FLUCTUATING Although R.E.M. previously announced that it would not tour to support its last album, "Up," Michael Stipe told MTV News that the band was mulling over doing a couple of months of concerts in America and Europe. To replace departed drummer Bill Berry, Stipe said they would likely bring along Beck's percussion man, Joey Waronker.

CASTING Drew Carey will play the original puppet master in "Geppetto," ABC's musical version of '"Pinocchio" as told from his creator's perspective. Stephen Schwartz ("The Prince of Egypt") is writing the songs.... Jane Krakowski is going from the progressive world of "Ally McBeal" to the regressive prehistoric world of "The Flintstones," playing Betty Rubble in the live-action prequel to the 1994 film. Stephen Baldwin plays her husband, Barney, while Mark Addy ("The Full Monty'") and Kristen Johnston ("3rd Rock From the Sun") play their titular Stone Age neighbors.... Fresh off of his role in "The Thin Red Line," Dash Mihok is joining the cast of "Felicity," where he'll play Ben's (Scott Speedman) top rival on the swim team.

YANKED ABC showed no love for "Cupid," canceling production of the low-rated comedy, which will be pulled from the schedule after two more airings. The network had recently moved the show from Saturdays to Thursdays at 9 p.m., hoping it could compete with a weakening "Frasier," but "Cupid" had consistently (and deservedly) rated fourth in the time slot.

AWARDS The nominations for the Juno Awards -- Canada's version of the Grammys -- are out, and Celine Dion leads with six nominations, followed by Barenaked Ladies with four. Shania Twain, the Tragically Hip, the Philosopher Kings, and Jann Arden raked in three nods each. TODAY IN HISTORY Sarah McLachlan was born in 1968.... In 1985, a crowd of rockers (and, inexplicably, Dan Aykroyd) joined together to record "We Are the World."