Who’s guitars on auction block

London — More than 150 guitars belonging to The Who’s John Entwistle, who died last year, will be auctioned May 13 in London.

Entwistle’s favorite, a pink Fender Precision Bass named “Frankenstein” because he patched it together from the remains of five smashed basses, is expected to sell for $8,000 to $11,200, Sotheby’s auction house said this week.

Two rare electric guitars dating from 1958, which are valued at $48,000 to $80,000 each, are included in the auction.

Lee: BET does ‘the wrong thing’

Hamilton, Bermuda — Urging blacks to step into “gatekeeper” roles, Spike Lee criticized Black Entertainment Television, saying it lacks serious entertainment and that rap music promotes ignorance.

The director and producer of such films as “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X” and “25th Hour” spoke Thursday in Bermuda to about 500 people.

“I was told BET was big here and I shook my head,” Lee said, referring to the cable channel that billionaire Robert Johnson founded in 1980. “If you get everything from BET, you are getting the wrong thing.”

BET spokesman Michael Lewellen said the network had long been about more than videos and comedies.

“I wonder if Spike is even aware that one of his more critically acclaimed works, ‘Malcolm X,’ makes its premiere during Black History Month on BET,” Lewellen said. “Judging by these comments, apparently not.”

Hot Wheels coming to big screen

Culver City, Calif. — Those little Hot Wheels cars are cruising to a theater near you.

Sony’s Columbia Pictures has optioned the rights to make a movie based on Hot Wheels, Mattel’s line of sleek toy cars, the studio and toy maker said Thursday.

“Hot Wheels” will be directed by McG, the filmmaker behind “Charlie’s Angels” and its sequel that is due in theaters in June.

The miniature Hot Wheels cars and track sets were introduced in 1968, and Mattel estimates that 41 million adults grew up playing with the toys.

DeGeneres searches for slang

Los Angeles — Two weeks after her upcoming talk/variety series, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was sold to NBC for syndication, the comedian is busy gathering material through her Web site, ellendegeneres.com

Through March 31, fans can submit fake slang words and phrases in hopes of winning a trip to New York City, where her performance will be filmed for an upcoming HBO special.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will air five days a week from Los Angeles.