I Have A Lot To Share

Who's hot, what's not, Vol. 7

Neil Diamond is on the kind of roll he has not experienced since the 1970s ... we find that Ashton Kutcher has -- ummm, well, you'll just have to read on to find out ... Jimmy Fallon is back! ... and someone, anyone get a message to Hillary Clinton.

POP CULTURE POP 5

Neil Diamond's appearance on American
Idol helped his CD, "Home Before Dark,"
become No. 1 in the nation.

NEIL DIAMOND (again!): Never ever underestimate the power of "American Idol." Diamond, who guest starred on Idol a few weeks back and debuted the song "Pretty Amazing Grace" to much critical acclaim. The CD that song came from, "Home Before Dark," is now No. 1 in the nation, pushing past the likes of Mariah Carey and Madonna. Diamond is all of a sudden back on the "cool" list. And while we're on the subject of Neil Diamond, isn't it about time he gets voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Is it not a crime that the likes of such non-talents as the Sex Pistols, Frank Zappa and Grandmaster Flash are in the hall and Neil Diamond is not?

KID EINSTEIN: With the end of another school year approaching, college sophomore Moshe Kai Cavalin is cramming for final exams in classes such as advanced mathematics, foreign languages and music. But Cavalin is only 10 years old. Within a year, if he keeps up his grades and completes the rest of his requirements, he hopes to transfer from his two-year program at East Los Angeles College to a prestigious four-year school and study astrophysics.

ASHTON KUTCHER: Actor Ashton Kutcher may have been dealt the imperfection of webbed feet, but it seems he can use the genetic mishap to save animals from slaughter. Animals rights group PETA has just sent the "What Happens in Vegas" star a letter expressing its "excitement" over learning of his condition and requesting he use his "unique" feet for a good cause. Geez, some guys have all the luck.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL: The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones film franchise opens in the U.S. May 22 and the buzz is building. Be there.

JIMMY FALLON: The former "Saturday Night Live" regular is succeeding Conan O'Brien as the host of NBC's "Late Night" sometime in the middle of next year. O'Brien is succeeding Jay Leno as host of the "Tonight Show." I think Fallon will be great in this role, which is more than I can say O'Brien ever was -- or will be. Watching Conan O'Brien is akin to fingernails on a blackboard. When O'Brien replaces Leno the biggest celebration will be at CBS, where David Letterman is guaranteed of reclaiming his No. 1 position among the late night talkfests.

POP CULTURE BOTTOM 5

SPEED RACER: The much-hyped sc-fi action adventure looks like the first box office bomb of the warm weather months. Opening to only a fraction of the audience what producers were anticipating, "Speed Racer" DVDs could be in the bargain bin sooner than Ashlee Simpson's latest CD.

NAKED THIEF: A Malaysian woman woke up to a real-life nightmare, discovering that the naked man who had slipped into her bed in the middle of the night was a thief, not her husband, a Reuters News Service report said. The 36-year-old housewife was asleep when the thief, noticing that her husband was fast asleep on the couch, quietly stripped off and lay down beside her, the report said. The dozing woman's suspicions were raised when she spoke to him and his voice sounded strange, the paper said. The thief then jumped out a nearby window before being discovered by the woman's husband.

HILLARY CLINTON: Somebody please tell her the race is over.

JACKSON 5: How the mighty have fallen. Once considered the undisputed kings of pop music, the Jackson Five raked in seven-figure paychecks for single performances and sold more than 100 million albums, second only to the Beatles. But the band of brothers has fallen on hard times. The New York Post recently learned that one of the brothers stocks groceries, another repairs cars and others live at home with their parents, who are at risk of losing their five-acre mansion. And then there's Michael ...

JOHN McCAIN: He may have the Republican nomination locked up, but in recent primaries, GOP voters have shown they are not exactly enamored with him. Mike Huckabee received a whopping 27 percent of the vote in the recent Pennsylvania primary.

Whatever happened to ..., Vol. 6

I don't know about you, but as a wee lad in the 1970s I was hopelessly devoted to Olivia Newton-John, only she didn't know it. And I remember a decade earlier liking the Dave Clark 5 more than the Beatles. Oh where has the time gone?

Olivia Newton-John will forever be
remembered for her role as
"Sandy" in "Grease."

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: This one's a request from one of our regular blogytes, "Earl," from rural Missouri. Olivia, now 59 (where did the years go?), became one of America's favorite performers following her role as "Sandy" in Grease, one of the late 1970s' most successful musical films. Although she also had some country hits before and some mainstream pop breakouts afterward, the Aussie star remains most recognized for her "Grease" exploits. She announced in 1992 she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Newton-John released "Olivia's Live Hits" in January. She is now raising funds to build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia. She led a three-week, 228-kilometer walk along the Great Wall of China last month, joined by various celebrities and cancer survivors throughout her trek. The walk symbolized the steps cancer patients must take on their road to recovery.

CAPTAIN AND TENNILLE: The singing duo -- Daryl Dragon, 65, and Toni Tennille, 68 -- that gave us "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Muskrat Love" is still together. They've been married since 1975. Dragon was once a keyboardist for The Beach Boys in the early 1970s and his future wife was a backup singer for the group. Dragon was given the nickname "Captain Keyboard" by singer Beach Boys singer Mike Love, and has been known ever since as "The Captain." Another little known fact is Tennille sang backup for Pink Floyd on "The Wall." The duo is still singing, recording and tackling various songwriting projects for film and CD.

JENNIFER GREY: Grey, 48, will forever be remembered for two roles. One is Ferris Bueller's sister in 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and the other is Patrick Swayze's partner in 1987's "Dirty Dancing." She is still acting in made-for-TV films.

DAVE CLARK 5: The band was part of the original "British Invasion" phenomenon of the 1960s. The DC5 was probably the "loudest" English act act until the arrival of the Who. The Dave Clark 5's first major hit was 1964's "Glad All Over," the first of 17 top 40 hits from 1964-1967.The Dave Clark 5's 13 appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show were more than either the Beatles or Rolling Stones. Leader and drummer Dave Clark is now a successful entrepreneur and entertainment promoter. Lead vocalist Mike Smith died earlier this year following a 2003 injury that left him paralyzed. Saxaphonist Denny Payton died in late 2006. Bassist Rick Huxley was in the electrical wholesale business at last report. Guitarist Lenny Davidson is still entertaining.

ANSON WILLIAMS: He'll always be Warren "Potsie" Weber on Happy Days, although he went on to establish himself as a successful TV and film director. Some of his credits include "Beverly Hills 90210" and "L.A. Law." Williams, 55, is the nephew of Dr. Henry Heimlich, creator of the "Heimlich maneuver." He's still active in the television and film industry.

In some cases, even I will pick up this check

Ten people, in no particular order, I would like to go to have dinner and conversation with:

1. ROD STEWART: This meeting would last all night, because I would want to know the story behind every song he ever recorded, starting with "Maggie May."

2. THE REV. RICK WARREN: What's it like to be considered the next "America's pastor," arguably the nation's most influential theologian AND a nice guy? This would be another long conversation, because I definitely want to pick his brain about the contemporary Christian movement.

3. SIMON COWELL: I have a sneaking suspicion that Mr. Cowell is really a nice guy. And with the success of American Idol, I'd definitely allow him to pick up the check.

Dinner with Letterman would
give me a chance to find out
why he's grown so bitter.

4. BARACK OBAMA: He fascinates me, and I admire the way he has handled himself during this neverending primary process. Already one of this generation's great orators, I want to get a sense if true substance is behind the impressive flash. I also disagree with him on some specific issues, so the conversation could get heated. But we'll shake hands at the end of the night.

5. GEORGE W. BUSH: His life story also fascinates me. We'd only talk for a few hours about politics. The rest of the evening would be about baseball and his days as owner of the Texas Rangers.

6. DAVID LETTERMAN: I was among his early viewers, back when he had a morning show on NBC that developed into the the ratings smash that followed Johnny Carson late at night. I know a great deal of this talk would involve how he evolved into such a bitter man, allowing his political views to affect his on-air performance. That's really a shame.

7. KEITH OLBERMANN: I loved him on ESPN, but I think he's a schmuck on MSNBC's "Countdown." I want to know what happened to the old Keith. The second half of the evening we would talk baseball cards. We're both collectors, only Keith's is one of the world's most complete.

8. DONNA MILLS: Any fan of the old "Knots Landing" series on CBS will understand this selection. I would be happy to just sit and listen to her talk.

9. JIM TRESSEL: He could run for governor of Ohio and the vote would not be close. He took a college football program that was already among the nation's top 10 and made it even stronger. Low-key, mild-mannered and the picture of class, all his teams do is win. Oh, they drop a BCS national title game every now and then, which Michigan fans enjoy pointing out. But then again, when was the last time Michigan reached the BCS championship game? Oh, that's right. Never.

10. JERRY SEINFELD: I'd just say, "Jerry, entertain me." And three, four, five hours later I'd be sitting there, working on another dessert, and still be laughing.

(To be continued)

Knucklehead-lines in the Knews, Vol. 5

Have there been days when you wondered if there actually any sane people were left in the world? This may be one of them. Read on.

THE BONG SHOW: Authorities in Texas have filed corpse-abuse charges against two men who allegedly removed a skull from a grave in the Houston area and used it as a bong. One of the men allegedly told police they dug up a grave in an abandoned cemetery in the woods, removed a head from a body and smoked marijuana using the skull as a bong. Misdemeanor abuse of corpse charges have been filed in the case.

Comment: Just when you think you have heard, read and/or seen everything, along come these guys. I guess my main question is: Were they just sitting around and thought of this ... or what?

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE: A New York bride and groom have pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after they were arrested at their wedding reception last week after the bride trashed a set of conga drums in a spat with the band. The Associated Press reports the bride also was accused of breaking a speaker in a dispute over the music at the April 5 reception. Fabiana Reyes has been sentenced to the six days she already spent in jail. The 41-year-old also paid the band $1,500 for the damage. Her 42-year-old husband and their 21-year-old daughter were accused of interfering with Reyes’ arrest. Police used stun guns on both during the fracas. The daughter says the couple were legally married in 1986 but delayed their church wedding until last month.

Comment: I’m not sure what is weirder — the Reyes’ actions or that they had their reception 22 years after the wedding.

WHOAAAAA: Michelle Duggar, a 41-year-old Arkansas woman, is pregnant with her 18th child. Duggar says she is due on New Year’s Day. The latest addition to the family will join seven sisters and 10 brothers, all of whose names start with the letter J. The Duggars’ oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months. Duggar and her husband, Jim Bob, say they plan to keep having children as long as God wills it. Duggar has been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life. The other Duggar children, in between Joshua and Jennifer, are Jana, 18; John-David, 18; Jill, 16; Jessa, 15; Jinger, 14; Joseph, 13; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 9; Jedidiah, 9; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 5; Jackson, 3; and Johannah, 2.

Comment: Did I miss it, or is there no Jim Bob Jr.?

BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: There appeared to be enough momentum and interest inside the inner circle that controls college football’s Bowl Championship Series to bring about a four-team playoff for the national title. At the last minute, however, there were enough cold feet that (any sort of) playoff plan was denied.

Comment: Let’s see, the fans have begged for this for years, it would be a financial bonanza, and the bowl system would remain intact. Yeah ... it would never work.

EASY DOES IT: Steve Wilder said he thought he was going to die when he awoke one night last week and couldn’t breathe, so the Omaha, Neb., man used a steak knife to perform an at-home tracheotomy, reports TV station WOWT. Wilder said he didn’t call 911 because he didn’t think help would arrive in time. So the 55-year-old got a steak knife from the kitchen and made a small hole in his throat, allowing air to gush in. Wilder suffered from throat cancer and related breathing problems several years ago. About that time, he had an episode where he couldn’t breath because his air passages swelled shut. He said that’s what happened this time around. Doctors don’t expect Wilder to suffer any adverse affects from the tracheotomy once it’s healed.

Comment: Technically, Wilder does not qualify as a knucklehead, but this is just so bizarre I had to use it.

Who's hot, who's not ... Round 6

POP CULTURE POP FIVE

NEIL DIAMOND: Following a recent performance on "American Idol," his "Home Before Dark" CD is now one of the nation's hottest, boosted by the single "Pretty Amazing Grace," which one reviewer aptly described as a perfect compliment to his first major hit, "Cherry, Cherry" back in 1966.

Robert Downey Jr.'s "Ironman" movie
had a great first weekend release.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR.: Finally, some good news to report on the actor who has battled substance abuse for years. His "Iron Man" movie enjoyed the 10th-best three-day opening ever at $104 million, was the 10th movie premiere to exceed $100 million, and the No. 2 debut of all-time for a non-sequel, trailing only Spider-Man's $114.8 million.

HILLARY CLINTON: Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" earlier this week to deliver the "Top 10" reasons she loves America, which included the ability to order her trademark pantsuits around the clock on the Internet.

BARACK OBAMA: The other Democratic presidential contender received the backing of actor Tom Hanks, who compared Obama's leadership skills to John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. "I want Barack Obama to be president of this country, a country that once said people with his skin color were only three-fifths of a
human being," Hanks said. Obama has already gained celebrity backing from a slew of Hollywood luminaries, including George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson and Halle Berry.

IRVINE ROBBINS: We offer a posthumous "hot" award to the co-founder of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream, who died earlier this week at age 90. Robbins helped bring Rocky Road, Pralines 'n Cream and other exotic ice cream concoctions to every corner of America. Robbins had been ill for some time and died at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. While the company advertised that it offered 31 flavors, in fact it has created more than 1,000 flavors, according to its Web site.

POP CULTURE BOTTOM FIVE

ROGER CLEMENS: How much lower can the Rocket fall? If only he had just said, "I'm sorry" months and months ago about the (alleged) steroid and HGH use. Now his whole life seems to be unraveling. Clemens apologized this week for unspecified mistakes in his personal life. The New York Daily News reported Clemens had a decade-long relationship with country star Mindy McCready that began when she was 15 and an aspiring singer. The newspaper also linked the seven-time Cy Young Award winner to former Manhattan bartender Angela Moyer and Paulette Dean Daly, a former wife of golfer John Daly. Clemens denied having an affair with a 15-year-old but didn't specifically address whether he had a romance with McCready. "Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right," Clemens said in an Associated Press article. That automatic ticket to the Hall of Fame is looking more and more like little else than a pipe dream now.

MICHAEL LOUIS VONDUEREN: This one qualifies under the "what was he thinking?" department. The Sacramento, Calif., man was arrested after police found 300 dead cats packed in three freezers in his home, the Sacramento Bee reported. When police entered Vondueren's house, they found it littered with cat feces. They also found 30 cats that were still alive. Vondueren, 47, who was living in the house with his 81-year-old mother, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an automatic weapon and obstructing police officers.

CHRISTOPHER ALLEN: The 24-year-old Vallejo, Calif., man is now doing jail time for assaulting a camel at a Six Flags amusement park. Allen was dared by a friend to enter the restricted area where the animal was kept and punch it, police said. He did.

CARMELO ANTHONY: This hasn't exactly been a banner month for Denver Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who was ticketed for speeding earlier this week, three weeks after he was cited on a charge of driving under the influence. Police say Anthony was pulled over for driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. The 23-year-old was arrested on a DUI charge in Denver on April 14.

SUE JOHANSON: The 77-year-old host of the Oxygen Network's "Talk Sex" call-in show announced she is calling it quits. The colorful septugenarian educator is stepping down after six seasons. The final show airs at midnight Sunday.

Whatever happened to ..., Vol. 5

Meg's adulterous lifestyle ... Donna's anonymous existence in her post-cul de sac existence ... did Chuck kill 100 men or not? ... Kirk's grown up into a fine young man ... and Pat's still rockin ... WHO KNEW ?!

MEG RYAN: Once viewed as "America's sweetheart," the popular Ryan's career fizzled following a relationship with bachelor Russell Crowe on the set of hostage drama "Proof of Life" in 2000. After their romance became public, Ryan and her husband of nine years, actor Dennis Quaid, announced their separation and subsequently divorced. Crowe and Ryan never lasted, and she hasn't had a hit film since.

Donna Mills will forever be known for her portrayal
of Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner
on the TV series "Knots Landing" from 1980-89.

DONNA MILLS: While she has had numerous roles in both TV and films, she will forever be known for her portrayal of Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner on the TV series "Knots Landing" from 1980-89. Up until her role as Abby in "Knots Landing," she was always cast as the sweet, innocent victims. She still acts occasionally, but has only been seen in a few minor films in the past 15 years.

CHUCK BARRIS: The well-known host of the former hit series "The Gong Show," Barris also was the man behind numerous other game shows, such as "The Dating Game." What is little known is that as a songwriter he co-composed "Palisades Park" for singer Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon in 1962. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. In his "unauthorized autobiography," "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," Barris claimed to have also worked as a CIA hitman, with over 100 kills (the movie suggested only 33 kills.) As of yet, these claims have been neither proven nor disproved. In 2002, the book was made into a film, directed by George Clooney. Sam Rockwell starred as Barris. At last report, Barris split his time living in Los Angeles and St. Tropez, France. The NBC show "America's Got Talent" is often compared to the "Gong Show."

KIRK CAMERON: He's probably best remembered playing the wise-cracking teenager Mike Seaver on the ABC sitcom "Growing Pains." Cameron became a born again Christian when he was 20, and he spends most of his free time with his family in their Santa Monica home. He currently partners with evangelist Ray Comfort in a ministry called "The Way of the Master." He has starred in the direct-to-video series "Left Behind," which is based on the popular books of the same name.

PAT BENATAR: The cover girl for much of the female rock era of the 1980s, Benatar still writes and tours. She is also a commercial spokeswoman for the Energizer company. Two of her biggest hits were "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Love is a Battlefield." Her video for "You Better Run" was the second music video to be aired by MTV on Aug. 1, 1981.

Man Laws II: We're here to change lives

We've all done it, dropped an article of food on the ground or the floor and had to make that snap decision whether or not to pick it up and eat it.

Do you, or don't you?

Well, there are laws to govern such things.

(Sound the trumpets, raise the banners.)

Yes, it's time for another installment of "Man Laws," all designed to make your life less complicated. That's why we're here — to change lives. (And, of course, make life as easy as possible for men, who are born with two strikes against them: 1) They will likely be married to a woman at some point in time, and 2) They must, for the rest of their adult lives, try and figure out what she is thinking.)

Click here for the first installment of Man Laws.

 

With all of that — and more — in mind, it's Man Laws II:

1. There is a five-second rule to govern all dropped food, depending on its texture. That is the key. You are allowed to pick up a French fry or candy bar (assuming it didn't land in anything), but nothing "soft" or "liquidy" in nature. Also, nothing that originally began its edible life within the confines of a bun or wrap is eligible to be eaten once it hits the ground or floor.

2. Shirts and socks are eligible for full-day wear, even if broken down over two days. Example: You have your favorite golf shirt on Saturday morning, but at noon you have to go to the in-laws and must switch to a collared shirt. The golf shirt is eligible for another half-day wear at a later date before washing. Same with socks. This rule does not apply to underwear -- once the tidy whities are off, they stay off until fully laundered. No exceptions.

3. If there is an important game on or you are busy looking for movie reviews on the Internet, it is permissible to "fake dry" laundry that is already dry. Example: The wife, about to leave for coffee with the girls, tells you to take the towels and whatever out of the dryer when it's done running. You forget. You notice the little woman coming down the back walk and rush to the laundry room and restart the dryer. "The towels weren't fully dry, honey," you are allowed to say when she enters the house. This is ONLY permissible if the game was extremely important. Anything less, good luck, buddy.

4. No soda before 11 a.m., unless you are at work and need the caffeine rush. At home, 11 a.m. is the earliest allowed. That is also the earliest snacking is permitted to begin.

5. Never be caught watching the Lifetime Network. Enough said.

6. Never be caught watching figure skating, even if it is the Olympics. The only winter sports allowed to be viewed are hockey (and not the sissy international version), downhill skiing (when there are trees on the course) and the ESPN "X" Games.

7. If you have a den or room of your own, no calendars with puppies or flowers or any of that kind of stuff are permitted on the wall. No candles in the room either.

8. No watching NBA, NFL or even baseball in place of NASCAR. It's also OK to call in sick to work if the NASCAR race is rained out on Sunday and run on Monday morning.

9. Among your CDs, there should be at least six representing hair bands of the '80s.

10. Under no circumstance, is it permitted to watch "The View."

Knucklehead-lines in the Knews, Vol. 4

Just when you thought even higher levels stupidity were beyond our reach, these men and women prove us wrong:

CHARLES RAY FULLER: This may be the all-time knucklehead. Charles Ray Fuller, a 21-year-old North Texas man, was arrested last week for trying to cash a $360 billion check, saying he wanted to start a record business. Tellers at the Fort Worth bank were immediately suspicious. Maybe it was the 10 zeroes on a personal check that tipped them off. Fuller, arrested on a forgery charge, said his girlfriend's mother gave him the check to start a record business. But bank employees who contacted the account's owner said the woman told them she did not give him permission to take or cash the check. In addition to the forgery count, Fuller was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon and possessing marijuana. Officers reported finding less than two ounces of marijuana and a .25-caliber handgun and magazine in his pockets.

Comment: The reason there were less than two ounces of weed found in Fuller's pocket is obvious. The man had obviously smoked the rest before hatching this stranger-than-fiction scheme.

THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT: Northwestern University President Henry Bienen has rescinded the university's offer to bestow an honorary doctorate of sacred theology on Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., whose fiery comments on race and America have caused trouble for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. "In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of Northwestern's commencement would be affected by our conferring of this honorary degree," Bienen wrote in a letter to Wright. It appears to be the first time Northwestern has rescinded an honorary degree offer, though the school keeps no such records.

Comment: Good call, Northwestern.

Super Hugo's stunt delayed Saturday's NBA playoff
game between the Spurs and Hornets for 19 minutes.

SUPER HUGO: Trouble putting out a ring of fire used in a mascot stunt caused a 19-minute delay during a weekend NBA playoff game bewteen the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets. The delay occurred between the first and second quarter after "Super Hugo," a Hornets mascot who uses a trampoline to dunk a basketball, soared through a large hoop that had been set ablaze before slamming the ball through the basket. While Super Hugo celebrated the success of his stunt, workers struggled to put out the fire with a carbon dioxide extinguisher, then had to douse the fire with foam extinguishers for several seconds before it would go out. Maintenance crews then tried to clean up the mess by using dry mops normally used to soak up sweat, but that ended up smearing it from end to end. After the floor had been cleaned to the referees’ satisfaction, the teams were given a couple minutes to warm up. The Hornets also canceled the halftime show so the court could be cleaned again.

Comment: Mascots can be a lot like wives when it comes to interrupting the flow of a good sporting event.

CEDRIC BENSON: Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson faces criminal charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. (Would that be a "BWI" on his record?) Authorities say Benson was operating a 30-foot boat carrying about 15 passengers on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas, on Saturday when he was stopped, then failed a field sobriety test. Officials say an officer had to use pepper spray to subdue Benson. The 25-year-old Benson was the Bears' first-round pick in 2005 after starring at the University of Texas.

Comment: I don't think Gayle Sayers ever had a BWI.

BARBARA WALTERS: The ABC news personality disclosed last week she had an affair with former U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke in the 1970s. In an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" scheduled to air Tuesday, Walters, 78, shares details of her relationship with the married Brooke that lasted several years, according to excerpts of the show provided to the Associated Press. A moderate Republican who took office in 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. Walters said he and she knew that public knowledge of their affair could have ruined their careers. At the time, the twice-divorced Walters was a rising star in TV news and co-host of NBC's "Today" show, but later jumped to ABC News, where she has enjoyed much success. She said her affair with Brooke, which never before came to light, ended before he lost his bid for a third term in 1978. Brooke later divorced and has since remarried. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, an honor only 21 U.S. senators have received.

Comment: Gee, Barbara, I wonder if this has anything to do with promoting your new memoir, "Audition," ... hmmm? You know what, Babs, we don't care, and it's a shame you have to throw Brooke, his family and your own family under the bus just to try and make a few more bucks at age 78. Maybe the added coin will pay for another facelift?

HULK HOGAN: Some guys just can't stand to stray too far from the spotlight, and the Hulkster appears to be one of those. The Hollywood Reporter told us over the weekend that Country Music Television (CMT) is getting in the wrestling ring with Hogan. The network has ordered eight episodes of the competition series "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling" for a fall debut. The series will feature 10 celebrities competing for the title of "Celebrity All-Star Wrestling Champion" through challenges and elimination matches. Two former pro wrestlers will train the contestants, with Hogan and former World Championship Wrestling president Eric Bischoff serving as judges. A third judge along with the competitors and trainers will be announced later. Hogan said he's looking "to shake things up" in terms of sports entertainment with "something different and more contemporary."

Comment: Yo, Hulk, we loved you 20 years ago, and even 10 years ago you were bearable, but give us all a break and RETIRE. You are no longer relevant. Stay at home and keep an eye on those brat kids of yours.

Who's hot, what's not, Round 5

Here'€™s all you need to know to carry on a conversation at the office water cooler next week:

POP CULTURE FRIDAY TOP FIVE

Singer Tom Jones recently
had his chest hair insured
for $7 million.

TOM JONES: The veteran Welsh singer, 67, recently had his chest hair insured for $7 million by Lloyd’s of London. At one time, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jones rivaled Elvis as the sexiest celebrity in the world tabloids. Now, he plays to the AARP crowds in Las Vegas. And to be honest, I really don'€™t understand this chest hair thing.

PRESIDENT BUSH: After leaving the oval office, President Bush might consider a career as a comedian. He delivered some pretty good one-liners at the recent White House Correspondents'€™ Association annual dinner. His remarks targeted his daughter's pending wedding and both political parties: "Senator McCain'€™s not here. He probably wanted to distance himself from me a little bit. You know, he's not alone. Jenna'€™s moving out, too. Hillary Clinton couldn€'t get in because of sniper fire, and Senator Obama'€™s at church."

COMIC RELIEF: Comedy is definitely king at the box office these days. Three of the top four U.S. movies are comedies, led by No. 1 “Baby Mama” starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. What a surprise! Someone from “Saturday Night Live” actually turned in something funny.

AMERICAN TAXPAYERS: Those stimulus checks from the government started showing up this week — and not a minute too soon for many. Of those expecting a rebate, half say they plan to pay bills with the extra money.

BRIAN BILLICK: Even though Brian Billick was fired as coach of the Baltimore Ravens, he’ll back in the NFL this fall. The former Super Bowl-winning head coach has joined Fox as a National Football League game analyst for the coming season.

POP CULTURE FRIDAY BOTTOM FIVE

BARRY ZITO: The San Francisco Giants' left-handed pitcher signed a $126 million contract last year, and 12 months later Zito is being removed from the starting rotation. He is 0-5 and simply horrible, but there is a silver lining for the former Cy Young Award winner. He can still laugh all the way to the bank.

BARBIE DOLLS: A top Iranian judiciary official warned this week against the “destructive” cultural and social consequences of importing Barbie dolls and other Western toys, citing them as a “danger” that need to be stopped. Mattel Inc., the maker of Barbie, had no immediate comment on the Iranian letter. Barbie is sold wearing swimsuits and miniskirts in a society where women must wear head scarves in public and men and women are not allowed to swim together. Iranian authorities launched a campaign of confiscating Barbies from toy shops in 2002, denouncing the un-Islamic sensibilities of the iconic American doll. But the campaign was eventually dropped. Also in 2002, Iran introduced its own competing dolls — "the twins Dara and Sara" — who were designed to promote traditional values with their modest clothing and pro-family stories. But the dolls proved unpopular. Duh.

SACRAMENTO: According to Forbes.com, this California city has the highest the nation’s highest concentrations of homeowner debt. The number of U.S. homes facing foreclosure jumped 112 percent in first quarter from 2007.

THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT: He just doesn’t seem to know when enough is enough. Pick your battles, sir. Don’t start them.

NO BULL: Lawmakers in Florida have voted to ban the fake bull testicles that dangle from the trailer hitches of many trucks and cars throughout the state. Republican Sen. Cary Baker, a gun shop owner from Eustis, Fla., called the adornments offensive and proposed the ban. Motorists would be fined $60 for displaying the novelty items, which are known by brand names like “Truck Nutz” and resemble the south end of a bull moving north.

Whatever happened to ... Vol. 4

GOMER PYLE: Jim Nabors, 77, will always be known as Gomer Pyle, initially on the “Andy Griffith Show” and then “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” Both shows remain popular in syndication with all age brackets. Nabors was also an accomplished singer, releasing 46 albums during his career. He once said that it was always difficult for him to watch the opening of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” because many of the Marines that he is seen marching with were later killed in Vietnam. The stretch of U.S. 280 near his hometown of Sylacauga, Ala., has been renamed the Jim Nabors Highway. At last report, Nabors lived in Hawaii, where he owns a macadamia nut farm.

Molly Ringwald is still acting and will star
in a new ABC Family series that has
yet to be titled.

MOLLY RINGWALD: A classic what-could-have-been-but-wasn’t story. Ringwald gained early fame in such films as “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles” an “The Breakfast Club,” but later turned down leading roles in “Ghost” and “Pretty Woman.” Oops. Ringwald was ranked No. 1 in VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Teen Stars” and once dated Dweezil Zappa. She’s still acting and will star in a new ABC Family series that has yet to be titled.

BOBBY SHERMAN: The former late 1960s teen idol, now 65, had a string of hits including “Little Woman,” “Easy Come, Easy Go” and “Julie, Julie, Julie Do Ya Love Me?” He also gained fame as an actor. He appeared with David Soul in the 1968 TV series “Here Come The Brides,” playing Jeremy Bolt. A trained EMT since 1988, Sherman now works for the Los Angeles Police and San Bernardino County Sheriff departments as a specialist officer, where he is responsible for teaching thousands of cadets first aid and CPR. In 1998, after a 25-year absence, he returned in concert as part of “The Teen Idol Tour” with Peter Noone and Davy Jones. He also has a non-profit organization dedicated to giving aid: The Bobby Sherman Volunteer EMT Foundation

PIA ZADORA: She was Paris Hilton before Paris Hilton. She couldn’t sing, dance or act, but tried all three — and failed miserably. She also gained notoriety for some provocative photos that made their way into print. She is now retired from “show business.”

ANDRE THE GIANT: One of the most famous pro wrestlers of all-time, and later an actor, the Frenchman born Andre Rene Roussimoff died of congestive heart failure at age 46 in 1993. I once saw Andre wrestle either Sgt. Slaughter or Big John Studd — at this point in life, my memory is faltering — in the late 1980s, and was able to stand within five feet of him afterward. Andre was larger than life, weighing more than 500 pounds and standing what seemed 9 feet tall. R.I.P., big fella.