FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, June 8, 2004

STYLIN': Sean "P. Diddy" Combs named the top menswear designer of the year for his Sean John collection at the Council of Fashion Designers of America annual awards show Monday night--beating out Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors.

HER TOO: Sarah Jessica Parker toasted as this year's fashion icon at the CFDA Awards.

AND BABY MAKES THREE? Sources speculating in the New York Post that a secret pregnancy was behind the quickie wedding of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony this past weekend. No comment from the Mennifer camp.

MUM'S THE WORD: Marc Anthony refusing to confirm his weekend wedding to J.Lo when he appeared on NBC's Today Show and ABC's The View Tuesday to promote his new album Amar Sin Mentiras (Love Without Lies).

PAYBACK: Mel Gibson's movie distribution company, Icon, sues the nation's largest movie chain, Regal Entertainment Group, for $40 million because Regal allegedly reneged on a deal to pay out 55 percent of revenues from The Passion of the Christ.

IN THE HOUSE: Restaurant star Rocco DiSpirito receiving judge's permission to enter his eponymous New York restaurant to take promo photos for new cookbook. Celeb chef had been banned from premises by the owners as the two sides continue a contentious legal battle for control of Rocco's 22nd Street.

OFF THE ROAD: Country queen Loretta Lynn forced to scrap nine June concert dates due a lingering back ailment.

MUSIC MAKER: Mark Burnett close to pitching a new reality series that would search for a lead singer who could front an existing rock band, reports Variety.

TOO OLD? British actress Alex Kingston telling London's Radio Times that after seven years on ER, her contract will not be renewed because the drama is increasingly focused on younger characters.

STRIKE BACK, REVERSE THAT: Kingston releasing a statement saying her comments were taken out of context. "I regret if these statements have affected the producers, as we are in mutual agreement that the storyline for my character had run its course."

NO IFS, ANDS OR BUTTS: MTV editing out footage of Eminem mooning the audience from this Thursday's telecast of the 2004 Movie Awards.

ANOTHER AWARDS SHOW: R. Kelly snagging eight nods ahead of Jay-Z's seven to lead the list of nominees for this year's annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, taking place Aug. 6 in Miami.

DOUBLE HER PLEASURE: LeAnn Rimes releasing two new albums Oct. 19, the inspirational This Woman and the Christmas themed What a Wonderful World.

MAKE THAT TWO: Nelly releasing two new albums Sept. 14 entitled Sweat, described as "up tempo," and Suit, more "grown and sexy." He's the first rapper to drop two albums on the same day.

LIKE AN AUTHOR: Madonna's third children's book, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, set to hit book stores on June 21.

CASHING IN: Apprentice winner Bill Rancic penning an advice book due out this fall titled You're Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life.

IN NEED OF RESCUE? Former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff busted late Saturday night in Los Angeles on suspicion of drunk driving. He was released the next morning.

DELAYED: Martha Stewart's sentencing for lying about a stock sale postponed by three weeks from June 17 to July 8. She faces 10 to 16 months in prison.

COMMANDING AN AUDIENCE: The big three networks planning live coverage of Ronald Reagan's funeral procession to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday evening and the state funeral that follows, along with the national funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral on Friday.

DID ANYONE WATCH? According to early figures from Nielsen Media Research, only 6.6 million tuned in to CBS' telecast of the Tony Awards Sunday night, making it the least watched ever. Nearly 8 million viewers tuned in last year.

CODA: Solo guitarist Robert Quine found dead Saturday in his New York apartment. He was 61. According to a friend, the musician may have died of a heroin overdose Memorial Day weekend.