Lewinsky back in court

GOOD MORNING: Here's something to take your mind off Kosovo, Littleton, Eisner and Katzenberg -- Monica Lewinsky. Just when you thought Monica was out of the court scene and entering a new arena, showbiz, comes word to us that she is skedded to be called to U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., next week in the case of the U.S. vs. Julie Hiatt Steele. The latter goes on trial on federal charges having been indicted for obstruction of justice and making false statements. Steele is the only one ever to be indicted in connection with l'affaire Monica Lewinsky. In case you forgot (as I did), Steele said Kathleen Willey asked her to lie about Willey's claimed encounter with the president. And Steele said that Willey had lied -- on Larry King's show. Further, Willey, through her reps, tried to get a book deal via Michael Viner's New Millennium books. P.S. Viner is also subpoenaed in the government case vs. Steele. These charges against Steele could result in 35 years in jail! She told King (re this indictment), "If this could happen to me, it could happen to anyone." The whole story about Kenneth Starr and Julie Hiatt Steele gets a thorough reporting in the May issue of Nation ... And in case you wondered howcum another courtroom star, O.J. Simpson, showed up on "Hard Copy" last night making his anti-Semitic remarks, "Copy" says he was interviewed back in mid-March (by Pat Lalana) after his alleged attack outside a Griffith Park golf course. "But he (O.J.) continued to talk and we had so much stuff," said the show's executive producer, "that we decided to use it (last night)." They said, "When O.J. talks, people listen to him -- put his foot in his mouth." O.J.'s onetime attorney Bob Shapiro didn't want to comment on Simpson's anti-Semitic references, claiming "attorney-client privilege. I make it a policy not to comment on anything he says."

ROBERTO BENIGNI AND WIFE Nicoletta Braschi will be voiced, with slight Italian accents, in the English-dubbed video of "Life Is Beautiful" by Jonathan Nichols and Ilaria Borrelli. Both Benigni and Harvey Weinstein have heard -- and seen -- their work and approved. The release of the English rendition of the award-winning film will coincide with the Italian, subtitled version in July. A theatrical, English-dubbed version has not yet been decided ... Anita Ekberg (67) is making a quick trip in N.Y. to p.a. the release, by Samuel Goldwyn Films, of "The Red Dwarf" (Le Nain Rouge), which played Cannes' Directors Fortnight last year. The delightful Ekberg, who hasn't been here in over 20 years, forewarns audience that she is "aged" for this film: "That's not what I look like." She has fond memories of the days of "La Dolce Vita," which followed Hollywood. "I was 19 when I first came there." And she was the darling of the press here. "Even Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper loved me," she laughs. "And everyone told me they were bitchy!" ... Congrats to Jonathan Winters who receives the second annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain prize, Oct. 20. Comedy Central tapes the program of American Humor for airing in Jan. ... Michael Crawford receives a Lifetime Achievement Award Sunday at London's Royal Albert Hall as part of the Centenary of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. Michael appears for the first time in Atlantic City at the Taj Mahal, May 14-16, and follows at Foxwood, May 28-30 ... Add honors: producer Martha Williamson ("Touched By an Angel" and "Promised Land") is honored by both the Salvation Army and St. Joseph's Center for the Homeless this weekend ... Project Love will hold its major fundraiser in Sept. with Jerry Molen as honoree. Project Love -- Remember the Children Foundation is a resource for teens, teachers, principals and administrators that promotes caring, kindness and mutual respect. A hefty list of celebs are co-chairing.

BOB AND DOLORES HOPE, matching the lead of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, are also contributing $250,000 to Catholic Relief Services to assist Kosovo refugees. The Hopes hope others follow the Newmans' lead. Call [phone] ... Brian Dennehy, Calista Flockhart and James Gandolfini announce the Tony nominees Monday (May 3). The show airs June 6, CBS from the Gershwin theater with Walter C. Miller producing, son Paul, directing ... Ralph Edwards, his family and staff (35-strong) are off to Truth or Consequences, N.M., this weekend for its "Golden Fiesta." A bronze bust of Edward will be placed in the city's Civic auditorium forecourt ... Betty Garrett will be toasted on her 80th birthday May 17 at the Pasadena Playhouse . Carl Reiner m.c's a gala that includes musical performances by Beau and Jeff Bridges, Carole Cook, Gloria DeHaven, Dale Gonyea, Gogi Grant and Howard Keel. David Galligan directs the show, musical director is Ron Abel. Proceeds to Theatre West and equity Fights AIDS ... Sorry to report the death Thursday of Jane Feather, widow of Leonard Feather ... Press agent Joe Sutton bows his "Heart of Hollywood" show on KIEV, Saturday(s) 7-9 p.m. ... .Press agent Michael Druxman's first novel, "Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake" (Center Press) hits the stalls this weekend ... More lures for Hollywood out-of-town production: Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci heads a delegation including the state's Film Commission Director Robin Dawson to showcase their state to Hollywood today at Spago.