People

MORE PROBLEMS FOR MARTHA STEWART?

There are reports that with all her problems concerning her stock dealings and relationships with her own stockholders, housewares maven Martha Stewart may be in even deeper hot water. The New York Post is reporting that Stewart is not in the best graces of that city's Museum of Modern Art. It seems that about eight years ago Stewart bought a mansion in the Hamptons from the museum for more than $3 million. At the time the museum had a lot of other people bidding on the property. But, because of Stewart's assumed love of homes and fine things, her bid was the one chosen. Now, according to the Post, the home is in a stage of disrepair and is, in its words, "an empty, gutted shell." No comment from Stewart's publicist. Meanwhile, she's been avoiding regular on-air commitments to stay away from probing media questions.

SANDLER'S CAREER MAY BE REVIVED

Even though Adam Sandler is a funny guy, there are many moviegoers who have never figured out just why so many people like him. Now, with the success of his latest endeavor -- "Mr. Deeds" -- it would seem that Sandler's career is on the ascendancy. The film, a remake of the nearly sacrosanct 1936 Frank Capra classic, starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, takes the plot into current times. Additionally, Winona Ryder -- who now faces a full-fledged trial on shoplifting charges -- is seen as doing her best work in a long time. Liz Smith, the gossip columnist, notes that if society can forgive troubled Robert Downey Jr., maybe it will see Ryder's indiscretions as even more forgivable.

SONGWRITERS HONORED IN NASHVILLE

Many singers compose their own songs. One interesting exception has always been Barry Manilow's signature song, "I Write the Songs," which he did not write. But many singers rely on the talents of a unique cadre of men and women who take human emotions and weave them into the music that eventually tops the charts ... songwriters. Recently in Nashville a trio of writers has been honored by the music licensing company BMI. The three, Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, are responsible for George Strait's latest hit, "Living and Living Well." One executive for the company -- the full name of which is Broadcast Music Incorporated -- noted that because of the efforts of songwriters everywhere, many in the music business are living up to the title of the song. According to the news provider country.com, Nesler told the crowd that songwriting is an elusive art and that you're not always in the mood. He noted that when he shows up for a session with the other two, he never knows if it's going to be a writing session or a round of golf.

FINALLY, A BOY WILL PLAY PETER PAN

There's certainly nothing wrong with people such as Mary Martin and Cathy Rigby playing Peter Pan, but producers of an upcoming movie about the pixie-esque spirit have elected to let a 13-year-old boy star in their production. According to the Hollywood Reporter, after an exhaustive search a young actor named Jeremy Sumpter -- best known as young Adam Meiks in the movie "Frailty" -- will play the mystical flying character who keeps us all young. The project is a three-way collaboration by Universal, Columbia and Revolution. The movie will start production in a few months in Australia.

BRITS: OUR MEDIA IS GETTING MORE VULGAR

The people who oversee the implementation of standards in broadcasting in the United Kingdom report a huge upswing in the number of complaints they have been getting from viewers and listeners. According to the Manchester Guardian, the British Broadcast Standards Commission reports complaints were up 46 percent in just one year. Most of the "problems" concern the areas of decency. More than 7,100 complaints were filed with the commission in 2001. Among the broadcasts mentioned as being offensive or troublesome were: A BBC news report in which Chinese restaurants were blamed for the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in England; anti-American sentiments that were aired during audience participation shows in the wake of 9/11; a spoof on pedophilia in the form of a mock documentary; a broadcast featuring sexy rocker Robbie Williams.

'MR. NOTHING PERSONAL' DOES IT AGAIN

When Delbert McClinton's recent CD "Nothing Personal" hit store shelves, listeners and critics alike knew it was Grammy material. And, it was. Now McClinton has told CMT that he's about to publish a new compilation, "Room to Breathe." He says that he's trying for a release date sometime in late September. Like many of today's artists, he's called in a group of friends as collaborators on the album. On "Breathe" he features the work of The Flatlanders, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. There are 12 new original McClinton songs on the CD. One of the album's producers, Gary Nicholson, tells the network that he thinks that the latest offering from the colorful McClinton will take up where "Nothing Personal" left off ... hopefully headed for another Grammy award. McClinton is a native of Lubbock, Texas, and is not only a singer-songwriter, but an accomplished guitarist and harmonica player. You'll find more information about his current exploits at: delafont.com/music_acts/Delbert-McClinton.htm on the Internet.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 372

Today's question is inspired by the upcoming real-action Peter Pan movie. "What is your favorite fairy tale or children's story, either as a child (hearing it), or later as an adult (telling it)?" Put STORY in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

LOOKING BACK AT PAST QUESTIONS

Some time ago we asked if you've ever had any experiences with counterfeit money. Melba wrote to say that in her part of the South, if you dare try to pass a $100 bill the clerks go into a frenzy and run for a manager. D.A. points out that most people who are money and coin experts see some counterfeit or "fake" money passing through their hands. "Sometimes the fake stuff can be more desirable than the real stuff." Tish has been helping in a project to get more playground equipment and is an official "money counter" when the kids turn in their coins. "We usually find Chuck E. Cheese coins, plastic coins, buttons and flattened-out pennies." And this sad story from Catfish. She notes that after placing an ad for a used snowmobile a prospective buyer showed up and put down a deposit. He later returned with $1,000. The bank later told her that half of the money was fake. To make matters worse, they never asked the buyer for an ID. GBA.