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News Roundup: Feb 1

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Tonight’s Late Night With David Letterman show will mark the 20th year–to the day–the program has been on air, reports The Associated Press. Although it’s not likely Letterman will make a big deal about it, ratings prove that he’s still got what it takes to continue his presence on the air. Regis Philbin is scheduled to be one of tonight’s guests.

In General

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Pamela Anderson has taken it all off before, but this time the former Playboy Playmate wants to perform as a stripper on tour with her boyfriend Kid Rock, Reuters reports. Anderson told TV news magazine Extra she already has a “stripper pole” in her bedroom, so she was thinking she’d “just take pole dancing lessons and go on the road.”

Even celebrities aren’t exempt from purse snatchers. PageSix.com reports model Gisele Bundchen was shakin’ a leg on the Bellagio’s dance floor in Las Vegas recently when someone purloined $1,000 and her ID from her purse. Police were called out to search the vicinity, but neither cash nor ID was recovered.

Steve Kroft of the CBS news show 60 Minutes is being hailed as a lifesaver. The AP reports Kroft pulled a 76-year-old New Jersey woman out of her car Saturday just before the engine caught fire and blew up. The incident occurred just outside Kroft’s Long Island, N.Y., beach home.

You won’t be seeing Austin Powers in Goldmember this summer, at least not with that title. On Thursday the Motion Picture Assn. of America denied New Line Cinema’s appeal of an earlier decision which blocked the use of that title, Variety reports. Apparently, Goldmember is a little too close to the James Bond title Goldfinger.

Variety reports the Shrine Auditorium will premiere the re-release of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial March 16. The film, which releases wide on March 22, includes new footage, CGI enhancements and a remixed soundtrack.

Gwyneth Paltrow‘s newest project is on stage, according to Reuters. Her play Proof will debut in London’s Donmar Warehouse in June, with John Madden directing.

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Harold Russell, a double Oscar winner for his role as a wounded veteran in the 1946 film The Best Years of our Lives, died of a heart attack Tuesday in Needham, Mass., the AP reports. He was 88. Russell, who had lost both hands in a dynamite explosion in World War II, established the veteran advocacy group AMVETS.

In Courts

Meg Ryan has ordered a restraining order against John Michael Hughes, the same man imprisoned last year for trying to “deliver a letter” to then-President-elect Bush, Reuters reports. Hughes supposedly broke into another Ryan residence (not Meg‘s) in Malibu last month telling police the actress had forgotten to leave him a key. Hughes was arrested on suspicion of burglary and later charged with a misdemeanor count of unauthorized entry of a dwelling.

Michael Jackson is being sued by his concert promoter Marcel Avram, Variety reports. Avram claims Jackson has been looking for other promoters despite the pair’s written agreement that Avram would continue promotions. Avram reportedly wants $20 million in damages.

Headin’ for the Altar

Singer Mary J. Blige is getting hitched. While there’s no word on where or when the ceremonies will take place, People.com reports Martin (Kendu) Isaacs is the lucky guy. Blige, who will perform Sunday at the Super Bowl, was adamant about one wedding detail: “The press is not going to know about it,” she said.

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Model Elle MacPherson is planning her second marriage to her partner of six years and the father of her four-year-old son, French-Swiss banker Arpad Busson, according to Reuters. No further details have been announced.

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