Entertainment Today: Showbiz news

RODNEY DANGERFIELD

Just a day after Jay Leno had devoted his "Tonight Show" to a tribute to comedian Rodney Dangerfield, the funnyman suffered a mild heart attack. It happened on his 80th birthday.

What a lousy birthday present for a guy who "never gets any respect."

Leno's tribute included taped clips with wishes from many of the comedian's friends. He remains hospitalized in Los Angeles. His wife Joan has told reporters that she thinks Dangerfield will be released in a few days.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

MY VH1 MUSIC AWARDS '01

"Dharma & Greg" star Jenna Elfman, Kim Delaney ("Philly"), Gary Sinise, Christian Slater, Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier"), Benjamin Bratt ("Law & Order"), Damon Wayans ("My Wife and Kids"), "Ally McBeal" star Calista Flockhart, Henry Simmons ("NYPD Blue") and Michael Michele ("ER") will be among the presenters at the "My VH1 Music Awards '01," which will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles next Sunday (at 9 p.m. ET).

"Will & Grace" star Eric McCormack will host the show, which will include performances by Mick Jagger, Creed, Sting, Nelly Furtado, Lenny Kravitz, No Doubt, Jewel and Mary J. Blige (who will also perform a duet with Sting).

U2 and Dave Matthews Bands are tied for the lead with six nominations each, followed by Gwen Stefani with five. Staind and Alicia Keys have four nominations, followed by Bon Jovi, Moby, Train, and the Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink collaboration for "Lady Marmelade," who all received three nominations each.

'BEHIND ENEMY LINES'

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Twentieth Century Fox thanked the 5,000 men and women stationed aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Carl Vinson -- currently on active duty in the North Arabian Sea -- by holding the international premiere screening of "Behind Enemy Lines" aboard the ship's flight deck.

It was the first-ever debubt screening aboard an aircraft carrier on active duty.

Fox shot a portion of "Behind Enemy Lines" aboard the Vinson, and many of those watching the film last weekend were among its cast of extra players.

David Keith, who co-stars in "Behind Enemy Lines," traveled with the film to the Vinson -- spending the holiday aboard the carrier. The veteran actor was a hit with the ship's crew. One squadron of pilots even invited Keith to autograph a bomb that would soon be on its way to Afghanistan.

Department of Defense officials were so impressed with Keith that it invited him to tour other military bases in the region.

In "Behind Enemy Lines," Owen Wilson plays a Naval aviator who is shot down over enemy territory, where he struggles to survive. With time running out, the injured aviator's commanding officer, played by Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, risks his career to launch a renegade rescue mission to save the life of one soldier.

'TAKING BACK OUR TOWN'

"ER"'s Laura Innes and actress Ruby Dee star in the Lifetime Original Movie "Taking Back Our Town," a drama based on a true story about two women who spearhead a grassroots movement to prevent an international corporation from building the world's second largest petrochemical plant of it's kind in their backyard.

"Taking Back Our Town" premieres Dec. 10 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.

JOHN WAYNE

He's been dead for two decades, but John Wayne has a new CD in stores Tuesday.

"John Wayne: America, Why I Love Her" features 10 different salutes to America and its people, narrated by the Duke with various musical accompaniment by conductor/arranger Billy Liebert, a former member of the renowned traditional country vocal and instrumental group The Sons of the Pioneers. Based on a series of writings by actor/poet John Mitchum (Robert's brother) on a variety of patriotic and American themes, the album was released originally in 1973.

Regarding the decision to reissue the work, Michael Wayne --- one of the Duke's sons -- said: "At the time of its original release, the country was torn apart by a horrible war. My father thought the project had a uniting, healing message and he did it to try and bring people together. Now, because of the tragic events of Sept. 11, we as a nation seem ready to embrace once again these patriotic messages."

The album will be available in stores, by mail order and via the Internet ($14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette). It's being distributed by MPI Media of Chicago.