People

ELIZABETH HURLEY MIGHT SIGN FOR SITCOM

Photogenic Elizabeth Hurley is said to be looking for a house in Los Angeles. Gossip columnist Liz Smith says Hurley might want to relocate to the City of Angels because she's about to accept an offer from Touchstone to do a TV series. Her co-star, according to Smith, could be comedic actor Denis Leary and the job could pay Hurley as much as $100,000 a show -- which might be enough to pay Los Angeles rents. Additionally, Hurley has just signed an important contract with cosmetic giant Estée Lauder.

KRAMDEN AND NORTON MAY 'RIDE AGAIN'

The 1950s Jackie Gleason vehicle "The Honeymooners" will be revived by Paramount in a major motion picture. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the project is in its early stages. No casting announcements have been officially made, but Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps could be tapped for the Gleason and Carney roles. A director has not been named but the script will be crafted by Danny Jacobson. Additionally, the man who manages Cedric's career, Eric Rhone, is expected to produce the movie. At the current time, Cedric is in the middle of shooting a film called "Johnson Family Vacation" for Searchlight. Epps is a veteran of films such as "Next Friday" and "How High." No start date has been set for shooting "The Honeymooners."

PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT PARTON PARTY

The second annual event that brings together fans of Dolly Parton and memento traders has been set for April 4. Of course, it will take place at Parton's hometown, Pigeon Forge, Tenn. In conjunction with the mini "fan-fest," two documentarians will put together a film about Parton and her followers. Valerie Stadler and Tai Uhlman say they hope to soak up as much of the flavor of the event as possible to put together a true picture of the atmosphere in Pigeon Forge. The two tell CMT they hope to produce a feature-length film that could be ready some time next year. Entertainer Randy Kohrs will be there for the taping and for fans. He is the leader of Dolly's back-up group the Blueniques. By the way, he's putting out a solo album on Doobie Shea Records. It's due for release in a few months.

LAWMAKERS DEMAND MAINES APOLOGIZE

Those recent anti-Bush, anti-war remarks made by Dixie Chick Natalie Maines have not only smudged the group, but one state wants an official apology. Published reports say the South Carolina House of Representatives has weighed in, voting 50-35 on a resolution demanding Maines apologize and that the Chicks "pay restitution" by performing a free concert for troops and their families stationed in that state. State Rep. Catherine Ceips put the resolution up for a vote, calling it an "olive branch to the Dixie Chicks." The flap started after a statement made by Maines at a London concert that, as a Texan, she was ashamed to be from the same state as President Bush. The Chicks' new single suddenly dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 in the nation within days of the remarks.

MADONNA PROTÉGÉ DISTANCES HERSELF

Michelle Branch says she wants to get out from under the image of Madonna, her former mentor. The new York Post reports the 19-year-old Grammy-winning singer has filed a petition in the California Labor Commission asking to be let out of her contract with Madonna's record company, Maverick records. Branch claims the company "signed her up for sponsorship that she did not want." Meanwhile, the lawyer for the record company says the complicated case has no merit. Some say Maverick needs to do all it can to make Branch happy. She has the potential to be the company's hottest ticket since the heyday of Alanis Morissette.

MAVERICKS TO GET BACK TOGETHER

Look for a reunion of the popular group the Mavericks in the near future. Country.com's "Hot Talk" says a new version of the band will reunite vocalist Raul Malo, bassist Robert Reynolds and drummer Paul Deakin. The first reunion concert will be on May 2 at the Nashville River Stages music festival. After that gig, the band will play some local engagements to hone its craft, then head out on the first national tour in a long time. Additionally, the new group has inked a deal with Sanctuary Records. When a CD is released it will be the Mavericks' first in six years. The news provider says the company is based in New York and has Widespread Panic, the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd in its stables.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 550

Today's question is: "Have you ever boycotted any goods or services for whatever reason?" Put BOYCOTT in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 545 (BUS5)

Today we conclude our look at answers to a week-long series of "cross-country bus trip" questions. Each day last week we presented two people and asked which one you'd rather have as a seat-mate on a one-week trip. Here are the results of BUS5: Tom Hanks, 60 percent; and Julia Roberts, 40 percent.

NEXT: A long lease on life. GBA