Off The Record...

AC/DC

Stiff Upper Lip

AC/DC didn't invent rock and roll, but when it comes to playing it in its rawest form, the band has few peers. Angus Young's bottomless bag of riffs gets the mother lode of attention, but just as essential to the group is Brian Johnson's parched shriek, and the band's granite-solid rhythm section. Moreover, over the course of its 25-year career, AC/DC has shown the good sense not to tamper with a winning formula. The group remains musically vibrant, laying out another disc full of hook-infested melodies pounded out with testosterone-fueled aggression.

At The Movies...

The Whole Nine Yards

This black comedy belongs to Matthew Perry, who plays a Montreal dentist who's pushed around by his wife and has a hit man (Bruce Willis) for a neighbor. Perry does his best screen work yet as the downtrodden but likable "Oz" Ozeransky. Along the way to the movie's murderous finale we're introduced to two women, both of whom add sparkle to the situation. Natasha Henstridge, looking like a young Cybill Shepherd, plays Willis' wife, and Amanda Peet, in a show-stealing role, portrays a would-be assassin. A little far-fetched, but funny as well.

On Video...

Double Jeopardy

Ashley Judd plays Elizabeth Parsons, a woman who appears to have it all, she's gorgeous, her husband is successful, she has a lively small child and the kind of sweet nanny to stir envy in any parent. This idyllic life comes crashing down one fateful vacation weekend when Elizabeth suddenly becomes the prime suspect when her husband disappears and she is found covered in blood. Tommy Lee Jones plays Elizabeth's feisty parole officer, who eventually becomes her ally in unraveling the mysterious events. This is a suspense movie with the added oomph of solid character exploration.

The Buzz...

Late-night talk show host David Letterman, who underwent open-heart surgery in January, may return to his CBS television show full-time by late March. 

For all the fans who think the Backstreet Boys are, well, super, here comes some comic book confirmation. The band recently teamed with Stan Lee to create their very own superhero franchise. Set to debut in June, the boys are given enchanted amulets which enhance each band member's DNA, giving Nick super Ninja powers, Kevin super strength, AJ perfect marksmanship, and so on.

Clear Channel Communications Inc., one of the biggest broadcasters in the United States, is buying SFX Entertainment Inc., a leading concert producer, arena owner and sports promoter, for about $3.3 billion in stock.

Singer Celine Dion has sued the National Enquirer for $20 million, claiming it reported she was pregnant with twins while knowing the story was false.

Michael Richards, the manic Kramer on Seinfeld, is returning to television. Richards will star as Vic Nardozza, private investigator, in a new NBC sitcom slated for the fall.

Kathie Lee Gifford surprised viewers of Live with Regis & Kathie Lee Tuesday by announcing she is leaving the show. She said she's leaving the show this summer and ending her 15-year run as sidekick to Regis Philbin. Her contract ends in August.

Sparky Anderson, the only manager to win World Series titles in both leagues, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame this week.

The British producers of Who Wants to be a Millionaire are readying a follow-up to their international quiz show sensation, with ABC once again in position to land U.S. rights to the project. Details are still sketchy, but insiders said the show would likely feature a single contestant answering questions of increasing difficulty in a single category, probably a category in which the contestant is an expert.

Tour Organizers are hopeful the upcoming KISS Farewell Tour can parlay into more than $40 million in grosses. The tour, which begins March 11th, is billed as the last for the four original members. VH1 is the media sponsor.

ABC and the Miss America Organization have announced that Donny and Marie Osmond will host the Miss America Pageant in October, their second appearance on the broadcast. 

Charlie Sheen has agreed to step into Spin City to replace Michael J. Fox, who is leaving at the end of the season.

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