By Jesse Birnbaum

A Single Mom's Trial

MARCIA CLARK, lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, pleaded in court two weeks ago that she could not stay for a late Friday session because of child-care problems. Now those problems may land her in another court. Gordon Clark, her estranged husband, has filed for primary custody of their two children, ages three and five, claiming that they are "starved for affection ... I have personal knowledge that [Marcia] doesn't arrive home until 10 p.m. I do not want our children to continue to suffer because she ... never has time to spend with them." Responding through her lawyer, prosecutor Clark said, "I am devoted to my children, who are far and away more important to me than anything ... it is inappropriate for me to discuss [the matter] in the media."

The Devil Made Him Do It

The year-old Broadway revival of the 1955 musical Damn Yankees needed a kick in the pants. So last week the cast got a fresh face, and it is the audience that's getting the kicks. The new boy is JERRY LEWIS, playing the devil. Those who doubted that the veteran comic (69 next week) could play the part without stealing-or ruining-the show have to give the devil his due. In previews (he opens officially this Sunday), Lewis' performance has been mostly shtick-free-and has drawn standing ovations. Says Lewis: "I'm bringing some of my insanity to the role, but I've been playing the devil for 63 years. They've just been waiting for it."

Something to Crow About

With 87 categories to plow through, from New Age Album to Tropical Latin Performance, few people went away empty-handed at last week's Grammy Awards, which were ladled out with appropriate pizazz in Los Angeles by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The evening's most pleasant surprise was newcomer SHERYL CROW, 32. Her infectious single All I Wanna Do was named Record of the Year, and she also took home Grammys for Best Female Pop Vocalist and Best New Artist. The oldtimers did pretty well too. Bruce Springsteen, 45, added four awards to his pile for Streets of Philadelphia, and Tony Bennett, 68, picked up two, Album of the Year and Traditional Pop Vocalist, for his MTV Unplugged. They all looked like kids, however, compared with Benny Carter; the legendary saxophonist won for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo--at age 87.

SEEN & HEARD

Who could ever forget ELVIS PRESLEY's way with Nunc Hic aut Numquam? Or his heartbreaking rendition of Tenere Me Ama? Well, chalk it up to sic gloria: a Finnish professor, Jukka Ammondt, has translated several of the singer's hits into Latin and, with the vocals provided by Finland's Eurovision Choir, put them on a compact disc. "Latin," says Ammondt, "is an eternal language, so what better way to immortalize a legend?"

Like many a scandal-plagued politician, IMELDA MARCOS is trying for a comeback. The former Philippine First Lady, who is appealing her conviction on corruption charges, says she will run for a seat in the Philippine Congress. She is said to be a shoe-in.