If UFOs really exist, who wants to explain to a visiting higher intelligence that Fox's American Idol foursome are the most revered figures in our culture? Last weekend's Dallas visit of Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest evoked more "Where are they?" fervor than the heady days of "Who shot J.R.?"

Though the host and the three judges were auditioning American Idol contestants at the W Hotel, the stars were not so carefree as to stay at the same hotel where contestants and fans were swarming.

Simon the bully Brit, Paula the sexy train wreck, Ryan the self-absorbed host and Randy the palate-cleansing nice guy were all ensconced in separate suites at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. When they did peek their heads out of their rooms, they were accompanied by bodyguards.

Cindy Crawford, oh, how we love your mole. The supermodel is blasting through town this weekend in her role as ambassador for Omega watches. On Saturday afternoon, she'll be at Bachendorf's Jewelers in the Galleria autographing photos and schmoozing the general public.

Saturday night, she'll be at Southfork Ranch for the Cattle Baron's Ball. Plans are for Cindy to be on the main stage during the live auction to sell a limited-edition Omega Speedmaster watch.

The staff at Al Biernat's steakhouse couldn't quite believe the request they were getting from one of their most famous clients. Monday night, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was seated in the bar area, and the TV sets had been tuned to Monday Night Football.

Bartender Jesse Nava then informed manager Brad Fuller that Jerry wanted the TVs changed to Dancing With the Stars. Certain there was some mistake, Brad approached Mr. Jones to double-check: Change from Monday Night Football to Dancing With the Stars? Really, dude?

"I can watch football anytime," Jerry explained. "I want to watch Mark Cuban dance."

Of course, it turned out that Mark didn't dance until Tuesday night, and Jerry was soon out the door and off into the night.

As founder of The Mansion on Turtle Creek, the Crescent and a member of Texas' most famous oil family, Caroline Rose Hunt needs no introduction.

But last week, she thought she needed a little extra juice when she was introduced to the NFL's all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith at the Dancing With a Vision Gala.

"I'm Lamar Hunt's sister," she said, invoking the name of her late brother, who co-founded the American Football League and coined the name Super Bowl.

Today at 2:30 p.m., Dallas financial titan Robert B. " Bobby" Haas will be at NorthPark, signing copies of his new book of photography, Through the Eyes of the Condor: An Aerial Vision of Latin America.

The thrill of the billion-dollar deal apparently isn't enough for Bobby, who now spends his time hanging out of helicopters and airplanes to get photos for his books.

Today's signing in the Nasher Sculpture Center store at NorthPark will be part of the opening of an exhibition of 40 of his photos, which will be displayed on the shopping center's second level, between Neiman's and Nordstrom, until Jan. 15.

National Geographic is publishing his new book and co-sponsoring the NorthPark exhibit.

Susan E.S. Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall in Washington, D.C., will also be at NorthPark today to inaugurate the exhibit.