Kids’ stuff makes the Wiggles top Australian entertainers

Sydney, Australia — The Wiggles have sung and danced their way to the top of a list of Australia’s wealthiest entertainers, edging out Hollywood heavyweights such as Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.

The four Australian performers topped BRW Magazine’s list of Australia’s 50 richest performers in 2004 with an estimated gross income of $34.5 million, up from $10.7 million in the previous year.

Kidman almost doubled her earnings and was Australia’s second richest performer with $30 million, according to the magazine, which hit newsstands Thursday. She was followed by Crowe, who earned an estimated $20 million in 2004.

BRW managing editor Tony Featherstone said in an editorial that The Wiggles had topped the chart thanks to a great product and marketing.

“They got into the market early, they took time to understand their audience, not only children but the parents who pay for everything,” he said.

‘Jeopardy’ master to study trivial matters at contest

Wausau, Wis. — Ken Jennings will join thousands of competitors this weekend at the 36th annual self-proclaimed world’s largest trivia contest.

The game show whiz, who won nearly $2.5 million during a 74-game winning streak on “Jeopardy!” will visit the Wisconsin contest for research on a book about trivia — but he won’t play.

“I don’t think it is the kind of stuff I would be that good at,” Jennings said.

“My impression is to make the questions Google-proof, they have to be pretty obscure stuff, not the kind of general knowledge that ‘Jeopardy’ tests, but really specialized kind of minutiae.”

Look where a little song and dance can get you: The Wiggles now top a list of Australia's wealthiest entertainers, edging out Hollywood heavyweights such as Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. The four Australian performers made an estimated 4.5 million in 2004.

The contest, this year named “Keep on Trivia,” expects to draw nearly 500 teams with about 12,000 players. It involves a “Trivia Stone” treasure hunt that sends players through the city guided by clues and obscure questions read over a radio station that teams research however they can.

Despite side businesses, Chan says movies still No. 1

Hong Kong — Jackie Chan says moviemaking is still his biggest priority despite an expanding business empire that includes a clothing label, fitness clubs, restaurants — and a line of cookies.

“For me the greatest source of income is still movies. Nothing — stocks, financial speculation, real estate speculation or businesses — makes more money for me than making movies,” the action star said this week.

Chan said he donated the earnings from his businesses to charities, but didn’t give any details.

Chan also operates restaurants under his name and recently teamed with the California Fitness gym chain for “Jackie Chan signature clubs.”

Chan said previous business ventures had failed because he didn’t have the know-how, but he’s now working with professional businessmen.

He also said the popularity of his businesses pointed to his growing fame.

“This proves I succeeded in Hollywood,” said Chan, who has starred in the “Rush Hour” films, “Shanghai Noon,” “Shanghai Knights” and “The Tuxedo.”

P. Diddy must pay $21,000 in monthly child support

New York — Hip-hop star Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay more than $21,000 a month in child support to an ex-girlfriend with whom he has an 11-year-old son.

The order, issued Thursday by the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, came after Combs appealed a Westchester Family Court ruling last year that he should pay $35,000 a month. He currently pays about $5,000.

The ex-girlfriend, Misa Hylton-Brim, had sued for higher monthly payments and about $398,000 in back support for their son, Justin.

The appellate court judge awarded a lower but undisclosed amount in back support and ordered Combs to pay Hylton-Brim’s legal fees. The judge set monthly support payments at $21,782.

Rob Shuter, a spokesman for Combs, said Combs would appeal the decision to the state Court of Appeals.

Combs, 35, also pays child support to ex-girlfriend Kim Porter for his second son, Christian.

Birthdays

Actress Cynthia Nixon is 39. Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner is 79. Actor Dennis Quaid is 51. Model Paulina Porizkova is 40. Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam is 26. Actor Ryan Northcott is 25.