August 24, 1999

NEVER MIND GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA, HERE'S TRUMP VS. CRONKITE

By ROGER ANDERSON Scripps Howard News Service

CRONKITE AND TRUMP IN NEW YORK SHOWDOWN: It was bound to happen sooner or later - that Walter Cronkite, the most trusted individual in this part of the galaxy, and Donald Trump, one of the most heavy-handed real-estate billionaires in history, would find themselves at loggerheads.

The deal is that Donald is behind the idea of putting a great big new edifice in a Manhattan neighborhood near the U.N. building, a project to which Walter is adamantly opposed.

"Our lawyers and our zoning people say there were failures in the process of gaining permission to build," the former CBS News god tells the New York Daily News, doubtless in those famous avuncular tones. "There are also problems of a construction nature ... There exists a serious set of violations that could pose a physical danger to persons unlucky enough to be in the vicinity while work is going on."

Reached for comment, the former husband of Ivana Trump and Maria Maples Trump characterizes Walter's strictures as "totally preposterous."

"I've got my building permits," he goes on. "The building is well under construction, and we've sold a vast amount of units. If a building permit was ever taken away after it was issued, no bank in the world would ever invest in New York City again, and the city would have huge liability.”

And, really, Walter, isn't that what it's all about?

A FASHION FOE PAW: The editors at Ello and Mirabella magazines must have egg all over their faces at the realization - its right there in USA Today for all the world to see - that Ashley Judd (on the cover of Elle) and Mira Sorvino (inside Mirabella) are shown wearing Gucci outfits that,if not identical, are very, very similar.

"Certain things stand out in collections," explains Mirabella fashion director Michelle Morgan, "especially when you're dressing celebrities, and Gucci is perfect for them in every way, shape and form. Right now, from models to celebrities, there's a resurgence of glamour, sex appeal and sophistication in a very '70s way and, overall, Gucci just reeks of sex." Maybe room freshener will help.

ON THE VERY SAME PAGE OF USA TODAY: Here's nutritionist-to­ the-stars Carrie Latt Wiatt reflecting on all the top celebrities she's helped get slim, among them Dennis Quaid, Sela Ward, James Cameron, Kate Winslet, Heather Locklear, Alfre Woodard, John Larroquette, Candice Bergen and Jennifer Aniston.

"Jennifer Aniston lost 30 pounds with me six years ago," Carrie recalls. "This was before 'Friends.' She had to look a certain way to go out and audition, like every actress. On my program, Jennifer lost all the weight in three months. Here was an actress who wanted to work. I think she looks great" So do we!

MILLENNIAL, MOPERY, DOPERY: One recent matter of at least slight interest was word that Sarah, the Duchess of York, wanted to get the job of dropping the ball at midnight in Times Square on New Year's Eve - a rumor that excited many guffaws in New York. But reliable intelligence suggests otherwise.

"Fergie is not pursuing it," says her publicist, Howard Rubenstein (He calls her "Fergie"?)

INCIPIENT MATERNITY NEWS: You already knew that Molly Ringwald recently got spliced to her longtime light-of-love, writer Valery Lamenigere, but maybe you didn't know that some are saying Molly is also currently great with child. Fortunately, her manager - a fellow named Jason Weinberg - is not loath to confirm the rumor.

"They are both thrilled," he says, referring, we suppose, to Molly and Valery (though he doesn't specify).

HARD NEWS THE HARD WAY: A Daily News columnist is very excited to tell everyone that TV talking head Jack Ford, currently employed by NBC, "expects to join ABC very soon."

Reached for comment, Jack says: "It looks that way."

Apparently deeming this too soft a response to so earth-shattering a piece of news, the columnist in question presses for something more definite.

"I can't say anything yet," Jack replies. "I'd rather wait for the official announcement." That clinches it!

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

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