February 1, 1996
Web posted at: 11:55 p.m. EST
From Entertainment Correspondent Dennis Michael
Casting news: Laurie Metcalfe of "Roseanne" is joining Greg Kinnear in the cast of "Dear God." The comedy casts Kinnear as a con man working in the dead letter office, who begins answering letters addressed to God. The Hollywood Reporter trade paper notes shooting on the comedy begins in March.
Netsurfers are getting a chance to help judge the Miss U.S.A. competition: The pageant has gone on-line on the World Wide Web. Visitors to the site will be presented with a folder full of photographs of the contestants. Nearly 3,000 people have already voted in the competition for "Miss Photogenic." The pageant airs Friday on CBS.
Chris Farley and David Spade, the stars of "Black Sheep," showed up for the premiere of the Paramount film earlier this week. Director Penelope Spheeris, ex-Monkee Mickey Dolenz, and actor Judd Nelson attended the screening as well.
"Hamlet" has begun shooting outside London with Kenneth Branagh directing and starring as the melancholy Dane. The astounding cast of the film includes Charlton Heston, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Billy Crystal, and Gerard Depardieu.
"The Drew Carey Show" and "The Naked Truth" are headed for ABC's back shelf, at least for now. The network says it is putting both shows on hiatus. "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" is also being pulled from prime time, but the network says it will soon announce a new, midweek slot for the series.
Penny Marshall is moving. The actress-turned-filmmaker is reported to be setting up shop at Universal Studios after five years with Columbia Pictures. Daily Variety reports Marshall has a three-year deal that gives Universal first chance at any of her projects.
An anniversary for David Letterman this week. The late night talk show host started his first late talk show on NBC 15 years ago Friday. It was, incidentally, Groundhog Day.
Do you, unpronounceable symbol implying androgyny, take this woman? The artist who insists on being formerly known as Prince is reportedly getting married. The singer is set to marry his back-up singer, Mayte, in Paris. The wedding is scheduled for Valentine's Day.
Bad news for the 23rd annual American Music Awards. The special received its lowest rating in its history during its broadcast Monday night. The good news is that it beat all of the competition on the other networks, except for the final half hour. The last 30 minutes of the movie "Sister Act" on NBC overtook the special.
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