FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, March 2, 2006

Paris heading to court, Mariah Carey glamorizes, Dave Chappelle states his position, Kid Rock calls Scott Stapp an "idiot," more

By Sarah Hall Mar 03, 2006 1:45 AMTags

TRIAL RUN: Sept. 18 trial date set in slander case against Paris Hilton. The Simple Life star is being accused of planting "vicious lies" about heiress Zeta Graff in the New York Post, according to the lawsuit. The two sides have until May 15 to settle out of court.

ENTREPRENEUR: Mariah Carey launching a jewelry and accessories line called Glamorized. "Wear it and you'll be Hot Tamale," she states on her website.

NOT AMUSED: Dave Chappelle telling the Dayton Daily News that he may never return to his hit Comedy Central show if the network goes ahead with plans to air material from his unfinished third season. "I feel like it's kind of a bully move," Chappelle said.

NO DELAY NEEDED: The Academy clearing the members of Three 6 Mafia to use the word "bitches" during their performance of Best Song nominee "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from Hustle & Flow at Sunday's Oscars. The song will mark the first-ever rap performance at the Academy Awards.

DUDE, YOUR BAD: Kid Rock calling Scott Stapp an "idiot" for losing a sex tape showing them with several strippers, but admitting the publicity comes at a fortuitous time, coinciding with the release of his latest album.

JOINING FORCES: Seventeen Sinclair Broadcast Group stations will carry programming from the new mini-network being launched by New Corp.'s Fox television unit this fall, the companies said Thursday.

TRIAL FILE: Gary Glitter pleading innocent in his child-molestation trial taking place Thursday in Vietnam, with prosecutors demanding that the British rocker serve three to four years in prison if he is found guilty of kissing, fondling and committing other obscene acts with two girls, aged 10 and 11. The verdict in the case is scheduled to be announced Friday.

MURDER RAP: Suspected gang member Damien Watts charged with fatally shooting teen actress Tara Correa-McMullen, who appeared in a reoccurring role on Judging Amy.

CRASH CLASH: Crash financier Bob Yuri suing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America for denying him a producer credit on the film. Meanwhile, producer Cathy Schulman suing Yuri, alleging he failed to pay $2 million in Crash-related fees.

BAD BREAK: Grey's Anatomy star Natalie Cole fracturing her arm after slipping and falling on set while filming an episode.

MOMMIE DEAREST: Carol Burnett playing the mother of Marcia Cross' character, Bree, in an upcoming episode of Desperate Housewives.

INTERNET IDOL: Online competition American Idol Underground announcing its first group winners Wednesday, as selected by listeners and celebrity reviewers including Isaac Hayes and former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell. To check out the winners, visit idolunderground.com.

FUNNY STUFF: Yes, Dear star Anthony Clark replacing Jay Mohr as the host of the new season of Last Comic Standing, premiering on NBC this summer.

MINUS A FAN: Busta Rhymes sued by a former fan who claims the rapper assaulted him after he asked for an autograph, leaving him with injuries that prevented him from working. The incident reportedly took place six months ago in a New York sandwich shop.

WEST BOUND: A number of West Wing alumni returning to reprise their roles for the White House drama's final episodes, including Rob Lowe and Mary-Louise Parker.

REMEMBERED: Jack Wild, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Artful Dodger in 1968's Oliver!, died of cancer in London, his agent announced Thursday. He was 53.

PITCHING A TENT: Madonna joining the April 30 lineup for the 2006 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival prior to launching her own summer tour. "I've never performed at a festival, and I'm especially excited about playing at Coachella before I start my own tour," the singer said in a statement.