A delighted audience clapped and cheered as the lights came on after the world premiere of James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" in London yesterday.

The 3-D epic about humans taking extraterrestrial form as they explore a distant world is reportedly one of the most expensive movies ever made, well in excess of the $200 million spent to make "Titanic." The industry is closely watching how audiences respond to Cameron's long-awaited film, which uses cutting-edge digital technology to create dizzying special effects.

Stars Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana joined the crowds on a specially made blue carpet at London's Leicester Square before the gala screening at two massive side-by-side movie theaters.

Cameron said the movie, set on an alien planet being pillaged by humans for natural resources, deals with how indigenous people are treated by newcomers.

LIZ TAYLOR ALL A-TWITTER OVER FANS

Dame Elizabeth Taylor is alive and tweeting.

The famed actress, philanthropist and fragrance designer tells USA Today, via e-mail, that she is feeling "fantastic," despite lingering concerns about her health. Taylor, 77, has been reassuring fans, as well, via Twitter. After heart surgery in October, she posted a message on the social network.

"A girlfriend of mine suggested Twitter as a way to stay in touch and shoot down tabloid silliness," Taylor writes. "I must admit I love being able to talk with people directly without having anyone censor me. The warm love that comes back from people is an embrace."

ANDREWS VIDEO PEEPER MAKES PLEA DEAL

An Illinois insurance executive agreed to plead guilty to interstate stalking for secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, according to court documents filed yesterday.

Michael Barrett, 48, will plead guilty Tuesday in Los Angeles, said the U.S. attorney's office.

Barrett allegedly rented hotel rooms adjacent to Andrews' room in three cities last year, altering the peepholes and secretly shooting videos of Andrews. He's accused of putting the videos on the Internet and trying to sell them to celebrity gossip site TMZ. Several TV networks and newspapers aired or published images from the videos.

COURT ORDERS JON GOSSELIN TO STAY LOW

A Maryland judge ruled yesterday that Jon Gosselin must stop making media appearances and endorsements the TLC network claims violate his contract — such as a Las Vegas pool party with bikini-clad women the celebrity dad recently hosted.

TLC was granted a preliminary injunction, pending the outcome of an April 19 trial. Gosselin's lawyer, Mark Heller, said he is confident Gosselin will win the case and suggested that TLC should be anxious to settle and to resume the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8."