People

BILLY PRESTON TO UNDERGO TRANSPLANT

Songwriter-singer-musician Billy Preston has been scheduled to receive a kidney transplant. Preston, often called "The Fifth Beatle" because of his contributions to the work of the Fab Four, had been touring with Eric Clapton when he began having severe pains in one leg. Ironically, the leg pain was caused by another problem but the trip to the doctor prompted tests that showed that the 55-year-old Preston was in renal failure. Assist News Service says that Preston claims that someone must have been looking out for him and reports that his faith remains strong. The prognosis is good and the surgery will likely take place in the next few weeks.

LANCE BASS DOING WELL IN SPACE TRAINING

Doctors in Russia who have been monitoring the progress of 'NSync singer Lance Bass, as he prepares for possible space flight, say the 22-year-old entertainer is a "real trouper." CNBC is reporting that he has to take six more medical tests before being given the OK to go to the international space station. Bass has "always been interested in space travel," and attended a NASA space camp as a kid. Now his backers are forking over more than $22 million to provide for his training and preparations at the Russian space center. The entire effort, if the go-ahead is given, would be videotaped and become the next generation of "reality television." Meanwhile, there are reports that Bass may have had a slight heart problem early in his young life that could throw a wrench into his plans.

TV WRITER-PRODUCER ROY HUGGINS DIES

You don't need to spend much time watching TV from the past decades to wander across the name of Roy Huggins in the credits of many programs. According to the Los Angeles Times, Huggins, who has died of heart failure, was a creative force on such shows at "The Fugitive," "The Rockford Files" and "Maverick." By the way -- if you're too young to have ever seen the TV version of "The Fugitive" -- it was so popular that even the play-by-play of one major league baseball team (the St. Louis Cardinals) was interrupted so an announcer could tell the sports audience how the final episode turned out. He also worked on such shows as "Run for Your Life," "Alias Smith and Jones" and "The Virginian." It is estimated that he wrote more than 350 scripts for a variety of memorable TV shows. Roy Huggins was 87.

PRAISE FOR 'INCORRECT' SHOW

When the flap happened over the future of David Letterman, "Night Line" and other late-night shows, there were fears that the popular program "Politically Incorrect" might become a victim of the arguing. Now it would appear that the show, hosted by Bill Maher, may have more friends than it realizes. Columnist Liz Smith says that she has learned that music and entertainment icon Barbra Streisand is a fan. As a matter of fact, Streisand recently sent a long statement to US Weekly in praise of the show. In part, she notes that programs such as "Politically Incorrect" provide "an important forum for the dialogue that is the foremost foundation of democracy."

BITTERSWEET MOMENTS FOR MESSINA

Recently country's Jo Dee Messina received an e-mail -- through her fan club -- from a woman with a critically ill child. In part the mother told Messina that she was taking her four-year-old, cancer-stricken daughter home from chemotherapy when Messina's new song, "Bring on the Rain," came onto the radio. After listening to the positive lyrics of the song, the child said to her mother: "You know what, Mom? Tomorrow's another day. I'm going to be OK." Messina held back tears in describing the incident to CMT. For more on the singer and her current tour, check out jodeemessina.com on the Internet.

CLEVELAND WOMAN A REAL ROLE MODEL

Many in Cleveland, particularly in the city's Roman Catholic and prison community, are mourning the death of an activist who will long be remembered. Sheila Davis is being recalled as the little woman with the sharp Scottish accent whose life was dedicated to helping those in prison and keeping young people out of jail. The Cleveland Plain Dealer says that Davis was a member of group called The Order of Franciscans, a Christian group that followed the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. Davis was born in Scotland. She moved to the States after marrying a U.S. GI, whom she had met during a trip to Germany. During the past few decades she was a frequent visitor to Cleveland's main jail, going from cell to cell, passing out books. Her husband was the jail's longtime chaplain. She spent most of her "free" time working with local youth groups, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the CYO, the Catholic Youth Organization. Sheila Davis was 67.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 309

For today's question we gladly accept an entry from CWS, the radio guru in Vancouver, Wash. Here it is: "What is your favorite cure for hiccups? Got any funny hiccup-related stories?" Put HICCUP in the subject line and send to [email protected], via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 304 (HEALTH)

Last week, we asked whether you boycotted any foods because of health or social reasons. Here are some of the replies: Sharon, in Ottawa, says she hasn't eaten pork since reading an article about the torture of pigs on farms. Pat notes that until tuna fisherman began using "dolphin-safe" nets she boycotted the product. Cheryl -- who had dangerously high cholesterol at one time -- gave up red meat in 1999 and lost 110 pounds. Congratulations! CK sent into a strong condemnation of the "stuff" put in foods. She says that her 26-year-old daughter died after developing epilepsy from "a steady supply of soft drinks." Several told tales of food dropped onto the floor of restaurant kitchens and still served. YUCK! Cmore has boycotted lettuce for years because of the plight of migrant workers. MB is miffed at the major food chains for using imported beef. "What's wrong with the good old American stuff?" TOMORROW: Your thoughts on "silver" dollars. GBA.