Carson regaining his health

GOOD MORNING: On the phone Thursday ayem, Johnny Carson sounded -- well, just like he's always sounded. He said he's feeling fine. Since his bypass surgery, Carson, speaking from his home in Malibu, said "You'd be amazed" to find out how many in this bizness have undergone the same thing. He's up and walking around the house and said he will soon start the standard rehab physical training. He's always kept in good shape. We recalled that, years ago, Sunkist Indoor Track meet promoter Al Franken brought world champion mile runner Marty Liquori on Carson's show. Liquori and Carson competed on treadmills, with Carson holding his own against the champ runner! I reminded Johnny how he would sneak cigarette puffs during commercials -- with the camera often catching him when returning post-blurbs. But Johnny assured he's no longer a smoker. "I quit seven years ago," Carson (73) said happily. As for reports you-know-where about lung or other physical complications, Johnny pooh-pooh'd 'em with a positive reminder, "I don't read them -- they'll print anything anyway" ... Coincidentally, a few minutes later we got a call from Christopher Reeve, who had testified Wednesday before the Congressional budget committee to pitch for more funds for the National Institute of Health for research. He said it went "very well." Reeve reminds, "If we spend the money for research it will eventually lessen the burdens of health care in the future. It's a win-win situation." (The Christopher Reeve Foundation and the American Paralysis Assn. have merged for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation). Without more funding for research, Reeve notes, "I'd be in a wheelchair another 15 years; with it (the funding's results) I could be out in three-five years." Chris tells me he is making progress and is now able to breathe from the diaphragm without resorting to his neck and shoulder muscles. But he still is on a ventilator 22 hours a day ... He's confident he'll direct another film this year. HBO, for whom he did "In the Gloaming," has told him, "You have a home here" ... Saturday, Reeve is in Atlanta fundraising; Monday, Saratoga; Tuesday, Toronto. And May 1 in L.A. for the "Take One Hollywood" event at Raleigh Studios with a show m.c.d by John O'Hurley (J. Peterman of "Seinfeld"). Chairs include Sherry Lansing, the Ron Meyers, Steven Spielbergs, Mark Rosenthals, plus appearances by Candice Bergen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelsey Grammer, Jay Leno, the Groundlings, a live auction, fashion show and lavish dinner. Tix are still available.

GEORGE CLOONEY ALLOWS HE MAY yet do a turn on "ER" after Julianna Margulies' departure. And he will continue to be active in TV -- producing a revived "Fail-Safe" for CBS, which he wants to do "live" and in black and white. He thinks the '"live" seg of "ER" failed because it was in color. Clooney would like to play the role played by Walter Matthau in the 1964 pic. Walter Bernstein has scripted. Clooney, a fan of "Playhouse 90," would like to bring top directors for his TV banner; he's talked to Francis Coppola. Bigscreen-wise, Clooney's readying for "Oh Brother, Wherefore Art Thou?" for the Coen freres. Clooney appears pompadour'd and mustachioed in the '30s comedy. But before starting any of these projects, Clooney and seven of his pals board a bus to drive across country, as they have for the past 11 years ... John Goodman will costar with Clooney in "Oh Brother," playing a "real bad guy -- a bible salesman." The versatile Goodman will also join Garry Shandling, Annette Bening and Jason Alexander in Mike Nichols' "Which Planet Are You From?" The ever-busy Goodman also cameo'd this week in "Rocky and Bullwinkle" playing a sheriff named -- John Goodman ... John Travolta and four of his (male) pals are winging around the world in John's new 707.

IT'S A BOY -- THEIR SIXTH (!) for Mel Gibson and wife Robyn. The yet-to-be named baby was born April 14. The Gibsons, wed 19 years, also have one daughter. Mel didn't say whether they'd try for another girl ... Merv Griffin returns to the theater for the first time since he played Woody in a B'way revival of "Finian's Rainbow" in 1955. Griffin and Ernie Chambers are exec producers of "The People Vs. Mona." The musical comedy, set in a rural southern courtroom, written by Jim Wann ("Pump Boys and Dinettes") bows at the Berkshire Theater Fest over Memorial Day weekend ... .The power of celebrity is the theme of Gary Socol's new play "The Shadow of Greatness," which gets a reading with Michael York in the lead, Monday at L.A.'s Coronet Theater ... Milton Moses Ginsberg, here for tonight's LAIFF screening at Harmony Gold of his 1969 "Coming Apart" has completed a screenplay, "Stuck," about 10 film crix trapped in an elevator after a screening. Ginsberg has also edited three Oscar-winning docus, the most recent, this year's "Personals," which was so emotionally accepted by Keiki Ibi ... Maxine (Mrs. Gary) Smith donated half the proceeds of her "Now & Then" art show at the Very Special Arts Gallery West to Very Special Arts (for handicapped/challenged artists). Opening night showing brought in over $10,000 and the show continues to April 27. Among Smith's large, brilliantly colorful and whimsical paintings is a nude (!) of her husband Gary -- with an umbrella over his head! It (he) was ogled by a hefty-named showbiz crowd Wednesday night, but the canvas of Gary wasn't for sale -- yet...