Just when she thought she was out, they pulled her back in.

Ready to start fresh after her stint as supporter-in-chief of waterboarding, subterfuge and a domestic policy of complete disregard for the law, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did a speaking gig at Stanford University, her alma mater. While there, she ran into a couple of enterprising student journalists who pinned her against the lecture hall bulletin board and peppered her with questions about Guantanamo. Ultimately Condi sent the newbies back to the stacks, looking the whole time like the estranged relative who didn’t want to have to defend, yet again, the unsavory family history.

Sun-Times pop music critic, Jim DeRogatis reports that, in response to Michael’s recent denial of rumors that he would participate in the much-touted Jackson reunion tour, scheduled for 2009, brother Marlon reportedly said, “I don’t know [why he’s not participating]. I think he’s in Egypt riding a camel.”

Reports of a couple of days ago that LisaRaye McCoy-Misick was moving back into the Premier mansion were premature. Premier Michael Misick himself has released a statement that he and LisaRaye are separated and heading for divorce court: 

“I am announcing that I am separated from LisaRaye McCoy-Misick. I am committed to dissolving the marriage amicably.” 

An earlier 10 Items item fingered BET cutie Rosci playing hostess at the Turks & Caicos casa while LisaRaye was away in New York. The First Lady had been spending a considerable amount of time Stateside following reports of rape and maleficence charges against her husband being investigated. 

Not one to put his business in the street, Misick further stated: “I believe that this is a private matter and will have no further comment. I hope that our privacy will be respected.” 

Dude, privacy? Seriously? Your rape denial is posted on YouTube.

OK, all you Whitney fans (and, judging from your responses, there are many of you!) The World Entertainment News Network reports that, before a recent concert in London, Whitney was so nervous about forgetting the lyrics to her biggest hits, she had them taped to the wall in her dressing room.   

Turns out, she had nothing to worry about — the show was a huge success and Nippy’s performance was great.

TOBAGO—After a lengthy layoff, purported drug use and a tumultuous marriage and divorce from Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston is trying for a come back. Sadly, that might not be as easy to accomplish as she’d hoped for. Houston, 44, banned photographers and the media from getting within 200 yards of her on Sunday night at the Plymouth Jazz Festival stage. Nervous, no doubt about the quality of her voice, the ex-Mrs. Brown kept telling the Tobago audience how happy she was to be in Trinidad. Unfortunately, she had good reason to be nervous.

After such a long time away from the stage, Houston’s flat, horse and listeless voice was a big disappointment to those who knew the power she commanded at the height of her career. All that said Houston looked great, decked out in a form-fitting white gown. And given the fact that this is her first real concert date since her December 2006 appearance in Malaysia, you gotta give the sister credit for at least showing up on time for her 30 minute, seven-song set.

Houston started out her set with “It’s Not Right, It’s OK” a song that few folks in the audience appeared to know and followed it up with an old favorite “Step by Step.” As peppy as that tune is, Houston failed to get much of a rise out of the audience, many of whom had come extra early to make sure they got a good spot on the lawn. After her second song Houston paid tribute to Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and En Vogue who had performed on Friday and Saturday nights.

On “Saving All My Love For You,” another song that should have brought the capacity crowd to their feet, Houston’s voice cracked. “I don’t think the voice is still there,” said one patron on his way out.He probably felt the same way about her delivery on “I’ll Always Love You” since she missed all the notes that once made that ballad one of her signature tunes. The folks who had paid $120 (general admission) were already a little unhappy but after that song they stopped applauding.

Houston did sound a little like her old self when belting out her finale “I’m Every Woman.” Her voice was much clearer and it seemed as though she was really starting to get her groove. But it proved to be too little too late.

Despite a new CD reportedly coming out later this year, Houston didn’t speak with the media following her performance and failed to respond to the written questions her publicist asked journalists to submit.

Hopefully the songstress, who was reportedly paid $3 million to show up on Sunday, will watch the video of her performance and make the necessary adjustments before her next live appearance at the Caudwell Legends Children’s Ball in London on May 8.If she can clean up her life, she can clean up her act as well.

-Reported by Miki Turner