The TV Zone

Joe Torre, just on "Live," and I wish to heck I had a clip to show you, but honestly, nothing much here that he hasn't said in the various media interviews.

Re the "A- Fraud" biz that got so much play, he said: "It bothered me [the suggestions he was violating some sort of club house omerta]. Am I saying people aren't going to take exception" to some of the things he said in the book? "But in my code, that didn't violate any kind of activity in the club house. I put a lot of time into this book, to make it honest as I could without making it sensational. I wanted people to be informed by the book, not necessarily shocked."

He said the "A-Fraud" term was well-known to everyone, including A-Fraud...err, A-Rod. "He thought he had to be something different than what he really was - he was trying to be this guy that fit in. He tried too hard and I think he still tries too hard. He came over after all the World Series and in this town, you have got to be playing in October and that's the only thing that's going to get you over the hump."

Joe Torre - only the greatest manager of the Yankees in my lifetime - has written a book with former Newsday beatwriter, Tom Verducci. It's got a lot of stuff in it about A-Rod - though, sadly, absolutely nothing about Madonna.

For that reason, I probably won't read the whole thing, but will cheat by pulling pages and maybe the first chapter off of Amazon.

But - by heavens - I WILL watch every interview the Great One does, starting with the one next week on "Live with R&K.;" For all I know, Joe will have a million between now and then, but the "Live" one just now came to my attention. It'll air next Wednesday, February 4.

And your book tour isn't complete until you've heard Reeg yell..."GELLLLman..."

This is my humble little reminder to TV fans young and old (and in between) that tonight is the night when Regis Philbin finally scores his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys - from the Kodak Theater in LA, on ABC at 8.

I can't think of a single human anywhere who more richly deserves this honor, and perhaps my only quibble is that Reeg deserves a Lifetime primetime Achievement as well - although I suppose the haughty pooh-bahs who run the Academy figure that a mere game show host should not qualify.

Naturally, I disagree. Here's a line (or two) they could even borrow when they finally see the error of their ways, and confer this award as well: "Regis Philbin is one of the greats of this business, who's made it richer, better, smarter, and funnier simply by being who he is. All of television - daytime and primetime - has benefited immeasurably from his generous and bountiful spirit. Along with Johnny Carson, and Oprah Winfrey, there is simply no one who has performed the art of talking on television as long or as well as Regis Philbin."

Go get 'em, Reeg.