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POLANSKI IN TROUBLE AGAIN

Director ROMAN POLANSKI can’t seem to keep his reputation out of the mud. The Polish-born filmmaker, who fled the U.S. in the late 1970s following statutory rape allegations, is now being sued by Artisan Entertainment, according to a report in Variety. The suit alleges that Polanski pocketed more than $1 million from production money used in the making of his latest film, “The Ninth Gate.” Because the film was shot in France and eventually exported, a value-added tax (VAT) refund was applied to the production costs. Rather than turn over the refund as specified in various contracts, Artisan says Polanski “brazenly deposited the money in a private account” and “has refused all requests to return the money.” And this is just the insult to the real injury: The $30 million film grossed less than $19 million domestically.

WHO WILL REPLACE MULDER?

While fans of “The X-Files” are preparing to mourn the departure of Special Agent Fox Mulder (DAVID DUCHOVNY) at the end of this season, series creator CHRIS CARTER is being practical and auditioning new talent. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Carter has already auditioned four actors for the role of an “edgy blue-collar type” to pair up with Agent Scully (GILLIAN ANDERSON). They are: BRUCE CAMPBELL (“Evil Dead”), LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS (“La Bamba”), ROBERT PATRICK (“Terminator 2″), and veteran character actor HART BOCHNER (“Anywhere But Here”). According to reports, the audition required the actors to creep through a dimly-lit, smoky warehouse for several hours, pausing only to swing around a flashlight and whisper “Scully?”

THE NYPD BLUE – STAR WARS CONNECTION

It’s official: Former “NYPD Blue” stalwart JIMMY SMITS has been cast as Senator Bail Organa in “Star Wars: Episode II.” Confirming a rumor that’s been circulating for months, Smits will play the foster father of Princess Leia in the next prequel installment, according to an official statement by Lucafilm. If you remember your “Star Wars” history correctly, and I know you do, you’ll recall that Senator Organa was was vaporized when his home planet of Alderaan was blown up by the Death Star. Speculation about the prequel has it that Organa may be involved in a love triangle with Queen Amadala (Natalie Portman) and the young Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen). Reports that Smits’ “NYPD Blue” co-star Dennis Franz is up for the role of a young Sipowicz the Hutt could not be confirmed.

EBERT SHOW GETS A NEW THUMB

Film critic ROGER EBERT has finally selected a permanent partner for his TV endeavors following the death of longtime sparring partner GENE SISKEL. After an 18-month search, during which Ebert worked with a rotating line-up of guest critics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist RICHARD ROEPER has been selected to sit across the aisle, according to a report from E! Online. The venerable TV show will be rechristened “Ebert & Roeper at the Movies.” Says Roeper: “I’ve always been a big fan of Roger and Gene and the show. It’s like joining the Bulls after they’ve won all of those championships.” Maybe not the best metaphor, considering the Bulls’ performance since the end of the Michael Jordan dynasty. Still, Ebert seems optimistic: “”He has strong opinions, a good movie background and a quick sense of humor.”

DREW BARRYMORE ENGAGED

The bad news: Sprightly, angelic-faced actress DREW BARRYMORE is officially off the market. The worse news: She’s engaged to gangly, hirsute-faced TV prankster TOM GREEN. Where’s the justice? Green, for those no longer plugged into MTV’s 13-and-under target demographic, is the host of “The Tom Green Show,” a kind of kamikaze version of “Candid Camera.” (He also starred in this summer’s sleeper hit “Road Trip.”) Green’s publicist has officially confirmed the engagement, although no wedding date has been set. If love conquers all, this would be Green’s first trip to the altar, Barrymore’s second; she was briefly married to bar owner Jeremy Thomas in 1994.

SPIELBERG’S BUMPY RIDE

Even when he’s not trying, STEVEN SPIELBERG makes money. A federal judge has upheld most of an emotional distress verdict awarded to 13 American Airlines passengers who experienced “severe turbulence” on a flight five years ago. A federal jury awarded the passengers — among them director Spielberg and members of his family — $2.25 million last year for psychological trauma suffered on the 1995 New York – Los Angeles flight, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Chicago. According to a Reuters report, U.S. District Judge Constance Baker Motley threw out $150,000 of that amount given to Steven Spielberg’s younger niece, who was 2 years old at the time, but awarded full damages to all other passengers. Asked what he would do with the awarded money, Spielberg said he’s likely “throw it onto the pile.” Kidding, kidding, we’re kidding….

NO NUDITY FOR JOAN COLLINS

Still smoldering after all these years? Apparently not. British actress and all-around sexy senior JOAN COLLINS turned down a starring role in a stage version of “The Graduate” because she did not want to appear in the obligatory nude scene, London’s Sunday Express has reported. Collins, who made a name for herself in the 1970s starring in such steamy pics as “The Stud” and “The Bitch” — and who posed for Playboy at the age of 50 — told producers that disrobing on stage was ”unseemly,” the newspaper said. “The Graduate” currently stars model Jerry Hall in the role of the seductive Mrs. Robinson. (Hall replaced actress Kathleen Turner at the end of July.) Said Hall of Collins’ refusal: “I’m very fond of Joan and I’m sure she would be wonderful in the part but I don’t remember her wearing very much in ‘The Stud’ and ‘The Bitch.”’

PITT, ANISTON WEDDING

The summer of speculation continues unabated this week as to whether superstar couple BRAD PITT and JENNIFER ANISTON are a-goin’ to see the preacher man. Britain’s always-entertaining, seldom-accurate tabloid The Sun recently reported that the duo were planning to tie the knot within the week. Gossip hound and E! Online columnist Ted Casablanca has reported that his sources say much the same. However, Pitt publicist Cindy Guagenti told E! Online that the megawatt marraige won’t be happening anytime soon. “But,” she amended, “I can’t tell you what will happen a year from now.” Such a tease. In other news, an arrest warrant has been issued for notorious Pitt stalker Athena Marie Rolando, who was convicted last year of breaking into Pitt’s house. It seems Rolando, who is on probation, has failed to show for two court hearings this month. Uh-oh.

MARIAH TO HIT BIG SCREEN

Following in the footsteps of fellow divas Madonna, Bette Midler and Cher, singer MARIAH CAREY is headed for the silver screen. According to the Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Fox will partner with Columbia Pictures to finance Carey’s first feature film, tentatively titled “All That Glitters.” The film is set in the New York City club scene and features Carey as a troubled up-and-comer who — can you believe it? — manages to sing her way to the top of her profession! Alas, she conquers only to discover that all that glitters is not … oh, something or another, I forget. Hip-hop phenom Da Brat and Tia Texada are set to co-star as Carey’s best friends. Shooting is currently underway in Toronto, with director Vondie Curtis-Hall (“Gridlock’d”) at the helm.

PAY DAY FOR MARTIN LAWRENCE

Funnyman MARTIN LAWRENCE’s star is rising fast in Tinseltown, following the runaway success of his $100 million-plus box office smash “Big Momma’s House.” According to a recent item in The Hollywood Reporter, Lawrence will earn a healthy $16.5 million for his next project, “Black Knight.” Written by “Big Momma” scribe Darryl Quarles, “Knight” tells the story of a struggling waiter at a theme restaurant who is transported into medieval times. The reasoning, one imagines: If Martin Lawrence in a 30-pound Big Momma latex suit is funny, then Martin Lawrence in a 90-pound suit of armor is hilarious! Lawrence takes over the role from Chris Tucker, who dropped out of the project earlier this year.

JERRY HALL: BARELY ADEQUETE
As expected, the British press ruthlessly slammed supermodel JERRY HALL in her debut as Mrs. Robinson in the London stage adaptation of “The Graduate.” Hall took over the role from Kathleen Turner, who garnered decent reviews in her stint as the seductive senior. Some excerpts from the reviews: ”Wooden as a toothpick,” (Daily Mail), and “Enter Jerry Hall, barely acting” (The Times). The Times writer, showcasing his knack with marine metaphors, went on to compare her dramatic range to that of “a retiring clam.” Some publications took umbruge with the brief and shadowy nature of the famous full frontal nudity scene required in the play: “If you’re waiting for a glimpse of Jerry’s fine form…wait for next photo shoot for Vogue,” (the Sun). Others were more succinct: “Two fried eggs in the gloaming — that’s all I saw,” complained the Mail’s Quentin Letts. Hall’s ex-husband Mick Jagger also attended the premiere: (“It was fantastic!”)

DICAPRIO PLUS DREAMWORKS
This sounds like fun: Variety is reporting that Hollywood prince regent LEONARDO DICAPRIO is in final negointiations with DreamWorks to star “Catch Me if You Can,” the true-life tale of teen con man Frank Abagnale Jr. If you haven’t heard of Abagnale’s exploits, they’re rather amazing. Between 1964 and 1966, Abagnale successfully impersonated a Pan Am pilot, chief resident pediatrician at a Georgia hospital, Lousiana’s assistant attorney general, and an American history professor at a French university. He also wrote around $6 million in bad checks — all before he turned 18. In the running for director are Gore Verbinski (“Mouse Hunt”) and David Fincher (“Fight Club”). Look for a 2002 release date.

WHAT’S UP WITH KEANU?
”What do ARNOLD SCHWARTZENEGGER and KEANU REEVES have in common? They’re both incredibly charismatic and effective movie stars, until they open their mouths.” I actually overheard that exact comment once at Arnie’s Santa Monica restaurant Schatzi’s, made by a movie industry sort who shall remain nameless. Wooden acting style aside, Keanu does look great on screen and we’re always happy to have him. His current project, according to the Hollywood Reporter: “Hardball,” director Brian Robbins’ tale of ticket scalping and little league baseball in Chicago’s hardscrabble Chicago housing projects. Filming begins this month in the Windy City, with Diane Lane and John Hawkes (“The Perfect Storm”) co-starring.

SPIDERMAN CAST … FINALLY

Word is out: Rising talent TOBEY MAGUIRE (“The Ice Storm,” “Cider House Rules”) has officially been cast as Peter Parker, mild-mannered newspaper photographer and friendly neighborhood Spiderman. The long-anticipated film, based on Marvel comics popular title, is expected to hit theatres in late fall 2001. Variety had already reported that the actor was in negotiations for the part, and a recent report on Ain’t It Cool News appears to have the inside goods that the deal is done. “MAGUIRE GOT THE PART!” writes Ain’t It Cool’s guru Harry Knowles in his usual understated style. “That’s right… Run home, put it in your saftey deposit box…. I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT!” For further all-cap rantings and insider conjecture, check out the Web site at www.aintitcool.com.

YEAR 2000 BOX OFFICE REPORT

According to a recent breakdown by the Hollywood Reporter, nine movies this year have officially passed the $100 million mark in North American box office receipts. That puts the industry on pace to match 1999′s record pace of 21 $100-million-plus movies in a year. This year’s pacesetters include “Mission: Impossible 2″ with $211.3 million, “Gladiator” with $180 million, “The Perfect Storm” with $158.1 million, and “Erin Brockovich” with $125.3 million to date. Other candidates likely to hit the mark: “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps,” “What Lies Beneath,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “Chicken Run.” Hollywood keeps clocking banner years — the second-highest number of $100 million releases occurred in 1998, when 18 films made the grade.

In the great To Do List of Life, there are always a number of items that are forever being bumped to the bottom. What with family, kids, work and the simple day-to-day coping of modern living, big projects often tend to get put on the back burner. Sometimes, they boil away for good.

Probably the most common of these perpetually put-off endeavors is the idea of going back to school. Wouldn’t it be great to finish that undergrad degree, or maybe get another? How about an MBA that could equal a bigger salary, or even that long-contemplated master’s degree?

The happy news is that it is now arguably easier than it has ever been to continue your education as an adult — via online courses conducted primarily, and sometimes entirely, over the Internet. In fact, adult education and what is called “distance learning” are experiencing a kind of renaissance by leveraging the uniquely interactive nature of online learning.

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There are now hundreds of colleges and universities offering online courses, covering just about every area of study you’re likely to find at a real-world university, such as business, health, social sciences, humanities, math…. Look hard enough, and you can probably even take another crack at that basket-weaving class you blew off sophomore year. Online offerings range from vocational training classes to actual degree coursework — up to and including master degree programs.

Vicki Phillips, author of “Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools,” says her company currently tracks more than 500 fully accredited learning institutions offering graduate degrees that can be earned online. Add to this number another 1000 or so that offer undergraduate degrees or individual courses. These include traditional universities as well as new “virtual universites” which have no real-world campus at all. Even crusty old Harvard, which resisted Internet ventures for years, recently annouced plans to launch 180 continuing education courses for doctors online within a year.

It’s a booming area of growth. “In 1989, when we first started tracking accredited institutions offering distance learning graduate degrees, we had exactly five,” Phillips says.

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Online courses are just the latest addition to that larger and older institution known as distance learning. Essentially, it’s any kind of educational program where the instructor and student are at a distance. Historically, its origins go back to correspondence courses in which lessons and papers were mailed back and forth.

“As technology has developed, distance learning has incorporated a lot of different delivery systems,” Phillips says. “For example, in the 70s videotape became popular; in the 80s, satellite. In the 90s, it’s the Internet.

Phillips says the Internet has opened up the potential of distance learning like nothing else before. “It’s changed the nature of the educational experience. It’s made it possible to be much more interactive.”

“For example with mail correspondence courses — and I’ve both taken and taught these — you’d get the text book in the mail, do one lesson, and mail it back. It would take three to five days to get to the university, and it’d take a week to ten days for the faculty to read it and write a few notes. Then you’ve got to put in back in the envelope and send it out again. It can be four weeks to complete the cycle. That kind of lag time in response rate leads to high attrition.”

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So what, exactly, does an online class consist of? It varies greatly, but most Internet based courses use e-mail, online message boards, live chat, and occasionally video teleconferencing or real-time audio conversations over the Web. Many online courses take a kind of hybrid approach, combining videotape lectures sent through the mail with reading material on a Web site and online discussion groups.

For busy returning students, the bottom line is that studying and coursework takes place on their terms. Ask anyone taking online classes what the chief benefit is, and they’ll tell you: flexibility. You can do your studying at your own convenience, and never have to worry about making it to class on time. Perfect for those of us with an already overbooked schedule. Just ask Russ Blahetka, who is by any measure A Very Busy Guy.

Blahetka, 47, is a dedicated proponent of online education. Currently a senior manager for a telecommunications company, he earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management via online courses at the University of Phoenix, and got his MBA through an off campus accelerated program at San Jose State University.

“I’m a full time employee, I teach part time, and I’m working on a book,” Blahetka says. “[With online classes], I can schedule study time to fit my schedule — early morning with coffee, late at night with fuzzy bunny slippers and a scotch.”

Blahetka says his the structure of his online courses are essentially the same as traditional courses. “They generally require reading, research, and a lot of writing. And there are opportunities for the students to discuss the courses with each other. There is a posting area on the school’s Web site, which can only be accessed by students.”

And just like in a real classroom, there are definite deadlines. “While there are no limitations when a student does the required work, it still must be completed in 16 weeks.”

Ranjit Krishnamurthi, 25, is currently taking several distance learning courses in management and accounting through the University of Windsor. Formerly a traditional student at the University of Toronto, he says he prefers the flexibility of online coursework.

“I tried attending courses on campus at University of Toronto while juggling the various rituals of my daily schedule, and found it nearly impossible to attend classes on time. Distance learning allows you to attend your classes at anytime you wish.”

That flexibility works both ways. Tony Maranto currently serves as Dean of the College of Science and Technology at Greenwich University, an accredited online university based in Australia. He currently teaches several courses online, including Environmental Biology and Natural Resource Management.

“The principal benefit of distance education, for both the student and the educator, is the flexibility of the programs,” Maranto says. “The ability to work on a flexible schedule and not be tied to the physical location of the university allows both our students and faculty to continue to meet their other professional, personal, family obligations.”

Which brings up another point. Because online students can take classes from anywhere, students often find themselves in online discussions with fellow learners from all over the world. For example, a student in Canada might take a class from an Australian university and find an American, a Greek, and a German in her study group.

“It allows for connections with others across the country and across the world,” says Marilyn Drury, director of University of Northern Iowa’s Educational Technology department and the Iowa Educational Technology Training Institute. “It brings interaction from thousands of miles away, right to you. If your local university does not offer a particular course, you can take it from another university that does and receive or transfer that credit. It allows access to more courses that specifically fit your needs and interests.”

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If you’re considering signing up for classes over the Internet, there are some issues you should be aware of. First, you want to be sure the college or university offering the classes is legit. There are many so-called “degree mills” online which hand out diplomas to the highest bidder, whether you undertake coursework or not. Needless to say, these degrees are essentially worthless.

“The selling of degrees has become an area rife with fraud,” Phillips says. “People don’t think about it, but right now in this country, the second most expensive thing people will buy in their life is a college education, the home being the most expensive.”

That kind of money inevitably attracts con artists. Phillips says the first thing to do is be sure the college is not just accredited, but properly accredited.

“A lot of degree mills will tell you they are accredited, but they’ve set up their own accrediting boards,” Phillips says. “They’re accredited by, you know, their wife or their grandmother.”

The quickest way to filter out the scamsters, Phillips says, is to be sure the accrediting agency is approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

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There’s no doubt that legitimate online classes offer much in the way of flexibility and convenience to adults interested in furthering their education. Still, the system has its critics.

Georgetown Univerity English professor Carole Fungaroli is a tenacious proponent of on-campus, traditional degrees for adult college students looking to achieve a degree. Her new book, “Traditional Degrees for Non-Traditional Students” outlines her argument that higher education should be in person, not online.

“Some form of distance learning tends to flourish every time a new technology appears, so this Internet version is nothing new” Fungaroli says. “When the first movies were introduced in the 1890s, most people thought that film would soon replace college professors in the typical classroom.”

“Distance learning proponents aggressively over-sell it to ‘busy adults,’ those nine-to-five workers who may already feel alienated from campus culture,” she continues. “I am very pro-technology, and I think it’s just terrific in the classroom. I only get grumpy when technology tries to come between me and my beloved students. If technology facilitates our personal interaction by making me more available to them, then fine.”

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For many adult students, though, going back to campus simply isn’t an option. Perhaps it’s a job, or family, or the disquieting suspicion that we will no longer be able to hold our own at a keg party.

In fact, teachers and students both agree that the one attribute most valuable for students taking online classes is the one that was often in least supply in our undergrad days: Discipline.

“Organization is everything when you are planning to enroll in a distance education course or program,” Maranto says. “Since, in effect, you are trying to squeeze your courses into the free spaces of your life, you really need to be able to plan out your time and activities in order to be able to effectively undertake your studies.”

Krishnamurthi agrees. “It’s easy to lose sights of your studies with other distractions,” he says. “As you no longer have the pressure to attend classes at a certain time, you can easily get into the habit of letting your distance studies slip. This lack of formal academic discipline is probably the biggest challenge of distance learning.”

But, hey — we’re older now, right? Life has taught us some lessons, and we’re a little wiser these days. We’ve learned the value of a quiet night spent reading.

“A lot has happened over the years since high school,” Blahetka says. “While we may not have been motivated students at 18, at 38 or 48 or 58 we have as much to offer our classmates and instructors as we have to receive.

“I used the 25 year plan to complete my BS degree. If someone told me even 10 years ago that I would have an MBA, I would’ve offered to drive them to therapy.”

(IDG) — One of the first things you learn when planning a wedding is that there’s an entire industry dedicated to selling products and services to would-be brides and grooms. This industry is essentially invisible to you until you get engaged; then it comes crashing down like a 500-foot tsunami.

My fiancée and I are getting married in about three weeks, and like any self-respecting wired couple of the ’90s, we used the Internet to help plan the big event. It’s no surprise that the wedding industry has migrated in force to the online world. The Web is crawling with thousands of companies trying to sell everything from party favors to honeymoon packages. And several full-service wedding planning sites address the roughly seven billion questions, details, and obstacles that arise during wedding planning.

Tips, Advice, and Booze

Independent online publications are often a good place to start your research. Like quality print publications, they know they must provide genuinely useful information to attract readers (or viewers), who in turn attract advertisers.

USA Bride is a good example of a Web-only publication that takes advantage of the online medium. Its index of articles is organized by category–catering, invitations, flowers, checklists, and the like. It also offers interactive features such as live chat–so you can decompress with other engaged folks–and a free weekly newsletter.

My fiancée signed up for the newsletter early on and found the articles and tips very helpful at several junctures. For instance, we had no idea how much booze to buy for the reception. The newsletter pointed us to an online article that suggested variables to consider–the number of guests, the ratio of kids to adults, and so on.

I also like the fact that USA Brides has an explicit privacy policy. It will not share your personal information with third parties unless you specifically request it.

The affiliated WedFind search service is less successful, and appears to be advertiser driven rather than editorially independent. Meaning, advertisers pay to have their services pop up on the results page. That’s a perfectly acceptable practice–it’s no different from the Yellow Pages. But if you want to research and compare services like flowers or catering, you’re better off using the local and regional listings of Yahoo or Sidewalk.com.

Online Registries

Online registries are increasingly popular, and with good reason. By definition, registries are designed to make the gift-buying process easier on your guests, and shopping online enhances the convenience.

The Wedding Network–run by Internet Gift Registries, which also handles baby showers and other occasions–lets you register at any of 50 or so online retailers. This service is best used as a supplemental registry, in addition to registering at a traditional retail outfit. You can sign up for random goodies here, such as products from Virtual Vineyards and Spa Adventures. Online registries are a good option for guests who can’t get to the stores you’ve registered at, or simply prefer the convenience of shopping online.

And don’t forget, many traditional retailers now have their registry services online. JC Penney’s service works well. After we chose items from the store, JC Penney uploaded our registry to the Web, where the retailer offers a full-service e-commerce system.

Where Romance Meets Spreadsheets

Some commercial software packages help you meticulously plan every detail of your wedding, down to the color of the preacher man’s socks. One of these, Frogware’s $30 Wedding Magic, is free for a 30-day trial period (see the link at the right). For more casual planning, you can use free tools available online.

BridalPlanner.com is a good place to begin. Besides feature articles, advice columns, and a live chat room, the Web site provides dozens of free charts and worksheets you can download or print. Particularly helpful is a checklist of everything you need to do and when you should have it done (by six months before the wedding, three months, two weeks, and so on). Particularly terrifying, now that I go over this, is how few boxes I can check off. Gulp.

Finally, a great way to keep guests up to date on your wedding plans is to set up your own wedding Web page. Here you can post the time and date of the event, provide registry details, and link directly to online mapping services for directions. Wedding pages are so popular that not only do many wedding planning sites offer free home pages, most general Web page-creation services also provide wedding page templates.

You’re better off using one of the general Web page-creation services–they’re easier to work with and offer more options. I like Homestead, but GeoCities and Tripod.com are solid services as well.

Of course, you can find hundreds of other resources online. Online wedding planning, with its awesome e-commerce potential, has attracted a great deal of attention. For a good collection of links, go to Yahoo and drill down to: Business and Economy/Companies/Gifts and Occasions/Weddings/Directories.

One last tip: Review a Web site’s privacy policy before you submit any personal information. We learned the hard way that these places swap contact information like crazy–the amount of junk mail and spam we’ve received in the last year is appalling.