In the news

'House' still rules

A rush of new movies could not evict Bringing Down the House from the top spot at theaters.

The Steve Martin-Queen Latifah comedy remained No. 1 for a second weekend, taking in $22.4-million and pushing its 10-day total to $61.6-million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Frankie Muniz teen-spy flick Agent Cody Banks opened in second place with $15-million. Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro's The Hunted, a thriller about a tracker chasing a military hit man gone berserk, debuted at No. 3 with $13.5-million.

The weekend's other new wide release -- the horror tale Willard, starring Crispin Glover -- debuted at No. 8 with $4-million.

Booksellers angered by 'Potter' direct sales

The U.S. publisher of the new Harry Potter novel is selling some copies straight to readers. Bookstores complain that means less business for them.

Over the past couple of weeks, Scholastic Children's Books has been taking orders for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at school fairs around the country. Customers pay the full list price, $29.99 -- far more than the cost at Amazon.com -- but they also receive a free Harry Potter baseball hat. A portion of the proceeds goes to the schools.

Publishers have an obvious motive to sell direct: They keep more of the money. But this is the first time a Potter book has been offered before publication. And some retailers say they can't afford to lose any sales during a difficult economic time.

In a letter sent Thursday to Scholastic, the chief executive of the American Booksellers Association, Avin Domnitz, said selling the book directly to students was "beyond the pale."

Scholastic spokeswoman Judy Corman said the publisher was "very concerned" by the unhappiness of booksellers.

Stern sues ABC

Howard Stern has sued ABC and the producers of the series Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People, claiming the show is based on ideas that aired on his radio program.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses ABC of copying "unique aspects" of a Stern segment in which his crew and guests evaluate the bodies of in-studio contestants. Stern, 49, is seeking $100-million in damages.

Before ABC's program debuted, Stern was in talks to develop a TV series based on his radio segment, according to the lawsuit. But when ABC aired Are You Hot?, talks for a Stern TV show collapsed, the lawsuit said.

Former 'Idol' contestant ordered to stand trial

An Ohio man booted off the TV show American Idol after he allegedly took part in a fatal bar fight was ordered Friday to stand trial in the altercation.

Jaered N. Andrews, 24, is charged with simple assault for allegedly punching a man in the face Nov. 16 at the Blue Ribbon Grille in Farrell, Pa., about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

Thomas Blakeley, 39, died after hitting his head on the sidewalk outside, authorities said.

Fox has repeatedly refused to say why Andrews was removed in January. Andrews says he was kicked off because of the fight.

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