FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, July 12, 2001

OTHER EMMY STUFF: The Best Comedy contenders are: Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Malcolm in the Middle, Sex and the City and Will & Grace.

E! DOES EMMY: E!'s True Hollywood Story nabbing a nom in one of the just-created reality-show categories, Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Reality), where it will square off against Fox's American High (now on PBS), Bravo's The Awful Truth with Michael Moore, HBO's Taxicab Confessions and TLC's Trauma: Life in the ER.

REAL EMMYS: CBS' Survivor picking up a nod in the other newly created reality category, Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class). It's up against USA's Eco-Challenge: Borneo, VH1's Bands on the Run, TLC's Junkyard Wars and MTV's Road Rules. Winners will be announced September 16 in Los Angeles. For a complete list of the nominees, click here.

GOSSIP FODDER: Despite earlier denials from their reps, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are vacationing at the same upscale resort on Fiji, according to local news reports. The Down Under duo, who have been romantically linked in the tabloids, arrived separately at the Wakaya Club this week.

STARRED: Sandra Bullock, Al Pacino, Regis Philbin and Rodney Dangerfield are among the celebs getting stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year, according to the sidewalk's overseeing body, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

THAT'S NOT A SPICY TUNA ROLL: A San Francisco woman suing Don Johnson for allegedly groping her in a sushi bar earlier this year. Johnson's attorney denies the allegation and says prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges after investigation the incident.

RETREAD: Reese Witherspoon attached to star in Miramax's Honey West, a big-screen version of the ABC short-lived 1960s series about a female P.I. who inherits her family's detective business, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

THE MUSIC'S OVER? A federal judge ordering Napster to remain offline until it removes all copyrighted material. The embattled song-swapping site has been down since July 2.

NAPSTER ADD: Meanwhile, Napster announcing Thursday that it had reached a settlement agreement with two of its most outspoken and litigious opponents, Metallica and Dr. Dre.

PLUGGED: Mariah Carey, TLC, Jane's Addiction, Billy Idol, Mary J. Blige, Run-DMC and Busta Rhymes among the slate of artists lined up to play MTV20: Live and Almost Legal--an August 1 live TV concert marking the cable net's two-decade anniversary.

STANDING BY HER (BACKSTREET) BOY: Denise McLean, the mother of Backstreeter A.J., telling Orlando's WKMG that she's proud her son acknowledged his drinking problem and has checked into rehab to get straight. She says that once sober, her son will likely discuss his battle publicly to help others.

BUM RAP: A grand jury in Erie County, New York, indicting DMX on charges of failing to turn himself in for a jail sentence last year. The rapper was shooting a video and showed up days later. He's expected to be arraigned later this month.

ZIGGY AND THE LITTLE SPIDERS: David Bowie launching a kid-themed Internet radio station Thursday on his DavidBowie.com Website. He says he was inspired by his daughter, Alexandria, who was born last year.

PARTRIDGE HEIRLOOM: Former pinup David Cassidy posting a $50,000 reward for the return of a ring given to him by his dad, actor Jack Cassidy. The singer says he thinks the ring was lost or stolen during his current tour.

READY FOR DAYTIME? Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels signing a deal to develop a daytime talk show for NBC. The show is slated to debut in fall 2002.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Singer Mandy Moore tapped as honorary chair of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School & Youth campaign. She'll help raise money for the charity.

ON THE ROAD: Teen popster Jessica Simpson announcing she will launch her "Dreamchaser Tour" August 7 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The 25-city tour will be opened by Eden's Crush.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert saying she plans to run for president of the Screen Actors Guild. The election takes place this fall. Gilbert would likely be up against incumbent and former St. Elsewhere star, William Daniels.