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From staff and wire reports

What foul word will 'Philly' feature?

PASADENA, California -- Steven Bochco says his new ABC drama "Philly," debuting in the fall, won't back down when it comes to controversy.

In fact, if he has his way, the producer says the show will include the use of a certain four-letter word formerly reserved for cable programming, The Associated Press reports.

"I just don't think in the fall of 2001, given the 143 nominations that a show like 'Sopranos' has, that a word that every 10-year-old hears in a schoolyard should be that big of an issue," he told the Television Critics Association summer gathering this week.

Bochco is also the producer of "NYPD Blue," a show that in the past received attention for its tough language and occasional nudity.

In fact, "Philly" will feature an "NYPD Blue" alumni -- Kim Delaney, who says she's enjoying the new gig.

"I loved working on 'NYPD Blue.' I loved playing that character," Delaney said. "There was a change, obviously, from one show to the other, but it was a comfortable change because I was with familiar people, which helps a lot and I know my back's being watched."

DeGeneres: 'It's all about funny'

PASADENA, California -- Yes, she's gay. No, her character on her new CBS sitcom this fall won't have a grand coming-out.

Ellen DeGeneres says she doesn't want her new series, "The Ellen Show," to focus on her sexual orientation. She wants it to focus on humor, The Associated Press reports.

"Now I don't have to say it anymore. People do know I'm gay, and I can just get back to what I do," she told the Television Critics Association summer gathering Wednesday. "It's all about funny this time."

Last time, when DeGeneres starred on the ABC sitcom "Ellen," the show became a watermark in TV history, with DeGeneres becoming the first main character of the medium to admit that she's gay. The show ended in 1998.

"What happened with the last show is it got to be too issue-oriented, and I take responsibility for that," she said. "At the time, I got caught up in something that was very, very important to me and felt it was important to other people, too.

"I don't think people want to see that. I think people want to sit at home and turn on their TV and just laugh."

Tyne Daly healed by time or money?

HOLLYWOOD, California -- It's often difficult to heal an injured back.

But if you're Tyne Daly, who apparently hurt her back in a recent fall she took in Paris, the perfect remedy might be a pay raise, Variety reports.

It seems that Daly, who stars as the mother of Amy Brenneman's character in the CBS series "Judging Amy," has been absent from production of the show, even though they're already shooting the second episode. Her representatives tell Variety it's due to her injury.

But Variety reports that it has "sources" who say Daly is merely holding out on the contract front -- she wants more money.

Variety sources also admit that Daly did hurt her back in Paris, aggravating an injury she suffered in a car accident.

Time -- or money -- will tell who's telling the truth.

MacDowell to wed old friend

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina -- In the movies, she's having "Dinner With Friends." In real life, Andie MacDowell is marrying an old friend.

MacDowell, 43, accepted an engagement ring last week from childhood pal Rhett Hartzog, 43, an Atlanta jewelry businessman, The Associated Press reports.

Marion McBride, father of the bride-to-be, said his daughter plans to marry in November in Asheville, North Carolina, where MacDowell lives. It will be her second marriage.

"I am very happy for her. I know they have given it a lot of thought," McBride said Tuesday. "He is a friend she has known a long time. They've known each other since grammar school and through high school."

MacDowell has starred in movies like "Groundhog Day" (1993), "sex, lies and videotape" (1989), and "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (1994).

Her latest film, "Dinner With Friends," premieres on HBO on August 11.