Affleck Is Afflicted By His Cosmopolitan Ways

Ben Affleck, the less talented part of the duo that won a screenwriting Oscar in March (the other was Matt Damon), is having a good time playing movie star.

Hitting the party and interview circuit in preparation for “Armageddon,” the blockbuster-wannabe that opens Wednesday, Affleck is telling everyone whatever they want to hear.

For example, he told USA Today that he was on the wagon. “I started regretting some things I did when I was drunk,” he said. “I have almost no inhibitions, so it’s dangerous for me.”

Then, in Premiere magazine, he was interviewed while downing multiple vodka-cranberry cocktails until sunrise. “I drink with less frequency, but when I do, I drink more,” he told writer Christine Spines.

Loose talk

Howie Mandel on his next project (to Entertainment News Wire): “I really want to do a traditional talk show in a traditional setting. We’re not going to have too many weird bells and whistles on this show. I have a desk, I have a band, and now it’s up to me and this team to make it work.”

Maybe now he can depart all those 20-something roles

Vincent D’Onofrio turns 39 today.

No ‘Summer of Sam’ to follow the winter of Leo

In case you were interested, Leonardo DiCaprio has nixed a proposal to play a part in Spike Lee’s forthcoming film “Summer of Sam.” No biggie, though. Lee is trying to convince Mira Sorvino and John Leguizamo to appear in his film about the Son of Sam killings in 1977.

Grace’s favorite tune was the Beach Boys’ ‘Caroline, No’

Fresh from the court of Monaco, Princess Caroline is reportedly set on marrying the freshly divorced Prince Ernst August. The operational irony is that the prince was the late Princess Grace’s first choice for her twice-married eldest daughter.

Despite the rumors, their relationship is still afloat

Reports are that Leonardo DiCaprio still has eyes for model Kristen Zang. Acquainted for two years, the two broke up - reportedly at her insistence - shortly before he began shooting “Titanic” only to begin seeing each other again a few weeks ago. “She is the love of his life,” says a friend. Reality check: Both are roughly 23 years of age.

The solution: Have the Millennium Falcon hit an iceberg

George Lucas’ much-publicized sequel to the “Star Wars” trilogy may be in trouble (a reported $115 million budget and rising). But the Lucas camp denies any problems. Says publicist Lynne Hale, “One scene still needs to be done and that’s it.” The first installment is due in May.

Note from media central to Jimmy Smits: Du-uh

According to departing “NYPD Blue” star Jimmy Smits, replacing him with former child star Rick Schroder will “inject a new kind of energy into the show and force the writers to come up with different types of storylines.”