QUICK TAKES

No Spears at VMAs

Looks like we won't be getting more of Britney Spears at this year's MTV Video Music Awards after all. At least, that's what Spears' manager at Jive Records is saying. "Contrary to media reports, Britney was never slated to perform on this year's VMAs," Larry Rudolph said in a statement. "She's in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio." Spears is appearing in spots promoting this year's ceremony. Her comeback performance of "Gimme More" was one of the most talked-about moments of 2007. The VMAs will air Sept. 7.

The ol' college try

Fox will simul-stream the premieres of "Fringe" and "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" exclusively for college students. Students accessing the network's main Web site through a ".edu" domain will be able to watch a streaming feed as the shows air on the regular network. The feeds also will feature pre- and post-shows with music videos, behind-the-scenes footage and cast and producer interviews. The second season of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" will premiere Sept. 8, while "Fringe" has a 90-minute premiere Sept. 9

Warner Bros. sues

Bollywood producers are set to release a film called "Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors," but they face a lawsuit filed by Warner Bros. that claims the movie title sounds a little too much like a famous boy wizard franchise. Producers of the "Hari Puttar" movie say there's no resemblance to any film in the "Harry Potter" series. Warner Bros. is seeking an injunction against the film, which is set for release Sept. 12. Hearings began Monday and the next is scheduled for Tuesday.

Song sung bad

Neil Diamond's raspy voice left fans at a concert at Ohio State University on Monday disappointed. Some left the concert early, and others said Diamond completed the concert without mentioning anything about his voice. A statement from Diamond on Tuesday says a doctor has diagnosed acute laryngitis. Diamond spokeswoman Eve Samuels says the singer is offering a refund to those who place a request before Sept. 5.

Couple calls it quits

After an almost 18-month engagement, actress Nicollette Sheridan and singer Michael Bolton have ended their engagement. According to Nicole Perna, a publicist for the pair, the split was amicable. The 44-year-old actress and 55-year-old singer have been engaged since March 2006. They started dating in 1992 and were together five years, Perna said. They then rekindled their romance in 2005. Sheridan plays Edie Britt on ABC's "Desperate Housewives." Bolton won Grammy awards in 1989 and 1991 for male pop vocal performance.

Young hits Broadway

First former "American Idol" Taylor Hicks played Teen Angel in the Broadway production of "Grease." Now another "American Idol" alum is joining the cast. Ace Young, who competed on season five of the show, joins the cast Sept. 9, playing Kenickie. He makes his debut two days after Hicks completes his two-month stint. Young will perform through Jan. 18.

Snoop visa weighed

Australia's immigration department said Wednesday it was conducting a character assessment of Snoop Dogg, including his criminal history. The rapper was seeking a visa for a concert tour with Ice Cube in October. A department spokesman said Snoop Dogg applied for the visa in July and the department carried out a preliminary assessment. Now it has decided to do a full assessment of the character of the rap star.

Let it all out

"Sometimes, you know, I cry and sometimes I scream and I get really angry and I get really like, you know, into wallowing in self-pity sometimes. ... It's all part of healing, and anyone who's going through it out there, it's OK to cry. It's OK to fall on the ground and just scream if you want to." -- Christina Applegate, on the emotional rollercoaster she's experienced in her battle with breast cancer.

Compiled by Melissa Sullivan from wire services