Randy and Evi Quaid finally appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to felony charges of defrauding a hotel.

The couple skipped previous court hearings without explanation after being accused of using an invalid credit card to defraud San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif., of more than $10,000.

Their attorney Robert Sanger did not immediately return a call seeking comment. He has said the Quaids repaid the hotel and hoped to resolve the case. Another hearing was set for March 1.

Quaid is best-known for roles in films such as "Independence Day" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." He is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid.

MURPHY HAD MORE FILMS IN THE WORKS

Brittany Murphy was a hardworking actress who was juggling multiple movie projects in the months leading up to her unexpected death.

While none of the films boasted the big budgets of Murphy's "8 Mile" or "Sin City," directors who recently worked with the 32-year-old actress say she was dedicated, insightful and happy as she wrapped two indie thrillers and prepared to start shooting a romantic comedy next month.

Murphy was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after collapsing at her Hollywood Hills home Sunday morning. The county coroner's office is awaiting the results of tests before releasing an official cause of death.

Murphy spent the month of June shooting the thriller "Abandoned." Director Michael Feifer said the actress was delightful to work with and dedicated to the project. "She knew her material, and she was on her game," he said yesterday.

RAGING AGAINST THE 'X FACTOR' MACHINE

A grass-roots Facebook campaign has spoiled "American Idol" mogul Simon Cowell's Christmas by denying one of his new acts the prestigious Christmas No. 1 spot in Britain.

Thanks to a Facebook campaign that capitalized on growing unhappiness with Cowell's cookie-cutter approach to pop stardom, the anti-establishment Rage Against the Machine came out ahead of Joe McElderry, winner of Cowell's popular "X Factor" TV competition.

Rage Against the Machine finished first with a surge of support for their 1992 hit "Killing in the Name," which became the first Christmas No. 1 in Britain supported only by downloads.

T.I. MOVING TO ATLANTA HALFWAY HOUSE

Atlanta rapper T.I. has been released from a federal prison in Arkansas and is headed to a halfway house in Georgia.

A lawyer for T.I. said the rapper was released yesterday morning. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., last May began serving his sentence of a year and a day for illegal firearms possession and possessing a gun as a convicted felon.

Steve Sadow said his client was expected to report to Dismas Charities halfway house in Atlanta last night and will be there for up to three months.