Madonna takes on a developer to make Manhattan safe for motherhood
Focus
Young man, there's a place you can go...if you can get past Madonna. Just across the street from the singer's apartment near Central Park in Manhattan, a YMCA is planning to add 36 stories for programs and residences to its existing building, inspiring Madonna to charge into a neighborhood legal battle to stop the Y. In a sworn statement filed in a New York state court on Aug. 31, Madonna, who identifies herself by her legal name, Madonna Ciccone, complains that the building "may well create a hazard for me and my child," Lourdes Maria, 23 months. Without citing any specifics, Madonna also contends that the building's "cramped space will make a potentially hazardous construction project even more so" and warns that the site could suffer the same fate as a skyscraper currently being built a mile away in Times Square. A partial collapse of a construction elevator there in July killed one person and tied up midtown for weeks. Not everyone is convinced safety is the opponents' chief concern: One observer involved in the dispute says the lawsuit is a smokescreen for residents who want to save their views of the Manhattan skyline. Building opponent Kevan Cleary denies that but acknowledges a fight against a previous plan was waged in the 1980s—long before the Times Square square accident. As for the Y, spokeswoman Susan Lake says they want to build an addition that serves their clients and "ensures the well-being-of our neighbors." As for Madonna, Lake took a rain check on a debate. "No comment," she said.
Family Matters
Julia, a pioneering TV show about a single black working mom, first aired 30 years ago this month. Scoop asked the show's star, Diahann Carroll, for her thoughts about TV families then and now.
What were your feelings about the show?
I did not realize the impact it would have until I saw it on the air. I think it began to dawn on me that we were doing something that had never been done before.
Was there any negative reaction when it first aired?
Julia was, in the eyes of many, someone who did not represent the black community. They said it was a fantasy. All of this was untrue. Much about the character of Julia I drew from my life, my family.... Emotionally it was very stressful.
How do you feel about the portrayal of African-Americans on TV now? How have things changed since Julia's time?
It could be based upon my age that I'm not responding to much of what is on the air having to do with the black community. It's difficult for me to watch television, period.
Julia was also about a single parent heading a family. What do you think of the single parents on today's shows?
I think Frasier shows an interesting family situation, and a sophisticated one. Their interaction with each other is caring and intelligent and uplifting.
Do you think Julia was important?
The fact that we were a part of destroying anything stereotypical is a feeling of gratification to me. Anything that helps to expand the thought process, one is proud to be a part of that.
Before and Aft
Is this ship still see-worthy? The second season of Love Boat: The Next Wave is ready to shove off, and on Oct. 30 the current cast (headed by Robert Urich) will unite with such ancient mariners as Gavin McLeod (Capt. Merrill Stubing) and Bernie Kopell (ship's doctor Adam Bricker). "Thanks to [producer] Aaron Spelling," jokes Kopell, "I can get a seat at any restaurant I want in over 98 countries."
Elvis Had the Right Stuff
The many faces of Elvis—student, soldier, rhinestone-suited superstar—are drawing 'em in at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland where a hunk of Presley memorabilia will be on display through next spring. Much of the exhibition, which includes everything from rare 45s to a TV set with a bullet hole in the screen, is on loan from the Graceland collection in Memphis. "He used to sit around with his buddies, and he'd go, 'I don't like that show,' Pow!" explains the museum's chief curator, Jim Henke. Other mementos include crayons Elvis used as a boy in Tupelo, Miss., and telegrams of condolence his family received after his death. The display, which is included in the museum's $14.95 admission, also contains two report cards, a 1953 job application in which he said he wanted to operate "a big lathe," and a 1956 draft of the lyrics to "Heartbreak Hotel."
The exhibit, says Henke, provides "a little bit more of a picture of Elvis," who died in 1977. "You sort of get an idea of a complete person as opposed to this iconic image that's out there."
ON THE BLOCK
BARBRA DOWNSIZES
Barbra Streisand has put properties on two coasts up for sale now that she and hubby James Brolin nest primarily in Malibu. She's asking $10 million for her 5,000-square-foot triplex apartment (left) on Manhattan's Central Park West. It includes eight bedrooms, 7½ baths, wraparound gardened terraces, a hair salon and great views. Streisand may have a buyer for her $7.5 million Holmby Hills, Calif., home (right). Listed by real estate agents Joe Babajian and Mindy Williamson, the gated, two-acre property boasts five bedrooms, seven baths, a sun room, a swimming pool and parking space for 10 cars.
Live at the Hollywood Bowl
It's not often you get to see actresses Dyan Cannon and Carmen Electra in goofy multicolored shoes, but they were willing to make that sacrifice for charity last week at the Kobe Bryant Celebrity Bowling Party in Studio City, Calif. Also attending were Jay Leno, Jennifer Love Hewitt and high scorer Gregory "Mr. 183" Hines, who, thrilled, vowed to get his "own ball and a pair of shoes." Bryant's efforts in the lane earned more than $100,000 for children's charities.
Been There, Done That
Forget Wag the Dog. When the Michael Douglas film The American President was released three years ago, critics said the story about a handsome chief executive with a school-age daughter and a George Stephanopoulos-ish aide borrowed heavily from the Clinton Presidency. Lately, though, with the film airing on cable this scandal-soaked summer, Clinton seems to be borrowing back. Consider the similarities:
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Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
