People talk 1/18/02

Guiliani to receive German media prize

BERLIN -- Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will receive an annual German media prize in honor of his "energy, courage and tireless sympathy" following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The German Media Prize, which involves no money, is awarded annually by leading German newspaper, magazine and TV editors to major public figures.

This year, the jury decided overwhelmingly to recognize Giuliani's "energy, courage and tireless sympathy that made him the leading personality of New York and America," organizers said in a statement .

They said Giuliani is expected to travel to the German spa town of Baden-Baden to receive the award on Feb. 16.

"He united a city in shock. He led New York out of the ashes to new courage," said Karlheinz Koegel, who founded the German prize in 1992. "He is an example for every politician."

Giuliani, 57, served eight years as mayor before handing the office over to Michael Bloomberg at the beginning of this month.

'The Price is Right' marks 30 years on TV

LAS VEGAS -- CBS' "The Price is Right" is celebrating its 30th anniversary Las Vegas-style, the first time the weekday program will be taped outside of Hollywood.

"We thought it would be fun and different and appealing to viewers to take the show on the road for the first time in 30 years," said Bob Barker, the show's durable host and executive producer. The program is television's longest-running game show.

Las Vegas was chosen for its glamour and because the city's visitors reflect a wide cross-section of the people who make up the program's audience, Barker told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

"The taping will give hundreds of people, who would otherwise be unable to participate, a chance to personally experience the show live," he said. "Las Vegas is now more family oriented and our show is a family show, so we thought we would appeal to tourists here. And Las Vegas is still one of the most exciting places in the world."

The show will be taped at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino's Samba Theater and will air on Jan. 31.

Globe Theater director announces resignation

SAN DIEGO -- Surprising colleagues and patrons alike, Douglas C. Evans, the Globe Theater's managing director, is resigning.

Evans arrived at the Balboa Park theater in April 2000, recruited in part for his success in raising millions as executive director of the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

He will return to Connecticut on Feb. 1 to become executive director of the state's Commission on the Arts, where he will manage a $13 million endowment and solicit private donations. He plans to continue to work on several Globe-related projects for an undetermined period.

A successor has not yet been named.

Literary group praises 'A Beautiful Mind' film

LOS ANGELES -- A University of Southern California literary group has honored "A Beautiful Mind" as the best film adapted from a book in the year 2001.

The Friends of the USC Libraries recognized Sylvia Nasar, the biographer of schizophrenic math genius John Nash, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman with its 14th annual Scripter Award on Tuesday. Russell Crowe stars as Nash in the film.

Other nominees were "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"; "In the Bedroom," based on the short story "Killings"; "Bridget Jones's Diary"; and "The Shipping News."

A group of film and literary professionals selected the winner. --From wire reports