If Chet Were Here, He’d Say: ‘Good Night, David!’
ABC is refusing to run ads for agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland that feature former newsman David Brinkley.
“Since television began I have brought you the news, straight and true,” Brinkley says in one spot. “I will still speak straight and true, I’ll never change that. But now, I will bring you information about food, the environment, agriculture; issues of importance to the American people and the world.”
ABC pulled the ads after learning they would air only during Sunday morning’s “This Week,” which Brinkley had created and hosted.
“60 Minutes” curmudgeon Andy Rooney called the situation “as sad as the death of a friend … We didn’t think David Brinkley could ever be bought, and it leaves the rest of us open to the suspicion that we might be bought, too.”
Loose talk
O.J. Simpson, on Mark Fuhrman’s KXLY radio gig (on ESPN’s “UpClose”): “I think that’s one of the problems they talk about that’s dividing our country. You see Mark Fuhrman’s doing a radio show.”
We hear he could be in line for postmaster general
Kevin Costner turns 43 today.
But now it’s his turn to slam the Liddy
A Phoenix electronics store owner is suing former Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy for claiming on his radio show that the business bungled the installation of a stereo system at his home. Liddy said the man “does not know how to install anything. He couldn’t install himself on a toilet.”
Guess his first day back was kind of ruff
Sam Donaldson was the center of attention around the capitol last week when he returned as ABC’s chief White House correspondent. His first question, as President Clinton returned by helicopter from Camp David, was about Iraq. The president chose not to answer, but the query did elicit a bark from First Dog Buddy.
Actually, Bill just wanted to meet Tinker Bell
Clinton joined with Disney CEO Michael Eisner to tape an introduction to “Ruby Bridges,” a TV movie about school integration that airs on “The Wonderful World of Disney” tonight.
She’s probably holding out for Howard Stern
Attorney general Janet Reno, meanwhile, has refused invitations for guest shots on Fox’s “Ally McBeal” and ABC’s “Dharma & Greg.” “We’ve said no for now,” her press secretary said, but didn’t rule out any future appearances.
Well, so much for reliving his old glory
Yes, that’s former “Baywatch” babe Pamela Anderson Lee pictured from behind, draped only with a flag, on the cover of the new issue of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s George magazine. The Star tabloid reports John-John originally wanted former flame Daryl Hannah for the shot, but wife Carolyn Bessette nixed the idea.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Rick Bonino