JFK Jr. rates second TV movie

New York A second television movie about John F. Kennedy Jr. is in the works, co-starring Jacqueline Bisset as his mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Portia de Rossi of “Ally McBeal” as his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

TBS said Friday it was still looking for an actor to play the late son of the late U.S. president in “America’s Prince: The JFK Jr. Story,” based on Christopher Andersen’s 2000 biography “The Day John Died.”

The movie from Fox TV studios is scheduled to air in December 2002.

Last month, CBS announced it was in the early stages of development on a Kennedy biopic called “American Son,” based on the biography of the same name by Richard Blow, who was an editor at Kennedy’s defunct George magazine.

Kennedy was 38, his wife was 33 and her sister, Lauren Bessette, was 34 when they died in a July 1999 plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard.

An anniversary fit for a King

New York It’s OK to have the blues on your anniversary when B.B. King is involved.

King was on hand Thursday night to celebrate the second anniversary of the Times Square nightclub that bears his name, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

“It sure feels good to see my name in red I hope they don’t take it down,” he joked.

David Letterman’s bandleader, Paul Shaffer, also was there and King joked that his presence would inspire a great performance.

“He might put us on the David Letterman show,” King joked.

The 76-year-old musician plucked on his guitar, Lucille, as he performed several songs, including his classic, “The Thrill Is Gone.” He also jammed with Bo Diddley and jazz singer Phoebe Snow, who remarked during her performance with the pair: “I can die now.”

The club’s owners, who include King’s manager, gave the music legend a gold and diamond lapel pin and brought out a cake.

A wedding fit for a Carpenter

Nashville, Tenn. Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter married contractor Timmy Smith in Virginia, a Sony Records spokeswoman said Thursday.

The 44-year-old singer, whose hits include “Down at the Twist and Shout” and “Shut Up and Kiss Me,” was wed June 1 in Batesville, Anita Mandell of Sony Records said. Guests included actress Sissy Spacek and musician Dave Matthews.

Lost in space for a week

Moscow Supermodel Cindy Crawford says she’s ready for a trip into orbit in a Russian spacecraft but only if it would last one week, Interfax news agency reported.

The 36-year-old made the comment Thursday while in Moscow to present a jewelry collection from Omega, the watch company.

She and her husband, Rande Gerber, are the parents of two young children, Kaia Jordan, born last year, and Presley Walker, born in 1999.

Singer Lance Bass of ‘N Sync has gone through preliminary health tests as part of his bid to secure a spot on a flight to the international space station.