Pubdate: Mon, 23 Apr 2001
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2001 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact:  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Larry King, Columnist
Note: Andrew Weil is quoted regarding marijuana legalization

LAUGHING OFF TABLOID RUMORS

King's Things ...

Connie Chung and Maury Povich (Mr. & Mrs. Povich) told me recently they get 
a laugh out of all the tabloid stories about their supposed problems. "We 
have never been happier," said Chung. Maury added, "I read so many 
absurdities about me, I wonder about every other story they print."

Despite the stories about her going to MSNBC, Greta Van Susteren will 
probably stay with CNN. Her contract was up a while back and the NBC outlet 
made a strong pitch, but she likes her gig at the original all-news 
network. It's not set in stone, but you could say the concrete has been poured.

Kevin Garnett, the great power forward of the Minnesota Timberwolves, just 
bought a second Bentley. I saw him admiring the steel-gray model the other 
day in the driveway at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Garnett came right from 
high school to the pro league and was an instant star.

Famed Harvard-educated physician and best-selling author Andrew Weil tells 
me he favors the legalization of marijuana. "This drug provides so much 
good with so little downside. It's unbelievable that it is not an approved 
item. It makes no sense."

Make plans to see the independent thriller Brigham City. I didn't expect 
much when they asked me to attend a screening and, boy, was I surprised. 
Everything about this tense, taut film is gripping. A serial killer is 
loose in Mormon country, and the pace and action never let up. The cast is 
terrific.

My long-shot pick in the Kentucky Derby is Millennium Wind, recent winner 
of the Toyota Blue Grass. World's winningest jockey, Laffit Pincay Jr., 
will be aboard. Odds should be 6-1 or better; it would be worth a bob or 
two on your part. .

By the way, Joe Drape, the wonderful racing columnist of The New York Times 
who is a horse player himself, has penned a terrific book, The Race for the 
Triple Crown: Horses, High Stakes & Eternal Hope (Atlantic Monthly, $25). 
It gives the reader an exciting look at last year's incredible 3-year-old 
season.

My friend Morton Kondracke, writer and regular broadcast media figure, is 
out next month with Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Disease 
(Public Affairs, $25). Morton gives us a new side of his personality in 
this warm, loving, tender look at this disease, which has affected his wife 
since 1987. It is so moving and impossible to put down. Michael J. Fox 
wrote the foreword. Four stars.

You may have missed it, but Avon Cosmetics has announced a record-breaking 
award of $16.2 million to be given this spring to a dozen leading 
universities, medical centers and service organizations to fund treatment 
and find a cure for breast cancer. The company's CEO, Andrea Jung, believes 
that eradicating breast cancer is part of Avon's corporate mission. Jung's 
grandmother, her lifetime role model, died of breast cancer at the age of 
63. Beneficiaries include medical schools at Harvard, John Hopkins and 
Northwestern University.

The Donny & Marie show, nominated for an Emmy despite being canceled, may 
not be done. Don't be surprised if Donny and Marie come back as a talk show 
next year. Also, don't be surprised if the Lakers, despite all their 
problems, win the NBA championship again this year.

Larry King Live airs nightly on CNN and the Westwood One Radio Network.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth