[LETTERHEAD]

                                 EXHIBIT 5.1

                                April 20, 1998




Board of Directors
Scoop, Inc.
2540 Red Hill Avenue
Suite 100
Santa Ana, California 92705

          Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
               ----------------------------------

Gentlemen:

          At your request we have examined the Registration Statement on Form 
S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by you with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,500,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, 
$.01 par value, of Scoop, Inc. (the "Company"), none of which are issued and 
outstanding as of the date hereof, but which are issuable upon exercise of 
options previously granted under the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan of Scoop, Inc. 
(the "Plan"), as amended.

          We have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have
considered appropriate for purposes of rendering the opinions expressed 
below. 

          We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction 
of only the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and we assume no 
responsibility as to the application to the subject transaction, or the 
effect thereon, of any other laws, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or 
as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies 
within any other state.

          Subject to the foregoing and in reliance thereon, we are of the 
opinion that, upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Plan and 
the issuance and sale of the Shares, each in the manner contemplated by the 
Registration Statement and each in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and 
subject to the Company completing all action and proceedings required on its 
part to be taken prior to the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the terms of 
the Plan and the Registration Statement, including, without limitation, 
collection of required payment for the Shares, the Shares will be legally and 
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable securities of the Company.

          We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,


                                   /s/ Latham & Watkins 




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