STILL SEALED: A Los Angeles judge has rejected a request by media attorneys to get transcripts of the grand jury proceedings against Mikail Markasev, accused of the murder of Ennis Cosby. The attorneys are considering an appeal.
MARITALLY CHALLENGED: Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford asked for privacy in a "painful" time after the New York Post printed a photo--taken from the upcoming issue of the Globe tabloid--apparently showing Frank lustfully embracing another woman. She co-hosts the talk show Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.
TALK IS NOT CHEAP: Next to enter the talk-show competition: Meshach Taylor from Dave's World and Designing Women. He signed a million-dollar deal with MGM television to originate a show from Las Vegas, starting fall of 1998...Oprah Winfrey wonders if she has it in her to sign a new contract for as many as 400 more shows. "It gets harder every day. When you've done it for 12 years, you've covered every topic."
SECOND THOUGHTS: The X-Files creator Chris Carter tells USA Today that he may stay on the show after the upcoming fifth season. He'd previously said he would move on to another dimension.
NO MIRAGE: The third Oasis album, titled Be Here Now, will be released by Epic Records on August 26. The 11-track CD was recorded in part at Abbey Road, the Beatles' legendary studio. The first single, "D' You Know What I Mean," will come out July 7.
TOO LATE: A Los Angeles judge indicated she would not let producer Aaron Spelling collect damages in his suit against the company that put the roof on his mansion. Spelling filed suit too long after the roof was installed. For all the celebrity legal battles, see Celeb Courthouse.
AWARE: At noon today, nationwide, radio stations air a public service message from singer Tori Amos about rape and other forms of sexual abuse.
STUNNED: Mark Morrison's single "Return of the Mack" may be number three on Billboard's Hot 100 charts, but he won't be touring for at least three months. That's how long a London judge sentenced him to jail for carrying an electric stun gun, illegal in Britain.
VOIR DIRE: Sean Connery, Edward Norton and Gwyneth Paltrow are in talks to join The Runaway Jury, the upcoming production of the John Grisham novel, says Daily Variety. For all the casting news, see The Dotted Line.
MAMMOTH PRODUCTION: Billy Crystal will make a movie about the life of Andre the Giant who played opposite him in The Princess Bride and died in 1993, aged 46. Basketball player Gheorghe Muresan of the Washington Wizards will play Andre.