Doctors keep Liza off stage -- for now

GOOD MORNING: Liza Minnelli's postponed her return to showbiz post-hip replacement surgery. She was due to bow at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on March 21-25, followed by a date at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Her doctor "red-flagged" the dates as over-ambitious for someone who planned to sing, dance, cavort on stage -- as only Liza does -- a few months after surgery. I noted Minnelli's first appearance, Feb. 8 at BAFTA's bash honoring Anthony Hopkins, and said she "amazed everyone" when she put down her cane, sang three dramatic songs written by Charles Aznavour and next day recorded sides for Broadway's "The Life" album. But that's not like a 90-minute terping turn onstage ... Producer David Brown, director Phillip Noyce and screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh winged out Wednesday for "The Saint" sightings in Russia, Copenhagen, Berlin and London ... All of CAA hies to Santa Barbara on Friday for a weekend retreat. And Saturday p.m., senior agent Martin Baum will do his annual comedy standup -- for the 19th year. Mike Ovitz will miss festivities here at Saturday's 40th anni of Encino's Little League diamond, where he and brother Mark played vs. Mike Milken and Mike Grillo in 1960. Dave Ovitz, their dad, was league prez ... Seth Baker is negotiating the sale of his popular weekly, Beverly Hills 213 -- but he will remain publisher for the next several years ... Jolie Gabor is undergoing tests at Eisenhower Hospital in Palm Springs. Daughters Magda, Eva and Zsa Zsa are taking turns at her side ... Louis Malle is heading to N.Y. for further treatment. His brother Vincent accompanied and Louis' wife, Candice Bergen, joins him when her series winds in three weeks ... Francesca Hilton, who was once Elizabeth Taylor's sister-in-law (Taylor was wed to Nicky Hilton), plays a role in the NBC Taylor miniseries. Francesca also will be seen in "Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills."

DOVE AUDIO GOES INTERNATIONAL: In London, Michael Viner and wife Deborah Raffin inked with Pickwick for 300 Dove audio titles. Before winging over, they made a deal to audio last Friday's National Public Radio show in the East Room at the White House. It's a tab version of A.E. Hotchner's successful Broadway 1964 legiter -- with music --"The White House," which starred Helen Hayes, Fritz Weaver, James Daly and an ensemble that took on presidents and their wives, from George Washington on. Hillary and Bill Clinton roared at some of the material. Bette Midler closed the show with songs including "It's All in the Game," whose lyrics were written by Vice President Charles Dawes! Midler also chirped Irving Berlin's "Hostess With the Mostes' " whose lyrics were quite politically risque for 1951 -- and today! Also in the show were: Charles Dutton, Martin Sheen, Lolita Davidovich, Michael Feinstein, Edward James Olmos, Kathleen Turner, Jason Robards, Jane Curtin, Roscoe Lee Browne, Richard Klein, Taj Mahal and Marc Shaiman, who accompanied all. Shaiman, readying the score for "The American President" starring Michael Douglas, was tempted to ask Clinton if he'd play sax on one of the movie's tunes. He didn't ... David Hasselhoff, who jogged with Clinton last week, today flies with the Blue Angels at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro. The experience will be taped for Hasselhoff -- and media, natch ... When Frank Mancuso spotted someone in a toga roaming the MGM/UA halls, security was summoned. Turned out to be thesp Loren Rubin, who had been hired by "Roman Blood" producer Brad Wyman and writer Adam Rifkin to add to their appearance in VP Jeff Kleeman's office, where they told plans for the big-budgeted feature about a private eye in ancient Rome. "It's 'Spartacus' sees film noir," said Wyman, who is now busy producing the indie "Red Ribbon Blues." He describes this one as "an HIV action comedy."

CHASEN'S GENIAL GENERAL MANAGER Ronnie Clint will receive an award at the City of Hope's "Last Great Hollywood Party," Sunday ... This year's SHARE show, May 6, will be produced by Patricia (Mrs. Tom) Bosley. The theme will be the 50 th anni of the end of WWII. and honorees will be those who entertained during the war, led, of course, by Bob Hope. Also Rosemary Clooney and the Ink Spots. Roseanne and Kenny Rogers also will entertain ... Phyllis Diller is celebrating her 40th anni in showbiz by co-hosting Bob Hope's "Young Comedians" special. Phyllis debuted in the biz at the age of 37 at SanFran's Purple Onion, where she was booked for two weeks -- stayed 89 ... It's a sellout for the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters' salute to "Great Game Show Hosts," March 17 at the Sportsmen's Lodge with: Betty White, Alex Trebek, Peter Marshall, Tom Kennedy, Bob Eubanks, Jack Narz, Jack Smith and -- Ralph Edwards, natch ... Adam West, TV's "Batman," who appears at Friday's Museum of TV & Radio fest at the DGA, will star for Brandon Tartikoff in New World's new sitcom "The Clinic," as Dr. Horton Van Hoon. It'll air on Comedy Central.