FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, September 14, 2005

OH BABY, BABY: Britney Spears welcoming a baby boy on Wednesday, her first child with husband Kevin Federline, Us Weekly reports. The singer delivered her baby via C-section at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center around 1 p.m. PST.

PHONE CHARGES: Russell Crowe's lawyers working to reduce the felony assault charge against the actor stemming from his telephone-tossing mishap at a New York hotel. If Crowe is convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison and lose his right to work in the United States.

TELE-FLOP: Fewer than 24 million viewers tuning into last Friday's multi-network telethon, Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast, despite the fact that it was carried on 29 networks. In contrast, 89 million people tuned into the post-9-11 telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes.

DEEP POCKETS: Though the telethon was watched by a comparatively low number of viewers, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army raising an estimated $30 million in donations.

QUICK FIX: Coldplay releasing the digital EP Fix You on iTunes Music Store, featuring two tracks previously unreleased in the U.S., as well as tow versions of the band's latest single "Fix You." Proceeds will benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

MORE HELP: Sammy Hagar organizing an impromptu hurricane fundraiser at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas Mexico last Saturday and collecting more than $20,000 for AmeriCares.

NOT A FRIEND: A California judge issuing a three-year stay-away order Wednesday against a homeless man suspected of breaking into Jennifer Aniston's beachfront home in Malibu.

HITTING THE ROAD: Kanye West announcing his Touch the Sky world tour, kicking off Oct. 11 in Miami.

PAYING THE PRICE: A Massachusetts teen pleading guilty to hacking Paris Hilton's cell phone and being sentenced to 11 months in a juvenile detention center.

BACK TO THE ZOO: DreamWorks Animation announcing Madagascar 2, a sequel to the animated film that has earned more than $500 million at the worldwide box office, making it the company's most successful original film. Ben Stiller and Chris Rock returning to reprise their roles.

DENIED: 98 Degrees member Justin Jeffre losing his run for Cincinnati mayor, but stating that he might try again in the future.

ON THE AIR: NPR broadcasting Saturday's Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert at Lincoln Center, hosted by Laurence Fishburne and Wynton Marsalis and featuring performances by Norah Jones, Paul Simon, Bette Midler and many more.

DOING THEIR PART: Tom Waits, Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, John Mayer Trio, Joss Stone and the Meters signing on to perform at the Sept. 20 benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina victims at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE: President George W. Bush's last-minute address to the nation, scheduled for Thursday night at 9 p.m., forcing the networks to hastily make changes to their prime-time lineups. Fox moving the second episode of Reunion to Sept. 22; CBS rescheduling a rerun of the season finale of CSI to next Wednesday.

SCENT-SATIONAL: Elizabeth Arden launching a second Britney Spears fragrance called Fantasy. The new perfume is reportedly more expensive and "sophisticated" than the popster's first fragrance, Curious.

WONDER TWINS: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen looking to make 13-year-old twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse (Big Daddy) the male versions of their teenage girl merchandising empire, per the Wall Street Journal. "My sister and I started the whole 'tween empire," Ashley Olsen said. "I definitely see the potential for the boys to do that sort of thing."

PAY FOR PLAY: Adweek reporting that American Idol will command $705,000 per 30-second ad this season, a new record for prime-time television.

DUE FOR RELEASE: All That I Am, the latest album from Santana, due in stores Nov. 1. Steven Tyler, Michelle Branch, OutKast's Big Boi, Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone and Bo Bice among the guest stars.

LAUGH IN: Dave Chappelle, Larry David, George Lopez, Bill Maher, Dennis Miller, Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Garry Shandling and Jon Stewart among the headliners at HBO's inaugural Comedy Festival Nov. 17-19 in Las Vegas.

TAKING THE REINS: Cate Blanchett trying her hand at directing during the Sydney Theater Company's 2006 season, making her debut with A Kind of Alaska in December 2006.

DRIVE HIS CAR: Larry David teaming with MTV's college network, mtvU, to launch the "Curb Global Warming Sweepstakes" Tuesday. Students who sign up for the yearlong Stop Global Warming Virtual March on Washington (www.StopGlobalWarming.org), will be eligible to win the Prius David drives on Curb Your Enthusiasm.