CELEBRITY WATCH
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From staff and wire reports

'Phantom Menace' coming to DVD

HOLLYWOOD, California -- George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" will be released on DVD this coming fall, Variety reports.

The 1999 picture is the first of George Lucas' "Star Wars" films to be distributed on the digital format. It hits stores October 16.

"Phantom Menace" is the third-biggest theatrical release of all time, with $431 million in U.S. box office receipts.

But already "Phantom Menace" will have competition for its DVD premiere. Also releasing in October: "The Godfather," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "The Mummy Returns."

Noel Gallagher: 'I liked drugs'

LONDON, England -- Noel Gallagher says he's happier than ever before.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Oasis guitarist and songwriter says he quit doing drugs, and he feels good about it.

"I liked drugs, I was good at them. But I'd had panic attacks for about a year and I stopped because I wanted to," Gallagher says. "After you make the decision it is quite easy. And I am quite proud of the fact that I didn't have to check into one of those dodgy clinics and have someone tell me I am a bad person. Because I am not.

"I like being clear-headed and eating at regular times. I feel happier than I ever have."

Gallagher says he stopped doing drugs to be a good father to his 1-year-old daughter, Anais. He's divorced from the child's mother, Meg Mathews.

Things are so good for Gallagher, he's even getting along with his brother, Liam, the lead singer of Oasis. The two used to feud constantly. Now, Gallagher appreciates his brother's "comic genius."

"Liam used to really annoy me, but now I think he is a comic genius, the funniest guy I have known in my entire life," Gallagher says.

Meg Ryan shooting elephant documentary

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Meg Ryan wants to help elephants in Thailand.

The actress arrived there on Sunday to begin shooting a documentary about the plight of the country's dwindling numbers of wild elephants, The Associated Press reports.

The 60-minute documentary is being produced by a British company, Tigress Productions, said Richard C. Lair, an adviser to the Center of Thai Elephant Conservation in Lampang, 317 miles north of Bangkok. Ryan will travel to several locations across the country.

Though the elephant is the national animal for Thailand, its natural habitat has suffered rapid destruction in recent decades.

NBC doing The Elaine again?

HOLLYWOOD, California -- NBC is banking on another "Seinfeld" standout.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine in the 1990s NBC sitcom about New York singles, will star in an as-yet-untitled comedy for the network, Variety reports. The pilot shoots in July.

Louis-Dreyfus will play a nightclub singer/voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. Joining her on the show will be Steve Carell (Comedy Central's "The Daily Show") and Peter Stormare ("Chocolat").

Also, Louis-Dreyfus' sister, Susan Bowles, may have a recurring role in the project, should it be picked up as a series. And Brad Hall ("The Single Guy"), Louis-Dreyfus' husband, is the creator/executive producer of the pilot.