THE ARTY CARTERS
JIMMY CARTER may one day win the Nobel Peace Prize, but a Nobel for Literature probably isn't in his future--despite the impending publication of his first work of fiction, The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer. This story of a kindly sea monster who befriends a crippled boy is illustrated by AMY CARTER, now a graduate art student, and will be published in November. How did dad and daughter work together? "Amy's illustrations startled me at first, but I have grown to love them," says Carter, who created the tale for his children when they were young. The Prez, who already has a book of poetry behind him, is working on a more characteristic opus: a collection of lessons he has given at church.
SEEN & HEARD
It's a big ask, but the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace is trying to burnish Nixon's rep as one hep cat. Saturday marks the first ever "Nixonpalooza," a concert featuring--exclusively--the talents of Roger Clinton. The event kicks off the library's "Rockin' the White House" exhibition, which also offers RNTV.
Although listening to the DNA testimony in the Simpson trial has been about as gripping as counting bricks, someone has seen a TV show in it. CBS has ordered a script for a drama series based on defense DNA experts Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld's legal practice and clinic. The lawyers are reportedly writing the script now--gee, does O.J. know?--so the show can be ready next year, in time to combat Simpson-trial withdrawal symptoms. GO, SAYS JOE
Screenwriter JOE ESZTERHAS is a family-minded man. After all, his wife had his fourth child just last Thursday. And he thinks his new movie, Showgirls, starring ELIZABETH BERKLEY, is fine family fare even though it's rated NC-17. "Not to allow high school kids to hear a very moral message simply because it's set in the world of nude dancing is just pious nonsense," says Eszterhas, who suggests teens use fake IDs to get in. Many kids no doubt appreciate the tip, but Motion Picture Association of America head Jack Valenti doesn't. He told USA Today that Eszterhas is "desperately ill and in need of medical attention."
ZHIRINOVSKY, LADY-KILLER
Perhaps inspired by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Russia's top ultranationalist, VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY, demonstrated his mastery of female issues last week. First he had a stimulating exchange with Italy's most political porn star, ILONA STALLER. The next day he was all business, choking and pulling the hair of Duma colleague YEVGENIA TISHKOVSKAYA when she crossed him during a debate on Bosnia. As he later explained, "Such women dream of being raped, but no one will ever come close to them." How do you say "Foxy!" in Russian?