FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, December 23, 2000

MORE MADONNA: Scottish police released two men they had held for possible involvement in a plot to record Madonna's baby son's baptism.

HANKSFUL HOLIDAY BUSINESS: Tom Hanks, alone on a desert island, drew crowds. His Cast Away may become the best Christmas opener ever. The movie earned an estimated $30 million over three days as the number one weekend attraction.

GOODNIGHT SWEET PRINCE: Victor Borge, nicknamed "the clown prince of Denmark" died Saturday at his home in Connecticut. The classical trained pianist/comedian, who added goofy sounds, running commentary and physical antics to well loved masterpieces, was 91. In the 1950s his one-man show Comedy in Music ran for 849 Broadway performances. Last year he was a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor.

SO LONG SHORT LIFE: Billy Barty, one of Hollywood's best know "little people" died of heart failure Friday in Los Angeles. He was 76. The 3 foot 10 inch actor appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows and created The Little People of America Foundation dedicated to overcoming the stereotyping of those of his own stature.

SELLING YOUR PRIVACY: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have won a favorable court ruling stemming from the unauthorized publication of photos from their wedding.

GETTING BLUE IN MEXICO: Pop sensation Backstreet Boys are plan to make their first appearance in Mexico in March, hot on the heels of their latest album, Black and Blue, which has sold some 350,000 copies domestically.

RETIRING: Country music pioneer Kitty Wells and husband Johnny Wright will take the stage for the last time on New Year's Eve, culminating 63 years of shared performances.

A LESSON WORTH LEARNING: Universal Pictures' blockbuster holiday release, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas eclipsing Mission: Impossible II to emerge as the highest-grossing film of the year.

CASTING CALL: Hollywood heartthrob Matt Dillon filming scenes for a new movie in Cambodia early next year and reportedly has sent a casting agent to Phnom Penh to hire local actors.

RECONCIILIATION? New York Daily News reporting that Drew Barrymore and her mother, Jaid, have made up after Jaid sent her daughter a favorite book of spiritual guidance. Drew was so touched by the manual that she called her mom and invited her to her wedding to MTV madman Tom Green.

WHERE IN THE HILL? A billboard featuring Faith Hill's image abducted from its Los Angeles perch on December 13. The billboard's owner is offering amnesty to the guilty party and will make a donation to the Faith Hill Family Literacy Project in the name of anyone who provides information.

STANDING TALL: Director Ang Lee's martial-arts/period romance Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon named best film of the year by the Toronto Film Critics Association Thursday. USA Films' Traffic was the runner-up for the film nod, while Benicio Del Toro was voted best actor for his role in the drug-war thriller.

CASE CLOSED: In his second season presiding over The People's Court, Judge Jerry Sheindlin, husband of "Judge Judy," stepping down from the bench. He'll be replaced on the syndicated TV show by Judge Marilyn Milian, who comes from a Miami County Court.

RECOVERING: Mickey Rooney saying he feels great following multiple bypass heart surgery to clear a blockage found when he tested a heart machine he plans to promote.

SHARING IS GOOD: Fox Network beating out ABC and NBC for two broadcast runs of the devilish Adam Sandler comedy Little Nicky, with Turner's TBS/TNT acing out USA and FX for the cable runs. Turner also picked up cable rights to the historical drama Thirteen Days, starring Kevin Costner.

HE IS MAN ENOUGH: Singer Toni Braxton ("Breathe Again") announcing she's engaged to musician Keri Lewis of the group Mint Condition.

NEVER TOO OLD: Fifty years after his hit "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts", Merv Griffin is releasing a new album, It's Like a Dream, due out March 15.

THEY'RE GOLDEN! Gladiator and Erin Brockovich among the top nominees for the Golden Globes. The films are both competing for best dramatic picture, and their respective stars, Russell Crowe and Julia Roberts, head the acting categories. Winners will be announced January 21 on NBC. Complete list of nominees.