People: So, Rosie isn’t in hot wa-wa?
Barbara Walters is back from vacation – and she’s standing by Rosie O’Donnell in her bitter battle of words with Donald Trump.
Walters, creator of ABC’s “The View,” said Wednesday on the daytime chat show that she never told Trump she didn’t want co-host O’Donnell on the show, as he has claimed.
“She has brought a new vitality to this show, and the ratings prove it,” Walters said of O’Donnell, who is on vacation this week.
When she returns, Walters added, “We will all welcome her back with open arms.”
But Trump is sticking to his story.
“Barbara fully understands what Barbara told me,” he says. “At the same time, she can’t say that because she has to work with the woman.
“But she won’t be working with her long. I mean, that thing will explode because Rosie’s wacko.”
He and O’Donnell have been feuding since Miss Universe Organization owner Trump decided Miss USA Tara Conner could keep her crown despite underage drinking.
Hoof, not mouth
Actor Mario Lopez, fresh off a second-place finish on “Dancing With the Stars,” will host this year’s Miss America pageant – but don’t expect to hear him sing “There She Is, Miss America.”
“I really don’t sing,” Lopez says. “I like to sing, but I don’t sing well.”
A recording of the theme sung by longtime host Bert Parks played at last year’s pageant, in its first year in Las Vegas.
This year’s edition will air Jan. 29 on Country Music Television.
Houston, we have a bid
Few people can sing like Whitney Houston, but next week, anyone with some spare cash can dress like the Grammy winner – right down to one of her black velvet bustiers – and croon into one of her microphones.
Those items and more than 300 others from her 1999 world tour, including grand pianos, drum kits and a forklift, will be auctioned Tuesday to cover unpaid storage fees.
Houston is divorcing singer Bobby Brown after 14 stormy years. Some of his music awards will be on the same auction block.
Love lost
Emilie de Ravin, who plays Claire Littleton on “Lost,” has separated from her husband after six months of marriage.
The Australian actress and actor Josh Janowicz, both 25, were married in Melbourne in June. It was the first marriage for both.
But can he get a witness?
The son of Motown legend Lou Rawls is suing the son of Motown legend Marvin Gaye, claiming he was attacked by four large dogs during a visit to Gaye’s Hollywood home.
Lou Rawls Jr. says the dogs owned by Marvin Gaye III “bit, clawed and physically and mentally injured” him, causing him to suffer “loss of blood, tearing of flesh, multiple dog bite wounds, fear of disease” and other injuries.
The birthday bunch
Actress Jane Wyman is 93. Actress Dyan Cannon is 70. Actress Ann Magnuson is 51. Country singer Patty Loveless is 50. Singer Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) is 47. Actor Dave Foley (“NewsRadio”) is 44. Actress Julia Ormond is 42. Country singer Deana Carter is 41. Actor Jeremy Licht (“Valerie”) is 36. Actress Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) is 32.