September 14, 1999

JULIA AND BENJAMIN'S RINGS DEVOID OF SIGNIFICANCE, FLACK SAYS

By ROGER ANDERSON Scripps Howard News Service

'FOREVER, BUT NOT THAT KIND OF FOREVER': What with the high level of excitement in the celebrity world lately, epitomized by such gala events as the MTV Video Awards and the Emmy Awards, it's instructive to note that some commentators couldn't help fixating on the fact that high-profile sweeties Benjamin Bratt and Julia Roberts were spotted at the Emmys wearing what appeared to be matching silver rings.

However, jumping to marital conclusions based on that perception might be unwise, according to one knowledgeable source.

"They've had them forever," Julia spokeswoman Marcy Engelman says with reference to the finger jewelry in question. "They're just rings that they wear. They're not engaged; they're not married." Do they even know each other?

RULES OF THE GAME: Gossip dowager Liz Smith seems to have her work cut out for her when it comes to helping Gloria Reuben - the very lovely actress who stars on "ER" - get up to speed about being a celebrity. Admitting to Liz that she's planning on becoming married in the fall, Gloria remains shy about going all the way, disclosure-wise, even declining to name names.

"You can say I'm getting married," she confirms. "But do I have to talk about him?"

Yes, you do. We're giving you one week.

PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:It goes without saying that events in East Timor, for example, pale in comparison with the burgeoning primacy of morning network programming in the United States. Accordingly, the recent unveiling of ABC's new Times Square set for its "Good Morning America” show is news of considerable moment. Yet how momentous is it, really, when you stop and think about it?

When all is said and done," ABC News president David Westin comments sagaciously, "no one comes to a TV program to watch a set." Oh, sure, they do.

MORE ABOUT TV THAT'S ON WHEN THE SUN'S SHINING: USA
Today is privy to scuttlebutt to the effect that insiders at NBC News were underwhelmed by the debut of the company's new daytime show, "Later." Yet Jeff Zucker, who serves as the program's executive producer, describes himself as "very pleased.”

"It's incredibly hard to launch one of these shows," he continues, a bit plaintively. "We got it on the air, it had a lot of energy, and it's exactly what we wanted it to be: different from what else is on in daytime."

The program's groundbreaking format, by the way, involves Florence Henderson and two other women sitting around talking to celebrities.

GREAT NEWS: Because Pamela Anderson Lee had the good grace to show up at the MTV Video Awards wearing a gigantic, fluffy pink hat designed by someone named Ivy Supersonic, Ivy's people indicate that they're fielding queries from all over. The unconventional chapeau retails for $2,000.

MORE GREAT NEWS: We are gratified at being able to report that Harrison Ford was allowed to keep the suits he wears in his next film, "Random Hearts."

GREAT NEWS, CONTINUED: According to New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, Nathan Lane is developing a movie about Jackie Gleason in which he plans to star.

Wait a minute - that's actually a good idea. Did someone leave the back door open?

THE RISING ANTI-CELEBRITY TIDE: Lately we've taken pains to pass along the latest word about John Travolta's Maine neighbors and their reported unhappiness with the airplanes he may or may not fly too close to their homes, raising all kinds of havoc and ire. Now the New York Daily News expands on that news theme with an item saying that John and fellow celebrity flyboys Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been getting on the nerves of certain peons unlucky enough to live near an airport in Van Nuys, Calif., which the three often utilize. The News regrets to note that a complaint on the matter to the L.A. City Council apparently has borne no fruit.

THE WRITER'S ART, AND WELCOME TO IT: We have it on excellent authority that Deborah Norville, who anchors "Inside Edition," is coming out with a children's book titled "I Don't Want to Sleep Tonight." But how did such a busy woman find the time to pen a tome?

"He wasn't sleeping," Deborah says with reference to her 8-year­old boy, "which meant Mommy wasn't sleeping. I'm such a hyper person anyway, always making grocery lists, writing things down. So I used the time to create an interactive pop-up book." Try drinking a glass of warm milk next time.

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

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