'SNL' Wins Two Emmys

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences handed out Emmys in the creative arts categories on Saturday, and "Saturday Night Live" took home two awards.

Last season's Alan Cumming-hosted episode was the winner in the category of Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series. The Christopher Walken-hosted episode tied "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Series.

Emmys in 27 other categories will be telecast on ABC Sunday, September 10. "SNL" is nominated in three of those categories.

Rudolph Returning

Maya Rudolph responded to an e-mail this week, and tells me that she will be returning to "SNL" this fall as a "fully fledged featured cast member." What does that mean? I'm not sure, but bottom line: She'll be back.

Rudolph, who previously appeared on CBS's hospital drama "City of Angels," served as a featured player on two episodes of "SNL" last spring.

'Dieter' is Done

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, and Mike Myers have ended their bitter legal disputes over the feature film "Dieter" in out-of-court settlements that will have Myers ditch the "SNL" spin-off and write his next original character-based comedy for Imagine to produce for Universal and DreamWorks, reports "The Hollywood Reporter."

"In regard to the resolution, I'm glad to put all of this behind me, and I'm looking forward to doing a movie that we can all be proud of," Myers stated for the press.

Universal originally sued Myers on June 5, demanding $5 million in lost preproduction costs that included pay-or-play contracts for would-be co-stars David Hasselhoff, Jack Black, and Will Ferrell. Imagine then filed suit against Myers for more than $30 million for allegedly breaching his contract. Myers then countered with a $20 million suit against Universal, accusing the studio of fraud, deceit, negligent misrepresentation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault, invasion of privacy and defamation

Spade's 'Puka' Gets Help from 'SNL' Friends

Former "SNLer" David Spade has co-written and will star in "Puka Pete," a comedy for Revolution Studios about a shipwrecked '60s hippie and his attempt to start a family.

"'Puka Pete' is a hippie burnout '60s peacenik who, while recording whale sounds in a rowboat, gets swallowed by a whale and ends up washed up on a deserted island,'' Spade told "Variety." "As he watches the animals around him team up, he realizes he'd like to find a mate and sends messages in bottles that begin to be returned by prospective marital partners."

Production is expected to begin when the fifth season of Spade's "Just Shoot Me" wraps in March. The film is currently looking for a director, though Spade said former "SNL" head writer/featured player Fred Wolf may direct. Wolf and Spade wrote the comedy, which "SNL" alum Adam Sandler will produce.

On a side note: Low ratings have led NBC to cancel Spade's animated sitcom, "Sammy," after two airings.

Emmys Accidentally Ignore Rock

Chris Rock's latest HBO special. "Chris Rock: Bigger and Badder," which was nominated in six categories for this years' Emmy Awards, was mistakenly left off of the ballot that was sent to the 120 voting in the Variety, Music or Comedy Special category, according to "Variety." The other four nominees were on the ballot.

John Leverence, Vice President of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said the error was discovered the day after the ballots were mailed and voters were immediately contacted by phone. "I'm not worried. I'm sure the Academy will handle it accordingly," former "SNL" cast member Rock said in a statement.

The voting period is scheduled to close August 21, although Leverence said for this category the limit may be extended. The Emmy Awards will be distributed September 10.

Moving from Prison to 'Ally'

Former "SNL" cast member Robert Downey Jr., newly released from jail on drug charges, is set to make a series of guest appearances on "Ally McBeal" as McBeal's new love interest, "Variety" reports.

Downey starts work on the series earlier this month and was personally offered the role by creator David E. Kelley while he was still in custody. Two episodes of the program's new season have already been filmed, but insert scenes with Downey may be shot and added into the mix, to help introduce his character on the series' October 23 season premiere.

Downey is to be paid $100,000 per episode and has been "overwhelmed" by work offers since he was released from prison.

Hall Joins Crystal Flick

Former one-season "SNLer" Anthony Michael Hall has joined the cast of HBO's baseball flick "61." The film, which is directed by fellow "SNL" alum Billy Crystal, tells the true story of Roger Maris' pursuit of Babe Ruth's single season home run record.

Hall will play New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford, teammate of Maris and Mickey Mantle. The film is scheduled to premiere on HBO in spring 2001.

Wayans Headed For Divorce

Lisa Wayans, wife of former "SNL" featured player Damon Wayans, is headed for divorce court after a three month separation from her husband, according to "Reuters."

Citing irreconcilable differences, Lisa Wayans filed divorce papers to her husband of 16 years, with whom she has four children ranging from age 2-to-15. She is asking for joint legal and physical custody of the children along with spousal support and attorneys' fees and costs.

Crystal & Goodman Become Monsters

Former "SNL" cast member Billy Crystal and frequent host John Goodman will team up to voice the main characters in ''Monsters, Inc.,'' the next computer-generated animation feature from Walt Disney Co. and Pixar.

Set for a November 2001 release, the comedy-adventure involves pair of creatures who reside in a world of monsters which is invaded by a human girl. Goodman will voice James P. Sullivan, a furry blue-horned creature and top fright-monger. Crystal is Mike Wzowski, his opinionated one-eyed assistant.

Murphy Getting 'Nutty' Again?

With "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" expected to pull in a final domestic gross of up to $135 million, former "SNL" star Eddie Murphy is already in talks to make a second sequel, according to "The Hollywood Reporter."

Murphy, who plays multiple parts in the film under layers of prosthetic body parts and makeup, has been approached by Universal and Imagine Entertainment about making a third "Nutty Professor." Several scenarios have already been discussed, although no details have been mentioned about what a third film would involve.

Murphy says he'd be interested in reprising his role(s) pending a decent script.

Murray Making Game Show Movie

Former "SNL" cast member Bill Murray will star in the game-show comedy "Press Your Luck," according to "Variety." The script is based on the true story of Michael Larsen, who, after becoming a victim of the corporate downsizing of the early 80s and losing his job as an ice cream truck driver in Lebanon, Ohio, got hooked on watching the daytime game show "Press Your Luck."

Eventually he learned that one could memorize the 1,300 patterns on a prize board that determine whether a contestant racked up a lot of money or was eliminated by drawing a "whammy." Larsen got on the show and wound up becoming the top winning contestant of a daytime show, raking in more than $100,000 to the disbelief of the producers and host.

Shooting is set to start by year's end, with Nicolas Cage producing. Howard Franklin, who co-wrote Murray's 1997 comedy "The Man Who Knew Too Little," will write/direct.

Aykroyd Going to War

Original "Not Ready for Prime Time Player" Dan Aykroyd has joined the cast of Walt Disney's World War II action flick "Pearl Harbor," according to "The Hollywood Reporter."

Aykroyd will play Capt. Thurman in the film, which tells the story about the bombing of Hawaii's Pearl Harbor that led America to enter WWII. Thurman is the soldier who figures out that the Japanese are going to attack the port.

"Harbor" also stars Alec Baldwin, Ben Affleck, Jon Voight, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

'SNLers' on the Tube

Here are appearances "SNL" alumni will be making on talk shows this week:

"Late Night with Conan O'Brien," NBC
* Wed 8/30 - former cast member Jon Lovitz (Rerun 5/16/00)
* Fri 9/1 - featured player Rachel Dratch (Rerun 6/6/00)

"Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," ABC
* Wed 8/30 - former cast member David Spade (Rerun 5/3/00)

"The Rosie O'Donnell Show," syndicated
* Tue 8/29 - former cast member Dana Carvey (Rerun)
* Fri 9/1 - cast member Chris Kattan (Rerun)

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