BERLIN — Steve Martin says Inspector Clouseau of "The Pink Panther" is "the comedian's Hamlet," and he's unfazed by poor reviews of the bumbling detective's latest outing.

Martin came to the Berlin film festival yesterday with "The Pink Panther 2," which is showing out of competition at the event.

"To me, Inspector Clouseau is the comedian's Hamlet," Martin said at a news conference. "It's one of the most difficult roles to play, I think."

Martin shrugged aside critical barbs aimed at the sequel to 2006's "The Pink Panther."

"I have received bad reviews my whole life," he said. "I received bad reviews when I started with my standup act. 'The Jerk' — one of my most enduring comedy films — was universally panned in America, and comedies always have to overcome critical snobbery."

MANGIONE BAND LOSES 2 IN CRASH

NEW YORK — Two members of jazz musician Chuck Mangione's band were among those killed on the plane that crashed into a house in Buffalo, N.Y., a publicist said yesterday.

The band members were Gerry Niewood, 64, of Rochester, N.Y., and Coleman Mellett of Maryland. Niewood played saxophone and flute and Mellett was a guitarist.

In a statement, Mangione said: "I'm in shock over the horrible, heartbreaking tragedy of the crash of Flight 3407, which took the lives of my dear friends and band members."

Mangione and his band postponed yesterday's concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall.

GABRIEL BOYCOTTS OSCAR SONG STAGE

LOS ANGELES — Peter Gabriel's minute in the Oscars spotlight will lack an important element: Peter Gabriel.

The Oscar-nominated singer won't perform at the Feb. 22 ceremony to protest an apparently revamped presentation of best original song contenders. Gabriel says in a video on his Web site that he objects to the songs being shortened to 65 seconds apiece and made part of a medley.

Gabriel is nominated with Thomas Newman for "Down To Earth" from "WALL-E."

The British musician says he'll still attend the Oscars, but is hoping a gospel choir will stand in for him onstage.

Organizers have warned that this year's ceremony will be full of new twists, including the way categories are presented.

BABY COWBOY FOR KEVIN COSTNER

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Costner and his wife are proud parents of a baby boy.

Costner's wife, Christine Baumgartner, 34, gave birth to Hayes Logan Costner Thursday night in Los Angeles, his publicist said. He weighs 8 pounds, 15 ounces.

The 54-year-old actor told AP Radio before the baby was born that he would name him Hayes, after "a cowboy character" in a western he plans to film. Costner calls Hayes "a great western name."

He's the second son for Costner and Baumgartner. Costner also has three grown children from a previous marriage.