News from Hollywood

ELLEN TALKS EMMYS

Ellen DeGeneres says she prayed that the TV academy and CBS would cancel the Emmy Awards telecast set for Sept. 16 when she first learned of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

In an interview with "Entertainment Tonight," DeGeneres said when the event was rescheduled for Oct. 7 she had a feeling that might not work either.

"I assumed that I was going to get a call that we were not going to do this," she said in recalling her initial reaction to the attacks, "and then when they moved it a little further I thought that's just enough time for something else to happen."

Sure enough, the Oct. 7 telecast was canceled hours before it was scheduled to begin, following the announcement that the United States and Britain had launched retaliatory air strikes in Afghanistan. DeGeneres said she got the word during the middle of a rehearsal.

"The stage manager said to me that we just bombed Afghanistan," she said. "We just kept rehearsing, and I was just devastated. Then all of a sudden at the last minute, I went outside to have a little break before hair and makeup and they said it was canceled. I thought they were kidding."

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has decided to take a third crack at televising the 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards over CBS on Nov. 4.

RIDLEY SCOTT'S NEXT

Ridley Scott plans to develop a screen version of the novel, "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" -- the story of a man who becomes a serial killer because he can't control his reactions to olfactory stimuli.

According to Daily Variety, the author, Patrick Suskind, held the movie rights close to his vest because he wanted only Stanley Kubrick to turn his book into a movie. Since Kubrick's death in 1999, Tim Burton and Martin Scorsese have among those been mentioned as possible directors for the project.

Scott is best known as the Oscar-nominated director of "Gladiator," "Thelma and Louise" and this year's box-office hit, "Hannibal." His next movie is due in theaters next year.

STILLER'S NEXT

According to published reports in Hollywood, "Zoolander" star Ben Stiller has agreed to star in "Puberty" -- as a man who somehow manages to reach his 30s without going through puberty.

When it finally sets in, it naturally complicates his life -- and threatens to ruin a major business deal.

"Puberty" was written by Patton Oswalt, who may be familiar to fans of "King of Queens," in which he frequently appears as Spencer Olchin.

NEW TROUBLES FOR STEVIE WONDER

Stevie Wonder didn't already have enough legal troubles after a former girlfriend sued him for $30 million in palimony -- now a former employee is suing the Motown legend for wrongful termination.

Ron Brewington -- who worked for Wonder's Los Angeles radio station KJLH both as a part-time employee and a freelance contributor -- filed suit for unspecified damages this week, accusing the station of unfairly terminating him late last year.

Sharp-eyed readers of movie ads might recognize Brewington's name. He is often quoted giving rave reviews to movies, and has often been mentioned -- among others -- as an example of critics who trade good reviews for studio hospitality.

Brewington has always maintained that his reviews honestly reflect his opinion about a movie.

Brewington has also worked as a freelance contributor for United Press International and formerly was on the staff at the American Urban Radio Network.

A lawyer for Wonder issued a statement dismissing Brewington's allegation.

"KJLH does not believe that Mr. Brewington's claims have any merit," said the statement by Nedy Williams," and it will defend against his allegations."

NBC OFFERS SOAP FANS OPPORTUNITY HELP 9-11 VICTIMS

NBC Daytime is working with the network's online shopping arm to give soap viewers the opportunity to help raise money for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while they also acquire items donated for an online auction by stars of "Passions" and "Days of Our Lives."

The auction on ShopNBC (shopnbc.com/auctions) -- officially called "NBC Soap FanHelp" -- will be conducted Nov. 2-5.

"Like so many Americans, our NBC Daytime family was looking for a way to make a significant contribution to the relief efforts," said Sheraton Kalouria, senior vice president of NBC Daytime.

Items up for bid include Hope Brady's gown from the Harriman Ball and Chloe Lane's red dress from the first "Last Blast Dance" on "Days of our Lives."

Proceeds will be donated to The September 11th Fund, which is administered by The United Way and the New York Community Trust.