Actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s declaration “I’m the king of the world!” in “Titanic” has been voted the cheesiest line in movie history, according to a survey of 2,000 British moviegoers, reports the BBC.

Patrick Swayze’s famous line in “Dirty Dancing” – “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” – came second in the survey.

“Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed,” uttered by Andie MacDowell at the end of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” was placed third.

Swayze makes another unenviable appearance at fourth place in Ghost, although the cheesy line belongs to co-star Demi Moore. “I love you,” Swayze says, to which Moore replies: “Ditto.”

“Top Gun” came fifth for the moment Val Kilmer tells Tom Cruise: “You can be my wingman any time.”

Julia Roberts’ line from “Notting Hill” – “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her” – was voted sixth.

Bill Pullman is at seven for the moment when, as U.S. President, he vows to fight off alien invasion: “Today we celebrate our Independence Day.”

Eighth place went to this Mel Gibson line from “Braveheart”: “They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!”

Renee Zellweger was ninth on the list for the line in “Jerry Maguire” when she says to Tom Cruise: “You had me at hello.”

And a line delivered by Kevin Costner in his flop “The Postman” rounds off the top 10.

“You’re a godsend, a saviour,” a blind woman tells his character. “No,” he replies. “I’m a postman.”

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MCENROE SHOW AXED

Former tennis player John McEnroe’s TV talk show has been axed by US cable channel CNBC after poor ratings.

The show, called “McEnroe,” was watched by an average of 75,000 people a night – and sometimes got an audience of zero in the official TV ratings system.

“McEnroe” launched in July with TV bosses hoping his outspoken attitude and opinions would be a draw for viewers.

His guests have included actors such as Tom Hanks and Kevin Kline and music stars Elton John and Sting.

The show, which is broadcast on weeknights, will be off the air by the end of the year, CNBC said.

McEnroe also had a stint hosting game show “The Chair” in 2002.

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Funny, like a gangster

Comedian Joe Piscopo wants to change the popular stereotypes of Italian Americans promoted on television and in movies.

The former “Saturday Night Live” star attended a panel discussion at Seton Hall University in New Jersey that examined why, according to one attendee, prejudice against Italians is tacitly accepted in popular culture.

Piscopo, who said he is embarrassed by some of the stereotypical Italian characters he has played, is at work on a movie that portrays an Italian-American family from northern New Jersey. He is determined to get the film made, though he said he has run into difficulties because it is not gangster-related.

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MOTHERHOOD MAKES ROBERTS PICKIER

New mother Julia Roberts has started telling fans to get used to not seeing her on the big screen – because she’ll only be signing up for projects that blow her away.

The 37-year-old “Closer” actress, who recently gave birth to twins, insists she’s planning a lengthy break away from the limelight to become a full-time mom and she’ll only act if scripts are impossible to turn down.

She says, “The script will have to blow me away. The babies will be a great factor, like anything that makes your life more interesting and more enjoyable. Scripts will have to continue to compete with the quality of my life.”

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BONO VS. POVERTY

Bono has pledged to spend the rest of his life trying to help the impoverished around the world.

The U2 frontman said in an interview with the BBC that he wanted the current generation to be “remembered for something other than the Internet.”

It should be “the first generation to eradicate extreme poverty,” he said.

“I want to spend the rest of my life doing that.” His bandmates complained but supported his causes he said, adding it still felt great to be in U2.

Bono has been a high-profile campaigner on issues including third world debt and AIDS, and has a close relationship with some of the world’s most important politicians.

He said 1985’s Live Aid concert, raising money for the starving in Africa, made him see what could be achieved.

“That day changed my life and started me on this incredible adventure,” he said.

World leaders looked at him “like I’m some sort of exotic plant.”

“But I’ve found them to be very respectful. When I met Bill Clinton, I looked like our road crew and he burst out laughing.

“I don’t feel nervous, I feel they should be nervous because they’re the ones who have to be held accountable.”

U2 have just released their 11th studio album, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” which has gone to No. 1 around the world.

“We feel like we’ve just made our first album, we don’t like looking back,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to be in this band at the moment.”

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“TREASURE’ KEEPS UP GOLD STREAK

The Founding Fathers keep earning interest on their loot. Nicolas Cage’s “National Treasure,” about a race to find a fortune hidden by the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was the top movie for a third straight weekend with $17.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The action flick lifted its total to $110.2 million after 17 days in release, dominating a quiet post-Thanksgiving weekend with no new movies debuting in wide release.

Mike Nichols’ caustic sex drama “Closer” starring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen opened strongly in narrower release, taking in $7.7 million.

The martial-arts epic “House of Flying Daggers,” a strong contender for the foreign-language Academy Award, premiered well in limited release. Directed by Zhang Yimou (“Hero”), the film grossed $417,020 in 15 theaters for a $27,801 average.

“National Treasure,” a reunion between Cage and producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“The Rock”), surprised box-office analysts with its staying power.

The movie’s box-office reign is expected to end next weekend with the debut of the star-studded heist sequel “Ocean’s Twelve,” whose cast includes George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Roberts.

Oliver Stone’s historical epic “Alexander,” which opened to poor reviews, grossed $4.7 million, down 65 percent from its debut the previous weekend. Alexander, which reportedly cost $150 million to make, took in just $29.7 million in its first 12 days.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

1. “National Treasure,” $17.1 million.

2. “Christmas With the Kranks,” $11.7 million.

3. “The Polar Express,” $11 million.

4. “The Incredibles,” $9.2 million.

5. “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” $7.8 million.

6. “Closer,” $7.7 million.

7. “Alexander,” $4.7 million.

8. “Finding Neverland,” $2.9 million.

9. “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” $2.8 million.

10. “Ray,” $1.9 million.

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Monday’s Birthdays

Jazz musician Dave Brubeck is 84. Actor Miles Chapin is 50. Comedian Steven Wright is 49. Country singer Bill Lloyd is 49. Rock musician Peter Buck (R.E.M.) is 48. Rock musician Ulf “Buddha” Ekberg (Ace of Base) is 34.

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(Compiled by Monica Roos from staff and wire reports.)

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(c) 2004, The Miami Herald.

Visit The Miami Herald Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.herald.com/

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

AP-NY-12-05-04 1716EST