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Tuesday, January 26, 1999 4:10:41 PM EST

• Busey booked for spousal battery investigation
• J. Peterman might need 'Seinfeld' to return
• Directors Guild announces nominees
• Queen Latifah to rule talk show
• Pope going pop

Busey

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Actor Gary Busey was booked for investigation of misdemeanor spousal battery after his wife called authorities Monday night. Tiana Busey told authorities that her husband "grabbed her shoulders and wrestled her to the ground" during an argument. Busey, 54, was freed early Tuesday after posting $2,500 bail. Mrs. Busey had no visible injuries and was not hospitalized, authorities said.

Busey, who received an Oscar nomination for the 1978 movie "The Buddy Holly Story" and also starred in movies like "Lethal Weapon," "Point Break" and "The Firm," had enrolled in a drug rehab program after a 1995 incident in which paramedics found the actor unconscious at his California home after he apparently snorted cocaine. In 1997, a United Airlines flight attendant claimed Busey struck her after she bumped him. Criminal charges were not filed.

J. Peterman (left) was played on "Seinfeld" by actor John O'Hurley (right)

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (CNN) -- "Seinfeld" fans aren't the only ones who miss the sitcom. Catalog retailer J. Peterman, which was satirized on "Seinfeld," has filed for bankruptcy less than a year after Jerry and the gang went to the land of syndication.

A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday to consider motions in the petition made under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which enables a company to keep operating under a court's supervision while it develops a plan for returning to solvency. Peterman had earlier blamed worldwide financial upheaval and uncertainty surrounding the impeachment of President Clinton for slower-than-expected sales in the catalog business.

Peterman started selling high-priced, retro-style clothing and accessories in 1987 with a catalog that became noted for its quirky copy that gave each item an exciting, exotic history. The marketing approach became the target of satire by "Seinfeld" during the show's final three seasons, ending last May. "Seinfeld" character Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) worked for J. Peterman, whose headquarters were relocated to New York for the show's purposes.

Steven Spielberg, already honored with a Golden Globe for directing "Saving Private Ryan," was also nominated as best director by the Directors Guild of America.

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The Directors Guild of America announced the nominations for its top prizes of 1998.

Steven Spielberg ("Saving Private Ryan") led the pack that was announced on Monday. The other nominees for top director in 1998 are Roberto Benigni ("Life is Beautiful"), Terrence Malick ("The Thin Red Line"), John Madden ("Shakespeare in Love"), and Peter Weir ("The Truman Show").

"Each nominee has a distinct style and a unique creative vision, and they are all worthy representatives of the best of the art and craft of motion picture directing," DGA first vice president Martha Coolidge said. The winner of the DGA award has also won the directing Oscar all but four times since the DGA prize was first presented in 1949. The award will be presented March 6 in Los Angeles.

Queen Latifah

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- Variety says Queen Latifah is joining the talk show parade. Warner Bros. has given a "firm go" to the show for a fall 1999 start. Latifah has previously starred in movie and enjoyed a successful music career.

Meanwhile, "Your Big Break" has been picked up for fall 1999 by Chris Craft/United TV's WWOR New York, KCOP Los Angeles, KBHK San Francisco and KMSP Minneapolis, as well as UPN affiliate WPWR in Chicago. The hour-long weekly series is described as "karaoke meets 'Star Search,'" wherein five everyday folks undergo makeovers in an effort to imitate their favorite stars.

VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- Pope John Paul will make his pop debut on a compact disc blending live recordings of his prayers, sermons and chants with contemporary music. "Abba Pater," to be released on March 23, will be the first music CD to feature the papal voice, Sony Music said Monday.

Reuters Limited contributed to this report.