Cuties in Couture : Carla Gugino (who doesn’t work enough, we think she’s great), looked pretty, spring-y and Daisy from “Great Gatsby” at the “Saved” premiere in Westwood, Calif. Thursday night.

Lindsay Lohan and Mandy Moore were wearing BeansTalk’s predicted hot summer fabric, ivory satin silk. But Lohan opted for a more casual look, with a pretty tank over a pair of Capri jeans. Meanwhile, Moore went all out in a slinky backless number (cut way down to there, in which she posed provocatively.

Former child actresses, the talented Jena Malone and Thora Birch – now all grown up – were also at the “Saved!” premiere, looking casual and cute. Birch had on ‘80s-inspired acid-wash jeans (which, if they’re making a comeback, we’re not so happy about).

Perhaps everyone is finally tired of the over-worn “Jesus is My Homeboy” Teenage Millionaire shirts (we can only hope). Brie Larson was at that premiere in a “Jesus Christ Fan Club” (replete with earnestly drawn photo of J.C.). Well, forget J.C., Jill Jones was wearing a boldly drawn “T” with the Boss’ face at the center at Conde Nast Traveler Hot Nights at the Spider club. Guess she agrees with the cries that Springsteen is a rock God.

Ashley Jones and Constance Marie were out at events wearing boldly colored sheer print poncho tops – a little Pucci-inspired, we’d say. (Mindy Burbano wore a strapless full-dress version over a pair of jeans – might have worked better without the denim.)

As we’ve mentioned before, Brooke Shields loves showing off that little roundy red-haired baby of hers, who she proudly posed with when she Read Excerpts from "Tales From the Bed", a Memoir by Valerie Estess and Jenifer Estess at the Bloomingdale's Book Launch with Edie Falco, at the Bloomies in Soho. Speaking of Rowan Frances, she turns one today, May 15th.

Pretty at Cannes at the Troy premiere? Star wife Jennifer Aniston in an ivory beaded silk halter dress, and film star Orlando Bloom, who is just pretty, period.

Santana!: Carlos Santana may have his names on some pretty hot shoes these days, but he still performs! He’s just been added to the We are the Future concert. Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana will join the lineup when music legend Quincy Jones produces the global humanitarian concert in Rome’s historic Circus Maximus, tomorrow, Sunday, May 16th at 6 p.m. He joins many of the well-recognized artists in celebrating the launch of the We Are the Future foundation, created to help children in war-ravaged cities.
Scheduled to perform are Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Angelique Kidjo, Soundz of South Africa, Carmen Consoli, Cirque Du Soleil, Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin, Take 6, Josh Groban, Juanes, Karina, Fher (of Maná), Kazem Al Sahir, Khaled, Noa, Norah Jones, Rifat Salamat Ali Kahn, Simon Shaheen, Stomp, and Zucchero, among others.Scheduled to present are Oprah Winfrey, Chris Tucker, Angelina Jolie, Francesco Totti, Quincy Jones, Naomi Campbell, and Serena Williams, among others.

House-Calling at Cannes : Ah, the life of celebs. Not only do they get to party at the world’s most glamorous hot spot at the hottest film festival (that would be Le Festival de Cannes), but now they also have the services of Prive owner Laurent Dufourg and a team of his artists. They’re official stylists of the WireImage Portrait Studio, located in the heart of Cannes at 2 La Croisette, overlooking the red carpet at the Palais.

Filmmakers and participating talent visit the studio during scheduled appointments to have exclusive photos taken with WireImage.

Laurent D. and his team will offer styling services to talent attending the festival in a beautifully recreated satellite Privé Salon from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the duration of the festival from May 12 to May 23, 2004. But here’s the fun part: Laurent and his team will also be available throughout the festival for private house calls. Prive Salons are in New York, Los Angeles, South Korea. By the way, their products smell AMAZING.

Funny Man Dan : Latest update on our favorites the Dan Band: SATURDAY SHOW!! see them before they go to NYC through July (where they’ll be at the knitting factory) the dan band SATURDAY MAY 22nd at the avalon
1735 N. Vine Street (north of hollywood blvd)
doors at 7:30/show at 8:30 for tickets email: thedanband@avalonhollywood.com thedanband.com


P Diddy : We’re not fans (he wasn’t very nice to us once), but yesterday, MTV2 shot an episode of Spoke 'n' Heard with P-Diddy on the rooftop at 7th Avenue Sushi Samba (245 Park Avenue South corner of Barrow, 212-475-9377) from 2 to 3 p.m. - the roof was closed to the public during the shoot.

Fun Field: What’s summer without baseball? One of the classic films of America’s favorite sport, “Field of Dreams,” is out in a special-edition double DVD June 8, 2004. The DVD includes cast and crew memories of their fathers, as well as a “roundtable” featuring Kevin Costner and baseball greats Johnny Bench, George Brent and Bret Saberhagen. “Along Came Polly,” with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, is out two days later, June 8th. Look for additional goodies like an alternate opening, never-before-seen deleted scenes, outtakes, a “making of” documentary, and feature commentary from director John Hamburg. One of our favorite TV series’ first season, “Northern Exposure,” will be available May 25, 2004, for $59.98. Bonus material includes deleted scenes, outtakes, and extra footage.

Jetting Jet Drag: Christina Aguilera’s makeup person, Stephen Sollitto (who also does Winona Judd, Charlotte Ross and Carmen Electra) offers tips on handling jet lag:
1. The night before your flight, put on self-tanner, as plane air makes skin look ashy
2. Put good moisturizer on face, neck and arms 30 mins. Before flight and 30 mins. Before landing.
3. Put Kiehls lip balm or Neosporin on the inside of your nose to avoid a dry, red, irritated nose.
4. Keep makeup simple. Use cover up to mask dark circles, don’t put mascara on until right before you land.
5. Get a gel neck pillow, drink tons of water
Baby Bikini Area: Layla Fayyad of Visage de Layla suggests those who shave or wax “down there” use facial products to soothe – she suggests her Azu-Zinc Soothing Masque for hyper sensitive skin. The mask features Azulene, an element of chamomille that gives the plant its blue color. We’re big fans of Azulene, especially Mario Badescu’s Azulene lotion which might be the best body lotion ever.

Mystery Fan? : BBC AMERICA’s U.S. premiere documentary, Mapping Murder takes a real life look inside the minds of serial killers and criminals to unlock the patterns of their gruesome crimes. Mapping Murder premieres on BBC AMERICA Mondays beginning June 7 at 10:30 p.m. Professor Canter explores the parallels between a criminal’s psychological journey and the actual physical paths they follow. Are they traveling far from home in a quest to rid themselves of their inner demons? Are they creating a protective web in which to trap their victims? Or do they set out on marauding trips in an attempt to achieve a quick gain? Using a computer program called ‘Dragnet’, Professor Canter and his team plot crime locations on a virtual map, pinpointing the most likely location of the suspect’s home. From London to Newfoundland to Las Vegas, follow the paths of some of the most infamous serial killers and learn how authorities connect the dots to catch a criminal.

More BBC America news: It might not have survived more than a minute in its U.S. incarnation, but the season finale of the original U.K. Coupling premieres Sunday, July 11 at 9:00 p.m. Another all-time favorite series is back: The Avengers airs Fridays from July 9 at 8:00 p.m., as is The Prisoner airs Fridays from July 9 at 10:00 p.m.

The stylish retro feel continues as BBC AMERICA presents a remake of ’70s cult classic Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) in an all-new U.S. premiere comedy drama. Jeff Randall (Bob Mortimer, Shooting Stars) and Marty Hopkirk (Vic Reeves, Shooting Stars) are detective partners with a unique working relationship – one of them is a ghost. Murdered in episode one, Marty Hopkirk returns as a white-suited ghost, only visible to his ex-partner Jeff Randall. Together they continue to solve bizarre and surreal mysteries. Helping to run the investigation business is Hopkirk’s ex-fiancée Jeannie (Emilia Fox, The Pianist, Coupling) and his spiritual mentor Wyvern (Tom Baker, Dr. Who). The unlikely trio take on everything from haunted hotels to kidnappings and suspicious suicides in this newest addition to Mystery Mondays on BBC AMERICA. Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) premieres Mondays from July 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Finally, a new season of the very funny My Family premieres Wednesday from July 21 at 9:00 p.m.

Six Feet Under : Finally! After only a year without new episodes, the Fisher family is back on HBO, starting Sunday, June 13, 2004 at 9 p.m. Don’t dig fireworks? Then celebrate the 4th of July with the first three episodes of the new season back-to-back, starting at 8 p.m. The series opener info: In an attempt to honor Lisa's last wishes, Nate (Peter Krause) finds himself at odds with her family; David (Michael C. Hall) and Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) look for "genuinely new" ways to start over; Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) seeks out a priest for absolution; Vanessa (Justina Machado) gets tired of Angelica (Melissa Marsala); Claire (Lauren Ambrose) shares a secret with Russell (Ben Foster); Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) does "the neighbor thing" with Joe (Justin Theroux); and Ruth (Frances Conroy) sings the praises of her new husband George (James Cromwell).

Mena Suvari begins her arc with the series on the June 20, 2004 episode, "In Case of Rapture"


Actors Honoring Their Own : The 11th annual presentation of SAG Actor® statuettes airs live on TNT on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. Central and 6 p.m. Mountain from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced Tues. Jan 11, 2005.

Loving Lanvin : Hollywood's fashion insiders turned out last night to see Lanvin's Fall 2004 collection with designer Alber Elbaz. This evening, hosted by fashion icons Anjelica Huston, Kelly Lynch & Barneys New York, benefited The Rape Foundation which is nationally recognized for creating and supporting exemplary rape treatment, prevention and education programs. Here’s who wore what:Anjelica Huston
Anjelica chose Lanvin's midnight-blue silk-satin strapless evening gown with ruching around the bust. Kelly Lynch selected to wear Lanvin's frilled black halter-neck top in black parachute taffeta, edged with grey taffeta on the shoulders and paired with a black glace ribbed silk skirt, draped and held by a hook and eye in the back. Chloe Sevigny chose to wear Lanvin's petal pink satin dress, closed in the back with brass poppers suggesting a draped effect. Calista Flockhart arrived at the event in Lanvin's electric blue silk/satin wrap-around dress that ties at the hips. Kristin Davis sparkled in Lanvin's silk satin top embroidered with silver sequins closed in the front with a hook and eye and paired with their black silk satin skirt. Carmen Electra wore Lanvin's _mocha silk/satin sheath dress with narrow straps, low-cut back underlined with a draped bow and accented with Lanvin's crystal and leather harness.

Krall Update: Diana Krall's brand new album 'The Girl in the Other Room' is fast on its way to becoming the most successful of her career. This week it's #5 on the Billboard 200 in the US (after debuting at #4 last week), # 1 in Canada, top 10 on another ten pop charts worldwide, and, in a first, top 5 on the Pan-European pop chart. In Canada, the album is already double platinum, while in England, France and Portugal it's gold. Krall will tour the U.S. throughout the summer, beginning with a June 19 performance at Philadelphia's Mann Music Center. The 34-date outing will end August 24 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Fashion Finds Didn’t we tell you Ivory silk satin is hot? Last night, Catherine Hickland wore an amazing gown to Bide-A-Wee 9th Annual "Have A Heart" Gala Celebrating a New Century Of Caring for New York's Pets. Sheryl Crow chose an ivory tank top for the Lavin event.

Yesterday, Paula Poundstone, Jane Fonda and Margaux Guerard all chose white traditionally cut pantsuits. Daryl Hannah may not have looked like she was having a great time at Daryl Hannah Presents Director Hector Babenco with Amnesty International's 2004 Artists for Amnesty Award at the DGA in Los Angeles, but she was wearing an early 80s-inspired black dress, buttons up the front and hint of white ruffle at the bottom.

Uh, does Bijou Phillips get her purses and clothes for free, in return for posing for cameras at events where the items are very clearly photographed??

It’s all glam in Cannes as the formal festivities have begun. Look for lots of directors, actors and actresses smiling in that oh-so-gorgeous setting.

Actress Jennifer Gimenez wore a black deep v-neck dress by Nicole Miller to the Playstation 2 Offers A Passage into the “Underworld” party. She paired her party dress with whimsical print satin pumps by Matthew Williamson.

Talk About Your Tie-Ins: Yesterday Universal Studios, quick to make that marketing connection, unveiled its new attraction, “Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula” with Dracula’s on-camera overwrought brides hosting.

Shade Change Iconic redhead Laura Prepon has gone blonde! Club Monaco Hosts Animal Avengers Charity Party May 12, 2004 - Club Monaco Beverly Hills)

Ella Enchants: Lauren Scherr’s Ella handbag has been seen frequently in the arms of celebrities Mena Suvari, Linda Cardellini and Joy Bryant. The clutch is available in confetti fringe, midnight blue hydrangeas with Swarovski crystals and multi-colored hydrangeas with Swarovski crystals.

Beyonce, Multi-Tasker : It may seem like she’s encroaching on J-Lo’s crown and territory rather quickly, and now, she’s offering competition in areas other than movies and music. Beyoncé has launched her own clothing line. Tina Knowles has long been acknowledged as her daughter’s stylist and now.

She says: “My mother and I share a love of fashion and style, and with this brand we're going to be able to share our vision of what is truly beautiful. Our line will consist of fashions that I enjoy wearing and I want them to be appealing to my fans as well. It is a real pleasure to team up with the very successful Rabin family and I feel that together we will be able to create something really special.”

Feel the Force It’s not the Sandra Bullock/Ben Affleck film, so National Geographic’s “Forces of Nature” looks exciting. The film, narrated by the silky voice of Kevin Bacon, follows three scientists who brave nature's forces, studying the real-life events from a “living laboratory” (on a volcano, along a notorious fault line, in the path of oncoming tornadoes) with the aim to improve odds of surviving these terrifying events.

The Imax film, which opens wide on June 1, 2004, was just awarded the "Best of the Festival" top honor at the industry unveiling at the Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) conference in Los Angeles.

Fashion Facts: Taryn Manning was at the Playstation event in her now trademark Fedora (in a pretty springy antique white).
Pale yellow in ‘60s styling, as worn by Nicole Richie at Playstation and Andrea Robinson at L.A.’s "The Lion In Winter" screening, may become the hot color.
Amber Tamblyn was at Playstation wearing her own trademark look, a full ruffled skirt (which she likes to pirouette for the cameras in).
That had to be pleather that Alicia (Peta Advocate) Silverstone was wearing at Playstation. The fitted patterned black pants looked hot, literally and figuratively.
Tan, tan, tan. Bronzing (which we’ll assume is achieved through the safe non-UV way) is in full bloom with Eliza Dushku, Richie, Tara Reid and Larissa Meeks all looking warm and glowy.

Custom Candles: Our favorite candles have got to be E’rgo candles (even though we don’t like having something in common with Catherine Zeta Jones, who adores them). Now, E’rgo has given customers a choice to leave the label on, showing off the name of the candle fragrancing their home, or, peel it off, letting the fragrance say it all as it permeates the room. Er’go Candle is replacing its screen-printed labels with vinyl labels consumers can peel off easily. Er’go Candle is known for their magnificent fragrances and all-natural soy wax formulas.

Here’s some reasoning from the company: "A fragranced candle is meant for burning, and if the container is too pretty, people tend not to burn them,” says Jimmy Belasco, founder of the Dallas-based Er’go, and the nose behind every new fragrance. “We specially blend our scents to enhance indoor air quality and infuse the user with an energetic response from their olfactory senses.”

World Weary: The one-hour special, THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN REPORTING: THE OTHER SIDE OF OUTSOURCING, takes an in-depth look at how the current migration of jobs overseas -- particularly knowledge-based jobs to India -- is affecting people, businesses and governments. The documentary with Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, airs on Discovery Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 10 p.m.

Wilson’s World:Doug Wilson designer on TLC’s TRADING SPACES, will now host two new series on TLC, AMERICA’S UGLIEST and MOVING UP.

Dream Catchers: Can you believe it’s been 15 years since “Field of Dreams” premiered? The film will have a special DVD release by Universal, with a party on June 2, 2004.

Dating, Hollywood Style: Busy actor Ethan Embry was out yesterday holding hands with Sunny Mabrey (“The New Guy”) at the Playstation 2 Offers A Passage Into "The Underworld" - Red Carpet held at the Blecsco Theater. You may or may not recall that Embry (who turns 26 in June) was divorced a couple of years ago from actress Amelinda Smith. The couple have a son, Cogeian, who’s 3 ½. Alabama-born Mabrey was once engaged to actor Clayne Crawford (“Swimfan”). Prior to her role in “Guy,” Mabrey’s claim to fame was as one of the naked bodies in the background of Ricki Martin's cover of Rolling Stone in 1999. This is a "Love Chain" waiting in the wings.

Croc Jock: Want to get to the root of the super enthusiastic Steve Irwin? Delve into the mind of the man who’d hold his one-month-old son Bob up next to a crocodile? Well, this one’s for you: “CONFESSIONS OF THE CROCODILE HUNTER” which premieres Friday, June 18 at 9 p.m. Irwin reveals what drives him, his life low points and a rare look at his whole family. The proverbial never-before-seen footage is, of course, also included.

My Michelle: Imagine our happy surprise to see our favorite reporter Michelle Caruso as a character in "Another City, Not My Own," which we've finally gotten around to read. Highly recommended, the "novel in a form of a memoir" brings back the mid-90s and all things OJ, brilliantly.

Willie’s Woes: Willie Nelson’s much-anticipated (at least by his fans) concert tour has been temporarily sidelined by a case of carpal tunnel syndrome, forcing postponement of the next leg of his tour. Last week, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum examined Willie in his Los Angeles office. He determined the eight-time Grammy winner suffers from significant carpal tunnel syndrome aggravated by continuous guitar playing (and you thought it was just from using the computer keyboard!) Electromyographic tests documented the extent of the nerve injury to Willie¹s wrists and hands. Willie was treated with medication but remained symptomatic, prompting doctors to recommend rest, splinting and medication in an effort to avoid surgery. All current concert dates will be postponed until after July 3rd. Ticket
holders will be advised soon about rescheduled dates. Willie promises
his fans he¹ll be back in the saddle and on the road again soon.

Tommy Hilfiger and Nancy Davis, are hosting the 11th Annual Race to Erase MS event this Friday, May 14th at Century City’s Westin Century Plaza Hotel at 6:30 p.m. The event features a GlamRock Celebrity fashion show by Tommy Hilfiger and live musical performances by David Lee Roth and Cyndi Lauper (Get your ‘80s on, dudes).

Expected celebs include: Paula Abdul, Tom Arnold, Mischa Barton, Gil Bellows, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Thora Birch, Amy Brenneman, Jordana Brewster, Lacey Chabert, Michael Chiklis, Natalie Cole, Jackie Collins, Tyne Daly, Tony Danza, Jamie-Lynn DiScala, Carmen Electra, Shannon Elizabeth, Frances Fisher, Kenny G, Teri Garr, Robert Graham, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Green, Harry Hamlin, David Hasselhoff, Patricia Heaton, Bonnie Hunt, Anjelica Huston, Cris Judd, Larry King, Cyndi Lauper, Bethany Joy Lenz, Bai Ling, Lori Loughlin, Jon Lovitz, Bill Maher, Vanessa Marcil, Penny Marshall, Jenny McCarthy, Ian McKee & Meredith Phillips (The Bachelorette), Ed McMahon, Dave Navarro, Kevin Nealon, Sidney Poitier, Nicole Richie, Lisa Rinna, Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete, Dennis Rodman, Freddy Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Ray Romano, David Lee Roth, Henry Simmons, Ashlee Simpson, Molly Sims, Suzanne Somers, Kimberly Stewart, Cheryl Tiegs, (frequent party attendee) Wilmer Valderrama, Nia Vardalos, and Cindy Williams.

Troy Boy: Mr. & Mrs. Brad Pitt couldn’t have looked more like the ultimate golden couple than they did at last night’s “Troy” premiere at the Ziegfield Theater in New York. Jennifer Aniston was wearing a dress cut down to there. Not only were their clothes color-coordinated, but they’ve obviously been going to the same hair stylist – could they have dropped in on John Sahag while in NYC?
The stars turned out in full force for the epic film bow, including Annabeth Gish, who apparently is trying to change her more solemn image into a more seductive one (she was wearing super sheers all over). We’re not entirely sure the look works for her, even though she definitely has the body.

Surprise! Ashley showed up (pouty as ever), but WITHOUT that doppelganger bad girl, Mary Kate. A CHEEKY looking Saffron Burrows showed up happy and fluffy in a silk chiffon ivory halter dress. Hey, Sean Bean: we LOVE you, but wear sunscreen! (He was very sunburned, and his pseudo-mullet was platinum blond.)

Cute Couture: NYC was the place to be yesterday. Designer Randi Rahm (who we had the pleasure to meet at this year’s Oscar suites) celebrate the debut of her Fall 2004 Couture Collection, and had some smashing frocks to show for it; beautiful gowns with full skirts and strapless tops, and more.

Voight’s Vamps : At the "Breaking Dawn" L.A. Screening at the Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight, James Haven and Angelina Jolie did their separated-at-birth act, dressing and looking remarkably alike. We have nothing but nice things to say about the always cordial Mr. Haven, who’s a sweetheart. Happy Birthday, Jamie! (It was yesterday.)

Babe Beyonce: Beyonce may have just pulled in the right niche for herself movie-wise. She was the perfect sidekick to Austin Powers in his third outing and she’s now currently filming “The Pink Panther” with legendary Steve Martin. Set shots from yesterday show her in a stunning white halter with full skirt – the hot 50s-harkening dress of the moment.

Fanning onto Ventura Blvd. : The pretty and prolific Dakota Fanning (who’s apparently stolen scenes from Denzel in “Man on Fire”) was in Studio City last week at debout, our sources tell us. Fanning was doing last minute Mother's Day shopping with her dad and sister at debout. What’d she end up picking? None other than the classic of all time summer shoes: the Havianias flip flops (Brazil – and the world’s favorite slipper). Want your own? Go to: www.deboutshoes.com

Snow Job: “X-Files” composer Mark Snow lent his talents to score the film “Bereft,” a new feature that recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. “Bereft” is an independent film, despite being directed by and featuring actor/director Tim Daly, that came in under $1 million. It’s hard to get a composer of Snow’s stature with that kind of budget. Luckily, Daly is Snow’s brother in law.

Mystery Mondays: If you’re as addicted as we are to BBC America’s Mystery Monday, you’ll be happy to know that starting June 7th, the coveted 9 p.m. slot will be filled in with the new (and second) season of “The Vice,” set in the Vice Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police where prostitution, murder and organized crime are everyday occurrences, award-winning Ken Stott (Shallow Grave, The Singing Detective), returns as Inspector Pat Chappel. We’ve been enjoying “Murphy’s Law,” but this looks every bit
as entertaining. Sergeant Joe Robinson (David Harewood) returns as Chappel’s right hand man, while Chappel’s protégé, Police Constable Cheryl Hutchins (Caroline Catz) has been promoted. Young and fresh out of uniform, newcomer Police Constable Kirsty Morgan (Rosie Marcel) joins the Vice Squad as the latest recruit.

In four feature-length episodes, Chappel goes undercover in a prison to flush out the ringleaders of a prostitution racket. While a chance meeting with his former boss Detective Sergeant Vickers (Tim Pigott-Smith, The Jewel in the Crown, Bloody Sunday) in a Soho brothel basement unearths more than just painful memories. A past love Jane (Sarah Parish, Trust) walks back into Chappel’s life while a dangerous flirtation develops between Joe and the new addition to the team, Kirsty.

Taking advantage of a sudden surge of internet, here’s today’s newsletter…

Lively “Deadwood:” Look for veteran actor (and self-proclaimed erudite) Peter Coyote to guest on HBO’s most excellent and gritty “Deadwood” starting with the June 13th episode called “Sold Under Sin.” Coyote plays Gen. Crook (Peter Coyote) who heads up "Custer's Avengers."

Testing Time: Following the trend of the seemingly endless home “makeover” shows, HGTV will introduce “Designer Finals” centering on student interior designers. With a $2,000 budget, a handful of helpers, and advice from a mentor and the homeowners themselves, each student is challenged to create and execute a bold design in two days. Debuts Saturday, August 14 at 9 p.m.

Quincy Jones' "We Are the Future" concert is scheduled for May 16, 2004 in Rome, Italy. "We Are the Future," created by music icon Quincy Jones 19 years after producing the legendary "We Are the World" recording session, will take over Rome's Circus Maximus for a global web- and tele-cast to draw attention to the alarmingly high mortality rates among children in countries hit hardest by war. The event is free, but a portion of the proceeds from the concert's broadcast and related merchandise sales will benefit "We Are the Future" programs, including the creation of child centers in six cities worldwide. The first center opened April 8, 2004 in Kigali, Rwanda. Other centers will open later this year in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and on the West Bank. To date, the "We Are the Future" performance line-up includes Eve, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Patti Austin, Josh Groban, Juanes, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Zucchero, Youssou N'Dour, the casts of Stomp and Cirque du Soleil, Take 6, Angelique Kidjo, Carmen Consoli, Karina, Kazem Al Sahir, Khaled, Noa, Rifat Salamat Ali Khan, Simon Shaheen, Tarkan, and Soundz of South Africa, among others. Celebrity presenters include Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell, Chris Tucker, Francesco Totti and Serena Williams, among others.

Connie Cuts Up: Connie Nielsen wore a Pamella Roland blouse to the Tribeca Film Festival Closing Awards Ceremony Sunday evening. Nielsen, one of the festival's jurors, chose an ivory crepe blouse with cutout shoulders and scarf tie detail, paired with her own jeans. She’ll star with Benjamin Bratt and Joseph Fiennes in Ghost Soldiers. She also carried a sparkling silver Daniel Swarovski Paris kiosque bag.

Little Monk: When he was six years old, a Tibetan boy nicknamed "Little Potato" was sent by his family to live in a monastery. Teenage filmmaker Chaille Stovall, who was granted unprecedented access to the Tibetan community in exile, documents the youngster's journey, chronicling his Transformation from boy to monk, when “Little Monk” debuts SUNDAY, JUNE 13 at 6:30 p.m. on HBO Family.

Family Man: Look for our friend Ed Begley, Jr. in “Life on Liberty Street” on the Hallmark Channel, May 19th at 9 p.m. He plays Ricks overprotective father, a high-powered attorney whose guise of control masks deep-rooted grief and guilt. Annabeth Gish stars as Denise DeFiore, a burned-out nurse and single mom who reluctantly takes a job at a rehabilitation facility and becomes caretaker of a young man with a traumatic brain injury. Ethan Embry portrays Rick Spencer, the former academic and athletic star who was injured in an auto accident as a teen but now, in his mid-twenties, is determined to make his own way in the world. Through their physical, mental and emotional challenges, these three damaged spirits discover the healing power of love and forgiveness.

Va-Va Voom Van Helsing: A few days ago we admired Kate Beckinsale’s colorful choice of dress for the Carson Daly show. The dress was by fellow Brit, designer Matthew Williamson. The dress was lavender/pink silk chiffon with empire waist and silk flower at the bust for soft detailing, from the Fall 2004 collection. She wore it with Jimmy Choo shoes.

Speaking of “Van Helsing,” while it’s not as bad as “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” it does suffer from infusing too many familiar mythologies. The special effects are amazing, but Richard Roxburgh, proves, as he did in “Sherlock Holmes,” that he just chews up the scenery if his director (here also the writer) doesn’t tether him. It’s distractingly – and mistakenly – played too seriously – and garners unintentional laughs.

Swinging Sinatra: Love Frank Sinatra, but hate infomercials? Then go directly to www.sinatracollection.com, which is promoting 14 albums from his time at Capitol Records.

Frank Sinatra - The Concept Albums

Songs for Young Lovers/Swing Easy (2 albums)
In The Wee Small Hours
Songs For Swingin' Lovers
Close To You
A Swingin' Affair
Where Are You?
Come Fly With Me
Only the Lonely
Come Dance With Me
No One Cares
Nice 'N' Easy
Sinatra's Swingin' Session
Come Swing With Me
Point Of No Return

Furer Still Fascinates: With “Hitler’s Secretary” and the documentary that examined the possibility that Hitler, responsible for the deaths of so many homosexuals, was covering up his own proclivities, it seems like the old killer Fascist is still fascinating. HBO has announced the new documentary, “Hitler’s Pawn” which explores the hopes and
heartaches experienced by Margaret Lambert, a Jewish athlete training to compete for the German Olympic team in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin. It premieres Wednesday, July 14th at 10 p.m. Born Gretel Bergmann in Germany in 1914, Margaret Lambert developed into a superior athlete during the late '20s and '30s, excelling in the highjump. Her dream of competing for Germany in the Olympics was clouded by the rise of the Nazi Party early in the 1930s, when Jewish athletes were being expelled from German sports clubs.

During that turbulent decade, Bergmann's life became intertwined
with the political movement that was dominating Germany. When it was important for the Germans to show foreign countries and dignitaries that their athletics were open and free of discrimination, she was allowed to compete. But the story of how Bergmann was set up and abandoned on the eve of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin is a chilling reminder of the discrimination endured by Jews in Nazi Germany.

Held up as a bold example of how Germany was not discriminating in
athletics - which would help ensure that Berlin would not be forced to
relinquish the '36 Games -- Bergmann was unconscionably bounced from
the Olympic Team a few weeks before the opening ceremonies. Though teams were permitted to field as many as three high jumpers for the Games, Germany chose at virtually the last minute to reduce its team to two high jumpers and keep Bergmann out of the competition.

Crushed, Bergmann left her homeland in May 1937 and moved to the
United States. Settling in New York, she began to compete again, but
Never forgot the disappointment of 1936.

In HITLER'S PAWN, Bergmann, who married fellow athlete Bruno Lambert and became Margaret Lambert, returns to Germany 68 years later, revisiting her hometown athletic fields. She reunites with German teammate Elfride Kaun, who was allowed to compete in the Berlin Games. Their competition as world-class athletes had been respectful and friendly before the Games; Kaun was wrongly led to believe that Bergmann was sidelined by injuries for the '36 Olympics. This emotional reunion in Berlin caps Lambert's long odyssey.

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