FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, September 12, 2000

ALPHABET SUPREME: ABC dominating last week's Nielsen ratings as the Emmy Awards, Monday Night Football and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire gave the network seven of the week's top 10 shows. Regis Philbin's quizzer once again reigned supreme, drawing 23.3 million viewers.

BEAUTIFUL AID: Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey donating $100,000 to an economic relief fund for union actors striking against television and radio advertisers. It will be added to a $500,000 fund SAG set up for actors who have exhausted their benefits.

BOMBSHELL OF THE MALADIES: Christina Aguilera's continuing voice problems prompting her to cancel more concerts. "Christina's doctors, concerned that her voice is slightly strained due to her heavy schedule, have asked her to take three days off and rest," a statement on her Website says. Refunds are available.

I THINK, THEREFORE I AM: "We do more than just sing and dance. We've got a brain, too," Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson saying after meeting with Huntsville, Alabama, city officials and developers about business opportunities.

HAIL HALLE: Halle Berry is in negotiations to star opposite John Travolta and Hugh Jackman in Warner Bros.' Swordfish. Sources said Berry might receive about $2.5 million for the starring turn--her highest payday yet.

SURVIVING REEG: Survivor castaways Jenna, Gervase, Colleen, Susan and Rich each cohosting one day next week on Live with Regis.

UMM, MIDLIFE CRISIS? "I have wanted to sing with Madonna for a very long time," Luciano Pavarotti says in the New York Post. "She has promised that she would sing, but I do not know if she was joking or serious. But I think she was serious because she is a serious lady. She is also a superb singer."

NEVER SAY NEVER: "Never Gonna Be Your Lady," a new song by Faith Hill, will be available via a free download on FaithHill.com before it hits record stores. "Using the Internet to premiere this song is a great way to let fans enjoy the music early," Hill says.

BIG OCEAN: Warner Bros.' Ocean's Eleven close to adding Matt Damon (to replace Mark Wahlberg) and Ralph Fiennes to a cast that includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Alan Arkin.

GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL: Sources reporting John Malkovich may star as the Green Goblin in the upcoming movie version of Spider-Man.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: U2 launching small US tour in early 2001 for their stripped-down new album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. U2 still hopes to retain some of the light-hearted spirit of their '90s tours, Bono said.

SORE LOSER: "One Emmy out of 18 nominations?" questioned The Sopranos Steve Van Zandt, referring to the show's only win. "And last year, four out of 16? I'm convinced they're prejudiced against us. (A) We're on cable, (B) we're in New York and (C) maybe they don't want to reward a show about gangsters."

DREAM TEAM: Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Bruce Jenner and Jackie Joyner-Kersee among 12 Olympic gold medalists to compete on Hollywood Squares September 18-22 in Hollywood.

GETTING SQUIRRELY: The family that owns the rights to cartoon characters Alvin and the Chipmunks filed a $105 million lawsuit Monday against Universal Studios, claiming it failed to adequately license products based on Alvin and his singing friends.

LOW-KEY DEBUT: About 200 gay activists shouted "Shame, shame, shame" outside Paramount Studios on Monday as Dr. Laura Schlessinger's television talk show made a syndicated debut that focused on teenage drug addicts rather than her controversial views on homosexuality.