Tony Little

The gig: As "America's Personal Trainer," Little runs a fitness empire that includes exercise equipment, videos, apparel and nutritional products. The former bodybuilder's infomercials are aired in 81 countries, and his products -- such as the Gazelle -- have grossed more than $3 billion. He is also known for his catchphrase, "You can do it!" Education: Graduated from Dixie M. Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1975.

Tony Earley's first novel, "Jim the Boy," had all the simplicity of its plain-spoken title. The story follows a year in the uneventful life of a 10-year-old in an idyllic North Carolina town during the Great Depression. There's nothing ironic or postmodern about the style or plot. Some found it an old-fashioned, charming fable; to others, the novel provoked eye-rolling and was dismissed as cloying and moralistic. The author's latest, "The Blue Star," shouldn't change anyone's mind either way.

Tonight, when Broadway celebrates itself in the annual Tony Awards telecast, watch the nervous nominees on the aisle seats. Observe the brave smiles, the phony laughs in response to limp jokes, the beads of sweat breaking out all over the place. It may be just another round of rah-rah show business to us couch potatoes at home, but for many of them it ranks up there with the Big Moments. Forget about the "honor just to be nominated" platitudes. This is America. Everybody just wants to win.

The gig: As "America's Personal Trainer," Little runs a fitness empire that includes exercise equipment, videos, apparel and nutritional products. The former bodybuilder's infomercials are aired in 81 countries, and his products -- such as the Gazelle -- have grossed more than $3 billion. He is also known for his catchphrase, "You can do it!" Education: Graduated from Dixie M. Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1975.

Tony Earley's first novel, "Jim the Boy," had all the simplicity of its plain-spoken title. The story follows a year in the uneventful life of a 10-year-old in an idyllic North Carolina town during the Great Depression. There's nothing ironic or postmodern about the style or plot. Some found it an old-fashioned, charming fable; to others, the novel provoked eye-rolling and was dismissed as cloying and moralistic. The author's latest, "The Blue Star," shouldn't change anyone's mind either way.

"Melrose Place" fans know that Alyssa Milano is not Tony Danza's little girl anymore. But her long-running "Who's the Boss?" image has been hard to shake. Milano, 24, is enjoying her ongoing role as junior vixen on "Melrose Place." She says of her character, "She doesn't mean to be mean, but she can't do it any other way." What about the gorgeous Milano's personal life? Is she dating, and whom? "Oh, honey, I wish I had an answer. I'd tell all. I'd be shameless.

The Early Show (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Tony Little. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV Live With Regis and Kelly Andy Cohen; Aaron Eckhart; John Leguizamo; Dean Karnazes. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Sarah Silverman; MoMA Director Glenn Lowry; Rahna Reiko Rizzuto. (N) 10 a.m. KABC The Doctors Jon Lovitz, Naomi Judd and Chandra Wilson ask the doctors health-related questions.

Switchboard operators will not be standing by when the folks behind BluBlockers, Soloflex, the Juiceman, the "Perfect Smile," food dehydrators, and cooking ware where you "set it and forget it" are saluted tonight in Las Vegas.

HERE WE ARE IN PARADISE: Stories by Tony Earley (Little, Brown: $19.95; 232 pp.). There are a number of arresting stories in this first collection by Tony Earley, many of them dealing with the McBride clan of Aliceville, N.C. "Charlotte" deserves special mention, though, because it's terrific, describing the changes that overcome a town when it opts for the big time--or as the chamber of commerce would put it, "comes of age."

Tonight, when Broadway celebrates itself in the annual Tony Awards telecast, watch the nervous nominees on the aisle seats. Observe the brave smiles, the phony laughs in response to limp jokes, the beads of sweat breaking out all over the place. It may be just another round of rah-rah show business to us couch potatoes at home, but for many of them it ranks up there with the Big Moments. Forget about the "honor just to be nominated" platitudes. This is America. Everybody just wants to win.

Stretched out on the floor at a Studio City gym, Wil Bowers, 35, is reluctant to take a break from his abdominal exercises. Only when he's assured that the interruption will be brief does he stop crunching and start chatting about why he does this. Flat abs, he explains, "give me confidence. And that's important for an actor." Like Bowers, Albert Schoenfield of Los Osos is justifiably proud of his silhouette, maintained by swimming 72 laps a day.