Restraining Order For Thorntons

A Los Angeles judge has told Billy Bob Thornton and his estranged wife to stay away from each other. The judge had previously issued a temporary restraining order against the "Sling Blade" writer-star but yesterday he broadened it to say that Pietra Thornton has to stay away from him, too. Thornton had filed papers saying Pietra had threatened to kill him. She claims he was the one making the death threats. The Thorntons were married in 1993 and have two children.

'Fenneman' is Dead

The veteran broadcaster who may be best remembered as Groucho Marx's straight man is dead. George Fenneman was Groucho's sidekick on the quiz show "You Bet Your Life" in the 1950's. He died of respiratory failure at his Los Angeles home May 29 at age 77. His long list of TV credits includes "Dragnet," "Life of Riley" and "The Jim Nabors Show."

Actor Dennis James Dies

Dennis James, one of America's first television game show hosts and an on-screen spokesman for cigarettes, has died of cancer. He was 79. James, known to viewers as the original host of "The Price is Right" and "Name that Tune," died Tuesday at his home in the Southern California desert town of Palm Springs. He also appeared in countless TV series, including "Batman," "77 Sunset Strip," "Fantasy Island," and "Rich Man - Poor Man."

Faces' Lane Dies

The BBC reports guitarist Ronnie Lane, best known as a founding member of the 1960s rock group the Small Faces, has died of multiple sclerosis at the age of 51. It says Lane, who had been battling the disease for 20 years and spent most of his time in a wheelchair, died at his home in Colorado. Lane formed the Small Faces in 1965 with singer Steve Marriott and the band went on to enjoy great success on the back of hit songs such as "Itchycoo Park," "Lazy Sunday" and "All or Nothing." The Small Faces broke up in 1969 after Marriott left but quickly reformed as the Faces, revolving around future superstar Rod Stewart.

Matthew Perry in Drug Rehab

One of the stars of "Friends" has checked into a drug rehabilitation center, according to Variety columnist Army Archerd. Matthew Perry's publicist said the actor is "in the early stages of chemical dependency on a prescription medication." Perry plays Chandler Bing on the hit NBC comedy and is expected back for the fall season. Lately he's been working on a film with former "Saturday Night Live" star Chris Farley.

Malkovich Hasn't Killed Yet

John Malkovich has mixed feelings about violent movies, such as his new one, "Con Air." "I understand people's concern and it's a right concern," he told the Los Angeles Times. "But I don't mind a certain amount of violence because the world is violent." He summed it up by saying: "I went accidentally with my grandmother to see 'Psycho' when I was 6 years old and I still haven't killed any women in a shower."

Rene Russo Jagger?

Mick Jagger played an indirect role in Rene Russo's career. As a girl, the "Tin Cup" star says, she was intent on marrying the Rolling Stones singer. She was walking down the street after a Stones concert in 1972, trying to figure out how she could make it happen, when a man handed her a business card and told her to come see him. From there, she became a big-name model and a movie star and the man is still her manager. And while she didn't marry Jagger, Russo did once tell him about her crush. "When I worked with Mick on the film 'Freejack,' I told him at the dinner table that when I was 17 I was sure I was going to marry him," she told Mr. Showbiz, the on-line entertainment magazine. "He was unimpressed."

Rosie's Brother Might Run

Can Rosie O'Donnell do for her brother what she did for Tickle Me Elmo? The New York Post reports that the talk-show queen's brother, Daniel, an activist attorney in New York, wants to run for some sort of office. If he does, Rosie might be tempted to plug his campaign on her show. Daniel, 36, who is active in local Democratic politics, had a very political response when asked if he was going to run. "I've always believed in giving back to the community but whether or not that means going into politics, I don't know," he said. "I'm sure if the opportunity presents itself, my sister would be supportive."

Spice Girls Fend Off McCartney

The Spice Girls withstood new releases from Paul McCartney and a gospel choir to log their fourth straight week at No. 1 on the U.S. album charts. The pop quintet's "Spice" album sold more than 137,000 copies in the week ended June 1, while McCartney's "Flaming Pie" debuted in second place with just over 121,000 copies. Meanwhile, the debut release from God's Property opened in third with sales of 119,000 copies. "Flaming Pie" marks the highest debut recording of McCartney's 27-year solo career, according to his publicists.

Michael, Not Michelle

Director Michael Cimino has been the subject of some rumors lately -- such as the one that he's changed his name to Michelle with the Directors Guild and that he's undergone a sex-change operation. Not true, he told Variety. "I wouldn't look pretty as a woman," he said. "But would it look good for business if I said 'Yes?"' The only change, he says, is that he's lost about 80 pounds since making "Sunchaser" with Woody Harrelson last year. Cimino credits Harrelson with getting him into fat-free foods and yoga.

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