FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, November 2, 2004

STOP THE VIOLENCE: Wyclef Jean visiting Haiti in an effort to help end a wave of violence that has left almost 200 people dead over the last two months, including several police officers. Jean is planning a peace concert to take place in December.

GETTING SCHOOLED: Syracuse University students taking a class by the name of "The Life and Times of Lil' Kim" will receive a visit from the hip-hop star herself on Wednesday after she was invited to speak by the instructor. "I am honored and quite proud that a class is being taught on my sensationalist lyrics, unique style and fashion and leadership role within the hip-hop community," Lil' Kim said in a statement.

BLAKE WATCH: Over 60 prospective jurors in the Robert Blake murder case were eliminated from consideration Tuesday after indicating strong views in questionnaires. Blake was not present in court for the jury selection process.

LACK OF PRIDE: NBC shelving animated series Father of the Pride for November sweeps but insisting that the $2 million-per-episode show will return in December, per Daily Variety.

HERE'S THE KICKER: Former Oakland Raiders kicker Cole Ford in Las Vegas police custody for a September drive-by shooting incident at the home of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn. Siegfried and Roy were not home at the time of the alleged shooting.

BACK TO MED SCHOOL?: CBS announcing that freshman drama series Dr. Vegas is going on hiatus, effective this week.

FUNNY GUY: Norm Macdonald signing with Comedy Central to executive produce and star in half-hour pilot featuring sketches and stand-up from the comic, per Daily Variety.

BRINGING IT HOME: FX ordering a pilot from Steven Bochco for Over There, a series set on the front lines of Iraq. The show is expected to begin shooting in January, per the Hollywood Reporter.

STEPPING DOWN: Paramount Pictures chairwoman Sherry Lansing, who has been a fixture on the Hollywood scene for over three decades, announcing that she will step down from her position when her contract expires at the end of next year.

GOOD DEED: Bill Cosby helping to raise $1.5 million in scholarship money at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he attended college. A good portion of the money came from ticket sales to a benefit concert Cosby gave at the school.

TOUCHDOWN: Tim McGraw becoming a part owner of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats. McGraw will do his part to try and boost ticket sales by performing for season ticket holders and sponsors next year.

KUDOS: Peter Gabriel honored Monday with the Music Industry Trusts' Award, an honor given each year to an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the British music industry.

MURDERED: Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, who received death threats after he made a movie criticizing the treatment of women under Islam, was slain in Amsterdam Tuesday, police said. A suspect was arrested after a shootout with police.

REMEMBERED: Peggy Ryan, who starred in movie musicals including This Is the Life and When Johnny Comes Marching Home, died Saturday from complications of two strokes, a friend said. She was 80.

WORST OF BOTH WORLDS: R. Kelly has been booted from a joint tour with Jay-Z after Kelly was allegedly pepper-sprayed by a member of Jay-Z's entourage during their Madison Square Garden show on Friday. Jay-Z was set to perform a final show Monday night with special guest stars. A promoter canceled the remainder of the tour, which had been scheduled to run through Nov. 28.

WORLDS WAR: R. Kelly's lawyers filed a lawsuit Monday accusing Jay-Z of intentionally sabotaging the tour out of "spite and jealousy." Kelly is seeking $75 million in damages from Jay-Z and concert promoter Atlanta Worldwide.

BEAT IT: California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filing a motion asking the judge in the Michael Jackson molestation case to keep the Santa Barbara D.A. on the case. Jackson says District Attorney Tom Sneddon is "blinded by his zeal to convict" the singer. Lockyer calls the claim "baseless."

TRIAL FILE: A trial set to continue in a lawsuit brought against Rod Stewart by several concert promoters who claim the singer never returned a $780,000 deposit after canceling tours of Mexico and South America.