“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

Former Chicagoan Bob Bass lost his chance to become a millionaire. And he wants a second shot at it. As a contestant on last week’s highly popular game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” Bass was asked which U.S. president was the youngest at his inauguration. He answered John F. Kennedy. The show maintains that the correct answer is Theodore Roosevelt.

Law looks good on Paper

Not sure whether Jude Law is the most handsome man alive? Then check out the photos of Law in the February issue of Paper. If they don’t convince you, the story–which obsesses on the actor’s good looks–probably will. Law, who was the best thing about the overwrought Matt Damon flick “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” says that fame hasn’t eased his schedule any.

“Disney On Ice”

Move over, Cher. Minnie Mouse is in town, and she’s sporting a Bob Mackie gown that you’d die for. The beloved Disney character was just one of dozens Wednesday to glide into the Allstate Arena for the opening night of “Disney on Ice.” Classy ice shows usually are an oxymoron. But this production was a splendid affair, with gorgeous costumes, striking sets and a cast of skaters who did a formidable job of re-creating some of Disney’s best-known animated characters. Sure, there were some aborted jumps and falls that wouldn’t happen at competitive-level ice shows. But then again, those athletes don’t have to perform wearing rubber masks and cumbersome costumes.

Thin isn’t cool, Prinze Jr. says

What a shot to attract even more female tweens: a photo of the incredibly photogenic Freddie Prinze Jr. sitting on rose petals with the accompanying quote, “Girls don’t have to be thin to be hot.” The February issue of Seventeen magazine is a definite eye grabber.
“Girls in L.A. don’t eat anything,” he says in the cover story.

“Blue’s Clues Live!”

Think of “Blue’s Clues Live!” as the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the preschool set. But instead of getting dressed up like transvestites and throwing things at the screen, the tiny tots at the Rosemont Theatre on Friday night clutched their stuffed animals and shouted out answers to puzzles as the performers acted out a charming stage adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon children’s show.

Health clubs have to hustle

The health club industry is a $10.6 billion business in the United States. There are 15,125 clubs today, more than double the numbers from 1982. Almost 30 million people have memberships. Illinois alone has about 600 fitness facilities. Despite the increase in health clubs, Americans continue to grow fatter each year. The percentage of obese Americans has increased from 12 percent in 1991 to 17.9 percent in 1998, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These statistics mirror Illinois’ figures. And a study by Men’s Fitness magazine ranked Chicago the sixth-fattest city in the nation.

“Glossing Over”Children Rescued from Prostitution

Accompanied by stark, black-and-white photos of girls so young that their bodies are not yet developed, the Marie Claire article carries the optimistic title “Children Rescued from Prostitution.” After finishing the piece, the reader wonders whether these kids are ever rescued from their horrific lives.