What's Hot...

The Pokemon Phenomenon

If you don't believe me, then ask any ten-year old to name his or her favorite television show, video game, comic book series, trading card game, and collectible toy. Known as Pocket Monsters in its native Japan, Pokemon began in 1996 as a game for Nintendo's Game Boy.  Although only in North America for a year, Pokemon has already established itself as a major toy, television, and gaming license. But the true key to Pokemon's success is not the savvy merchandising but the positive message it imparts on young fans.

On The Air...

Deep Space Nine

The final episode, What You Leave Behind, provides closure of the story arcs for all nine main characters, as well as for the over 20 guest stars that will appear. Viewers can expect one of the biggest special effects sequences the show has ever done. Since its debut in1993, DSN has aired over 170 episodes, earning four Emmy Awards and 26 nominations, plus two Hugo Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Television Series.

On Video...

Apt Pupil

A high school honor student discovers that a Nazi war criminal has been quietly living in his hometown and, obsessed with the history of the Holocaust and its atrocities, he blackmails the old man, opening up a riveting game of cat and mouse. Stars Brad Renfro, Sir Ian McKellen and David Schwimmer.

The Buzz...

Barbara Streisand is set to cash a $13 million paycheck for her Y2K concerts in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, with ticket prices topping out at, you might want to be sitting down for this, a million bucks per pair!

KISS in milk moustaches? Believe it or not, the costumed rockers will soon be sporting moo juice residue in forthcoming advertisements for the Got Milk? campaign. Look for the ads next month.

Rod Stewart's estranged wife, model Rachel Hunter, has posed nude for Playboy magazine in a spread that will hit newsstands this summer.

Aerosmith's I Don't Want To Miss a Thing, from Armageddon, the Goo Goo Dolls' City of Angels tune Iris and Green Day's Nice Guys Finish Last, from Varsity Blues, received best song nominations for the MTV Movie Awards. The awards will be presented June 10.

Kevin Sorbo and Renaissance Productions reportedly have parted ways over money, apparently unable to come to terms with the producers of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and his estranged wife, Pamela Anderson, are selling their Malibu, Calif., home. They're asking $1.55 million for the 7,400-square-foot, Mediterranean-style, five-bedroom house.

WB is benefiting from the advertising power of kid hit Pokemon. Although ad sales are generally slow this year, WB is able to command price increases in the 5% range due to the popularity of the pocket monsters animated show.

Director and comic book writer Kevin Smith is sure his controversial film, Dogma, will be at the Cannes International film Festival next month despite Disney's refusal to distribute the movie. Dogma is a satirical look at the Catholic church.

Melrose Place crew members filled four jugs with water from the famous Melrose Place pool, since Fox plans to fill up hundreds of tiny plastic vials and ship them to affiliates, radio stations and press for eventual distribution to fans.

20th Century Fox bought the rights to Twice Upon A Time, a comedy screenplay by Robbie Fox that tells the story of a man who visits the past in order to convince himself not to marry his soon-to-be wife.

Every hot male actor in Hollywood is lining up for what's sure to be the juiciest role on TV next season: the title character's new boyfriend on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Supposedly Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, will take an active role in selecting the lucky stud.

This year's Tibetan Freedom Concert will be held June 13 in four cities: East Troy, Wis., Amsterdam, Sydney and Tokyo. The Beastie Boys, Live and Eddie Vedder will play East Troy, and Rage Against the Machine will rock Amsterdam. Additional acts will be announced.

Imax Corp. optioned Stephen King's The Sun Dog.  The company also entered into an agreement with White Cap Prods. to develop a giant-screen 3-D version of the horror work.

Peter Parker: Spider-Man #9 features the return of Venom! The vicious symbiote comes back to menace Peter and Mary Jane in this comic, drawn by John Romita Jr.

Fox picked up 22 episodes of Matt Groening's animated sci fi comedy series Futurama as part of its all-animation Tuesday night. The lineup won second place to ABC in the 18-49 year old category, according to Nielsen data.

Download Tear Sheet