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In the news

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 20, 2002

CBS to air "Greek Wedding" show

The Big Fat Greek Wedding party is set to continue this season on the small screen.

CBS has picked up the comedy My Big Fat Greek Family, based on the sleeper hit movie, from Brad Grey TV and Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's Playtone Prods. CBS has ordered seven episodes of a half-hour sitcom based on the movie to serve as a midseason replacement, Variety reports.

The TV show, which borrows elements from the IFC Films movie as well as Nia Vardalos' one-woman show of the same name that started it all, centers on a young woman (Vardalos) whose life revolves around her Greek American family until she falls in love with a WASP-y vegetarian.

The movie, with more than $110-million already in the coffers, is en route to being the most successful indie feature ever.

Greenspan to receive honorary knighthood

Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan will receive an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II next week, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

Greenspan, who has helped steer the U.S. economy for 15 years, will be honored for his contribution to global economic stability.

Because he is not a British citizen, Greenspan cannot use "Sir" in front of his name, but he can put the letters KBE after his name. The initials stand for Knight Commander of the British Empire.

He will receive the honor Thursday at Balmoral, the royal family's residence in the Scottish Highlands.

Daughters sue James Brown

James Brown's daughters have filed a federal lawsuit in Atlanta against the Godfather of Soul, seeking more than $1-million in back royalties and damages for 25 songs they say they co-wrote.

Deanna Brown Thomas, who works at a South Carolina radio station, and Dr. Yamma Brown Lumar, a Texas physician, say Brown has withheld royalties because of a family grudge.

Even though they were children when the songs were written -- 3 and 6 when Get Up Offa That Thing was a hit in 1976 -- Brown's daughters helped write them, said their attorney, Gregory Reed.

"This is a sad scenario," Reed said. "They didn't want to handle it this way."

Brown, 69, could not be reached for comment. According to the lawsuit, he has held a grudge against his daughters since at least 1998, when Thomas had her father committed to a psychiatric hospital to be treated for addiction to painkillers. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, negligence and racketeering.

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