The buzz on Jason Alexander's new ABC show Bob Patterson, in which he plays a motivational speaker, is not great: The pilot had to be retooled. But who needs a hit show when you're getting $10 million for 27 days' work? That's what I hear the former Seinfeld star is getting for his new KFC commercials, in which he's on a mission to save the world from ordinary fast food. He shot the first five spots over two days in July and did two more on Aug. 21. Alexander has to work only nine days each year over the contract's three-year term. That works out to about $375,000 a day, and that's no chicken feed!

With a little help from his Friends, Matthew Perry celebrated his 32nd birthday on Aug. 17, two days early. Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow secretly signed a card between takes, and as soon as David Schwimmer, who directed the episode, yelled "Cut!" the sound-stage burst into guess-which-song, and a sheet cake was rolled out. Looking surprised, Perry sheepishly thanked the crowd and blew out his candles in one breath. (The new season of Friends begins Sept. 20.)

Kiefer Sutherland got wet and wild at Beverly Hills' Avalon hotel the night of Aug. 18. After downing drinks in the hotel's open-air courtyard with a group of friends, the actor jumped into the pool fully clothed and swam around until security guards politely asked him to get out and towel off. Sopping wet, Sutherland made his way back to the bar and ordered another scotch from the obliging bar staff. "He was so sweet, very polite," says one eyewitness. "He was just having a good time."

Amy Brenneman's role on Judging Amy will be reduced this year so she can spend more time with her 6-month-old daughter Charlotte. (Dad is Brenneman's husband, film director Brad Silberling of City of Angels.) Executive producer Barbara Hall tells me that Brenneman will work more mom-friendly hours, down from 12 to around eight. Her dashing court clerk (Richard T. Jones) will help fill out the docket, along with a new love interest yet to be cast. When not on the soundstage she will have the luxury of a second trailer, a surprise gift for the baby from the studio on Brenneman's first day back at work in July.

Garry Shandling was a smash on last year's Prime-time Emmy Awards, leading the show to its highest viewership since 1986. So why isn't he returning for this year's event on Sept. 16? Because, unlike the Oscars, the Emmys change networks every year, and the host is usually tied to the network. That's why Ellen DeGeneres is emceeing this year on CBS. Her new sitcom The Ellen Show is premiering that week. Shandling is said to be fine with all this. Really.

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