Entertainment Today: Showbiz news

'THE WEAKEST LINK'

The new host of the daily version of "The Weakest Link" says he won't be as nasty as dominatrix-styled inquisitor-turned-putdown-artist Anne Robinson is on the show's hour-long weekly version.

According to published reports, 34-year-old George Gray says he plans on being acerbic, witty, sharp-tongued and quick -- but not at the personal expense of guests. No more slanderous jibes. "Calling someone stupid to their face is out," Gray says. But, you might hear some euphemisms, such as "one taco short of a combination platter."

At best, according to reviewer Mike McDaniel, viewers will see a "kindlier, gentler version of the show" with less of the bile of Robinson and more of the charm of the sandy-haired Gray in his dark-framed glasses on the new half-hour version of "Link."

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

THREE STOOGES

Heirs of the Three Stooges are pleased with Monday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that they are entitled to profits from posthumous depictions of their slapstick forbears.

The court refused to hear a case involving Los Angeles artist Gary Saderup, who argued in lower courts that he did not need permission from the heirs of Larry, Moe, Curly and the other Stooges in order to use the comedians' images on T-shirts and other merchandise.

The California Supreme Court had ruled last year that Saderup was violating state law. Now that the Supreme Court has refused to hear his appeal, Saderup is on the hook to pay the Stooges' heirs $75,000 that he earned selling his Stooges stuff, and to cover their legal fees.

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

OSCAR AWARDS

The 74th Annual Academy Awards won't be handed out until March 24, but some filmmakers already know they'll be taking home some Oscar gold, with the announcement that 21 Academy Awards for scientific and technical achievement will be presented on March 2.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will present the technical awards in the form of plaques and certificates -- not the world-famous Oscar statuette. Still, the technical awards remain among the most prestigious and coveted recognition of merit in the film industry.

Seven filmmakers will receive Scientific and Engineering Awards (plaques), while 14 will receive Technical Achievement Awards (certificates), based upon recommendations from the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee. That panel is chaired by Academy Visual Effects Branch Governor Richard Edlund -- who won a Scientific and Engineering Award in 1986, and won visual effects Oscars in 1983 ("Return of the Jedi"), 1981 ("Raiders of the Lost Ark") and 1977 ("Star Wars"). Edlund is also known for his visual effects work on such hit movies as "Air Force One" (1997), "Die Hard" (1988) and "Poltergeist (1982).

DR. LAURA

Dr. Laura Schlesinger -- whose daily radio program is one of the most popular in America -- has come out with a new book about the Sept. 11 terror attack.

"Voices from America" is a collection of faxes, letters, and transcripts of phone calls made to the Dr. Laura radio show in the days following the surprise attack that killed close to 3,000 people in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. The book is intended to rekindle the nation's passion and commitment to the war on terrorism.

All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Dr. Laura Schlesinger Foundation for abused and neglected children.

(From UPI's Capital Comment)