Actually, Al Was The One Who Broke Up The Joint

President Clinton’s knee, naturally, was the center of attention at Saturday night’s Gridiron Club dinner in Washington D.C.

Vice President Al Gore, filling in for Clinton at the annual press corps spoof of the Capitol Hill scene, joked that he was “just one kneecap away from the presidency.”

The veep, reportedly prepped by comedian Al Franken, added that when he asked the president whether he was looking forward to the dinner, Clinton replied, “Al, I’d rather fall down a flight of stairs.”

Deadpanned Gore: “Ironic, isn’t it?”

But some of the biggest laughs went to Clinton, who appeared via videotape: “Obviously I’m in no condition to do a standup routine … I feel my pain.”

Loose talk

Comedian Paul Rodriguez, on Al Gore’s favorite dance: “You know, Latinos wrote the Macarena to get even with whites for ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’ And I think the joke has gone on a little too long.”

We’ve always wondered what his sign was

Wilson Pickett turns 56 today.

Unless, of course, you’re feeling up to par

Chris Berman can certainly feel the president’s pain. The sportscaster is still wearing a brace on his right knee, which he injured last March when he slipped on a step in Florida - eerily reminiscent of Clinton’s own tumble down golfer Greg Norman’s stairs. Said Berman: “The most important thing is not to start golfing again after eight weeks, like I did.”

So she ended up having to cut her set short

Secret Service agents guarding the president at a Democratic fund-raiser last week confiscated a machete from Cuban crooner Albita, who uses the weapon as a percussion instrument to clank out rhythms.

They’re still worried that he’ll do some boring

India’s Supreme Court has refused a request to ban two performances by Greek musician Yanni at the Taj Mahal this week. While part of the proceeds will go toward preserving the 300-year-old tomb, the Archaeological Survey of India feared it could be damaged by the concerts’ accompanying lights, traffic and construction.

Hey, what that dog does is his own business

A Los Angeles judge is reviewing a claim that George Hamilton and his ex-wife, Alana Stewart, violated a man’s privacy on their now-defunct talk show. Jeffrey Sachs says he was secretly videotaped while walking his dog and asked extremely personal questions about his love life.

But she’ll never again dare to eat a peach

David Letterman, meanwhile, has settled a lawsuit brought by a heavyset woman whose videotaped visage became a running gag on his “Late Show.” Jane Bronstein was filmed at the 1995 U.S. Open tennis tournament munching on a peach, with juice dribbling down her chin.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Rick Bonino