A surprise arrest at the Zurich airport, detention at the hands of Swiss authorities, and a high-profile extradition process that could take weeks or months. The irony is that for Roman Polanski, the acclaimed director accused of child rape three decades ago, the ordeal could add up to one thing: his freedom.

Polanski's arrest Saturday as he arrived in Switzerland for a film festival honor could potentially spur on his legal team's recent motion to dismiss the case, which a judge halted because the director failed to appear in court. But it could also elevate his case into an international ordeal — involving the governments of Switzerland, France and the United States — and potentially complicate his possible extradition to the U.S.

Polanski, the director of such classics as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby," fled the U.S. for France in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, but before he was formally sentenced. His victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement. But she has since joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over.

Geimer, who lives in Kilauea, Kaua'i, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

SNEAK PEEK OF JACKSON FILM SELLS OUT

Michael Jackson is still playing to sellout crowds.

Advance screenings to the music documentary "Michael Jackson: This Is It" sold out within two hours early yesterday as fans who began lining up three days earlier snapped up all 3,000 tickets to the Los Angeles shows.

The documentary opens nationwide Oct. 28, but fans will get a sneak peek the night before in screenings at the new Regal Cinemas Stadium 14. For the theater's grand opening, the cinema will show "This Is It" on all 14 screens that night.

'SNL' NEWCOMER SWEARS DURING DEBUT

"Saturday Night Live" has started the season with a bang, or, more precisely, an F-bomb.

Newcomer Jenny Slate let the dreaded word slip during a parody of a talk show by biker women. Called "Biker Chick Chat," the sketch was laden with tough talk from its participants, played by Slate, Kristen Wiig and guest host Megan Fox.

Midway through the sketch, Slate slipped and said the word she meant to avoid.

"You know what? You stood up for yourself," she declared, "and I (expletive) love you for that."

She puffed her cheeks, perhaps realizing her error, but the sketch continued with no interruption or further flubs.

'CLOUDY' COMES OUT ON TOP AGAIN

Movie fans are lining up for a second helping of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs."

The animated tale took in $24.6 million to remain No. 1 for a second weekend. It raised its domestic haul to $60 million after 10 days in theaters.

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" fended off Bruce Willis' action thriller "Surrogates," which debuted at No. 2 with $15 million.