‘South Park’ continues battle with Scientology stars

New York – “South Park” has declared war on Scientology.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of the animated satire, are digging in against the celebrity-endorsed religion after a controversial episode mocking outspoken Scientologist Tom Cruise was yanked abruptly from the schedule Wednesday – with an Internet report saying it was covert warfare by Cruise that led to its departure.

“So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun!” the “South Park” creators said in a statement Friday in Daily Variety. “You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail!”

Internet bloggers accused Cruise of threatening to not promote “Mission Impossible 3,” a surefire summer blockbuster, if the offending episode ran. Comedy Central is owned by Viacom, as is Paramount, which is putting out “MI:3.”

But Cruise’s representative, Arnold Robinson, said the megastar made no such demands.

Crow announces tour dates

New York – All Sheryl Crow wants to do is hit the road.

The 44-year-old rocker postponed tour dates set for March and April after having breast cancer surgery last month.

She will perform June 12 at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis, followed by shows in Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, it was announced Friday.

In a statement on her Web site, Crow has called the surgery “minimally invasive” and said she would have radiation treatment as a precaution.

Crow and cycling champion Lance Armstrong announced last month they were splitting up.

Defense rips copyright case against ‘Da Vinci Code’

London – Decipher this code: Not guilty. That’s what a lawyer for the publisher of “The Da Vinci Code” argued when he wrapped up the defense’s case Friday.

Random House’s attorney John Baldwin told London’s High Court that the claim of authors Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh for copyright infringement was “in tatters.”

Setting out closing arguments as the three-week trial nears its end, Baldwin said it was clear that Dan Brown’s best-selling thriller had not copied.

Baigent and Leigh are suing Random House for copyright infringement, claiming Brown “appropriated the architecture” of their 1982 nonfiction work, “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail.”

The prosecution will present its closing argument Monday.