hMacaulay Culkin signs deal for NBC projects

hMacaulay Culkin signs deal for NBC projects
NEW YORK -- "Home Alone" star Macaulay Culkin has signed a deal with NBC to develop several projects, including a possible comedy show in fall 2004, according to the trade paper Variety.
Culkin, 23, has met with "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien and may also work on a project with him, NBC's president of prime-time development, Kevin Reilly, was quoted as saying on Variety's Web site.
"We're going to use him in an unconventional way," Reilly said. "I don't think you'll see Macaulay as a straight-down-the-middle romantic lead. I think you'll see him in something surprising, a little offbeat."
Reilly said Culkin has "always had uncanny instincts" as an actor, and a guest spot last season on NBC's "Will & amp; Grace" reinforced that point.
"There are certain child stars who figure out how to translate that talent to adulthood, and I think Macaulay's been waiting for the right time to come back and re-emerge as a star," he said.
Culkin recently starred as club kid Michael Alig in the independent film "Party Monster," and will appear in the upcoming "Saved" opposite Jena Malone and Mandy Moore.
New book in works forcomedian George Carlin
NEW YORK -- Comedian George Carlin has agreed to terms for a new book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" an essay collection to be published next year by Hyperion.
Financial terms weren't disclosed.
"Here we go again, folks. Cheap shots, horrifying thoughts and a few bright ideas," Carlin, whose previous books include the best-selling "Brain Droppings," said in a statement Wednesday.
A popular stage and television performer, Carlin, 66, also has appeared in several films, including "Bill & amp; Ted's Excellent Adventure" and the upcoming "Jersey Girl," starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
Britney Spears' honesty impresses Simon Cowell
NEW YORK -- Simon Cowell says he appreciates Britney Spears' honesty, even if the 21-year-old pop star did take a dig at him.
Spears recently had some advice for wannabe stars participating in the TV talent show "Pop Idol," the British counterpart of "American Idol." Both feature Cowell's often withering assessments of the hopefuls' singing abilities.
"I would take his advice and whatever he said and tell him to shove it," Spears told Britain's ITV television in an interview broadcast last week.
In response, Cowell told the TV show "Extra" in an interview that aired Thursday: "I've got to be honest with you, the fact that she said that, I sort of like her more. It makes her more interesting. Britney is now a woman, not a girl. I like that."
Excerpts of the interview were released in advance.
'The Perfect Husband' to tell Laci Peterson story
LOS ANGELES -- Former "Superman" actor Dean Cain will portray Scott Peterson in an upcoming cable television movie.
USA Networks announced Thursday that Cain, 37, will portray the Modesto man accused of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son.
The two-hour original movie has the working title of "The Perfect Husband" and will be shown in the first quarter of 2004, the network said in a statement.
The movie will be from the perspective of two of Laci Peterson's friends and will tell the story of the search for Laci Peterson and subsequent revelations, network officials said.
"'The Perfect Husband' is not just a movie about a specific crime, it's also a movie about our culture," said Jeff Wachtel, a network executive vice president.
Cain is best known for his role in the television series "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" and has been hosting the syndicated series "Ripley's Believe It or Not."
Laci Peterson disappeared last Christmas Eve, and her remains and those of her fetus were found in April along San Francisco Bay. Scott Peterson said he had been fishing when his pregnant wife disappeared.
Today's birthdays
Country singer Charlie Walker is 77. Rhythm-and-blues singer Earl "Speedo" Carroll (The Cadillacs, The Coasters) is 66. Singer Jay Black (Jay and the Americans) is 65. Commentator Patrick J. Buchanan is 65. Actress Stefanie Powers is 61. Author Shere Hite is 61. Rock musician Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) is 59. Singer-songwriter k.d. lang is 42. Rock musician Bobby Dall (Poison) is 40. Actor David Schwimmer is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Alvin Chea (Take 6) is 36. Rock singer-musician John Hampson (Nine Days) is 32. Rapper Nelly is 29. Prodigy (Mobb Deep) is 29. Actor Danny Cooksey is 28.