ANDERSON COOPER went BLIND for 36 hours last week, while he was on assignment in Portugal for "60 Minutes". The cause of his blindness was SUNBURNED EYEBALLS. On his show yesterday, Anderson said he was out in the ocean on a boat for about two hours. And even though it was overcast, the UV light bouncing off the water did a number on his eyes. He said, quote, "I wake up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire, my eyeballs and I think, oh maybe I have sand in my eyes or something. I douse my eyes with water. Anyway, it turns out I have sunburned my eyeballs and I go blind. I went blind for 36 hours." NBC's chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman said, quote, "It's a reminder that frankly everyone needs sunglasses. Fortunately for you you're going to be fine, but it's a real reminder."

Former "Malcolm in the Middle" star FRANKIE MUNIZ ended up in the hospital this past Friday, after suffering a MINI-STROKE. Yesterday he Tweeted, quote, "I was in the hospital last Friday. I suffered a 'Mini Stroke,' which was not fun at all. Have to start taking care of my body! Getting old!" Today is actually Frankie's birthday. He's an ancient 27.

BARBARA WALTERS has made HONEY BOO BOO one of her "Most Fascinating People" of the year . . . and she doesn't care if you disagree. She says, quote, "The relationship between Alana and her mother . . . that's the story, the two of them. It's very touching . . . It's a love story. It's a very sweet, loving story."