FROM THE NEWS DESK: Birkhead, Rosie & Letterman (March 21, 2007)

By McKay Heim and George Larrimore

ISLAND INTRIGUE: The DNA samples given up by Larry Birkhead and Dannielynn were flown out of the Bahamas to a testing lab in the Cincinnati suburb of Fairfield, Access Hollywood has confirmed. That’s the home base of the doctor who went there to consult on the testing. Still very murky as to when the results will be revealed. But a lot of reports today indicate that this whole matter may not be over just yet. The twisted strands might reveal Larry Birkhead to be the biological daddy, but Howard Stern could still try to keep custody of Dannielynn because he is the presumed legal father. Also, there was a rumor today that Larry got to see the baby but he would neither confirm nor deny with our man in the Islands.

MEANWHILE IN MIAMI: Actually Broward County, but we like the headline better that way. Looks like Monday or Tuesday for the Verdict on What Killed Anna Nicole. A lot of nervous anticipation and all eyes are on Joshua Perper. It has been a very long wait for this information and while there’s been a lot of speculation about sinister motives we wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be a kind of suicide/death wish.

VIEW FEUD: Some observers in and out of television say the “feud” between Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View” had gotten a little too intense for a daytime talk audience. We’re taking a rewind look at that tomorrow on Access Hollywood. Meanwhile at the end of today’s “View,” Rosie said she had (another) birthday wish and that would be that there would be no “feuds.” She and Elisabeth high-fived at the beginning of the show and hugged at the end with their co-hosts.

TRIBUTE: Statement late today from David Letterman on the passing of Calvert DeForest who appeared on Dave’s NBC show as Larry ‘Bud’ Melman starting in 1982; ?Everyone always wondered if Calvert was an actor playing a character, but in reality he was just himself – a genuine, modest and nice man,? said Letterman. ?To our staff and to our viewers, he was a beloved and valued part of our show, and we will miss him.? Calvert was 85 and died on Monday. And a note on the passing today of Woody Harrelson’s father. He was the skeleton in the closet that Harrelson had to carry around. His father was convicted of killing a Texas judge. And finally, a few words on Luther Ingram. The R&B singer had a huge hit with the cheatin’ song ‘If Loving You Is Wrong’ (I Don’t Want To Be Right.) Ingram had seen and done some stuff in his life; performed with Ike Turner and was once the roommate of Jimmy Hendrix. And wrote songs straight from the soul. He was 69-years-old.

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