FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, May 5, 2006

POSTPARTUM: A deflated-looking Katie Holmes making her first post-Suri appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of Mission: Impossible III alongside a beaming Tom Cruise. The new mother was all smiles, thanks, we're sure, to Cruise's prescribed regimen of vitamins and exercise.

SORRY, SURI: Inspired by Tom Cruise's purchase of an ultrasound machine to monitor baby Suri in utero, the California Assembly voting to restrict the use of personal ultrasound machines, approving a bill that would allow them to be sold only to licensed professionals. Sadly, the measure comes too late for Suri, but at least it may prevent future celebrity offspring from being inadvertently harmed.

THEY WANT HIS SEX Tickets to George Michael's first European tour in 15 years selling out within a matter of hours of going on sale, proving that the singer's fans are still keeping the faith. An American leg to the tour in 2007 is imminent, though dates have not yet been announced. Patience, U.S. fans.

NOT READY FOR HIS CLOSEUP: Michael Jackson demanding an apology from GQ for publishing photos in its May 2006 issue that appear to be of him, but are actually of "an imposter," according to his spokeswoman, Raymone Bain. Jackson also wants the magazines pulled from newsstands. "Mr. Jackson is furious that his image has been used in such a misleading way," Bain stated. Though we haven't seen the pictures in question, we can't imagine what could be worse than the Jackson photos already in circulation.

PET PEEVE: 8 Simple Rules producer Flody Suarez suing Cesar Millan, host of The Dog Whisperer, for allegedly abusing his Labrador, Gator, at his Florida training center by suffocating the dog with a choke collar and forcing it to run on a treadmill. Suarez claiming he's shelled out $25,000 in vet bills and that the dog will have to undergo additional surgeries to repair damage to his esophagus. No word on whether Gator is better behaved as a result.

HENDRIX LIVES: A British court has ruled a UK lawyer does not have a claim to Jimi Hendrix's recordings and music, Experience Hendrix says. Dragonslayer Films, which announced plans last month for a biopic about the late rocker, says its project is unaffacted by the decision, and that its film is proceeding "full speed ahead."

BEACH READ: ABC releasing Lost tie-in book Bad Twin, a novel purportedly penned by Oceanic Flight 815 passenger Gary Troup. The book, released Tuesday, had already reached number 21 on Amazon.com Friday, thanks to fans hoping to uncover clues to the island mystery. As if we didn't already spend all day perusing Lost theory boards...now this?

BUMP WATCH: Anna Nicole Smith refusing to confirm or deny rumors that she is pregnant. Her lawyer, Howard K. Stern, stating Smith "thinks it's funny how much of a stir it's causing." We think it's funny that she finds playing the "pregnant or fat" game funny.

WHACKED: James Gandolfini hit by a taxi while riding his motor scooter in New York. The Sopranos star was said to be "fine," while his scooter was taken to a repair shop. As for the driver of the taxi, he's not sleeping with the fishes--yet.

STRIP TEASE: NBC adding backstage drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip to its fall schedule, the network announced Thursday. The show, starring Matthew Perry and Amanda Peet, follows the activities of the cast and crew of a late-night sketch-comedy series, similar to Saturday Night Live. Here's hoping the show draws its inspiration from SNL's early years, rather than the current Prism Award-winning edition.

RETURN OF THE OLD SCHOOL: The original theatrical releases of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi finally coming to DVD Sept. 12, two years after fans blasted George Lucas for only releasing the digitally modified editions. The DVDs will be available only through Dec. 31, at which point they'll apparently be blasted off to a galaxy far, far away.

USE THE FORCE: Meanwhile, Hasbro releasing a limited-edition action figure of George Lucas, as seen in Storm Trooper attire. We always knew he was on the Dark Side.

YOU DON'T SAY: Nicole Richie telling Vanity Fair she knows she's "too thin" and plans to do something about it. A doctor working to treat Richie said he was developing "a systematic plan to get more calories in." We have a plan like that--it's called eating.