Everybody loves Ellen

GOOD MORNING: One thing seems certain, following Sunday's Emmys -- Ellen DeGeneres could have any show she wants if her current CBS series does not make it (even though it got an order for six more scripts). The standing ovation she received from the Shubert audience must have been echoed by those watching at home … And never underestimate the power of TV: The dramatic finale featured a wall of cards repping those massacred on Sept. 11; viewers recognizing their loved ones' names called in to request copies of those 6,000-plus cards. The Crisis Center in Edison, N.J., requested 800. Producer Gary Smith told me his staff had worked three days in researching and creating that wall of cards. Smith's longtime association with Barbra Streisand (via her TV specials) was also instrumental in Barbra's appearance, even though she was not feeling 100%. She asked if it was OK to sit out the award presentation and appear solely in the dramatic finale. She won an Emmy, but she came not to get but to give, said Smith (who stepped in to produce the twice-postponed show as Don Mischer had to depart to work on the Winter Olympics) … Mischer says, "I think Gary did a tremendous, a fantastic job." Don sat alongside Smith backstage Sunday, recalling his preparations for the Emmys started with Ellen in the spring. She was working on the Emmys while also working on the start of her new series. As for Emmy ratings, Mischer said, "I feel badly for CBS. After the second cancellation on Oct. 7, and the Nov. 4 date was suggested, it was checked and the probabilities of a seventh World Series game were only 18%, so they said go with it!" This week he starts rehearsals with the casts of Olympics opening/closing shows -- a total close to 5,000. However they can't start working in the Salt Lake City Rice-Eccles Stadium until the U. of Utah's final game Saturday; after that, they start adding to the seating for a grand total of 60,000 -- which will make it the largest Olympics venue. The opening ceremonies are Feb. 8; he will start next Tuesday after three years of preparation. "I don't think there's any chance they will be canceled. Security has been in preparation before Sept. 11. President Bush will be there, as will 20 other heads of state. I think it will be the safest place to be!" … Gary Smith was also back at work Monday, with finishing touches to the two-hour "I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special," to air 9-11 p.m. Sunday on CBS. There'll be some surprises on this one from Gary as well … James Gandolfini, Emmy winner as lead actor in a drama series for HBO's "The Sopranos," was unable to attend as he was involved in this week's prep of the series' start at week's end. He told his agent David Brownstein he was "stunned -- I totally didn't expect it " when he heard his name called as the winner. He said he fully expected Martin Sheen to win. He described Sheen's performance as "awesome" … Eric McCormack, winner as lead actor in a comedy series (NBC's "Will & Grace"), hosts a benefit Wednesday for Project Angel Food at the Melrose Ave. Improv. Owner Budd Friedman heads to Harvey's Casino in Lake Tahoe to open the 12th Improv, with Judy Gold headlining … Among others live at the Emmys (and congratting Ellen DeGeneres) was Gil Cates, nominated for the 73rd annual Academy Awards. He was celebrating the fact the Geffen Theater in Westwood went over the 15,000 subscriber mark. He will direct the fifth show of the season, which bows "Do Jump" on Nov. 14. Observing in the truck along with director Louis J. Horvitz (looking at the 18 screens!) was Laura Ziskin, who will produce the 74th Oscars in the new Kodak Theater March 24. It was not her first time in a production truck: she produced, with George Clooney, the live "Fail Safe." She thought the Emmy show was "excellent, really exciting" and DeGeneres "fantastic." She thought the toned-down glamour was appropriate for this show at this time but hopes to have full-fledged glamour for the Oscars, though admitting, "I can't predict what will be happening at that time." But she said, "the security made me feel safe." She said, "I think we need to go on, like the World Series."

WE ARE BACK AFTER A WEEK of sun and fun (and no phones!) as the Palm Springs season started. To help kick off the desert doings was the Festival of Festivals, whose executive director is Craig Prater, alumnus of the Palm Springs Intl. Film Festival. Fest of Fests had 116 films from 25 countries shown on screens throughout the desert, from the giant Imax to the beautiful new Mary Pickford theater in Cathedral City. One of those shown at the latter was Tony Griffin's "Squint" in which the son of Merv Griffin makes his directorial debut; he also wrote and plays two roles with costar Joe Bologna. Papa Merv was down at his Merv Griffin Resort Hotel and Givenchy Spa for the event. Tonight Griffin, fils, shows his pic to L.A. friends including Anne & Mel Brooks, Carol & Dom DeLuise, Sheila & Ron Clark, Kenny G., Cary, Cassian and Damian Elwes, Pat & Dick Van Patten … The Festival of Festivals wound Sunday night with a gala in which Gale Anne Hurd presented the best overall film award to "The Tunnel," directed by Roland Suso Richter and produced by Nico Hofmann and Ariane Krampe … Tonight "The Palm Springs Follies" launches its 11th season with "Ain't She Sweet," Riff Markowitz's extravaganza (and I mean it!) dedicated to NYC, from Texas Guinan to today. Anna Maria Alberghetti is the opening stanza's singing headliner.