The ShowBuzz Weekly Forecast

The big news in entertainment this week centers on the TV screen, as midseason replacements debut and the awards show season kicks in.

But there are some bright new albums and a couple of DVDs to keep in mind, as well as some choices to make at the cinema. There's crime, dance and a child's fantasy film to be seen there.

It may be a little difficult to head into 2007 when the holiday glitter of 2006 still clings to our sweaters. But let's take a long view down the path and get some little media treats along the way, shall we?

MOVIES

Jesse James Hollywood was the youngest man ever to be on the FBI's most wanted list, and now Hollywood is offering "Alpha Dog," a movie based on his life.

Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone are all in the cast, so it's bound to get a lot of attention. Also, it was directed by Nick Cassavetes, whose father, John, is venerated as one of the most creative directors ever to work in the world of movies. He actually used to be an actor and had a small part in his father's "A Woman Under the Influence" (1974), which also starred his mother, actress Gena Rowlands.

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Photos: Alpha Dog Premiere

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Stepping — a dance popular in traditionally African-American sororities and fraternities — is at the heart of "Stomp the Yard," which sounds like a combination of "Fame," "Flashdance," "Footloose" and "School Daze." Put it in a blender and see what comes out at the box office.

For the kids, there's "Arthur and the Invisibles," in which the charming Freddie Highmore ("Finding Neverland" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") enters the fantastical world of the Minimoys, with the help of some talented animators. Mia Farrow plays the grandmother in this one, and Highmore has said she was awesome to work with because of the stories she can tell about Frank Sinatra and the Beatles. ("Grandma, tell us about the olden times!")

TV

There is just so much fun on TV this week, it's like a great big bag of candy.

On Monday at 8 p.m., Matt Damon takes his turn in the chair opposite James Lipton for "Inside the Actors Studio" on Bravo. He's already got an Oscar, but he also has a fantastic circle of friends that includes Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney and, of course, Ben Affleck.

Tuesday night brings us the first in a tidal wave of awards shows: The People's Choice Awards. It really amounts to the results of a great big poll, but who cares? The stars still dress up and come out for it. Fun to watch, on CBS at 9 p.m.

It already premiered last week, but you still have time to catch up with "The Knights of Prosperity" Wednesday night at 9 p.m. on ABC. This is the series that you might have heard about under a different name: Let's Rob Mick Jagger. The premise is the same, name is different. Last week, the boys got a hold of Jagger's key. Now they find out that they need a security code, too, and to get it, they'll have to worm the information out of the only woman who has the 411.

Wednesday also sees the premiere of "Armed and Famous" at 8 p.m. on CBS (this episode titled "Never Thought I'd Get Handcuffed By A Jackson") in which the likes of Jack Osbourne, Erik Estrada and, yes, La Toya Jackson get to act as law enforcement officers for a brief time in Muncie, Ind. 8 p.m. on CBS.

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Photos: "Armed And Famous"

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Lovebirds and former "Survivors" Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich are back on reality TV, this time on the Fox Reality Channel (Thursday, 8 p.m.), starring in Rob & Amber: Against the Odds: Viva Las Vegas." The premise here is that Rob decides to become a professional poker player and Amber (as a good wife) reluctantly agrees to back him up in this endeavor. (In the '50s, they got Ricky and Lucy. In this millennium, we get Rob and Amber. What did we do to deserve this?)

Fans of "24," this is your week! Well, at any rate, Sunday is your night. The series is back with a two-hour premiere that starts at 8 p.m. (The two episodes will cover the hours from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Jack Bauer's world).

MUSIC

Not enough music lovers are on to Erin McKeown, though she has been around long enough to attract them. She has a new release, "Sing You Sinners," which includes her interpretations of old favorites like "Get Happy" and "Paper Moon," and songs that are not quite as familiar ("Rhode Island Is Famous For You"). If you like Norah Jones, you'll fall in love with Erin.

Not one but two CDs with the title "Live from Austin, Texas" are out, and they are from the late Johnny Cash and from the very much alive Neko Case. Both of these performances were originally taped for the television program, "Austin City Limits."

Here's an idea: "Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Eagles." Now you can certainly get your mind around this concept when we're talking about "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" and "The Best of My Love," but what about "Hotel California" and "Witchy Woman"? Well, the CD is coming out this week, so we're about to find out.

BOOKS

The week in books brings us "The Terror" by Dan Simmons, a piece of fiction that brings to life the real Franklin expedition of the 1840s. Its goal was to find the Northwest Passage and, if you paid attention in class, you know it didn't work out very well. Might be easier to learn the lesson when it's re-told as a good story.

Anthony Swofford is the man who wrote "Jarhead," which was a memoir of war. Now he is trying his hand at a novel, "Exit A," understandably set on and around an Air Force Base outside of Tokyo.

The premise of Richard North Patterson's "Exile" has a woman from Palestine standing accused of murdering the prime minister of Israel. You can imagine (or read the book) the life of the attorney whose job it is to defend her.

Alice Hoffman might as well be named Alice Haunting, because the emotion in her novels tends to stick you with you. Her new one is "Skylight Confessions," and it's interesting that it tells of the effect a mother has on her children, even after her early death and even into the generations that follow.

THEATER

If you're in London and in the mood for silliness, go see Simon Russell Beale, who is returning to the long-running production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" there to re-created his Broadway performance of King Arthur. He'll be there at least 12 weeks, on the stage with Hannah Waddingham as Lady of the Lake, Christopher Sieber as Sir Dennis Galahad (till Jan. 29), David Birrell as Patsy, Tom Goodman-Hill as Sir Lancelot and Robert Hands as Sir Robin.

Back in the USA, you can catch the-artist-formerly-known-as-RoboCop, Peter Weller, playing Frank Lloyd Wright (yes, that Frank Lloyd Wright, as in the architect) in a play titled "Frank's Home" by Richard Nelson. It begins a New York run at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage.

Frank is "home" from a sojourn in Japan and finds himself faced with a society that is not so crazy about his work any more. Also on board as Wright's old mentor is Harris Yulin. His name, you may not know, but Yulin is a tremendously absorbing actor to watch. He usually plays terrific supporting roles; he was Mr. Van Daan in the revival of "The Diary of Anne Frank" about 10 years ago.

DVDs

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? If you were impelled to shout "SpongeBob SquarePants," then here is some good news for you: Season 4, Vol. 2 is coming out on DVD this week. It includes 20 episodes of the highly popular Nickelodeon cartoon.

For those who prefer theatrical releases, "The Illusionist" is coming out, with Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti. This is not to be confused with "The Prestige," another movie about illusionists that was in theaters last year.

"Extras" is an HBO series that came from the mind of Ricky Gervais, the same man who brought us "The Office." If you haven't had a chance to check it out, here is your opportunity. The first season is out on DVD this week.
By Ellen Crean