Entertainment Today: Showbiz News

FIFTH POTTER BOOK TO DEBUT JUNE 21

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling will hit bookstores in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia June 21.

Scholastic and Bloomsbury publishers say the action-packed novel, the fifth in the best-selling series, is more than a third longer than Rowling's previous book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," which became the fastest-selling book in history the first weekend of its publication -- July 8, 2000.

In making the joint announcement, Barbara Marcus, president of Scholastic Children's Books in the United States, and Nigel Newton, chief executive of Bloomsbury Publishing in Britain, issued a statement that said: "We are thrilled to announce the publication date. 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is absolutely superb and will delight all J.K. Rowling's fans. She has written a brilliant and utterly compelling new adventure, which begins with the words: 'The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive ... The only person left outside was a teenage boy who was lying flat on his back in a flowerbed outside number four.'"

Later in the novel, J.K. Rowling writes: "Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything.'"

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is more than 255,000 words compared to "Goblet," which told the story in l9l,000-plus words. The new book is 38 chapters long, one more chapter than its 734-page predecessor.

BRITNEY AND JUSTIN IN WUV AGAIN?

Are former Mousketeers Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake an item again? Gossipmongers everywhere have been buzzing about how the 21-year-old pop stars seem to have reunited after a well-publicized split last year.

Word from the New York Post is Timberlake "savored a tender kiss with his rekindled flame Britney Spears" earlier this week. For those who might be uttering "Awww!" right now, the Post adds this scintillating tidbit: The alleged smooch occurred right after Spears threw up in a restaurant bathroom following the American Music Awards. Change that "Awww!" to "Ewww!"

The Post quotes a spy as saying: "Then she left the bathroom, where Justin was waiting outside, and she held his hand as they walked through the bar. They were kissing and holding hands. They were definitely together."

The tabloid's account follows a front-page Star report that claims Timberlake has been spotted leaving Spears' home at odd hours and articles in Rolling Stone and US Weekly that claim Spears and Timberlake are still stuck on each other.

HEY, HEY, IT'S 'AIDA'

Micky Dolenz, lead singer of the Monkees, has joined the national touring company of Elton John and Tim Rice's musical love story, "Aida."

Show producers say Dolenz's first performance as Zoser, the father of the Egyptian Captain Radames, "will be Feb. 25 in Fort Myers, Fla. He is expected to begin rehearing with the company Jan. 31.

Says Dolenz of his new job: "I am thrilled to be working with so many talented people on such a prestigious project."

In addition to the 1960s' TV show that made his pop group famous, Dolenz's performing career includes stints with the national touring companies of "Grease" (Vince Fontaine), "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" (Pseudolus), Harry Nilsson's "The Point" (The Count's Kid) and "Tom Sawyer" (Huckleberry Finn).

Dolenz also wrote the book for, and directed, "Bugsy Malone" on the London stage. He has continued to tour over the years as a solo artist and with his former bandmates.