Forest Whitaker in talks for 'Fat Albert'

Forest Whitakerin talks for 'Fat Albert'
Forest Whitaker is in talks to direct "Fat Albert," a live-action picture inspired by the main character of Bill Cosby's long-running cartoon "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", says Variety. The picture, viewed as a potential franchise by Twentieth Century Fox, is tentatively scheduled to open in summer 2003. Charles Kipps and Cosby wrote the "Fat Albert" screenplay based on the CBS series that ran for more than a decade and mixed humor and music with social and political issues.
What J. Lo wants,J. Lo gets at awards
When you're a star, you need plenty of room to shine, and judging from her needs, pop diva Jennifer Lopez must be one of the biggest stars around. J. Lo has requested at least 10 dressing rooms for herself and her entourage of approximately 100 at the BBC's Top of the Pops Awards later this month in London.
"You don't go into dealing with J. Lo thinking she's going to arrive in the back of a camper van and take care of herself," Robin Ashbrook, producer of the inaugural event, told Reuters. Ten rooms appeared to be the minimum needed to accommodate the singer and her coterie of choreographers, stylists, chefs, hairdressers and makeup artists. "There are a lot of requirements to look after the world of J. Lo," he said.
Ashbrook said Lopez would perform a medley of four hits at the Nov. 30 event, which celebrates the world's leading pop acts.
Recovery complete,music director to return
DETROIT -- Detroit Symphony Orchestra music director Neeme Jarvi, who underwent surgery to repair an aneurysm after suffering an attack July 9 at a music festival in Parnu in his native Estonia, will return to lead the orchestra in three concerts later this month.
During his recovery, guest conductors, including internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, led the Detroit Symphony.
Jarvi, who is in his 12th season as music director, will lead the orchestra in concerts Nov. 23, 24 and 25.
"I think it will be an extremely emotional event for the orchestra, our subscribers and the city in general. His contribution to the artistic and cultural life of Detroit over these past 12 years has been tremendous," Emil J. Kang, president and executive director of the DSO, said in a statement last week.
Jarvi has been principal conductor of the National Orchestra of Sweden, previously known as the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, for nearly 20 years. He is associated with a half-dozen other leading orchestras in the United States and Europe.
Jarvi, who has U.S. and Estonian citizenship, has made more than 350 recordings, which include works by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and American jazz musician Duke Ellington.
Andie MacDowell weds high school classmate
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Andie MacDowell married high-school classmate Rhett DeCamp Hartzog in an hourlong private ceremony Saturday evening at Central United Methodist Church. A reception followed at Biltmore Forest Country Club. More than 200 relatives and friends attended.
"It was just real sweet and simple," said MacDowell's sister, Babs Rogers Richard, of Waxhaw.
MacDowell's 15-year-old son, Justin, who had torn a ligament in his leg the night before while playing basketball, gave her away. He walked down the aisle on crutches.
Both her daughters [Sarah Margaret and Rainey] and nieces and nephews were also involved.
MacDowell, 43, wore a strapless, satiny oyster-white Vera Wang gown. Antique hair clips accented her hair.
MacDowell graduated from Gaffney High School in South Carolina in 1976; Hartzog graduated in 1977. Their romance began more than a year ago.
The couple are expected to make their home in Biltmore Forest.
Today's birthdays
Former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali is 79. Actress Kathleen Hughes is 73. Jazz musician Ellis Marsalis is 67. Actor Don Stewart is 66. Blues singer Carey Bell is 65. Pop singer Freddie Garrity (Freddie & amp; the Dreamers) is 61. Writer P.J. O'Rourke is 54. Zydeco singer-musician Buckwheat Zydeco is 54. Britain's Prince Charles is 53. Actor Robert Ginty is 53. Rock singer-musician James Young (Styx) is 53. Singer Stephen Bishop is 50. Actress Laura San Giacomo is 40. Actor D.B. Sweeney is 40. Rapper Reverend Run (Run-DMC) is 37. Actor Patrick Warburton is 37. Rock musician Nic Dalton (The Lemonheads) is 37. Rock singer Butch Walker (Marvelous 3) is 32. Rock musician Travis Barker (Blink 182) is 26. Rapper Shyheim is 24.