Names and faces

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Timothy Bottoms played Texan Sonny Crawford 30 years ago in "The Last Picture Show" and again in 1990's "Texasville." Now he's playing the most powerful Texan in the world.

Bottoms has been cast as President Bush in Comedy Central's new show "That's My Bush!" the cable channel said Monday. The sitcom, from "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, debuts April 4.

"That's My Bush!" will offer a glimpse inside the White House while spoofing television comedies.

Comedy Central spokesman Tony Fox said Bottoms was chosen for his acting skill and his physical resemblance to the president. His version of Bush won't be as over-the-top as Will Ferrell's portrayal on "Saturday Night Live," though.

"This is really a satire of the American sitcom," Fox said. "They're making George out to be this wonderful, likable guy, as most sitcom stars are."

Bottoms, 49, most recently has appeared in a recurring role on the ABC drama "Gideon's Crossing."

Woman injured by brick seeks no pity

NEW YORK (AP) -- The young woman who was hit in the head with a brick on a New York City street is recovering from her injuries and says she's "not a victim."

Nicole Barrett suffered brain damage when she was attacked on 42nd Street in November 1999. Her attacker, Paris Drake, was found guilty of first-degree assault and sentenced in December to 25 years in prison.

Now, Barrett is back home in Athens, Texas, and has moved from her parents' house to her own apartment.

"I'm not a victim. I'm not helpless," she tells Ann Curry in a "Dateline NBC" interview, scheduled to air at 9 p.m. CST Tuesday. "I'm not going to let life come to me. I'm going to go to it, and I'll get there. I mean, every day it gets better and better. I'm close. I'm getting real close."

The 28-year-old is back in school and plans to become an interior designer.

"As hard as it is for me, I love it," she says. "I'm taking classes that are going to lead me to where I want to go."

Griffin's love of fashion not mutual

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kathy Griffin loves fashion, although she admits fashion doesn't always love her.

"I always end up on the worst-dressed lists," the comedian said after making a brief appearance on the runway in a gold leather suit at a Kenneth Cole fashion show.

"I guess I get to keep the clothes, which I love," she said Monday.

All the super-chic, super-thin models in the fashion show "startled" Griffin, the host of MTV's new show "Kathy's So-Called Reality."

"Size 0 stuff is falling off them. It's so weird."

Rhymes busts out of Elektra Records

NEW YORK (AP) -- Busta Rhymes is busting out of Elektra Records.

The Grammy-nominated rapper and actor has left Elektra and has signed with J Records. The multiple-album deal, which J Records announced on Monday, also includes his Flipmode Squad record label.

J Records is the recent upstart label from Clive Davis, the founder and former president of Arista Records. Rhymes said the opportunity to work with Davis helped sway him to J Records.

Rhymes has recently appeared in the movies "Shaft" and "Finding Forrester."