“CSI” star George Eads will be honored at the 19th annual Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund gala May 8 (New York Marriott Marquis). The shindig, chaired by Nick Katsoris and hosted by Ch. 5’s Ernie Anastos, will feature presenters including “CSI: NY” co-star Melina Kanaka redes, Gilles Marini, Cat Cora, Nick Gregory, Frank Dicopoulos and CBS’ Alexis Christoforous. The Shirelles and Greek singer Katy Garbi will perform.
Dicopoulos, by the way, co- starred on “Guiding Light,” which ended its 72-year run September. Some “GL” alumni, including Kim Zimmer and Ron Raines, will be aboard the “So Long Springfield” cruise to Halifax in late July (celebritye ventsgroup.com).
* * *
It’s interesting to note that “Oprah” ratings dropped 5 percent for the week ending April 18 — the same week Kitty Kelley’s biography of Oprah Winfrey hit book stores (April 13). “Oprah” was down 320,000 viewers that week from the week before — and was down 19 percent from the same week in ’09.
* * *
Tavis Smiley’s nationally syndicated (by PRI) radio show, “The Tavis Smiley Show,” marks its five-year an niversary tomorrow. To celebrate the occasion, Smiley will announce he’s establishing a scholarship in honor of the show’s founding execu tive producer, Sheryl Flowers, who passed away last year after a battle with breast cancer. Smiley will donate $25,000 to Clark Atlanta Uni versity (Flowers’ alma mater) to establish The Sheryl Flow ers Scholarship, with the school matching Smiley’s contribution. Flowers first joined Smiley in 2002, when his show aired on NPR.
Last, but not least:
* Season 3 of TLC freak show “18 Kids & Counting” is out on DVD . . . msg.com has been redesigned . . . David McLaughlin, who appeared on “American Loggers,” has died. He was 45 and suffered from “a severe diabetic condition,” according to reports . . . Congrats to CNBC’s Melissa Francis and husband Wray Thorn on the arrival of Greyson Alexander.