Camera crews from a French television show and the E! network are in Honolulu to follow Duane "Dog" Chapman, star of A&E's "Dog the Bounty Hunter."

On Monday, Chapman met with a French production team as one stop in filming a special on Hawai'i. Chapman and his wife, Beth, also are being filmed for an "E! True Hollywood Story" episode scheduled to air May 19. The E! crew will be filming all week.

On Saturday, Chap-man begins a 13-week tour for his second book, "Where Mercy is Shown, Mercy is Given." His first stop will be at 2 p.m. on Kahala Mall's stage.

LETTERMAN'S BLACKMAILER PLEADS GUILTY

A former television producer pressured by debt and riven by jealousy admitted yesterday he tried to extract vengeance and money by shaking down David Letterman in a case that bared the late-night icon's affairs with staffers.

Robert "Joe" Halderman, 52, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny, acknowledging he tried to chisel $2 million from the talk-show host. He had threatened to destroy Letterman's reputation by revealing the workplace dalliances — using information apparently mined from a former girlfriend's diary.

DE NIRO SIGNS ON AS VINCE LOMBARDI

Robert De Niro is set to play Vince Lombardi in an upcoming movie.

ESPN announced yesterday that the Oscar-winner has agreed to play the Hall of Fame coach in the film it's developing with Andell Entertainment and the NFL.

"Lombardi" will chronicle how he transformed the Green Bay Packers from the NFL's worst team to league champions. It's expected to be released in 2012.

NO OSCARS OBIT FOR FARRAH FAWCETT

The executive director of the film academy said yesterday that Farrah Fawcett wasn't included in the Oscars' In Memoriam segment because the actress was better known as a TV star.

It was a difficult decision for the committee that assembles the segment, said Bruce Davis, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He added that he's not surprised some fans and family members are upset.

BOB BARKER GIVES $2.5M TO PETA

Bob Barker has donated $2.5 million to help the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group open a new location in Los Angeles. The retired "The Price Is Right" host and spay-and-neuter proponent will cut the ribbon today at the Bob Barker Building on Sunset Boulevard.

— Advertiser Staff and news services