Austin Powers not giving up his mojo to MGM

LOS ANGELES — Suave secret agent James Bond may have won the first round in his battle with bucktoothed superspy Austin Powers, but the international man of mystery isn't giving up his mojo without a fight.

New Line Cinema vowed Monday to appeal an industry arbitration panel ruling that forced the studio to withdraw movie trailers, posters and online promotions for its upcoming third installment of the hit comedy franchise starring Mike Myers, "Austin Powers in Goldmember."

The Motion Picture Association of America panel ruled last week that the "Goldmember" title was inadmissible, in response to a complaint by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., home of the Bond films.

MGM claims that "Goldmember," a spoof on the title of 1964's "Goldfinger," the third in the Bond series that starred Sean Connery as agent 007, infringes its copyright. Studio executives also object to "Goldmember" promotional materials that send up various Bond characters and posters.

But officials at New Line, a unit of AOL Time Warner Inc., insist last week's ruling dealt with a "procedural infraction" involving the studio's attempt to register the movie's title.

"The issue that is currently in dispute does not pertain to the title or content of the film," New Line said in a statement. A studio spokeswoman said New Line would take its appeal to the MPAA on Thursday. In the meantime, the film will be referred to as "the third installment of 'Austin Powers."'

The movie, set for release next July, co-stars Michael York, Michael Caine, Heather Graham (reprising her role as Felicity Shagwell) and Beyonce Knowles from the soul trio Destiny's Child as Foxy Cleopatra.

It's the third in a series, following 1997's "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" and the megahit 1999 sequel, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," in which Powers resorts to a time machine to recover his stolen "mojo," the secret to his incredible libido.

Myers, who co-wrote the script and shares producer credits, again plays an assembly of roles, including Austin Powers, the villainous Dr. Evil and a new character, Goldmember.

The "Goldmember" flap is not the first between MGM and New Line over Austin Powers titles. MGM initially challenged the use of "The Spy Who Shagged Me," an obvious play on the 1977 Bond title "The Spy Who Loved Me." But that dispute was settled when New Line agreed to include trailer play for MGM movies on its Austin Powers sequel. (Reuters)

Carey having an unhappy New Year

NEW YORK - It seems the problems just keep mounting for Mariah Carey. After a tumultuous 2001, when the diva was hospitalized for a much-publicized breakdown in July after a split with Latin heartthrob Luis Miguel, and her latest album, "Glitter" - along with her debut film of the same name — flopped in September, Carey looks to be having an unhappy New Year.

EMI, the parent company of Virgin Records, Carey's label, announced last week that it would pay the 31-year-old singer $28 million to end their association, which was to last for several albums to the tune of $100 million. That's in addition to the $21 million she's already received since arriving at Virgin last April.

In a statement, EMI's new chairman, Alain Levy, said: "We have decided that this is the most prudent course of action for EMI. We wish Mariah the best.''

Carey said in the joint statement: "This is the right decision for me. I look forward to the many new and exciting opportunities, which have now been presented to me. I wish Virgin well.''

However, the peaceful statements soon turned into an angry dialogue as to who ended the relationship with whom. The Sun newspaper also reports that Carey's relationship with Miguel has ended — again. The two reunited briefly this winter, but couldn't resolve their differences.

Unpleasant rumors also dogged Carey on the set of her next movie, "Wisegirls,'' with Mira Sorvino, due out this year. Though the two co-stars tried to quell whispers of an on-set fight during filming, the frigid air between them was obvious at the Sundance festival, according to the New York Post's Page Six. (AP, TRJ)

Queen's Jubilee plans look shaky

LONDON - The great and good of British pop and politics are being recruited to save the Queen's blushes during a Golden Jubilee year which royal officials are increasingly worried is going be a flop.

Some of the biggest names from a half-century of British popular music will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II during a June concert celebrating her 50-year reign, the British Broadcasting Corp. said Monday. The BBC said the Golden Jubilee concert will be held June 3 in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Newspaper reports over the weekend said the show would feature a supergroup of British and international stars, including former Beatle Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and former Genesis drummer Phil Collins. However, McCartney's spokesman Geoff Baker said Monday that he could not confirm that McCartney would perform.

The BBC, which is producing the event, said it would not reveal the names of performers until Feb. 12. (AP, Reuters)

Madonna's ex talks to tabloids

Although she's now happily married to director Guy Ritchie, Madonna's past just doesn't stop creeping up on her.

The star's ex-boyfriend, aspiring English actor and screenwriter Andy Bird, has been talking to tabloids and revealing his ex's secrets. The latest piece of information appeared in the New York Post's Page Six, which reported Tuesday that Madonna made Bird disinfect his feet with hydrogen peroxide before he got into bed with her. Madonna's filthy former flame told London's Daily Mail his hygiene was so bad, her daughter, Lourdes, started to call him "Stinky Andy."

Bird, the subject of Madonna's song "Beautiful Stranger," embarrassed his ex last year when the Daily Mail printed an answering machine transcript of Madonna begging him not to dump her. "Hi, it's me. I can't get you out of my mind," the now-42-year-old pop star was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying into an answering machine at a London flat, where Bird slept on the couch. "We have something special together, we love each other," she added in the transcript. "I've written a song called 'Beautiful Stranger' and it's all about you. I hope you'll hear it one day because I'll never forget you or stop loving you." Madonna ended the message by getting her daughter Lourdes on the phone: "You've broken my mommy's heart." (TRJ)