Web posted on: Thursday, July 09, 1998 6:04:40 PM

• Chappelle claims Fox found his sitcom "too black"
• Police: Remains found could be missing screenwriter
• Hanson returns to screaming homecoming
• Whoopi's 'Hollywood Squares' welcomes even 'dense' stars
• Wu-Tang's ODB accused of shoplifting following shooting

Chappelle

HOLLYWOOD (CNN) -- Comedian Dave Chappelle has backed out of a deal to develop a sitcom for Fox Broadcasting Co. because he says the network thought the sitcom he came up with was too black. The show, "Dave Chappelle," is based on Chappelle's life as a stand-up comedian struggling to make it in New York. Fox ordered six episodes for midseason.

But Chappelle and the series' executive producer, Peter Tolan, said they decided to walk away after a creative meeting in which Fox executives suggested changing the lead female character from black to white and adding a separate new white character to broaden the show's appeal.

Fox released a statement saying it "respects the unique perspective and integrity of each member of its audience, and to suggest anything less is disturbing."

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Police say the skeletal remains of a man found in a canal near Palmdale, California could be the remains of screenwriter Gary Devore, who disappeared more than a year ago. Authorities found the body, and a 1997 Ford Explorer, after dragging the aqueduct. They had received a tip from a man who contacted police after seeing a news report on the first anniversary of Devore's June 28, 1997 disappearance.

Investigators believe Devore, whose screen credits included "Back Roads," starring Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones, and "The Dogs of War," starring Christopher Walken, could have skidded off the freeway into the canal. Foul play is not suspected.

Hanson

TULSA, Oklahoma (CNN) -- Hanson made a triumphant return to its hometown of Tulsa on Wednesday night, playing before thousands of screaming fans, some who proclaimed their love for the teen trio. Wednesday night's concert was Hanson's first in Tulsa since brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zachary were propelled to stardom last year by their hit single "MMMBop."

"We've been going, 'You know, Tulsa is going to be just nuts,'" elder brother Isaac told reporters hours before taking the stage. "It's great to be home and just finally get to do a show."

Goldberg

PASADENA, California (CNN) -- Whoopi Goldberg says any celebrity can star on the revived "Hollywood Squares," even the ones who aren't funny. A staff of comedy writers will provide scripted comebacks so "even the most dense of stars can come and play this game," said Goldberg, who will regularly fill the show's center square.

Among the celebrities set to visit are Sharon Stone, Whitney Houston and Garth Brooks. Goldberg said she decided to take the job because it's fun and "I don't want to work as hard anymore. And they offered me a really beautiful amount of money."

ODB

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Three days after he walked out of a New York hospital with gunshot wounds from an apparent robbery at his home, rapper ODB of Wu-Tang Clan was accused of shoplifting. A Sneaker Stadium employee who was watching a closed-circuit camera allegedly saw Jones, 29, put on a $50 pair of Nike athletic shoes and walk out of the store, police said. The rapper, whose real name is Russell Tyrone Jones, ignored medical advice and walked out of a New York hospital last week with superficial back and arm wounds. Police said he was shot in his apartment by robbers who ripped off jewelry, then fired a pistol.