AWN Headline News

Director Kevin Smith is steaming over the treatment ABC has given his new animated series version of his cult-classic film CLERKS. After Disney owned ABC pushed back the premiere of the new series to May 31, 2000, Smith said the summer release date "almost ensures the show's failure" due to the traditionally low TV ratings of the summer months.

The writer behind GHOST and DEEP IMPACT will be writing the second installment of STUART LITTLE. Bruce Joel Rubin will have to be typing like a madman to meet the proposed Christmas 2001 release date for the STUART sequel. The star of the first picture, Geena Davis, is reportedly committed to STUART II, but it is yet unknown if director Rob Minkoff will return. However, the current US$136.9 million at the U.S. box office might be a convincing enough number to lure him.

* Friday, April 14 - Tuesday, April 18, 2000. Positano (Amalfi Coast), Italy.

* Thursday, April 13 - Sunday, April 16, 2000. Taos, New Mexico, U.S.A.

SOFTIMAGE has announced that the latest upgrade to their flagship SOFTIMAGE|3D animation system was available for download from their Web site. This upgrade represents a milestone for SOFTIMAGE, as it is the first upgrade the company has chosen to distribute on-line (rather than wait 6-8 weeks for reproduction, duplication and distribution).

The new NBC animated sitcom, GOD THE DEVIL AND BOB, has been given the ax by five more stations across the U.S. NBC affiliates in Shreveport, Louisiana, Tupelo, Mississippi and Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho have moved the show to a late night time slot, while Pocatello, Idaho has completely pulled the show from its line up. Joining Salt Lake City which last week pulled the show from its schedule, the additional stations are in strict contrast to NBC's grand premiere of the series on Thursday, March 9, 2000. Currently, the show is positioned between the network's top shows FRIENDS and FRASIER.

BBC video brings to homes 13 tales from the TV series WILLIAM'S WISH

WELLINGTONS. The 5 minute stories feature a small boy and his pair of magic

boots. The show airs weekly on Cartoon Network and TVO. The tape will be

distributed in the U.S. and Canada by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Volume 1 will be available on March 7, 2000 and be priced at US$14.95.

Animation film company ADV Films has inked a distribution deal for the

entire catalog of films from The Right Stuf International, Inc. ADV's

library includes BKN cartoon MONSTER RANCHERS. "Because we have anime

standards such as NEON GENESIS EVANGELION and new classics like BUBBLEGUM

CRISIS: TOKYO 2040, forming an alliance with The Right Stuf is a dream come

true for us," states ADV Films President John Ledford. "The Right Stuf has

two of the true milestones of anime in their enormous catalog; KIMBA, THE