FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, November 9, 1999

SPLITSVILLE! Grammy-winner Bonnie Raitt, 50, and actor Michael O'Keefe, 44, to divorce after eight years of marriage, her record label announced today.

PARTING WORDS: Magician David Copperfield breaking his silence to tell a German magazine that work was the cause of his recent breakup with supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

PRESIDENT BEATTY? Though publically noncommittal about a presidential run, actor Warren Beatty tried to get listed on the California primary ballot, the Los Angeles Times says.

BIG-SCREEN THRILLER: Pop oddity Michael Jackson to play the title role in the upcoming big-budget horror The Nightmare of Edgar Allen Poe, the Hollywood Reporter says.

RATINGS RACE: CBS won the November sweeps week ended Sunday; NBC's ER was the No. 1 show. But ABC's Annie and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire packed the biggest punches.

LONG GOODBYE: Suddenly Susan costar David Strickland tried to commit suicide a year before he hung himself in a Las Vegas motel, his parents tell ABC's 20/20.

SO SORRY: Bad-boy Dennis Rodman's excuse for last week's brawl with ex-wife Carmen Electra: "We had an argument like a lot of people do, but it wasn't at home and it caused some problems."

THE SEX IS OUT THERE: An X-Files producer tells the Toronto Star there will be "definite movement...early on" this season in the relationship between Mulder and Scully.

ABRUPT DEPARTURE: Oz star Edie Falco temporarily leaving the HBO drama to do a play in London, the New York Daily News says.

YEEHAW! Country crooner Garth Brooks to host the upcoming Saturday Night Live--with his rock persona Chris Gaines appearing as the musical guest.

DREAM COME TRUE: Speed star Sandra Bullock signing on to the Ghost-like love story, Wildest Dreams. See Dotted Line for more casting news.

KA-CHING: The nation's box office expected to gross an all-time high of $7.5 billion in 1999, according to the Reporter.

SNIP SNIP: British censors cutting two super-violent scenes from Brad Pitt's Fight Club to prepare it for a November 21 U.K. release.

SHE'S BAAACK! Infamous intern Monica Lewinsky among Barbara Walters' Ten Most Fascinating People of 1999. Look for the entire list on the November 30 ABC special.

DEMONSTRATION: About 80 protesters picketed NBC's Burbank, California, studios Monday, still angry over the network's mighty-white programs.

BAD RAP: R&B star Tevin Campbell pleading no contest Monday to charges of soliciting lewd acts from an undercover male cop.

FACE THE MUSIC: In Britain, glam rocker Gary Glitter set to stand trial today on charges he seduced and sexually abused a 14-year-old fan.

ROCK ON: Universal Music Group to unveil a new Website (FarmClub.com) where artists can upload their music for free--and hope to be one of four acts signed by the label each year.

HIGH ROAD: Ex-Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar formally wishing the group's latest ex-singer, Gary Cherone, good luck.

SAMMY ADD: The aging rocker is set to hack off his hair on the Friday edition of NBC's Tonight Show to benefit a kid's charity.

NO FEVER: Broadway's musician's union protesting too few union musicians in the orchestra of the new hit musical, Saturday Night Fever.

UNLUCKY CHARMS: Irish-American newspapers flooded with complaints over the NBC miniseries, The Magic Legend of the Leprechauns. The Reporter says readers are upset with its portrayal of modern-day Ireland.

LEO-MANIA: The first annual Leonardo DiCaprio International Online Short Film Festival to kick off next month on www.leofest.com, featuring 15-minute contributions from unknown filmmakers.

STARRED: Cheers alum Ted Danson to get the Hollywood Walk of Fame treatment in ceremonies today.

WHAT'S UP DOC? M*A*S*H surgeon Hawkeye Pierce (aka Alan Alda) named TV's top fictional M.D. in a poll of real-life British medics.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm very happy it went into the toilet."--60 Minutes producer Don Hewitt on The Insider's box-office fizzle, in the New York Daily News.