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Promoting Peace For U.N. Is Plum Post, By George

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2008

In his new role as U.N. messenger of peace, George Clooney was playing himself.

The 46-year-old actor's arrival Thursday was greeted with "oohs" and "ahs" from dozens of people, mostly women, at the lobby entrance for a glimpse and cell phone picture of him.

"Hi guys!" he said, posing for a picture with his parents and shaking a few hands.

Clooney was touring the United Nations headquarters for a ceremony marking his designation for the special job by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He was just back from a trip to Sudan's Darfur region, arriving in the United States by way of India, a major contributor of U.N. peacekeeping troops.

Clooney and Jane Holl Lute, the assistant secretary general of peacekeeping operations, were part of "a technical assessment mission" visiting the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation in Darfur and the U.N. missions in the Central African Republic and Chad and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, U.N. officials said.

Clooney took on the job of promoting the world body's peacekeeping missions after waging his own campaigns for an end to the 4 1/2 -year war in Darfur and for more humanitarian aid for the millions caught up in the conflict. As the ninth U.N. peace envoy, Clooney was selected for his ability to focus public attention on critical international political and social issues.

She Did It Again: Spears Re-Hospitalized

Britney Spears was taken from her home by ambulance early Thursday and escorted to the hospital by more than a dozen police officers in cars, on motorcycles and in helicopters.

The 26-year-old pop star was being taken to "get help," said a Los Angeles police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter. The Los Angeles Times cited unidentified authorities who said Spears was being placed on a "mental evaluation hold."

Spears was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where her mother, Lynne, was seen leaving its psychiatric hospital at about 5:30 a.m. Asked by paparazzi and reporters whether Britney was doing all right, Lynne Spears replied, "Yeah," before leaving in a Range Rover.

'ET' Pulls Plug On Ledger Party Video

After an aggressive lobby from powerful film industry figures, "Entertainment Tonight" and its sister show, "The Insider," decided against airing a video that shows the late Heath Ledger hanging out at a party where drugs were being taken.

The show said it pulled the story "out of respect for Heath Ledger's family." But don't discount the effect of a campaign launched by a public relations firm that represents many of the stars "Entertainment Tonight" depends upon for stories.

Even some celebrities - Natalie Portman and Sarah Jessica Parker, to name two - called to urge "ET" to pull the plug.

Ledger, 28, died in his Manhattan apartment Jan. 22. Authorities suspect a possible drug overdose, but the cause of death is still pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

After 17 Years, No New Montel-evision

Syndicated talk show host Montel Williams is being replaced by a younger version of himself. CBS Television Distribution announced Wednesday that "The Montel Williams Show" will cease production after this television season, his 17th on the air.

Stations that carried his show will be offered reruns.

"I can't say thank you enough to those who've welcomed me into their homes for the past 17 years," Williams said.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Stuart Whitman is 80. Actor-comedian Garrett Morris is 71. Singer Don Everly of The Everly Brothers is 71. Actor Sherman Hemsley is 70. Actor-writer-director Terry Jones (Monty Python) is 66. Singer Lisa Marie Presley is 40. Comedian Pauly Shore is 40.

Source: The Associated Press

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