FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, February 2, 2003
DRAINED: The WB announcing Sunday that it is ending Dawson's Creek--one of the network's signature series--after five seasons. A two-hour finale is set for May 14.
HIGH SPY: The Al Pacino-Colin Farrell secret-agent drama The Recruit signed on as the new number one movie with an estimated $16.5 million, a slither ahead of the teen-scream sequel Final Destination 2. Biker Boyz revved in third.
PAY UP! Sotheby's suing Michael Jackson for $1.4 million payment on two paintings the King of Pop purchased from the auction house--Jackson later changed his mind over the pricey paintings but Sotheby's wouldn't accept the return.
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Jane Fonda withdrawing her $12.5 million donation to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Fonda reportedly believed the school was dragging its heels in its search for someone to run the Fonda-bankrolled gender research center.
SNIPING AT SNIPES: Wesley Snipes targeted by his bank for failing to make good on $609,000 in mortgage payments on his $1.7 million Florida mansion.
SHUTTERED: Danny DeVito's celebrated production company Jersey Films to close its doors at the end of 2003 when its deal with Universal expires, Variety reports. The company was responsible for such flicks as Pulp Fiction, Erin Brockovich, Reality Bites, Get Shorty and Out of Sight.
CODA: Legendary Cuban jazz man Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria died Saturday in Miami at the age of 85. The Grammy-winning congo wizard, known for such hits as "Watermelon Man" and "Afro Blue" came to the U.S. in the 1950s to tour with the Mambo Kings.
PRIVATE IDAHO: An Idaho contractor, who's suing Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson for debts incurred during construction of their new estate, could face his own "astronomical" lawsuit from the couple for revealing the location and layout of the property in legal papers, according to the New York Post.
BUH-BYE: American Idol semifinalist Jaered Andrews got the boot after a Fox background check revealed that the singer was a former member of Youngstown-based hip-hop band Ordinary Peoples, reports USA Today.
M.I.A.: Diana Ross was a no-show at the We Are Family Foundation benefit honoring her "humanitarian spirit." The singer, who was arrested for drunken driving last month, thanked supporters via satellite.
EXCLUSIVE: Eminem's new music video "Superman" from the Eminem Show album will only be available to fans on the 8 Mile DVD on sale March 18. The Universal release will also contain 25 minutes of outtakes from the film's rap contests.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The fourth installment of Mel Gibson's Mad Max series, Mad Max: Fury Road, slated to hit theaters July 23, 2004.
KID'S STUFF: Columbia has optioned the rights to turn Mattel's Hot Wheels into a fast and furious feature flick. McG (Charlie's Angels) has been tapped to direct, reports Variety.





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