FRIENDLY CHAT
South African President Nelson Mandela chats with Michael Jackson in Cape Town Tuesday. The pop star is planning concerts to raise funds for Mandela's children's fund.POST-STROKE RECUPERATION IS TOUGH ON GUILLAUME
Emmy-winning actor Robert Guillaume said he still suffers from the lingering effects of a stroke he suffered in January.
Guillaume, who won Emmy Awards for roles as a levelheaded butler on the "Soap" and "Benson" TV shows, was hospitalized for three weeks and still has weakness in his left hand and leg.
"It's terrifying to walk without a cane," Guillaume told TV Guide for its March 27 issue.
Guillaume, 71, was stricken while preparing to shoot a scene for ABC's "Sports Night," which stars Guillaume.
"I told (the doctors), 'I have to go back to work. I don't know who you work for, but I work for (Disney chairman and CEO) Mike Eisner. They take a dim view of taking off in the middle of the day,' " he joked.
NEBRASKA HAILS NATIVE SON -- OSCAR WINNER COBURN
Remember Nebraska, James Coburn? Gov. Mike Johanns hopes so.
The 70-year-old Coburn, who was born in Laurel, won an Oscar on Sunday as best supporting actor for his role in "Affliction."
"Maybe at some point we can convince him Nebraska is a great place to do movies," Johanns said Monday. "It does bring dollars into the state."
LONG LINES, LOTS OF HYPE AS MONICA STOPS IN L.A.
The buzz was electric and people lined up for hours in hopes of catching a glimpse. The fuss wasn't for the Oscars -- it was for Monica.
Hundreds turned out Monday in Los Angeles for Monica Lewinsky's first -- and perhaps only -- stop in the United States to promote her biography, "Monica's Story." The former White House intern arrived an hour late for the 12:30 p.m. signing at Brentano's Bookstore.
"Monica looked strong, confident and in charge," said Elizabeth Jewels, who took a break from work to get her copy of the book signed.
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT FOR FORMER V.P.'S DAUGHTER
Eleanor Mondale, the daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, has been hired to make local television news in Los Angeles more entertaining.
She was making her debut Tuesday as anchor of CBS Channel 2's "Blockbuster Entertainment Report."
"It's a chance to bring viewers daily entertainment news in the capital of show business," said Eleanor Mondale, who's been working as Hollywood correspondent for "CBS This Morning."