Following the lead of U2, who spent five nights with David Letterman last week, Prince has agreed to perform three nights in a row on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" March 25-27 followed by a fourth night in May. No artist has spent more than two consecutive nights with Leno.

NBC's announcement of the engagement -- which did not say whether or not the singer will also sit on the couch and chat -- followed an announcement by Prince himself on his website that promised: "From the 24th on, there will b a slew of NPG-related events happening around electric Lalaland. We know $ is tite but the adventures will b worth ur while! Stay 2ned 2 this outtaspacestation."

March 29 is the release date of Prince's new three-CD bundle, anchored by the studio album "Lotus Flow3r," which will be sold exclusively at Target for the recession-era price of $11.98.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER