Top Story
If Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone‘s video and DVD sales in London are any indication of demand in the United States, then get ready to camp outside your local video store if you want a copy. Reuters reports that 700 stores across Britain began selling the Warner Home Video atmidnight on Friday, and more than 2.5 million copies are expected to sell in the first week.
Celebs
Gwyneth Paltrow may be good on the big screen, but Shakespeare would be in love with her if he could see her on the London stage. According to SkyNews.com, a Thursday night preview of the show Proof–in which Paltrow plays the daughter of a mentally troubled mathematical genius–already has critics impressed. The show opens May 15 and is directed by Shakespeare in Love director John Madden.
Movie News
Attack of the Clones is quickly turning into “Attack of the Internet Pirates.” With only four days left until the next Star Wars installment hits theaters, computer hackers are already swapping bootleg copies of the film online. Reuters estimates up to one million people may have already seen the illegal version.
In the Biz
The independent production company behind TV hits like The Sopranos and Just Shoot Me signed a three-year deal with Fox, The Associated Press reports. Brad Grey Television’s shows were previously distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Music News
Folksy pop singer Jewel will kick off her North American tour in June, and she’s taking a bit of fresh talent with her. In hopes of introducing 12 emerging artists to her fans, Jewel has created Soul City Café–a segment of her concert that will allow two musical acts and one spoken word performer to be heard in front of a large audience.
The Pretenders will open for the Rolling Stones’ first show of their World Tour on Sept. 5 at CMGI Field in Boston, Launch Music reports. Other opening acts for the tour have not been officially announced, but Mick Jagger told reporters that Sheryl Crow and No Doubt may be on the bill.
Luciano Pavarotti cancelled a concert at the last minute Saturday, announcing he was too sick with the flu to perform at the Metropolitan Opera season finale, AP reports. Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra replaced the 66-year-old opera legend.
Tube News
Director Spike Lee has been concentrating on domestics and fashions lately–in film, at least. Kmart announced Friday that a new round of 15- and 30-second commercials directed by Lee and starring Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith will begin their run today, AP reports.
Honoring All Moms
Tha Row Records mogul Suge Knight and his staff will celebrate Mother’s Day at the Regent Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills during his annual Single Mother’s Day brunch, Launch Music reports.
Pop beauty Kylie Minogue may be single, but that doesn’t mean her maternal instincts aren’t kicking in. According to Ananova.com, an upcoming British TV documentary about the star called Kylie: Spinning Around has her admitting, “One day, maybe there will be a family. That will be my greatest achievement in life.”
In Memoriam
French filmmaker Yves Robert died Friday at age 81, Reuters reports. Known for his idyllic films about rural France, Robert directed My Father’s Glory and My Mother’s Castle.
