If he can resolve his legal issues in an appeal of this spring’s verdict convicting him of tax violations, Wesley Snipes has a big role waiting for him. Director Spike Lee wants to produce a film based on the life of music legend James Brown, and says Snipes is the man to lead it. “He’s a phenomenal actor, and I truly feel that he’ll regain that power he once had,” Lee tells King magazine. “If my James Brown picture ever gets made, he’ll be playing James, and he’d kill in that, without a doubt. He still has chops.”

Michael Jackson’s underwear up for sale

Now you can know Michael Jackson like few fans have ever known him before: On-line shoppers who visit e-Bay may come across his Calvin Klein underwear. Though reportedly unwashed, the briefs come in a freshly sealed bag: They were taken as evidence by the Santa Barbara district attorney in 2003 when the singer faced child molestation charges. New Jersey businessman Henry Vacarro bought the unmentionables in a bankruptcy-related sale. No word on whether Vacarro called Mike to be sure he owns another pair.

“Lady T” honored along with Chaka Khan, Bill Withers.

Singer Teena Marie (above), long-time collaborator with the late Rick James, has been recognized by Philadelphia’s Rhythm & Blues Foundation for her 30-year career as an artist. Marie was one of nine artists who received a Pioneer Award Tuesday, along with singers Chaka Khan and Bill Withers, plus others. Grammy-winner Marie, whose first album cover featured no photo to keep secret the fact that she is White, still credits James with much of her success. Duets between the pair include the R&B classics “Fire and Desire” and “Love Them and Leave Them.”

Saying he needs to visit London and Bangkok to work on two films, actor Wesley Snipes wants a court that let him go free on bail to let him leave the country. Snipes was convicted this year on charges of failing to file tax returns and appeared headed to prison. But lawyers convinced a judge that he should be free while appealing the decision. The “Blade” trilogy star is hoping to sit in on editing for “Gallowwalker” and to film “Chasing the Dragon.” Meanwhile, prosecutors recently argued that he should be put in custody, let alone having his terms of bail relaxed.

A former “American Idol” gets married at Alabama church.
Ruben Studdard is a married man after exchanging vows in Alabama this past weekend. The former “American Idol,” who’s set to release a CD this year, wed Surata Zuri McCants in a 30-minute ceremony outside his hometown Birmingham. There was no singing during the program, only quiet string performances. Studdard and McCants were spotted together taking out a marriage license earlier this month.

Kanye West’s mom owed $600 G’s
Rapper Kanye West has been issued a court order demanding that he pay his late mother’s debts, including $600,000 on the Illinois condo she owned. As the executor of Dr. Donda West’s estate, the rapper is responsible for his parent’s outstanding bills. In related news, Dr. Jan Adams, the cosmetic surgeon who operated on Dr. West before her death, was recently arrested on suspicion of DUI. Adams allegedly tried to enter a California freeway by driving onto the off ramp.

U.S. Attorney’s Office reps want actor Wesley Snipes locked up, rather than free while awaiting an appeal after his recent tax conviction. Snipes was given a three-year sentence, having been found guilty of failing to file taxes for five years. But the actor is free on bond while his lawyers prepare a new case. Judge William Terrell Hodges ruled that Snipes isn’t a flight risk and poses no danger to society “if he remains at liberty pending appeal.” But Steve Cole, a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman, isn’t trying to hear it. “We want him in custody,” Cole says. “He’s been convicted by a jury. He has been sentenced to three years and he should be in custody.” The U.S. Attorney is seeking to have Snipes’ bail revoked.