People talk 3/12/03

John Mellencamp writes 'To Washington'

INDIANAPOLIS -- John Mellencamp's new song, "To Washington," is an overview of recent American history -- not a protest or anti-war anthem, the singer says.

"He wants to fight with many, and he says it's not for oil," Mellencamp sings. President Bush is never identified more specifically than "a new man in the White House with a familiar name."

"I think the song is relevant, irrespective of the ticking of a 'war clock,"' the 51-year-old said in a recent statement.

The lyrics begin at the end of the Clinton administration, in which the Monica Lewinsky scandal is weighed against "eight years of peace and prosperity."

"To Washington" can be downloaded at www.mellencamp.com.

Shalhoub: Just don't call him 'Columbo'

AUSTIN, Texas -- Tony Shalhoub appreciates comparisons between his new TV series, "Monk," and "Columbo" -- but says it was never his intention to mimic the 1970s detective show starring Peter Falk.

Shalhoub won a Golden Globe Award this year for the USA Network series, in which he stars as a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"I've heard that word 'Columbo' so many times, I refer to it now as the 'C word,"' the 49-year-old actor said, drawing laughs Monday from a crowd at the South by Southwest film festival.

"I don't want 'Monk' to be 'Columbo.' I want 'Monk' to be 'Monk,"' he said. "I don't want to redo 'Columbo' -- it was done so brilliantly. Why did they remake 'Psycho'? Why don't they repaint the Sistine Chapel while we're at it?"

Diana Ross cited for driving unregistered car

GREENWICH, Conn. -- Diana Ross has been cited by Greenwich police for driving an unregistered car.

Ross was stopped Sunday afternoon when a police officer noticed the registration sticker on the black Ford Taurus' license plate had expired, the Greenwich Time reported Tuesday.

Ross, who has a home in Greenwich, said she rarely drives the car because it's owned by her Los Angeles booking agency, police said.

The 58-year-old singer was issued an infraction that carries a $78 fine.

Ross was arrested for investigation of drunken driving Dec. 30 in Tucson, Ariz. She has pleaded innocent to the charge.

Guest hosts sub 'Late Show' for Letterman

NEW YORK -- David Letterman will continue his recuperation from an eye infection caused by shingles, with guest hosts scheduled to appear on the "Late Show" this week, CBS said.

The condition is a viral infection of the nerve roots that typically results in pain and rash. It's caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

"Dave's condition continues to improve and his overall health is excellent, but a complete recovery will require some additional time," said Dr. Louis J. Arrone, an internist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, who's been treating the 55-year-old Letterman. "Dave's principal treatment at this point is rest."

Letterman's eye became infected in late February, and Bruce Willis, John McEnroe and Regis Philbin filled in as guest hosts that week. The following week was a planned "dark" week, when reruns were aired.

This week's guest hosts will be Whoopi Goldberg, Vince Vaughn, Elvis Costello and Will Ferrell, with Friday's host yet to be announced, CBS said.-- From wire reports

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LOS ANGELES -- Grant Rosenmeyer, who played one of Ben Stiller's sons in the 2001 film "The Royal Tenenbaums," is now starring in his own TV series.

Rosenmeyer plays the title character in the new Fox comedy "Oliver Beene." Set in 1962, 11-year-old Oliver's family includes his dentist-father (Grant Shaud), mother (Wendy Makkena) and older brother (Andrew Lawrence). David Cross provides the voice-overs.

Before "The Royal Tenenbaums," Rosenmeyer had a part in "Macbeth" on Broadway. But few of his friends have seen him perform.

"I think they're starting to doubt my career," he told reporters recently. "Like 'Macbeth,' a lot of my friends' parents would not let them go see it because they thought it was too bloody and gory.

"Then I was in 'The Royal Tenenbaums' -- rated R. A lot of my friends can't see that."

Rosenmeyer says his career has yet to boost his status at school.

"Before I was an actor I wasn't really the popular kid in school," he said. "Well, actually, I'm still not."

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NEW YORK -- Confidence is the perfect accessory, says model-fashion designer Emme. It fits all shapes and sizes, and it can be worn at any age, for any occasion.

The hard part, she says, is finding it.

In the new book, "Life's Little Emergencies: Everyday Rescue for Beauty, Fashion, Relationships, and Life" (St. Martin's Press), Emme and co-author Natasha Stoynoff offer ideas to deal with daily struggles -- including the body-image issues that Emme frequently counsels on.

"Unfortunately we're not at that place yet where women are seen fully at their value without looking at their physical attributes," she told The Associated Press in an interview.

"That means it's up to each individual to put her best foot forward. Use your assets, overcome your liabilities."

The 39-year-old, who has her own line of plus-size clothing, says no one is perfect -- and anyone who expects perfection is sure to be disappointed.

While she's flattered by letters from women who seek her advice on finding clothes that flatter their full figures, she also is somewhat frustrated.

"Pick up your pen. Write to department stores and designers. They need to be pushed forward. Use your voice and say that you have money to spend!" she said.

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OSLO, Norway -- A flying sheep's head hit a concertgoer and fractured his skull at a concert of metal band Mayhem.

The band, part of Norway's death metal music scene, was carving up a dead sheep as part of its stage act when the animal's head flew off lead singer Maniac's knife and struck 25-year-old Per Kristian Hagen.

"My relationship to sheep is a bit ambivalent now. I like them, but not when they come flying through the air," Hagen told The Associated Press Monday from his hospital room. He is expected to recover.

The show was Thursday in Bergen, 302 miles west of the capital, Oslo.

Hagen filed involuntary assault and battery charges against the band. The charges carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

Mayhem member Rune Eriksen, whose stage name is Blasphemer, said the incident was unfortunate. "The whole thing was an accident, but maybe it would be an idea for another show," he said.

Eriksen promised Hagen a free ticket to Mayhem's next performance.

Police detective Carl-Petter Leganger said an investigation has started but "nothing suggests this was a conscious act."

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LOS ANGELES -- Burt Bacharach has been released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after undergoing oral surgery for an abscess, said a spokeswoman for the songwriter.

Bacharach, 73, is resting comfortably at home, Linda Dozoretz said Monday. She declined to elaborate.

Dozoretz said the songwriter was hospitalized last week.

Bacharach has composed for movies, recordings and the stage, and is an Oscar and Grammy winner. His hits with lyricist Hal David include "Walk on By" and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?"

-- From wire reports