

In addition to the live broadcasts of the first cycle, CBC Radio's Go and Studio Sparks will air live from the Four Seasons Centre in September. Other Wagner and Ring Cycle-related programming will also be featured on other radio shows, while a CBC Radio contest currently invites listeners to "remix" the famed Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walkure.

Ryan Phillippe is Batman's New Foe

Ryan Phillippe has been cast as the dual character villain, Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the Batman Begins sequel.

IMDB.com reports the Cruel Intentions star apparently snagged the role out from under other hopefuls, Liev Shreiber and Josh Lucas, to play opposite Heath Ledger and Christian Bale in the upcoming movie, The Dark Knight.

Phillippe follows in the footsteps of previously Two-Faced Tommy Lee Jones, who played the role in 1995's Batman Forever, where he was paired up with Jim Carrey, as Edward Nygma - aka: The Riddler.

Sir Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman will be returning to their respective roles in the next film - and there's even talk Philip Seymour Hoffman could make an appearance dressed in coat and tails - as The Penguin.

Elvis fans mark anniversary of death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Fans of the King from around the world are in Memphis, Tenn., honoring the 29th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.

Presley died of heart disease and prescription drug abuse at his Graceland mansion on Aug. 16, 1977. The singer's fans traditionally file past his grave site at Graceland on the eve of the anniversary. A spokesman says as many as 10,000 fans could visit the mansion for this year's vigil.

President Bush and his wife, who brought Elvis fan and Japanese leader Junichiro Koizumi to Memphis in June for a tour of Graceland, sent their regards.

The White House sent a letter to be read to the fans noting Presley's "special place in the cultural life of America." It says the anniversary gives fans around the world an opportunity to come together, share memories and celebrate Presley's legacy.

Character actor Bruno Kirby dies at 57 in LA

LOS ANGELES - Bruno Kirby, a veteran character actor known for playing the best friend in two of Billy Crystal's biggest comedies "When Harry Met Sally" and "City Slickers," has died. He was 57.

Kirby died Monday in Los Angeles from complications related to leukemia, his wife Lynn Sellers said in a statement Tuesday. He had been recently diagnosed with the disease.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from Bruno's fans and colleagues who have admired and respected his work over the past 30 years," his wife said. "Bruno's spirit will continue to live on not only in his rich body of film and television work but also through the lives of individuals he has touched throughout his life."

Born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu in 1949 in New York City, he was the son of actor Bruce Kirby. His early work included the 1971 film "Young Graduates," as well as appearances on the television show "Room 222" and the made-for-TV movie "The Summer Without Boys."

In 1974, he scored a role in "The Godfather: Part II," which won several Academy Awards, including best picture. In the film, Kirby played young "Pete Clemenza," following Richard S. Castellano's role in the first installment.

Over the next few years, Kirby made various TV appearances, including "Fame" and "Hill Street Blues," before landing the role of "2nd Lt. Steven Hauk" in Robin William's "Good Morning, Vietnam."

That was followed two years later by the romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally," in which Kirby played Crystal's best friend. In 1991, Kirby once again appeared as Crystal's cheery friend in "City Slickers," - along for a mid-life adventure driving cattle on a dude ranch.

He also appeared in 1997's "Donnie Brasco," and recently in an episode of the HBO hit series "Entourage."

Along with his wife and father, Kirby is survived by his stepmother Roz Kirby, brother John Kirby and stepbrother Brad Sullivan.

No information on funeral arrangements was immediately available.

Internet a daily habit for most Canadians

Almost two-thirds of Canadians with home access to the internet use the web daily, according to a new report from Statistics Canada.

An estimated 7.9 million Canadian families, or 16.8 million adults, connect to the internet at home, says the Canadian Internet Use Survey released Tuesday.

The survey asked more than 30,000 Canadians aged 18 years and over about their internet use for 2005.

The internet has changed the way Canadians get their news and conduct their banking. It's become a common source for travel information and occupies hours out of the week for millions of Canadians.

The survey found men and women use the internet in roughly equal numbers, a change from 2001, when more men than women were online.

But there are clear differences in the way men and women use the internet, with women more likely to seek out health or medical information and men more likely to access government websites.

Men spend more time online

About 56 per cent of men had used the internet to download government forms or file income taxes, compared to 48 per cent of women.

Men spend more time on the internet, with 43 per cent going online for more than 10 hours a week, compared to about 34 per cent of women.

The most common use of the internet by Canadians is e-mail, used by 91 per cent of households with home access, followed by general browsing (84 per cent), seeking information about weather or road conditions (67 per cent) and travel arrangements or bookings (63 per cent).

Six out of 10 users regularly seek out their news or sports information online and the same number pay their bills online.

Younger users, defined as those under 25, were more likely to report using the web for education, training or school work. Sixty-one per cent of young people used it to play games.

The majority of internet users reported having a high-speed connection, with half using cable and 59 per cent of those connecting via telephone having a high-speed service.

Rural use lags

There is still a digital divide, as Canadians with higher incomes, better education, children in the home or living in urban areas are more likely to have internet access.

Only 58 per cent of residents of small towns or rural areas accessed the worldwide web at home, well below the national average of 68 per cent of all Canadians.

Rates of internet use in cities were much higher, ranging from 68 per cent in Montreal to 77 per cent in Ottawa-Gatineau or Calgary.

About 81 per cent of households with children under age 18 had internet access, compared with 61 per cent of households without children.

About 85 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 44 used the internet, compared with only half of those 45 years of age and older.

Among Canadians with a personal computer who did not use the internet from home, 29 per cent said they had no interest, 25 per cent said they had no need for it and 16 per cent said it cost too much.

...Canadian version of The One will not appear this fall

CBC Television's version of The One: Making of a Music Star will not air in the fall of 2006, the network confirmed on Tuesday.

A U.S. version of the reality series, hosted by CBC host George Stroumboulopoulos and aired simultaneously on CBC and ABC, was cancelled July 28.

Both ABC and CBC had poor ratings for the show, and the U.S. network cancelled it after only two weeks.

However, the Canadian version of the reality show is "still under development," according to CBC spokesman Jeff Keay.

"I'm able to confirm that it is not in the fall schedule for 2006," he said.

The public broadcaster has bought rights to the show, which is a hit in several countries, and originally said the Canadian edition of the talent search would air in the fall of 2006 or early 2007.

At the time of the cancellation, CBC held out hope the Canadian version of the show would go ahead. However, on Tuesday Keay could not confirm whether it would ever appear.

"I'm not able to say what the long-term plan will be," he said.

ABC got 3.1 million viewers for the first episode of the show, the smallest audience ever for the summer debut of a reality series.

In Canada, The One had 236,000 viewers for its debut. In comparison, about 1.2 million Canadians watched established hit Canadian Idol that night, while 938,000 tuned into another rival, Rock Star: Supernova.

Television critics panned the show for being too slick in some portions and under-produced in others.

There was also criticism in Canada of CBC's decision to bump The National from its time-slot on two nights in Eastern Canada to air the reality series.

"Star Trek" Unveils New Captain's Log

Now they're really boldly going where no one has gone before.

In news that will make Trekkers' hearts atwitter, all five Star Trek captains--William Shatner's Kirk, Patrick Stewart's Picard, Avery Brooks' Sisko, Kate Mulgrew's Janeway and Scott Bakula's Archer--are beaming aboard Star Trek: Legacy, a new videogame marking the 40th anniversary of the legendary sci-fi franchise.

The game, due out this fall from Bethesda Softworks, will be the first time the five stars from the five TV series will team up for a Star Trek project.

Shatner, who will reprise his career-defining role of Captain James. T. Kirk on the original Star Trek voyage from 1966 to 1969, tells Reuters that he hopes his participation in the game might spark renewed interest in Star Trek. The franchise had been labeled "in decay" by Activision, which previously held the game license, and saw its most recent incarnation, Star Trek: Enterprise, fizzle out with lackluster ratings and uninspired plots. Some fans and industry watchers believed the end was near.

"It's been around a long time, it's a staple of American life and I think we need something new and different," Shatner told the wire service, noting that he just couldn't resist returning to the part that made him a legend. "I couldn't imagine someone else playing Captain Kirk, even in a videogame, so I kind of got a little territorial."

Joining him in the virtual Starfleet will be Stewart, returning as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the first Star Trek spinoff, which had a successful syndication run from 1987 to 1994.

Also coming back is Brooks, who played Captain Benjamin Lafayette Sisko on the syndicated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1993 to 1999; Mulgrew who essayed Captain Kathryn Janeway on UPN's Star Trek: Voyager from 1995 to 2001; and, rounding out the captain's log, is Bakula who portrayed Captain Jonathan Archer in UPN's Enterprise, which aired from 2001 to 2005.

Legacy, available on PC and Xbox 360, will give fans the chance to command their own starship from 60 different vessels from each of the Star Trek eras as they do battle with Klingons, Romulans and the Borg. There will be both single-player campaigns and an online multiplayer mode.

The actors--or their pixelated alter egos--won't actually appear in the real-time strategy game; instead, their voices will offer advice and plot development.

"If it's a good game, keeping true to the characters the best they can, and having an interesting story that branches, I think a game can bring a freshness to the franchise like Star Trek," said Shatner, who last lent his voice to a videogame in 1997's Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

The thesp, whose Comedy Central Roast airs Sunday at 10 p.m., knows a thing or two about breathing new life into Gene Roddenberry's baby, having written nine Star Trek novels detailing the continuing journeys of Kirk and friends as they seek out new life and new civilizations, etc. His latest tale, Captain's Glory, finds the iconic character squaring off with Picard as the Federation faces a new enemy called the Totality.

Meanwhile, Bethesda is prepping Star Trek: Tactical Assault for the PSP and the Nintendo DS, also due out this fall. Bethesda also plans to release a first-person shoot-'em-up arcade version called Star Trek: Encounters for the PlayStation 2 next month.

Also coming this fall is four-disc Stat Trek: The Animated Series set on DVD, containing the 1970s Saturday morning revival of the series that featured the voices of the original cast. Paramount has set a Nov. 21 release date for the collection.

The studio, which has also produced and distributed all 10 Trek movies from 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture to 2002's bomb Star Trek: Nemesis, has signed a $22.5 million deal with Lost creator J.J. Abrams to pilot the 11th installment for release sometime in 2008.

Abrams told TV Guide in an interview last week that he and screenwriting partners Robert Orci and Alex Kurtxmann are already deep into development on the new Star Trek, which will take the series back to its roots with a prequel focusing on the early days of Kirk and Spock.

"We have an incredible beginning of a really dramatic story, and it very much honors the canon of Star Trek. On the other hand, it won't be like anything you've seen before," the Mission: Impossible 3 helmer told the magazine. "I think we have an incredible story, but we've sort of promised each other we wouldn't talk about the specifics yet. But I can say that we're actively working on it, we're in the middle of breaking the story, and it's coming along great."

Star Trek officially hits the big 4-0 next month. The original series debuted Sept. 8, 1966 on NBC.

'City Slickers' actor Bruno Kirby dies

LOS ANGELES - Bruno Kirby, a veteran character actor who costarred in "When Harry Met Sally," "City Slickers" and many other films, has died at age 57, his wife said Tuesday.

Kirby died Monday in Los Angeles from complications related to leukemia, according to a statement from his wife, Lynn Sellers. He had recently been diagnosed with the disease.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from Bruno's fans and colleagues who have admired and respected his work over the past 30 years," his wife said. "Bruno's spirit will continue to live on not only in his rich body of film and television work but also through the lives of individuals he has touched throughout his life."

Kirby was perhaps best known for his roles opposite Billy Crystal in 1989's "When Harry Met Sally" and 1991's "City Slickers."

Other film credits included "Good Morning, Vietnam," "The Godfather: Part II" and "Donnie Brasco." More recently, he played Phil Rubenstein on the HBO series "Entourage."

'Ace Ventura 3' in the works

Plans to film a third installment of "Ace Ventura" will likely go forward without original pet detective Jim Carrey in the fold.

The Hollywood Reporter says movie studio Morgan Creek has hired writers Jeff Sank, Justin Heimberg and his brother Jason to pen the script to the popular comedy franchise.

Calling on Carrey to star in the film will be difficult, given that the storyline is expected to focus on the detective's son, who attempts to follow in his dad's footsteps.

The first two comedies, 1994's "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and 1995's "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" racked up over $180 million in North America and established Carrey as a superstar in Hollywood.

There is no director or cast attached as yet.

Bob & Doug brew up CBC special

Hosers Bob & Doug McKenzie are coming back for a last hurrah, co-creator Dave Thomas said Monday.

Thomas and collaborator Rick Moranis have sold the idea of a comedy special to CBC-TV, Thomas told the Sun from L.A. The one-hour show is tentatively scheduled for May of 2007. It will mark the 24th anniversary of their hoser flick Strange Brew, which still boasts a cult following.

"There will be original footage of us as the hosers," Thomas said of the special, which will also include vintage clips and fresh interviews with other Brew stars, as well as with Demi Moore, who auditioned but was rejected for a role.

As for reprising the McKenzie Brothers, "It will probably be our last time to do this, too," Thomas said. Then they'll take off, eh!

Marvel Setting Up "The Avengers" Movie?

Marvel Entertainment apparently wants to hire a well known screenwriter to pen the script for a movie based on their comic series, The Avengers.

Ain't it Cool News says the entertainment giant is in talks with Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four) to bring their Avengers to the big-screen.

The well-known comic series includes various characters from many of Marvel's other comics, including The Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Wolverine, just to name a few.

With many of the more notable characters starring in their own movies at various studios, the new film might become an opportunity for lesser known characters such as Black Panther, Quicksilver and Ant Man to grab the spotlight.

New Releases, Aug. 15: Christina Aguilera, Obie Trice, Trace Adkins And the Snakes On A Plane soundtrack

Christina Aguilera "Back to Basics"

Getting "Back to Basics" for Christina Aguilera apparently means turning back the clock and embracing vintage jazz, soul and blues styles from the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

"This is a concept album that follows a bold, set vision," Aguilera said in a statement. "The touchstones are Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. ... what I used to call my 'fun music' when I was a little girl."

Yet, it's highly unlikely that this CD will get lost among a stack of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone discs. This album will still deliver its share of dance-pop offerings--including the club track "Still Dirrty."

The set--which features an orchestra, choir, string quartet and jazz horns--was produced by Linda Perry, who was behind the boards for Aguilera's 2002 CD, "Stripped." The first single is "Ain't No Other Man," which made its debut back in June at the MTV Movie Awards. "Ain't No Other Man" is nominated for Video of the Year at MTV's Video Music Awards, which take place Aug. 31 at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

* * *
Obie Trice "Second Round's on Me"

Obie Trice, the Detroit rapper who is best known for his work with mega-star Eminem, returns with a follow-up to his gold-certified 2003 debut, "Cheers."

The record was originally set to drop in May. Given what's happened to the rapper over the last year, however, it's a bit of a miracle that the album is coming out at all. Last New Year's Eve, Trice was driving his Range Rover on the Lodge Expressway in his hometown when he was shot in the head by an unknown gunman. Out of fear of causing further injury, doctors left the bullet lodged in Trice's skull. A few months later, in April, Trice's close friend and Shady Records' labelmate Proof was shot and killed in an after-hours bar.

The first single from the album is "Cry Now," which is an ode to Eminem's rumored retirement. The set also includes the tracks "Snitch" and "Wanna Know," which have been heard, respectively, on the television shows "CSI" and "Entourage."

* * *
Trace Adkins "Dangerous Man"

The deep-voiced country crooner tries to capitalize on the success of last year's "Songs About Me," with featured the new-country anthem "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," by quickly releasing another batch of new songs. This marks the first time that Adkins has released albums in back-to-back years since 1996's "Dreamin' Out Loud" and 1997's "Big Time."

* * *
Yanni "Yanni Live – The Concert Event"

The New Age superstar releases his first concert disc since 1997's "Tribute," a blockbuster set that is currently approaching double-platinum status. The CD includes such Yanni favorites as "Keys to Imagination," "Enchantment" and "Standing in Motion." The accompanying DVD will be released in September.

* * *
Maria Muldaur "Heart of Mine: Love Songs of Bob Dylan"

Having honored the great Peggy Lee on 2003's "A Woman Alone with the Blues," Maria Muldaur now directs her attention to the equally fab Bob Dylan. The vocalist covers a variety of Dylan tracks on this set, including such relatively obscure numbers as "Golden Loom" and longtime fan favorites like "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go."

* * *
Original Soundtrack "Cheetah Girls 2"

The Cheetah Girls--a group that can be thought of as Disney Channel's version of The Spice Girls--return with another set that will surely appeal to the "High School Musical" generation. The group is led by multimedia darling Raven-Symone, who has three solo tracks on the record. The soundtrack also features Mexican vocalist Belinda Peregrin.

* * *
More new releases:
Agalloch, "Ashes Against the Grain" (The End)
Brownsville Station, "Air Special" (Wounded Bird)
George Chisholm's All Stars, "Along the Chisholm Trail" (Progressive)
The Damnwells, "Air Stereo" (Zoe)
Jonas Hellborg, "Abstract Logic" (Bardo)
Lyfe Jennings, "The Phoenix" (Sony)
Lecrae, "After the Music Stops" (Cross Movement)
Hank Mobley, "Another Workout" (Blue Note)
The Panic Channel, "(One)" (Capitol)
Roger Powell, "Air Pocket" (Wounded Bird)
Reel Big Fish, "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (CD Baby)
Carrie Rodriguez, "Seven Angels on a Bicycle" (Back Porch)
Bruce Saunders, "8x5" (Mel Bay)
Mike Stern, "Who Let the Cats Out" (Heads Up)
Diego Torres, "Andando" (Sony)
Various Artists, "50 Sublimes Chanteuses de Jazz, Vol. 2" (Body and Soul)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Snakes on a Plane: The Album" (New Line)

'Batman' Director May Take a 'Prisoner'

Christopher Nolan is the latest helmer to circle the long-gestating big-screen adaptation of "The Prisoner."

According to Variety, Universal Pictures is close to a deal to attach the "Memento" director to the classic ITV property, which will be written by Janet and David Peoples ("12 Monkeys").

Masterminded by writer-producer-star Patrick McGoohan, "The Prisoner" premiered in 1967 and ran for only 17 episodes. A political parable, it turn the story of a government agent who residents and immediately finds himself drugged, kidnapped, and plunked down on an isolated island known only as The Village. Despite his protestations that he's not a number, he's becomes Number Six. Amidst escape attempts, he's interrogated by the person he believes to be in charge, the mysterious Number Two, who was played by an assortment of different actors.

There have been regular attempts to mount a big screen "Prisoner," with "Tomb Raider" director Simon West linked to the most recent incarnation. In addition, there have been reports that erstwhile Dr. Who Christopher Eccleston would play Number Six in a "Prisoner" mini-series for England's Sky One.

The industry trade paper suggests that Universal is hoping Nolan can shoot a contemporized version of "The Prisoner" after he directs his "Batman Begins" sequel "The Dark Knight" for Warner Bros. early next year.

Nolan's latest film, "The Prestige," will open this October.

Beck Not Witholding On 'The Information'

Beck's upcoming album, "The Information," will have more tracks than any of his other releases in the last dozen years. The 15-track set will be released Oct. 3 via Interscope; it will reportedly be bundled with a DVD featuring videos for every song. One clip, "We Dance Alone," is streaming on Beck's Web site, while others have already leaked online.

As previously revealed, "The Information" was produced by Nigel Godrich, who helmed 1998's "Mutations" and 2002's "Sea Change."

Other cuts set for inclusion are the echo-laden, psychedelic "Movie Theme," the bass-heavy, "Midnite Vultures"-esque "1000 BPM," the strummy "No Complaints" and the pounding, funky "Nausea," which will also appear on the skateboarding documentary "1st & Hope." That film is due on DVD Oct. 10 via Interscope and was directed by Brian Lotti and the Malloys.

The 36-year-old songwriter is on tour in Europe through the end of the month; his lone upcoming U.S. show is Sept. 30 at the San Francisco-area edition of the Download Festival.

Here is the track list for "The Information":

"Elevator Music"
"Think I'm In Love"
"Cell Phone's Dead"
"Nausea"
"Soldier Jane"
"Strange Apparition"
"Dark Star"
"Movie Theme"
"We Dance Alone"
"No Complaints"
"1000 BPM"
"Motorcade"
"The Information"
"New Round"
"Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton"

Kate Hudson and rocker-husband separate

NEW YORK - Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson are splitting up after nearly six years of marriage, said her publicist, Brad Cafarelli. "Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson have confirmed that they are separated," Cafarelli told The Associated Press on Monday.

The couple married in 2000. They have a 2-year-old son, Ryder Russell Robinson.

Hudson, 27, is the daughter of Goldie Hawn. She was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for her role as rock groupie Penny Lane in 2000's "Almost Famous."

Her screen credits also include "You, Me and Dupree," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "The Skeleton Key."

Robinson, 39, is the lead singer of The Black Crowes.

The singer's representative, Todd Brodginski, told the AP he had "no information to report."

Stones cancel concert in northern Spain

MADRID, Spain - The Rolling Stones canceled a concert Monday in the northern city of Valladolid after Mick Jagger was ordered by his doctor to rest his voice.

Jagger developed laryngitis over the weekend, the Stones said in a statement on their Web site.

The British rockers had sold 37,000 tickets for Monday's appearance at the city's Zorilla soccer stadium, said Carmen Carnero, a spokeswoman for the show's promoter.

Their concert will likely not be rescheduled, Carnero said.

"I am very sorry to be canceling this show," Jagger, 63, said in a statement. "I always love playing in Spain, but unfortunately I have no other choice and I apologize to everyone who bought tickets for tonight."

The Stones are scheduled to play Wednesday in El Ejido, in southern Spain, as part of their "A Bigger Bang" world tour.

They were forced to postpone the start of the European leg of the tour after Keith Richards suffered a head injury in a fall from a tree while vacationing in Fiji in April.

Boy George reports for NYC trash duty

NEW YORK - With a city-issued broom in his hand, Boy George started his court-ordered community service early Monday, sweeping leaves and trash off the sidewalks of New York.

It took less than an hour for the former Culture Club frontman to get into a spat with the media.

"You think you're better than me?" he yelled. "Go home. Let me do my community service."

Boy George took to the streets of Manhattan as a Department of Sanitation worker wearing an orange vest, dark capri pants, shoes without socks, and without the wild makeup and androgynous style that made him so recognizable as the '80s icon who sang "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"

"This is supposed to be making me humble. Let me do this," he said. "I just want to do my job."

The singer, born George O'Dowd, was ordered to spend five days working for the Department of Sanitation after pleading guilty in March to falsely reporting a burglary at his lower Manhattan apartment. The officers who responded found cocaine instead.

At 7 a.m. Monday, a sport utility vehicle pulled up at a Lower East Side sanitation depot. The agency planned to issue the singer a shovel, broom, plastic bags and gloves for the job of picking up trash on the city's streets.

In June, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Anthony Ferrara issued a warrant for O'Dowd's arrest after he initially failed to complete the requirements of his plea deal. When O'Dowd appeared in court 10 days later, Ferrara called off the warrant but warned the singer he could not escape his community service commitment.

"It's up to you whether you make it an exercise in humiliation or in humility," Ferrara told O'Dowd.

O'Dowd, 45, initially envisioned a service project more in line with his status as an '80s icon.

He petitioned to spend the time helping teenagers make a public service announcement. Among his other proposals to the court: holding a fashion and makeup workshop, serving as a DJ at an HIV/ AIDS benefit or doing telephone outreach.

Boy George's manager, Jeremy Pearce, told reporters shortly after the singer arrived for his first day on the job: "He doesn't show any kind of emotion about these things. He takes it in his stride."

"He doesn't need to be humiliated," Pearce said. "He's a humble person."

"Things outside in the street were a little chaotic," said Sanitation spokesman Keith Mellis. "We'll see if there's some cleaning that can be done inside."

The sweeping later resumed in a gated Sanitation parking lot.

"This is for everyone's safety," Deputy Sanitation Chief Albert Durrell said as photographers crowded outside the gate. He said the day's work also might include mopping inside the depot.

Boy George appeared to be in good spirits during a late-morning break, waving to reporters on the other side of a chain-link fence and yelling, "How are you?" before returning to work.

Johansson & Hartnett Buy New Digs Together

Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett have made a joint real estate purchase - a $6 million loft.

Life & Style magazine report The Black Dahlia stars' romance is apparently blossoming, as they plan on moving into the high-priced apartment together, located in New York's TriBeCa district.

Hartnett's publicist has denied the news but the publication's real estate insider says Johansson was shopping for apartments in the area, while Hartnett perused floor plans with her father at a local cafe.

"They asked that we change the design," says the insider. "To include extra insulation between the bedrooms of the penthouse and the unit next door."

The couple's spacious new digs features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two balconies.

Disney confirms it will release Mel Gibson film

Walt Disney says it will continue with the distribution of Mel Gibson's film Apocalypto, refuting reports that the company would sell its distribution rights because of the director's drunken, anti-Semitic rant.

"It's not true," said Disney spokeswoman Heidi Trotta on Friday, referring to reports about a possible sale.

Apocalypto is billed as a Mayan adventure thriller told in the Yucatec dialect with subtitles. It's slated to be released this December.

Speculation has swirled in Hollywood about what Disney would do in the wake of the 50-year-old director's July 28 arrest in Malibu, where he was stopped by police after they clocked him driving at almost twice the posted speed limit.

Gibson has admitted to making anti-Semitic comments to the officers. He was charged with misdemeanour drunk driving, and having an elevated blood alcohol level and an open bottle of alcohol in his car.

A few days after Gibson apologized for his outburst, the Disney-owned network ABC said it was cancelling its contract with Gibson's production company to create a series about the Holocaust.

Asks for forgiveness

Gibson insists he is not an anti-Semite and has asked for both forgiveness and help from the Jewish community. He has also entered an alcohol rehabilitation program on an outpatient basis.

"I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words," said Gibson in a statement released four days after his arrest. "I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith."

The celebrity website that broke the story, TMZ, requested Gibson's arrest tapes be made public but Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has denied the media request for the tapes.

Baca says the tapes are being used for Gibson's court case and would only be released if they are included as evidence in a trial. It's unlikely Gibson, or his lawyers, would opt for a trial.

Gibson will be arraigned on Sept. 28.

HOW DUMB LUCK AND A DUMB NAME TURNED 'SNAKES ON A PLANE'
INTO ULTRA-SMART KITSCH

Somewhere out there, there's someone who’s not aware that “Snakes on a Plane” is coming out Friday, but we can’t imagine who that person might be. Or what accident caused him to lose use of all five senses.

Whoever he is, he doesn't watch E! - we can tell you that much.

Quite simply, no film in recent memory has been as relentlessly hyped, flogged, drooled over, plugged and written about in the weeks and months before its release. (No film that doesn't star droids, that is.)

You get the feeling that when Osama Bin Laden shows up in his next video shot in some remote Afghan cave, he'll be wearing a "Snakes" T-shirt.

And the strangest part is, New Line, the film's distributor, hardly had to lift a finger. The hype was created and endlessly circulated by fans.

The studio has benefited from a true grassroots campaign in support of a movie with a brilliantly schlocky concept - yes, it's as simple as snakes set loose on a plane - that has captured imaginations just like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Lord of the Rings."

The hype has been so overwhelming that there's almost no point in seeing the actual movie. It can only be a letdown. Which is why the studio won't screen the movie for anyone, especially critics.

But that won't stop hundreds of thousands from hitting theaters next week and plunking down cash for a ticket. "Snakes" will most likely open big. Real big.

And when it does, studio executives will scramble to make sense of how this happened. And, more importantly, how they can re-create it.

It won't be easy.

The "Snakes" phenomenon seems to be a rare collision of Internet fandom, an inspired concept and dumb luck. Calculated planning and PowerPoint presentations in an L.A. conference room had little to do with it. Still, there are lessons to be learned. And if you'd like to try it on your own, here's a blueprint for creating a "Snakes" scenario in six easy steps.

Step 1: Dream up a ridiculous title

The concept for the movie was originally created back in 1999 by producer Craig Berenson. He and his co-workers passed time over Friday cocktails by coming up with ridiculous movie plots. Berenson lobbed the "Snakes" doozy.

His co-workers groaned. Right away, Berenson knew he had something.

The idea drifted around for a few years until New Line hired action director Ronny Yu to helm. But after just a few months of preproduction, Yu left the film due to creative differences. Fortunately, he had already signed up Samuel L. Jackson to star.

"That's the only reason I took the job," Jackson told collider.com. "I read the title."

After Yu bolted, David Ellis came aboard as director. He, too, was enamored with the title.

"At first when I heard it, I thought, 'Oh, are you kidding me?'" Ellis says. "But then I read the script and realized that, being the nature of what it was about, it was perfect."

"I never heard of a movie with snakes on a plane. I had never heard of that scenario," says "Saturday Night Live" cast member Kenan Thompson, who co-stars with Jackson. "Sam Jackson was into it and so was my buddy, [actor] Flex [Alexander], so I just signed up with those cats."

"Plus," he cracks, "they wanted to pay me."

"It was something fresh," Ellis says. "I felt that it would really appeal to the audience because it combined two of people's biggest phobias: fear of flying and fear of snakes."

Step 2: Give it to the geeks

The script eventually landed with a screenwriter named Josh Friedman. The simple genius of "Snakes" floored him. So last year, on Aug. 17, Friedman posted an entry called "Snakes on a Mother----ing Plane" on his blog, singing the movie's praises.

"Holy s--t," Friedman wrote, "I'm thinking: It's a title. It's a concept. It's a poster and a log line and whatever else you need it to be. It's perfect. Perfect. It's the Everlasting Gobstopper of movie titles."

From that one post, hysteria spread quickly in cyberspace.

"I first heard about the movie back in December by reading Josh Friedman's blog," says Brian Finkelstein, a Georgetown law student who created snakesonablog.com, the go-to "Snakes" site. "You first hear the title, and you're drawn in by the fact that's it's so open. There are no metaphors. Everything you need to know about the movie is right there."

Ellis and New Line even began leaking info to the blog.

Plug the movie's title into Google today, and your search will turn up an insane array of fan sites, amateur art and elaborately produced songs and sounds. There's even a fake audio trailer created months ago by a Maryland resident named Chris Rohan, that has a Sam Jackson soundalike barking, "I want these mother----ing snakes off this mother----ing plane!"

Another die-hard produced a fan movie called "Snakes on a Home Birth," the contents of which are best left to the imagination.

"It's hard to explain," Finkelstein says of the fandom run amok. "There's something very engaging about the title. Before there was even a poster or a plot or commercials or anything, people got interested."

Step 3: Listen to the geeks

Because "Snakes" mania was reaching such a fever pitch online, the director and New Line took the unprecedented step of reading fans' posts about the movie. In some cases, they went so far as to talk to bloggers to figure out what fandom wanted in the film.

Even though the movie had wrapped, Ellis went back for five days of reshoots to take the film more in the direction he - and the fans - wanted. Scenes were made more graphic, and Jackson was allowed to let more F-bombs fly - including voicing a variation of the line that had been made famous on Rohan's fan-produced audio trailer.

"I have no ego about [listening to fans]," Ellis says. "I'm making the movie for them, not for myself. I would be stupid if I didn't listen to what they wanted to see. That way, the movie has more of chance to be successful."

Step 4: Scandals never hurt

As the film was being cast, the studio changed the title to the less salacious "Pacific Air 121." Ellis says the alteration was always meant to be temporary and simply a matter of getting people to take the movie more seriously. Agents were refusing to give their clients a script called "Snakes on a Plane."

But the change set off a firestorm on the Internet and inflamed Jackson and the other actors. "What is Pacific Air?" wonders Kenan Thompson. "That's not even a real airline."

But as the mantra goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

"In some ways, by accident, it was a really good p.r. move," Ellis says. "Whether the fans were talking good or bad, at least they were talking."

Step 5: Shun critics

Unlike other films, "Snakes" won't be previewed for journalists. After all, what's the point? It's like Jackson told Entertainment Weekly: "People either want to see this movie or they don't."

In this case, snubbing critics also seems to be a good way to build better solidarity with fans, further enforcing the idea that this is their movie.

Step 6: Lay groundwork for the sequel

"I'm not so much scared of snakes. I'm scared of spiders," Thompson says. "How about 'Spiders on a Boat'? That would be scary."

Sounds excellent. Now, pardon us while we run and register that Web site.

Ferrell wins again; 'Trade Center' 3rd

LOS ANGELES - The Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" raced ahead of the competition to remain the box office champ for a second weekend with $23 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

Last week's news of another terror plot against airliners apparently did not dampen audience appetite for Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center." The Paramount Pictures release beat expectations by earning $19 million over the weekend to place it third at the weekend box office.

The shocker of the weekend was the high-school dance film "Step Up" from The Walt Disney Co., which placed second with a box office take of $21 million.

"It stepped up out of nowhere and surprised everyone," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "It was totally unexpected."

Disney flooded the Internet and music television networks with dance videos from the film, a strategy that broadened the audience from the target female teen demographic. While 70 percent of the audience was female, about one-quarter was in the 18-24 age range, according to exit polling.

The performance of the top 12 films was up 6.35 percent from the same weekend last year, making it the fourth weekend in a row that the box office has outpaced last year's levels.

Diversity played a big role in generating attendance, analysts said.

"There is so much variety. You pick a genre and you can find a movie," Dergarabedian said.

"World Trade Center" turned in the best weekend debut ever for director Stone, whose previous controversial films such as "JFK and "Nixon" made many wonder how he would portray events in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The film has earned $26.8 million since it opened nationwide Wednesday.

News of a foiled terrorist plot allegedly targeting planes heading to the United States had prompted speculation that moviegoers might shun the film, recounting efforts to rescue two police officers caught under the rubble of the Twin Towers.

"We really don't know the answer" to whether current events affected attendance, said Jim Tharp, president of distribution at Paramount. "Word of mouth got out very quickly and impacted the weekend in a positive manner."

"World Trade Center" is the second film this year to revisit 9/11. April's "United 93" from Universal opened in far fewer theaters and brought in $11.5 million in its opening weekend.

In its third week, the independent film "Little Miss Sunshine" continued its impressive run.

The film, released by Fox Searchlight, brought in an average of $16,993 per screen in 29 cities for a total of $2.6 million over the weekend. It is set for wider release at the end of the month.

Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," $23 million.
2. "Step Up," $21 million.
3. "World Trade Center," $19 million.
4. "Barnyard," 10.1 million.
5. "Pulse," $8.5 million.
6. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," 7.2 million.
7. "Zoom," 4.6 million.
8. "The Descent," $4.6 million.
9. "Miami Vice," $4.5 million.
10. "Monster House," $3.3 million.

Mike Douglas, former TV show host, dies

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Mike Douglas, who drew on his affable personality and singing talent during 21 years as host of a syndicated television talk show, died Friday on his 81st birthday, his wife said.

He died at 5:30 a.m. at a Palm Beach Gardens hospital, Genevieve Douglas said. She wasn't sure of the cause yet, but said he was admitted Thursday.

She said he became dehydrated on the golf course a few weeks ago and had been treated on and off for that since. He lived in North Palm Beach.

"He was coming along fine, we thought. It was really a shock," she said. "We never anticipated this to happen."

The afternoon talk show, which aired from 1961 to 1982, featured Douglas' ballad and big-band singing style, other musicians, comedians, political personalities and sports figures. His interviews included seven men who were then, had been or would become president.

"People still believe 'The Mike Douglas Show' was a talk show, and I never correct them, but I don't think so," Douglas said in his 1999 memoir, "I'll be right back — memories of TV's greatest talk show."

"It was really a music show, with a whole lot of talk and laughter in between numbers."

Douglas did about 6,000 shows, most an hour and a half long, and estimated that at its peak the show was seen in about 230 cities.

He was among the "early settlers" in daytime talk shows, said Robert Thompson, a professor and director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

"Mike Douglas was an old-fashioned traditionalist, holding down the fort while the culture was changing," Thompson said. "He was always the very friendly talk show host, nice to everybody. He would lean toward his guest as if he really cared. He owned that territory."

Hosts Phil Donahue, Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin also found success about the same time. Douglas said in his book that people often confused him with Griffin, another singer of Irish heritage.

Tim Brooks, television historian and executive vice president of research for Lifetime Television Network, said Douglas was "an outgrowth on the 1950s mentality of politeness, or niceness.

"Even when America was getting kind of angry in the 1960s and 1970s, his show was sort of an oasis of politeness," Brooks said. "It got you away from some of the turmoil in life."

Actress Rosie O'Donnell, who eventually had her own talk show, said in an introduction to Douglas' book that she was influenced by his shows. She described Douglas has having "a twinkle in his eye and a kindness to his being."

Douglas was genial only most of the time. He confided in his memoir that his composure was sorely tested one week in 1972 when former Beatle John Lennon and wife, Yoko Ono, were guest hosts. One of the guest celebrities they selected was well-known anti-war activist Jerry Rubin.

"He just got on my nerves. It sounded like this guy hated the president, the Congress, everyone in business, the military, all police and just about everything America stands for," Douglas said. He recalled becoming confrontational with Rubin.

But Lennon "picked up the mantle of Kind and Gentle Host, and he did it quite well, reinterpreting Jerry's comments to take some of the sting out and adding a little humor to keep things cool," Douglas said.

Douglas fondly recalled when Tiger Woods, as a preschooler who already was drawing attention because of his golfing talent, appeared on the same show as Bob Hope, an avid golfer. "I don't know what kind of drugs they've got this kid on, but I want some," Hope quipped.

Born Michael Delaney Dowd in Chicago on Aug, 11, 1925, Douglas began his career as a teenage singer and entertainer in supper clubs and on radio programs.

He was the staff singer at radio station WKY in Oklahoma City before joining the Navy during World War II and serving on a munitions ship.

Returning home, he became a featured performer on the radio and eventual television program, "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge." Kyser gave him his stage name.

Douglas had two 1950s hit singles on the Billboard charts: "Old Lamplighter" and "Ole Buttermilk Sky." He made the popular song charts one more time in the early 1960s with his recording "The Men In My Little Girl's Life."

As the era of rock 'n' roll began to emerge in the late 1950s, his style became less marketable, so he started looking for a way to energize his career.

He briefly hosted "Hi, Ladies!", a daytime television program on WGN in Chicago. Then in 1961, Woody Fraser, a Westinghouse Group W program director who had known Douglas in Chicago, recruited him to a Group W station in Cleveland (then KYW) to host a talk and entertainment program.

The show syndicated starting in 1963 but had a limited budget, and Cleveland was not a frequent destination for well-known potential guests. The show moved to Philadelphia in 1965 and was based there for 13 years.

"The proximity to New York just made it for us," Douglas said in a 2004 interview. "We had limos going from New York to Philadelphia. That made it easier to get some of the guests who were in New York, and they happily came."

The show moved to Los Angeles in 1978.

Three years later, Group W replaced Douglas with a younger popular singer, John Davidson. "The Mike Douglas Show" continued in syndication under Douglas' control until he retired in 1982 to North Palm Beach. Douglas appeared as a guest on several talk shows but spent much of his leisure time on the golf course.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 1990, but after surgery he was cancer free.

New 007 shaken up by fan backlash

NEW YORK (AP) - Daniel Craig, the new James Bond, wants critics to give him a chance.

"If I went onto the Internet and started looking at what some people were saying about me - which, sadly, I have done - it would drive me insane," the British actor says in an interview in Entertainment Weekly magazine, on newsstands Friday.

"They hate me. They don't think I'm right for the role. It's as simple as that. They're passionate about it, which I understand, but I do wish they'd reserve judgment."

A group of James Bond fans have launched a website, www.craignotbond.com, to protest Craig replacing Pierce Brosnan in the 007 film franchise, and to boycott Casino Royale, slated for release Nov. 17.

The fair-haired Craig, whose screen credits include roles in Munich and Layer Cake, was tapped last October to play the secret-agent icon.

While filming Casino Royale, the 38-year-old actor was uneasy about uttering those famous words, "The name is Bond, James Bond."

"People kept asking, 'Have you done the line yet?"' Craig tells the magazine.

"But honestly, I didn't rehearse it at all. I didn't practice it in the mirror every morning or anything like that. I didn't want to even think about saying it because I didn't want it to be this weight around my neck. I just wanted to get on with it and not blow it."

Craig decided to take Bond in a new direction.

"I watched every single Bond movie three or four times, taking in everything I could about how the character had been portrayed in the past, then threw all that away once I started doing the role," Craig says.

"There's no point in making this movie unless it's different. It'd be a waste of time unless we took Bond to a place he'd never been before."

VMAs Fade to Black

Jack Black turns 37 on Aug. 28. Three days later, he gets to throw a really big party.

The star of "Nacho Libre" and "King Kong" has been tapped as host of MTV's Video Music Awards, which will air live from New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, Aug. 31. It's his first turn as host of the VMAs, though not his first hosting gig on MTV; he hosted the network's Movie Awards a few years back.

And why, MTV President Christina Norman, did you choose Mr. Black for the honor this time around?

"Jack Black is the perfect mix of comedy, rock, irreverence, and star power that will set the tone for an amazing show," Norman say. "His love of music and impeccable comic timing will rock the VMAs, NYC, and the entire world."

Jack, your thoughts? "My plan is to bring the thunder. I've got my top men working on it as we speak in my thunder laboratory. Radio City Music Hall will never be the same."

Black has several movie projects in the works, including "Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny,'" which is due in theaters in November. He also co-stars in "The Holiday," a romantic comedy with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet that's due in December.

Shakira and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are the leading nominees for the Video Music Awards. They'll each be up for seven honors, including video of the year.

Dixie Chicks make major detour -- nix Dixie

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Country-pop trio the Dixie Chicks, still feeling a backlash for criticizing President George W. Bush, have been forced to mostly abandon the American heartland and Deep South on their latest tour.

Facing lackluster ticket sales in many U.S. cities where radio stations had banned their music to protest the band's anti-Bush remarks, the Chicks' promoters have revised their tour with new stops in Australia and Canada.

Only four Southern U.S. cities remain on the newly overhauled 49-date concert itinerary posted days ago for the Chicks' "Accidents & Accusations" trek, their first major tour in three years.

Those four -- Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas and Austin, Texas -- were pushed back about two months to the end of the tour, now set for late November and early December.

Dropped from the original tour schedule released in May were 14 stops in the Southern and Midwestern regions that traditionally form the core of fan support for country music acts.

Cities stripped from the original itinerary include Indianapolis, St. Louis, Houston, Memphis, Greensboro, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida.

The band and its promoter, Concerts West/AEG Live, say the overall number of North American dates remains the same.

But there is no question the Chicks are spending a lot less time in Dixie than they did during their 2003 tour, when Southern stops accounted for nearly a third of the 57 cities they visited.

"It is skewed more north," John Meglen, president and CEO of AEG Live, said of the band's current tour. "But remember, some of the markets we just haven't put on sale yet."

Meglen said the biggest handicap for the Chicks in the so-called red states, those carried by Bush in the 2004 presidential election, has been fallout from the band's political comments.

Lead singer Natalie Maines sparked an uproar in March 2003 when she declared during a London concert that the band was "ashamed" to come from the same state -- Texas -- as Bush.

She later said she was sorry for "disrespecting the office of the president" but fanned flames anew when she retracted her apology in a Time magazine interview this year, saying: "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

Many country radio stations reacted by refusing to play the Chicks' music, "and some of those stations wouldn't even accept our money to run advertising" for their tour, Meglen said.

Meglen suggested that the lack of on-air promotion in various markets had more to do with sluggish ticket sales than with declining support from individual fans.

"I don't know if it's a question that the fans aren't buying the tickets. It might be that those fans don't even know the show is in town," he said.

Meglen pointed to Nielsen SoundScan figures showing that sales of the group's chart-topping latest album, "Taking the Long Way," were relatively even across the United States. The album has sold a total of 1.5 million copies domestically since its release in May.

And Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert industry magazine Pollstar, said it is not uncommon for a band to adjust its tour schedule as it goes on.

"They're not necessarily going to every place they originally intended to go, but they've added other cities," he said. "They're going where they think their fans are."

Bryan Adams tops car song poll

MONTREAL (CP) - As the summer road trip season continues, Bryan Adams' classic Summer of '69 has topped the list of Canadians' favourite driving songs, everywhere but in Ontario, suggests a new poll.

The mid-1980s tune topped the list of seven suggested songs among men and women, according to a Decima Research survey of 1,000 Canadians. The song was more popular in Quebec at 36 per cent, compared with a national average of 27 per cent.

The other songs in order of preference were:

2). Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen;

3). Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf;

4). It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It) - The Rolling Stones;

5). Drive My Car - The Beatles;

6). Free Fallin' - Tom Petty;

7). Radar Love - Golden Earring.

Ontario was the only province not to pick the Adams tune as its favourite. Residents there preferred Bohemian Rhapsody.

British Columbians were divided between the song by Adams, a former Vancouver resident, and the Stones classic.

The order of preference of the seven songs was slightly different in each of the three provinces.

Adams said he appreciated topping the poll, especially in Quebec.

"I've always thought Quebecers had extremely good taste," he said in an e-mail.

Montreal radio DJ Claudine Prevost pinned the Adams song's popularity on its chorus and the memories it sparks among listeners.

"It's a good song because it's one that everyone knows," the CKOI-FM personality said Tuesday as the poll results were made public.

"Each summer, it's a song that people request."

The 29-year-old said she loves the song even though she is too young to have any memories of her own about that summer 37 years ago.

The seven songs were selected by music journalists. No French selections were included because they wouldn't be known across the country.

Danielle Martineau of Montreal said she prefers Bohemian Rhapsody but has great memories, nevertheless, of the summer when she was a freedom-loving teenager.

"In '69, I was 19," said Martineau, a Revenu-Quebec employee who attended the release of the results. "It was a great time in those years."

The poll was conducted July 12-19 as part of a national telephone survey paid for by various corporations. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The survey also found that two-thirds of Canadian drivers admitted to singing in the car.

Female singers outnumbered males 73 per cent to 58 per cent.

Ontario residents were the most likely to sing in the car, while Quebecers were the least likely. Almost half of Quebecers said they never sing in the car.

More than half of respondents across Canada said they preferred to sing along with songs on the radio, while 34 per cent selected songs on their CD, MP3 or cassette players.

B.C. drivers claimed they were most likely to get caught singing by other motorists. Some 64 per cent said they were spotted, compared with the national average of 50 per cent.

But Alberta drivers were the most confident, with 82 per cent saying they would continue to sing when spotted by other drivers.

Sarah McLachlan to release her first holiday album

Singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan will celebrate Christmas with the release of her first holiday album, "Wintersong," due in stores Oct. 17.

The 12-song collection features the Canadian folk-pop singer's unique spin on holiday classics, with a few unusual choices thrown in, including a cover of John Lennon's "Merry Xmas (War is Over)" and Joni Mitchell's "River," which includes the line "It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees..."

The album features several standards, including "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," as well as a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's 1975 "Song For a Winter's Night."

Several guests make appearances on the disc, including Diana Krall on piano for "Christmas Time is Here," from the 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon, and fellow Canadian Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies, who plays bass throughout the album.

On the Lennon cover, McLachlan is backed by a Vancouver children's choir from a school the singer personally funds and oversees through her Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program.

"As a kid," McLachlan said in a press release, "music saved my life; having that one thing that I knew I was good at made all the difference. It feels so good to be able to see their lives impacted. There's hardly any joy comparable."

"Wintersong" is McLachlan's first studio album since 2003's double-platinum "Afterglow," which received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Springsteen readies expanded 'Seeger Sessions'

A revamped version of Bruce Springsteen's recent tribute to folk artist Pete Seeger will hit stores on Oct. 3, according to Columbia Records.

Dubbed "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition," the updated collection--which contains a CD, DVD and 28-page booklet--will feature five additional songs, exclusive live footage, music videos and previously unseen photos.

The CD's five new cuts include Springsteen's take on the Great Depression-era song "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live."

"This song was written by Blind Alfred Reed and recorded a month after the crash of '29 that heralded the Great Depression," Springsteen said in a statement. "I first heard it on Ry Cooder's self-titled debut album (1970). To his arrangement we owe a debt. I kept the 'doctor' first verse by Reed then wrote three others with a mind to the great trials the people of New Orleans have faced this year."

Rounding out the five additional tracks on the forthcoming set are "Bring 'Em Home," which Seeger penned during the Vietnam War, and to which Springsteen added several new verses; "American Land," a song Seeger wrote after reading "He Lies in the American Land," a poem by a Slovakian immigrant steelworker; and "Buffalo Gals" and "How Can I Keep from Singing," both of which first turned up on the DVD side of the previously released DualDisc version of "We Shall Overcome."

Fans who already own a copy of "The Seeger Sessions" won't have to buy the "American Land Edition" to obtain the new songs, as each cut will also be sold individually via Apple's iTunes Music Store.

The "American Land Edition" DVD will include behind-the-scenes footage of Springsteen with the Seeger Sessions Band recording "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions"; music videos of "American Land" and "Pay Me My Money Down" by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny; concert footage of Springsteen with the Seeger Sessions Band performing "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" (from Los Angeles, CA, June 5, 2006) and "Bring 'Em Home" (from Concord, CA, June 6, 2006); rare photos of Springsteen taken by Danny Clinch; and additional lyrics and liner notes written by music scholar Dave Marsh.

Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band, who in late June wrapped up a US tour behind "The Seeger Sessions," will launch a European tour in early October.

In April, The Las Vegas Sun reported that guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt of Springsteen's E Street Band, during a phone interview with Las Vegas radio station KKLZ-FM, said Springsteen and The E Street Band plan to tour next year.

Mann Gets In The Holiday Spirit For New Album

Aimee Mann was filled with holiday spirit when she entered the studio in May.

"You'd be surprised -- it didn't take any time to into the Christmas vibe. Before it got really hot, it was just so nice to be in the mood, without the pressures of buying presents and stuff," Mann tells Billboard.com.

The result, the seasonal album "One More Drifter in the Snow," will arrive on quite another holiday, Halloween, through her own label Super Ego. Backed by keyboardist Patrick Warren, percussionist Jay Bellerose and guitarist Duke Levine, Mann aimed to keep the arrangements and song selections fairly classic, taking cues from her favorite Christmas album, Johnny Mathis' "Merry Christmas."

"The more I thought about it, the more excited I got," she says. "I could do without 'Silent Night' and whatever, and I'm not a fan of the groovy modern Christmas records. We decided to go the Mel Torme, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, lounge-y, sort of Julie London record, and I knew right away that I wanted at least half of the songs to be the standard great Christmas classics."

Those include "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." Mann was even able to wrangle Grant-Lee Phillips in to narrate "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

Another focal point was the Vince Guiraldi Trio's soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The holiday, for many people, is a mixed bag, she says, and Mann hoped to capture the mellow and sometimes sad mood of the season, much like the animated movie did.

"If you really think of it, that movie has a lot of dark and mysterious undertones. First, Charlie Brown is depressed by the commercialism of Christmas and then there's Linus, who steps out to tell the story of the nativity, with this heartbreakingly moral stance," she says. "We wanted our take to be all that -- mysterious, quiet, moody. And classy."

Mann and producer Paul Bryan wrote the original "Calling on Mary" for the set, while Mann's husband, Michael Penn, penned "Christmastime."

The 45-year-old songwriter was keen on releasing the holiday set, as she's taken a leave from songwriting for the time being. Her last effort, the conceptual "The Forgotten Arm," was released in 2005. "The last record was so specific and took a lot out of me. I've been playing live a lot, too, which has kept me busy," she explains. "It was an emotionally exhausting time for me as well and I like playing out now so much more."

Mann is currently assembling a touring group to support "One More Drifter" for a string of Christmastime dates. She also has slated a number of solo acoustic dates through the end of September, beginning Aug. 26 at Los Angeles' Royce Hall as part of the Book Eaters benefit series.

Here is the track list for "One More Drifter in the Snow":

"Whatever Happened to Christmas"
"Christmas Song"
"Christmastime"
"I'll Be Home for Christmas"
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"
"Winter Wonderland"
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
"White Christmas"
"Calling on Mary"

Emmys Burstyn with Controversy

Judi Dench won an Oscar for appearing in no more than 10 minutes' worth of Shakespeare in Love. But for sheer efficiency, nobody beats Ellen Burstyn--up for an Emmy for no more than 15 seconds in HBO's Mrs. Harris.

While Dench's nomination, if not the win, stirred some debate, Burstyn's has stirred something more. A Broadcasting & Cable blog called the Burstyn nod "the least deserving nomination from any awards group. Ever."

"It's an outrage," said Emmy expert Tom O'Neil, a columnist for TheEnvelope.com.

The black eye comes as the Emmys is defending new voting procedures that some blamed for defending Drama Series champ Lost being shut out of this year's race, among other arguable slights.

"I believe the Emmy nominations really represent the best works that were submitted...for last season," Television Academy chairman and CEO Dick Askin told TV reporters last month.

In light of the Burstyn nod, which flew under the radar for about three weeks before a message-board user on O'Neil's awards-show blog pointed out the time issue, does Askin still think the nominations represent "the best works?"

TV Academy spokeswoman Pam Golum said the nomination, "based on the popular vote," is considered "a legitimate nomination." She did not elaborate beyond the statement, which further noted that "a minimum requirement of participation for eligibility" could be considered for next year if those who vote on the acting awards (actors, directors and casting directors) want such a rule considered.

As the Burstyn nomination suggests, the Emmys currently does not restrict who can or cannot be nominated based on screen time. Neither does the Academy Awards.

Burstyn, a one-time Oscar winner, captured her third career Emmy nomination for Mrs. Harris, a docudrama about the infamous 1980 slaying of diet-guru Dr. Herman Tarnower at the hands of his lover, Jean Harris. (Burstyn's second career Emmy nomination, by the way, was for The People vs. Jean Harris, a 1981 docudrama biopic about the same case.)

In the movie, Burstyn appears, ever-so briefly, as an unnamed "Tarnower Former 'Steady.'" (In the earlier Harris movie, she played Jean Harris.) She speaks with a European accent, smokes a cigarette, and gets off a line about Tarnower being a fan of the Cleopatra soundtrack in one of two snippets lasting no more than a combined 15 seconds.

"I'm sure this sets a new record for brevity--it must," O'Neil said of the resulting nomination.

Burstyn does not distinguish the stopwatch-performance by crying, yelling or raising her voice. She is not seen in closeup. She figures most prominently in the opening credits, where she receives third billing behind Annette Bening, as Harris, and Ben Kingsley, as Tarnower.

Bening and Kingsley both received Emmy nominations for their roles.

Burstyn's competition in the Supporting Actress, Miniseries or a Movie category includes Mrs. Harris costar Cloris Leachman, who plays Tarnower's sister, gets a closeup and appears in more than one scene.

According to the TV Academy, the five supporting actress nominees were culled from 41 submitted names. Burstyn's name was submitted not by Burstyn, but by HBO, a source said.

Starting this year, Emmy nominees in some top categories, such as Outstanding Drama and Comedy series, were selected by a committee, rather than a vote of the larger Academy membership. But, O'Neil pointed out, Emmy nominees in Burstyn's category were selected the old-fashioned way, by popular, not committee, vote.

"This is exactly what the TV Academy is trying to change," said O'Neil.

Long before the Burstyn nod became an issue, it was open season on the new Emmy rules.

ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson, who saw his network's big shows, Lost and Desperate Housewives, left out of the big races, called the Emmy nominations "odd," and called for the TV Academy to go back to the "old system."

But O'Neil argued that going back to the old system would result in more, not fewer, Burstyn-style nominations.

"Voters see a name like Ellen Burstyn on the [general] ballot, and go, 'Oh, she's cool,' " O'Neil said.

O'Neil argued that shows such as Lost didn't bag major nominations because of what he called "a catastrophic outbreak of Susan Lucci disease." Translation: Just like in the bad old days when Lucci was a perennial Daytime Emmys loser, O'Neil believes several shows and their stars submitted lousy examples of their work, thus sabotaging their chances.

Whatever happened, McPherson's network is not happy. Come Emmy night, Aug. 27, ABC will present the broadcast TV premiere of 2003's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, considered an aggressive counterprogramming move to the award show, airing on NBC.

If the Emmys didn't have enough to contend with, there's also the matter of the calendar. Because NBC is airing NFL football on Sunday nights this fall, it's moved up the Emmys, traditionally a Sunday night show, to late summer to avoid a scheduling conflict.

"It might be a little bit of a ratings challenge," Emmy host Conan O'Brien has joked of the unusual airdate. "It's late August. I think most people are on an inflatable raft."

Robin Williams enters alcohol treatment

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams has entered treatment for alcohol abuse after being sober for 20 years, his publicist said on Wednesday.

Williams, 55, "found himself drinking again" after two decades of sobriety and "has decided to take proactive measures to deal with this for his own well-being and the well-being of his family," spokeswoman Mara Buxbaum said in a statement.

"He asks that you respect his and his family's privacy during this time," she said, adding, "He looks forward to returning to work this fall to support his upcoming film releases."

Besides "The Night Listener," which opened last week and stars Williams as a radio host who becomes involved with a young listener who claims to be a child-abuse victim, the actor has three more movies set to hit theaters this year.

He plays another talk show host who runs for president in the upcoming film "Man of the Year," due out in October, supplies the voice of a penguin in the polar cartoon "Happy Feet," set for November, and co-stars with Ben Stiller and Owen Williams in the comedy "Night at the Museum," due in December.

Williams, who once incorporated jokes about his bouts with excessive drinking into his stand-up comedy routines, became a household name as the star of the 1970s sitcom "Mork & Mindy" and went on to a successful film career.

He received Academy Award nominations for his dramatic lead roles in "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Dead Poets Society" and "The Fisher King" and clinched the Oscar as best supporting actor in "Good Will Hunting."

Coming soon: First photos of Tom Cruise's baby?

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - One of the most elusive figures in Hollywood since the heyday of Howard Hughes may be about to make her debut.

The New York Post reported on Wednesday that Vanity Fair magazine has landed the first photos of Suri Cruise, the baby born to actor Tom Cruise and actress Katie Holmes last April 18 and who has never been seen by the public, although family friend Penelope Cruz says she is "beautiful."

The Post said the pictures were taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz and will be published this fall.

A spokeswoman for Vanity Fair had no comment and a spokesman for Leibovitz's studio said, "We know nothing about this. The studio is closed for August." A spokesman for Cruise was not immediately available for comment.

Few recent celebrity subjects have produced as much table-thumping tabloid copy as questions about the existence and well-being of baby Suri.

Suri was born after months of nonstop publicity generated by Cruise and his new lady love including an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" by the actor in which he declared his love for Holmes by jumping over a couch.

Cruise proposed to Holmes at the Eiffel Tower last year and announced the engagement at a press conference. Before the baby was born, the press was filled with stories about the Scientology method of silent birth. Both Cruise and Holmes are adherents of Scientology.

But after the baby was born, Tom and Katie, or TomKat as they are referred to, disappeared from public view, leading to a tabloid outcry as to why the child was not being seen.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt allowed photographs of their daughter, Shiloh, to be taken a mere seven days after her birth and donated the multimillion dollar fee to charity.

The weekly Star went so far as to publish a made-up composite photograph of Suri Cruise last month and Life&Style countered with a composite drawing, calling the child, "the most famous missing baby on the planet."

As the New York Times in July noted in a 1900-word article on the issue, "The drawing appeared on a poster stamped with one word:, 'Wanted."'

One serious debate in the magazine industry is just how much a photo of Suri Cruise could fetch. People Magazine was reported to have paid $4 million for photos of the Jolie-Pitt baby although the magazine's editor denied that was an accurate figure.