FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, April 22, 2005

JACKSON WATCH: In a surprising development, Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has been subpoenaed by the prosecution to testify at Jackson's child-molestation trial, People magazine reports.

MORE JACKSON: Prosecutors in Jackson's child-molestation case losing a key battle Thursday when the judge refused to allow testimony from a domestic violence expert to provide explanation as to why the accuser's mother lied under oath.

SMOOTH SAILING: The Florida Supreme Court ruling in favor of Warner Bros. in a lawsuit filed by the family of a late fisherman over The Perfect Storm, stating that the movie's story may have been inaccurate but was not illegal.

GOING FOR THE GAG: Robert Blake's civil attorney telling a judge he plans to request a gag order to block the public from getting information about Blake's wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Bonny Lee Bakley.

HERE'S JOHNNY: An anonymous bidder buying Johnny Carson's famed Tonight Show microphone for nearly $51,000 Friday at an auction.

INDIE CITY: The Pixies, the Arcade Fire and Weezer among the 60-odd bands playing at Lollapalooza July 23-24 in Chicago's Grant Park.

GOOD DEED: Ben Stiller, David Duchovny and other celebs gathering at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles May 3 for the "Rock for the Cure" benefit for breast cancer research, featuring a live auction of 50 Gibson guitars designed by Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, No Doubt and other rock icons.

REMEMBERED: Actress Ruth Hussey, once nominated for an Oscar for her role in The Philadelphia Story, died Tuesday at 93.

IRKED: Tom Waits complaining that Opel, a European division of General Motors, is running a commercial with a soundtrack mimicking his voice and style.

FACING THE MUSIC: Aiden Quinn pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge stemming from an October 2003 arrest.

LIFE'S A BEACH: Elizabeth Hurley launching a new beachwear line during a personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue.

WONDER WOMAN: Natalie Portman in talks to star in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium; Zach Helm, who penned the script, making his directorial debut on the film, per the Hollywood Reporter.

POWER DAD: Joe Simpson, father of Jessica and Ashlee, getting the greenlight for a new series called Score, starring Ryan Cabrera, Ashlee's on-and-off boyfriend.

STIRRING THE STEW: MTV also greenlighting The Andy Milonakis Show, produced by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, for a slot on the Sunday Stew.

OUCH! Phyllis Diller injuring her head and neck after falling out of bed at her Brentwood mansion, her manager reported Thursday.

COS AND EFFECT: The woman accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and groping her has lined up 10 witnesses to allege that they received the same treatment, her lawyer said in court documents.

NEW DEVELOPMENT: Brian Grazer, Imagine Entertainment and others involved with ratings-challenged comedy Arrested Development producing an untitled Chuck Martin film for Universal, starring Will Arnett, per Daily Variety.

BAD VIBE: A preliminary hearing scheduled for parolee Jimmy James Johnson, who's charged with assault after allegedly punching Dr. Dre at last year's Vibe Awards.

YOU'RE FIRED: Donald Trump firing Bren from the Net Worth team on Thursday's Apprentice, leaving four finalists in the game.

SNUFFED: Vegas showgirl Janu Torrell sacrificing herself on Thursday's Survivor: Palau by extinguishing her torch before the vote.

I FEEL BRONZE: The city of Augusta, Georgia unveiling a life-size bronze statue of James Brown on May 6.

HOW YOU DOIN'? Tony Danza surprising a Michigan student by dropping in on her Italian class to watch her presentation on him.

MATERIAL SUIT: Madonna sued by a British director and several British production companies who claim the singer still owes hundreds of thousands in fees for directing and producing her European concert special.

FAB GAB: Steven Cojocaru appearing on Oprah Winfrey's show Thursday to discuss his kidney transplant and his firing from the Today show.

STORK WATCH: Australian actor Heath Ledger and former Dawson's Creek actress Michelle Williams expecting a baby, according to People. The stars' reps had no comment.

STORK WATCH, TAKE 2: Meanwhile, Regis Philbin announcing on Live with Regis and Kelly that Jerry Seinfeld and wife Jessica are expecting their third child. No confirmation yet from the Seinfeld camp.