April 20, 1999

TWO DIVAS, PUBLICIST FORM BIZARRE SHOW­BIZ TRIANGLE

By ROGER ANDERSON Scripps Howard News Service

RUDENESS IN THE NEWS INDUSTRY: One can scarcely credit the fact that the folks at "60 Minutes" conducted an in-depth interview with Madonna some time ago and have yet to put the darn thing on the air.

Word around New York even suggests that this sudden lack of interest on the part of the nonpareil news magazine reflects a lack of interest on the part of regular people like the ones who read this column.

"I'm sure the show will do it at the best time for them," says Liz Rosenberg, who, as you know, is the Material Matron's ace publicist. "Maybe they're waiting for the May sweeps period. But they won't back-burner it. We'll see it before the new millennium."

EQUALLY IMPORTANT NEWS: It should surprise no one that a rag like the Star tabloid would spread what apparently are groundless rumors that Cher wants to adopt an orphan.

"Nice sentiment," remarks Cher's publicist, Liz Rosenberg. "But it's not true."

Liz, how did you get down here from the Madonna item so fast?

THE CHER STORY, PART 2: There's also a canard going around to the effect that Cher lip-synched her hit tune, "Believe," when performing for VH-1's recent "Divas" extravaganza.

"She absolutely sang live," Liz Rosenberg tells the New York Daily News. "She knew she had to sing live, and she sang live."

Liz, can't Madonna pay your full salary anymore?

CHER, CHER, CHER: Then there's this other story that says Cher is suing her late ex-husband Sonny Bono's estate in an effort to get her beautifully manicured hands on back alimony payments. But the paper disseminating the story reportedly couldn't get Cher's "spokeswoman" to return a call seeking clarification. It does, however, identify that person as - you guessed it - Liz Rosenberg, who ought to hire her own publicist (except she doesn't seem to need one).

ANOTHER FAMOUS FEMALE: We're also noticing a rumor that Emma Thompson, the Oscar-winning actress who used to be married to Kenneth Branagh but now apparently cohabits with a not nearly so famous actor named Greg Wise, is pregnant.

"I find that hard to believe," says Emma's publicist, "because she was just here (in New York) a month ago, and she wasn't pregnant then."

And the name of Emma's publicist is ... Lois Smith.

JUDY GARLAND'S DAUGHTERS IN THE NEWS: First comes word, as conveyed by gossip dowager Liz Smith, that Liza Minnelli has agreed to serve as guest editor for an upcoming ish of In-Theater magazine.

And here's USA Today asking Liza's half-sister, Lorna Luft, to comment on long-standing reports that the two gals are locked in some kind of feud with one another.

"I wish her the best," says Lorna, “and that's all there is to say."
(Perhaps if we wait a moment she'll enlarge on that statement.)

"People always ask me to say something about Liza," Lorna finally goes on, "and I say, 'I don't know.' I'm not going to comment on something I haven't seen or been around. I don't know where she's at; I haven't spoken to her or seen her."

Thanks, Lorna.

"I'm not going to buy into the stories out there," Lorna continues "Basically, I wish her the best and hope she is well, and that's all I can say."

Lorna, you're too good.

"There is no ill feeling on my part about where she's at right now or anything."

Excellent.

"That's it."

Thanks again.

FURTHER VARIATIONS ON 'NO COMMENT': For some reason, that reminds us that unscrupulous people are going around suggesting that Ted Turner, famously married to Jane Fonda, has been keeping suspiciously close company with a beautiful woman whose name is Frederique D'Arragon.

"I am a painter and very old friend of Ted's," Frederique tells a reporter. "I stay in touch with Ted, but I'm not interested in saying anything about it." We don't blame her.

WHY PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY DO: On the style and fitness front, it has been noticed recently that a lot of glamorous females like Lisa Marie Presley, Sheryl Crow and Gwyneth Paltrow have been seen walking around in clothes that give the world a clear view of their navels. Fortunately, a fellow named Jorge Ramon - who is employed as the fashion editor of Teen People mag - is able to throw some light on this trend.

"People are showing off all their hard work in the gym," Jorge explains to an inquiring reporter. "It's an empowering thing to show off your midriff." We knew Women's Lib would make a comeback.

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

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