Actress's kids become Jolie-Pitts

A judge granted a request yesterday by Angelina Jolie to change the names of her two children to reflect that Brad Pitt intends to become their adoptive father. The names of the children will become Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt. Zahara celebrated her first birthday Jan. 8. Maddox, a boy, is 4. Pitt's publicist said on Jan. 11 that Jolie is pregnant with Pitt's child.

French heritage for Crowe's baby-to-be?

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe and his wife are reportedly expecting their second child -- and the mayor of a small French town wants to make the baby an honorary citizen. The mayor of Bonnieux, a hilltop village in southern France where Crowe shot parts of ''A Good Year" last fall, was delighted to hear reports that the baby was conceived in France. ''I think that . . . the very pleasant and warm atmosphere in the south of France might have helped give them the necessary inspiration," Mayor Roger Fenelon said yesterday.

An honor for Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch

Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who plays ''Sesame Street" icons Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, will receive the lifetime achievement award at this year's Daytime Emmy Awards on April 28.

Ritter's son at the head of 'The Class'

Jason Ritter has been tapped to star in ''The Class," a new CBS comedy series. ''The Class" begins with a party thrown by 27-year-old Ethan (Ritter) for his girlfriend, whom he met in third grade. Ethan invites six other people who were in the class with them, all of whom have since lost touch with one another. The party then becomes the springboard for following how the lives of the reunited characters continue to intersect. Ritter, son of the late John Ritter, costarred on the CBS drama ''Joan of Arcadia."

Here he comes

'God forbid I do something stupid and get in their way.' ''Desperate Housewives" star James Denton, on hosting the Miss America.Pageant tomorrow

FROM WIRE REPORTS