US network NBC has struck a deal with Paramount to keep comedy series Frasier on the air for at least three more years.

The series, starring Kelsey Grammer as a pompous Seattle psychologist, won the Emmy award for best TV comedy for five consecutive years from 1994 to 1998.

NBC had reportedly been paying Paramount $5m (�3.42m) per episode for the series. While the network said it had agreed to an increase of 10 per cent, Paramount said it was more than that.

There was a risk Paramount could take the series - seen in the UK on Channel 4 - to another network if NBC did not agree to a new deal, as talks were originally meant to be concluded a week ago.

Kelsey Grammer said he was happy with the deal.

"I got off the phone and jumped around the room for a while," he said.

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Possible prequel for Crouching Tiger

Oscar-nominated director Ang Lee is planning a prequel to his hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Picking up a ShoWest international filmmaking achievement award in Las Vegas, he said the writing was still in the early stage.

It is thought he will first turn his attentions to a biopic of Harry Houdini and the action movie The Incredible Hulk.

Neither will go into production before the summer, when a Hollywood writers' and actors' strike is expected.

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Mummy star heads for West End

American actor Brendan Fraser is set to make his West End debut in Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Fraser first shot to fame playing less than intelligent men in movies such as Airheads and California Man.

He found critical acclaim in the film Gods and Monsters alongside Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave.

He will appear on stage with Bedazzled co-star Frances O'Connor.

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Traffic screenplay takes top US prize

US writer Stephen Gaghan has won a top award for the screenplay of Oscar-nominated Traffic, which was based on a British TV mini-series.

The film won the Writers Guild of America prize for best screenplay based on material previously produced or published for the big screen.

The awards are seen as a pointer for the Oscars, which are taking place on 25 March.

The top award, for best screenplay written specifically for the screen, went to Kenneth Lonergan for the reunion tale You Can Count On Me.