March
1 Mr. Spock Speaks

Leonard Nimoy tells me he knew of the plans for "Star Trek XI" -- "for a long time." But he doesn't know whether he and pal Bill Shatner, "Captain Kirk," will be called upon to return to space in the prequel being scripted by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and directed by J.J.Abrams.

Nimoy led me on to the casting guessing game listed on the webs: Matt Damon and Adrian Brody as the young Kirk and Spock respectively. How young are they?   

While Nimoy put his acting tools away long ago, he says "my  very good friend (Bill Shatner) is like the Energizer Bunny -- he's done a  great job redefining himself." Shatner continues to delight us weekly on "Boston Legal," but had a short-lived hostint on "Show Me The Money."

Nimoy donated a million-$ to build The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater at the Griffith Observatory. "It was a joy to do," he says of the 200-seater. His only showbiz appearance these days is at an occasional "Star Trek" convention. He'll be at a giant "Star Trek" reunion, August in Las Vegas.

Oscar moment to remember

When Jack Nicholson made his first appearance backstage at the Oscars, Bruce Vilanch exclaimed, "My God -- it's Britney Spears!"

America, The Beautiful

Anjelica Huston, Ed Begley Jr., Mad Mike and Candy Spelling (a Commissioner of Parks and Recreation) will be at L.A.'s City Hall 8 ayem, Saturday to launch the L.A. seg of the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign. They'll lead the reciting of the Pledge Of Allegiance.