FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, December 3, 2003

DIAPER DUTY: Gwyneth Paltrow and boyfriend Coldplay's Chris Martin are expecting their first baby next summer, her publicist confirmed Wednesday. No word of any wedding plans.

AND THEY'RE OFF: The National Board of Review naming Mystic River Best Film of the year Wednesday. Other NBR picks include Sean Penn for Best Actor (Mystic River, 21 Grams), Diane Keaton for Best Actress (Something's Gotta Give) and Edward Zwick for Best Director (The Last Samurai).

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS: The Independent Spirit Awards announcing its nominees for excellence in independent films. Feature films making the cut include: American Splendor, In America, Lost in Translation, Raising Victor Vargas and Shattered Glass. Honors will be given out February 28 in Los Angeles.

INDIE ADD: Nominees for Best Lead Actress are: Charlize Theron, Monster; Agnes Bruckner, Blue Car; Zooey Deschanel, All the Real Girls; Samantha Morton, In America; and Elizabeth Moss, Virgin.

MORE INDIE NOMINEES: Finally, nominees for Best Lead Actor include Peter Dinklage, The Station Agent; Paul Giamatti, American Splendor; Sir Ben Kinglsey, House of Sand and Fog; Bill Murray, Lost in Translation; and Lee Pace, Soldier?s Girl.

DISMISSED: A judge tossing out Barbra Streisand's $10 million lawsuit against an amateur photographer who posted snaps of the diva's Malibu estate on a Website documenting erosion. Streisand tried to have the pics taken down, citing a violation of her privacy and California's anti-paparazzi laws, but the judge denied the request and ordered the singer to pay the photog's legal bills.

WEDDING BELL BLUES: Bride-to-be Trista Rehn is being sued by her former manager for a slice of the $1 million he wheedled out of ABC to televise the Bachelorette's wedding to Ryan Sutter.

NOT ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID? Bachelor Bob Guiney's third runner up, Meredith Phillips, getting quite the consolation prize: She'll star in the next Bachelorette installment, premiering January 14.

KEEPING BUSY: Not only is Geena Davis expecting twins early next year, she'll also guest star in an episode of Will & Grace as Grace's ner'do well sister Janet who's spent time in rehab.

WHAT'S WAL-MART? Paris Hilton's TV debut on Fox's Simple Life drew in 13 million viewers Tuesday night making it number one among teens and 18- to 34-year-olds.

TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE: Joe Millionaire's Evan Marriott being tapped to host the Game Show Network's dating show Fake-A-Date. The show, which bows in March, sets contestants up with one bona fide date and one bogus date and it's up to them to decide who's the real deal.

HEAVYWEIGHTS: Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and LL Cool J teaming up for a dramatic thriller titled Edison about a journalist investigating an elite group of corrupt cops. Shooting is scheduled to begin February 27 in Vancouver.

PAYING THE PRICE: Glen Campbell formally being charged with aggravated assault, extreme drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident over the hit-and-run accident near his Phoenix home last month.

JACKSON UPDATE: Michael Jackson's accuser is not gravely ill as previously reported, insists the boy's father. The teen is suffering from cancer.

RECOVERING: Ray Charles recovering from last week's hip surgery, which forced him to cancel his tour. "I feel terrific," Charles said in a statement Tuesday, adding "I can't wait to get back on the road, which is my second home."

LOVE CRUISE: Jill Whelan, the actress who played Vicki on The Love Boat, will get married on a cruise ship April 2. The wedding will be shown over the Caribbean Princess Website.

IN THE GROOVE: Britney Spears launching a tour to promote her new album In the Zone this March in San Diego.

DIGITAL HEADS: Special achievements in home video and DVD were honored at the 3rd Annual DVD Exclusive Awards December 2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Special Extended Edition took home Best Overall DVD for new movies. The shin-dig, hosted by Jenny McCarthy, will air on FX December 9.

WELCOME TO HIS NIGHTMARE: Alice Cooper receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday. Close to 300 fans turned out to watch the rocker receive the honor in full regalia, complete with pet python.

SECOND CHILDHOOD: Ray Romano to write a children's book based on his experience growing up with two brothers. Raymie, Dickie, and the Bean: Why I Love and Hate My Brothers is expected to be published next fall.