People

By Josh Tyrangiel

THE MUSIC MAN

Along with habitual Oscar performers Randy Newman and Phil Collins, keep your eyes and ears open for another vocal talent at this year's awards show. ROBIN WILLIAMS has been tapped for a live performance of Best Original Song nominee Blame Canada--the profanity-sprinkled Canuck-baiting ditty from the animated film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. Oscar producers have yet to announce how they'll censor such lyrics as "Blame Canada with all their hockey hullabaloo/ and that b____ Anne Murray too," but Williams' history of antic unpredictability could make any decision moot. It may not erase the memories of Jakob the Liar or Bicentennial Man, but then what could?

THE OLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

There are plenty of older men who date women their own age. It just so happens none of them are famous. PAUL MCCARTNEY, 57, whose wife Linda died nearly two years ago, confirmed last week that he's "an item" with former swimwear model HEATHER MILLS. The 32-year-old Mills lost her left leg below the knee when she was run over by a London motorcycle cop in 1993; she subsequently dropped modeling to become an advocate for land-mine victims. "She's a very impressive woman," said Sir Paul. "We've done charity work together, and we've grown close." Meanwhile--fatwa be damned--SALMAN RUSHDIE, 53, is seeing 29-year-old Indian model, author and New York City society gal PADMA LAKSHI. Rushdie, who is still married to his London-based third wife Elizabeth West, met Lakshi at the launch party for Talk magazine in New York last July. The two have been seen at movies and restaurants around Manhattan, where Rushdie moves without the accompaniment of his security squad. What would make a man risk so much? Perhaps Lakshi's portentously titled cookbook, Easy Exotic, says it all.

FEUD OF THE WEEK

DAME EDNA, A.K.A BARRY HUMPHRIES AGE: 66 OCCUPATION: Star of Broadway one-man show Dame Edna: The Royal Tour BEST PUNCH: Ran an ad in the New York Times that read, "You don't have to be Jewish to adore my show!"--a pointed reference to Mason, who performs down the block

JACKIE MASON, A.K.A. JACOB MOSHE MAZA AGE: 69 OCCUPATION: Star of Broadway one-man show Much Ado About Everything! BEST PUNCH: Said the ad betrayed the Dame's insecurity: "How do you like his nerve...the truth is, he's jealous that I'm selling out every night while he's playing to half houses"

WINNER: Jekyll & Hyde, starring ex-Melrose Place hunk Jack Wagner. Good seats still available