Jessica Simpson's engagment comes with strong prenup

BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist

Jessica Simpson and father Joe Simpson, pictured in 2006, are taking care to protect her estimated $75 million fortune.

While Jessica Simpson gushes about her engagement to ex-NFL player Eric Johnson - and flashes around her beautiful ring - there's quite a lot of work going into the couple's prenuptial agreement.

According to one person very close to the actress and singer, "this could be the tightest, most carefully drawn prenup for a celebrity that's ever been written."

Much of the concern centers on Simpson's large fortune - estimated at $75 million to more than $100 million, depending on the value given her many endorsement and franchise deals.

? Behind the scenes, Jessica's father and manager, Joe Simpson, is said to be coordinating everything. Like a number of folks in his daughter's inner circle, he's concerned about tales Johnson may be something of a golddigger.

"While Joe likes Eric and has seen nothing - so far - that's a red flag, he just is being super-careful on Jess' behalf," said the source.

CHATTING WITH LARRY: According to a spy in Larry King's world, the CNN veteran had very mixed feelings about his exclusive interview with Mel Gibson's estranged girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

While the talk-show legend was thrilled to snare Grigorieva for the interview taped Saturday (and scheduled to air Wednesday), King told one friend, "I think there's a lot of wrongdoing on both sides here."

Though King was upset by Gibson's infamous anti-Semitic comments - as were many Jews in Hollywood (and around the world) - the Oscar winner's personal apology to King had helped the TV talker begin to forgive Gibson.

"Larry also thinks that Oksana likely was into Mel mostly for his money, and he pressed her on that and other aspects of her battle with Gibson in the interview. But after it was all said and done, Larry had to admit that Oksana does come off pretty good in it."

? While Gibson was ordered by the judge last week to pay Grigorieva the back payments he owes her for child support, the multimillionaire now has a new bit of cash to help with that - as if he needed it!

Seems his canceled cameo on the "Hangover" sequel was a "pay-or-play" deal - meaning the filmmakers have to pay Gibson the agree-upon fee of $750,000 for his three-day gig, even though they axed him from the project.

TAKE A BOW: While Oscar winner Marlee Matlin is unable to attend the Equip for Equality gala tonight, her longtime great pal, EFE attorney Howard Rosenblum - who also is deaf - will be presenting the group's Disability Rights Leadership Award to the actress' brother Marc Matlin on her behalf.

As Rosenblum puts it, "Growing up with Marlee was always an adventure! She was so resolute. This personality trait has served her well in breaking through more barriers in the public eye than any other deaf person has."

The Renaissance Chicago Hotel fund-raiser will be emceed by CBS-2 investigative reporter Dave Savini.

THE NURSERY: Congrats to ex-"Bachelorette" and Chicago-based PR exec Jen Schefft and husband Joe Waterman on the birth Saturday of their first child, Mae Elizabeth - checking into our crazy world at 7 pounds.

YUM-YUM: Traveling fans of Chicago's own Eli's Cheesecake will be happy to know the first, full-service Eli's Cheesecake Cafe bows at the United Terminal - between gates B-8 and B-9 - at O'Hare Thursday. Eli's big cheese Marc Schulman and Chicago's Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino will cut a huge cherry-topped cake to mark the occasion.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: "Today" anchor Meredith Vieira was spied all over town this past weekend, including at Sunda and at the Evanston cafe Kafein with her kids after the Northwestern game Saturday. Will.i.am and some of his Black Eyed Peas bandmates, the Bears' Garrett Wolfe, New York Yankee Curtis Granderson and "Shameless" actor Robert Knepper were among recent sightings at the Underground. "CSI" actor Wallace Langham was spied Sunday, checking out the Second City e.t.c. show, "The Absolute Best Friggin' Time of Your Life." To celebrate their hometown victory over the Vikings, Bears Tim Jennings and Major Wright headed to the District bar to join family and friends. Jaclyn Smith and cardiologist hubby Brad Allen dined on steaks at 33 Club the other night, while Allen was in town to address a McCormick Place confab. The Bulls' Carlos Boozer was spotted at Japonais.

Bill Zwecker reports on "Good Day Chicago" and "Fox Chicago News at 9" on WFLD-Channel 32.