THE HYPE MORE, MORE, MORE THERE'S EXCESS 'SEX' ON HBO THIS YEAR, SO ENJOY!

Some people can never have enough sex ... we mean ``Sex and the City.''

Not only will the racy HBO series starring Sarah Jessica Parker as New York City columnist Carrie Bradshaw be returning for a new season on Sunday, but there will be more of it this year.

Afraid that there would be a writers strike, HBO hurried to finish six episodes that would have been all there was for a new season had there been a walkout. Now that the writers have settled, the cable network believes it can finish another 12 episodes - about its normal season - before a possible actors strike at the end of June. (``The Sopranos'' runs a 13-week season.)

The six extra episodes will air in the fall after HBO's 10-hour, $120 million World War II miniseries ``Band of Brothers,'' which begins Sept. 9, ends its run.

If that isn't enough ``Sex,'' a three-disc DVD set of the entire second season has just been released (HBO, $49.98).

For those of you who don't get HBO and don't know what all the fuss is about, ``Sex and the City'' follows the sophisticated love lives of the randy Samantha (Kim Cattrall), the relatively straitlaced Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and cynical Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), as seen through the eyes of Carrie (Parker), who also chronicles her romantic escapades. Parker took home Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards this year for her role.

As hip, modern women living in a NYC jungle, these four never seem to find guys who are just straight, or they find men who are too straight ... or too straightforward.

Don't expect ``Sex'' to end up on a broadcast channel like some cable shows. The talk is too frank, the sex is ... well, we won't go into that, and the laughs are big.

- Rob Lowman

QUOTABLE 

`` 'Baywatch' is like a brand name that will probably be made fun of for the rest of the millennium.''

- ``Baywatch'' star and producer David Hasselhoff

FILM BEAT

MORE MORETTI: Fresh from his Palme D'Or win at the Cannes Film Festival, Italian director Nanni Moretti is expected to attend the U.S. premiere tonight of his award-winning film, ``The Son's Room.'' American Cinematheque is hosting the drama, about a bereaved family, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to open its weekend series titled ``I Am Self-Sufficient: The Films of Nanni Moretti.'' Like Woody Allen, Moretti has developed a loyal following for his films, which he writes, directs and stars in. His own characters tend to suffer neuroses and obsessions, and the stories bring gentle or dark humor to day-to-day problems. American Cinematheque cautions that tonight's 7:30 screening could sell out in advance (call 323-466-3456 to check), but the rest of the series, including his well-known 1993 film ``Dear Diary,'' offers a chance to get acquainted with Moretti's work. Information: www.egyptiantheatre.

- Valerie Kuklenski

PARTY PARTY PARTY

GO 'BLIND': Singles, you better work on those pickup lines. Recruiters from UPN's reality-based relationship show ``Blind Date'' will be scouring the Century Club tonight in search of prospective daters during what's being touted as the biggest singles bash in all of Los Angeles. The show's host, Roger Lodge, will be on hand to get the party started. There will be tons of giveaways and a DJ spinning dance music. The event is free from 7 to 10 p.m. Listen to KIIS-FM (102.7) for information on how to get free party passes. Or call the Century Club (10131 Constellation Blvd.) at [phone].

- Sandra Barrera

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) The women of HBO's ``Sex and the City'' - Cynthia Nixon, left, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall - start their third season Sunday night.

(2) no caption (David Hasselhoff)

(3) MORETTI

Associated Press

(4) LODGE