'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 c