Who Needs Backers If Friends Have Accidents?

When it came time to raise the money for his first film, “In the Company of Men,” ex-Spokanite Neil LaBute ran into some luck.

His friends did just the opposite.

“I had a couple of friends who conveniently, for me, got into a car accident,” LaBute said with a laugh. “And I ran to their sides, made sure they were OK - actually I didn’t run - but when I knew they were fine, I asked if I could have their settlement.”

They said yes and so became the movie’s executive producers.

By the way, that “initial seed money” has been reported by various magazines - including some national publications - to be $25,000. But, LaBute explained, it took a lot more to make the film ready for theatrical release. The final tab: $250,000.

Loose talk

Michael Jordan on his self-image (in Newsweek): “I used to take cooking class when I was younger because girls weren’t interested in me and I thought I may be alone for the rest of my life. I was really lanky, really tall, so I stood out.”

Remind her of it and she’ll snort her late husband’s name

Lauren Bacall turns 73 today.

So, just who plays the male lead - Kevin Sorbo?

“From what I hear - and, of course, I haven’t seen anyone else’s performance - this is the sexiest, girliest kind of Rizzo they’ve had,” Lucy Lawless told Entertainment Weekly of her role in the Broadway musical “Grease.” That’s surprising, when you consider that Lawless plays “Xena, Warrior Princess” on television.

These days, his career is solid as a Rock

Now that he’s won an Emmy, which he did Sunday for Best Variety, Music or Comedy Special, Chris Rock can laugh. But as late as last year, the comic thought he was washed up. “I left William Morris last April because all those times (my career) got hot, they amounted to nothing,” Rock told Entertainment Weekly. “The only catch was after I left, no one wanted me.”

Uncle Ray says you shouldn’t try this at home

Though he has driven cars and motorcycles and even flown an airplane, Ray Charles doesn’t recommend it. “I don’t want other blind people to say if Ray Charles did it, I can do it, because I don’t want to cause anybody to get themselves killed,” he said.

So, THAT’S why she rhumbaed down the runway!

Six months ago, Northwestern University theater major Kate Shindle worked as a janitor in exchange for dance lessons. Her efforts paid off. On Saturday, Miss Illinois Shindle was named Miss America.

Why don’t the paparazzi chase guys like HIM?

Taunting his Canadian critics, shock-jock Howard Stern ranted during a recent news conference with the Canadian press. “The reason you guys have put me on the front page of your newspapers is because I’m the freshest, wildest radio host in the world,” Stern said. “You’ve now been introduced to good radio.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Dan Webster