Filmmaker Kevin Smith has won an appeal to lower the adults-only NC-17 rating for his comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," to an R rating.

Motion Picture Association of America spokeswoman Elizabeth Kaltman said Tuesday the rating was revised after the group's appeals board viewed the movie.

The NC-17 rating would have prohibited anyone younger than 17 from seeing the movie. With an R rating, those under 17 can see it in the company of an adult.

LIL JON STRIKES DEAL

Lil Jon, who was musical limbo after his longtime record label TVT Records went bankrupt earlier this year, has reached an agreement that frees him from his TVT obligations while entering into a new venture with digital entertainment company The Orchard, which is purchasing TVT's assets.

Lil Jon will work with the Orchard's Brand Entertainment Group to develop "lifestyle-oriented marketing and promotion programs," as well as serve as a consultant for some of Orchard's artists, labels, and branding opportunities, according to a joint statement from both parties.

As part of the deal, Lil Jon withdrew his objections to TVT's sale to Orchard. In return, Orchard released Lil Jon from any contractual obligations left over from TVT and allowed him the rights to the master recordings of his upcoming album, "Crunk Rock." The Orchard also will digitally issue Lil Jon's back catalog, for which he will provide new material, according to the statement.

FREEMAN RECOVERING

Morgan Freeman is doing well after surgery to reconnect nerves and repair damage to his left arm and hand following a car wreck Sunday night, his publicist said.

The surgery Monday night "lasted approximately four and a half hours including recovery and he is in good spirits and was visiting with family members this morning," Donna Lee, Freeman's publicist, said in a statement Tuesday.

GRAMMER GOES HOME

Kelsey Grammer is returning home after being hospitalized in New York.

The 53-year-old actor, who suffered a heart attack in June, had checked himself into an undisclosed hospital the last weekend in July as a precaution when he felt faint.

'KNIGHT' STILL CLIMING

Add another entry for "The Dark Knight" in Hollywood's record books: The Batman sequel has climbed past $400 million at the box office in just 18 days, the fastest pace ever, a studio executive said Tuesday.

As of Monday, "The Dark Knight" had taken in $400.04 million domestically, according to distributor Warner Bros.

Jeff Goldstein, general sales manager for Warner, said the film hit that mark in less than half the time it took for the previous record-holder, "Shrek 2," which crossed the $400 million level on its 43rd day of release.

PEEPING HOSPITAL WORKERS

More than 120 workers at a Los Angeles hospital looked at celebrities' medical records and other personal information without permission between January 2004 and June 2006 -- nearly double the number initially reported earlier this year, according to a state report.

The report, released Monday by the California Department of Public Health, also said three staffers at the UCLA Medical Center continued to look at the confidential records of a "well-known individual" after a crackdown of record-peeking in April. The state report didn't release the name of that celebrity.