Morning Report - News from Aug. 15, 2002

TELEVISION

Osbournes ‘Adopt’ Orphaned Friend

MTV’s first family is expanding: The Osbournes have decided to take in Robert Marcato, an 18-year-old friend of their two daughters’ who was orphaned last week.

Regan Marcato, a single mother, died from colon cancer--the same disease Sharon Osbourne is battling.

“We’re moving him in as part of the family,” Sharon told the New York Post. “He wants to go to drama school, and we’re sending him to the best drama school we can find.” Osbourne went on to say that she bonded with his mother during her medical ordeal. “When I look at someone like Regan, who didn’t have the resources I had,” Sharon said, “what ... have I got to complain about?”

Marcato, who has already been seen on the family’s MTV show, will also be part of next season’s episodes.

THEATER

My Kingdom For a Place in the ‘Burbs

What do you do when you fail in a 13-year battle to build a Shakespeare “visitors experience” in the bard’s home of Stratford-upon-Avon, England? Take it to Midland, Penn.--a suburb of Pittsburgh--of course.

As part of a deal struck in a mere 13 weeks, the $306,000 “Shakespeare’s World” will be housed inside a reconstruction of parts of Stratford and London. Featuring costume exhibits, an electronic time tunnel and a chessboard with some of the more famous characters, the project will have professional performers in street productions of the plays.

That’s good news for William Shakespeare Worldwide Ltd., the company that had incurred the wrath of Stratford legislators fearful of tourist overload.

“There is a strong sense of irony that this project will be moving ahead in the U.S. before it comes to fruition in the U.K.,” chairman Kris Kliszewicz told a London newspaper.

“I’m sure that if Shakespeare had been alive today, he would have appreciated this as good source material for another masterpiece.”

QUICK TAKES

Pop singer Adam Ant, who rose to fame in the 1980s, pleaded guilty to wielding a gun in January after London pub patrons ridiculed his cowboy hat and combat jacket. He’ll be sentenced Oct. 2....Showtime has renewed the critically praised but ratings-challenged “The Chris Isaak Show” for a third season, ordering 13 new episodes.... Comedy Central has called an end to the long-running game show “Win Ben Stein’s Money” after next season....Cable’s FX channel will present all 24 episodes of Fox’s Emmy nominated series “24” on Labor Day..