March 9, 1999

BARBARA WALTERS NOT KEEN ON DAILY DOSE OF MONICA

By ROGER ANDERSON Scripps Howard News Service

INDUSTRY NOTES: Not the least interesting tidbit to arise from that thing a few days ago where Barbara Walters gave Monica Lewinsky a good going-over on TV was a subsequent rumor that the former intern might be tapped to replace Debbie Matenopolous as a commentator on Barbara's daily TV hen session, “The View."

"I think she'd be great in the co-host's seat," no less an authority than "View" executive producer Bill Geddie maintained at the time. "She's the right age, and has the right experience - and it's seriously crossed our minds ... If she is interested."

ON THE OTHER HAND: Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Barbara herself was directing a serious stream of cold water on this idea.

"There is absolutely no way Monica will become a part of 'The View,’" she informed a scribe at the New York Daily News.

"View” co-host Star Jones, Barbara explained, "said something on the air about Monica joining, and it was a joke that took on a life of its own. But I can promise you, Monica is not going to be on 'The View.'"

CELEBRITY YOUNGSTERS: Let's look over gossip dowager Liz Smith's shoulder as she gets Freddie Prinze Jr., star of "She's All That," to talk about the nature of his existence now that stardom has dawned. For instance, Liz wants to know, has fame 'n' success changed his life and the way his friends treat him?

"No, not really," Freddie says. "My friends are solid people, and we all love each other. As for me, I still play video games and miniature golf and watch the Cartoon Network." However, he only wears footie pajamas on school nights.

CELEBRITY YOUNGSTERS, CONTINUED: Did you know that Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe, co-stars in the new film "Cruel Intentions," are not only a hot-and-heavy item but expecting a child? Admittedly, this news won't likely go over real well with the hurray-for-chastity crowd.

"They're planning on getting married in the next few months," offers Reese's spokesman, much to everyone's relief.

ONWARD AND UPWARD WITH THE HUMANITIES: TV producer Peter Isacksen is understandably proud of his recent Fox program, “Opening the Lost Tombs: Live From Egypt," during which excavators brought to light a skeleton and a mummy, obviating invidious comparisons to Geraldo Rivera's unhappy effort with Al Capone's safe a few years ago.

"We'd love to do a second special," Peter tells USA Today, adding that this first go-round "was very important for network TV. We put on an event that sugarcoated the education pill."

And, really, isn't sugarcoating the education pill what it's all about?

"The numbers grew through the evening," Peter goes on. "That means there's more to TV than just merely pushing the pleasure button." But the latest crop of sitcoms already proved that.

A FOOTNOTE: Speaking of Geraldo, here's an item saying he wants to take six months off from his standoff with Tom Brokaw to sail around the world in his 70-foot yacht, with his wife and kids along to batten down the hatches and reef the mainsail, etc.

ANOTHER FOOTNOTE: Speaking of patently unsavory individuals, word is that former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato is going to write an advice-to-the-lovelorn column for some magazine.

NEWS UPDATE: Years have gone by since Sarah, the Duchess of Fergie, was photographically caught in flagrante delicto with a Texas financier who showed a special interest in her toes. Now, at long last, Sarah has something to say about the matter.

"I was legally separated at the time," she points out in an interview in Ladies Home Journal. "We weren't doing anything wrong. It wasn't sordid, it wasn't awful." Well, it was maybe a little bit sordid.

WORDS OF WISDOM: You remember Shannen Doherty as the vixenish young woman who made a big splash years ago on the TV show "Beverly Hills 90210” and at the same time was constantly popping up in columns like this one as the author of one bizarre piece of public misbehavior after another. Today, as the star of "Charmed," she seems to have turned over a new leaf.

"Not working as much for the past five years was really important to me," she tells a reporter. "I needed to gather myself, focus on who I was and who I wanted to be and how I wanted to conduct myself. I don't think you can do that when you're consumed by work every single day, because that gives you an excuse to hide within yourself." That's what we keep trying to tell our editors, to no avail.

Roger Anderson is arts and entertainment editor at Scripps Howard News Service.

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