Letterman still recuperating

New York — “The Late Show With David Letterman” returns from a weeklong production hiatus this week with a new lineup of guest hosts as Letterman continues to recuperate from a case of shingles.

The roster of substitute hosts includes Whoopi Goldberg, Vince Vaughn, Elvis Costello and Will Ferrell, with another host to be announced for Friday’s show.

A statement from Letterman’s doctor issued on Friday said the CBS late-night funnyman continues to improve, but more rest is needed for a full recovery.

Letterman, 55, was sidelined for three days last month by an eye infection brought on by a case of shingles, a viral infection related to chickenpox.

Steve Martin’s body of work

New York — Steve Martin still enjoys doing physical comedy.

“It’s fun. You use every part of your body,” the 57-year-old comedian-actor said. “It’s something I’ve done a lot and something (that) comes natural. And you feel funny when you’re doing it, so it’s a nice feeling.”

Martin is known for his wild and crazy comedy routines. His new film, “Bringing Down the House,” co-starring Queen Latifah, has Martin wearing hip-hop clothes at a dance club and getting thrown into a swimming pool.

“I’m the king of being thrown into the pool. I did it in ‘Father of the Bride,’ I did it in this movie. I think it’s going to be very big for me,” he laughed.

“Bringing Down the House” took in $31.1 million to debut as the weekend’s No. 1 film, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Ford rolls to 100

Dearborn, Mich. — Beyonce Knowles, lead singer of Grammy-winning pop group Destiny’s Child, will help Ford Motor Co. celebrate its 100th birthday.

Knowles will be among the headliners scheduled to perform in a 40,000-seat venue being constructed for a June 14 party.

The Ford centennial will feature Model T rides and a series of other activities at the grounds of the automaker’s headquarters in this Detroit suburb.

The June 12-16 celebration will include performances by country music star Toby Keith and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The fete is expected to draw 100,000 visitors.

Oscar vs. the stork

Hollywood — The infamously long Oscars ceremony can be daunting for any Hollywood star — and even more so if you’re nine months’ pregnant.

So Best Supporting Actress nominee and expectant mother Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose due date is less than two weeks after the March 23 ceremony at L.A.’s Kodak Theatre, will reportedly have an ambulance on standby during the red-carpet event in case she goes into labor, reports Hello! magazine.

The “Chicago” star is thought to be planning to give birth at Cedars Sinai Hospital — 3 miles from the Academy Awards venue — where her 2-year-old son, Dylan, was born.