CELEBRITY WATCH
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January 15, 2001
Web posted at: 11:14 a.m. EST (1614 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

Today's buzz stories:

• 'Millionaire' ages ABC's audience
• Seven films in competition for best visual effects Oscar

HOLLYWOOD, California -- The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" audience over at ABC is getting older by the dollar.

A report by the ad firm TN Media shows "Millionaire" has pushed the median age of ABC's audience from 41.7 years to 46.1. That's bad news for advertisers, who generally target younger audiences.

The honor of having the oldest audience, however, still belongs to CBS, despite "Survivor" and encouraging results from rookie series "CSI" and "Yes, Dear." But the age gap among the networks could narrow even more this spring, as "Survivor: The Australian Outback" attracts more young viewers to CBS.

BEVERLY HILLS, California -- Where else could you witness a battle royale between The Grinch and a bunch of dinosaurs? A hollow man against a perfect storm? The Academy Awards, of course.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled Friday the seven films under consideration for best visual effects Oscar: "Cast Away," "Dinosaur," "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Gladiator," "Hollow Man," "The Perfect Storm" and "X-Men."

A nominating committee will view clips from each film February 7, then nominate three of the seven films. Oscar nominations will be announced February 13 and the ceremony will take place March 25.

Thursday: New job for Richard Hatch?
Wednesday: Ricky Martin, Van Morrison to play Bush inauguration show
Tuesday: Chuck Norris hangs up 'Texas Ranger' hat
Monday: Bush impersonator hits jackpot with election
Friday: 'The Weber Show' cursed after all