'Play for a Billion'? Who's that stupid?

The WB and Pepsi could give some incredibly lucky viewer a billion dollars this September. It's predictably complicated, but "Play for a Billion" will combine sweepstakes entry codes on "specially marked Pepsi products," a thousand "randomly selected" consumers, a game show (from the producer of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire") and a guaranteed $1 million prize.

The winner can risk that for a one-in-a-thousand chance at a billion bucks.

And who, exactly would be dumb enough to take that chance? Truth in advertising ought to mandate it be called "Play for a Million."

CLAYSON TO CNN? BYU grad and former KSL anchor/reporter Jane Clayson might just end up on cable after all.

When she left Ch. 5 in 1996 to go to ABC, among her assignments was supposed to be anchoring chores on ABC's cable news channel. Which never happened because ABC scrapped its plans for a cable news channel.

Eventually, Clayson left ABC for CBS, where she co-anchored "The Early Show" until last year. Now she's reporting for "The CBS Evening News" and "48 Hours" — and she has been talking to CNN about possibly going to work there.

There are reports that Paula Zahn will move from CNN's morning news to a prime-time telecast, and that Clayson could end up replacing Zahn in the morning. Or she might assume other duties at the cable outlet.

But at this point, it's just in the talking stage.

BLAIR-ING SIMPSONS: British Prime Minister Tony Blair is going to be on "The Simpsons." Really.

In the midst of liberating Iraq last week, the p.m. took time out to tape a voice cameo for an upcoming episode of the Fox animated series. According to Fox, Blair will give Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie tourist information in the episode, which won't air for several months.

Also voice-guesting on the Simpsons-go-to-England episode are Ian McKellen and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books.

TOLD YOU SO: I mentioned last week that the hot topic for TV movies is no longer Elizabeth Smart, it's rescued P.O.W. Jessica Lynch. NBC is going ahead with a quickie movie about the Army private, with or without her cooperation.

NBC won't let a little thing like her refusal stop it from making the telefilm.

NBC has backed away from rushing a Smart movie onto the air. Thank goodness.

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E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com