News from Darlene Sullivan of the Helpers' Network US for fans of Beauty and the Beast...

From "Daily Variety" 3/22/02 --

UPN has cancelled the British based "As If" and "Random Years" as both shows failed to achieve a 1 rating in the 18-49 demographic group.

Darlene Comments -- "As If" was named in the same November 2001  press release which indicated that UPN was also negotiating to revive "Beauty and the Beast." Although there has been no mention of B&B since November nor has it been listed on any production studio schedule, the failure of "As If" does not mean that B&B is going down with it. B&B is a totally different production package so the fans' vigil will need more time.

ENEMY AT THE GATES, History Channel TV Special 3/23/02 --

Ron Perlman's film, "Enemy at the Gates," did not win the History Channel's Harry Award. Although the reviewers gave "Enemy" very high marks for accuracy in depicting the horrible Russian-German Battle of Stalingrad, the American film "Black Hawk Down" won the Harry. The contenders were "Pearl Harbor," "Enemy at the Gates," "Captain Correlli's Mandolin," "Black Hawk Down" and "A Beautiful Mind."

From "The Hollywood Reporter" 3/7/02 --

RICK BAKER, who won an Oscar for his work on director Ron Howard's blockbuster "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," will do the makeup for "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat." Filming is expected to begin in the fall. The live-action project will star Mike Meyers as the cat and will team him with first-time director Bo Welch, a production designer.

From "The Hollywood Reporter" 3/14/02 --

28th ANNUAL SATURN AWARDS NOMINATIONS --

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films has included "The Devil's Backbone" in the nominees for Best Horror Film. The director is  GUILLERMO DEL TORO, who directed Ron Perlman's latest film "Blade." Nominated in the Best Makeup category were RICK BAKER and John Blake for "Planet of the Apes." The nominees for Best Single Television Presentation included "The Mists of Avalon" which was orchestrated by LEE HOLDRIDGE. The awards will be presented in June, the date to be announced, in Century City.

      - Darlene Sullivan