Entertainment Today

REV. SHARPTON PUZZLED BY JACKSON'S SONY RANT

The Rev. Al Sharpton says he was surprised when he heard pop icon Michael Jackson lay into Sony Music chief Tommy Mottola last weekend.

Sharpton, known for his own tirades against racism, said he never knew Mottola to "say or do anything racist," adding Mottola always has been a big supporter of black artists.

Jackson blasted Mottola as "devilish" and "racist" and accused him of using the "N-word" to describe another black artist. Jacko's tirade started at a news conference with Sharpton, who admitted he was "taken aback" by the entertainer's remarks.

Sony called Jackson's accusations "ludicrous" and a spokesman added Jackson pulled out of a tour to promote the poor-selling "Invincible" album.

LATE BEATLE'S KIN RIP ATTACKER'S RELEASE

The family of George Harrison says they were upset and insulted to learn the crazed man who knifed the ex-Beatle at his mansion had been set free.

Michael Abram was freed last Thursday after a panel made up of a judge, a psychiatrist and a citizen cleared the ex-drug addict and schizophrenic to return to the community.

Abram, found innocent by reason of insanity for nearly killing Harrison in the December 1999 attack, was held at a mental facility for 20 months prior to last week's conditional discharge.

Harrison's wife Olivia -- credited with saving George's life by beating Abram with a fireplace poker and lamp -- said she and their son, Dhani, feel let down by the system.

Harrison died of throat cancer last November.

TV'S 'LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY' ON BIG SCREEN?

Actress Drew Barrymore loves the TV sitcom "Laverne and Shirley" and may take a shot at putting it onto the big screeen.

According to the New York Post, Barrymore -- who helped transform "Charlie's Angels" from television to film -- would like to be Shirley, who was played by Cindy Williams in the TV version.

WOMEN ROCKERS FEATURED IN U.K. PHOTO SHOW

A photo display of women in rock 'n roll opened at The National Portrait Gallery in London last night, featuring what the gallery calls a "definitive Top 20 of women in pop."

Inspired by Lucy O'Brien's "She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul," subjects range from 1960s legend Dusty Springfield and pop icon Madonna to Sade and Chrissie Hynde.

The pics were shot by some of the best -- Pennie Smith, Val Wilmer, Caroline Coon, Gered Mankovitz and Eric Watson.