December
21 Crystal feels badly about Oscar

Billy Crystal -- readying his "700 Days" bow in L.A. Jan.12 - Feb.18 (and -- ?) at the Wiltern having played 240 shows from N.Y. to Toronto, Chicago, Boston and SanFran -- is negotiating a West End stand in London. He is also readying to direct-star in New Line's "Have A Nice Day," and has a second book upcoming, "Grandpa's Little One" about granddaughter Ella. Of course, the obvious question -- "Oscar" March 5? He'd been asked, of course, as recently again as last week to host , but says, "I feel badly" -- but he doesn't have the time (or strength) to ready for the job in his usual professional manner -- preparing his (always great) intro movie reel and parodied songs...

In a recent obituary notice about Barry Halper, baseball memorabilia collector, it was noted that Billy Crystal had bought, at Sotheby's auction of Halper's collection, a Mickey Mantle glove -- for $239,000. Mantle was a friend of Crystal's -- who directed HBO's terrrif "61". Billy has the glove preserved in a glass case in his home.