People talk

Sutherland's cell phone: Can you hear me now?

LOS ANGELES -- Spending so much time on the cell phone isn't easy for Golden Globe nominee Kiefer Sutherland in Fox's drama, "24." Viewers have noticed his character's on-camera phone time. Sutherland explains it's easier for his character to talk on the phone while he's on the run than with somebody else. It has its disadvantages, though. "I'm half-deaf in one ear, and so naturally I put the phone to my good ear," Sutherland said. "I can barely hear any other actors that I'm working with."

Director takes Harry Potter into his teens

LOS ANGELES -- Alfonso Cuaron, who made his name in Hollywood with the low-budget, coming-of-age film "Y Tu Mama Tambien," is tackling similar themes in the latest Harry Potter installation. Cuaron, who is directing "The Prisoner of Azkaban," has inherited a cast of young actors who have grown into their teens. Harry Potter, played by 13-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, and his classmates still must fight the forces of darkness while trying to figure out what it's like to become a teenager. Cuaron will also have the characters wearing modern clothes under their school cloaks, following the intent of author J.K. Rowling.

'Idol' judge Cowell takes swipe at Madonna

LOS ANGELES -- Not content to crush the spirit of unknowns, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is training his sights on one of the biggest stars in the business -- Madonna. Cowell, promoting Monday's start of the third "American Idol" season, recently was drawn into a discussion with the Television Critics Association about the physical attributes of today's stars. "Britney is cute, isn't she?" Cowell said. "Beyonce is good-looking. Jennifer Lopez is good-looking. Madonna used to be good-looking." His fellow judges, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, groaned. "She's a housewife!" Cowell said.-- From wire reports

Magazine gets permission to appeal ruling over celeb wedding photos

LONDON -- A judge granted celebrity magazine Hello! permission to appeal a ruling that it acted improperly in publishing unauthorized photos of the wedding of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Judge John Lindsay also gave the celebrity couple permission to appeal part of his decision. The judge said Friday the magazine could seek to overturn his ruling that it violated the couple's commercial confidence. Zeta-Jones and Douglas won the right to appeal Lindsay's ruling that publication of the photos didn't infringe on their privacy. In November, Lindsay ordered the magazine to pay the stars $26,000 in damages. Douglas and Zeta-Jones had sought damages of $900,000.

Nicolas Cage to sell collector car at auction

LOS ANGELES -- A 1938 Bugatti once owned by actor Nicolas Cage is on the auction block, but the wheels are only for serious collectors with big bucks. The Bugatti T57C Atalante coupe, a two-tone black-and-blue two-seater, is expected to fetch $400,000 to $600,000 at next week's RM Auctions event in Phoenix, featuring nearly 100 prized collector cars. RM's fifth annual Vintage Motor Cars auction also offers a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, No. 43 of the 51 produced ($350,000-$450,000); a 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn drophead coupe ($90,000-$110,000); and a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Tourister ($325,000-$375,000). Also up for grabs at the Jan. 23 auction at the Arizona Biltmore Resort are movie memorabilia, including Al Pacino's three-piece tuxedo worn while portraying Michael Corleone in "The Godfather: Part III" ($8,000-$9,000).

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On the Net:

http://www.rmauctions.com

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GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) -- Singer Johnny Rivers will headline Gadsden's Riverfest music festival, scheduled for June 11-12.

Grand Funk Railroad, Patty Loveless and Darryl Worley also will headline, festival organizers announced recently.

For several years, the festival has been held during the third week in May. But some entertainers have been unable to perform because of heavy rain and storms.

"It seems that our weather pattern has changed and our rainy season, at least over the past three or four years, has moved from April to May," said Riverfest chairman Bill Peppenhorst. "We appreciate our loyal fans staying with us these past few years."

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On the Net:

http://www.johnnyrivers.com/main.html

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HOUSTON (AP) -- Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson will join Edward Albee this spring at the University of Houston's School of Theatre, the school announced.

Wilson will partner with the university's Distinguished Professor of Theatre in preparing students for Albee's annual Playwright's Workshop.

"I'm not sure I can get used to being called 'Professor Wilson,' but I am looking forward to working with the students. It's so invigorating to be around people who really love the theater," said Wilson, who will teach two courses.

He joins a teaching staff that also includes Sir Peter Hall, creator of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Tony Award-winning producer Stuart Ostrow.

Albee is the winner of three Pulitzers for drama. Wilson won his Pulitzer for drama in 1979 for "Talley's Folly," a two-character romance set in the 1940s. He also wrote "Hot L Baltimore," "The Mound Builders" and "Fifth of July."

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MARATHON, Fla. (AP) -- The mother of pop singers Nick and Aaron Carter was arrested for attacking the girlfriend of her estranged husband, deputies said.

Jane Carter was arrested for battery late Tuesday and taken to the Monroe County Detention Center. Carter, 44, was released early Wednesday. An assistant to Carter had no immediate comment Friday.

Jane Carter separated from Robert Carter in March. She allegedly broke a window to enter her husband's home and attacked the couple while they slept, said Monroe County sheriff's Deputy Daniel Marquith.

Jane and Robert Carter, who have been Aaron Carter's managers for 10 years, are seeking a divorce.

The alleged fight took place after a Sunday meeting between the Carters and 16-year-old Aaron, which family lawyer Scott Salomon said resolved their financial differences.

Aaron Carter is the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter.

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