Fox Fox's retro risk That '70s Show Fox, which hit the jackpot last year with comedies Ally McBeal and King of the Hill, has hit the skids this year with its selection of new sitcoms. In fact…
(Encyclopedia) Mancini, Laura, duchesse de MercœurMancini, Laura, duchesse de Mercœurlouˈrä mänchēˈnē düshĕsˈ də mĕrcûrˈ [key], 1636–57, eldest of five famous sisters, nieces of Cardinal Mazarin, who…
(Encyclopedia) Strauss, Levi, 1829–1902, American merchant, b. Buttenheim, Germany, as Löb Strauss. He moved with his mother and sisters to New York City in 1847 to join his brothers' wholesale dry-…
(Encyclopedia) Philomela and ProcnePhilomela and Procnefĭlōmēˈlə, prŏkˈnē [key], in Greek mythology, daughters of King Pandion of Attica. Procne married Tereus, king of Thrace, and bore him a son,…
movie producer, TV executive After graduating from Harvard University in 1977 with a degree in classics, Chao became a reporter for the National Enquirer. He received an MBA from Harvard business…
(Encyclopedia) GorgonGorgongôrˈgən [key], in Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa; daughters of Ceto and Phorcus. Their hair was a cluster of writhing snakes,…
(Encyclopedia) Robert the Strong, d. 866, French warrior, marquess of Neustria; father of the French kings Eudes and Robert I and ancestor of the Capetians. He joined the rebellious nobles against…
(Encyclopedia) Jack the Ripper, name given to an unidentified late-19th-century murderer in London, England; also known as the Whitechapel Murderer and Leather Apron. From Aug. to Nov., 1888, he was…
(Encyclopedia) Golden Legend, The, collection of saints' lives written in the 13th cent. by Jacobus da Varagine. Originally entitled Legenda sanctorum [readings in the lives of the saints], it soon…
(Encyclopedia) Procopius the Great, Czech Prokop Holý, d. 1434, Czech Hussite leader. A priest, he joined the Hussite movement (see Hussites) and distinguished himself as a captain under John Zizka…