FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, March 13, 2006

NO PITY NEEDED: Jennifer Aniston telling Vogue in an interview for the magazine's April issue that the idea of people feeling sorry for her "makes my skin crawl." Without mentioning Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie by name, the actress said she was "so tired of being part of this sick, twisted Bermuda Triangle."

ROCK HALL OF ATTITUDE: The Sex Pistols refusing to attend their own induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday night, while Black Sabbath plans to attend but refuses to perform. Blondie, Miles Davis and Lynyrd Skynyrd also being inducted.

CUTTING TIES: Isaac Hayes, who has been the voice of South Park's Chef since 1997, officially requesting to be released from his contract because he feels that recent episodes of the show have inappropriately mocked religious communities.

FACING THE MUSIC: Master P and his brother, Silkk the Shocker, pleading no contest to weapons charges stemming from their arrests last year for driving a vehicle containing guns not registered to them. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison.

WAY TO GO: Walk the Line and Rent nominated for the 10th annual PRISM Awards, which honor the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction. Walk the Line stars Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix were also nominated.

ON THE MENU: Diddy executive producing Celebrity Cooking Showdown, a reality competition featuring celebrities paired up with profession chefs. The series is slated to debut on NBC next month.

MOURNED: Oscar-, Tony- and Emmy-winning actress Maureen Stapleton died Monday of chronic pulmonary disease at age 80. The veteran thespian took home her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Reds.

ON THE MEND: Sean Connery recovering at his home in the Bahamas after undergoing surgery for a kidney tumor a few weeks ago, his spokesman said Sunday.

BAD RAP: Young Jeezy arrested in South Beach and charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, following an alleged shootout involving some of his friends Saturday.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Tito, Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Randy Jackson attending the funeral of former Jackson 5 drummer Johnny Jackson Jr. on Saturday. Neither Michael nor Janet Jackson put in an appearance.

CODE CASE: Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown stating Monday he is "astounded" by the claims of two historians who allege he copied their work when writing his bestselling novel and calling their allegations "simply untrue."

IN THE PINK: Alicia Silverstone signing on to play the lead in ABC's comedy pilot Pink Collar, which explores female relationships within the workplace, per the Hollywood Reporter.

NEW 'TOON: The Incredibles director Brad Bird following up his Oscar-winning film with Ratatouille, a Pixar cartoon about a skinny mouse who lives in a Parisian restaurant.

CAUGHT ON TAPE: A judge refusing to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Colin Farrell blocking ex-girlfriend Nicole Narain from distributing a sex tape they made together several years ago.

OH, BOY: Russell Crowe telling Jay Leno on Friday's Tonight Show that he and wife Danielle Spencer are expecting a boy. The couple already has a son, Charlie.

FAILURE LAUNCHES: The Sarah Jessica Parker-Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy Failure to Launch debuting atop the box office, grossing an estimated $24.6 million. The Shaggy Dog finished in second place with $16 million.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: An Arizona judge ordering a Colorado man accused of stalking Linda Ronstadt for nearly a decade to stay away from the singer, who has upcoming concerts and said she feared for her safety.