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American Morning

Downey Arrested Again; Berle Battles Cancer

Aired April 25, 2001 - 11:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: But, first, showbiz. We're going to go to Laurin Sydney who's live from Los Angeles today, and it looks like a serious note we're starting off on, Laurin.

LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. Not such good news.

Good morning from Hollywood, a town once again stunned by the problems of actor Robert Downey, Jr.. The troubled actor was arrested again on drug charges Tuesday in Culver City, California, and immediately went into rehab. "Ally McBeal" executive producer David E. Kelly released a statement late last night saying that they would be wrapping the final few episodes of the TV show without Downey. Downey appears in court next Monday in Indio, California, on felony drug-possession charges stemming from a hotel bust last Thanksgiving.

TV icon Milton Berle is battling cancer. The 92-year-old comedian has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his colon. Uncle Miltie started in Vaudeville and paved the way for musical variety shows with the Texaco Star Theater Show in the '50s. In a statement, the legend says that he does not intend to let the disease slow him down and that he plans on living life to the fullest.

NBC is not saying good-bye to the game show, "The Weakest Link" any time soon. The Peacock network just picked up another 13 episodes of the British import. A bonus: The show won't be affected by the possible impending writer's strike. NBC is also looking to possibly produce a daily syndicated version of the program.

And rival CBS has gone back to the Outback one more time. They are adding one more additional episode of "Survivor: The Australian Outback," but it will be one week after they announce the winner of the million-dollar prize. A special to air May 10th will follow the 16 show contestants after they return home. It's a move that the network hopes will have the reality show's boffo ratings survive one more week.

And a little later this afternoon, we will talk with the funny man Fred Willard. He wins an American comedy award tonight for his hilarious turn in "Best in Show." That's in our 2:00 p.m. Eastern SHOWBIZ TODAY reports.

Until then, I'm Laurin Sydney in Hollywood, and now back to the best in their show -- Kyra and Leon.

HARRIS: Oh, thank you.

PHILLIPS: She's always got a good one.

HARRIS: She's a sweety. That's why we let her come back every morning.

PHILLIPS: That's right. That's why we love her.

HARRIS: Thanks.

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