Entertainment Today: Showbiz News

SMITH, JACKSON BACK OUT OF OSCARS

The Oscar show may be going on Sunday in Los Angeles, but Will Smith and Peter Jackson say they won't be there for it.

The "Ali" star had agreed to present an award at the toned-down 75th annual Academy Awards ceremony, but he backed out earlier this week due to the United States-led war with Iraq. Explaining why he opted to stay away from the event, Smith said he didn't "personally feel it was appropriate" to attend.

Meanwhile, Jackson, the acclaimed director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, said he planned to remain home in New Zealand rather than fly to California and chance being delayed in returning to production on his third "Rings" film.

Although her publicist insists Nicole Kidman will attend the star-studded affair, rumors to the contrary have been running wild, according to USA Today. Her absence would be a serious blow to the show, the paper speculated, since Kidman is considered the favorite to win the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldry's drama, "The Hours."

Oscar organizers Wednesday nixed the stars' traditional pre-ceremony, red-carpet arrivals, declaring the glitzy impromptu fashion show inappropriate considering the sombre global climate, while many stars have said they will dress in a more subdued manner for the event.

EMINEM DVD BEAKS RECORDS

Eminem's feature film debut became the top-selling R-rated DVD when it racked up $40 million in sales its first day in stores.

USA Today reports more than 2 million copies of "8 Mile" were sold Tuesday. Available in both censored and uncensored versions, the DVD includes new rap battles and the controversial performer's new music video, "Superman."

INSURANCE CO. SUES 'DEAD ZONE' STAR

Chubb Insurance of Canada is suing actor Michael Hall" class="tpstyle">Anthony Michael Hall to recoup $612,000 his 2001 hospitalization allegedly cost the USA Network.

Word from the Vancouver Sun is Hall failed to disclose a previous mental condition that caused him to miss several days of shooting on USA's supernatural drama, "The Dead Zone."

The newspaper reports Hall was admitted to St. Paul's Hospital on May 11, 2001, suffering from "bipolar affective disorder depression with psychotic features."

According to the complaint filed in British Columbia's Supreme Court, the company says the "Sixteen Candles" star stopped taking his meds when he had the episode, shutting down "The Dead Zone" until Aug. 14, 2001. As a result, the series' production company, Lions Gate Film Corp., filed a claim with Chubb for $612,000 to recoup money for time lost filming under a clause in its contract.

'DE LA GUARDA' TO CLOSE IN NEW YORK

Off-Broadway's sensation "De La Guarda" is set to close after dazzling New York audiences for five years.

The hit show will close at Manhattan's Daryl Roth Theatre on May 4, having played approximately 1,850 performances.

Productions of the show, which combines music, dance and high-flying thrills, have wowed audiences in London; Las Vegas, Nev.; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City; Seoul, South Korea; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and, Berlin.

Says producer Kevin McCollum: "Like the show itself, it's been a wonderful ride that has surpassed our wildest expectations. It is a privilege to continue presenting 'De La Guarda' around the world, with companies currently in South Korea and Germany."

The "De La Guarda" performers made headlines when they started snatching celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio out of the audience and making them part of the show.