People talk 08/01/02

Emmy oddsmakers place bets on Sheen

LAS VEGAS -- Martin Sheen is the favorite to win a best-actor Emmy -- at least at some Las Vegas casinos.

Oddsmakers at Bally's and the Stardust both like Sheen, who's nominated for his third consecutive year as President Bartlet on NBC's "The West Wing."

Johnny Avello, race and sports book director at Bally's, has Sheen at 6-5 to win, followed by first-time nominee Kiefer Sutherland of Fox's "24" at 2-1. Joe Lupo, race and sports book manager at the Stardust, has him favored at 2-1, followed by Peter Krause of HBO's "Six Feet Under" at 3-1.

"Martin Sheen is just a top-quality actor," Avello said Tuesday. "I think he's real likable and that he can win again."

Sheen received an Emmy in 1994 as a guest actor on "Murphy Brown."

Both agree that "The West Wing" will win outstanding drama series at the Sept. 22 ceremony.

For outstanding comedy series, Avello likes NBC's "Friends" at 8-5, while Lupo has NBC's "Will & Grace" topping the category at 2-1.

Nevada law prohibits wagering on events in which the outcome is already known, but Las Vegas oddsmakers handicap such contests as the Academy Awards or "Survivor" for entertainment purposes.

Williams finishes original football themes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hank Williams Jr. is ready for some football.

The country singer recorded his 16th season of "Monday Night Football" themes on Monday.

Each game this season gets its own lyrics, set to Williams' 1984 hit "All My Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight."

"The 'Skins' new coach looks to make an impression/Philly wants to teach him an NFL lesson," Williams sang for the Sept. 16 game between Washington and Philadelphia.

Williams thinks the Eagles will do well this season.

"Philly is going to be there this year when it's all over," he said. "That quarterback, man ... Donovan McNabb can give you fits."

Brockovich will host Lifetime series in 2003

LOS ANGELES -- Working-class hero Erin Brockovich has agreed to host a new series about inspiring women, the Lifetime cable channel said.

"Final Justice" is set to air in early 2003. It will tell the stories of inspiring women who have engaged in difficult quests or recovered from tragedy.

"These true stories need to be shared and I know that 'Final Justice' will be an inspiration for all women to make a difference in their communities," Brockovich said Monday.

Among other stories, "Final Justice" will document the case of a Louisiana woman who sought to make video voyeurism illegal after discovering her neighbor was taping her, and the efforts of a black woman from Kansas City who sought to punish three white men who killed her husband after they were acquitted by an all-white jury.

Julia Roberts won a best-actress Oscar for her role in 2000's "Erin Brockovich," which was based on Brockovich's experience as a single mother who bullied her way into a menial job in a small law firm.

Brockovich and her boss, Ed Masry, won $333 million in compensation from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for 650 residents of the town of Hinkley, where ground water was found to be contaminated with chromium 6.

Loren returns to Venice festival to support son

ROME -- Sophia Loren will return to the Venice Film Festival to support her 29-year-old son, director Edoardo Ponti.

The actress stars in Ponti's "Between Strangers," one of the films to be shown at the festival, which will run Aug. 29-Sept 8. The film, which tells the story of three women recalling their pasts, also stars Mira Sorvino. It's not in contention for an award.

At a news conference Tuesday, festival director Moritz de Hadeln reeled off a list of stars expected to attend, paying special attention to Loren.

"She's back after about 20 years," he said.

Ponti is the son of the 67-year-old Loren and her husband-producer, Carlo Ponti. Her films include 1958's "Houseboat," also starring Cary Grant; Vittorio De Sica's "Two Women" (1961), for which she won an Oscar; and De Sica's "Marriage, Italian Style" (1964).

-- From wire reports