FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, December 12, 2002

NOLTE'S NO CONTEST: Nick Nolte pleading no contest to the charge of driving under the influence of drugs today. The disheveled actor was sentenced to three years' probation.

DIAMOND DAVE: David Lee Roth filing a lawsuit against his former Van Halen bandmates accusing them of failing to pay him royalties. He's seeking more than $200,000 in damages.

REUNITED: Funny lady Paula Poundstone regained custody of her three adopted children yesterday after successfully completing rehab. The children were removed from her care last year after the comedian pleaded no contest to driving drunk with children in her car.

ALANIS' TIMEOUT: The Toronto Star reporting that Alanis Morissette plans to take a sabbatical. Morissette, who just released a DVD/CD set, Feast on Scraps, will chill at her Malibu home.

STAR WARES: Struggling chain Planet Hollywood to auction off film memorabilia, including Robert De Niro's Raging Bull boxing shorts, at Sotheby's on Saturday.

POTTER PAYDAY: Meanwhile, Sotheby's selling a 93-word synopsis about the yet-to-be-completed fifth Harry Potter volume for $45,105 to an unnamed American buyer today.

SUPER BOWL SHUFFLE: ABC will air an original episode of secret-agent series Alias in the coveted post-Super Bowl slot. In related news David Kelley's legal drama The Practice loses its Sunday night spot on ABC to make way for midseason series Dragnet, which will air February 2. The Practice will now air Mondays at 9 p.m.

ROCKY RETURNS: MGM is close to inking a deal with Sylvester Stallone to reprise his role as the Philly pugilist audiences pulled for. MGM hopes the film can stick to its low-budget roots, aiming to keep costs in the $10 million to $15 million dollar range, per the Hollywood Reporter.

PHILBIN KEEPS BUSY: Regis Philbin lending his voice to the dub of Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio. The talk-show host is taking on the role of the Ringmaster. The film is due in theaters Christmas Day.

BOOTLEG BUST: U.S. Secret Service agents and the Recording Industry of America seized the largest haul ever of recording equipment for piracy purposes yesterday in New York, along with a stash of pirated loot including approximately 35,000 CDs, 10,000 DVDs and 421 CD burners.

NORMAN JEWISON HONORED: Filmmaker Norman Jewison to receive the Board of Governors Award from the American Society of Cinematographers on February 16 at the 17th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards in Los Angeles. Only non-cinematographers are eligible for the honor, which is awarded for significant contributions to the art of filmmaking.

IN A GIVING MOOD? Elijah Wood, Ben Stiller, and Jessica Alba among the stars creating hand-decorated, star-shaped ornaments being auctioned off at eBay to benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation. The auction ends Thursday.

GOOD DEEDS: Calista Flockhart on hand Thursday to honor African activists opposed to female genital mutilation--a rite of passage in some African nations. Flockhart made the presentation at a ceremony sponsored by the human rights organization Equality Now.

HER BIG FAT FOLLOW-UP: My Big Fat Greek Wedding writer and star Nia Vardalos following up her indie smash with Connie and Carla, a buddy comedy set for an April start. No word on who'll be directing.

PERFECTLY LOGICAL: Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy announcing he's hanging up his Spock ears and quitting acting after more than 50 years in TV and movies. Instead, he plans to devote time to his family and his burgeoning interest in photography.