READY TO SEE O.J. ON TV? HE'LL BE IN LEGAL SERVICE AD
Is America ready to welcome O.J. Simpson back as a commercial spokesman? A lawyer referral service thinks so, and the company has videotaped him making a pitch for legal representation.Simpson, the former spokesman for Hertz and other companies, said he made the appearance on behalf of Justice Media as a favor to a friend and because he believes in the rights of all defendants to have adequate legal representation. He said he was paid only enough to cover his expenses. Simpson said the proposal interested him because it is aimed at minority defendants.
"The main thing I have learned is you can't walk into a courtroom without competent legal representation," Simpson told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
VERSACE GIVES ADVICE TO HIGH SCHOOL DESIGNERS
Students eager to break into the world of fashion and design received words of encouragement and advice from Donatella Versace.
"I love your work," Versace told Korey Williams, a senior at Design & Architecture Senior High School in Miami. "It is very strong and sexy."
The designer talked with students Wednesday after attending a preview of work done by her late brother, Gianni Versace.
"As you can see from his work, Gianni was fearless," she said. "He was not afraid to take chances. He was not afraid to change."
JUDGE WHO IMPRISONED ALLEN SAW HIS COMIC SIDE
The judge who sent Tim Allen to prison more than 20 years ago saw early hints of the star's comedic talents.
Retired Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Patrick McCauley said a presentence report and letters written on the Michigan native's behalf showed the young man had a gift for making people laugh.
"There is a remarkable talent, don't waste it," transcripts quote McCauley telling Allen -- born Timothy Allen Dick -- during the sentencing in a 1978 cocaine-trafficking case. "Be a man. Do your time. Then come out and do what you do best. I expect you to be a very successful comedian."
N.Y. HONORING DIMAGGIO BY RENAMING HIGHWAY
New York lawmakers have designated a busy stretch of Manhattan highway in honor of the late Joe DiMaggio. Part of the West Side Highway will be ceremoniously renamed in honor of the Hall of Famer, who died March 8 at age 84. DiMaggio played for the New York Yankees for 13 seasons. The New York Assembly and Senate unanimously adopted the resolution Wednesday.