People talk 10/2/03

Michael Caine takes pleasure in small things

LONDON -- You can keep your Oscars and your Hollywood Walk of Fame -- Michael Caine is more impressed with the blue plaque that now marks his birthplace.

The commemorative plaque is attached to the gatehouse which is all that remains of St. Olave's Hospital in south London.

"I've won a few awards in my life but this is by far the greatest. Really I'm not saying this to flatter or flannel kid -- this is absolutely unique," the 70-year-old actor said.

Caine arrived 30 minutes early for the ceremony so he could drive around his old neighborhood.

Bacon gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES -- If you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, now there's only one degree of separation between you and Kevin Bacon.

The actor received the 2,238th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday in front of the Ivar/Cinespace Nightclubs, where he and his sibling have performed music as The Bacon Brothers band.

Bacon, whose films include the ensembles "Animal House," "Diner," "JFK" and the upcoming "Mystic River," also is the subject of the parlor game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon," a takeoff on "Six Degrees of Separation."

Bacon told the crowd that he was grateful to have the support of his family, even though they didn't always understand his acting ambition.

Whoopi puts new show on ice with hockey stars

NEW YORK -- Whoopi Goldberg wouldn't mind lacing up her skates and getting a little ice time.

The actress is a big hockey fan, and had five NHL players film spots for an episode of "Whoopi," her prime-time NBC comedy.

Anson Carter of the New York Rangers and Scott Stevens of the New Jersey Devils are featured in the show airing Oct. 7, the day before the NHL season opens.

"We were all thrilled to know she was a big hockey fan," Stevens said.

-- From wire reports