Shock! "Saw" No. 4 set for release next Halloween

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Perhaps inevitably, the record-breaking box office launch of "Saw III" has inspired the film's distributor to order a fourth installment of the R-rated horror series.

According to final data issued Monday, the film earned $33.61 million during its first three days, a record for both Lionsgate and for the franchise, but off $700,000 from the three-day estimate the studio published Sunday.

"Saw III" received an overall grade of B from exit pollster CinemaScore. With a hefty per-screen average of $10,612, the film was best received by the under-25 crowd, which was divided pretty evenly male-female. "Saw III" stars Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith as serial killers. Another sequel is on tap for next Halloween.

In contrast, Focus Features' "Catch a Fire" was a huge disappointment, earning a meager $2.03 million for a 12th-place bow in the weekend's rankings.

It wasn't the only bomb. Newmarket Films' controversial mockumentary "Death of a President" earned just $281,778 from 143 screens for a per-screen average of $1,835. The indie firm had trouble booking theaters because some chains wanted nothing to do with a film that depicts the assassination of President Bush.

The best performer in the limited-release world was Paramount Vantage's "Babel," which bowed to $389,351 on seven screens for a per-screen average of $55,621. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's R-rated drama, which stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Gael Garcia Bernal, will add 13 markets next weekend before going wide November 10.

The Weinstein Co. did well with its documentary "Shut Up and Sing," about the firestorm surrounding the Dixie Chicks after lead singer Natalie Maines insulted President Bush. Opening on four screens in New York and Los Angeles, the film boasted a per-screen average of $12,526 and a total of $50,103.

Elsewhere, Warner Bros.' "The Departed" held on at No. 2 for a third weekend, with $9.85 million, taking its total to $91.1 million. The previous week's champ, Disney's "The Prestige," had a little magic in its numbers, earning $9.57 million, bringing its 10-day total to $28.78 million.

Paramount Pictures' "Flags of Our Fathers" slid in its second week in release, down one to No. 4 with $6.35 million despite a boost in its theater count; it has earned $19.92 million after 10 days.

Sony Pictures also struggled with its ninth-ranked "Marie Antoinette," which suffered from weak word-of-mouth in its second weekend. Sofia Coppola's period saga earned $2.85 million, taking its 10-day haul to $9.75 million.

Sony's literary adaptation "Running With Scissors" rounded out the top 10, jumping 18 places in its second week after earning $2.53 million. The R-rated film from writer-director Ryan Murphy added 578 runs, up from eight during its first weekend. Its per-screen average of $4,320 was below expectations. According to exit pollster CinemaScore, the film generated a C+ with audiences. Audiences were drawn to the film's subject matter primarily, with women over 25 attending the film in the greatest numbers.

Bob Barker retiring after 50 years on TV

LOS ANGELES - Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down." The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The Associated Press Tuesday.

"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."

He'll hang up his microphone after 35 years as the host of "The Price Is Right" and 50 years overall in television.

Though he has been considering retirement for "at least 10 years," Barker said he has so much fun doing the show that he hasn't been able to leave.

"I've gone on and on and on to this ancient age because I've enjoyed it," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to miss it."

Reaching dual milestones, 50 years on television and 35 with "Price," made this an "appropriate" time to retire, Barker said. Besides, hosting the daily CBS program — in which contestants chosen from the crowd "come on down" to compete for "showcases" that include trips, appliances and new cars — is "demanding physically and mentally," he said.

"I'm just reaching the age where the constant effort to be there and do the show physically is a lot for me," he said. "I might be able to do the show another year, but better (to leave) a year too soon than a year too late."

Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation, said Barker has left an enduring mark on the network, calling his contribution and loyalty "immeasurable."

"We knew this day would come, but that doesn't make it any easier," Moonves said in a statement. "Bob Barker is a daytime legend, an entertainment icon and one of the most beloved television personalities of our time."

Barker began his national television career in 1956 as the host of "Truth or Consequences." He first appeared on "Price" on Sept. 4, 1972 and has been the face of the show ever since.

A CBS prime-time special celebrating the show's longevity and Barker's five decades on TV was already under way, a network spokesman said.

To kick off his retirement, Barker said he will "sit down for maybe a couple of weeks and find out what it feels like to be bored." Then he plans to spend time working with animal-rights causes, including his own DJ&T Foundation, founded in memory of his late wife, Dorothy Jo, and mother, Matilda.

He said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."

Freemantle Media, which owns "Price," has been looking for Barker's replacement for "two or three years," Barker said. And he has some advice for whoever takes the job: learn the show's 80 games backwards and forward.

"The games have to be just like riding a bicycle," Barker said. "Then he will be relaxed enough to have fun with the audience, to get the laughs with his contestants and make the show more than just straight games, to make it a lot of fun."

As for his fans, Barker said he "doesn't have the words" to express his gratitude.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank the television viewers, because they have made it possible for me to earn a living for 50 years doing something that I thoroughly enjoy. They have invited me into their homes daily for a half a century."

But when it comes to saying his final TV goodbye, Barker said he'll do it the same way he does each day on "Price": "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."

Concertgoer throws drink at Streisand

SUNRISE, Fla. - The funny girl wasn't laughing. Barbra Streisand had a drink lobbed at her Monday after a mid-concert skit poking fun at President Bush.

Streisand's publicist, Dick Guttman, said a paper cup filled with some sort of liquid was thrown on stage but apparently did not hit Streisand during her second performance in this Fort Lauderdale suburb.

Streisand's manager, Martin Erlichman, said she shrugged off the incident and responded to the angry audience member by saying: "It's a free country and they're entitled to express their opinion."

It's at least the third time the skit, which includes a George W. Bush impersonator, has angered Streisand's audience. A heckler targeted her at the Philadelphia opening of her 20-city comeback tour, Guttman said, and Streisand made headlines with her response to a jeerer at Madison Square Garden last month.

Erlichman said Streisand, 64, believed the skit was in good fun and noted impersonator Steve Bridges, who wrote it, is a Republican.

"This skit has been so massively covered by media, it's impossible that it still could come as a surprise to any of the Bush admirers who bought tickets," Erlichman said.

Despite the controversy, Erlichman said the skit would remain a part of the tour.

"It stays in the show except for the few performances where Steve has a conflicting commitment," Erlichman said.

Streisand, an outspoken liberal, is touring the country after a 12-year absence from the stage, offering fans a repertoire of her four decades of hits.

Lights out for drama Studio 60?

By the time you read this it probably will be official. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip will be cancelled by NBC.

Getting pulled this Monday night to test low-rated rookie Friday Night Lights in the time slot was the kiss of death. The season's most hyped (and expensive) drama crashed and burned because of high expectations and low ratings, always a killer combo.

Studio 60 started out last month with some 14 million U.S. viewers but has slid to fewer than 8 million.

What went wrong? A brilliant pilot was followed by five uneven episodes. While there were flashes of style and wit, the sketch-show-within-a-show at the core of this series never for a second seemed funny. Aside from Matthew Perry, who was brilliant, not all the cast members clicked (although Steven Weber as a pissy network boss worked for me). And while critics raved about Aaron Sorkin's clever dialogue, the inner workings of a TV show was probably just not that interesting to the average viewer,

For those of you who loved it, like I did, wait for the DVD.

The news comes as another blow to CTV which has gone 0-for-this-fall. Of their four rookie dramas, one is cancelled (Smith), one is probably cancelled (Studio 60) and the other two are faltering (Justice, The Nine). Of their five new comedies, two are cancelled (Happy Hour, Twenty Good Years), one is postponed (Knights Of Prosperity) and two are bombing (30 Rock, The Class). Even worse, one of their mid-season shows, Waterfront, has been cancelled even before it premieres.

Meanwhile, three of the highest-rated new shows south of the border -- Heroes, Shark and Brothers & Sisters -- are all on Global. CHUM also has two of the U.S. Top 5: Jericho and Ugly Betty. All five have won full-season orders.

Conan goes bare-bones

Move over, Nichol Richie, Posh Spice and that skinny Olsen twin -- Conan O'Brien is going "skelevision."

Tonight's special Halloween episode of Late Night With Conan O'Brien (12:35 a.m. EST) will be performed entirely with skeletons.

It is one of those crazy ideas that usually cracks people up in a writer's room and then never sees the light of day -- except on O'Brien's up-for-anything little show.

Over the past 13 seasons, O'Brien and company have never shied away from turning Late Night inside out. They seem to do this as much to keep themselves keen as to shake up their audience. As O'Brien told me a couple of years ago when he took his show to Toronto, "From the beginning we always tried to make this show where it's not safe to turn it off."

There have been some pretty out-there examples over the years. One Late Night episode was done entirely in claymation, like an old, extended Mr. Bill cartoon from Saturday Night Live. Another was retooled as an infomercial, with O'Brien in a really loud sweater pitching the 10th anniversary DVD of the series.

Then there was the time they broadcast an entire show from one of those Circle Line ferries that rings Manhattan. During New York's 2003 blackout, they did a last-minute, 15-minute version of the show using nothing but reserve power.

Other late-night talk shows have thought outside the box in the past. Diehard Letterman fans will recall the time he broadcast an entire hour in Spanish, or the time the entire screen slowly rotated 360 degrees over the course of the hour (people who tuned in halfway through saw an upside-down Peter Ustinov). TV repair shops were flooded with calls.

After 50 years, so much of late night is the same old same old -- the desk, the band, the monologue -- that shows such as Letterman and O'Brien have to shake things up just to keep everybody honest. Torontonians will recall the week-long O'Brien orgy that hit this city early in 2004. O'Brien recently rocked Chicago with a similar road trip. Then there was that wacky, hour-long travelogue to Finland to meet look-a-like Finnish president Tarja Halonen,

REAL EPISODE

But skeletons? "This may be the finest hour of television NBC has ever produced ... with skeletons," O'Brien said in a press statement. He didn't say, "It takes guts to do a show with skeletons," so I'll say it for him.

The idea is to take an episode from last May, which featured guests Larry King, Omar Epps (House) and actress and pole-dancing workout instructor Sheila Kelley, and re-do the visuals with skeleton puppets. Toronto-born Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will also be "skeletized" with O'Brien in the opening "In The Year 2000" bit.

While no preview screener was made available to press, the stills from the show (surrounding this story) look pretty damn funny. Check out King's red suspenders on his skeleton. If anything, the CNN host looks healthier than usual.

O'Brien's skeleton, of course, is sporting a big red wig. The purple tie is a classy touch.

Will this get old in about two minutes? Taking stupid to its ridiculous conclusion has always been part of O'Brien's charm.

After 2,000-plus hours, O'Brien has to do something while he waits to take over Jay Leno's hosting duties on The Tonight Show (scheduled to occur in 2009).

"Most nights, you're looking for anything," O'Brien confided to the Sun in 2004. "Someone told me that Johnny Carson once broke into a card trick spontaneously on the air. In the commercial break, the guest said, 'Wow, that was really cool.' And Johnny said, 'When you have a job like this, you eventually use everything you've got.'"

Everything, right down to the bare bones.

Canadian cities star as themselves in new movies

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - Canadians have long been used to seeing their cities on the big screen as backdrops for Hollywood shoots here.

But with U.S. production in Canada on the wane, Canadian cities increasingly get to play themselves in homegrown theatrical dramas and comedies.

Paul Fox's "Everything's Gone Green," for example, features Vancouver as Vancouver, which sits well with local screenwriter Douglas Coupland.

"So many shoots are always going on in Vancouver. You'll see four or five in a row, and every time you die inside, as we're never Vancouver. Instead, we're Portland, Los Angeles or Seattle," Coupland says.

He recalls the Vancouver street he lives on doubling in 1999 for a location in Colorado for the thriller "Double Jeopardy," starring Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd.

"It was out of control," Coupland says of his hometown disguising itself for Hollywood's benefit. In "Everything's Gone Green," Coupland's ode to Vancouver, the screenwriter uses the city's sea-to-sky beauty and expensive property market to drive the motivation of characters.

"That helped establish what the characters do, and the embryo of the city itself -- real estate, grow-ops, pyramid schemes and the post-industrial economy -- anything where you don't make anything tangible," he explains.

At the other end of the country, Atlantic Canada is disguising itself less and less as New England. Halifax, for example, plays itself in two goofball comedies: the Ivan Reitman-produced "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie" and David Gonnella's "A Bug and a Bag of Weed," which used the city's South Center Mall and Q Billiards Hall as locations.

Erik Canuel's buddy movie "Bon Cop, Bad Cop," which in early October became the highest-grossing Canadian movie of all time, even used its Toronto and Montreal backdrops to generate laughs. That includes a murder investigation opened after a body is found draped over a highway sign on the border dividing Quebec and Ontario.

And Ross Weber's "Mount Pleasant" features a derelict, drug-ridden Vancouver neighborhood in which the journey of three separate couples from varying backgrounds intersect when a little girl is accidentally pricked by a poisoned discarded needle.

U.S. production here continues to slide as the rising Canadian dollar makes it too expensive for U.S. producers, who are turning to cheaper foreign locales or just decide to stay in Hollywood. Canadian provinces are fighting back by offering more financial incentives.

Charlize Theron Rides Ferris Wheel

Charlize Theron will star in the indie drama Ferris Wheel with Nick Stahl, AnnaSophia Robb, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Hopper and Deborra-Lee Furness.

The movie Drama an 11-year-old girl's struggle to come to terms with her mother's abandonment. Bill Maher will make his feature directing debut from a script by Zac Stanford. Shooting begins next month.

Theron will also serve as producer on the project. It was announced earlier this week that she'll star in The Battle in Seattle for director/boyfriend Stuart Townsend. She's also rumored to be in talks for Tonight, He Comes opposite Will Smith.

"Manchurian Candidate" Actor Joins "CSI"

Film actor Liev Schreiber will soon be seen as a recurring character on TV's hit crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Moviehole.net reports The Manchurian Candidate actor will take on the role of an experienced investigator, whose talent for solving cases brings him to the Las Vegas Crime Lab.

CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn says, "We first sat down with Liev earlier this summer to discuss the possibility of him appearing as a recurring character on CSI. We knew it was a long shot, he really doesn't do television.

But he was patient and I think amused, as we promised that we'd create a character for him that he couldn't refuse to play. Excitingly for us, he collaborated in this process. And we've got a wonderful, complex character as a result."

Obviously pleased with his upcoming role, Schreiber says, "After meeting the people who run CSI, it immediately becomes apparent why it has consistently been one of the top shows on television. I am a fan, how could I say no?"

New Releases, Oct. 31: The Who, Meat Loaf, Barry Manilow

The Who "Endless Wire"

It will be a very happy Halloween for The Who fans, as the classic rock act releases its first new studio album since 1982's "It's Hard."

According to a press release, the new record will include new tracks, "as well as music culled from a 29-minute operatic work, described by The Who's co-founder Pete Townshend as a mini-opera inspired by his novella 'The Boy Who Heard Music.'" All of the songs that appear on "Wire & Glass," an EP recently issued by The Who (available in the US only as an import), will turn up on the forthcoming album.

The sole remaining founding members of the group are guitarist/singer Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey. Original Who bassist John Entwistle died of a cocaine-induced heart attack in 2002. Original drummer Keith Moon died of a drug overdose in 1978.

Last month, The Who kicked off its first world tour in 20 years. The touring lineup includes drummer Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr), guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete Townshend's brother), bassist Pino Palladino and keyboardist John Bundrick.

* * *
Meat Loaf "Bat Out Of Hell III"

What better time than Halloween for Meat Loaf to release the third installment of this ghoulishly titled series? The first two efforts, 1977's "Bat Out of Hell" and 1993's "Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell," were tremendously successfully, combining to sell some 45 million copies around the globe.

"Bat Out of Hell III" features seven songs written by longtime collaborator Jim Steinman. Steinman's involvement follows the amicable resolution of a lawsuit regarding ownership of the lucrative "Bat Out of Hell" trademark.

Produced by Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Cher), "Bat Out of Hell III" features additional vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren, producer of the first "Bat Out of Hell" album, and songs by Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie) and Marti Frederiksen, a contributing Aerosmith songwriter.

During a recent teleconference, Meat Loaf said that the upcoming "Bat Out of Hell III" tour, slated to start March 1 in Florida, will be his last.

* * *
Barry Manilow "The Greatest Songs of the Sixties"

Having hit the jackpot with "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties," Manilow now jumps a decade and shoots for gold with this set.

"The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" find the crooner covering such well-known '60s chart-toppers as "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Blue Velvet," "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime."

* * *
Deftones "Saturday Night Wrist"

The Deftones return with the first release since their 2003 self-titled album. The first single from the record is "Hole in the Earth."

The band is supporting the album with a lengthy tour, which kicked off last week and is currently scheduled to last through an early December date in Washington, DC.

* * *
Phish "Colorado '88"

This three-disc live set chronicles the legendary jam band's early trip through the Rocky Mountain state, and features many songs that would go on to become staples of the group's concerts. "Colorado '88" is available exclusively through the band's website.

* * *
Other new releases:
Ayo, "Joyful" (Universal)
Behemoth, "Pandemonic Incantation" (Metal Mind)
Birdman, Lil Wayne, "Like Father, Like Son" (Cash Money)
Closterkeller, "Nero" (Metal Mind)
Sonny Curtis, "Beatle Hits Flamenco Style Guitar" (E)
Desdemona, "Version 3.0" (Metal Mind)
DJ Jazzy Jeff, "Hip Hop Forever, Vol. 3" (Rapster)
Kevin Federline, "Playing With Fire" (Reincarnate)
Flavor Flav, "Hollywood" (Draytown)
Lady Sovereign, "Public Warning" (Def Jam)
Lizard, "Spam" (Metal Mind)
Pitbull, "El Mariel" (TVT)
Theatre of Hate, "Revolution" (USD)
Various Artists, "Bayou Blues Blasters" (ACE)

R.E.M., Van Halen Headed to Hall?

R.E.M., but not the Replacements. The Stooges, but not MC5. Van Halen, but not Mötley Crüe, Billy Idol or KISS.

Nominations were announced Monday for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2007. And as happens, some eligible acts made the ballot; most didn't.

The nominees are:

- Producers Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards' funk group Chic ("Good Times");

- British Invasion band the Dave Clark Five ("Glad All Over");
"White Lines" hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash and his outfit, the Furious Five;

- College/indie-rock icons R.E.M.;

- 1960s girl-group/Phil Spector project The Ronettes ("Be My Baby");

- Punk poet Patti Smith (Horses);

- Iggy Pop's breakthrough act, the Stooges ("I Wanna Be Your Dog");

- The late soul singer/rap innovator Joe Tex ("Hold What You've Got");

- And arena-rock gods Van Halen.

Of the nine, R.E.M., The Ronettes and Van Halen are the only first-time nominees. And of the nine, only a maximum of five will end up in the Cleveland museum next year.

The inductees will be announced in January. The hall's typically jam-packed induction ceremony is scheduled for Mar. 12 in New York City.

An act becomes eligible for the Rock Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of its first single or album. On that basis, R.E.M., which hit college radio in 1981 with "Radio Free Europe," is the only band from this year's nominee crop to make the ballot in its first year of eligibility.

Artists and acts who, like R.E.M., debuted in 1981 but didn't score a Hall of Fame nomination on Monday included, per FutureRockHall.com: Billy Idol; Depeche Mode; Duran Duran; Eurythmics; Mötley Crüe; Phil Collins, the solo act (i.e., not the Genesis drummer); the Replacements; and the Stray Cats.

Veteran snubbed acts who got snubbed again included: KISS; Rush; Alice Cooper; and, much to the presumed dismay of the 258 signatories of the "Osmonds Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" online petition, the Osmonds.

Like the Osmonds' faithful, KISS' fans did their part to try to get their heroes on the ballot. In August, more than 500 members of the so-called "KISS Army" assembled outside the Rock Hall's headquarters to demand the band's induction. KISS, which released its first album in 1974, has been eligible for at least seven years.

One of this year's more curious snubees was MC5. The seminal Detroit rock band, a former nominee, was noted in the official nomination announcement as having helped shepherd the Stooges. And yet in the end, it was the Stooges that were nominated, and not MC5.

If record sales are any judge—and, frankly, they don't appear to be—then R.E.M. and Van Halen would have the inside track to the Hall. The highest-profile nominees, both groups have sold millions of albums, specializing in songs that helped score the post-boomer's life.

R.E.M., the jangly Atlanta outfit originally consisting of singer Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry, was the preeminent band of 1980s college radio. Its hits include "Losing My Religion," "Stand" and "Man on the Moon."

Van Halen, the California hard-rock band distinguished by the guitar prowess of Eddie Van Halen and the lead vocals of David Lee Roth...and then Sammy Hagar...and then Gary Cherone...and then Sammy Hagar again, briefly, sold 10 million copies with its 1978 self-titled debut. 1984's 1984 sold another 10 million. Its hits include: "Jump," "Panama" and "Right Now."

Singer returns for 'Superman' sequel

Bryan Singer has reportedly reached an agreement to directed the sequel to this summer's "Superman Returns."

According to Variety, Legendary Pictures is expected to co-finance the Warner Bros. production with an eye toward a summer 2009 release.

Of course, "Superman Returns Again" ("The Return of Superman Returns"? "Superman Returns Is Back"? "Superman Rereturns"?) is currently without a script or a budget, so the film hasn't officially been greenlit, a decision that won't come until later in the development process.

"Superman Returns" just limped past the $200 million domestic figure. The DC Comics franchise reboot is also approaching the $400 million figure worldwide. Legendary and Warner Bros. still insist that "Superman Returns," which starred newcomer Brandon Routh, will be profitable, though nearly everybody involved has admitted that its performance was less impressive than anticipated.

It's assumed that a "Superman Returns" sequel will have a somewhat lower budget than on the first entry, where casual and conservative estimates put the figure at around $250 million. Singer has discussed the overly expositional structure of the movie and emphasized that a sequel would be able to jump straight into the action.

Routh and several other cast members have contract options for a sequel.

Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe split

LOS ANGELES - Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, who started the year on an Oscar-winning high, are ending it on a low note: The couple have separated.

"We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate," publicist Nanci Ryder said in a statement issued Monday on behalf of the couple.

"They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time," the brief statement concluded. Ryder said she could not elaborate on the split.

Witherspoon, 30, and Phillippe, 32, have two children, 7-year-old Ava and 3-year-old Deacon. The couple, who co-starred in the 1999 movie "Cruel Intentions," married that year.

In March, Witherspoon won a best-actress Academy Award for her role as June Carter Cash in 2005's "Walk the Line." Phillippe co-starred in the best-picture winner, "Crash," and is starring in Clint Eastwood's latest film, the World War II drama "Flags of Our Fathers."

November sweeps a real turnoff

November sweeps used to be the mother of all TV deals. To goose ratings and boost advertising revenues, networks used to spend millions on all kinds of flashy new junk. You could always look forward to a CBS Hallmark literary classic starring Jane Seymour or a live execution on Fox.

Today, not so much. For one thing, the networks are broke. NBC just announced they're not going to try anymore from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. All that money they spent on Kidnapped and Studio 60, right down the drain.

Besides, viewers aren't at the mercy of network schedules anymore. You no longer have to wait for sweeps to see something cool -- you can rent, buy or download anything anytime you want. Tons of entertainment, good or bad, is always just a click away.

Networks have countered by trying to goose their own brand by stacking their CSI's, Law & Orders or House's with big name guest stars. Even NBC, which hardly has any hits any more, supersizes the so-so shows they still have. It's that old marketing strategy -- if you've got nothing, make it longer.

In Canada, there really is no November ratings sweeps period, so horrible award shows like The Geminis (Nov. 4, Global) can be thrown on a schedule without anybody caring. Still, except at CBC where it is over, everybody is trying to win every hour.

Here, in no particular order, are ten November sweeps goodies to look out for:

1. Show Me the Money (premieres Nov. 22 on ABC). Here it is folks, the future of network television: William Shatner hosting a big money game show. With the instant success of Howie Mandel's Deal Or No Deal, the rush is on to get dumb-luck game shows featuring dumb-luck Canadian hosts on the air. (Want proof? Alan Thicke is set to host The Singing Office on CBS).

Shat's show features trivia questions, showgirls holding scrolls with hidden dollar figures and TV's latest sensation, dancing. As Spock used to say, "fascinating."

2. No more Twenty Good Years. The horrible NBC sitcom starring John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor has been pulled off the air. Thank you, NBC! 30 Rock survives and has been moved to Thursday nights where it will be paired with the return of Scrubs Nov. 16. It will also be super-sized that night, so maybe they'll call it 40 Rock, or Alec Baldwin will be taller.

3. Tuesday November 7 is the night of the U.S. mid-term elections. The Daily Show (Comedy, 11 p.m., CTV 12:05 a.m.) will have a field day unless the Republicans hold Congress, in which case it will be a wake.

4. Speaking of which, The Simpsons run their annual Treehouse Of Horror post-Halloween special Sunday Nov. 5. The XVII edition ends with a shockingly direct anti-Bush, anti-war statement that I can't believe will really air (and probably won't if any of the spin dogs at Fox News find out about it).

5. On that same election night, CTV deals with no new Law & Order: SVU by slapping in The Giller Prize, the annual Canadian literary awards. Justin Trudeau hosts. As his dad used to say, "Just watch me."

6. The big Prison Break mid-season finale airs Monday, Nov. 27 (Global/Fox). Fox plans to rest this a while to give T-Bag time to grow another hand. They'll show Christmas goodies throughout December, then bring back 24 Jan. 14 and 15 in a two-night, four-hour premiere. Speaking of which...

7. Don't wait until November sweeps. Go, right now, to www.24trailer.com. You'll see how Jack Bauer's next bad day is about to unfold. When last we saw Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), he was getting the snot beat out of him on a slow boat to China. After a year-and-a-half in confinement, a bearded, Jesus-like Bauer gets swapped in a prisoner exchange. Praise the Ford! Then he gets a shave and a haircut so he can save the world again. Even Chloe gets a makeover. Cool.

8. Those guest stars? Listen for Sutherland on The Simpsons (Nov. 12). David Morse starts a stint as a cop on House Nov. 7 (John Larroquette pays a House call the week after). Jane Seymour? It's sweeps and she's still working, guesting on Fox's Justice Nov. 20.

9. Among the series premieres next month will be The O.C., returning this Thursday night at 9 p.m. on Fox. The crowd-pleasin' challenge: How to kill off the rest of the cast now that Mischa Barton is gone. Stanley Tucci headlines the new medical drama 3 lbs (CBS/CITY-TV, Nov. 14). If that sounds too heavy (I kill me), Taye Diggs stars as a cop who keeps re-living the same bad day in the Groundhog Day-like Day Break (ABC, Nov. 15). And Wendy Mesley has a new CBS series called Underdogs coming later next month.

10. The 2006 American Music Awards airs Nov. 21 on ABC. Rascal Flatts has been added to the lineup. Like I said, sweeps ain't what they used to be.

Universal raises eyebrows with "Bruno" deal

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Universal Pictures has won the intense bidding war for "Bruno," Sacha Baron Cohen's follow-up movie to "Borat."

Sources said that Universal is paying $42.5 million for the worldwide rights to the film. The price includes the production budget of the film, rumored to be in the $20 million-$25 million range. Also included is a significant profit-participation component for the film's participants, believed to be the 15% range.

The price has raised eyebrows in Hollywood because Baron Cohen's much-hyped "Borat" does not open until November 3. Despite much advance praise for "Borat," distributor Fox scaled back its Friday opening to about 800 theaters because it is concerned that the movie wasn't registering high enough in audience-awareness tracking.

With "Bruno," Baron Cohen is calling upon another of his comic alter egos, Bruno, a gay fashionista from Austria who fancies himself as "the voice of Austrian youth TV" and who sashayed from New York Fashion Week to Miami nightclubs in his previous appearance on HBO's "Da Ali G Show,"on which Baron Cohen also first introduced Borat to American audiences.

As in the case of "Borat," Jay Roach would produce with Baron Cohen. No director is on board, though it has been reported that Baron Cohen wants to shoot the movie during the summer.

Muppets gone wild

It's cold, it's cruel, but when Scorsese meets the 'Street,' the parodies flow in endless streams.

SWEEPING through the debris field that makes up today's YouTube catalog, a few emerging schools of webcamography are evident: confessional videos by teenage girls, stolen footage of Jon Stewart and Asian game shows, caught-on-camera car accidents and faux pas, adorable pet moments and rampaging, ultra-violent, foul-mouthed Muppets.

Not surprisingly, it is that final genre that is attracting the great auteurs of the Internet today. Suddenly, everywhere you look across the Internet, Kermit and Miss Piggy, Ernie and Bert are cussing each other out like gangstas, battling to the death with armored weapons and restaging the edgiest films of our time..

The Muppet remix features the likes of "The Muppet Matrix" and "Murdah Muppets." The Web and its accompanying tools of low-budget editing have granted filmmakers the power to manipulate and reframe the great characters of entertainment to their hearts' desire. But with this freedom, an arms race has also begun, sending filmmakers in a competitive frenzy to place the Snuffleupagus in ever more compromising positions.

Among the recent entries to the unauthorized oeuvre: an animated shot-for-shot restaging of "The Matrix" trailer featuring Kermit in the Keanu Reeves role; a music video of rapping Muppets With Attitudes in which the N.W.A song "F*** tha Police" is cleverly dubbed into snippets of Muppet footage; and "C for Cookie," a spoof of "V for Vendetta" in which an underground hero played by Cookie Monster fights for citizens' rights to eat snacks all day long against an oppressive Big Brother-like dictator played by Oscar the Grouch. (Elmo tries his hand at the Natalie Portman role.)

Perhaps the most circulated recent entry into the genre is "Martin Scorsese's Sesame Streets," a series of respliced scenes from the Henson flagship show overdubbed with snippets of trademark dialogue from the director of "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas" canon. Panning over a scene of "Street's" Muppet and human cast singing atop their urban stoop, to jazzy theme music, a narrator intones, "In a world so familiar, some secrets just can't stay hidden." Soon we hear Joe Pesci's voice emanating from Grover, demanding of a little girl: "I make you laugh!?! I'm here to … amuse you!?!"; Big Bird confronting Snuffleupagus, "You talkin' to me? Well, I'm the only one here, so you must be talkin' to me"; and Ernie and Bert's quiet domestic life recast as a fraught scene of betrayal and mistrust. "One neighborhood where time stands still and nothing is what it seems," the narrator deadpans. "Sometimes the most dangerous place to go is back home."

"Sesame Streets" is the work of Jim Paul and Max Stinson, two Chicago advertising executives who cut the piece for a film festival thrown by their firm and then uploaded it onto YouTube so they could share it with their friends, little realizing that it would soon be colonized by the voracious Internet audience, copied, linked to, e-mailed and reposted around the Net for an audience that now surpasses half a million viewers. In a case of how the Web's power often leaps away from its creator's intention, the pair were so unsuspecting that the video would have an audience outside their immediate circle that they didn't even put their names on it, posting simply as "mscorsese."

"We both like the Muppets," Paul said by phone. "So this was an opportunity to take these two extreme worlds and put them together."

Accustomed to working in the medium at their day jobs, the pair wanted to demonstrate how "you can take different audio and video, and take situations that actually exist and make it feel like something very different than how it was meant," Stinson said.

Starting first by writing a "Mean Streets"-esque trailer script, they sifted through DVDs of "The Best of Grover" and "Follow That Bird" to find moments that would give new meaning to the words, and vice versa. One shot, for instance, of Bert looking through the window at a sleeping Ernie is as spine-tinglingly sinister as anything in "Cape Fear." "We were looking for a moment of betrayal," Stinson said, "and suddenly we saw that shot and it just changed the way you look at it."

As the Muppet remix race builds, an almost diametrically opposed sub-genre is clogging the Internet airwaves: human re-stagings of the classic "Máh-Ná-Mah-Ná" song from "Sesame Street." At a recent count, YouTube had more than 100 non-Muppet retellings of "Máh-Ná-Mah-Ná," including a trash can "Máh-Ná-Mah-Ná," several baby "Máh-Ná-Mah-Nás" and a "Drunk 'Máh-Ná-Mah-Ná.' "

Paul and Stinson cite as their inspiration an early giant of the genre, a widely forwarded trailer parody of "The Shining" that remixed scenes from the movie with upbeat music and narration to create an incredibly convincing romantic comedy trailer. However, the genre's roots go back even further, before the dawn of the digital age, to at least 1987 when a filmmaker dubbed dialogue from "Apocalypse Now" over Winnie the Pooh cartoons and created a haunting nine-minute film, "Apocalypse Pooh Now" — which in itself has found a new life today, widely forwarded and posted on the Internet.

In a parallel universe, a portal

AS soon as MySpace and YouTube made the passage from viral upstarts to new media establishment, the hunt for the next big thing went into hyperdrive. And it took tech writers and bloggers all of about seven minutes to crown an aspirant to the Online Hottie Throne. Second Life, the online virtual-world video game — tomorrow belongs to you!

Second Life, which you will no doubt soon be seeing as the subject of magazine cover stories, business analyses and cultural critiques, is a role-playing video game in which players create alternative reality characters (avatars) for themselves. They then go about living lives in a world that allows them to create, do, build or be anything they can imagine. They can construct mansions and furnish them, recruit an army and go to war, have relationships and bizarre group sex, attend AA meetings, sit in a coffee house and complain about their real lives — all are part of the experience. There is a Second Life currency, which people earn in an allowance, augment by taking on jobs (the illicit ones being the highest paid, shockingly) and trade in the open market for actual U.S. currency (as of this writing, the exchange rate of SL's Linden dollars to U.S. dollars was 284.50 to 1).

Web die-hards complain that Second Life is merely a watered-down version of the already established virtual game World of Warcraft. To which cultural savants respond, the tiny difference of not being in a Tolkien-inspired realm of orcs and jousting is likely what will make SL, shall we say, welcoming to a broader community. Non-techies ask: Why would I want to play a game where I have to get a job? Because, you'll be told, this is more than just a game — Second Life, the prognosticators wax — is how you'll communicate, make friends and navigate your world in the future. YouTube plus MySpace times Google, more or less.

Time will tell, but the recent explosion of interest was sparked Oct. 18 when Second Life gained its millionth member. The same week the United States gained its 300 millionth citizen — but SL is growing, they will tell you, much, much faster. Already Reuters has assigned a full-time reporter to the virtual kingdom. Symposiums cannot be far behind.

Mark McKinney, Corner Gas winners at comedy awards

The television series Corner Gas and Mark McKinney were double winners at the seventh annual Canadian Comedy Awards.

The series, featuring Saskatchewan comedian Brent Butt, captured prizes for best direction and top female performer for Janet Wright.

Former Kid in the Hall McKinney grabbed best male performance on television for Slings and Arrows and shared the best scripting award for the series along with Susan Coyne and Bob Martin.

The awards were handed out Friday night in London, Ont., as part of the yearly Canadian Comedy Festival.

Mike MacDonald was honoured with the inaugural Dave Broadfoot Award for comic genius. As well, special awards were given to Don Ferguson and Roger Abbott of the Royal Canadian Air Farce for their achievements in comedy at home and abroad.

Pete Zedlacher and Laurie Elliot were named best male and female stand-up comics and Jon Dore was top newcomer.

Other winners included:

Best sketch troupe: The Second City Reloaded.
Best TV direction: The Frantics Reunion Special.
Best film direction: Donnie Mills for Chasing Aces.
Best male performer, film: Sean Cullen in Phil the Alien.
Best female performer, film: Jennifer Robertson in Twitches.
Comedic play: SARSical the Musical.
Improv troupe: Die-Nasty! Improvised Soap Opera Troupe.

'Saw III' takes $34.3M cut at box office

LOS ANGELES - Halloween came early at movie theaters as "Saw III" sliced up the competition with a $34.3 million debut, the best opening yet for the gory horror franchise. Lionsgate's "Saw III" easily took over as No. 1 at the box office, bumping off Disney's dueling-magicians saga "The Prestige," which slipped to third place with $9.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. "The Prestige" raised its 10-day total to $28.8 million.

Martin Scorsese's mob tale "The Departed" held strongly again, taking in $9.8 million to place second for the third-straight weekend. The Warner Bros. film lifted its total to $91.1 million.

Revenues for "The Departed" were down just 27 percent from the previous weekend, compared to 35 percent for "The Prestige" and 38 percent for Clint Eastwood's World War II epic "Flags of Our Fathers," which was No. 4 with $6.35 million.

Paramount's "Flags of Our Fathers," which cost $90 million to produce, has gotten off to a slow start, raising its 10-day total to $19.9 million. The acclaimed film still could follow the pattern of Eastwood's last two movies, "Mystic River" and "Million Dollar Baby," which became hits on the strength of Academy Awards buzz.

Focus Features' South African drama "Catch a Fire" premiered weakly with $2 million in 1,306 theaters, averaging $1,541, compared to $10,830 in 3,167 cinemas for "Saw III."

"Catch a Fire" stars Derek Luke and Tim Robbins in the story of a black family man driven to rebel against South Africa's apartheid system in the 1980s.

The far-flung drama "Babel," whose ensemble cast includes Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, had a huge opening in limited release, grossing $365,801 in seven theaters. The film traces the consequences of a tragedy in the desert on families in Africa, Mexico and Japan.

Distributor Paramount Vantage plans to open "Babel" nationwide on Nov. 10.

The Dixie Chicks documentary "Shut Up & Sing" debuted solidly in limited release, taking in $50,798 in four theaters. Released by the Weinstein Co., the film explores the furor after lead singer, Natalie Maines, told a London concert crowd on the eve of the Iraq war in 2003 that the music trio was ashamed President Bush was from Texas, their home state.

Hollywood remained on a box-office roll, with business up for the fifth straight weekend. The top 12 movies took in $89.1 million, up 2.4 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Saw II" opened at No. 1 with $31.7 million.

Since the low-budget "Saw" debuted with $18.3 million over the same weekend two years ago, Lionsgate has turned the franchise into an annual ritual with quickly produced sequels each Halloween.

The movies follow the diabolical schemes of psycho killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), who stages elaborate, bloody games to test the moral fiber of his victims. Lionsgate plans to have "Saw IV" in theaters over Halloween weekend next year.

"It's the biggest no-brainer of the century to put these movies out on Halloween weekend and wait for the money to roll in," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

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

1. "Saw III," $34.3 million.
2. "The Departed," $9.8 million.
3. "The Prestige," $9.6 million.
4. "Flags of Our Fathers," $6.35 million.
5. "Open Season," $6.1 million.
6. "Flicka," $5 million.
7. "Man of the Year," $4.7 million.
8. "The Grudge 2," $3.3 million.
9. "Marie Antoinette," $2.85 million.
10. "Running With Scissors," $2.55 million.

Meat Loaf unleashes "Bat" for third flight

NEW YORK (Billboard) - By his own estimation, Meat Loaf has turned down offers to appear in five movies, six episodes of the new TV hit "Heroes" and a guest-starring stint on "CSI" this year.

If he wanted, the rock veteran could be working like, well, a bat out of hell. But come to think of it ... he is anyway. The monster that Meat Loaf helped create in 1977 has been unleashed again, and it's chewing up all his time and energy -- with his full and willing cooperation.

Virgin Records releases "Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose" on October 31, adding a new chapter to the biggest and best-known album serial in rock 'n' roll history. Its two predecessors -- 1977's "Bat Out of Hell" and 1993's "Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell" -- have sold nearly 50 million copies combined, and Meat Loaf is well aware that the anticipation for the threequel is as much, if not more, about the "Bat" than it is about him.

"'Bat Out of Hell' are not Meat Loaf's records," the singer says. "'Bat Out of Hell' is bigger than me. It's bigger than any of us who are involved. Meat Loaf becomes the spoke in the wheel of an event, and it's the event that takes over."

STAGE ROOTS

The "Bat" experience started in the mid-'70s. Back then, Meat Loaf, a one-time high school football player born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, had established credits on stage ("Hair") and screen ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show"), recorded an album for Motown in 1971 with "hair" colleague Shaun "Stoney" Murphy and sang on Ted Nugent's "Free for All" album in 1976.

Meat Loaf met Jim Steinman when the singer performed in the composer's musical "More Than You Deserve." The two were part of a tour for the National Lampoon Road Show. While Steinman was working on what Meat Loaf calls "a futuristic Peter Pan story" called "Neverland," he came up with the idea for the first "Bat Out of Hell" album, enlisting his friend to sing. All melodrama and bombast -- Phil Spector meets Tod Browning -- the Todd Rundgren-produced album became a late-'70s sensation, spawning three hits ("Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth" and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light") and logging an 82-week stay on the Billboard 200.

A second "Bat" project was planned to follow immediately, but Meat Loaf suffered a psychosomatic voice loss he now chalks up to simply being unready to take the plunge again.

"I thought it was way too early," he says. "My intuition said, 'You don't want to do this. "Bat Out of Hell" is still selling this many copies a week. Why do you want to squash this? Why not let it just run its course? Come back in five years and do it.'

"If that record came out when they wanted to bring it out, I wouldn't be sitting here talking about 'Bat III."'

Instead, Steinman recorded the songs himself as 1981's "Bad for Good," which didn't come close to equaling the success of "Bat." But a dozen years later, "Bat II" hit pay dirt, winging to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and pushing Meat Loaf toward a Grammy Award for best male rock vocal performance for the chart-topping single "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)."

DIFFICULT BIRTH

"Bat III" went through a little hell before it became a reality, too. Meat Loaf and Steinman started working on it in late 2001, but the composer suffered some health setbacks, including a heart attack, forcing Meat Loaf to make the difficult decision to move forward without him.

"I told Jim I wouldn't do 'Bat II' without him, and I had no intention of doing that," Meat Loaf says, adding that "lawyers worked for over a year putting together a contract for him to do 'Bat Out of Hell III.' It was one of the best producer's contracts in the history of the record business."

Meat Loaf acknowledges that his decision to sideline Steinman -- who still composed seven of the tracks on "Bat III" -- "was absolutely selfish on my part. He had a heart attack and two strokes; his health was the main concern for me. I know the stamina that it takes to put together a 'Bat Out of Hell' record, and the intensity. I just did not believe he was healthy enough to sustain it.

"The decision not to use Steinman has taken its toll on me. It was not easy, because I am a really loyal person. But I had to make the decision that was right. I couldn't sit around and wait."

Steinman would not comment on the issue, but his manager, David Sonenberg, says that "Jim's health is excellent. That's not the reason he didn't participate in ("Bat III"). He had some meaningful health problems about four years ago, but he's been totally healthy the last couple of years. His health in no way impacted on his involvement in the 'Bat Out of Hell' project."

Sonenberg says Steinman is in the midst of working on a "Bat" theater piece, which probably will debut in England.

Meat Loaf subsequently wound up going to court earlier this year to wrest from his collaborator the "Bat" trademark, which the singer says Steinman had acquired through an attorney's "clerical error." The $50 million matter was settled out of court. Steinman received profit percentage points on the record, which Meat Loaf says is "fine. ... That kind of makes up for me not using him" to produce it.

GUITAR ARMY ENLISTED

Meat Loaf chose Desmond Child, a hitmaker with plenty of hard rock credits (Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Kiss) and a burning desire to be part of the "Bat" story.

Child -- who began recording sessions by playing Slipknot CDs to get the assembled musicians in the mood -- had plenty of help bringing "Bat III" to life. Rundgren returned to help arrange backing vocals. Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, former Marilyn Manson and current Rob Zombie guitarist John5, Steve Vai and James Michael contributed to the songwriting, while Vai, John5, Grammy-winning producer John Shanks and Queen's Brian May were part of the album's guitar army.

"I didn't just want to bring in rock players -- I wanted to go to extreme rock people," Meat Loaf says. The result, he adds, is an album that "has all the touches of the other two 'Bats,' but it's much more of a rock album."

Nevertheless, the album's first single, a duet with Marion Raven on "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," falls decidedly on the pop and even adult contemporary side of the spectrum. The song, a Steinman-penned hit for Celine Dion in 1996, originally was slated for "Bat II," and Meat Loaf is still disappointed ("I'd use a stronger adjective," he says with a laugh) that he didn't get first crack at it.

The "Bat III" campaign, however, started with the hard-rocking title track. Honing in on Meat Loaf's association with Major League Baseball -- dating back to the spoken segment on "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Hall of Fame broadcaster Phil Rizzuto -- Virgin took "The Monster Is Loose" to the league for play at ballparks during broadcasts.

Meat Loaf's appearance in the upcoming Tenacious D film "The Pick of Destiny" should also be a boost for "Bat." And on Halloween night, Pillar Entertainment will present a "Bat III" release event in more than 100 theaters across the country, which will include footage from the recording sessions and the video for "It's All Coming Back to Me Now."

Meat Loaf is planning a "Bat III" world tour that begins in March in Florida. He staged a special concert showcasing all three albums October 16 at London's Royal Albert Hall, with a "Bat on Broadway" performance slated for November 2 at New York's Palace Theater. He'll also perform the show in Toronto, Atlantic City, N.J.; Uncasville, Conn.; and Mexico City.

"I'll tell you what ties (the albums) together," Meat Loaf says. "They're all very funny. They're all tongue-in-cheek. It's all these high, tense, emotional songs that are way over the top, and that's what makes them 'Bat Out of Hell' ".

He adds, "Maybe that's what makes them so difficult to make."

CDs are dead: recording company CEO

A top recording industry executive on Friday said the music CD is dead and that recording labels must become more innovative if they hope to sell the discs in the future.

"The CD as it is right now is dead," Alain Levy, chairman and CEO of EMI Music said in his keynote address at the London Media Summit.

Levy acknowledged that the control over content that the industry once wielded by virtue of controlling the means of distribution is rapidly slipping from its grasp.

"Power is shifting everywhere from manufacturers, content providers and retailers to consumers. In this age of empowerment, the consumer is king," he said.

He noted that 60 per cent of people rip their music CDs on their computers to transfer the songs to digital music players such as Apple Computer's market-leading iPod.

Recording companies must make CDs more appealing to people by adding value that compels individuals to buy physical media, Levy said at the conference being held at the London Business School.

"We have to be much more innovative in the way we sell physical content," he urged the industry, adding that EMI is practicing what he was preaching. "By the beginning of next year, none of our content will come without any additional material."

Oscar buzz grows for Penelope Cruz in "Volver"

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Penelope Cruz calls it the hardest role she's ever played, and if early reviews and award buzz hold up, her portrayal of an abused girl's mom in "Volver" could win Cruz the first-ever Oscar for a Spanish actress.

The movie debuts in major U.S. cities on November 3, and it reunites Cruz with award-winning director Pedro Almodovar, who cast the then relatively unknown Spanish beauty in his 1997 movie "Live Flesh" and later in "All About My Mother."

In English, "Volver" translates into coming back, and Almodovar returns to exploring the lives of Spanish women -- which characterized his early films -- and to his quirky sense of humor after more dramatic fare like 2004's "Bad Education."

Despite the funny moments in "Volver," viewing sexual abuse with anything but a serious mind is hard, and getting the right mix of comedy and tragedy challenged 32-year-old Cruz.

"It's the most difficult and complex character somebody has put in my hands," she told Reuters. "I know women who have gone through things that could have destroyed them, but they kept fighting. ... My character is not a victim."

Of course, numerous movies have yet to be seen before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gives out its coveted awards in February, and Cruz faces stiff competition from the likes of Helen Mirren in "The Queen" and Kate Winslet for "Little Children," among others.

But Cruz has several factors in her favor including global star power and an increasingly strong resume that varies from box office winners like "Gothika" to art-minded "Vanilla Sky" and critically lauded Italian film "Non ti muovere," or "Don't Move," in which she played a poor, small town waitress.

SWEET REVENGE

In "Volver," Cruz portrays Raimunda, the wife of a husband whose roving eyes land on Raimunda's teenage daughter. When Raimunda discovers this, she gets revenge in a way that, ironically, puts her into business running a local cafe.

At the same time, Raimunda's sister, Sole, has begun seeing the ghost of their dead mother, and Sole's visions lead to the unraveling of a mystery that has strained family relations.

Cruz said the script was the best she ever read, and that type of comment is high praise for Almodovar, who won the screenwriting Oscar for 2002's "Talk to Her."

"He has cast me in movies, he has given me characters that had nothing to do with other parts I played and nothing to do with who I am in real life," she said. "He has a great imagination to see what actors can do before they've done it."

Because of her striking good looks, Cruz often played the sexy love interest of leading men in her early Hollywood roles. But in films like "Don't Move" and "Volver," she expanded her range to portray independent-minded women, and her contemporary beauty became as much a liability as an asset.

For "Volver," Almodovar required Cruz to wear a "false ass" so she would appear like 1950s Italian film heroines, such as Sophia Loren, with a round, curvy figure.

Critics have responded with mostly good reviews. "She is the kind of actress who depends on a strong screenplay and a good director, but I think the potential is there," said Emanuel Levy, a veteran reviewer at Emanuellevy.com.

Asked about all the Oscar talk, Cruz said she was flattered and excited but preferred not to think about it.

"I like being honest about those things and of course it would make me happy. I have no interest in pretending to be cool about it and say, 'I don't care,' because that is fake."

"Saw III" set to rip up weekend box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - For the third year in a row, the diabolical character Jigsaw is set to rule the Halloween box office with the thriller "Saw III."

The only other wide new release is "Catch a Fire," a political thriller set in South Africa. It means that last weekend's top movies, led by "The Prestige," Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," and Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," will have a chance to do significant business.

Limited-release entries include the Oscar hopeful "Babel," starring Brad Pitt, and the controversial British docudrama "Death of a President," which depicts the assassination of President Bush.

Last year, "Saw II" opened to nearly $32 million, and tracking suggests that the latest film in Lionsgate's R-rated franchise will garner an even larger opening number.

Tobin Bell is back for a third time as Jigsaw. In this chapter, the ailing serial killer uses a doctor to help keep him alive while his new apprentice puts a second victim through a game. "Saw II" director Darren Lynn Bousman filmed from a script by Leigh Whannell, who wrote all three installments. It opens in 3,167 theaters.

"Catch A Fire" stars Derek Luke ("Antwone Fisher") as a family man who joins the African National Congress after he is arrested for a terrorist act he did not commit. Tim Robbins stars as the policeman forced to hunt down Luke's character.

Focus Features' PG-13 film was directed by Phillip Noyce ("The Quiet American," "Clear and Present Danger"). It opens in 1,305 theaters.

Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers" will be watched closely after a soft $10.2 million opening last weekend. Paramount will expand the R-rated wartime drama to 2,190 theaters from 1,876.

Paramount Vantage will open Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's "Babel" on seven screens in Los Angeles and New York. The R-rated movie, also starring Cate Blanchett and Gael Garcia Bernal, follows three interweaving stories dealing with how a rifle shot in the desert sparks a chain of events.

Newmarket Films is opening "Death of a President" in 91 theaters. The faux documentary from director Gabriel Range, which debuted last month at the Toronto International Film Festival, centers on the hypothetical ramifications of the Bush's assassination. Three national movie chains refused to book the film, and advertising has been pulled from some television networks.

The Weinstein Co. will open its political documentary "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" in four theaters. The film chronicles the country trio's journey after they ignited a political firestorm when singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 that she was embarrassed that Bush came from her home state of Texas. The film, from co-directors Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck, sneaked last weekend to a sold-out audience in Lubbock, Texas.

Magnolia Pictures will open its documentary "Cocaine Cowboys" in 12 theaters. The R-rated film from director Billy Corben chronicles the Colombian cocaine barons who invaded Miami in the 1980s.

Game 4 of World Series postponed by rain

ST. LOUIS - Pitchers dominated the first three games of the World Series and the rain took over.

Game 4 was postponed Wednesday night because of rain and will be made up Thursday at 8:27 p.m. EDT, potentially sending the World Series into scheduling chaos. More showers are expected the next two days, and nobody was certain when the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals would play again.

"They're going to be dicey," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office.

Game 5 at Busch Stadium was pushed back to Friday night, which was supposed to be a day off in the Series. It doesn't look much better this weekend in Detroit, with a forecast of rain and cold.

The Cardinals lead the best-of-seven Series 2-1 after a 5-0 victory behind ace Chris Carpenter on Tuesday night. A silver tarp covered the infield all evening, players didn't come out to warm up and Game 4 never got started.

"You want to go out there and play, but you can't control the weather. It's not that big of a deal," St. Louis outfielder Preston Wilson said.

Steady showers all day led to the first World Series rainout since the 1996 opener between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees. The rain fell harder as the night progressed, and the game was called after a delay of 1 hour, 51 minutes, the first time a Series game in St. Louis has been rained out.

It also was the fourth washout of a wet postseason. The Cardinals had two games rained out in the NL championship series against the New York Mets, and Game 2 of Detroit's first-round series at Yankee Stadium also was postponed.

The postponement gives St. Louis manager Tony La Russa a chance to juggle his rotation if he wants. He could bring Jeff Weaver back on regular rest in Game 5 instead of pitching rookie Anthony Reyes again. Reyes, however, tossed eight-plus strong innings for a 7-2 victory in the opener.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland could do the same with Kenny Rogers, who beat Weaver in Game 2 on Sunday night and extended his shutout streak to 23 innings this postseason. But Leyland specifically set up his rotation to give Rogers two starts at home, and the Series doesn't shift back to Detroit until Game 6.

A sparse crowd at Busch Stadium was informed of the rainout about three minutes after Major League Baseball made the announcement. Fans covered in plastic who had hoped for the rain to stop quickly filed toward the exits.

'Scrubs' Returns as NBC Remakes Thursdays

LOS ANGELES -- Old is the new new at NBC.

Starting Nov. 30, the network will bring back the Thursday comedy block that was an NBC staple for some 20 years before this season. "Scrubs" will come off the bench to start its sixth season that night, and "30 Rock" will move over from Wednesdays to join "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office."

NBC will also air super-sized episodes of "Earl," "The Office" and "30 Rock" on Nov. 16 before launching the full new lineup at the end of the month (the Thursday in between is Thanksgiving). The change spells the end for the Thursday edition of "Deal or No Deal," and "Twenty Good Years," which had been paired with "30 Rock" on Wednesdays, appears to be done as well.

"We are excited about the prospect of two-hours of top-notch comedy on Thursday nights, which includes the return of 'Scrubs,'" NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly says. "We will stay on-brand with the best comedy block on television, which will position us for the future on the night."

The four comedies will try to keep NBC in the game on a night dominated by CBS and the newly potent ABC. "Scrubs" and "30 Rock" will have the most daunting task, airing in the 9 p.m. ET hour opposite the top two shows on TV so far this season, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS' "CSI."

The move of "30 Rock" to Thursday will also force a change to NBC's Wednesday schedule. The network plans to feature specials in the 8 p.m. hour starting Nov. 22. Neither "30 Rock" (6.9 million viewers) nor "Twenty Good Years" (6.07 million) has fared too well so far, but critics have generally been kinder to the former show, which was created by and stars "Saturday Night Live" alum Tina Fey, and it's a better fit with the other single-camera comedies in the new block.

No Joke: 'Borat' Is Make Unglorious Slash

Apparently coming to the conclusion that middle-America will not "get" Borat (official title: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan), 20th Century Fox has cut in half the number of theaters that had been booked to show it, the studio confirmed Tuesday.

Fox distribution chief Bruce Snyder told today's (Wednesday) Los Angeles Times that despite enormous pre-release publicity and marketing, the studio's research had concluded that the movie was "soft in awareness."

The Times noted that industry analysts could not recall a similar action by a studio taking place just two weeks before a film's opening.

Fox indicated that it hopes that by opening Borat in 800 theaters, the resulting word of mouth will propel it into a stronger position the following week when it will be expanded to 2,200 screens.

ABC Sets 'Lost' Return Date

"Lost" is coming back after its hiatus, and we now know when. The same can't be said for "Extreme Makeover," whose return to ABC turned out to be extremely brief.

The network has yanked the better-living-through-surgery show after just one airing last Friday, in which it pulled down fairly weak ratings. Reruns of "Grey's Anatomy," which had been airing in the timeslot, will move back there staring Friday, Nov. 3 (the Halloween special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" fills the hour this week).

ABC made a couple other scheduling moves Tuesday, setting a February return date for "Lost" -- which will then run uninterrupted through the end of the season -- and giving "Boston Legal" a one-time-only airing in its old Sunday timeslot next month.

"Lost" will return to the schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 7, almost exactly three months after its final fall episode airs Nov. 8. The scheduling strategy is an effort by ABC to avoid repeats of the heavily serialized show; it has three more episodes to go in its initial run this fall and will have 16 weeks of uninterrupted episodes when it returns.

Another serial drama, "Day Break," will take its place starting Nov. 15.

"Boston Legal," meanwhile, will get the post-"Desperate Housewives" berth -- where it began its life in 2004 -- for the first half of a two-part episode on Sunday, Nov. 26. The episode will find Alan Shore (James Spader) helping his friend Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson) argue a murder case and Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) in jeopardy. The second half of the story will air in the show's regular Tuesday timeslot on Nov. 28.

As for "Extreme Makeover," the show drew only 4.8 million viewers to its premiere Friday and an equally small 1.5 rating among adults 18-49. The "Grey's" repeats, while hardly world-beaters, have drawn about 900,000 more viewers and averaged a 1.9 in the 18-49 demographic so far this year. They've also been a better lead-in for the dramedy "Men in Trees," which fell more than a million viewers below its season average last week.

Kurt Dethrones Elvis

Elvis Presley is no longer the King of Dead Celebrities.

The pelvis-swiveling crooner was dethroned from his perch atop Forbes.com's annual roundup of top-earning deceased celebrities by the late Kurt Cobain, who made his first appearance on the list in its six years of publication.

The former Nirvana frontman, who committed suicide in 1994, earned $50 million between October 2005 and October 2006, according to the site.

Presley landed in the number two slot, with earnings of $42 million for the same time period, down from $45 million in the year before.

The earnings are based on licensing deals for the deceased celebrities' work or images. Presley has consistently been the top-earning dead star since the list's inception until this year.

Cobain's surge in wealth was due to his widow Courtney Love's sale of one-quarter of the Nirvana song catalogue to New York music publisher PrimeWave.

Coming in at third place, with $35 million was Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, followed in fourth by John Lennon with $24 million. (Lennon's fellow dead Beatle George Harrison ranked 12th with $7 million.)

Albert Einstein rounded out the top five with earnings of $20 million, thanks in large part to the licensing of Disney's hit Baby Einstein video series.

The only woman to rank in the top 13 was Marilyn Monroe. The actress, who died of an overdose in 1962, pulled in $8 million, good for ninth place.

Here's a rundown of the top 10 (the complete list is online at Forbes.com):
1. Kurt Cobain, $50 million
2. Elvis Presley, $42 million
3. Charles Schulz, $35 million
4. John Lennon, $24 million
5. Albert Einstein, $20 million
6. Andy Warhol, $19 million
7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), $10 million
8. Ray Charles, $10 million
9. Marilyn Monroe, $8 million
10. Johnny Cash, $8 million

Hacker unlocks Apple music download protection

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A hacker who as a teen cracked the encryption on DVDs has found a way to unlock the code that prevents iPod users from playing songs from download music stores other than Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes, his company said on Tuesday.

Jon Lech Johansen, a 22-year-old Norway native who lives in San Francisco, cracked Apple's FairPlay copy-protection technology, said Monique Farantzos, managing director at DoubleTwist, the company that plans to license the code to businesses.

"What he did was basically reverse-engineer FairPlay," she said. "This allows other companies to offer content for the iPod."

At the moment, Apple aims to keep music bought from its iTunes online music store only available for Apple products, while songs bought from other online stores typically do not work on iPods.

But Johansen's technology could help rivals sell competing products that play music from iTunes and offer songs for download that work on iPods as they seek to take a bite out of Apple's dominance of digital music.

ITunes commands an 88 percent share of legal song downloads in the United States, while the iPod dominates digital music player sales with more than 60 percent of the market.

Cupertino, California-based Apple, whose profits have soared in recent years on the strength of the iPod, declined to comment.

Johansen, known as DVD Jon, gained fame when at the age of 15 he wrote and distributed a program that cracked the encryption codes on DVDs. This allowed DVDs to be copied and played back on any device.

His latest feat could help companies such as Microsoft Corp., Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., which have all announced plans over the past few months for music download services combined with new devices to challenge Apple.

Major record label moves the 'demo tape' online

The days of the traditional demo tape may be numbered.

U.K. recording label EMI has set up a new, online system to accept music files and allow aspiring stars to tell if their work has been reviewed.

The London-based group's Parlophone label has adopted a new software, called A&R Tools, which was created by ex-musician turned IT consultant Nigel Rees and the software group Senica.

Parlophone is considering phasing out acceptance of demo tapes and CDs sent by mail in favour of the online system.

Prospective musicians already send MP3 files, web addresses and links to personal sites such as MySpace, where demos can be placed online.

But, until recently, recording studios had a tough time keeping track of online demos.

The new software provides a more viable system to receive and rate these recordings.

Musicians and musical groups can upload their recording and photos to the Parlophone website.

The artist and repertoire (A&R) team at the recording studio can then rate the material, group it with other work from the same artist and, if it seems promising, forward it up the hierarchy in the company.

Artists are notified when their work has been seen and reviewed.

The software system is already in use at some independent labels and Parlophone tried it out for three months this summer before deciding to run with it.

"One of our top priorities is to keep our talent-spotting process as efficient and up to date as possible," Parlophone's Nigel Coxon said in a statement.

"This new system allows us to do just that, while at the same time, helping us stay committed to giving anyone the opportunity to be heard."

In addition to Parlophone, whose artists include Paul McCartney, Radiohead and Norah Jones, EMI has other major recording labels, such as EMI Records and Virgin Records.

It has not announced plans to take online demos at these labels.

New Releases, Oct. 24: My Chemical Romance, John Legend, Paul Stanley

My Chemical Romance "The Black Parade"

These modern goth-rockers return with the follow-up to their platinum-plus-selling major label debut, 2004's "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge." The new album was produced by Rob Cavallo, best known for his work with Green Day.

In an August press conference, lead singer Gerard Way called the album "an epic, theatrical, orchestral, big record that is also a concept album. It has a very set story, but as you listen, the layers of that story peel away. What you're left with at the end is a story about mortality."

The band debuted the album's first single, "Welcome to the Black Parade," during this year's MTV Video Music Awards pre-show.

* * *
John Legend "Once Again"

The Grammy-winning vocalist/pianist returns with the follow-up to his immensely successful debut, 2004's "Get Lifted." Kanye West, who produced Legend's first album, had a hand in the new disc, as did Raphael Saadiq and Will.I.Am.

The first single from the album is "Save Room," which was inspired by an old AM radio single, "Stormy," by the Classics IV, a '60s-era Top 40 band best known for the song "Spooky." Legend will support the new album with a lengthy tour, kicking off 10/26 in Washington D.C. and currently stretching through a 12/2 date in Norfolk, VA.

It's already been a very good year for Legend. Back in February, the vocalist picked up three Grammy awards: Best R&B Album ("Get Lifted"), Best R&B Male Vocal Performance ("Ordinary People") and Best New Artist.

* * *
Paul Stanley "Live to Win"

Nearly there decades after the release of his first solo set, KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley returns to deliver his second.

While continuing to lead his popular rock band with bassist Gene Simmons, Stanley has remained pretty busy outside of KISS. His work in recent years includes a 1999 run as the lead in a Toronto production of "Phantom of the Opera." More recently, he made his debut as a painter and began exhibiting and selling original works of art last year.

Stanley is currently on the road in support of "Live to Win." The tour is scheduled to wrap up Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.

Stanley's first solo album was a 1978 eponymous effort released in conjunction with solo albums by the other three KISS members.

* * *
Hannah Montana "Hannah Montana"

Hannah Montana is the current queen--or, perhaps, princess is more accurate--of the tween market. The singer (whose real name is Miley Cyrus, daughter of country crooner Billy Ray Cyrus) has a hugely popular show on Disney. Make no mistake about it: There's a real chance that this CD soundtrack could top the charts.

* * *
Aimee Mann "One More Drifter in the Snow"

The Grammy-winning vocalist offers up a seasonal collection filled with such wintry favorites as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Winter Wonderland," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

* * *
Original Soundtrack "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas"

This expanded, two-disc soundtrack to one of the most popular holiday films of recent years features plenty of new songs as well as a 3-D cover. Adding weight to the original Danny Elfman score are such guest stars as Marilyn Manson, Fiona Apple, Fall Out Boy, She Wants Revenge and Panic! At the Disco.

* * *
Other new releases:
George Benson, Al Jarreau, "Givin' It Up" (Concord)
Eisbrecher, "Antikorper" (Dancing Ferret)
Ben Folds, "Supersunnyspeedgraphic--The LP" (Sony)
Merle Haggard, George Jones, "Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones: Kickin' Out the Footlights ... Again" (Bandit)
Koop, "Koop Islands" (K7)
Lil Boosie, "Bad Azz" (Asylum)
Moby, "Go: The Very Best of Moby" (V2)
Montgomery Gentry, "Some People Change" (Sony)
Fernando Ortega, "The Shadow of Your Wings: Hymns and Sacred Songs" (Curb)
Skid Row, "Revolutions Per Minute" (Steamhammer)
Taylor Swift, "Taylor Swift" (Big Machine)
Various artists, "Butchering the Beatles: A Headbashing Tribute" (Restless)
Andreas Vollenweider, "Midnight Clear" (Denon)
Winger, "IV" (Frontiers)
Frank Zappa, "Trance-Fusion" (Zappa)

The Hip announce '07 Cdn. dates

The Tragically Hip have announced dates for their upcoming two-month Canadian winter tour.

In an email message to fans, the group revealed they will play 19 dates in January and February on a tour that is moving from west to east.

Tickets for all shows go on sale on October 27 and October 28. A special presale for registered users at thehip.com will be able to get first crack at the best seats in the house starting tomorrow (Oct. 24).

The tour is in support of the band's latest album, "World Container."

The band are currently gearing up for the bigger tour with intimate club dates in select cities across the country.

Here are the '07 dates:

January 8th -- Save On Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, BC
January 10th -- Interior Savings Centre, Kamloops, BC
January 12th -- CN Centre, Prince George, BC
January 13th -- Canada Games Arena, Grande Prairie, AB
January 14th -- Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB
January 16th -- Enmax Centrium, Red Deer, AB
January 17th -- Enmax Centre, Lethbridge, AB
January 19th -- Brandt Centre At Ipsco Place, Regina, SK
January 20th -- Mts Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
January 22nd -- Fort Williams Gardens, Thunder Bay, ON
January 23rd -- Steelback Centre, Sault St. Marie, ON
January 25th -- Barrie Molson Centre, Barrie, ON
January 27th -- Sudbury Arena, Sudbury, ON
January 29th -- Memorial Centre, Peterborough, ON
January 31st -- General Motors Centre, Oshawa, ON
February 2nd -- Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, ON
February 5th -- John Labatt Centre, London, ON
February 6th -- Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON
February 8th -- Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON

Mellencamp Looks To Past For New Album Inspiration

John Mellencamp's new single, "Our Country," will be on his next album, but he tells Billboard.com it's hardly indicative of what the rest of the album will sound like. "It's pretty interesting," Mellencamp says of "Freedom Road," due in January via Universal Republic. "It sounds very 1966, but it sounds now. 'Our Country' is the most John Mellencamp-sounding record on it. I think people are gonna go, 'Wow!,' or they're gonna go, 'What is he trying to do?'"

Mellencamp, who wrote and produced all 14 songs on the album, says he and guitarists Mike Wanchic and Andy York have been working on "Freedom Road" for nearly a year, recording at his Belmont Mall studio in Bloomington, Ind. When he says 1966, Mellencamp means the garage rock side of things, and to get the flavor right they actually recorded in the rehearsal room of the studio, which is, in fact, a garage.

"We tore apart ... every song from 1966, 1965," Mellencamp says. "We listened to all that music, then we learned it, we listened to it, we examined it -- 'How did they do that?' We were inspired by it, we copied it, we stole it. We did everything we could from that era."

Among the songs is "Jim Crow," a duet with Joan Baez, as well as a track called "Cigarettes" that Mellencamp says Pat Boone "could sing in a second."

"Freedom Road" also brings Mellencamp back to his first recording home -- kind of. All of the labels the artist recorded for early in his career are now under the Universal Music Group umbrella, which Mellencamp signed to after a two-album stint with Columbia.

"I didn't even want a deal," says Mellencamp, who's selling "Our Country" on digital resale sites and has licensed it to Chevrolet for a truck commercial. "[Universal chairman/CEO] Doug Morris has come forward and I like Doug; he's an old school record guy. So I'm very happy to be putting this album out on Universal, but I'm dealing with ... guys who care about music and care about the artists."

Mellencamp plans to tour in support of "Freedom Road" after its release.

TV themes' swan song?

The catchy jingles that once opened favorite shows (`I'll be there for yoouu!') are going the way of the cassette tape.

NEW YORK — Don't remember much about high school biology or physics. Couldn't tell ya how to compute a calculus problem. But, for the love of Will Smith, the theme song to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" remains fresh in the mind.

Smith's catchy rap opened each episode of his hit '90s sitcom, in which he starred as a street-smart teen from Philly who moves in with wealthy relatives. A whole generation knows it by heart — that, and the "Saved by the Bell" song.

Familiar TV themes from such shows as "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Brady Bunch," "Cheers" and "Friends" conjure up memories of cozy nights, childhood bliss and a universal nostalgia for bygone days. But today, show themes are doing a fast fade as the networks crunch their programming budgets.

Are they about to join the variety hour in the TV graveyard?

"It's a rarity today," TV historian Tim Brooks said of the catchy, tuneful opening. "It's kind of like the Broadway musical producing hit songs — it just doesn't do that anymore."

Back in the day, even into the '90s, shows usually had a "main title," a 40- to 60-second opening montage that introduced the cast and was often set to music written by a composer, said Jon Burlingame, author of "TV's Biggest Hits," a history of themes. Songs summed up what a show was all about, whether spinning the tale of how a group of wacky castaways ended up on "Gilligan's Island," telling how a spunky single career woman was "going to make it after all" or describing why six touchy-feely Manhattan singles were there for each other.

But now many sitcoms and one-hour dramas are dropping that device. They dive straight into the action, sometimes flashing the show's title or logo at various points throughout an episode.

ABC's "Lost" does it. The twisty drama begins after a teaser, which touches on what happened in previous installments, and cuts to a black screen at a crucial plot point. A white "Lost" logo swirls into view. Eerie music plays. The whole thing lasts about five seconds.

"That's not a theme" nor an artistic statement, lamented Burlingame, longing for the urgency of the "Mission: Impossible" score.

Other title-flashers include ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," which threw out its 26-second theme last year, and "Desperate Housewives" and NBC's "My Name Is Earl," which both switch off between showing the full credits and the logo. New shows — ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty" and NBC's "Heroes" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" — display only the logo.

"Almost all shows have music, but it's generic, it's scene-setting, it's short," said Brooks, who estimated that fewer than 10% have "traditional" themes that set up the show.

Clearly, brevity is key. No drawn-out intro or hokey theme. Networks don't have time for that — and neither, prevailing TV thinking goes, do the country's couch potatoes.

"Producers feel, rightly or wrongly, that that interruption, if you will, is going to lose viewers," Brooks said.

"I think one of the things that has squeezed themes out is this relentless kind of move toward tightening everything, making it go right from joke to joke, from action to action, from shootout to shootout, so that you won't press the dreaded remote control."

Thanks to the elimination of commercials between the end of one show and the beginning of another, shows overlap before fickle viewers have a chance to channel-surf to another network. More commercials air within a show, making episodes shorter. Main titles and well-rounded theme songs and scores? Sorry, no time, no money.

Tara Ariano, co-founder of the blog Television Without Pity, isn't sweating it. She thinks a "full-on opening credit [and] theme song is kind of a waste, from a business perspective."

"The networks sort of assume we watch the show, so we don't need to have the premise explained to us each week.... In the era of the DVR, half the people watching the show are just fast-forwarding that anyway," she said.

Another trend, which harks back to the late '80s-early '90s fave "The Wonder Years" and the more recent "Dawson's Creek" and "Laguna Beach," is the use of music by established and new artists as both a theme in the main title and a device within the show.

"Increasingly, it's not music scored for the show, it's pop songs pasted into the show," Brooks said.

CBS' "CSI" opens with the Who's "Who Are You?" Gavin DeGraw's star rose after his radio-friendly single "I Don't Want to Be" debuted as the theme to the CW's "One Tree Hill." And the Fray was, well, just a band on the fringe until "Grey's Anatomy" and others played their songs to underscore dramatic scenes and montages.

All of this makes Jesse Frederick-Conaway, who composed the music to G-rated sitcoms such as ABC's "Full House" and "Family Matters," a little sad. There is, he thinks, "this desire to be super hip."

"Now, the music director is sort of the composer," he said. "It's a different kind of deal."

Burlingame, citing the great intros of award-winners such as NBC's "The West Wing" and HBO's "Six Feet Under," is confident the theme — lyrical, instrumental, whatever — will make a comeback. He'd rather see more original music, but he'll take licensed material if it's good.

"Some producers, I think, want to make a statement, in terms of imagery and music," he said. "It depends on who you get."

Will Smith, back in the '90s, made a hip-hop statement of his own while advising fans to "just sit right there / I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air."

But, in this fast-forward TV world, would they still listen?

'Father Knows Best' actress Wyatt dies

LOS ANGELES - Jane Wyatt, the lovely, serene actress who for six years on "Father Knows Best" was one of TV's favorite moms, has died. She was 96.

Wyatt died Friday in her sleep of natural causes at her Bel-Air home, according to publicist Meg McDonald. She experienced health problems since suffering a stroke at 85, but her mind was sharp until her death, her son Christopher Ward said.

Wyatt had a successful film career in the 1930s and '40s, notably as Ronald Colman's lover in 1937's "Lost Horizon."

But it was her years as Robert Young's TV wife, Margaret Anderson, on "Father Knows Best" that brought the actress her lasting fame.

She appeared in 207 half-hour episodes from 1954 to 1960 and won three Emmys as best actress in a dramatic series in the years 1958 to 1960. The show began as a radio sitcom in 1949; it moved to television in 1954.

"Being a family show, we all had to stick around," she once said. "Even though each show was centered on one of the five members of the family, I always had to be there to deliver such lines as `Eat your dinner, dear,' or `How did you do in school today?' We got along fine, but after the first few years, it's really difficult to have to face the same people day after day."

The Anderson children were played by Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin, and all grew up on the show. In later years critics claimed that shows like "Father Knows Best" and "Ozzie and Harriet" presented a glossy, unreal view of the American family.

In defense, Wyatt commented in 1966: "We tried to preserve the tradition that every show had something to say. The children were complicated personally, not just kids. We weren't just five Pollyannas."

"In real life my grandmother embodied the persona of Margaret Anderson," said grandson Nicholas Ward. "She was loving and giving and always gave her time to other people."

It was a tribute to the popularity of the show that after its run ended, it continued in reruns on CBS and ABC for three years in primetime, a TV rarity. The show came to an end because Young, who had also played the father in the radio version, had enough. Wyatt remarked in 1965 that she was tired, too.

"The first year was pure joy," she said. "The second year was when the problems set in. We licked them, and the third year was smooth going. Fatigue began to set in during the fourth year. We got through the fifth year because we all thought it would be the last. The sixth? Pure hell."

The role wasn't the only time in her 60 years in films and TV that Wyatt was cast as the warm, compassionate wife and mother. She even played Mr. Spock's mom in the original "Star Trek" series and the feature "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."

She got her start in films in the mid-'30s, appearing in "One More River," "Great Expectations," "We're Only Human" and "The Luckiest Girl in the World." When Frank Capra chose her to play the Shangri-la beauty in "Lost Horizon," her reputation was made. Moviegoers were entranced by the scene — chaste by today's standards — in which Colman sees her swimming nude in a mountain lake.

Never a star, Wyatt enjoyed career longevity with her reliable portrayals of genteel, understanding women. Among the notable films:

"Buckskin Frontier" (with Richard Dix), "None But the Lonely Heart" (Cary Grant), "Boomerang" (Dana Andrews), "Gentleman's Agreement" (Gregory Peck), "Pitfall" (Dick Powell), "No Minor Vices" (Dana Andrews), "Canadian Pacific" (Randolph Scott), "My Blue Heaven" (Betty Grable, Dan Dailey) and "Criminal Lawyer" (Pat O'Brien).

"Father Knows Best" enjoyed such lasting popularity in reruns and people's memories that the cast returned years later for two reunion movies. She also remained active on other projects, such as "Amityville: The Evil Escapes" in 1989, and in charity work.

When Young died in 1998, Wyatt paid tribute to him as "simply one of the finest people to grace our industry."

"Though we never socialized off the set, we were together every day for six years, and during that time he never pulled rank (and) always treated his on-screen family with the same affection and courtesy he showed his loved ones in his private life," she said.

Wyatt was born in Campgaw, N.J., into a wealthy family in 1910, according to McDonald, her publicist. Her father, an investment banker, came from an old-line New York family, as did her mother, who wrote drama reviews. They gave their daughter a genteel upbringing, with her schooling at the fashionable Miss Chapin's school and Barnard College.

She left college after two years to apprentice at the Berkshire Playhouse in Stockbridge, Mass. For two years she alternated between Berkshire and Broadway, appearing with Charles Laughton, Louis Calhern and Osgood Perkins.

While acting with Lillian Gish in "Joyous Season" in 1934, she got a contract offer from Universal Pictures. She agreed, on condition she could spend half each year in the theater.

During college, Wyatt attended a party at Hyde Park, N.Y., given by the sons of Franklin D. Roosevelt. There she met a Harvard student, Edgar Ward. In 1935 she married Ward, then a businessman, in Santa Fe, N.M.

The family will gather for a funeral mass Friday, followed by a private interment, family members said.

Wyatt is survived by sons Christopher, of Piedmont, California and Michael of Los Angeles; three grandchildren Nicholas, Andrew and Laura; and five great grandchildren.

'Friday Night Lights' Gets Monday Tryout

Drama will replace 'Studio 60' for one week

NBC will try to give its struggling drama "Friday Night Lights" an extra boost later this month by airing after the network's most successful new show.

On Monday, Oct. 30, NBC will air an original "Lights" episode at 10 p.m. ET, following "Heroes"; the episode will then repeat in the show's normal 8 p.m. Tuesday spot on Oct. 31. "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," which usually airs at 10 p.m. Mondays (and was scheduled for a repeat that night), will get a week off.

The network has also ordered several more scripts for "Friday Night Lights," which doesn't necessarily mean a life for the show beyond its original 13-episode order but certainly isn't a bad thing. A Monday airing could presumably benefit some from promotion on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast the previous night.

Through its first three airings, "Friday Night Lights" -- based on the book and movie of the same name -- has averaged only about 6.6 million viewers. It did improve some this week after falling below the 6 million mark in its second airing.

It's hardly alone among NBC's new dramas in its ratings difficulties. The past two episodes of "Studio 60" have fallen below 9 million viewers, and "Kidnapped" has been shunted to Saturdays after drawing 6.5 million viewers in three Wednesday airings.

Only "Heroes," which is averaging better than 13 million viewers and is the season's top new show among adults 18-49, has been an unqualified success for the network thus far. NBC is undoubtedly hoping some of that will rub off on "Friday Night Lights" two Mondays from now.

'Prestige' conjures $14.8M at box office

LOS ANGELES - The magic act "The Prestige" debuted as the weekend's No. 1 movie with $14.8 million, outperforming Clint Eastwood's World War II saga, which opened at No. 3 with $10.2 million.

Holding strong in second place was Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," which took in $13.7 million and raised its three-week total to $77.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Sony's horror sequel "The Grudge 2," tumbled to fifth-place with $7.7 million, lifting its 10-day total to $31.4 million.

Box-office analysts had viewed the weekend as a three-way race among well-reviewed films: Disney's "The Prestige," starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians in a blood feud; Paramount's "Flags of Our Fathers," dramatizing the Iwo Jima invasion; and the Warner Bros. mob tale "The Departed."

"I'm not surprised that we won the weekend," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney. "It's just when everybody has such quality films as `Flags' and `Prestige' and `Departed,' that's a great crowd to be running in."

"The Prestige" debuted in 2,281 theaters, 400 more than "Flags." "The Departed" is playing wider, in 3,005 cinemas.

With 70 percent of its viewers under 35, "The Prestige" drew a younger crowd that tends to turn out in bigger numbers over opening weekend. Eighty percent of the audience for "Flags" was older than 30.

"We felt the movie was going to play to the older crowd. It takes time usually for that group to show up," said Jim Tharp, head of distribution for Paramount.

Among other new movies, 20th Century Fox's family film "Flicka" tied "The Grudge 2" for No. 5 with $7.7 million. Based on the children's book "My Friend Flicka," the movie stars Alison Lohman as a teen who adopts a wild mustang.

Sony's "Marie Antoinette," with Kirsten Dunst in director Sofia Coppola's chronicle of the 18th century queen beheaded during the French Revolution, premiered at No. 8 with $5.3 million.

The 1993 animated tale " Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas" returned to theaters in a three-dimensional version and rang up a strong $3.3 million in limited release of 168 theaters.

"Running With Scissors," featuring Joseph Cross, Annette Bening and Alec Baldwin in an adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' best-seller, opened strongly with $225,000 in eight theaters.

"The Prestige" pits two big-screen superheroes against each other, "Batman Begins" star Bale vs. Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the "X-Men" flicks. The film reunited Bale with his "Batman Begins" director, Christopher Nolan.

"Flags of Our Fathers" lacked that star power, its ensemble cast led by Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach and Jesse Bradford.

Eastwood's last two movies, 2003's crime drama "Mystic River" and 2004's Academy Awards champ "Million Dollar Baby," both debuted in a handful of theaters. The debut for "Flags of Our Fathers" was in line with the first wide-release weekends for those films, $10.4 million for "Mystic River" and $12.3 million for "Million Dollar Baby."

"I don't think it was a movie that was destined to make a huge opening-weekend splash," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "`Flags' is a film that definitely has more appeal to older audiences, so I think over time, it'll do well."

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

1. "The Prestige," $14.8 million.
2. "The Departed," $13.7 million.
3. "Flags of Our Fathers," $10.2 million.
4. "Open Season," $8 million.
5 (tie). "Flicka," $7.7 million.
5 (tie). "The Grudge 2," $7.7 million.
7. "Man of the Year," $7 million.
8. "Marie Antoinette," $5.3 million.
9. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," $3.9 million.
10. "The Marine," $3.7 million.

Ford says he's fit to play Indiana Jones

ROME - Harrison Ford says he feels "fit to continue" to play Indiana Jones despite growing older. Ford, 64, said at the inaugural Rome Film Festival on Friday that he was delighted to team up again with directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for the film. Lucas co-wrote and executive produced the earlier films, which Spielberg directed.

"We did three films that stay within the same block of time. We need to move on for artistic reasons and obvious physical reasons," Ford said at a news conference. "I feel fit to continue and bring the same physical action."

"Indiana Jones 4" has been in development for over a decade, but the production has recently gained momentum. Lucas has said he and Spielberg, who would direct, are working on a script, though no details have been disclosed.

Ford played Indiana Jones in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," 1984's "Temple of Doom" and 1989's "The Last Crusade." In the last film, Jones' father was played by Sean Connery, who Ford said might also appear in the planned fourth feature.

"He's part of the emotional fabric of these films. I think there may be an opportunity, I believe that Sean is still willing and I'd be delighted if he joined us," said Ford.

Connery, who attended the Rome event last week, has said that no offer had been made.

Ford declined to provide details about a shooting schedule or film locations, adding that the directors were not yet finished with the script.

"I think it's a real opportunity to make a film as successful ... as the ones we've made before," he said.

Love Wants Her Throne Back On New Album

Courtney Love is nearly finished with her first album since 2004's "America's Sweetheart," her lone release under a much-trumpeted deal with Virgin. The artist is now signed to producer Linda Perry's Custard imprint; Perry has also been behind the boards on the as-yet-untitled new album, due sometime next year.

"Courtney is the queen of rock'n'roll to me," Perry tells Billboard. "Damn it all to hell. She is the last one." If Perry has her way, the embattled Love will regain her throne. Sober for a year-plus, Love says she's more than ready. After a string of drug and assault charges, she says it was jail or rehab. "I was backed up against a wall," she says. "I had f*ckin' nothing."

Perry and Love first worked together on "America's Sweetheart," a project Love admits was doomed for two reasons: She was high as a kite, and the label didn't understand the album. Perry finally walked out on Love at that time. "I said, 'When you want to make music, give me a call,'" Perry says.

Love called her from rehab. Perry brought her a guitar. "My hand-eye coordination was so bad, I didn't even know chords anymore," Love says. "It was like my fingers were frozen. And I wasn't allowed to make noise [in rehab]. So I'd sit there and try to quietly write and struggle. I never thought I would work again. No one is ever going to talk to me. I'm never going to get a record deal. I'm never going to get on stage again. So, I just kept writing. This is a very personal album."

The set features a sequel to Perry's Christina Aguilera hit "Beautiful" titled "Letter to God," which Perry wrote at the same time as "Beautiful." Love and Perry "Courtnified" the song, recasting it in minor chords and adding what Perry calls "Courtney swagger." Billy Corgan also lent his hand to a few tracks.

"I think we made a beautiful, vibey, magical record," Perry says. "Courtney Love's name should be right next to Bob Dylan when they say best lyricist of all time."

Love says that now that she's clean, she's looking at movie scripts and would consider doing a play in London. She also has a hardcover book of her diaries and letters coming out next month. "It's an insight into how I think. Not sure that's a good thing or not. But it's me."

Furtado to headline Grey Cup

Canadian pop diva Nelly Furtado will perform during the halftime show at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg next month, organizers of the Canadian Football League championship announced Friday.

"The Grey Cup is a national treasure and I'm thrilled to be performing," Furtado said in a statement.

Recent Canadian Idol winner, Eva Avila, a 19-year-old from Gatineau, Que., will sing the national anthem.

CFL commissioner Tom Wright called Furtado, winner of Grammy and Juno Awards, a great Canadian talent.

"The Grey Cup is a Canadian tradition and the largest single-day sporting event in the country," Wright said.

"As part of the Grey Cup entertainment experience, the CFL is proud to present Nelly Furtado in the Rogers Grey Cup Halftime Show. We’re thrilled to have one of Canada’s greatest talents entertain CFL fans everywhere on Grey Cup Sunday."

The 94th annual Grey Cup is at Canad Inns Stadium on Nov. 19 (CBC, 6 p.m.).

Furtado, who rose to fame with 2000's I'm Like a Bird from her record-breaking debut album Whoa, Nelly!, is back atop the North American music charts with hits like Promiscuous and Maneater from her third album, Loose.

The 27-year-old native of Victoria is the latest big act to perform at the Grey Cup, one of the oldest professional sports championships in North America.

Others include:

2005 in Vancouver: American hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas.
2004 in Ottawa: Tragically Hip.
2003 in Regina: Bryan Adams and Sam Roberts.
2002 in Edmonton: Country star Shania Twain.

"Fraggle" to rock big screen with Ahmet Zappa

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jim Henson's "Fraggle Rock" is coming to the big screen.

The 1980s cult hit TV show is being developed by Ahmet Zappa -- younger son of Frank Zappa -- into a full-length live-action musical fantasy starring the classic characters.

"(Zappa) recently created his own fantasy property ('Mighty McFearless'), and we had him in to talk about books and movies," said Lisa Henson, who serves as co-CEO of the Jim Henson Co. with her brother, Brian.

"During that conversation, I had an intuition that he might be a 'Fraggle Rock' fan. He jumped out of his seat when he heard our idea of making 'Fraggle Rock' into a feature-length movie."

Zappa -- a musician and TV personality who will serve as the project's executive producer -- is developing a treatment in which puppet stars Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red will travel from beneath the Rock and venture into the human world for the first time.

"The Fraggles didn't really get into the human world on the series, so we plan to make the movie more about the intersection between the Fraggles and the humans," Lisa Henson said.

Zappa is informally talking to musician friends about writing original songs for the movie. The original Henson puppets will be refurbished and updated for the film, with little expectation of computer-generated enhancements.

A release date has yet to be determined. Lisa Henson plans to hire a screenwriter and director once an initial treatment is completed.

"We're taking the movie as far as we can independently because the company has a big personal investment in how the movie turns out," she said.

"Fraggle Rock" premiered on HBO in 1983 and over five seasons garnered multiple awards and a global fan following. The show was created by Jim Henson as an international co-production and was adapted for each territory to meet the needs of its audience.

Soldiers, magicians compete at box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Clint Eastwood's World War Two heroes will vie for supremacy at the weekend box office with a pair of vindictive magicians.

Industry insiders are all over the map with their prognostications. Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers" looks like the top dog with an opening in the $15 million-$18 million range. But with Christopher Nolan's period magician movie "The Prestige" gaining momentum with adult audiences, some believe it could give "Flags" a run for its money.

In addition, Martin Scorsese's former box office champ "The Departed" is entering its third weekend with strong midweek numbers, an indication that it could remain a contender.

There also is a family choice this weekend, with "Flicka," a horse movie starring Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw and Maria Bello. Last weekend's champ, "The Grudge 2," opened with $21 million, but underwhelming grades from audiences could lead to a sharp drop in its second round.

Paramount has high hopes for "Flags," which is launching in only 1,876 theaters. With Eastwood's pedigree and its dramatization of the stories of the men who were photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima, the film is likely to play well throughout the fall. "Flags" interprets how the Pulitzer-winning photo turned those soldiers into instant heroes and how the U.S. government used it to influence public opinion of the war.

Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach and Barry Pepper star in the R-rated film. Eastwood's biggest opener was "Space Cowboys," which bowed to $18 million in 2000.

Disney's "Prestige" will open in 2,281 theaters. The film, Nolan's first since last years' "Batman Begins," stars Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as rival magicians in the early 1900s who are obsessed with their craft and try to beat each other at their game. The film has received positive early reviews. It isn't clear where its box office will top out this weekend, but it could challenge "Flags" if people opt for escapism over war.

Fox will open the PG-rated "Flicka" in 2,877 theaters. Adapted from the novel "My Friend Flicka," the family drama is directed by Michael Mayer in a departure from his most recent film, the indie "A Home at the End of the World." "Flicka" centers on a girl (Lohman) who attempts to train a wild mustang, to the dismay of her father (McGraw). Insiders are placing its gross in the $8 million-$10 million range.

Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette," her first film since 2003's "Lost in Translation," will open in just 859 theaters. With its period clothing, rock soundtrack and Kirsten Dunst in the title role, the film offers a clear alternative to the testosterone-packed top three pictures, and could prove more potent than initially anticipated.

Letterman's antics unpredictable

Have you seen Late Show With David Letterman lately? It's like Dave has taken a time machine back to the Twilight Zone. Some recent examples:

- Suddenly, in the middle of a show, Letterman is interrupted by a weatherman. "Hey everybody, is rain gonna put a damper on your morning commute? I'll have that and my five-day forecast coming up in the weather."

"Huh?" Letterman asks bandleader Paul Shaffer. "Who was that?"

Shaffer just shrugs.

- A camera shot suddenly droops to the floor. What gives, Letterman asks. "Oh, sorry," says cameraman Dave Dorsett. "It was so quiet in here I assumed the show was over."

- Letterman is interrupted with a knock. "Housekeeping!" says a hotel housekeeper pushing a cart. She gets half-way to Letterman's desk when the host asks if she could come back in an hour.

Bizarre interruptions have become the norm. A woman (costume designer Susan Hum) approaches the desk and offers "freshly baked turkey pot pie." It's cold, complains Letterman. "You make me want to puke!" she rants.

Another night, Letterman seems trapped in a satellite cross-feed between PBS commentator Charlie Rose and Bob Woodward. It is wacky, unpredictable, unsettling -- and fabulous. This was the Live and Dangerous Dave we all knew and loved 20 years ago. It is great to have him back.

"He has been on a little zany streak lately," agrees Letterman pal Regis Philbin, who spoke to The Toronto Sun on Monday. Philbin mentions that "World's Oldest Page" guy Johnny Dark who keeps interrupting the monologue.

"I kind of admire that about Dave," says Philbin of all the new risks. "It's still the most imaginative show on TV."

Even Letterman's hair has gone retro. Long the butt of his own jokes, he has raked what's left of his greying locks forward. At 59, he looks, well, 49.

What's behind the return to form? In September, Letterman signed a new contract with CBS extending his late night antics through 2010 -- a year after rival Jay Leno's planned Tonight Show exit.

That will also put Letterman's combined NBC/CBS late-night run right behind the 30-year reign of his idol, Johnny Carson.

The new energy has goosed the ratings. Letterman has seen double-digit year-to-year percent increases in total viewers and key demographics. The show now averages 4.02 million U.S. viewers a night.

After a winter and spring where Letterman often seemed listless, bored and out of gas (that free pass he gave Tom Cruise, for example), he's shaken himself out of it by shaking up his show. The approach is not entirely new; people were randomly dangling and shouting from the Ed Sullivan Theater balcony last season, for example. Contrived interruptions have always been part of the mix -- just not to this extent.

Now, besides the nightly Top 10 List, shots at George Bush (those lethal "Great Moments In Presidential Speeches"), Larry King ("Creepier In Slow Motion") and Kim Jong Il (cut to footage of fright-haired "Hello Dere" comic Marty Allen), there is an added nightly bonus of improv theatre.

Opening guests who are clearly not who they claim to be are given the same face time as Alec Baldwin, Robin Williams or Amanda Peet. A guy introduced as "the Turtle Whisperer" stuck little hats onto a box turtle before flipping out and fleeing the stage. Another phony guest, introduced as a former KGB instructor known as "The Dog Wizard," did lame tricks with a Lab. Letterman just played along.

NFL commentator John Madden is introduced, except it is clearly not John Madden, it is some guy (comedian Frank Caliendo) in a white wig pretending to be Madden. Letterman just lets him pretend, getting his Super Bowl picks.

Besides creating an unpredictable comedy environment -- one you want to check out every night in case you miss something -- Letterman is also shredding this whole obsession with celebrity. Celebrity is pointless, Letterman is saying. Be silly. Make everything up. Works for me.

Gordie Howe's comeback at 44 set for big screen

Gordie Howe's comeback at age 44 to the upstart World Hockey Association will be the subject of a new movie.

Producers Howard Baldwin and Karen Baldwin announced the project on Monday at a Los Angeles Kings game against the Detroit Red Wings, Howe's former team. Monday was also the 60th anniversary of Howe's first National Hockey League goal.

The Baldwins will produce the film alongside David E. Kelley, the producer behind television shows Ally McBeal and Boston Public. The three producers previously delved into the world of sticks and pucks with the Russell Crowe film Mystery, Alaska.

"The World Hockey Association was part of my life growing up," Kelley said in a statement released Tuesday. "Gordie Howe has always been an idol, so this project has special meaning for me."

The man known as Mr. Hockey led Detroit to four Stanley Cup championships and scored 1,071 goals during his pro career. He finished his career playing for the Hartford Whalers, which Howard Baldwin owned for 17 years. Kelley's father Jack was also GM and coach of the Whalers.

The Whalers left Hartford in 1997 and became the Carolina Hurricanes.

The WHA was the main rival of the NHL from 1972 until it merged with the league in 1979. Like the American Basketball Association did with the National Basketball Association, the WHA — co-founded by ABA promoter Gary Davidson — pitted league against league in a bidding war for the best players, which led to the general escalation of salaries for professional athletes.

Bobby Hull became the biggest name NHL player to bolt to the WHA when he joined the Winnipeg Jets in 1972 after they offered him a contract that included an unprecedented $1-million signing bonus.

The improbable arrival and success of Howe for the 1973 season in the new league is the focus of the new film.

Coming out of a two-year retirement, Howe played alongside his sons Mark and Marty in the 1973-74 season, led the Houston Aeros to the championship and was named league MVP. Howe's wife Colleen served as agent-manager for both her husband and two sons that year.

"I am really excited that this film has come to fruition," Howe said. "The thrill of playing with my two sons that first year in Houston could only be surpassed by telling the story on the big screen."

Studio 60 Producing Mommy Material

Show producers have confirmed that Amanda Peet's pregnancy will be written into the story line of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip this season.

The newlywed actress plays the very single Jordan McDeere, president of the fictional NBS network.

"I think it's a good idea," costar Matthew Perry told E! News' on the set of the NBC series. "It's always smarter to incorporate real life stuff instead of trying to hide it. It'll be fun to see Jordan pregnant."

While after five episodes there's no indication of a love interest for Peet's character (although executive producer Danny Tripp, played by Bradley Whitford, is available and oh-so eligible), this is television after all and baby-makin' chemistry can spark in a matter of minutes.

"I'm biologically capable of being a father," Whitford said. "I am in fact a father. I've done all the research that one would need to do to create a child. I'll leave it at that."

Whether anybody is around to see what develops (or gestates) is another story. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip has been a ratings disappointment for NBC so far.
The series pulled in a mere 8.7 million viewers last week, ranking it 51st in the Nielsens. (Yes, the CW would kill for that number, but this is arguably the most-hyped new show of the year we're talking about.)

Peet confirmed last month that she was expecting her first child with her then-fiancé, screenwriter David Benioff. The two have since taken the plunge, swapping vows Sept. 30 in New York.

Apple says shipped iPods carrying computer virus

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Some of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital music players shipped in the past month carry a computer virus, according to a posting on Apple's technical support Web site.

Apple said since September 12, less than 1 percent of Video iPods -- the pocket-sized devices that can play music files and video clips -- left the company's contract manufacturer carrying the virus RavMonE.exe. The virus affects computers running Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system.

"So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem. The iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free," the company said on the site.

An Apple spokesman declined to name the contract manufacturer or specify how many iPods were affected.

Apple said the virus can be detected and removed using many popular anti-virus software programs. It said that Microsoft and Apple shared the blame for shipping the virus.

"As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it," Apple said on its Web site.

Microsoft fired back in a statement, saying the virus does not appear to take advantage of a Windows vulnerability.

"We encourage all third party vendors to follow best practices and help protect their users regardless of platform through careful scanning of the software they ship, so that they do not expose their customers to unnecessary risk from malicious software," the company said.

The Couch Potato Report - October 17th, 2006

This week The Couch Potato Report shines the spotlight on Niagara Falls, a break-up, a little mermaid and a hedge.

One of the greatest things about movies is the fact that they take us places that we might not get to in our everyday lives.

Another great things about the celluloid art form is the fact that it can also just make you think that you are being taken to a different place.

For instance, the film NIAGARA MOTEL mainly focuses on a group of struggling individuals who cross paths at a low-rent motel in Niagara Falls.

But the film was shot in and around Winnipeg, a place with no natural waterfalls, let alone the world’s best known one.

So if you like to be cinematically taken away to a different place that is far away, even if it was filmed less than 6 hours from Saskatchewan, check in to NIAGARA MOTEL.

The guests of this low-rent motel on the Canadian side of the tourist haven are not your typical tourists.

There is a young couple who both have a criminal past that are attempting to get their child back, a middle class husband with no job and a rapidly disintegrating marriage, and a waitress who is being recruited to star in some low budget adult films.

Plus, there is the perpetually drunk motel manager who has some sorrow of his own, a small time hustler who is always looking for a quick buck, and an underachieving staple salesman.

NIAGARA MOTEL has comedy, drama, tragedy and lots of interesting characters. It even has a few scenes that take place in Niagara Falls.

The large and very talented cast includes Craig Ferguson from TV’s “The Late, Late Show” and “The Drew Carrey Show”, Kevin Pollak from A FEW GOOD MEN and the lovely and talented Caroline Dhavernas, from the short-lived series “Wonderfalls.”

Due to it’s dark sense of humour NIAGARA FALLS isn’t a film that I would recommend to everyone, but if you like to see places - and people - in films that you won’t see – or meet – every day, then it is a movie I think you will enjoy.

And even though I did enjoy it, I’m not sure that everyone will enjoy THE BREAK-UP, the Vince Vaughan/Jennifer Aniston movie about a couple who…break up.

You know Vaughn from WEDDING CRASHERS and SWINGERS and while Aniston has been in good movies like BRUCE ALMIGHTY and THE GOOD GIRL, she will always be known as Rachel from TV’s “Friends.”

The combined star power of these two gave the film a higher profile than it should have had because if it wasn’t promoted as such a huge film, and as Vaughn's follow-up to the uber-successful WEDDING CRASHERS, then I think it could have existed as a unique character study, with a few funny moments thrown in.

But instead, with the star power it has, THE BREAK-UP is a failed romantic comedy.

And that is because all our two main characters do is fight and fight and fight and fight and fight.

Where’s the love I ask? Where’s the love?

Vaughn is Gary and Aniston is Brooke and once they…break up, neither one is willing to give up the condo they co-own.

As they continue to fight, and that fighting grows increasingly bitter, they start to wonder if they are trying to save the relationship, or just end it.

Due to all of the aforementioned fighting, I didn’t care for the romantic part of THE BREAK-UP, but I did enjoy the comedy.

That comes courtesy of Jon Favreau, Vaughn’s buddy from SWINGERS, John Michael Higgins from A MIGHTY WIND, Justin Long from DODGEBALL, Jason Bateman of TV’s “Arrested Development” and the incredibly funny Judy Davis.

Each one of these actors bring an extra energy to the scenes they are in.

As a whole THE BREAK-UP is not an enjoyable movie, but a few of its parts do rank as some of the best of the year.

Now, as for the best of the year, well the best film I have seen so far this year, the film that entertained me that most and the one that I could recommend to anyone – young or old - who asked me “What’s out there that is worth seeing?” the best film for me thus far this year was OVER THE HEDGE.

And yes, I know it is a cartoon, but when something is this good, this funny, and this interesting to watch, I have no problems with recommending a cartoon.

Bruce Willis provides the voice for a fast-talking hustler raccoon named RJ, who has to replace the entire food supply for a bear he stole from.

RJ meets a group of animals and soon takes over from the hesitant turtle Verne as the leader of the group.

"The Larry Sanders Show"'s Gary Shandling is the turtle, Steve Carell from THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN is Hammy the squirrel and some of the other voices come from William Shatner, Allison Janney from “The West Wing”, the great Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara from SCTV and even Canadian pop princess Avril Lavigne, who does a very good job in her first film role.

OVER THE HEDGE is funny, well written, and is full of jabs at modern day society and consumerism.

If anyone – young or old - asked me “What’s out there that is worth seeing?”, the best film for me thus far this year was OVER THE HEDGE.

One of my favourite films in the year 1989 was THE LITTLE MERMAID.

The classic Disney cartoon was loosely based upon the story by Hans Christian Andersen as Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, is dissatisfied with life in the sea and longs to be with the humans above the surface.

It was fun touching and enjoyable in 1989, and it still is today!

Now, there is a tow-disc special edition of the film available with an incredible line-up of bonus features that show you how the film was made, and how it could have turned out, had they included some of the deleted scenes that are on the disc.

This animation is gorgeous, the story is timeless, and the classic songs including “Kiss the Girl” and the Academy Award winning “Under the Sea” will still have you singing along, despite yourself.

So, I guess, if anyone – young or old - asked me “What’s out there that is worth seeing?”, I would also say THE LITTLE MERMAID – TWO DISC SPECIAL EDITION, along with OVER THE HEDGE.

They are both available now on DVD along with THE BREAK-UP and the mostly-made-in-Manitoba movie NIAGARA FALLS.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

LUCID is the story of a psychotherapist, who has been having trouble sleeping ever since his wife left.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANTARCTICA is the latest release from the filmmakers who made the Oscar winning documentary MARCH OF THE PENGUINS.

And the new Platinum Edition of the 1983 classic SCARFACE takes a look back on the making of the film, and allows you to count how many bullets are fired during the movie.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

CBC sports boss Nancy Lee quits

TORONTO (CP) - CBC Sports executive director Nancy Lee is leaving the network to head up the broadcast operation for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

She has been named chief operating officer of Olympic Broadcast Services (OBS) Vancouver.

OBS is a Swiss-based agent of the International Olympic Committee responsible for delivery of broadcast feeds from the Games.

Lee has been with the CBC for nearly 20 years, working in radio news and current affairs in Toronto and Quebec City before making the move to CBC Sports in 1996. She was appointed head of the sports operation in 2000.

CBC says it will begin looking for Lee's successor immediately. David Masse has been named acting executive director of CBC Sports. He has been with CBC for 22 years.

CTV outbid CBC for the rights to the 2010 Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

New Releases, Oct. 17: The Tragically Hip, Sarah McLachlan, Vince Gill, Diddy

Tragically Hip "World Container"

Gord Downie and his Tragically Hip bandmates some credit for not being the type of band - like 54*40 - who keep making the same album over and over and over and over. They don't necessarily reinvent their CanRock wheel every time they go into the studio, but they do always give us something fresh.

The single In View may be the most obvious jumping-off point, with its bouncy beat and poppy keyboard hook offsetting Downie's high-register warble and lovey-dovey lyrics. But the 11-song disc holds several other subtle departures from the 23-year-old quintet's trademark sound.

The Lonely End of the Rink borrows some ringing reggae-rock guitars from The Police. The Kids Don't Get It goes one step further, with a skanking guitar and nimble bassline that possess vaguely Clash-like overtones. It's followed by Pretend, which cunningly recasts Kids' lyrical dialogue -- " 'If I ask you a question, are you gonna lie to me?' / 'Is that your question? 'Cause that one is easy' " -- into a pretty piano-ballad waltz. The title cut also brings out the keyboard, closing the album on an elegantly mellow mood.

* * *
Sarah McLachlan "Wintersong"

The Lilith Fair founder follows 2003's "Afterglow" with the release of her first holiday CD, "Wintersong."

The set was produced by longtime McLachlan collaborator Pierre Marchand, and the track list includes such classic seasonal offerings as "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Silent Night" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

The disc also includes one original composition, "Wintersong," and a cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."

* * *
Vince Gill "These Days"

How much Vince Gill can fans handle? The country superstar will find out when he releases the massive "These Days"--a 4-CD set of 43 new original tunes.

Gill is accompanied on this hugely ambitious endeavor by a suitably large cast of guest stars, including Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Rodney Crowell, Phil Everly, The Del McCoury Band and Emmylou Harris.

* * *
Diddy "Press Play"

Sean "Diddy" Combs calls in his favors on this album, which features a regular "Who's Who" of the hip-hop and R&B world.

"Press Play" includes performances by such all-stars as Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole and Fergie.

* * *
JoJo "The High Road"

Teen star JoJo, who released her self-titled debut at the tender age of 12, is back with her sophomore effort, "The High Road." Her first record went platinum on the strength of the singles "Leave (Get Out)" and "Baby It's You."

The 15-year-old crooner, who also starred in the films "Aquamarine" and "RV," already has another hit on her hands with the new album's first single, "Too Little Too Late."

* * *
Dierks Bentley "Long Trip Alone"

Having mined platinum with his previous two outings, 2003's self-titled debut and 2005's "Modern Day Drifter," the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee returns with the highly anticipated "Long Trip Alone."

Produced by Brett Beavers, the album features two bona fide hits, "Every Mile a Memory" and "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do." Bentley is supporting the new disc on his Locked and Loaded Tour, which is currently scheduled to last through early December.

* * *
Aerosmith "Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith"

The classic rockers deliver yet another greatest hits package, "Devil's Got a New Disguise." The main selling point of this set, at least for those who already own copies of the band's other best-of collections, is the inclusion of two new songs, "Sedonna Sunrise" and the title track.

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Other new releases:
Badly Drawn Boy, "Born in the U.K." (Astralwerks)
Bananarama, "The Twelve Inches of" (Warner)
Cradle of Filth, "Thornography" (Roadrunner)
Glenn Danzig, "Black Aria II" (Megaforce)
Arielle Dombasle, "C'est Si Bon" (Red Ink)
Jeremy Enigk, "World Waits" (Reincarnate)
Renee Fleming, "Homage: The Age of the Diva" (Decca)
Free, "Live at the BBC" (Universal)
Goldfrapp, "We are Glitter" (Mute)
George Jones, "God's Country: George Jones & Friends" (Category 5)
Lonestar, "Mountains" (BNA)
Shiny Toy Guns, "We are Pilots" (Universal)
Ruben Studdard, "The Return" (J)
Various Artists, "She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbra Mandrell" (BNA)

Soundtracks and scores:
"Mamma Mia! 5th Anniversary Edition" (Decca)

Beatles Reveal Track List For 'Love' Soundtrack

The track list has been revealed for the soundtrack to the Cirque Du Soleil/Beatles show "Love," due Nov. 1 via Apple Corps Ltd/Capitol. The 26-track disc, housed on a DVD-Audio/DVD-Video hybrid, will also be the legendary group's first album available in 5.1 Dolby Digital stereo.

As previously reported, the music for the album and stage extravaganza was assembled by Beatles producer George Martin and his son, Giles, from the Beatles' original master tapes.

In addition to the album cuts that were previewed to media last May, including "Lady Madonna," "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and "Within You Without You/"Tomorrow Never Knows," the set also contains a mash-up of "Drive My Car," "The Word" and "What You're Doing" and a blend of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" with "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Helter Skelter."

"George and Giles did such a great job combining these tracks," says Ringo Starr. "It's really powerful for me and I even heard things I'd forgotten we'd recorded." Paul McCartney adds, "This album puts the Beatles back together again, because suddenly there's John and George with me and Ringo. It's kind of magical."

Here is the track list for "Love":

"Because"
"Get Back"
"Glass Onion"
"Eleanor Rigby"
"Julia (Transition)"
"I Am the Walrus"
"I Want To Hold Your Hand"
"Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing"
"Gnik Nus"
"Something"
"Blue Jay Way (Transition)"
"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!/I Want You (She's So Heavy)/Helter Skelter"
"Help!"
"Blackbird/Yesterday"
"Strawberry Fields Forever"
"Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows"
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"
"Octopus's Garden"
"Lady Madonna"
"Here Comes the Sun"
"The Inner Light (Transition)"
"Come Together/Dear Prudence"
"Cry Baby Cry (Transition)"
"Revolution"
"Back in the U.S.S.R."
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"A Day in the Life"
"Hey Jude"
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)"
"All You Need Is Love"

CBC broadcaster Lister Sinclair dies

Longtime CBC broadcaster Lister Sinclair died in a Toronto hospital Monday morning at age 85.

Sinclair joined the public broadcaster in 1944 and is perhaps best known as host of the radio program Ideas, a position he held for 16 years. He retired from CBC in 1999.

Sinclair wrote dozens of radio and television plays during his career, spent time as host of CBC-TV's The Nature of Things and appeared on a number of programs, including Front Page Challenge, Telescope, Horizon, Festival, Court of Opinion, Wayne and Shuster, and Morningside.

He served as vice-president of the CBC and helped organize the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists, now known as the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).

Born in Mumbai, India — then known as Bombay — to Scottish parents, Sinclair was raised in England. In 1985, he was made an officer of the Order of Canada.

'Compassionate genius'

Bernie Lucht, Sinclair's longtime friend and the executive producer of Ideas, said he was saddened by the news, but was honoured to have worked with him.

"My lasting memory is the enormous privilege it was to have been able to touch a compassionate genius."

The veteran journalist was a funny, mischievous and gentle person with an eclectic mind, said Lucht.

"He was simply a remarkable man,"' said Lucht. "He was brilliant, compassionate, had a wide-ranging mind with an expertise in everything from poetry, to mathematics, to music, to literature, to culture.

"He felt that the job of humanity was to find out what it was about, what we were about and what our surroundings, the universe into which we had been born, were about."

Former governor general and CBC broadcaster Adrienne Clarkson said she shared a working space with Sinclair when she joined the CBC in 1965.

"You were the beneficiary of Lister knowing a lot," she said. "He was not only a polymath; he was a prodigy."

Lucht said Sinclair once said he wanted to die learning.

"He was the kind of person, I think, who wanted to die in his boots," he said. "He did not want to stop work at all."

Ideas will broadcast a three-hour tribute to Sinclair, starting Monday night at 9 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. in Newfoundland) on CBC Radio One. It will continue Tuesday and Wednesday.

Howard Stern Reaches Out to Internet

Stern's four-hour-plus program will be made available live online at no charge for two days.

Ten months after leaving the commercial airwaves for subscription-based Sirius Satellite Radio, shock jock Howard Stern is out to attract a broad new online audience with his first-ever free Internet broadcast.

Stern's four-hour-plus program will be made available live online at no charge for two days, October 25 and 26, to promote an Internet radio service Sirius is launching this week. A formal announcement was planned for Monday morning.

The new service offers more than 75 channels of CD-quality programming over the Internet — without the need to buy a Sirius satellite receiver — for a monthly subscription fee of $12.95, the company said in a press release.

The service can be accessed by logging on to the Sirius Web site, www.sirius.com.

The two-day free trial of "The Howard Stern Show" marks the first time he has been available to a non-paying audience since he left terrestrial FM radio in December 2005.

After next week's promotion, fans will once again have to pay to hear the self-proclaimed "king of all media," either by subscribing to Sirius or its Internet service.

Stern's show and other Sirius programming had been available on the Internet before, but only to existing customers who had purchased a satellite receiver in addition to the $12.95 monthly radio subscription.

Under the new stand-alone Internet package, users anywhere in the world can subscribe and listen to Stern online without first having to buy satellite hardware, which is sold only in North America, a company spokesman said.

Sirius rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. offers its own stand-alone Internet service for $7.99 a month.

Stern, a pioneer of ribald radio comedy bits like "Lesbian Dial-a-Date" and "Stripper Jeopardy," stunned the broadcast industry in October 2004 when he announced he was leaving commercial radio for satellite.

After fulfilling the last 14 months on his contract at CBS Corp., Stern debuted in January 2006 on Sirius under a five-year deal valued at $500 million and immediately became the marquee talent of the No. 2 satellite radio provider.

He also recently ventured into the realm of video-on-demand television with an all-Stern channel available through several major cable operators.

Sirius ended the third quarter with 5.12 million subscribers, an audience that pales in comparison to the 12 million listeners who regularly tuned into Stern at the peak of his CBS career. XM posted nearly 7.2 million subscribers for the third quarter.

David Cronenberg sweeps Director's Guild of Canada awards

David Cronenberg’s crime drama, A History of Violence, grabbed four feature film prizes at the Director’s Guild of Canada Awards.

The film, starring Viggo Mortensen, also captured awards for best film, best director, best sound editing and best picture editing.

It missed out on best production design, its fifth nomination, which was awarded to Atom Egoyan’s thriller Where the Truth Lies, starring Colin Firth and Kevin Bacon.

Cronenberg, whose past movies include Crash, Spider and Existenz, adapted the plot from a graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke.

The story focuses on Tom Stall (Mortensen), a small-town family man whose bucolic life is up-ended when he saves lives while thwarting a robbery. Stall’s dark past begins to catch up with him as he attracts the attention of some big-city gangsters.

The film also starred Ed Harris, Maria Bello as Stall’s wife and William Hurt, who snagged an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

The big winner in the television category was Human Trafficking, an unflinching look at the sex slave industry starring Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland.

The drama took home the prizes for best film, best director for Christian Duguay and best production design.

And the now-defunct television series Slings and Arrows, starring Paul Gross as an eccentric theatre artistic director, came away with best TV drama series and best picture editing in a television series. Its three-year run won raves both in Canada and the U.S.

Other winners at the Saturday night gala in Toronto include:

Best Documentary: Hitler’s Children
Best Family Television Movie/Mini-Series: Spirit Bear
Best Comedy Television Series: Northern Town
Best Picture Editing, Television Movie/Mini Series: Canada Vs. Russia 1972
Best Sound Editing, Television Series: Puppets Who Kill

The Directors Guild of Canada represents more than 3,800 professionals working in film and television in the areas of direction, design, production and editing. It negotiates collective agreements and lobbies on behalf of its members.

'Corner Gas' running out of fuel

We don't think Dog River has gone to the dogs, but we do think it's time to shake things up a little ...

By BILL HARRIS -- Toronto Sun

The question before the committee is whether Corner Gas has become Cornered Gas.

The CTV sitcom is into its fourth season. The fictional metropolis of Dog River, Sask., has only eight notable residents.

Storylines rarely carry over, which means fresh comedic situations must be manufactured for each episode.

Brent watches his first horror movie. Hank forms an unofficial fondue club. And in the episode set to air tomorrow (8 p.m.), Oscar and Davis compete to be named "newsmaker of the year" by the Dog River Howler.

Some of the tangents are funny, some of them are not. It's the same with any sitcom. But it leads us to wonder just where Corner Gas is on its inevitable popularity arc.

This needs to be said up front: We generally like Corner Gas.

We have no idea why. It's clunky. It's cornball. It's always summer, even though it's Saskatchewan. It's the type of show we usually would hate, hate, hate. But we don't.

Maybe it's because it's so darn Canadian, but not in a smug Rick Mercer kind of way. Maybe it's because the characters are so likable. But that's not to say there aren't weak links.

The two cops (Lorne Cardinal as Davis and Tara Spencer-Nairn as Karen) and Brent's mom (Janet Wright as Emma) usually don't bring much to the table (as far as the characters go, not the actors themselves). And as memorable as Eric Peterson is in the role of Brent's dad Oscar, his constant unreasonable irritability can be tiresome.

But there's something about the core foursome -- Brent Butt as Brent, Gabrielle Miller as Lacey, Fred Ewanuick as Hank and Nancy Robertson as Wanda -- that continues to click.

Ratings thus far this season have been down a bit. Granted, for a Canadian-made show, Corner Gas still is quite healthy, attracting more than a million viewers per episode. But on average, about a quarter of a million former fans seem to have drifted off in the fourth season, based on the early returns.

A good sign for Corner Gas is that we encountered several fans who were outraged last week because they felt they had not received enough advance warning of the time change (from 8:30 p.m., up to 8 p.m.). That kind of loyalty notwithstanding, the creators must guard against stale Gas.

We always have loved the cameos in Corner Gas. Tomorrow there's an appearance by former Canadian Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and while her stiffness makes it hard to believe she used to make her living in broadcasting, we applaud her willingness to participate.

In last week's episode, however, both Brent and Lacey got job-shadows from the local high school. And as limited as the kids' roles were, it was refreshing to have the Dog River regulars interacting with other local residents, rather than just talking back and forth to themselves.

Is it time to add another quasi-regular character?

Now, if this were an American sitcom, bingo! Brent and Lacey would have a baby.

We're not suggesting anything that desperate. But it might be time to shake up the Dog River clique just a touch.

It has been four years with the same folks. Even in a town as tiny as Dog River, maybe eight isn't enough.

Clint Eastwood's $90-million baby

BEVERLY HILLS -- Clint Eastwood was doing a rare round of interviews to promote his new film last weekend when someone asked about his "sensitivity."

Pointing at another reporter who used the word in an earlier question Eastwood said "he's the one who mentioned sensitivity," prompting the room to erupt in laughter.

Though he seems more affable grandfather than Dirty Harry these days, Eastwood shows no signs of softening.

Or, after decades in the movie business on both sides of the camera, at the age of 76, slowing down.

But even if he doesn't like to talk about it, Eastwood has approached his current subject matter, as with those he's tackled in the past, with a tricky combination of grit and that word he doesn't seem to much like talking about.

Opening Friday, Flags Of Our Fathers is about the iconic Second World War photograph capturing the American flag-raising on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. It is a massive project for anyone, but Eastwood in particular. At $90 million, it's by far his largest budget yet.

The epic film incorporates massive beachfront invasion scenes, features some 100 speaking parts and spans three periods in time. The story behind Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's Feb. 23, 1945, picture of five Marines and one navy corpsman raising the flag on the island's Mount Suribachi is not a simple one to tell, and that was just fine with Eastwood.

"I think as I've matured -- if that's a way of saying aging -- I've reached out to different sides of stories that were appealing to me," said Eastwood.

Those stories probably attracted him as a young man too, he said, but back then "the pressure was on" to do movies with a lot of action.

"As I got to this stage of life, where I am now, where I'm retreating to the backside of the camera," he explained, "I just felt it was time to address a lot of things that were closer to me than a lot of the fantasy characters I might have been involved with."

Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize-winning photo captured the imagination of the American public and provided momentum for the final push to end the war. People back home wanted an uncomplicated, uplifting story to go with it. But the photo showed the second flag-raising that day (an American military higher-up requested the first flag as a momento) and though perceived as a symbol of victory, was snapped just days into what turned out to be a bloody, month-long battle in which Japan lost almost all of its 22,000 soldiers and nearly 7,000 Americans died.

Within days, half the men in the photo had been killed. The American government wasted no time shipping the trio of survivors -- navy corpsman John (Doc) Bradley and Marines Ira Hayes and Rene Gagnon -- back home to capitalize on the popular picture and drum up cash for war coffers as part of the famous Seventh War Bond Tour.

Still youngsters, the three became instant celebrities just a short time after watching their comrades die on the battlefield.

Inwardly, all struggled with their war experiences, their notoriety -- feeling they didn't deserve it -- a government willing to exploit them and adjusting to life after it all abruptly ended mere months later.

"It wasn't really a war story. I wasn't setting out to do a war movie -- I've been involved with a few as an actor," said Eastwood. "But I liked this. It was just a study of these people."

Still, Eastwood has not flinched from creating shocking, grisly combat scenes and because of the content, there are those who have tried to draw parallels between this film and the current war in Iraq. Eastwood, who was 15 when the photo was taken and well remembers the Seventh War Bond Tour, wouldn't wade far into that debate other than calling war in general a "futile exercise."

"The country seemed much more, I'm sure it wasn't, but in hindsight, much more unified," he said.

"The war we're in today is, excluding the Iraq war on the front lines, ideology, religion, there's a lot of factors coming into it, that may make the next war even more difficult. This one was much more cut and dried."

Eastwood became interested in the project after reading James Bradley's 2000 same-named bestseller.

Son of the highly decorated navy corpsman in the photo, Bradley grew up in a house where the subject of Iwo Jima was mostly off-limits. It was only after his father died, after conducting interviews with those who fought on Iwo Jima, that Bradley learned how those in the photo had been tormented by the experience and put all the pieces together into the book.

"I've always been curious about families who find out things about their relatives much after the fact," said Eastwood.

"And the kind of people I've talked to, many veterans of this campaign and other campaigns, the ones who seem to be the most on the front lines and have been through the most seem to be the ones who are quietest about their activity."

Eastwood also wanted to explore themes in the book about the fleeting nature of celebrity and our society's obsession with heroes.

"In the era we live now, everybody's being considered a hero," said Eastwood. "In that era, in the '40s, heroes were people of extraordinary feat."

During the process leading up to Flags, Eastwood starting thinking about the Japanese soldiers and sent for the book Letters From Iwo Jima, constructed of missives home from Japanese Lieut. Tadamichi Kuribayashi. He persuaded the studios to let him make a second movie, in Japanese, from the Japanese perspective.

Letters is set largely in the underground tunnels used to defend the island, and stars actor Ken Watanabe.

While much of Flags was shot in Iceland, where the black, volcanic sand mimics the look of Iwo Jima, Letters was mostly filmed in California.

A brief trip to the remote Japanese island, which is considered a shrine and not open to tourists, provided key shots. Beachfront invasion footage from Flags -- shot so realistically one veteran complimented Eastwood on incorporating archival footage into the movie -- will double for the second film.

Letters will be released in Japan later this year, and is scheduled to open in North America in February.

"I think each film stands on its own, but the two projects are fascinating together," said Rob Lorenz, a long-time Eastwood associate who served as producer on both movies. "I think seeing one makes you want to see the other, and vice versa."

With Eastwood, who picked up a best picture and best director win in 2005 for his last project, Million Dollar Baby and Paul Haggis' turning in his first screenwriting credit after last year's best-picture winner Crash, Oscar buzz for the much-anticipated theatrical release of Flags has already started.

Winnipeg-raised, Ottawa-based actor Adam Beach has also been pegged for a possible supporting nomination for his standout portrayal of troubled flag-raiser Hayes.

Eastwood read Bradley's book shortly after it came out and knew he wanted to make it into a movie, but Steven Spielberg already had the rights. It turned out Spielberg had hired former marine William Broyles Jr. (Jarhead) to write the screenplay but couldn't get a version he liked.

That's when Eastwood ran into Spielberg, who suggested he produce and Eastwood direct. Eastwood tapped Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Haggis to adapt the book, recalling Haggis joked he had an 11% chance of cutting down the complicated, sprawling tale into a coherent film .

Once he came through, Eastwood decided on a cast of lesser-known actors -- Ryan Phillippe as a young Bradley might be considered the biggest name -- to keep the focus on the story.

"We just try to show these guys are really just a bunch of kids who are set off to fight for their country,"he said.

All of those involved in the project marvel at Eastwood's well-known tendency to run a spare ship when it comes to movie-making. He is notorious for capturing scenes in just one take, with Phillippe estimating 80% of the movie was shot that way.

"I think that's why his movies tend to be so alive," said Phillippe. "There are little mistakes ... and it's as imperfect as life. He likes it, he likes mistakes and there are little nuances of that kind of reality."

Canadian Barry Pepper, who was in Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan and plays flag-raiser Sgt. Mike Strank,says as a director Eastwood is as lean and efficient as every character he has ever played.

"He never raises his voice and everyone quiets around him within 100 yards of earshot to hear his next move," Pepper told Sun Media. "If you don't, you'll be left in the dust. He'll just shoot it without you."

Pepper split his lip after one of the movie's rigged explosions blew up in his face during a combat scene.

The medic on set said he'd have to go to the hospital for stitches. Dripping blood, Pepper went to Eastwood and told him he didn't want to go to the hospital for fear of being left out of that day's scenes.

"He laughed. He knew exactly what I was talking about ... He said 'Good. It's a long way from your heart,' " recalls Pepper.

Eastwood then reached over to pull out a piece of copper wire Pepper didn't know was embedded in his lip, and proceeded to tell him about the day he was shot clean through his left side with errant shrapnel on the set of 1992's The Unforgiven.

"We just kept on filming,"said Pepper. "Those were those most magical moments on set, listening to him tell stories.

Murray parties with Scottish students

LONDON - Actor Bill Murray created a small sensation in the Scottish town of St. Andrews, joining Scandinavian students at a late-night party and even helping to wash the dishes, a newspaper reported Sunday.

In the Oscar-winning movie "Lost in Translation," Murray plays a lonely middle-aged actor in Japan who befriends a young American woman and goes partying with her.

And in what the newspaper said was life imitating art, the 56-year-old Murray joined up with 22-year-old Norwegian student Lykke Stavnef, who took him to a house where a party of Scandinavian students was in full swing.

"Nobody could believe it when I arrived at the party with Bill Murray," Stavnef, a social anthropology student, was quoted as saying. "He was just like the character in 'Lost in Translation.'"

She said Murray was happy to drink vodka from a coffee cup, then to help wash dishes in the cramped kitchen. The Sunday Telegraph article is accompanied by a photograph that appears to show Murray, dressed in a checkered shirt and a brown vest, washing a metal pot at the sink.

As news spread around the city that Murray had showed up at the student party, the house became crowded with people wanting to meet the star of "Ghostbusters," the article said.

"He was joking with me about reheating some leftover pasta and how drunk everyone was," said Agnes Huitfeldt, 22, another partygoer.

Tom Wright, 22, another college student, said: "The party was overflowing with stunning Scandinavian blondes. He seemed to be in his element, cracking lots of jokes. It was the talk of the town the next day."

Shortly after doing the dishes, Murray left the party, the students said.

'Grudge 2' scares up $22M at box office

LOS ANGELES - Early Halloween spirit gripped movie audiences as the fright flick "The Grudge 2" debuted at No. 1, taking in $22 million during its first weekend.

Sony's horror sequel bumped the previous weekend's top film, the Warner Bros. release "The Departed," to second place. "The Departed," a mob epic from Martin Scorsese, took in $18.7 million, lifting its 10-day total to $56.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Universal's "Man of the Year," with Robin Williams as a political comic who's elected president, opened at No. 3 with $12.55 million.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred in the 2004 hit "The Grudge," returns for a cameo in the sequel, which features Amber Tamblyn as her sister, haunted by the same angry spirits introduced in the first movie.

"The Grudge 2" was not screened for critics beforehand, and those who did review it on opening day generally trashed the movie. Fright flicks tend to have a built-in audience of horror fans who show up opening weekend regardless of reviews.

"These movies are not critics' darlings. They rarely are," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But audiences love horror. We've said it time and again, this is maybe the most consistently performing genre in the marketplace, especially right before Halloween."

With a strong hold from its opening weekend, "The Departed" is on its way to becoming Scorsese's biggest hit. The film is expected to surpass the $102.6 million gross of his 2004 drama "The Aviator," said Dan Fellman head of distribution for Warner Bros.

Two other new movies debuted in the top 10. The 20th Century Fox action thriller "The Marine," starring pro wrestler John Cena, was No. 6 with $7 million. "One Night With the King," Gener8xion Entertainment's saga of the biblical story of Esther, came in at No. 9 with $4.3 million.

The overall box office soared, with the top 12 movies taking in $100.8 million, up 41 percent from the same weekend last year, when "The Fog" debuted at No. 1 with $11.8 million.

In narrower release, Warner Independent's Truman Capote tale "Infamous" opened weakly with $435,000 in 179 theaters. The film averaged just $2,430 a cinema, compared to an average of $6,851 in 3,211 theaters for "The Grudge 2."

The movie, starring British actor Toby Jones as Capote on his quest to write the true-crime classic "In Cold Blood," received good reviews but was lost in the wake of last year's acclaimed "Capote," which covered the same period in the author's life and earned the best-actor Academy Award for Philip Seymour Hoffman.

"Unfortunately, the audience couldn't differentiate between the two," said Steven Friedlander, head of distribution for Warner Independent. "We're hoping if this one doesn't pick up theatrically, it can find a really solid video life so people can compare the two films."

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

1. "The Grudge 2," $22 million.
2. "The Departed," $18.7 million.
3. "Man of the Year," $12.55 million.
4. "Open Season," $11 million.
5. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," $7.75 million.
6. "The Marine," $7 million.
7. "The Guardian," $5.85 million.
8. "Employee of the Month," $5.6 million.
9. "One Night With the King," $4.3 million.
10. "Jackass Number Two," $3.3 million.

Tex-Mex 'Bebop Kid' Freddy Fender dies

SAN BENITO, Texas - Freddy Fender, the "Bebop Kid" of the Texas-Mexico border who later turned his twangy tenor into the smash country ballad "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," died Saturday. He was 69.

Fender, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 2006, died at noon at his Corpus Christi home with his family at his bedside, said Ron Rogers, a family spokesman.

Over the years, he grappled with drug and alcohol abuse, was treated for diabetes and underwent a kidney transplant.

Fender hit it big in 1975 after some regional success, years of struggling — and a stint in prison — when "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" climbed to No. 1 on the pop and country charts.

"Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" rose to No. 1 on the country chart and top 10 on the pop chart that same year, while "Secret Love" and "You'll Lose a Good Thing" also hit No. 1 in the country charts.

Born Baldemar Huerta, Fender was proud of his Mexican-American heritage and frequently sung verses or whole songs in Spanish. "Teardrop" had a verse in Spanish.

"Whenever I run into prejudice," he told The Washington Post in 1977, "I smile and feel sorry for them, and I say to myself, `There's one more argument for birth control.'"

"The Old Man upstairs rolled a seven on me," he told The Associated Press in 1975. "I hope he keeps it up."

More recently, he played with Doug Sahm, Flaco Jimenez and others in two Tex-Mex all-star combos, the Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven.

He won a Grammy of Best Latin Pop Album in 2002 for "La Musica de Baldemar Huerta." He also shared in two Grammys: with the Texas Tornados, which won in 1990 for best Mexican-American performance for "Soy de San Luis," and with Los Super Seven in the same category in 1998 for "Los Super Seven."

Among his other achievements, Fender appeared in the 1987 motion picture "The Milagro Beanfield War," directed by Robert Redford.

In February 1999, Fender was awarded a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame after then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush wrote to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce endorsing him.

He said in a 2004 interview with The Associated Press that one thing would make his musical career complete — induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

"Hopefully I'll be the first Mexican-American going into Hillbilly Heaven," he said.

Fender was born in 1937 in San Benito, the South Texas border town credited for spawning the Mexican-polka sound of conjunto. The son of migrant workers who did his own share of picking crops, he also was exposed to the blues sung by blacks alongside the Mexicans in the fields.

Always a performer, he sang on the radio as a boy and won contests for his singing — one prize included a tub full of about $10 worth of food.

But his career really began in the late '50s, when he returned from serving in the Marines and recorded Spanish-language versions of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell." The recordings were hits in Mexico and South America.

He signed with Imperial Records in 1959, renaming himself "Fender" after the brand of his electric guitar, "Freddy" because it sounded good with Fender.

Fender initially recorded "Wasted Days" in 1960. But his career was put on hold shortly after that when he and his bass player ended up spending almost three years in prison in Angola, La., for marijuana possession.

After prison came a few years in New Orleans and a then an everyday life taking college classes, working as a mechanic and playing an occasional local gig. He once said he sang in bars so dingy he performed with his eyes shut "dreaming I was on `The Ed Sullivan Show.'"

"I felt there's no great American dream for this ex-Chicano migrant farm worker," he told the AP. "I'd picked too many crops and too many strings."

But his second break came when he was persuaded to record "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" on an independent label in 1974 and it was picked up by a major label. With its success, he won the Academy of Country Music's best new artist award in 1975. He re-released "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and it climbed to the top of the charts as well.

Cristina Balli, spokeswoman for the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito, said Fender illustrated the diversity of Mexican-American and Latino musicians.

"We have our feet in different worlds and different cultures," she said. "We have our roots music ... but then we branch out to other things, pick up different styles. I think he was the precursor to Los Lonely Boys."

Fender's later years were marred by health problems resulting in a kidney transplant from his daughter, Marla Huerta Garcia, in January 2002 and a liver transplant in 2004. Fender was to have lung surgery in early 2006 until surgeons found tumors.

"I feel very comfortable in my life," Fender told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in August. "I'm one year away from 70 and I've had a good run. I really believe I'm OK. In my mind and in my heart, I feel OK. I cannot complain that I haven't lived long enough, but I'd like to live longer."

Rogers said Fender will be brought back to San Benito for a funeral and memorial services. Details on the arrangements were pending.

SNL on DVD!!

Universal has just officially announced the DVD release of Saturday Night Live 1975-1976: The Complete First Season for 12/5!

The 8-disc set (SRP $69.98) will include all 24 90-minute episodes complete with their original hosts and all the original musical guests.

You also get a 32-page book of liner notes and rare case photos.

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman...woo hoo!!!

Downie jazzed about new Hip album

It's good to see inspiring people feeling inspired.

And that's just how Gordon Downie is looking these days.

With The Tragically Hip's new album, World Container, set to drop Tuesday, frontman Downie seems enthusiastic as he sits in a hotel lobby, talking about The Hip, Bob Rock and rock 'n' roll.

A string of intriguing topics to any music fan.

"I guess I'm jazzed about this record, and excited about it, because I feel like I stumbled onto something," says Downie.

For the making of World Container, The Hip teamed up with famed rock producer Bob Rock, who has produced some of the greatest rock albums of all time, including Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood and Metallica's self-titled album.

"The sound is fresh," says Downie.

"It's a celebration of a great working and personal relationship with Bob that didn't exist two years ago."

The relationship, thankfully, was one that flourished easily and early.

"It became clear this was going to be a very different record for The Hip," writes Rock in his World Container biography.

"The songs were very personal and one in particular, Fly, got to me right away. I had never heard a song like that from The Hip."

Needless to say, Rock agreed to do the album, and the rest, as they say, is what they don't teach you in history class.

Rock's rock 'n' roll style shines through on World Container.

"Bob said to us at the beginning, 'you're a great rock band, you know, you've got a great groove.' "

"It wasn't like 'let's keep it simple,' but ... when we sort of started sifting through material to try, he would ... politely move beyond (some stuff) or push it aside."

Downie says these songs inevitably would be the ones that seemed, "too much from the head and not so much from the heart. And I think I'm interested in what the heart has to say."

"I think it shows on this record."

"The heart is one's greatest resource,and I don't know if I was really going to it enough."

Something else Downie says he's not sure if The Hip were doing enough was letting their musical inspiration shine through.

"I think it's always fun to show those influences a bit," he says. "To show that you're very cognizant and aware of your role in the great lineage of music."

And being part of that lineage is something Downie is proud of.

"I love music constantly. I love that it's part of my life."

"My 11-year-old daughter bought The Killers' new single and played it maybe 40 times in a row the other day.

"And I was in the kitchen making toast, and I tell you, every time she put it on and I thought Yeah!

"Because that's what I would have done ... you save up your allowance and it's either candy or record. And you'd get the record and you'd play it a thousand times in a row because you own it, it's yours.

"And I love that feeling."

As far as what it is about rock 'n' roll he still loves: "I think it's an instrument of change. I think it can change the world."

Whether World Container will change the world, we'll have to wait and see.

But whether or not The Tragically Hip has changed the world of Canadian rock is a no-brainer.

The Rankins set to reunite

Some familiar Nova Scotia harmonies will soon be ringing out again on record and in concert halls.

Sources close to Cape Breton's Rankin family say that Jimmy Rankin and sisters Raylene, Cookie and Heather Rankin will perform again as a group for the first time since they initially disbanded in 1999 to pursue other musical endeavours.

Jimmy and Raylene continued with solo musical careers, while all three sisters have collaborated on a Christmas album and still occasionally perform as a trio. Reportedly, the siblings had been working on new material at home in Mabou, before heading to Nashville to record songs with Cookie Rankin's husband, noted producer/engineer George Massenburg (Dixie Chicks, Lyle Lovett). A new album and concert tour will follow in the near future.

An official announcement of the reunion is expected to be made next week.

The death of brother John Morris Rankin in 2000 means the original lineup can never be reassembled, but reportedly his daughter Molly Rankin will have music featured in this new lineup of the group.

In the Rankins' initial decade-long career, the group racked up a string of platinum selling albums with their unique blend of Celtic, pop and country, including 1990's quadruple platinum Fare Thee Well Love. They also earned numerous awards, including 15 East Coast Music Awards, six Juno Awards, four SOCAN Awards and three Canadian Country Music Awards.

Sara Evans Stops "Dancing"

All of a sudden, Dancing with the Stars doesn't have as much rhythm as it used to.

Country music star Sara Evans has bowed out of the ABC series, citing "personal reasons" for not being able to tango on.

As it turns out, Evans filed for divorce Thursday from her husband of 13 years, Craig Schelske. A statement released by the singer's publicist at her label, Sony BMG, explained that she needed "to give her family her full attention at this difficult time.

"Ms. Evans hopes her fans and TV viewers...will respect and understand her need for privacy in the face of these recent events," said rep Allen Brown.

Although she wasn't the most consistent of the bunch, frequently scoring near the bottom of the pack with the judges, the "Suds in the Bucket" singer was never in danger of going home, with her loyal fan base keeping her out of the bottom two each week.

Evans frequently talked on-camera about her hectic touring schedule, as well as the difficulties of juggling performing, having to learn a brand-new dance each week, and spending time with her three kids.

As recently as Wednesday's results show, however, the 35-year-old artist seemed in it for the long haul. In a video message posted Saturday on her Website, DancingWithSara.com, Evans was on her way to sing the national anthem at an Anaheim Ducks hockey game with her ballroom partner, Tony Dovolani, by her side.

"We just want to say thank you for all of your votes, and this week we're having a great time learning the samba," said Evans, who is up for Female Vocalist of the Year honors at the Country Music Association Awards and in June was voted the second-most beautiful woman in country music--behind only Faith Hill--by Country Weekly magazine.

"Please keep voting. We love you and we'll see you on TV Tuesday night."

Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli enjoyed her samba, too, giving her props for loosening up and letting her hips do the talking.

Pop singer Willa Ford was the one to get the boot this week, putting Evans and Dovolani in the final six.

ABC told E! News that the network has no comment at this time and, wouldn't you know, you have to tune in next Tuesday to find out more info.

"It is too bad because dance has a really healing quality to it as well, and I think the family of DWTS could be a great support system for her," Inaba told Us Weekly.

"I watch them care for each other and sometimes it is good to be around people who care about you and I think that would be good for her. But she has to take care of herself and take care of her life, and I'm sure she is making a good decision for herself. We will all support her."

Alba: Sweatsuits yes, nudity no

Even though Jessica Alba played a stripper in "Sin City," she's not about to bare it all for anyone in public.

In an Elle magazine interview, the 25-year-old says that the film's directors offered her the option to do nudity in the film, but she refused.

"I don't do nudity. I just don't," says Alba. "Maybe that makes me a bad actress. Maybe I won't get hired in some things. But I have too much anxiety."

The actress isn't into baring much skin in real life either.

"I never dress for men --- I dress more for women," she explains. "I'm not the mini-skirt-and-cleavage girl, ever ... I'm guilty, in an LA way, of wearing too many sweatsuits, but it's because of work. I have such long hours that I want to be in my pajamas."

But she does like to dress attractively on occasion, even though it caused so much pressure at the born-again Christian church she attended, she decided to leave when the religious leaders accused her of being too sexy.

"Older men would hit on me and my youth pastor said it was because I was wearing provocative clothing, and it wasn't," she says. "It just made me feel like if I was in any way desirable to the opposite sex, that it was my fault, and it made me ashamed of my body and of being a woman."

Her church's condemnation of premarital sex and homosexuality was also at odds with her own views.

"I thought it was a nice guide, but it certainly wasn't how I was going to live my life."

Alba is currently shooting the comedy "Good Luck Chuck" with Dan Cook, about a man who women seek because once they break up with him, the next man they meet will be their future husband.

Nirvana concert video expanded for DVD

The Nirvana (music) concert video "Live! Tonight! Sold Out"--which was first issued on VHS in 1994--will be released for the first time on DVD on Nov. 7.

According to a Universal Music Enterprises press release, the DVD version of the video has been color-corrected and remastered in 5.1 surround sound. It's also been expanded to include some previously unreleased performances from 1991, which were recorded at the Paradiso club in Amsterdam: "School," "About A Girl," "Been a Son," "On a Plain" and "Blew."

"Live! Tonight! Sold Out"--which includes 15 complete songs, as well as interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and excerpts from the group's home-video archives--chronicles Nirvana's 1991-92 world tour, and continues as the band's popularity exploded through 1993.

The songs included on the video are:

"Aneurysm"
"About a Girl"
"Dive"
"Love Buzz"
"Breed"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"
"Negative Creep"
"Come As You Are"
"Territorial Pissings"
"Something In The Way"
"Lithium"
"Drain You"
"Polly"
"Sliver"
"On a Plain"
"Endless Nameless"

EXTRAS - Live In Amsterdam:

"School"
"About a Girl"
"Been a Son"
"On a Plain"
"Blew"

Ebert hopes to be back for Oscars

CHICAGO - Roger Ebert hopes to be fully recovered in time for the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival. In a letter published Thursday in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and co-host of the "Ebert & Roeper" TV show says he's looking forward to getting back to work full time early next year.

"One thing I've discovered is that I love my job more than I thought I did, and I love my wife even more!" he wrote.

Ebert had surgery June 16 to remove a cancerous growth on his salivary gland. He also had emergency surgery July 1 after a blood vessel burst.

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

He announced in the letter that his first movie review in months will run Friday. He decided to review "The Queen" after an "Ebert & Roeper" producer brought him a copy of the movie on DVD. He plans to continuing doing occasional reviews until he's fully recovered.

The 64-year-old Ebert, who's now at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, thanked fans and colleagues for their support.

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

Lidle, 2nd person die in NYC plane crash

NEW YORK - A small plane carrying New York Yankee Cory Lidle slammed into a 40-story apartment building Wednesday, killing the pitcher and a second person in a crash that rained flaming debris onto the sidewalks and briefly raised fears of another terrorist attack.

A law enforcement official in Washington said Lidle — an avid pilot who got his license during last year's offseason — was aboard the single-engine aircraft when it plowed into the 30th and 31st floors of the condominium high-rise on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said both people aboard were killed.

Lidle's passport was found on the street, according to a federal official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It was not immediately clear who was at the controls and who was the second person aboard. There was no official confirmation of Lidle's death from city officials.

Federal Aviation Administration records showed the plane was registered to Lidle, who had repeatedly assured reporters in recent weeks that flying was safe and that the Yankees — who were traumatized in 1979 when catcher Thurman Munson was killed in the crash of a plane he was piloting — had no reason to worry.

"The flying?" the 34-year-old Lidle, who had a home near Los Angeles, told The Philadelphia Inquirer this summer. "I'm not worried about it. I'm safe up there. I feel very comfortable with my abilities flying an airplane."

"No matter what's going on in your life, when you get up in that plane, everything's gone," Lidle told a Comcast SportsNet interviewer while flying his plane in April.

The crash came just four days after the Yankees' embarrassingly quick elimination from the playoffs, during which Lidle had been relegated to the bullpen. In recent days, Lidle had taken abuse from fans on sports talk radio for saying the team was unprepared.

"This is a terrible and shocking tragedy that has stunned the entire Yankees organization," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. He offered his condolences to Lidle's wife, Melanie, and 6-year-old son.

A federal official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said the plane issued a distress call before the crash. But National Transportation Safety Board member Debbie Hersman said at a late-night news conference that the FAA found no indication of a mayday call.

Hersman said debris was scattered everywhere at the crash scene, including aircraft parts and headsets on the ground. The propeller separated from engine. Investigators also obtained the pilot's log book.

The craft took off from New Jersey's Teterboro Airport about 2:30 p.m. and was in the air for barely 15 minutes, authorities said. Bloomberg said Lidle and his flying companion were sightseeing and were taking a route that took them over the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building.

The FAA said it was too early to determine what might have caused the crash.

How the plane managed to penetrate airspace over one of the most densely packed sections of New York City was not clear. The plane was unusual in that it was equipped with a parachute in case of engine failure, but there was no sign the chute was used.

The crash rattled New Yorkers' nerves five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, but the FBI and the Homeland Security quickly said there was no evidence it was anything but an accident. Nevertheless, within 10 minutes of the crash, fighter jets were sent aloft over several cities, including New York, Washington, Detroit, Los Angeles and Seattle, Pentagon officials said.

The plane, flying north over the East River, along the usual flight corridor, came through a hazy, cloudy sky and hit The Belaire — a red-brick tower overlooking the river — with a loud bang. It touched off a raging fire that cast a pillar of black smoke over the city and sent flames shooting from four windows on two adjoining floors. Firefighters put the blaze out in less than an hour.

At least 21 people were taken to the hospital, most of them firefighters. Their conditions were not disclosed.

Large crowds gathered in the street in the largely wealthy New York neighborhood, with many people in tears and some trying to reach loved ones by cell phone.

"It wasn't until I was halfway home that I started shaking. The whole memory of an airplane flying into a building and across the street from your home. It's a little too close to home," Sara Green, 40, who lives across the street from The Belaire. "It crossed my mind that it was something bigger or the start of something bigger."

Outside Lidle's home in Glendora, Calif., neighbors and others quickly converged. Keri Pasqua, a close friend of the player's wife, and Mary Varela, Lidle's mother-in-law, told reporters that Melanie Lidle wasn't home and they weren't certain if she knew about the crash.

"This is a tragedy for everybody involved," a teary-eyed Varela said.

Kevin Lidle, Cory Lidle's twin brother, said on CNN's "Larry King Live" that he had spoken to their parents, who were "obviously having a tough time."

"But what can you do? Somehow you hang in there and you get through it," he said. "I've had a lot of calls from friends and family, people calling and crying. And they've released some emotions, and I haven't done that yet. I don't know — I guess I'm in some kind of state of shock."

On Sunday, the day after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, Lidle cleaned out his locker at Yankee Stadium and talked about his interest in flying.

He said he intended to fly back to California in several days and planned to make a few stops. Lidle had reserved a room for Wednesday night at the historic Union Station hotel in downtown Nashville, Tenn., hotel spokeswoman Melanie Fly said.

Lidle discussed with reporters the plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr. and how he had read the accident report on the NTSB Web site.

Lidle, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies on July 30, told The New York Times last month that his four-seat Cirrus SR20 was safe.

"The whole plane has a parachute on it," Lidle said. "Ninety-nine percent of pilots that go up never have engine failure, and the 1 percent that do usually land it. But if you're up in the air and something goes wrong, you pull that parachute, and the whole plane goes down slowly."

Lidle pitched 1 1/3 innings in the fourth and final game of the Division Series against the Detroit Tigers and gave up three earned runs, but was not the losing pitcher. He had a 12-10 regular-season record with a 4.85 ERA.

He pitched with the Phillies before coming to the Yankees. He began his career in 1997 with the Mets, and also pitched for Tampa Bay, Oakland, Toronto and Cincinnati.

Lidle's $6.3 million, two-year contract, agreed with the Phillies in November 2004, contained a provision saying the team could get out of paying the remainder if he were injured or killed while flying a plane. Because the regular season is over, Lidle already had received the full amount.

After the Yankees' defeat at the hands of the Tigers, Lidle called in to WFAN sports-talk radio two days before the crash to defend manager Joe Torre, and said: "I want to win as much as anybody. But what am I supposed to do? Go cry in my apartment for the next two weeks."

Lidle was an outcast among some teammates throughout his career because he became a replacement player in 1995, when major leaguers were on strike.

Among the baseball stars killed in plane crashes were Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder, killed Dec. 31, 1972, at age 38 while en route to Nicaragua to aid earthquake victims; and Munson, the Yankee catcher killed Aug. 2, 1979, at age 32 in Canton, Ohio.

"It's just sadder than sad," said New York Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson, who was Lidle's pitching coach in Oakland. "It's horrific. It's almost unbelievable. It's a surreal moment."

Young May Cha, a 23-year-old Cornell University medical student, said she was walking back from the grocery store down East 72nd Street when she saw something come across the sky and crash into the building. Cha said there appeared to be smoke coming from behind the aircraft, and "it looked like it was flying erratically for the short time that I saw it."

Former NTSB director Jim Hall said in a telephone interview he does not understand how a plane could get so close to a New York City building after Sept. 11.

"We're under a high alert and you would assume that if something like this happened, people would have known about it before it occurred, not after," Hall said.

Mystery writer Carol Higgins Clark, daughter of author Mary Higgins Clark, lives in the building but was not home at the time. She described the building's residents as a mix of actors, doctors, lawyers and writers, and people with second homes.

Despite initial fears of a terrorist attack, all three New York City-area airports continued to operate normally, FAA spokesman Jim Peters said. The White House said neither President Bush nor Vice President Dick Cheney was moved to secure locations.

The Belaire was built in the late 1980s and is situated near Sotheby's auction house. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.

Several lower floors are occupied by doctors and administrative offices, as well as guest facilities for family members of patients at the Hospital for Special Surgery, hospital spokeswoman Phyllis Fisher said. No patients were in the high-rise, Fisher said.

Bon Cop Canada's new box office champ

Porky's has finally been unseated from its post as the top-grossing Canadian movie.

The 1981 teen comedy has been surpassed at the box office by Bon Cop, Bad Cop, the bilingual action-comedy about a murder involving Canada's favourite game.

Bon Cop, Bad Cop had earned $11.36 million at the box office as of this Monday, surpassing Porky's $11.2 million.

"We made this film without any pretensions, but with the hope that people would find it funny," said director Érik Canuel.

"We succeeded in attracting a much larger audience than we could have ever imagined."

Quebecers have embraced Bon Cop most passionately, with $9 million in ticket sales coming from within the province.

But a decidedly Anglo production may soon offer competition.

Trailer Park Boys: The Movie grossed $1.3 million over the long weekend, the biggest opening weekend box office for an English-language Canadian film.

It was 11th top-grossing movie in North America this weekend.

Based on the quirky TV show, it centres on three hoser residents of Sunnyvale Trailer Park — Ricky, Julian and Bubbles.

Quebec investigating lack of French on DVDs

MONTREAL (CP) - The Quebec agency that enforces the province's language law is investigating whether the packaging on some DVDs violates the Charter of the French Language.

Steve Gagne, a Quebec City resident, filed a complaint with l'Office de la language francaise last week along with a list of more than 900 DVDs he had found in area stores which had a French soundtrack but unilingual English packaging.

He sent a copy of his complaint to Line Beauchamp, the minister responsible for the language law, and the Parti Quebecois spokesman on language issues.

Gerald Paquette, a spokesman for l'Office, said the matter is being investigated and retailers and distributors will be informed of any transgressions.

Paquette said that under the law, a DVD with a French soundtrack should have a portion of the text on the sleeve in French as well.

He also noted that 85 per cent of the DVDs available in Quebec have French soundtracks, indicating that American distributors are increasingly respectful of the requests by the government to supply French-language content for French-speaking consumers in Quebec.

Beauchamp's department studied the availability of French in films earlier this spring and found that 89 per cent of the 1,071 films shown in Quebec since 2002 and later released on DVD had French-language content.

However, only about half of 37 U.S. TV series released on DVD had a French soundtrack and 16 per cent had French subtitles.

Beauchamp recently wrote to the president of the Canadian association of film distributors asking that the organization's members offer Quebec consumers more products in French.

NBC Bringing Back "Bionic Woman"

After the success of TV's new Battlestar Galactica executive producer David Eick is doing it again, this time bringing back The Bionic Woman.

Variety reports the series' reinvention is being developed by screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis,(TV's Birds of Prey) at NBC Universal Television Studios for the NBC network.

The original spin-off of the hugely popular 70's series The Six Million Dollar Man, starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers - a tennis-pro who received bionic transplants after a tragic skydiving accident.

The new show however, has no plans to follow in it's predecessors footsteps. "It's a complete reconceptualization of the title," says Eick. "We're using the title as a starting point, and that's all."

The new Bionic Woman will delve into the role modern women play in society.

Eick explains the series' new concept as, "using the idea of artificial technology as a metaphor for what contemporary women sometimes feel is necessary to do everything that needs to be done."

Final Crowded House Show Heading To CD/DVD

Crowded House's last performance may have been a decade ago, but the "Farewell to the World" concert will stay alive via Capitol/EMI's 10th anniversary CD and DVD collections. Due Jan. 16, each double-disc set will be sold separately, featuring the 24-song set in it entirety.

Responsible for hits like "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong," the quartet originally formed in Melbourne in 1985. The group's final studio set, "Together Alone," was released in 1993, but Crowded House took the stage for a final time in November 1996 at Sydney's Opera House for a children's hospital benefit.

The 2-disc DVD contains interviews with band members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour, behind-the-scenes documentaries on the concert and the band's history.

Earlier this year, Finn and his brother Tim, who also contributed to Crowded House for a time, reunited with their seminal New Wave act Split Enz for a handful of reunion tour dates nearly 22 years after their break-up.

Here is the "Farewell to the World" track list:

"Mean to Me"
"World Where You Live"
"When You Come"
"Private Universe"
"Four Seasons in One Day"
"Fall at Your Feet"
"Whispers and Moans"
"Hole in the River"
"Better Be Home Soon"
"Pineapple Head"
"Distant Sun"
"Into Temptation"
"Everything Is Good for You"
"Locked Out"
"Something So Strong"
"Sister Madly"
"Italian Plastic"
"Weather With You"
"It's Only Natural"
"There Goes God"
"Fingers of Love"
"In My Command"
"Throw Your Arms Around Me"
"Don't Dream It's Over"

Mel Gibson Sorry for "Stupid Rambling"

Mel Gibson did the inevitable recently.

No, we don't mean checking into rehab (although he did that, too). We're referring to the sit-down with Diane Sawyer, of course.

During an interview that will air in two parts Thursday and Friday on Good Morning America, Gibson worked on explaining to the ABC newswoman what made him spew anti-Semitic remarks when he was pulled over and arrested for drunk driving in July. Later in a public statement the actor called his comments "despicable" and apologized for his "belligerent behavior."

"It was just the stupid rambling of a drunkard, you know," the Oscar winner told Sawyer, "and what I need to do [is] to heal myself and to be assuring and allay the fears of others and to heal them if they had any heart wounds from something I may have said.

"So, this is the last thing I want to be is that kind of monster."

Well then, what kind of monster… Okay, never mind.

The Lethal Weapon star was pulled over for speeding (going 87 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone) just after 2 a.m. July 28 in Malibu. His blood alcohol level registered at .12 percent (the legal limit is .08) and he was taken into custody.

But if only it were that simple. As the arresting officer was going through the motions, Gibson reportedly asked the cop if he was Jewish and remarked that "the f-ing Jews…are responsible for all the wars in the world."

This rant, coupled with the bashing Gibson took from those who felt that The Passion of the Christ was laden with anti-Semitic undertones, put a number of Hollywood higher-ups--not to mention the Anti Defamation League--on the offensive.

"How much did you read of people who came out and said, 'Do not work with him again'?" Sawyer asked. "What do you feel about them?"

"I feel sad because they've obviously been hurt and frightened and offended enough to feel that they have to do that," Gibson said. "Um, and that's their choice. There's nothing I can do about that."

Not that he didn't try, though. The 50-year-old actor, who first issued a public apology through his publicist, then directed a statement at "everyone in the Jewish community" in which he implored those who were offended to "please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot."

In his first face-to-face with the media since his arrest, Gibson also discussed his battle with alcoholism--which he's currently winning, having been sober for 65 days at the time of the GMA interview. He entered rehab toward the end of July and pleaded no contest Aug. 17 to a misdemeanor DUI charge, receiving three years probation and a $1,600 fine, as well as an order to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and enroll in a three-month treatment program.

But as anyone who suffers from addiction knows, every day is a struggle.

"A couple of times, you know, it was like oh, man, the hell with it," Gibson said. "But you don't, because I have friends and people that care and, you know, you'll fortunately be at the right place at the right time to, you know, reach out.

"I'll always continue to work. I've never much depended on anyone but myself, as far as that goes. And, hey, I'm not under the illusion that everything's just going to be hunky-dory work-wise forever. I've never been under that illusion. Things could go away tomorrow."

His next project is the Mayan battle epic Apocalypto, another creative risk for the director with a fondness for working with little-known actors (no offense, Jim Caviezel) and practically dead languages.

As for those who are still sore at Gibson or perhaps unwilling to give him another chance, he hopes that "in time they'll know" who he really is.

But "you're powerless over everything really," he said. "All you can do is take another step, keep breathing."

Preferably not into a breathalyzer.

Canada's No. 1 Film Is 'Trailer Park Boys'

The Canadian box office, which usually mirrors the American, saw Trailer Park Boys: The Movie take the lead over The Departed with $1.3 million from about 200 screens in the country.

Distributed by Canada's Alliance Atlantis and executive produced by Ivan Reitman, the movie is based on a popular Canadian comedy TV series, now in its sixth season, about a gang of dimwit thieves.

In the film, they conspire to steal a large amount of change, figuring that it can't easily be traced.

Toronto Globe & Mail TV columnist John Doyle remarked on Tuesday, "The thing is, the very existence of the Trailer Park Boys movie is vitally important as a cultural event. ... It's an anti-bourgeois soap opera, a cheerful and loving celebration of life at the bottom. In this country we embrace those at the bottom of the social ladder. It's that embrace that makes us who we are."

Lynch to Distribute His Own Film

'Inland Empire' is his first digital video feature

David Lynch is an auteur known for doing things his own way, so it's no surprise that he'll distribute his latest film himself.

The director announced that he has secured the North American rights to his first digital video feature, "Inland Empire," after reaching an agreement with Studio Canal.

"It's a whole new world out there, even when it comes to distribution," says Lynch in statement.

The film's producer adds, " "David's decision to explore a new model of distribution is consistent with the fearless way in which he made 'Inland Empire.'"

The film stars Laura Dern as Nikki, a married actress whose personal life is getting mixed up with her on-screen role as a woman named Sue who gets involved with Billy, played by the actor Devon (Justin Theoux). The film also stars Jeremy Irons, Harry Dean Stanton and Diane Ladd

Lynch has influenced numerous budding filmmakers beginning with the cult favorite "Eraserhead." His other credits include the box office flop "Dune," "Wild at Heart," the "Twin Peaks" series and movie, "Lost Highway," "Mulholland Drive" and the surprisingly un-creepy "The Straight Story." He received the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in September.

Lemony Snicket's end draws near -- or does it?

NEW YORK, Oct 10 (Reuters Life!) - Lemony Snicket, the narrator and biographer of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," is facing his demise with the 13th and final book in the gothic children's series out this week -- or is he?

Author Daniel Handler, the creator of Lemony Snicket, says "The End" will reveal the fate of the three Baudelaire orphans and evil Count Olaf when it goes on sale on the suitably unlucky Friday, October 13 with two characters facing death.

But San Francisco-based Handler, 36, who began the series in 1999, told Reuters that the dour Lemony Snicket, who is rich with sarcasm and irony, will survive:

Q: Is this the end of Lemony Snicket?

A: "I don't think so. It is the last book in the series but he will live on. Lemony Snicket, I am sure, will reappear, assuming nothing dreadful happens to him in the interim.

"This spring, a piece that Lemony Snicket wrote in conjunction with a composer (Nathaniel Stookey) was performed by the San Francisco Symphony. There's a picture book from that coming out. Lemony Snicket and I, we get on famously. It is almost as if we are the same person."

Q: Are you sad or relieved that this is the last book?

A: "I am mostly in a state of disbelief and shock. The question really is how in the world did I manage to write 13 books about dreadful things happening to three helpless orphans. I always set out to write 13 books. To me the only thing that seemed more interesting that one book about dreadful things was 13 volumes on the same theme."

Q: Did the success of the series that has sold over 50 million copies surprise you?

A: "Surprise does not begin to cover it. I never thought very many people would be interested in this at all. I know of no one who was unsurprised. My wife liked the book and people had nothing but best wishes for me but no one at all predicted the attention it has received."

Q: You weren't a children's writer, having written two adult novels before. Why the move into children's literature and why do you think Lemony Snicket appeals to them?

A: "I am just someone who thinks of terrible things and I didn't think I would make a career in children's literature. It was only because this gothic idea kept coming back to me (that I wrote this series).

"I think (children) like the fact that good behavior is not necessarily rewarded and bad behavior is not necessarily punished. This reflects a reality that face in everyday life. They like thinking of people in pathetic and stressful situations."

Q: Have parents also liked the series?

A: "Most parents have enjoyed it. Every so often there are a few grumbles. In Texas there was a challenge (in a school) to the books because they said they promoted negative thoughts. Mind you I don't mind admitting that every now and then I have the odd negative thought about Texas."

Q: The first three books were made into the film "Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events." Can we expect more?

A: "They are talking of it."

Q: What are you working on now?

A: "I am working on a new novel for adults about pirates...set in the present day. I will write it next year so it should be out in a couple of years.

"I like writing. When I finish a book I may take a day to clear some nonsense off my desk and maybe another to go to a movie in the afternoon or drink cocktails with a friend but after that I really want to get back to writing.

"I have a child (a son) now so I tend to start work a bit later in the day but most days I will write from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.."

Q: What are you reading at the moment?

A: "I am reading a bunch of gothic novels. It is as if I want to get them all out of my system. I am reading Wilkie Collins' 'Armadale."'

Streisand has outburst at NYC concert

NEW YORK - The most riveting moment of Barbra Streisand's Madison Square Garden concert was one of the only unscripted ones.

Streisand endured jeers as she interjected a political skit into Monday night's show, exchanging zingers with a celebrity impersonator playing George Bush as a bumbling idiot.

Though most of the crowd offered polite applause during the slightly humorous routine, it went on a bit too long, especially for those who just wanted to hear Streisand sing.

"Come on, be polite!" the well-known liberal implored. But one heckler wouldn't let up. And finally, Streisand let him have it.

"Shut the (expletive) up!" Streisand bellowed, drawing wild applause. "Shut up if you can't take a joke!"

With that one F-word, the jeers ended. And the message was delivered — no one gets away with trying to upstage Barbra Streisand, especially not in her hometown.

Canadians going online to rent movies

TORONTO (CP) - Trend-spotters have been forecasting for years the imminent extinction of the video store.

With the advent of television pay-per-view channels and digital technology that enables films to be downloaded off the Internet and burned onto DVDs for home viewing, they say, there's really no need for the neighbourhood Blockbuster to exist.

The trouble is, movie studios aren't co-operating with the prognosticators and continue to release their films to video stores because, in short, they make more money that way. Downloading from the Internet, as well, can be a process that takes a couple of hours.

So for now, some Canadians fed up with trudging to the video store every Friday night have found another option: websites that allow movie-lovers, for a monthly fee, to order their flicks online, receive them in the mail, watch them at their leisure without due dates or late fees and then send them back.

There are a handful of such services in Canada, including Zip.ca, Cinemail.ca and Dvdhype.com. While Blockbuster offers an online movie rental service in the United States, it hasn't yet expanded that operation north of the border.

Satisfied customers say it's yet another way that the Internet has simplified their lives.

Brett Tackaberry, 29, is a Zip.ca devotee. The Ottawa-based company, the biggest of its kind in Canada, recently celebrated its 10 millionth shipment with Canada Post and has a library of more than 52,000 movies and TV series, many times larger than what's available at a neighbourhood video store.

"I used to go to Blockbuster and Rogers a lot, but I've just found that it just makes more financial sense and saves me a lot of time to order my movies online, just like I bank online," says Tackaberry, who works at an Ottawa software company. "I haven't been to a bank branch in years, and I doubt I'll be at a video store anytime soon either."

Zip.ca works like this: for a monthly fee - ranging from $10.95 to $49.95, depending on how many movies you want to rent at once - subscribers surf the website and choose what movies they want by creating a DVD wish list. The company mails them the flicks via first-class mail with a postage-paid return envelope, and customers can watch them when they feel like it - either that day, a month later or six months later.

When Zip.ca customers have watched their films, they send them back and order a new batch of movies.

"If you rent five or six movies a month, like I was doing, this makes a lot more financial sense and saves you the time of having to go to a video store and be greeted by a wall of movies in alphabetical order that you have to go sifting through," Tackaberry says.

Rick Anderson, president of Zip.ca, says that when he started the company - similar to Netflix.com in the U.S. - he assumed most customers would be rural Canadians who couldn't easily get to a video store, people who didn't drive or older people who didn't want to venture into the neighbourhood Blockbuster.

"But it hasn't turned out that way at all," Anderson says. "The majority of our members are urbanites in their late 30s, although we have members in every age group. And the No. 1 complaint they make (about video stores) is about having to return a movie that they never ended up watching. Sixty-five per cent of our members have complained that they've had the experience of having to return a movie that they've not watched."

An added benefit, Anderson says, is the company's pledge to find any movie that isn't in the Zip.ca library if a customer asks for it.

"Fifteen thousand of the movies in our library are there because a customer requested it," he says. "That means we have some really obscure and interesting titles in there that aren't easily found at a video store."

But Sarah Good, spokesperson for Rogers, says video stores still offer something that online rental operations cannot - the human touch.

"You want what you want when you want it, not in a few days' time after you order the video online," she says. "As well, we've got movie experts sitting in our stores ready to help you find what you need or give you the kind of hands-on customer service you can't get from a website."

Google buys YouTube for $1.65 billion US

Internet search leader Google Inc. made a giant leap Monday into the burgeoning online video industry by snatching up YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion US.

The all-stock acquisition unites one of the internet's marquee companies with one of its rapidly rising stars.

The price makes YouTube, a still-unprofitable startup, by far the most expensive purchase by Google during its eight-year history.

"We are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers," said Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive officer.

YouTube will continue to retain its brand, as well as all 67 employees, including co-founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen. The site was launched in February 2005, using Macromedia Flash technology to display video content submitted by a growing community of members.

CBS, Universal, Sony ink separate deals

The deal comes on the same day as YouTube, one of the top video-sharing websites in the world, announced agreements with CBS, Universal Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment to allow video clips and music to be featured on the site.

"YouTube is committed to balancing the needs of the fan community with those of copyright holders," YouTube CEO Chad Hurley said in a statement.

The arrangement with CBS allows for short videos from news, sports, primetime programs as well as Showtime to be shown. CBS said it will also offer brief clips from popular series such as Survivor and mini-previews for some of its new fall shows.

New technology

The network will also test new technology that will help it find copyrighted content on YouTube and remove it. CBS will retain the capability to keep the copyrighted material on the site and share revenue from advertising that appears alongside the content.

Universal Music Group confirmed that YouTube will have access to thousands of music videos, and artists will be compensated for any musical content that users decide to incorporate into their videos.

Sony BMG Music said it will also make video content available on the site and permit YouTube users to include some songs from its catalogue in their amateur videos.

Sony BMG Music will share ad revenue with YouTube for all videos that integrate any audio or video from the Sony library.

YouTube made a similar pact with Warner Music Group a month ago.

New Releases: Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor

Rod Stewart "Still the Same ... Great Rock Classics of Our Time"

Rod Stewart closes the Great American Songbook, at least for now, and returns to his roots by covering rock tunes on "Still the Same." The album features the singer performing such well-known songs as Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain," Bob Seger's "Still the Same," Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" and Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Fell in Love."

"Still the Same" comes at a time when most assumed that Stewart was content to remain in the role of standards crooner, having mined the Great American Songbook for four volumes that have sold millions of copies. It will be intriguing to see if the fans who embraced the "Great American Songbook" series will follow Stewart on his return to rock.

* * *
Jimmy Buffett "Take the Weather With You"

Mr. Margaritaville returns with his first new studio album since 2004's "License to Chill." The album is billed by Buffett's Mailboat Records label as a return to his "country foundation with breezy ballads, interpretations of alt-country songs, a version of Merle Haggard's 'Silver Wings' and mariachi horns in 'Cinco De Mayo in Memphis.'"

The set also includes the ballad "Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On," which addresses the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as well as the Mark Knopfler-penned track "Whoop De Doo," on which the former Dire Straits member makes a guest appearance.

Buffett is currently scheduled to make six stops--in California, Florida and Las Vegas--in support of the new album.

* * *
James Taylor "James Taylor at Christmas"

The singer/songwriter kicks off the onslaught of big-name holiday releases with this collection of yuletide classics. The set features guest stars Chris Botti, Natalie Cole and Toots Theilemans.

This is the second time in recent years that Taylor has released a holiday record. The previous seasonal outing, 2003's "James Taylor: A Christmas Album," was sold exclusively at Hallmark stores.

Taylor does have some shows on the horizon. He'll next perform Tuesday (10/10) in Providence, RI, and will spend the following 10 days or so touring in the Northeast and Midwest.

* * *
Bette Midler "Cool Yule"

Joining Taylor as an early entry into the holiday-CD sweepstakes, Bette Midler returns with "Cool Yule." The album features such wintry classics as "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

* * *
Sting "Songs from the Labyrinth"

The former chief of Police strays from his pop/rock past to interpret the music of Elizabethan songwriter John Dowland (1563-1626). Joining Sting on the album is lutenist Edin Karamazov.

* * *
Other new releases:
Lloyd Banks, "Rotten Apple" (G-Unit)
The Be Good Tanyas, "Hello Love" (Nettwerk)
Circle II Circle, "Burden of Truth" (Locomotive)
Hybrid, "I Choose Noise" (Distinctive)
Wynonna Judd, "A Classic Christmas" (Curb)
Brad Paisley, "A Brad Paisley Christmas" (Arista)
Robert Randolph, "Colorblind" (Warner Bros.)
Senses Fail, "Still Searching" (Vagrant)
Mindy Smith, "Long Island Shores" (Vanguard)
Micah Stampley, "A Fresh Wind" (Levitical)
Trivium, "The Crusade" (Roadrunner)
Zucchero, "Fly" (Universal)

Soundtracks and scores:
"A Chorus Line (New Cast Recording)" (Sony)
"Flyboys" (Varese)
"Marie Antoinette" (Verve)

Scarlett Johansson: 'I'm not promiscous'

NEW YORK - Scarlett Johansson says that while monogamy might go against instinct, she's happy in her relationship with boyfriend and recent "Black Dahlia" co-star Josh Hartnett.

"Josh is very sweet," the 21-year-old actress says in an interview in Allure magazine's November issue, on newsstands Oct. 24. "He's a good boy. A great person. I'm very lucky and I'm very happy. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not promiscuous.

"There does seem to be a mistaken belief out there that I am sexually available somehow — which is not to say that I'm not open-minded about sex," she continues. "Yet I wouldn't say I'm a serial monogamist, either. I mean, I went through periods of time when I was, ah, single. But when I'm in a relationship, I'm in a relationship."

But Johansson, whose films include "Lost in Translation" and "Match Point," still acknowledges monogamy might not be natural.

"I do think on some basic level we are animals, and by instinct we kind of breed accordingly," she says. "But as much as I believe that, I work really hard when I'm in a relationship to make it work in a monogamous way."

Johansson also encourages testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

"I get tested for HIV twice a year. ... One has to be socially aware," she says. "It's part of being a decent human, to be tested for STDs. It's just disgusting behavior when people don't. It's so irresponsible."

Farrah Fawcett Battling Cancer

Original Charlie's Angel and 1970s bombshell Farrah Fawcett has confirmed that she is battling intestinal cancer.

The 59-year-old actress recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor found in her lower intestine and is expected to have more radiation treatment and complete a course of chemotherapy.

"Throughout the journey of my life, I have maintained a strong faith in the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity," Fawcett said in a statement Friday. "I deeply believe in one’s own positive will to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

"I am resolutely strong and I am determined to bite the bullet and fight the fight while going through the next six weeks of cutting edge, state of the art treatment. I should be able to return to my life as it was before at the end of my treatment.

"I am so grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of concern, love, prayers and compassion from all over the world. You are all a source of enduring strength."

A tanned, glamorous Fawcett made a surprise appearance at the Emmy Awards in August alongside former partners in crime-fighting Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson to pay tribute to Charlie's Angels producer Aaron Spelling, who passed away in June.

"I wish her the best and it's just shocking. I'm overwhelmed by the news, I had no idea," Tori Spelling told E! News.

"I've grown up with her--she's been a good friend. We've been costars, we've been neighbors, we've been friends, she's been like a mother to me at times. She's an amazing woman."

It was shortly after the Emmy appearance that Fawcett was diagnosed with the disease.

Strangely enough, both Smith and Jackson have faced down cancer, as well. Smith was treated for breast cancer in 2002, and Jackson battled two occurrences of breast cancer in the late 1980s. Additionally, Fawcett's sister succumbed to lung cancer, prompting the former pinup to do fund-raising appearances for the American Cancer society.

Meanwhile, Fawcett's longtime off-on beau Ryan O'Neal fought his own bout with leukemia in 2001 and is reportedly in remission.

He and Fawcett, who split in 1997 after 15 years together, have apparently reconnected in recent weeks. The couple were spotted earlier this month working out together at an L.A.-area gym.

"After Farrah got the diagnosis...she was devastated," an unnamed friend is quoted in the National Enquirer, which first reported the cancer diagnosis. "Everyone in the family cried for days. Then she snapped out of it and told Ryan, 'I'm going to beat this!'"

Fawcett, whose blonde feathered waves were "the Rachel" of the '70s, starred on Charlie's Angels--and many teenage boys' walls--from 1976 to 1980. She scored an Emmy nomination in 1984 for the acclaimed TV movie The Burning Bed, in which she played a battered wife who sets her husband on fire in his sleep.

More recently she guest-starred on Ally McBeal, Spin City and the CBS legal drama The Guardian, and showed up alongside Ja Rule and Tim Meadows in the film The Cookout. Last year she offered herself up to the reality TV gods, starring in Chasing Farrah on TV Land and, shortly before the Emmys, took a turn poking good-natured vulgar fun at William Shatner during Comedy Central's televised roast of the Star Trek star.

Twisted Sister Celebrates Xmas, But Future Unclear

Twisted Sister will put a cap on its reunion with the Oct. 17 release of "A Twisted Christmas" via Razor & Tie. "I think I made the comment that we should do a Christmas record," guitarist Jay Jay French tells Billboard. "And [frontman] Dee [Snider] said, 'You know, "Come All Ye Faithful" is actually "We're Not Gonna Take It." I think I subliminally stole the melody.'"

"So we recorded 'We're Not Gonna Take It' and put 'Come All Ye Faithful' in, and it worked with some changes," he continues. "We added a Black Sabbath version of 'Hava Nagilah' at the end of the song. Then we came up with 10 songs and decided to connect them with bands that we really love."

The sets features a duet with Lita Ford on "I'll Be Home for Christmas," while "White Christmas" was recorded in multiple languages for its European editions. "It's a great idea," Snider says. "I think the Christmas album might actually get some attention because it's a novelty record, and it might get the attention that a regular Twisted Sister album could not.

Having regrouped in 2001 after a 14-year hiatus, Twisted Sister's ongoing existence is unclear, according to Snider.

"I've told the guys that I'm done [after 2006]," he says. "I've got a lot of things plaguing me. I really resented the older bands that would not know when to get off the f*ckin' stage. I want to get out of the way and let [younger bands] have their chance in the spotlight. Am I saying I'll never do anything ever again? No. But am I serious that I want it to end? Yes. Not because anything's wrong, but because everything's right, so I want it to end while everything's right."

"If the band had never reunited we would never have known or experienced the thrill of the acknowledgment of the hard work that we put in," French adds. "I never take it for granted. It's just unbelievable. So I'm astonished by it, humbled by it and grateful for it."

Scorsese's 'Departed' nets $27M in debut

LOS ANGELES - Martin Scorsese's mob saga "The Departed" debuted as the weekend's top movie with $27 million, muscling out the horror prequel "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning."

It was a record opening for Scorsese, whose previous best was $10.3 million with 1991's "Cape Fear." Scorsese's films usually debut in narrower release and gradually roll out to more theaters, but Warner Bros. decided to launch "The Departed" in wide release of 3,017 cinemas.

"I think the cast was the deciding factor and the playability of the movie," Warner distribution chief Dan Fellman said of the film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson in a blood-soaked epic about moles infiltrating the Boston police and a crime gang.

"We had a special film here. We had the cast to drive it that way, and it worked out well," Fellman said.

New Line Cinema's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" prequel, examining the roots of maniac killer Leatherface and his cannibalistic family, pulled in $19.15 million in its first weekend. The movie had a $16 million production budget.

The previous weekend's top film, Sony's animated comedy "Open Season," fell to No. 3 with $16 million, raising its 10-day total to $44.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The weekend's other new wide release, Lionsgate's workplace comedy "Employee of the Month" with Jessica Simpson, Dane Cook and Dax Shepard, debuted in fourth place with $11.8 million.

The top-12 movies took in $102 million, up 16 percent from the same weekend last year. Overall movie attendance is up 3 percent over 2005.

Two films debuted strongly in limited release. New Line's suburban drama "Little Children" opened with $108,400 in five New York City and Los Angeles theaters.

Directed by Todd Field ("In the Bedroom"), "Little Children" features Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly and Patrick Wilson in a satiric look at the dark secrets underlying a neighborhood's complacent exterior. The film expands to nationwide release by early November.

ThinkFilm's sexual romp "Shortbus," directed by John Cameron Mitchell ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch"), opened with $120,650 at six theaters in five cities.

The unrated film features a cast of unknowns engaging in real sex as characters work out their sexual and emotional hang-ups at a bohemian salon in New York City. "Shortbus" expands to 10 more cities this weekend.

"This is what the fall movie season is supposed to be all about, with a tremendous variety of films and genres," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

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

1. "The Departed," $27 million.
2. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning," $19.15 million.
3. "Open Season," $16 million.
4. "Employee of the Month," $11.8 million.
5. "The Guardian," $9.6 million.
6. "Jackass Number Two," $6.4 million.
7. "School for Scoundrels," $3.4 million.
8. "Gridiron Gang," $2.3 million.
9. " Jet Li's Fearless," $2.2 million.
10. "The Illusionist," $1.8 million.

The Stones draw 80,000 in Regina

REGINA (CP) - It was all about Mick and the boys Friday in the Queen City.

Some 80,000 people were set to attend Rolling Stones shows on Friday and Sunday in what officials were calling the city's biggest-ever concerts. Among the thousands who mingled at the site more than three hours before showtime was Brock Montgomery, 25, who drove in from Moose Jaw to see "the greatest rock and roll band of all times - hands down."

"I've been listening to them for a long time," he said.

"The old man, he brought us into them," Montgomery said, referring to his father, who was also at the show.

"It'll be awesome, probably the best thing that ever happens to me."

Some ticket holders could be heard on cellphones, calling friends to say that they were at the show. One group of four, clearly expecting satisfaction from the show, was singing the Stones hit, albeit somewhat off key.

Others hadn't actually scored tickets to the concert but hung around outside Mosaic Stadium in the hope something would materialize.

One woman, who would only identify herself as Joan, waited in front of the ticket office wearing a placard that said: "Wanted: Stones tickets."

"I've never done this before," Joan said. "(But) we thought what the heck, if we can get tickets we'll go - concert of a lifetime."

Officials at Tourism Regina agreed, saying the show was the biggest the city and possibly the province had ever seen.

"There is nobody in Saskatchewan who doesn't know somebody that's going to be at the concert," said Steve McLellan, the agency's executive director.

"In Regina, and indeed throughout Saskatchewan, it's a big deal . . . it's the biggest deal going in our city literally for years."

McLellan said the shows are expected to bring in between $10 million and $15 million in direct tourism spending.

"(It's) the most amount of tickets ever sold in Regina, the biggest band that's ever been here, we think the biggest production that's ever been into the city," he said.

Crews worked for several days to turn Mosaic Stadium - the home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team - into the massive stage dubbed by the Stones production crew as "the Big Grey Whale."

"It looks just like this big grey collage of artwork and then when the lights go down, and we turn on our effects, it just lights up," production manager Dale Skjerseth said of the steel structure rising above the field.

The stage rises 27 metres off the ground, is nearly 62 metres wide and more than 30 metres deep, said Skjerseth. It weighs 272 tonnes and also includes a video LED wall that is nearly 15 by 15 metres.

Skjerseth, who has 27 years of touring experience, said the show is "bigger than anything out there on the road right now."

Even the weather co-operated on Friday.

Whereas Stones fans in Halifax endured frigid temperatures and driving rain at a show there last month, it was a balmy 20 C in Regina by mid-afternoon Friday.

Lau gives 'Departed' an 8 out of 10

HONG KONG - Andy Lau gives "The Departed" — an Americanized version of one of his movies — an eight out of 10. The new Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson was inspired by the 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller "Infernal Affairs," which features Lau and Tony Leung.

"It's correct that he gave it eight on a scale of 10," Lau spokeswoman Alice Tam said, confirming remarks published Friday. She added that Lau dislikes the amount of foul language in the film and the fact that it has only one main female character.

"Infernal Affairs" is about a gangster who infiltrates the police (Lau) and a police officer who goes undercover in a gang (Leung). In the original, the two have separate love interests.

In "The Departed," the undercover gangster in the police (Damon) and the undercover policeman in the gang (DiCaprio) both get romantically involved with the police psychiatrist played by Vera Farmiga.

Lau thinks "the effect of combining the two female characters in the original into one isn't as good as in the original," according to Tam.

She also said the veteran Hong Kong actor contrasted his approach to his role with Damon's.

"He said he focused on his character's psychology, and that the character didn't look like a bad guy on the surface," Tam said, whereas Damon's portrayal showed his character as an obvious bad guy.

"Smith," "Kidnapped" Vanishing

The fall TV season has claimed its first victims.

The goners are Smith, the CBS crook series, and Kidnapped, the NBC thriller.

Smith, which aired Tuesdays at 10 p.m., is off the schedule "until further notice," CBS said Friday. In a further sign the network is quite serious, it no longer features the show in its Website navigation bar.

In the short run, Smith's time slot will be filled by reruns of the network's law-and-order shows.

Kidnapped, which aired Wednesdays at 10 p.m., is being dumped in the Saturday-night landfill starting Oct. 21. The NBC announcement, also made Friday, ominously referred to the show's "remaining original broadcasts," apparently saying without saying that the network won't soon be asking for any more episodes beyond the ones already bought and paid for.

Kidnapped's former weeknight time slot will be taken over, as of next week, by Dateline NBC.

Smith and Kidnapped have both suffered the malady that afflicts nearly all doomed series: Viewer-deficiency syndrome.

Smith has been a non-factor on Tuesdays, running third in its hour behind NBC's Law & Order: SVU and ABC's Boston Legal. With 9.7 million viewers last week, it was CBS' least-watched drama series.

With just 6.3 million viewers, Kidnapped, meanwhile, was last week's least-watched drama series, period, among the big four networks.

Smith stars Ray Liotta as a master criminal and family man who promises to go straight after pulling off one last series of jobs. Kidnapped stars Timothy Hutton and Dana Delany as the panicked parents of an abducted 15-year-old boy. With their shows' respective ends near, perhaps both sets of TV families can now get on with their lives.

Overall, the fall season has been short on freshman standouts.

ABC has gotten good starts out of Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters, but neither is a breakout performer, a la Desperate Housewives. NBC's high on Heroes, while CBS' hottest new hit is the cold-blooded Shark, but, again, neither is a Top 10 show.

In other TV tidbits:

Round three of the Grey's Anatomy-CSI bout went to Grey's Anatomy, which was watched by 22.8 million on Thursday night, compared to 21.5 million for its forensic foe, per Nielsen Media Research stats. The win gives Grey's the series edge, 2-1.

Ugly Betty's bid to return to the Top 10 in next week's rankings will fall short thanks, in part, to Survivor: Cook Islands, which bested the new comedy in the 8 p.m. Thursday hour, 15.8 million viewers to 14.3 million.

Winslet is always an actor to watch

TORONTO — "We're talking about sex," Kate Winslet yells at a gatekeeping publicist who has barged into the room. "You can't come in."

The radiant British actress, who just turned 31, isn't quite in Judi Dench's or Helen Mirren's league when it comes to issuing commands with regal authority. But she's been a mother long enough to Mia, soon to be 6, and Joe, almost 3, to know how to ward off unwanted interruptions with a "stop that!" tone of voice.

And she certainly doesn't hesitate to take charge of a situation while doing press during the recent film festival here, having already removed her fashionably lofty suede boots ("I never wear heels, except for junkets"), closed the window to minimize noise, adjusted the sheer drapes and rolled her own cigarette after politely inquiring, "Do you mind if I smoke?"

The intruder does not follow orders to scoot. And who would, given the hot topic at hand?

Winslet relates how she once again must doff her duds on-screen in the first two of her four films this fall. Already opened is the political tract All the King's Men. Next is the satirical suburban melodrama Little Children, the primo Academy Awards bait of the bunch that arrives today in limited release.

Tell her she looks just fine, discreetly lying across the bed unclothed while a nearby Jude Law is allowed to retain all his garments in All the King's Men and Winslet relates the horror that could have been: "Another part of that scene was cut. He takes all my clothes off, and I walk around the room completely starkers. Terrifying. With the camera behind me. How about that for anxiety?"

Pretty good. But when her bored and naked stay-at-home mom commits a rigorous infidelity atop a laundry-room sink with Patrick Wilson's bored and naked stay-at-home dad in Little Children, wasn't that, well, even more awkward?

"The first two minutes of a nude scene is the worst," she explains patiently. "Then, you just kind of forget you are naked. You're so concerned about getting it right, so concerned about them not shooting the crumply regional Belly and saggy bottom. The anxiety goes away. It's a weird, weird thing."

Not so weird, really. Winslet regularly strips in such arty-minded and semi-obscure films as Hideous Kinky, Jude, Holy Smoke!, Quills and Iris. Oh, yes, she also struck that unforgettable odalisque pose for Leonardo DiCaprio's wide-eyed artist in the bank-breaking sea monster of all blockbusters, Titanic.

Disappointingly, she resorts to the hoariest of clichés to justify her streaking streak: "Any of the love scenes I've ever been asked to do in a film has always been absolutely crucial to the story."

But considering Winslet is the only actress to have collected four Oscar nominations — two for supporting (1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2001's Iris) and two for lead (for Titanic and 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) — before age 30, she just might be sincere.

"She has not been eaten by celebrity," say Jeanine Basinger, the head of film studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. Compare her to Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscar winner for 1998's Shakespeare in Love in a role that Winslet turned down, and "the difference in the level of work and projects chosen is quite pronounced. She has defined herself as an actress, not a glamour pinup or a mature sophisticate."

Another great performance

Nomination No. 5 may be in the offing if critical assessments of her subtle yet smart portrait of Little Children's Sarah, an intellectual oddity adrift in suburbia whose darling 3-year-old and Internet-porn addict husband fail to fulfill her, are to be taken seriously.

According to A.O. Scott of The New York Times, "Ms. Winslet, as fine an actress as any working in movies today, registers every flicker of Sarah's pride, self-doubt and desire, inspiring a mixture of recognition, pity and concern."

Her character's convincing lack of maternal instinct even got under the skin of some of the suits at New Line Cinema, says Little Children director Todd Field (In the Bedroom).

"When the first dailies came in, they called and asked, 'Everything OK out there? Kate is very tough in a couple early scenes with the husband and little girl.' I said, 'Yeah.' They said, 'What if people don't like that?' I told them, 'That is the point of the film, remember?' I hesitated to say anything to Kate, but when I did, she just laughed and laughed and said, 'Oh, that's marvelous, isn't it. It's working.' "

The greatest challenge, Winslet says, was to play a person so unlike herself, one who "carries her child as if she were a heavy piece of luggage she is trying to lug through an airport," as Field puts it.

"It was very, very hard playing somebody who wasn't a good parent and didn't have enormous amounts of affection," she says. "It's not often seen in movies, but it is reality sometimes. That's why I had to play it as truthfully as I could to the script. As tempted as I was to cuddle and kiss that little girl in every single scene, I knew how important it was to the story that I didn't do that."

Yet she was able to admire Sarah's gumption at least. "She makes this decision one day on an absolute impulse to take this dare and kisses a complete stranger on a playground," she says of the scene where Sarah and Wilson's Brad, nicknamed the Prom King by the smug neighborhood mothers, have their initial encounter. "To dip one's toe in the waters of temptation is very, very, very dangerous, and I think it took tremendous courage to go the whole hog."

The illicit relationship and its aftermath profoundly affect Sarah. "We've all been through that," she says. "Those moments where you think, 'Oh my God, should I do this? Everything will change if I take one step forward.' "

Stardom didn't affect her

Winslet could apply those same thoughts to her situation after the overwhelming success of Titanic, still the No. 1-grossing film of all time with more than $600 million domestically. Teen idol DiCaprio might have been king of the world, but where did that leave his co-star, whose feature debut was only three years before in Peter Jackson's much-admired crime fantasy Heavenly Creatures?

"I genuinely went into that experience having no idea how huge that film was going to be, had no idea what size the budget was. I did it because I loved the script."

But decisions did have to be made — how should she steer her career? Toward more money and fame? Or toward personal projects that allowed her to maintain a better sense of balance?

"I did have a lot of things offered to me that would have changed my life all the more and, to be honest, I was not ready," she says. Instead, Winslet was drawn to the oddly titled Hideous Kinky, a small film about a spiritual quest set in Marrakech.

Part of that decision was based on advice given to her by her late boyfriend, Stephen Tredre, an actor and screenwriter she met on a BBC sitcom in 1991. He died from bone cancer at age 34 in December 1997, just as Titanic was about to open.

Painful memories

Before signing on for Titanic, "I remember standing in the middle of Knightsbridge on my phone. I had just gotten this mobile phone, and it had been ringing all day with people hassling for answers for this, that and the other, and I was 20 years old. I phoned my boyfriend and said, 'What do I do? What do I do?' And he said, 'What does your heart tell you to do?' "

With those words, Winslet suddenly bursts into tears. "I'm sorry. I'm getting emotional because this person passed away. Go away, Stephen," she says, waving her hands as if shooing a ghost.

She dabs her eyes and begins to recover. "So I did it for him. I wanted to let people know that acting was the most important thing to me. And hang onto my integrity."

As if to bring herself back into the present, she pulls out a snapshot taken at the Los Angeles Zoo of her two children and husband, Sam Mendes, the British theatrical whiz who won a directing Oscar for 1999's American Beauty.

Winslet, briefly wed before to Mia's father, Hideous Kinky assistant director Jim Threapleton, and Mendes take turns working, and split their lives between London and New York. Since May, she has been the one guarding their domain. But the man who exposed the seamy underbelly of domesticity with such acerbic aplomb in American Beauty is quite the happy homemaker when he has to be.

"We spent some time in England this summer, and Sam was just so fantastic," Winslet says. "A lot of mornings he would get up with our son, unfortunately between 5:45 and 6:15. By the time I'd come downstairs, not only had he unloaded the dishwasher from the night before, but he had reloaded it and put it on, cleaned down all the kitchen surfaces, given Joe his breakfast and made me a coffee."

If Mendes can handle Tom Hanks and Paul Newman in Road to Perdition and Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx in Jarhead, dirty dishes are probably a snap. She sighs. "When I met him, he was dedicated to his work and that was pretty much his life. Suddenly I came along and I had a child already. So he got used to it quick."

Though Winslet is taking a year's break, she has two more movies to tide her fans over. "I have finally done a much bigger film again," she says, referring to The Holiday, a romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give) that opens Dec. 8.

"I play a contemporary English person for the first time ever," she says about her heartbroken Londoner who swaps homes with an equally heartbroken Yank in L.A. (Cameron Diaz) for two weeks. They each suffer culture shock and find love — Diaz with Jude Law and Winslet with funnyman Jack Black.

Then, for the wee ones in her life, there is Flushed Away, opening Nov. 3, the first computer-animated feature from the creators of Wallace & Gromit about an underground city of rats. Hugh Jackman voices Roddy, a posh pet rodent who is flushed down the loo and is desperate to go home. Winslet is the scrappy scavenger Rita, who lends him a hand and her boat.

Still, she is looking forward to continuing her break from the Hollywood rat race.

"I have this English friend who lives in Los Angeles who is also an actress and she said, 'What are you up to now?' I told her I was taking a year off. She said, 'Wow, how's that going to be?' And I said, 'It's going to be great. My daughter is starting school. My son is starting preschool.' And she said to me, 'Don't you feel frightened you might lose a bit of yourself?' I was struck by that. I knew what she meant, but what would I lose?"

She sits back and reflects a moment. "Sometimes I think I should be more guarded in interviews, but I just can't do it."

And thank goodness for that.

FOX Plans Two-Night '24' Premiere

Sutherland drama follows same Sunday-Monday pattern as last season

Still basking in the glow of its first Emmy win for outstanding drama series, FOX's "24" will premiere with a two-night, four-hour event in January.

Following the formula that brought the yielded boffo ratings last year, FOX plans to kick off the sixth season of "24" with two hours of clock-ticking fun on Sunday, Jan. 14, starting at 8 p.m. ET. The following night, FOX will dedicate its primetime hours to two more hours "24."

After force-feeding viewers two nights of fatty "24" goodness, FOX will then wait and give the show it's time period premiere on Monday, Jan 22 at 9 p.m. with the season's fifth hour. From that point, "24" will run uninterrupted through its finale in May.

But don't worry about remembering those dates. FOX will probably offer several reminders as the big date draws nearer. In fact, the network has already set a timetable for promoting the new season. A special sneak peak at season six will launch on the fittingly named website www.24trailer.com on Tuesday, Oct. 24. For readers who lack Internet access -- but are still somehow reading this story -- FOX will also present the sneak footage during Game 3 of the World Series, scheduled for that same night.

When last we saw Jack Bauer (Emmy winner Kiefer Sutherland), he had saved the world. Again. Instead of being thanked, though, he was beaten to a pulp by Chinese government agents who hoped to transport him off to a prison camp somewhere. Nevermind. Season six begins 20 months later, as FOX puts it "After a series of horrific terrorist attacks, an unthinkable, nail-biting day begins."

Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), brother of late President David Palmer, has become President himself. In addition to Sutherland and Woodside, the new season will feature plenty of familiar faces including the return of favorite characters played by Mary Lynn Rajskub, Roger Cross, James Morrison, Eric Balfour and Carlo Rota.

The number of new additions, though, is impressive. They include Regina King as advocacy lawyer Sandra Palmer, fresh presidential advisors played by Jayne Atkinson and Peter MacNicol and, best of all, James Cromwell as Jack Bauer's estranged father. Also joining the cast are Kal Penn ("Harold & Kumar"), Marisol Nichols ("In Justice"), Alexander Siddig ("Syriana"), Harry Lennix ("Commander in Chief") and David Hunt ("Everybody Loves Raymond").

The Couch Potato Report - October 4th, 2006

This week The Couch Potato Report shines the spotlight on Eve and the fire horse and a place on the corner where you can get gas.

Canada is a vast and diverse country with a wide array of people.

The Canadian film industry is also vast and diverse and at it's best it tells stories about Canadians who we might not meet everyday.

Like a nine-year-old girl named Eve from Vancouver, for instance.

The film that is about her is called EVE & THE FIRE HORSE and it is a wonderful little film about the relationship between two young and their family.

Eve was born in 1966 and, according to the Chinese calendar, she is a Firehorse.

By definition that means she is meant to be stubborn or troublesome.

From Eve's overly-imaginitive perspective it seems to mean that she is at the centre of a world full of turmoil, and all of it could be her fault.

Eve's sister has embraced Christianity, which complicates matters in their traditional household. Her Grandmother is old and sick. Mother has cut down a tree and is pregnant. Her Uncle has high blood pressure.

There is fear. Heartbreak. Mourning. And many, many superstitions.

And all of it is engaging and wonderful!

EVE & THE FIRE HORSE is loosely based on filmmaker Julia Kwan's memories of growing up in Vancouver in the 1970s.

In addition to introducing us to some unique Canadians the movie does a wonderful job of showing how some kids play together and others don't get along.

It also correctly presents the relationships that children have to their parents and relatives.

I can't state that EVE AND THE FIREHORSE is perfect film because at times it did move a little slow for me, but it is as close to perfect as a film can be.

The people in the movie are people you will know, because in the end most Canadians have shared experiences about their childhood.

And we all have many shared experiences as adults as well.

That is one of the main reasons why the TV show CORNER GAS is so popular.

Because whether you are from Saskatchewan or you live on Prince Edward Island, we have all met people who remind us of the residents of Dog River, Saskatchewan.

Now, CORNER GAS: SEASON THREE is available on DVD. The three disc set includes all 19 episodes of the made-in-Saskatchewan series and a documentary on Rouleau, the Saskatchewan town where the series is filmed, and many people visit.

CORNER GAS: SEASON THREE and EVE & THE FIRE HORSE are both available now on DVD.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

In NIAGARA MOTEL, a group of struggling individuals cross paths at a low-rent motel in Niagara Falls.

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is a look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of a popular radio show

And the Disney classic THE FOX AND THE HOUND celebrates it's 25th Anniversary.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

'Lost' fans to finally find some answers

NEW YORK - Those "Lost" writer-producers are a secretive bunch. How difficult could it be to give a hint about to expect next season? Apparently, very. A little digging, however, turned up some clues on the gripping ABC drama.

___

WHO ARE THE OTHERS?

They're creepy, wear fake beards and have captured Kate, Jack and Sawyer. Are they "the good guys," as one high-ranking Other said, or are they up to no good? Finally — finally! — that enigma will be addressed this season, producers have teased. They better deliver. Also, expect to see much more of bug-eyed Other/hatch escapee Henry Gale, played by new series regular Michael Emerson.

WHO WILL KATE FALL FOR?

It's about time, Kate. The freckled tough girl ( Evangeline Lilly) will finally make a choice between doctor-leader Jack ( Matthew Fox) and con man Sawyer ( Josh Holloway). Early intel suggests Cupid's arrow is pointing at a Kate-Sawyer hookup — they ARE a couple of good-lookin' outlaws. Why that coupling? According to an ABC press release, "Romance looms on the horizon as Jack's interests veer towards a mysterious woman, whose motives may be questionable."

WHY WAS LOCKE IN A WHEELCHAIR?

John Locke ( Terry O'Quinn) lost of a bit of his faith last season, thanks to his frustration with entering that numbered sequence (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42) on the keyboard every 108 minutes. Still, he can't deny the island's mysterious healing powers, which apparently cured his four-year paralysis and allowed him to walk again after Oceanic flight 815 crash-landed. Those powers — and why exactly Locke was bound to a wheelchair in the first place — will be explored this season, "Lost" experts say. One theory: Locke, who helped his deadbeat father withdraw stolen money from a bank, was handicapped by angry victims of the crime.

WHO IS THE FATHER OF SUN'S UNBORN BABY?

Pre-crash, a doctor said Sun's loving husband, Jin ( Daniel Dae Kim), was infertile. There are three possible explanations for Sun's pregnancy: The island healed Jin's infertility (worked for Locke, leg-wise); the zygote formed inside Sun (YunJin Kim) but is neither hers nor Jin's (creepy!); or Jin is not the baby-daddy. That guy could be Jae Lee, who gave Sun secret English lessons. She was unhappy in her marriage, and planned to leave Jin and go to America.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE HATCH?

In the season 2 finale, Locke, Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) were all in the hatch when Desmond turned the fail-safe key to diffuse whatever electromagnetic energy was quaking the island (yes, that button-pushing chore actually meant something). An explosion ensued. The hatch door landed on the beach. Survival seems like a long shot — but Eko and Locke are under contract. And Cusick is now a series regular. They gotta come out of this alive, if not somewhat — somehow — changed. Plus, ABC says Locke will team up with Sayid ( Naveen Andrews) and others to try and rescue their comrades.

DID MICHAEL AND WALT ESCAPE?

The father-son duo, given a motor boat by Henry Gale, were last seen fleeing the island to destinations unknown. Desperate dad Michael (Harold Perrineau) betrayed his friends to save himself and his son, Walt ( Malcolm David Kelley), who was kidnapped at the end of the first season by the Others. But don't be surprised if they return — those "Lost"-ies aren't the luckiest group. Note that Perrineau is not a regular cast member this season, but could be back as a guest star. And Walt is way too intriguing to make a permanent getaway.

WHAT IS DHARMA DOING WITH THE KIDS?

The Others snatched Walt, Frenchwoman Rousseau's daughter, Alex, and a very pregnant Claire (Emilie de Ravin). In memories of her abduction, Claire was taken to a hospital-like hatch and given a shot in the belly. A teen girl, who might be a grown-up Alex, warned her that higher-ups planned to kill her and take her baby. That's pretty freaky, and so is another theory: That the Others — those "good guys," remember? — are a social utopian experiment by the scientist-led Dharma Initiative. This could explain why they steal innocent children who haven't been tainted by society.

WHO IS LIBBY?

Michael shot and killed her last season, but viewers haven't seen the last of Libby ( Cynthia Watros). She'll keep appearing in characters' flashbacks, producers said, yet her back story — she claimed to be a clinical psychologist and was supposedly among the plane's tail-section survivors — is shrouded in mystery. In flashbacks, it was revealed that she lived in the same mental hospital as an unknowing Hurley ( Jorge Garcia) and gave Desmond her late husband's doomed sailboat. Fan speculation has it that she might be a member of the Hanso Foundation, which funded the shady Dharma Initiative, or a private detective.

IS CLAIRE JACK'S HALF-SISTER?

That's the buzz — and it appears to be so. After losing his medical license for operating while drunk, Christian (Jack's surgeon-father, played by John Terry) fled to Australia, where he drank himself to death after attempting to visit his secret daughter. It went down like this: He showed up at the house of a curly-haired, blonde Aussie — Claire's lookalike mother? — and boozily demanded to see the girl. The woman refused. Jack arrived Down Under to bring Christian's body back to the U.S. and, in a made-for-television twist, wound up on the same ill-fated flight as Claire.

CAN THE SHOW KEEP IT UP?

As many fans complain, "Lost" is more about the questions than the answers. It's confusing and captivating. At least some things were (sorta) cleared up in the finale of the dark and hatch-centric second season, which runneth over with sci-fi mysteries that had viewers scratching their heads. Thankfully, the Powers That Be heard the fan feedback — and they're doing something about it. In a recent podcast posted on the show's Web site, a producer revealed he was influenced by complaints that season 2 was "too mythologically dense." Expect to see a lot about relationships in future episodes, including a dose of much-needed romance.

Extras - HBO announces season 1

Meet Andy Millman, Actor. He never forgets his lines because he never gets any. Andy (Ricky Gervais) is a desperate man. He's been an actor for five years but thanks to his useless agent (Stephen Merchant), he's never done any real acting. Instead, he's a lowly film extra, making his mark in the background while the stars do their work.

The first season of Ricky Gervais' latest series, Extras, will be released by HBO on January 9, 2007. All 6 episodes, along with over 2 hours of bonus material (never-before-seen deleted scenes, exclusive outtakes, behind the scenes featurette and more) will be on this set.

'Mermaid' Swims Back Into the Spotlight

LOS ANGELES -- "The Little Mermaid," re-released on a special edition DVD, became an instant family classic when it first hit theaters in 1989, and continues to demonstrate an enduring appeal, which actress Jodi Benson attributes to many factors.

"I think [it's because it's] a classic fairy tale, the first one for our studio since 'Sleeping Beauty' in '61," comments Benson, who provided the voice of the title character. "And it's a great story in and of itself, but then to add the music to it, you know, to really make it like a Broadway musical, is what makes it so magical."

Composer Alan Menken, who won Oscars for the film's score as well as the original song "Under the Sea" with lyricist Howard Ashman, agrees that it's the combination of story -- about the mermaid Ariel who falls for a human despite her father's disapproval -- and music that make the film memorable.

"It's got a wonderful innocence about Ariel," says Menken. "As a father, I look at it as a story of a father giving his daughter away, or allowing her her independence. It's about a young woman who wants her independence and dreams of going to this other world. It's really like a rite of passage.

"It's a very heartfelt musical, a genuine musical," he adds. "It's a score that is very guileless. And it's very heartfelt in Ariel's song ['Part of Your World'] and the reprise of the song. I think it reflects the best of the Disney animated musicals, and it also brought the contemporary musical into a marriage with Disney animation."

Although Benson's childhood dreams revolved becoming an actress, not a mermaid, when the opportunity came to audition for the roles, she somehow tapped into her inner mermaid without any prompting.

"What I did is I went to the restroom at the rehearsal studio and I started talking into the mirror of what I thought she would sound like," she explains. "And I ran back in, and they had a reel to reel tape and just laid it down on that -- just put what I thought she sounded like. And [directors Ron Clements and John Musker] will tell you, 'We didn't know what we wanted till we heard it. Then we heard it, then we wanted it.' So I think it was just meant to be."

At that point, both Menken and Ashman had already known Benson for several years from her work on Broadway as a chorus girl.

"Jodi has one of those voices -- if you're going to get technical about it -- she's not a pure soprano," Menken observes. "She's got this wonderful mixed belt, which just floats, and was perfect for Ariel."

While playing Ariel changed Benson's life and boosted her career, Menken's time on the film helped change the face of the Oscars. After winning those first two Academy awards, the composer went on to win six more for "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "Pocahontas." Despite the numerous other jobs that the two have had since "Mermaid," both credit Ashman for the shape of their success, even though he died in 1991 from AIDS.

Ashman was the one who convinced Menken to try his hand at scoring, and guided Benson how to perform her songs. In the DVD's "Behind the Scenes" featurette, archival footage shows Ashman standing next to the actress in the recording booth, feeding her the lines for "Part of Your World."

"[He did] everything -- every single line of every single character he has said, either on a tape or to your face," says Benson. "And every song, he's played all the characters. So the renditions of what he can do is just really amazing. So we all just basically copied him. Like I said, he just knew it better than anybody else."

With the passion and talent behind it, "Mermaid" seems like it was always destined to be a hit, but at the time it was made, the filmmakers and performers didn't expect it to become such a phenomenon.

"We had no idea, absolutely no idea whatsoever," reflects Benson. "It was just a complete blessing and gift. The reaction of the way it was received just took us all by storm. We just couldn't believe it. People just kind of really connect with this particular character. I've traveled all over the world and met children all over, and just to hear how this movie affects them in different ways is really precious, very precious."

"The Little Mermaid" 2-disc Platinum Edition is in stores now.

Braugher, Garrett Join 'Fantastic Four' Sequel

She'll play Frankie Raye, which is cool for Marvel fans, but nobody else

Beau Garrett and Emmy winner Andre Braugher have been added to the cast of the 20th Century Fox and Marvel sequel "Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer."

The two new additions will join the central quartet from the first film -- Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis -- in the sequel, which is already shooting in Vancouver.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Braugher will play a general entrusted with capturing the Silver Surfer, as the beloved character makes his big screen debut.

Garrett, meanwhile, will play scientist Frankie Raye. Marvel fans will recall that in addition to being a love interest to Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Raye had pyrotechnic powers of her own thanks to a lab accident as a child. Raye becomes Nova who, among other things, serves as a herald to Galactus.

Viewers may recognize Garrett from a stint on "Entourage," but probably not. She'll next be seen in Fox Atomic's "Turistas."

FX's "Thief" recently earned Braugher his second Emmy, following a 1998 win for "Homicide: Life on the Street." His recent feature credits include "Poseidon."

Stones ticket scalpers not getting satisfaction

Time is not on the side of hundreds of people trying to unload their Rolling Stones tickets, with many facing a monetary loss.

While local fans are giddy at the prospect of seeing the Stones in a few days, some people who bought tickets hoping to sell them to the highest bidder are getting worried.

The group many call the world's greatest rock band is set to play in Regina on Friday, then again on Sunday.

On Monday, the online auction house eBay was listing about 200 items for tickets to the Regina shows. The same day, the Leader-Post had more than 100 ticket holders trying to make last-minute sales. Some sellers were offering their tickets at well below face value.

It's a far cry from earlier this year. When the Oct. 8 concert was announced in the summer, some scalpers bought the maximum number of tickets they were allowed, hoping they'd make a huge profit.

Initially, some were asking $2,000 a pair on eBay.

But then a second concert was added for Oct. 6, flooding the market with another 40,000 tickets.

'It's their own fault'

Leader-Post rock critic Gerry Krochak said it's hard to feel sorry for people who had dollar signs in their eyes when they bought a pile of tickets.

"If scalpers are getting stuck with tickets, I'm not alone when I say, 'Who cares?'" he said. "It's their own fault."

Faced with the first show just a few days away, some concerned sellers are trying to be creative.

Don Peakman, who runs Murray's Limousine Service in Saskatoon, is offering a prime concert seat and a limo ride to Regina and back for $300.

"We're hoping this thing is going to happen because right now, we haven't sold many tickets," he said.

He sold four of his 20 tickets and stands to lose thousands if he can't sell more.

Randy Johnson of Regina bought a number of tickets to both concerts, but has to leave the country before the second show. With tickets burning a hole in his pocket, he's throwing in some Saskatchewan Roughrider game tickets.

"I thought it would be a unique marketing strategy to sell my tickets and include some prime seats for the Roughriders versus Montreal," he said.

So far, Johnson's received lots of calls, but no takers.

Meanwhile, there was more bad news for scalpers Monday when concert organizers announced they were going to put another 1,700 seats up for sale Tuesday.

New Song, Green Day Collab To Enrich U2 Best-Of

A new song and a cover of Scottish punk band the Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" with Green Day will be found on a U2 compilation due Nov. 21 via Interscope. The as-yet-untitled set, which will also be available in a deluxe edition, will feature "16 of U2's best-songs," according to the band's Web site.

Both the new song and the Skids cover were recorded last month at London's Abbey Road Studio with producer Rick Rubin. U2 and Green Day debuted the cover live last week at the re-opening of the New Orleans Superdome; it is available for download exclusively until Oct. 30 via Rhapsody, after which point it will hit additional download retailers. A CD single will follow on Nov. 6.

U2's most recent compilation, "The Best Of 1990-2000," was released in December 2002 and included material up through the 2000 album "All That You Can't Leave Behind."

As previously reported, the band will resume its Vertigo tour Nov. 7 in Brisbane.

Weezer: The Beer Lawsuit

Divided they stand, together they sue.

Looking for a cure for what ales them, the apparently still-together members of Weezer sued Miller Brewing Co. Friday, accusing the Milwaukee-based institution of unlawfully using the band's image in a series of print ads to promote beer and other alcoholic beverages.

According to the alt-rock quartet's complaint, the three ads that showed up in 2004 on the pages of Rolling Stone misappropriated the band's name and image by stating that Weezer--along with "other bands and musical performers with whom [Weezer] do not wish to be associated in any advertisement"--endorsed Miller products.

Not wanting anyone to destroy their image, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, drummer Patrick Wilson, guitarist Brian Bell and bassist Scott Shriner are seeking actual damages (they feel the misappropriation of their good name has cost them millions); all profits received by Miller and fellow defendants from the ads in question; punitive damages amounting to three times either the actual damages or the defendants' profits, whichever is higher; and an injunction against any further use of the band's image.

Weezer has also targeted marketing firm Young & Rubicam and production company Giannini Creative Imaging in the lawsuit.

Although following the platinum-level success of 2005's Make Believe Cuomo told MTV News in July that Weezer's latest break may be a break-up, an Aug. 12 posting on the band's Website referred to the members' current state as "one of positivity and growth."

"Now please, take those 'Weezer split?' headlines and place them firmly into the 'Don't believe the hype' bin," read the site a week later. As of last weekend, a live DVD project was on hold, however, and while cover art has been created for a greatest-hits album, no new songs have been recorded yet. "It if happens, it will definitely have some new tracks," the band said, adding that Cuomo has been working on some fresh material.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Maladroit boys are keeping busy while Cuomo cleanses his aura and enjoys married life after almost three years of self-imposed celibacy (he tied the knot with Kyoko Ito in June).

Bell and Wilson went retro to play Lou Reed and John Cale in the upcoming Edie Sedgwick biopic Factory Girl, starring Sienna Miller as the Andy Warhol muse. The Weezer mates also recorded a cover of Velvet Underground's "Heroin" for the film's soundtrack.

Wilson has a side band, too--The Special Goodness, with The Offspring drummer Atom Willard--and Bell fronts his own group, Space Twins, as well.

"New" Beatles album to be released

LONDON (Reuters) - A "new" album of Beatles music mixed by their legendary producer George Martin and described as a new "way of reliving the whole Beatles musical lifespan," will be released in November.

EMI Music and Apple Corps Ltd. said on Tuesday that Martin and his son Giles began work on the album, called "Love," after getting permission from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison representing John Lennon and George Harrison.

The music has already been used as the soundtrack to the theatrical Cirque du Soleil show called "Love."

"This music was designed for the Love show in Las Vegas but in doing so we've created a new Beatles album," George Martin said in a statement.

"The Beatles always looked for other ways of expressing themselves and this is another step forward for them.

"What people will be hearing on the album is a new experience, a way of re-living the whole Beatles musical lifespan in a very condensed period."

The Martins worked from the original master tapes from the Abbey Road studios to produce a medley of Beatles music by remixing favorite songs, such as Harrison's "Within You Without You" being played to the drum-track of "Tomorrow Never Knows."

EMI Music, part of EMI Group Plc, and Apple Corps Ltd., the English company that administers The Beatles' interests, said the album would be released worldwide in November. Additional information such as the track listing will be released later.

Nirvana concert film making DVD debut

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Nirvana concert film "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!" will make its DVD debut November 7, 12 years after it was originally issued on VHS.

The Geffen Records release was conceived by Kurt Cobain as a way to anthologize Nirvana's quick ascent to rock superstardom but was not completed until after his 1994 suicide.

The bulk of the DVD features live footage from the band's 1991-92 tour in support of "Nevermind," highlighted by versions of "Breed," "Drain You," "Dive" and "Aneurysm." According to the label, the footage has been color-corrected and digitally remastered; previously unreleased bonus performances will be included but details have yet to be announced.

"Live! Tonight! Sold Out!" also sports performances of "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "About a Girl," "Love Buzz," "Negative Creep," "Come As You Are," "Territorial Pissings," "Something in the Way," "On a Plain," "Lithium" and "Sliver," among others.

The only prior Nirvana DVD was included with the 2004 boxed set "With the Lights Out."

'Trailer Park Boys' about to hit the big screen

TORONTO (CP) - The boys are back.

For Ricky, Julian and Bubbles, it's out of jail and straight into a big-screen movie version of the sitcom series that has been a rarity in Canadian television: a bona fide audience hit for six seasons now.

Before season 7 begins on Showcase next spring, "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie" hits theatres across Canada this Friday. But with a modest $5 million budget, it has the same low-rent look as the small-screen version. No big marquee names. No big car crashes or things blowing up.

So the question for director, writer and co-creator Mike Clattenburg is: will fans pay to see something they get each week on the small screen for free (cable fees notwithstanding)?

"It's a cinematic experience," Clattenburg insists, adding there's a certain charm to the series' cheap video quality that fans will still want to see writ large. He even eschewed the usual 35mm and opted to film on grainier 16mm.

He notes that low-rent Canadian screen classic from 1970, Don Shebib's Goin' Down the Road, was shot in a similar social realist style. Come to think of it, there are other similarities in its story of a pair of Cape Breton roustabouts who decide to drive to Toronto in their beat-up Chevy looking for a better life.

"We didn't want to spend hours lighting stuff. . .we consciously didn't want to get too glamorous," Clattenburg adds. "(But still it's) very worthy of 10 Canadian dollars!"

When asked if a comparison can be made, too, to those two Canadian hosers from the early 1980s, the McKenzie brothers (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) of SCTV fame, Clattenburg says that was not a conscious decision.

If any of Bob and Doug's DNA exists in Ricky, Julian and Bubbles, it is far from intentional.

Still...

"Bob and Doug were born out of those guys hanging out and having fun and trying to make each other laugh," he says. "I think we are born of the same thing, a group of friends who are very serious about filmmaking but are very serious about exploring the depths of foolishness as well."

In the film script, the boys are let out of jail and immediately plan The Big Dirty: a major heist that will net them enough money to live high the rest of their lives. Alas, coming from the shallow end of their respective family gene pools, they decide the clever thing would be to make a big haul of change since coin, unlike paper money, isn't traceable by the law.

After knocking over some parking metres with little payoff, they spot a gigantic plastic bowl of coins in a movie-theatre lobby ... one of those contests where the winner guesses the correct amount of money therein. It's not hard to predict what disaster awaits them.

Clattenburg insists the Sunnyvale trailer park trio have not generated complaints from Maritime locals that this represents an insulting stereotype.

"It was in season 2, there was an elderly lady who came out of her trailer when we had cars on fire and (stuff) was wrecked everywhere, and she said 'You are trying to make us look like Yankee trash!' "

But he says that's about it, because most people know it's not an accurate portrayal of anything.

"It's absurd. Was Monty Python an accurate representation of the English? Is "The Sopranos" an accurate representation of Italian-American life? No.

"It's subjective. It's your sense of humour and it works for some and it doesn't work for others and that's completely cool."

While strictly a Canadian property so far, Clattenburg says buzz has already been generated in Hollywood about "Trailer Park Boys", partially because of Canadian-born uber-producer Ivan Reitman's participation in the film's making. Fans have also been downloading series episodes and BBC America aired three seasons but with much of the show's considerable profanity excised.

Clattenburg says the specialty channel wanted to broadcast them uncut but had to relent due to the industry chill that descended in the wake of the infamous Janet Jackson nipplegate incident during the 2004 Super Bowl telecast.

He concedes the boys' liberal use of the f-word can be offputting to some but laughs at objections to much of the other so-called profanity which, he says, is often harmless banter.

"There's cocknuckles and dicklock. I mean, what does that mean? That means nothing. You're just playing with the sound of the words and alliteration and all those things."

The TPB movie, incidentally, is being released theatrically on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, a time when the big studios usually put their Academy Award contenders out there. Any such hopes for the boys?

"I'm absolutely sure we're probably going to get eight to 10 Oscar nominations," deadpans Clattenburg. "If it doesn't, I will be shocked!"

More "Wargames" On The Way

That classic '80s movie Wargames is finally getting a sequel.

Production Weekly says a script for War Games 2: The Deadly Game has been penned by Randall M. Badat (Hear No Evil) and is set to swing into production this November.

While the original Wargames starred Matthew Broderick as a young computer hacker that almost brings about a nuclear war, the new movie will instead focus on the threat of terrorism.

The new film will again focus on a teenage computer whiz, however this time around an online terrorist-simulator game-play strategy that sets off homeland security alerts, causing panic for both government and the unknowing teen.

New Releases, Sept. 26: Evanescence, The Killers, George Strait

Evanescence "The Open Door"

The Goth-rockers return with the follow-up to their multi-platinum debut, 2003's "Fallen." That previous work spawned two major hits, "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal," and earned the group two Grammy awards, for Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance.

The first single from "The Open Door" is "Call Me When You're Sober." The song's lyrics reportedly stem from vocalist Amy Lee's now-defunct relationship with Seether frontman Shaun Morgan--who, perhaps not coincidentally, recently announced that he was heading into rehab.

Two days after the release of "The Open Door," the band will launch a North American club and theater tour. The trek kicks off on Oct. 5 in Toronto, and is scheduled to make stops in 17 cities by the time it wraps up on the West Coast in late October.

* * *
The Killers "Sam's Town"

Having rocketed to stardom on the back of their 2004 debut, "Hot Fuss," which featured the mega-single "Somebody Told Me," The Killers return with the sophomore outing "Sam's Town."

The new disc features the cut "When You Were Young," which was released as a single last month. A few days after the disc hits shelves, the group will embark on a month-long tour that includes two-night stands in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. So far, shows are lined up through Oct. 28, when the band will give a hometown performance at the Vegoose festival in Las Vegas.

* * *
George Strait "It Just Comes Natural"

Strait is one of the most popular artists in country music history, claiming sales of more than 62 million albums and topping the country chart with 53 different singles.

The cowboy looks for his winning ways to continue with the release of his 34th album, the appropriately named "It Just Comes Natural." So far, so good; the set's first single, "Give It Away," is already a major hit.

Among the album's other tracks are the ballad "That's My Kind of Woman" (co-written by frequent Strait collaborator Dean Dillon), "She Told Me So" (a Bobby Braddock song), the title track (penned by Marv Green and Jim Collins) and "One Foot in Front of the Other" (by Lee Roy Parnell and Cris Moore). Three of Strait's trademark cowboy tunes can be found among the set's 15 tracks: "I Ain't Her Cowboy Anymore," "How 'Bout them Cowgirls" and the Guy Clark-penned "Texas Cookin'."

* * *
Beck "The Information"

Having wowed fans and critics alike with his last album, 2005's "Guero," Beck is back with his eagerly anticipated new disc, "The Information."

The 15-song set was recorded with producer Nigel Godrich, who also worked with Beck on "Mutations" and "Sea Change." The package also includes a DVD featuring "homemade" videos for each track that were shot in the studio during recording sessions for the record.

So far, Beck is booked to play six shows in support of the new disc, a run currently scheduled to conclude Oct. 23 in Philadelphia.

* * *
Lindsey Buckingham "Under the Skin"

Here's one that classic rock fans have been waiting for: Fleetwood Mac vocalist/guitarist Lindsey Buckingham finally returns with his first solo album in 14 years. Buckingham will also hit the road to back the disc, kicking off a 22-city trek on Oct. 6 in Atlanta.

* * *
More new releases:
Jim Brickman, "Escape" (SLG)
Sarah Brightman, "Diva: The Singles Collection" (Angel)
Ray Charles, Count Basie Orchestra, "Ray Sings, Basie Swings" (Concord)
The Decemberists, "The Crane Wife" (Capitol)
The Hold Steady, "Boys and Girls in America" (Vagrant)
Jet, "Shine On" (Atlantic)
Gladys Knight, "Before Me" (Verve)
Amos Lee, "Supply And Demand" (Blue Note)
Sean Lennon, "Friendly Fire" (Capitol)
Los Straitjackets, "Twist Party" (Yep Roc)
Sarah McLachlan, "Mirrorball: The Complete Concert" (Sony)
Monica, "The Makings of Me" (J-Records)
Rodrigo y Gabriela, "Rodrigo y Gabriela" (ATO)
Skillet, "Comatose" (Atlantic)
Robin Thicke, "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" (Interscope)
Chris Young, "Chris Young" (RCA)

Seinfeld Soups Up 'Talkshow'

LOS ANGELES -- Spike Feresten provided Jerry Seinfeld with one of the more memorable episodes of "Seinfeld," and now Seinfeld will lend his one-time writer a hand by appearing on Feresten's late-night show.

Seinfeld will be the guest on the Oct. 21 installment of "Talkshow with Spike Feresten," the FOX show Feresten has fronted for the past few weeks. The comic will do a new piece of stand-up material and sit down with Feresten for an interview.

FOX is calling Seinfeld's booking "a rare in-studio guest appearance." While it's true that Seinfeld has stayed away from the talk-show circuit this year, he's not a recluse on the level of, say, Thomas Pynchon. He last appeared on "The Tonight Show" in November 2005 and was a guest on "Larry King Live" the following month.

He's also supportive of Feresten's early efforts on "Talkshow." "He's a really funny guy and he actually has a great thing with the audience," Seinfeld says of Feresten.

Feresten wrote the "Soup Nazi" and "Little Kicks" episodes of "Seinfeld," among others, and he and Seinfeld co-wrote (with Barry Marder and fellow "Seinfeld" vet Andy Robin) "Bee Movie," an animated movie scheduled for release next year. Seinfeld also voices the lead character.

"Talkshow" airs at midnight ET Saturdays, following "MADtv."

Foo Fighters Acoustic Trek Heading To CD, DVD

Three Los Angeles performances from the Foo Fighters' recent stripped-down tour form the basis for the live album "Skin and Bones."

Due Nov. 7 via RCA, the 15-track set was taped in late August at the Pantages Theater and spotlights an expanded eight-piece lineup featuring violinist Petra Haden and keyboardist Rami Jaffee.

A DVD from the shows, boasting additional songs and extra features yet to be announced, will arrive later in November.

The track list blends material from the band's half-electric/half-acoustic album "In Your Honor" with vintage cuts like "Big Me," "Everlong," "My Hero" and "Walking After You," plus the Dave Grohl-penned Nirvana B-side "Marigold," which the Foos had never performed prior to this tour.

As previously reported, the band is keeping the acoustic concept rolling with a host of fall dates, including three shows early next month in Australia, Oct. 21-22 appearances at Neil Young's Bridge School benefit outside San Francisco and a run of support slots for Bob Dylan through early November.

Here is the CD track list for "Skin and Bones":

"Razor"
"Over & Out"
"Walking After You"
"Marigold"
"My Hero"
"Next Year"
"Another Round"
"Big Me"
"Cold Day in the Sun"
"Skin and Bones"
"February Stars"
"Times Like These"
"Friend of a Friend"
"Best of You"
"Everlong"

Pete Rose admits taking amphetamines

NEW YORK - Pete Rose says he took "greenies" in his playing days, if only to lose a few pounds. Oh, and he doesn't bet on baseball anymore, but if he did, he'd pick the Twins and the Padres.

In an appearance on the "Late Show" taped Monday, Rose was asked by host David Letterman whether he ever used any performance-enhancing drugs as a player. Rose said he never did, but when prodded about "greenies," explained that he used them — though they were nothing more than "diet pills."

"Well, I don't think greenies would ever help you do anything," he said. "You know, I took greenies before in spring training only because I tried to lose some weight, see."

Letterman then asked whether the pills ever helped him ward off fatigue.

"No, not like steroids," Rose replied. "If I took steroids, I'd have gotten 5,000 damn hits."

Neither Letterman nor Rose used the word "amphetamines," which were commonly nicknamed "greenies" at the height of their supposed popularity in baseball. The sport added amphetamines to its list of banned substances last year.

Rose said he still enjoys watching baseball — as many as three games a day — and still holds out hope that he'll be reinstated. Letterman asked Rose who he likes in this year's playoffs.

"You sound like you're betting on baseball," Rose said, drawing laughter and applause. "You know, baseball's going to hate me — the two teams I like are San Diego and Minnesota. And I liked the Yankees until they lost Randy Johnson, I liked the Mets, who've had a fantastic year, until they lost (Pedro) Martinez. St. Louis is going into the playoffs playing as bad as you could play. Detroit, I don't think they have the experience."

He added that he can't bet on baseball anymore "because I know too damn much about it."

"It wouldn't be fair," he said.

Rose, the career hits leader banned from baseball for betting on games as a manager, also explained the story behind the balls he signed with the words "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" that hit the market last month.

He said he signed the balls in 2005 for a friend who planned to keep them for 10 or 15 years. But the friend passed them on to a partner, and they wound up in the hands of a collector who put them up for auction — prompting Rose to sign and market his own apology balls.

Talladega comes to DVD

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is ready for the release fo Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on rated and unrated DVDs, a Blu-Ray and a UMD release.

The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a daredevil could want: a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife and all the fast food he can eat.

But Ricky's turbo-charged lifestyle hits an unexpected speed bump when he's bested by flamboyant Euro-idiot Jean Girard and reduced to a fear-ridden wreck.

Losing his wife and job to best bud and fellow fool, Cal Naughton, Jr., Ricky must kick some serious asphalt if he is to get his career back on track, beat Girard and reclaim his fame and fortune.

The DVDs, and Blu-Ray will come with a gag reel, deleted scenes, alternate takes, interviews with Ricky, Cal and Carley, bonus race footage, the featurette Will Ferrell Returns to Talladega a 25 Years Later commentary, a NASCAR spot, interviews with Jean Girard and Gregory, Walker & Texas Ranger outtakes and Ricky and Cal's Commercials and PSAs.

The unrated cut will contain an additional 13 minutes of footage. The DVD versions will be available in both fullscreen and anamorphic widescreen versions

OK, so for those keeping track at home. The UMD, fullscreen theatrical, widescreen theatrical, fullscreen unrated and widescreen unrated versions will all arrive for $28.95 while the Blu-Ray will be pricd at $38.96.

All six discs will arrive on November 9th.

Canadians not watching home-grown TV

TORONTO (CP) - There's little doubt Canada can produce quality television as creative as any in the world. There's just one problem: very few Canadians are watching it.

Only one Canadian-made show was in the Top 30 for the week of Sept. 18 to Sept. 24, according to BBM Canada - CTV News, at the No. 14 spot. The rest of the list was dominated by American shows like "CSI," "House" and "Desperate Housewives."

While compelling Canadians to tune into homegrown fare has always been a struggle, one Canadian TV producer says it's even more difficult now to compete against the tidal wave of American magazines, websites, advertising and so-called infotainment shows that celebrate U.S. television on both sides of the border.

"The Americans operate the best propaganda machine in the world," says Chris Haddock, the man behind "Da Vinci's Inquest" and the new CBC show, "Intelligence," premiering Oct. 10 and already getting rave reviews from critics.

"Nobody understands the value of publicity and marketing better than the Americans. They will throw tens of millions of dollars at promoting not just a movie, but a new television show. It's not the quality we lack here - it's the money and the marketing machine."

Television blogger Diane Wild agrees.

"For Canadians to compete against the deep pockets of an American network is almost impossible," says Wild, whose blog, "TV, Eh?" (http://Canadiantv.wordpress.com), charts developments in Canadian television.

"We do have quality shows. We've got 'Degrassi' and 'Corner Gas' and 'Trailer Park Boys,' to name just a few. Canadians will watch Canadian TV, but it has to be something that grabs their interest, and most importantly, something that they actually know about. Part of the problem is the publicity and the marketing of these shows. I started up my site because I just wasn't hearing about Canadian shows."

The CBC is currently in crisis mode over the low ratings for some of the productions the public broadcaster had high hopes for, most notably "Hockey: A People's History."

Just slightly more than 500,000 viewers tuned in to watch the miniseries in mid-September. On the third night, when the show was up against the popular American reality show "Amazing Race," it lost more than 200,000 viewers.

Kirstine Layfield, executive director of programming for CBC-TV, agrees that trying to get Canadians to choose made-in-Canada programming is a constant battle.

"There is certainly something very difficult about living next to the huge cultural icon that is the United States," Layfield concedes.

As well, says Layfield, the network is at a disadvantage because it doesn't have the huge American mega-hits like "House," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" that are also carried by rivals CTV and Global.

"CTV has three million viewers tuning in to watch 'Grey's Anatomy' and they can use their own airwaves to promote their own shows to those millions of viewers in a way that we can't," she says.

"What we're doing now is finding the specific audiences for a show. With the limited money that we have, we're trying to be clever about targeting the right audiences."

But Haddock says the problem is much bigger than just marketing - stringent Canadian content rules have to be applied to television just as they are to music.

"It should be mandated that for every opportunity the private broadcasters give an American show, they have to be willing to kick a little bit back, for free, to Canadian productions," Haddock says. "They have to use the money they're making from these American shows and plow it back into Canadian content."

The Writers Guild of Canada made a submission last week to the CRTC, pointing out that spending by broadcasters on Canadian programming over the past five years has dropped from 27 per cent to 25 per cent of advertising revenue. During the same time period, spending on American shows increased from 27 per cent to 35 per cent.

"To make matters worse," the Writers Guild said, "this happened while advertising revenues rose more than 15 per cent over the same period. That means that during the past five years as over-the-air broadcasters were making more money, they were spending less on Canadian programming."

Wild agrees that a lack of marketing is playing a significant role in why Canadians are failing to tune into home-grown shows, but she adds that Canadian networks are still often missing the mark when it comes to creating shows that Canada wants to watch.

"There's still stuff out there that doesn't seem to be capturing the public's interest," she says. "There are a lot of shows that have been focus-grouped to death and then they spend forever tweaking the pilot."

Simply imitating American shows and setting them in Canadian cities "doesn't work for us," Wild says.

"We have a talented group of creators in Canada who have their own ideas and their own passion for the shows that they want to produce and we need to tap into that and see what actually inspires Canadians to watch those shows - I don't think it's going to be 'CSI' knockoffs that people want to watch."

Scheduling, too, is something Canadian networks can do better, Wild says. She points to the CTV night-time soap "Whistler," which aired in the summer - a period when very few people are watching television.

She also questions the CBC's wisdom in airing "Intelligence" opposite "House" on Tuesday nights. The network will re-run "Intelligence" on Friday nights at 11 p.m.

"Is that really the best place to put that?" Wild asks. "Canadian shows have enough of a handicap in terms of being visible to the public. If you put them on against powerhouse shows ... I mean, that's part of the problem right there."

'Open Season' bags $23M, tops box office

LOS ANGELES - A cartoon bear and deer talked their way to the top of the box office as Martin Lawrence and Ashton Kutcher's animated comedy "Open Season" debuted with $23 million. Kutcher also finished in second place with Disney's "The Guardian," in which he co-stars with Kevin Costner as Coast Guard rescue swimmers. The action drama opened with $17.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The previous weekend's leading flick, Paramount's "Jackass Number Two," fell to third place with $14 million, raising its 10-day total to $51.5 million.

The weekend's other new wide release, the MGM-Weinstein Co. comedy "School for Scoundrels," opened at No. 4 with $9.1 million. The movie stars Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite") as a wimpy meter maid caught up in a war of wills with a con man ( Billy Bob Thornton) who teaches an extreme confidence-building class.

Hollywood snapped out of a box-office lull that had persisted most of September. The top-12 movies took in $85.1 million, up 13 percent from the same weekend last year.

"It sort of broke the little mini-fall slump we were in," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Sony scored a record 11th movie debuting at No. 1 this year with "Open Season," featuring the voice of Lawrence as a domesticated bear uprooted from his cozy home and hurled into the wild, where he's befriended by a slick-talking deer (Kutcher).

"Open Season" was the debut release from Sony Pictures Animation, a unit the studio hopes to establish as a regular producer of digital cartoons alongside such industry pioneers as Pixar Animation and DreamWorks Animation.

"It's a great first step," said Yair Landau, president of Sony Pictures Digital. "It takes years and multiple films to build a brand, and certainly we'd like audiences to think of us in the pantheon."

Two Academy Award contenders about real-world leaders, Fox Searchlight's "The Last King of Scotland" and Miramax's "The Queen," opened strongly in limited release.

"The Last King of Scotland," with best-actor prospect Forest Whitaker as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, took in $143,252 in four theaters over the weekend in New York City and Los Angeles. The film has grossed $172,389 since opening Wednesday.

Featuring James McAvoy as a Scottish doctor drawn into a dangerous relationship as Amin's personal physician, the film expands to more cities this week.

Opening Saturday, Stephen Frears' "The Queen," starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, took in a whopping $123,000 in just two days at three New York City theaters.

Costarring Michael Sheen as British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the film examines the furor over the royal family's aloofness in the wake of Princess Diana's death in 1997. "The Queen" expands to more theaters this Friday.

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

1. "Open Season," $23 million.
2. "The Guardian," $17.7 million.
3. "Jackass Number Two," $14 million.
4. "School for Scoundrels," $9.1 million.
5. " Jet Li's Fearless," $4.7 million.
6. "Gridiron Gang," $4.5 million.
7. "The Illusionist," $2.8 million.
8. "Flyboys," $2.3 million.
9. "The Black Dahlia," $2.1 million.
10. "Little Miss Sunshine," $2 million.