People: Sep. 1, 2003

WHY IT'S GOOD TO BE FLEXIBLE

For the first time ever, the U.S. women's team won the gold medal at the World Gymnastics Championships, the top international competition behind the Olympics. What's more, it won despite losing three of six members to illness or injury. That's HOLLIE VISE, left, nailing her balance-beam routine; alternate CHELLSIE MEMMEL, right, came off the bench to post the day's highest overall score. Even more surprising, American Paul Hamm, 20, won the men's all-around gold, also a historic first. All of which bodes well for next year's Olympics. We couldn't do worse than last time: American gymnasts didn't bring home a single medal from Sydney.

MADE WITH REAL PIMPS?

When you think of rap, do you think cool, crisp, refreshing? The latest fad among hip-hoppers is the signature high-energy beverage. Here's a sampler:

NELLY

The drink Pimp Juice

The taste "Its sweet yet tart flavor mixes perfectly with numerous vodkas," boasts the press release

The image Fun-lovin'. Perfect for pouring on girls at parties

ICE-T

The drink Liquid Ice

The taste Bold, aggressive. It's a thirst killer

The image Hard core. "A true hustler needs energy to keep his game tight," says Ice-T

RUSSELL SIMMONS

The drink DefCon3

The taste Sweet and fizzy. Oh, and it's blue

The image Positive, healthy, socially conscious. It's the un--Pimp Juice!

Everybody Loves Pay

Sure, the family seems dysfunctional on TV, but behind the scenes at the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, things are really dysfunctional. Brad Garrett, far left, who plays Raymond's sad-sack brother Robert, isn't happy about his reported $160,000-an-episode salary, and he hasn't shown up for work since the show started filming its upcoming season last week. The producers had to write him out of the first episode. The show's star, Ray Romano, left, who makes $1.8 million per half-hour of TV time, has said, "I want everybody to get what they deserve, and they will. CBS has always been good, and, sure, it's all going to work out." Hang in there, Brad! After all, it worked out for Suzanne Somers in the end. Or--wait a minute--no, it didn't.