‘Malcolm’ mom out with migraines

Radnor, Pa. Â “Malcolm in the Middle” mom Jane Kaczmarek has been out since Feb. 12 with migraine headaches.

Sources close to the popular Fox series said in the March 16 issue of TV Guide that Kaczmarek’s representatives have contacted the show about her salary.

Kaczmarek’s publicist said, “there is no connection between her health issues and any contractual matters.”

The Emmy-nominated actress will appear in the season finale in May, thanks to existing footage and editing.

Bush niece defies evils of life

New York  Like other high school seniors across the nation, Lauren Bush is anxiously waiting to hear back from the colleges to which she’s applied.

Unlike other high school seniors, Bush is also the president’s niece, and a model  juggling her college plans with Tommy Hilfiger photo shoots.

The 17-year-old daughter of President Bush’s brother, Neil, said she doesn’t yearn for the party-girl life that lures some young models.

“I’ve seen the evils without actually experiencing the evils,” she said.

‘Enterprise’ role no quantum leap

New York  No stranger to science-fiction roles, Scott Bakula didn’t need a quantum leap for his latest part.

Bakula, whose signature series was the sci-fi hit “Quantum Leap,” stars as Capt. Jonathan Archer in the “Star Trek” prequel “Enterprise,” which airs on UPN.

“The script was great, and I really liked these guys,” Bakula told Newsday for its Sunday editions.

The original “Star Trek” series debuted in 1966 and spawned three sequels that kept moving further into the future: “The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine” and “Voyager.” In search of a new concept, the creators opted for the prequel approach in “Enterprise,” which takes place in the 22nd century some 100 years before Capt. James T. Kirk was at the helm.

Oscar nominee fights racism

New York  Halle Berry says she’s on a mission to be a transcending black actress  a pursuit that has been an uphill battle at times.

Berry said she has had several encounters with racism during her film career, which has included roles in “Monster’s Ball,” “Swordfish” and “Bulworth.”

“What’s hardest for me to swallow is when there is a love story, say, with a really high-profile male star and there’s no reason I can’t play the part,” Berry told The New York Times for Sunday editions. “They say, ‘Oh, we love Halle, we just don’t want to go black with this part.'”

Berry, 33, is up for best actress at the Academy Awards for her role as a worn-out waitress in “Monster’s Ball.” If victorious, she’ll become the first black woman to win a best actress Oscar.

Berry was named best actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.