William Safire’s FBI file details grades, wiretaps

Washington — Conservative columnist William Safire was not quite a B student in college before dropping out and beginning a career that would take him to the White House and earn him a Pulitzer Prize, according to details released in his FBI file.

The FBI this month released nearly 350 pages of documents related to Safire, who died in September at the age of 79. The documents became public after Safire’s death and date from 1965 to 1994.

Many of the documents are biographical, including some 125 pages from a background investigation conducted when he became a speech writer for President Richard Nixon in 1969. A former employer, one of more than 30 people interviewed, told FBI investigators that Safire was able to work “long hours under enormous pressure and that he had demonstrated extreme stability in such situations.”

The man, John Reagan McCrary, a radio host and publicist, called Safire nearly “glacial” in pressure situations. A client told investigators that Safire had always been “careful to avoid exaggeration” and to “fairly represent the accomplishments” of the company.

‘Housewives’ star calls for arts funding

Washington — “Desperate Housewives” actor Kyle MacLachlan, who plays Orson Hodge on the series, urged lawmakers Tuesday to increase arts funding, saying he got his start performing in community theaters that received federal grants.

MacLachlan joined hundreds of arts advocates on Capitol Hill to press Congress for increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, even as federal deficits could trigger budget cuts.

State, local and private support for the arts declined by about $1 billion last year because of the weak economy, according to the group Americans for the Arts. Some museums and arts groups have shut down permanently.

“You are our champions here in the halls of Congress, and for many of us you hold our livelihoods in your hands,” MacLachlan told a House subcommittee.

Tesh confirms report, says he dated Oprah

New York — John Tesh confirms one of the reports in a revealing unauthorized biography of Oprah Winfrey.

The former “Entertainment Tonight” anchor-turned-new age musician says he and Winfrey used to date.

The 57-year-old Tesh says he and the 56-year-old Winfrey dated while working in local news in Nashville, Tenn.

The book “Oprah: A Biography” claims Tesh and Winfrey didn’t just date, but lived together for a short period in the 1970’s.

It goes on to say Tesh abruptly ended the relationship one night when he noticed their contrasting skin colors and couldn’t handle being in an interracial relationship.

Tesh has not commented on the book’s explanation for their split, but did tell “Entertainment Tonight” he and Winfrey remain good friends.

Eubanks’ ‘Tonight Show’ replacement named

New York — “American Idol” music director Rickey Minor is headed for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Minor replaces longtime music director Kevin Eubanks, who on Monday’s show made his May 28 exit date official.

In an announcement Tuesday, NBC said Minor is expected to debut at “Tonight” on June 7.

The current season of “American Idol” ends in May, after which Minor will continue to consult with “Idol” creator Simon Fuller on various projects, NBC said.

Minor has also served as music director of the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards and “The NAACP Image Awards.”

Strait’s latest hit sets a Billboard record

New York — George Strait has set a Billboard record.

The trade magazine said Tuesday that the country legend is the first act to hit the top 10 on any Billboard chart for 30 straight years.

The song that set the record was “I Gotta Get to You,” which has reached No. 9 on Billboard’s top country songs list.

Strait’s first country top 10 hit was in 1981, with “Unwound,” and he has cracked the top 10 every year since then. His latest hit is his 82nd top 10 country hit.

Michaels has emergency appendectomy

New York — Bret Michaels is recovering from an emergency appendectomy at a Texas hospital.

The 47-year-old rocker’s Web site says Michaels was urged to go to the hospital as he was preparing to take the stage in San Antonio on Sunday night.

He had been having severe stomach pains all day “and what was assumed to be a severe case of the flu.”

The statement says Michaels had emergency surgery early Monday and is now “doing well and beginning the recovery process.”

Michaels was the frontman for the ’80s hair band Poison.

Patti LaBelle to get honorary degree

Philadelphia — Veteran R&B diva Patti LaBelle is getting an honorary degree from Temple University in her hometown of Philadelphia.

The university will present LaBelle with the doctorate in humane letters at its May 13 commencement ceremony.

LaBelle’s singing career has spanned more than four decades and includes several hit records and two Grammy Awards.

LaBelle served as a spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association after being diagnosed with the condition. Two years ago, she partnered with Temple to raise awareness about diabetes.

Temple President Ann Weaver Hart says in a statement Tuesday that the university is honoring LaBelle for “her professional excellence and her selfless service to others.”