CELEBRITY WATCH
Listen to "Celebrity Watch" from CNN Radio's Ken Pauli Windows Media: 28k Real Audio: 28k

From staff and wire reports

LOS ANGELES, California -- The political thriller "The Contender" was a winner with the Broadcast Film Critics Association Thursday.

The 2000 film, which starred Joan Allen as an embattled nominee for vice president, was chosen to receive the organization's annual Alan J. Pakula Award for outstanding films of social and political significance.

The special critics award was named after the director of the Watergate drama, "All the President's Men." Pakula died in 1998.

HOLLYWOOD, California -- It's been a rocky road for "The PJs," and two networks, two studios and several time slots later, the speed bumps are getting bigger for the cartoon series.

The WB, the current home of the cartoon series produced and voiced by Eddie Murphy, has ordered 13 more episodes from Imagine Television. But production partner Warner Bros. Television has decided against making any more episodes, saying it no longer makes economic sense to continue.

The series, the only prime-time cartoon featuring a mostly minority cast, revolves around Thurgood Stubbs, a housing-project superintendent (Murphy), his long-suffering wife and their fellow residents.

HOLLYWOOD, California -- Sometimes it's good to be a two-dimensional person, especially on Fox. The network has renewed "King of the Hill" and "Futurama." The renewal marks the sixth season for the folks of Arlen, Texas, on "King of the Hill," which debuted in January 1997. "I think we're doing well this year, creatively and in the ratings," said "King" co-creator Greg Daniels. "I'm very pleased with how it's going. We're very excited about the renewal."

The order for 18 episodes of "Futurama" will be the series' fourth season.

HOLLYWOOD, California -- Despite a name change, "The Weber Show," couldn't escape its "Cursed" past. NBC is pulling the rookie comedy, formerly titled "Cursed," during the impending February sweeps.

The network refused to say what will replace "The Weber Show" in its 8:30 p.m. EST slot, but the cancellation means CBS' "Survivor: The Australian Outback," which begins airing at 8 p.m. EST January 28, will face tougher-than-expected competition on NBC in its second half hour.

Thursday: Grammys get invited back to Gotham
Wednesday: Spielberg reins in plans for equestrian facility
Tuesday: Actress Kate Hudson marries rocker Chris Robinson
Monday: Blue's Clues' Steve turns in green striped shirt