Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Kim Delaney is back at work on "Army Wives," no doubt glad to be putting distance between herself and the unfortunate incident last month, when she was escorted off stage as she struggled through a rambling, nonsensical attempt at a speech honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Liberty Medal Award presentation.

She has yet to make a public statement as to what went wrong that night, leaving it to the media to point out her past problems with alcohol. It's a shame.

The actress turns in a memorable performance in the Hallmark Movie Channel film "Finding a Family," premiering tomorrow (Oct. 15), in which she plays a woman with severe bipolar disorder following a brain injury. She looks stunningly different. In scenes in which the character is enraged, she is scary. In scenes in which she's broken down, she looks fragile and lost.

Now, especially in light of the September incident, the movie has an extra can't-turn-away element. It almost echoes certain moments from Delaney's own story, including how she lost custody of her son Jack in 2005 because of her drinking.

Recent years have been much happier, with Delaney going through a second alcohol rehab stint in 2006 and making a personal and professional comeback, including her success with Lifetime's "Army Wives," her apparently close relationship with Jack and her obvious pride in his accomplishments as a student at the University of Pennsylvania. She's been talking about producing projects back in her hometown of Philadelphia. Perhaps she will.

"Finding a Family" tells the remarkable story of Alex Chivescu (Jared Abrahamson), who somehow managed to become an honors student despite his volatile home life, who went to court to terminate his mother's parental rights and have himself declared a ward of the state, and who then found a family willing to take him in — all to keep his dream of going to Harvard alive. It's a worthy addition to the inspirational movie genre, with Delaney's portrayal just riveting. Chivescu says he hopes people will get the takeaway of "overcoming adversity on your own terms."

NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY: Fourteen-year-old "Kickin' It" series star Leo Howard turns up on the Disney Channel's "PrankStars" Sunday (Oct.

"I was actually super nervous," Howard says of the hidden-camera show. "They had figured out the prank. I helped design the interior of it, and then when I did it, it was all improvisation," says the young guy known for his impressive real-life martial arts skills. "I had a little bug and people talking to me in my ear. It was awesome — the freedom you have."

Howard has a growing fan following thanks to his Disney XD show, which was recently renewed for its second season. (He's also known as the young Conan of this past summer's "Conan the Barbarian" reboot and as young Snake Eyes in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.")

"We go back to work in December, which is great," Howard says. "When you love it, it's not work. I love what I do. And my parents have set it up beautifully, so it's like two separate worlds for me. At home, I still live like a normal kid."

Whether he's recognized "depends on what I wear," says the generously maned Leo. "I find I'm not recognized if I wear a hat, so if I want to go out with friends, I'll do that. But the attention is not that bad. Personally, I love it. It's not annoying to me."

REALITY ROLLERS: Those who think that we've already gone too far with the celebrity-drenched, star-worshipping culture better brace themselves. A reality series called "Celebrapy" is on the way, described as a show that will let viewers see how famous people help the little people — everyday Joes and Janes who have cancer, or are the victims of bullying, or are going through financial turmoil, or various other difficulties. The celebrities (they're looking to cast famous folks now) will go into their lives serving sort of as life coaches, or therapists, in a way. Hence the title. Could be an interesting show. But it could be an even better "Saturday Night Live" sketch.

Andrew Gurland and Stephanie Gurland found an imaginative way to support their family: producing cable TV sex documentaries. A show is being made about them, "Gurland on Gurland."

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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