Ramin Setoodeh

'LOST'(ABC) MAY 25, 8 P.M., ET The story so far: The islanders are building a raft so some of the cast can escape. What, they couldn't just get out of their contracts?

Sunday is Mother's Day: time to buy roses. We ordered four small bouquets and polled moms to see what they thought.SITE: 1800Flowers COST: $43.43 SPECIAL DELIVERY: You choose hand or mail delivery.

On a sunny spring day in southern California, a handful of factory workers are scurrying around in heavy black winter parkas. At the Dreyer's ice cream plant in Bakersfield--where they turn out such treats as Drumstick cones, Push-Up pops, ice-cream sandwiches and flavors like double-fudge brownie and rocky road--it's never time to be wearing short sleeves.

"Here now summer's coming around again." But the Carly Simon lyrics don't tell you the best way to shed those extra pounds gained during winter. Atkins is out.

Q&A: Ray RomanoAfter nine years, "everybody Loves Raymond" is going off the air. The final episode will show on May 16. Ray took time to speak to NEWSWEEK's Nicki Gostin.Have you filmed the last episode?

Q&A: ELLEN BARKINEllen Barkin is as feisty and outspoken as ever. She's starring in Todd Solondz's controversial new movie, "Palindromes." She talked with NEWSWEEK's Nicki Gostin.Were you nervous taking on this role?No, I was more than honored.

Could this be act two of Christo's "Gates"? Men's raincoats this spring are popping up in shades of orange. How do you pull off the trend without looking like a pumpkin?

Harvard officials announced last week that they would divest $4.4 million in shares of a company linked to Sudan. Why? They were persuaded by students who mounted a campaign against the genocide in the country's Darfur region, allegedly perpetrated by the Sudanese government.

FASHIONStep Into SpringPack up your boots, put away those pumps and say adieu to Uggs. Spring has officially arrived and, with it, a new crop of shoes that celebrate longer days, warmer nights and the first show of bare legs.

It's lunchtime in Iowa City, and after a bite of her veggie sandwich, Wendi Winkie starts reading student papers. But these aren't just any classroom essays--they're from the new SAT, which launched in March with a new writing section.

After a hit on the Cartoon Network, Japan pop stars Ami and Yumi are taking over. But haven't we seen this act? PERI investigates:RelationPuffy AmiYumi Met at an audition nine years ago; they're BFFsMary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Twin sistersAgesPuffy AmiYumi 31 (Ami), 30Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Both 18Animated SeriesPuffy AmiYumi"Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" has a big tween followingMary-Kate and Ashley Olsen "Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action!" lasted a season.

Who is Jude Law? Audiences missed his movies last year, so how will you decide which version of Jude to spend the night with? A cheat sheet.MOVIE 'Alfie'LOVE INTERESTS Susan Sarandon: 26 yrs.

How do you phone home? More than a million consumers have discovered VoIP--voice over Internet protocol--to make local and long-distance calls over the Internet.

You're a "Star Wars" fan who can't wait to see Hayden Christensen become Darth Vader in "Revenge of the Sith" (May 19). But wouldn't you rather undergo that transformation?

Avoid "Rebirth." J. Lo needs one after that Grammy performance, but judging by her new single, "Get Right," and the fact that Sony wouldn't give up a review copy, it may be more like a "Nail in the Coffin."Buy "Classic Comedies Collection" ($69).

"I'm a nurse," says Jenni Hanson, 23. "Do you want to hold the newborn?" Only Hanson's not really a nurse. And she's not offering the children who crowd around her a real baby.

All bets are off at this year's Oscars, thanks to host Chris Rock who might prompt more bleeps than a broken smoke alarm. But if you had to make some bets, say, in an Oscar pool, wouldn't you want a little help?

You'll be tickled by what Elmo can do now. This fall, Fisher-Price will introduce a new talking plush toy based on the "Sesame Street" character that says your child's name, counts down to his birthday and lets him know when it's time for lunch.

Rent "The Greatest American Hero." Believe it or not, high-school teacher Ralph Hinkley inherits a superhero costume from aliens but loses the instructions in this '80s cult hit.Hear "Never Scared." Chris Rock's new comedy album takes aim at rappers and strippers.

The latest comic-book superheroes are from a real different world--Hollywood. These days, TV and movie scribes are cranking out comics. Even directors are in the game; Bryan Singer ("X-Men") and Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") will publish later this year.

If you're the kind of person who'd get married at an amusement park, we've got excellent news. Now you can buy your wedding dress there, too. Universal Studios Hollywood just opened a new discount store with couture fashion worn by celebrities. (The park snatches up the goods from TV-set racks after the stars undress.) There's even underwear.

Apply for "The Apprentice" (NBC.com for info) by Thursday. But if you're going to beat out thousands just to quit in the third episode, try for "Wheel of Fortune" instead.Buy "Full House" on DVD ($30) and relive the days when we thought Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were one person.

But can I succeed? Will the Guru of the Green yell: "You're fired!"? Stay tuned.5 a.m. The alarm rings. I wake up, shower, cut myself shaving, put on my olive-green suit and stumble outside.

Wacko Jacko, as Court TV kicks up its coverage. (A new documentary airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.) With jury selection underway, this case is shaping up to be a real...

RENT "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow." Hey, Jude--sorry no one saw your movies last year. This was your best... next to "Alfie" and "Closer." But it sure beats "I [HEART] Huckabees."EAT Pillsbury ice cream.

The party started for Candy Williams of Phoenix, Ariz., when she brought home a karaoke machine last year. Now she and her husband croon songs together after dinner--and even yodel, on occasion.

Fox's hit series "24" kicks off its fourth season with a disturbing story line: a seemingly normal, suburban American Muslim family is actually a sleeper terrorist cell bent on destroying Western society.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm"'s third season, out on DVD Tuesday. Squirm as Larry David hurls inappropriate comments at a widow, a little kid and a crazed nanny."Sixteen Acres," by Philip Nobel (Metropolitan Books. $25).

In the coming weeks on "The O.C.," Marissa develops a female love interest. But what some fans really want to know is whether there's more than just brotherly affection between the show's male leads, Seth and Ryan. "Well, yeah, they're lovers," creator Josh Schwartz tells NEWSWEEK.He's kidding--but not everyone's so sure.

If "Million Dollar Baby" (still in limited release) hasn't made it to your corner yet, step into the ring with these worthy contenders. 'Rocky' Stallone improves his game ("Yo, Adrian!") in this 1976 crowd-pleaser that won the Oscar. 'The Champ' Skip the 1931 version in favor of the campy remake with Jon Voight as a washed-up boxer and Rick Schroder as his son. 'Girlfight': A little-seen jewel about a teen girl who trains to take on the boys.