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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

When George Plays, He Swings His ‘Batman’

Compiled By Staff Writer Dan Web

George Clooney’s power seems to be growing. First, the “E.R.” cast member said he would not cooperate with “Entertainment Tonight” because it used videos of annoying paparazzi.

Now comes word that Paramount Domestic Television is changing its rules for such video.

Paramount, which owns both “ET” and “Hard Copy,” has limited the use of footage obviously designed to arouse a reaction from celebs. The rules also ban unauthorized coverage of celeb’s families and homes.

Clooney, set to be the next “Batman,” has been a favorite target of video paparazzi. He decided to boycott Paramount shows after “Hard Copy” ran a story about his girlfriend despite Paramount’s promise not to do so.

Loose talk

“Ransom” director Ron Howard on his early acting years (as reported by the Associated Press): “Most child actors aren’t taught how to act. They’re sort of taught how to perform. They’re like trained animals.”

‘Melrose’ writers are giving her another hyphenation

Courtney Thorne-Smith turns 28 today.

That way he could truly assess their shortcomings

In a brief talk at the the recent 30th anniversary of Manhattan’s Whitney Museum, John F. Kennedy Jr. - accompanied by his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy - expressed his particular artistic pursuit. “I was never interested in all those horrible statues,” he said. “I just wanted to peek under their fig leaves.”

Unless, of course, George Clooney tells him to

As for a report, run in this column (as well as several hundred others), that he and his wife - Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy - were planning on moving from their downtown Manhattan apartment, John F. Kennedy Jr. just laughed. “No way,” he told reporters. “It’s a great place to live, We’re definitely staying there. We won’t be driven out.”

It’s apparent the man will pass on some dishes

If you were interested in why Sharon Stone broke up with beefy Guess? head Michael Banasra, the story goes like this: Wanting him to lose weight, she put him on a diet. He resisted, she got angry, he cheated, she caught him and got really angry, he accused her of trying to turn him into “a Hollywood phony” and she split.

Zee parfum, eh, how you say?, it steeenk so very good

If you want some of the cologne being marketed by Michael Jackson, you’ll have to move to Europe or Asia. Those are the only places that Jackson isn’t plagued with those ongoing sexual-abuse allegations.

We’re taking bets as to how many more he gets

Robert Downey Jr., after multiple arrests for speeding, possession of crack and heroin, possession of an unloaded .357 pistol and trespassing, was sentenced on Wednesday to three years probation. In addition, he must complete three more months of drug rehab. “I wish you good luck,” said Judge Lawrence Mira. “You’ve made a good start.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Dan Webster