Russell Crowe's manager today called untrue a newspaper report that the Oscar-winning Australian actor had been banned from a British pub near the set of his new film "Robin Hood."

Britain's Sunday Express newspaper reported that an argument over licensing laws apparently ended with the 45-year-old actor being banned from The Brickmakers in Windlesham, Surrey.

Crowe's manager denied the newspaper story.

An unidentified duty manager at the pub told the paper: "I'm not exactly sure what he's supposed to have done, but there was apparently trouble and he's been asked not to return."

PBS BUDGET FARES BETTER UNDER OBAMA

PBS chief Paula Kerger says budget numbers tell the tale of how public TV is faring under the Obama administration, compared to that of former President George W. Bush.

Kerger said that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's $430 million budget for this year was left intact by President Obama, in contrast to the Bush administration's repeated bids to reduce or eliminate the federal subsidy. Kerger says Congress blocked Bush's actions.

The president and CEO of PBS told the Television Critics Association yesterday, "I guess that says something," adding that she's hoping for $450 million next year.

Federal money makes up about 15 percent of public broadcasting's funding, with other sources including corporations and viewers.

SPIELBERG WORKING ON 'HARVEY' REMAKE

Steven Spielberg has a giant rabbit on his mind for his next film.

Spielberg is directing a new take on "Harvey," the story of a big-hearted eccentric who's branded a crackpot for claiming to have a 6-foot tall invisible rabbit buddy.

James Stewart starred in the classic 1950 version of "Harvey," which was based on Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Novelist Jonathan Tropper adapted Chase's play for Spielberg's version, an update set in contemporary times.

Casting is just starting, with production expected to begin early next year.

SERIOUS SANDLER FLICK TOPS BOX OFFICES

Adam Sandler's serious side has caught on with audiences.

"Funny People," with Sandler trading adolescent humor for an adult story about a terminally ill comedy star, debuted as the top weekend movie with $23.4 million, according to studio estimates yesterday.

Coming in second for the weekend was the fantasy adventure "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" with $17.7 million, raising its domestic total to $255.5 million. The family action tale "G-Force," the previous weekend's top movie, slipped to third with $17.1 million, lifting its total to $66.5 million.